Develyn had Molly at a lope when the clean, gold Chevy Silverado pulled up to the barn. “Ride her out here!” Renny shouted as he opened the gate.
“Are you sure it’s OK?”
“Just walk her around and talk to her. We’ll show Miss Molly off to the boss.”
The gray-haired man sported a pot belly and a pleasant smile. The woman wore jeans and a long-sleeved shirt, but her long gray hair was braided and she had no hat.
The man and Renny leaned against the pickup and began a laughing, hand-waving conversation. The woman strolled over to Develyn and the horse.
“I can’t believe this is my Molly. She’s been snotty for a couple of years. Take her at a gallop, hon. Let me see her legs.”
A gallop? Out here? We haven’t given her a test in the pasture. Develyn glanced over at Renny. He was sprawled flat on his back in the dirt, under the gold pickup, explaining something to the man.
Well, Devy girl, it’s time to cowgirl up. I don’t even know if she’ll respond to a gallop command.
Develyn slammed her heels into Molly’s flanks and shouted, “Heeeyah! Giddyup!”
The black horse bolted across the brown grass and sage pasture. The leather of Renny’s saddle slapped Develyn’s rear. She shifted her weight to her feet.
I think she has a smoother gait than My Maria, but not as fast.
The wind slapped her face. Develyn screwed her hat tight, but kept the horse at a gallop. This is what I like, Lord. The power … the thrill … the danger of racing a horse. This is what I remembered from thirty-five years ago. This is why I came out here. One more time … I had to find out if it was still the same.
I love it … I love it … I love it.
And I’ll love it more if Molly will slow down and not throw me over that fence.
Without yanking the reins back, Develyn eased them until they were taut. “Whoa . . girl … whoa …”
Molly dropped down to a lope.
“Whoa.”
When Dev tugged a couple of quick jerks on the reins, Molly stopped, then started to back up.
“Good girl!” Develyn leaned forward and stroked the horse’s neck. “I suppose that felt like a back up command. Let’s go to the barn before one of us does something really dumb.”
When they trotted up to the old barn, Renny was still under the truck. The man was handing tools to him.
Develyn swung down out of the saddle and handed the reins to the lady. “Would you like to ride her?”
“Oh, no, honey. They have to be more than eight hours broke for me to ride them. You young gals have more courage than me.”
“Thanks for calling me young. I’m Develyn.”
“Nice to meet you, Develyn. I’m Frannie. You sit well in the saddle. Wyoming girls usually do. We didn’t know Renny was bringing a gal with him today. I would have had you two to the house at noon for dinner. When we drove up, I told the old man, Renny has a girl with him … and I can bet she is a purdy thing. I was right.”
“Frannie, you are full of compliments.”
“Renny has a way of finding the purdy ones. Did you ever meet Lucinda Monroe? She was runner-up at Frontier Days a few years back. She was beautiful enough to be a model.”
Develyn chewed on her lower lip. “That’s nice.”
“And then there was the movie star. Renny met her up in Alberta when he was running a string of horses for that Kevin Costner movie. That girl had the smallest waist and the biggest … eh, … ego of any girl I ever saw. I don’t know her stage name, but Renny just called her Lolly.”
“I didn’t know Renny worked with Kevin Costner.”
“Oh, I don’t think they ever met. Renny just took care of the horses.” The lady rubbed her full lips. “I forgot about that vet from Rawlins. Now she was one tough lady. She had a rugged beauty, sort of like the Big Horns.”
Develyn glanced up at the mountains to the east.
“To tell you the truth,” the lady lowered her voice, “the last time we talked to Renny he said he was chasin’ some schoolteacher from back east. Can you imagine someone like Renny Slater with an eastern schoolteacher? Wouldn’t that be a pair? I can see he came to his senses. Where do you live, honey?”
“Right now, I’m staying down at Argenta.”
“Do you know Edith Tagley?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Isn’t she something? My mother and her were friends in grade school. How is she doing?”
“Really well. I don’t think she’s changed in thirty-five years.”
“You’ve know her that long?”
“I met her one summer when I was ten.”
“Are you telling me you are forty-five?” the lady gasped.
Develyn laughed. “I’m afraid it’s true.”
The lady leaned forward. “I just figured the Wyoming wind put them crows feet around your eyes. I’m fifty-four myself.”
I need my makeup bad! “It’s probably the dyed hair that fooled you.”
“Nope, I think it is that little upturned nose seldom seen in girls over twelve. I’m greatly relieved about Renny. We worry that he’s not married or had a family. I told the old man the other day, Renny can do a whole lot better than some pinch-lipped schoolteacher from Indiana.”
Renny dusted off his Wranglers as the two men strolled over.
“Frannie, Renny fixed my dadgum pickup.” The man tipped his hat at Develyn. “Howdy, ma’am. Don’t believe we’ve met.”
“Oh … Frannie and Frank … this is Develyn Worrell.”
Frannie nodded. “We’ve met. I don’t know where you find these girls, Renny, but Develyn can ride like the wind.”
“Did she take Molly at a gallop?” he asked.
“Clear across the pasture and back.”
“Well, how about that.” Renny’s grin revealed his two deep dimples. “Not bad for a schoolteacher.”
“A schoolteacher?” Frannie gasped.
“I told you about my friend, the Indiana schoolteacher, didn’t I?”
* * *
The sun had set and only dim twilight remained when Renny pulled up the driveway to Develyn’s cabin in Argenta. Uncle Henry met them at the road and followed them all the way up the drive to the dirt yard.
“Looks like your boy missed you.”
She rolled down her window. “Baby, you go over there and wait by the porch. I don’t want you chewing on Renny’s side-view mirrors again. Go on!”
The burro meandered to the front.
“I believe Uncle Henry must have been an orphan growing up on his own. He craves attention, sort of like a grade school kid whose parents have divorced and neither side really wants him.”
“I think he was given to you by the Lord,” Renny said.
“Why?”
“To keep you from missing school too much.”
“I always enjoy my summers.”
“What do you usually do in the summer? You don’t move off to Wyoming every year.”
“I teach summer school, then spend a week with some friends in Michigan. The rest of the summer I, eh …”
“Get ready for the next year of teaching?”
“Renny, it’s what I do.”
“I know. Well, I’m glad you came out here this summer. You perked up my life from the first time I saw you sitting on that wagon seat bench in front of Mrs. Tagley’s. I was shocked when you got in my truck and drove off with me.”
“It was only a quarter mile.”
“Well, it changed my life.”
“I didn’t know it was all that dramatic.”
“Any time a friendship begins that will last a lifetime, that is pure drama. You and me will be pals forever, right?”
“Yes, we will. Even if I am a lousy kisser.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You said I needed lessons.”
“Ever’ one needs to keep in practice, I reckon.”
“Kind of like team roping?” she giggled. “You need to throw a few loops every now and then just to keep on top of your game.”
“Hey, I like that, Dev Worrell.”
“Life is like a rodeo. I learned that from a good-lookin’ cowboy friend of mine.”
Renny dropped his chin and stared down at the steering wheel. “Dev, look, I was out of line for kissing you. I shouldn’t be complicatin’ your life. You’re trying to sort things out with Quint, and I’m actin’ irresponsible.”
“Do you regret it, Renny?”
He looked at her and shook his head. “No, ma’am. Do you mind sittin’ there a spell while I mumble?”
“I don’t think I’ve ever been asked to ‘sit a spell.’ I’d like to try it. What do you want to mumble about?”
“Don’t take this wrong, but you are a classy lady, and I’ve not been around classy ladies much.”
“Renny, you’ve seen me filthy, without makeup, angry … and scared to death. How can you say I’m classy?”
“’Cause I’ve seen you slicked up, lookin’ like ever’ man’s dream too. I’ve seen you walk into a crowd and ever’ head turns … men, boys, women … I’ve seen you change their schedule with a glance … and by smiling at them, prod men to demonstrate their best behavior.”
“Wow, that’s quite a mouthful. I don’t think I can live up to that.”
“You are that way, Devy-girl. Ask Casey or Quint or Cuban or Cooper Tallon.”
“Thank you very much. But why the accolades?”
“Ever since I met you, I’ve wondered what it would be like to kiss a classy lady like that.”
“Now, I’m getting really embarrassed. You’ve put me on a pedestal that I can’t maintain.”
“Anyway, today, I was thinkin’ … if I don’t kiss her now, I may never get another chance. So I kissed you.”
“And all your wonderful images of me went up in smoke, right?”
“Oh, no. It was wonderful … but …”
“I’m a lousy kisser?”
“Hardly. You see, I found out what it’s like to get to kiss a classy lady, but I haven’t found out what it’s like to have a classy lady want to kiss me.”
“Are you saying I was less than enthusiastic?”
“No, that’s not what I meant. I just realized that a stolen kiss is just that, stolen. I should have waited, and I’m sorry for that.”
“You are the sorriest cowboy I’ve ever met. I think you need some lessons yourself.”
“What kind of lessons?”
“This kind …” Develyn scooted over, threw her arms around Renny’s neck and smashed her lips against his. His arms engulfed her and held her tight against his chest.
“Alright, what’s going on out here?”
Develyn looked up to see Casey standing by the open window. She pulled back from Renny’s grasp. “I … I … I didn’t know you were home.”
“That’s obvious. You didn’t answer my question. What is going on out here?”
“We were doin’ a little comparison experiment,” Renny laughed. “Sort of a survey, you might say.”
“Yeah, right. You were lip-locked and down for the count. It’s a good thing I came out. If it weren’t for Uncle Henry’s brays, I might have missed this.”
“I’ll be right in,” Develyn laughed.
“Right now, young lady. No daughter of mine is going to sit in the driveway and neck with some driftin’, washed-up rodeo cowboy. What will the neighbors think?”
“I don’t think Cooper will notice.”
“Hah. You are grounded for a week. Now get in the house.”
“What’s got into Cree-Ryder?” Renny asked.
“Oh, once she has tasted being the countess … it’s hard to get it out of her blood.”
“We could just go on neckin’ and maybe she’d be self-conscious and leave.”
“Casey, self-conscious?”
“No, I don’t suppose so.” Renny leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Good night, Dev. It’s been one of the most fun days of my life.”
She squeezed his hand. “For me, too, Renny. I learned so much.”
“There hasn’t been this much mush since Goldilocks and the Three Bears,” Casey sighed.
Develyn glared. “And your point is?”
“It so happens I have some really important things to talk to you about.”
“About a certain bronze cowboy with an awesome smile?”
“Isn’t he dreamy?”
“Yes, if I were twenty years younger.”
Develyn opened the pickup door. “Renny, will you phone me tomorrow?”
“Yes, ma’am, I believe I will.”
“Are you going to Douglass tonight?”
“Yep, I promised some high school boys I’d give ’em a bronc ridin’ clinic.”
“Take care of yourself, cowboy. There’s a lot more you need to teach me.”
“You do show progress,” he laughed.
She tipped her hat. “Thank you, sir.”
* * *
Casey hauled Develyn past a protesting Uncle Henry and straight into the cabin, then slammed the door behind them.
“What is this all about?”
“Here’s the deal,” Casey said. “How do I know when I’ve met the one that I should marry?”
“You’ve only known Jackson for twenty-four hours.”
“My heart has known him since I was six.”
“Did he propose?”
“Of course not.”
“Did he kiss you?”
“Yeah, but not like you and Renny.”
“That was just a game we were playing.”
“Whatever,” Casey shrugged. “I saw you jump on him. It was an enthusiastic game.”
Develyn sank into a big musty chair and drew her feet under her. “Casey, where is this going? Are you questioning my morals … my relationship with Renny … or what?”
“It has nothing to do with that.” Casey paced around the little lantern-lit cabin. “It’s just …”
“What is it?”
“Be patient with me.”
“Is it Jackson?”
Casey nodded her head and bit her lip. She continued to stalk the shadows of the cabin.
“What’s the matter, honey? I only visited with him for five minutes, but he seems perfect for you.”
Casey let out a sob. “That’s the problem. He is perfect.” She held her arms across her chest and rocked back and forth.
Develyn scurried over and wrapped her arms around Casey. “What is the problem, sweetie?”
For several moments Develyn held her close and listened to her sobs, retreating only for the box of Kleenex. “Talk to me, sweet Casey.”
“I’m scared, Dev.”
“Are you afraid of a relationship?”
“I’m afraid of no relationship.”
“You don’t think he likes you?”
“He likes me … now. Dev, I have never wanted anything more in my life. You know my background. I’ve never had anyone close. Never had anyone care. In just six weeks, you have become closer to me than anyone. I know I’m just another of your many, many friends. But to me, you’re the closest friend I’ve ever had.”
“It may interest you to know, my countess, that I consider you and Lily my best friends on earth.”
“Really?”
“Yes, now talk to me.”
“But you are going home in a few weeks.”
“Yes, and you are coming to stay with me between Thanksgiving and Christmas, remember? That is, provided that Jackson Hill doesn’t change your mind.”
Casey burst out in tears.
Develyn handed her another Kleenex. “Tell me what this is about?”
Casey finally quieted down enough to say, “Dev, I’m afraid I will die if I don’t get Jackson. I don’t care if the Lord ignores every prayer I have for the rest of my life. Just once I want the breaks to go my way.”
“Honey, you pray about it. The Lord will lead you to his will.”
“That’s what scares me so much. I don’t know what the Lord’s will is … and I don’t care. I don’t want his will … I want Jackson. If he rejects me, I won’t survive. There is only so much heartbreak and rejection a person can take.”
“Dear, sweet Casey.”
They hugged and swayed for several moments.
“But what if it is the Lord’s will?” Dev demured. “What if he says to you, Cree-Ryder, this is your man. What if he says to Mr. Jackson Hill, this bronze bombshell is for you.”
“Nothing good ever happens to me.”
“I’m nothing?”
“Besides you …”
“And the barbecue at the Quarter Circle Diamond?”
“Yeah.”
“And getting to be the countess at the LaSage mansion?”
“Yeah. OK,” Casey whimpered. “Since I met you some things have gone right.”
“You see, you’re on a roll. Until the Lord shows you other wise, why not assume Jackson is the Lord’s will?”
“But … but … how do I keep him?”
“Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
“Are you quoting Scripture to me?”
“Yes, but I don’t remember which psalm that is.”
“Psalm 37:4,” Casey said. “But I don’t know how to do that.”
“I don’t either. Not for sure anyway. Let’s learn together.”
“I need to wash my face.”
“Come here …” Develyn led her by the hand to the sink in the little bathroom at the back of the cabin. She turned on the water and let it run. “Close your eyes.”
“What are you going to do?” Casey closed her eyes.
“I’m going to help you, countess.” Develyn scooped up a double handful of cold water and tossed it in Casey’s face.
“What! Why did you to that?” she shouted.
“Splashology, honey.” Develyn tossed another handful of water into Casey’s startled face.
“Oh no, you don’t!” Casey shouted. “It takes two to play splashology.” She shoved Develyn out into the cabin and splashed her face.
“Ahhhh!” Develyn hollered. “No, you don’t …” She pushed past Casey and grabbed a water glass next to the sink.
Casey jumped back, and the glassful of water splashed across her shirt.
She grabbed the glass from Develyn’s hand and tugged her into the front room, then dove for the sink. “Two can play that game. Maybe we’ll just have a wet T-shirt contest.”
“Time out, time out!” Develyn shrieked. “That’s no fair. You’ll always win the wet T-shirt contest.”
Casey chased her around the table with a whoop. “There are no time-outs in splashology. Come here, you flat-chested schoolteacher.”
A loud bang on the door froze both ladies.
Develyn scooted over to the door and cracked it open. “Coop?”
“Evenin’, Miss Dev. I heard some screamin’. Is ever’thin’ OK?”
“Oh, eh, we were having a little fun. We got carried away. You know how girls are. ”
“Eh, no, I probably don’t.”
Hiding behind Develyn, Casey shoved the glass of water toward Cooper Tallon. “You want a drink?”
“Of water?”
“Of course.”
“Eh, no thanks.” He rubbed his square chin. “Dev, could you step out here for a second? I have something I need to tell you.”
Develyn slipped out the door, but kept her arms folded across her chest. “I’m a little wet.”
“Yes, I noticed.”
What did you notice, Mr. Tallon?
“What do you need, Coop?”
“I heard Uncle Henry braying earlier, so I peeked out the window when you and Slater drove up.”
“You were spying on me?”
“No. I mean, I didn’t mean to. I have to admit I was keeping an eye out just to make sure you got home safe. You have a reputation for …”
“Adventure?”
“Yeah, that’s it. Anyway I saw you and Renny actin’, eh, chummy, which is none of my business. It’s just that I wanted you to know that if the Friday night supper confuses things for you, we can just cancel it.”
“Are you trying to get out of cooking for me?”
“No, ma’am, I’m just tryin’ not to complicate your life. I have no intention of being a pest.”
“Coop, I am really counting on Friday night, so don’t you go backing out on me.”
In the evening shadows, she spied a wide, easy grin. “I won’t, Dev.”
Develyn watched him saunter back to his cabin. Oh, my, Mr. Cooper Fallon, it’s a good thing you hide that smile most of the time. She slipped back inside the cabin and closed the door behind her.
The entire glass of cold water splashed on top of her head.
Both ladies shouted, laughed, hugged, then danced around the room.
* * *
Develyn emerged from the tiny bathroom with a dry shirt and a towel on her head. The cabin felt empty.
“Casey?”
There was no answer.
She opened the front door. “Casey?”
“I’m sitting out here on the porch watching the Wyoming moon.”
“Did you get on some dry clothes?”
“Yes, ma’ma.”
“Can I join you, or do you want to be alone?”
“You can come out if you want.”
Develyn shuffled out and slumped down on the uncovered porch next to Casey.
“Nice big moon, isn’t it?”
“I don’t think the Indiana moon is as big. I know it’s not such a bright white. It’s beautiful.”
“And peaceful.”
“Maybe that’s why the Lord created night. To give us a peaceful break from the day’s confusion.”
“Dev, I’ve decided you are right. I might as well assume that Jackson is the one the Lord has in store for me, until he shows me something different.”
“That’s a good way of looking at it.”
“How about you?”
“What about me?”
“Do you assume Renny is the one now, until the Lord shows you different … like he did with Quint?”
“I assume there is no man for me, unless the Lord shows me different.”
“But what about that kissing?”
“I think I got carried away a little.”
“What does Renny think?”
“He understands. We’re just very good friends.”
“You sure are a friendly thing.”
“Thank you. But I don’t think you came out here to contemplate my relationships.”
“You’ve got to teach me everything.”
“About what?”
“Manners, etiquette, speech, posture … you know everything about being a lady. I want to be classy, like you.”
“For Jackson?”
“Yes, I want to be so wonderful and charming that he can’t get me out of his mind.”
“I don’t think so.”
“You won’t teach me?”
“Honey, I’ll teach you anything you really want to know,” Develyn offered. “But that won’t get Jackson to commit.”
“Why not?”
“Jackson Hill isn’t interested in me. He’s interested in you.”
“But if you teach me, I can sort of be like the countess.”
“He’s not interested in the ‘countess’ either. He rather likes Casey Cree-Ryder.”
“But he doesn’t know all about me.”
“Then tell him.”
“The truth?” Casey gasped.
“Yep. Tell him whatever your heart and the Lord agree to tell him.”
Casey groaned. “You mean, I have to tell him about my three illegitimate children and my life as a dope smuggler?”
Dev laughed. “Six weeks ago I would have gasped and believed you.” She hugged Casey. “Not now. I know my Casey.”
Casey hugged her back. “He likes my hair down.”
“I figured he would. I’ve told you. You have to-die-for hair.”
“I need to wash it. It takes forever to dry.”
“Wash it in the morning. You can let it dry while we ride.”
“Eh, listen …” Casey let out a deep sigh, “about tomorrow.”
“What time is Jackson coming over?”
“About 9:00. He has a pal near Casper that he’s going to help shoe a rank horse, first. They’ll have to drop and tie him.”
“Do what?”
“Lay the horse down and restrain him.”
“I’ve never seen that done.”
“Anyway … when he gets done, he wants to come over.”
“That’s wonderful. Are you going someplace?”
“Eh … I thought we’d go for a ride.”
“I think that’s wonderful, Casey. It will give you a good environment to get to know each other better. Does he have a horse to ride?”
“No … see … I was wondering if I could ride My Maria, and I’d let him ride Popcorn. I’ll take good care of her.”
“Of course, honey. You two go for a ride.”
“But that means you don’t get to ride.”
“I’ll survive.”
“What will you do?”
“Gather up all our clothes and go to the laundromat in Casper.”
“Are you sure you don’t mind?”
“Honey, you think Jackson is the one for you. I think he’s the one for you. Now, all we’ve got to do is convince the Lord and Jackson.”
“How do we do that?”
“I don’t know the details, but I don’t reckon anyone could stand against the Cree-Ryder/Worrell duo.”
“We’re sort of a female version of Butch and Sundance, aren’t we?”
“They both munched it.”
“Yeah, but what fun adventures they had before that.”
“Which am I?” Develyn asked.
“You’re Butch.”
“I was twelve when I first saw that movie, and I pretended to be Katherine Ross all summer. But you didn’t come out here to talk old movies.”
“Dev, I really want you to teach me how to be more gracious and all that. I don’t want to be phony, but I raised myself, and I just want to know the things that normal girls learn from a mama. That’s all.”
“That sounds fair enough. Here’s the first lesson.”
“Do we need to go inside?”
“No, this is just some motherly advice. You asked about how to know who to marry, and I’ve had a lot of time to think about it. I prepared a speech for my Delaney last spring, but she never asked.”
“What did you want to tell her?”
“First, the one you are to marry will agree with your faith. Second, he will let you be you. And third, just being with him will bring out the best in you.”
“That’s it?”
“Yes.”
“So, you don’t think I need to try to be like you?”
“Absolutely not. Be yourself. He must like you for who you are.”
“But what if he doesn’t like the real me?”
“Better to find that out now. You don’t want to put on a false front your entire life just to keep him.”
“Right now I think I’d do anything to keep him.”
“Sweet Casey, you can’t live a lie. Trust me on that. Be yourself, but, mind you, be your best self.”
“Meanwhile, will you teach me all the mama things I missed?”
“Yes, I will do what I can. Now, it’s getting late. So I want you to go in there, brush your teeth, floss and gargle with hydrogen peroxide.”
“I thought that was for dyeing your hair.”
“The bottle in the bathroom is a mouth wash. It kills the bacteria. Then put on your pajamas and go to bed.” Develyn stood and tugged Casey to her feet. “There, does that sound like I’m mothering you?”
“Yes, but I don’t have any pajamas. Will a T-shirt and shorts do?”
“Definitely not. Tomorrow when I go to Casper, I’m buying you some pajamas.”
“Oh, don’t bother. I’ve never worn pajamas in my whole life.”
“That is exactly my point.”
“This is one of those ‘mother’ things?”
“Yes it is.”
“The next thing I know you’ll be making me wear dresses.”
“Hmmmm. Are you a size 10 or 12?”
“Don’t even go there. You said he is supposed to like me for who I am. And I’m a jeans-wearing, boot-stomping cowboy girl.”
“I think a jewel-tone color would go so good with your hair.”
“Don’t you dare come home with a dress for me.”
“Maybe a peasant scoop collar, modest, of course, and skirt just below the knees.”
“Mother!”
“Relax, honey. I won’t buy you a dress if you aren’t with me.”
“Promise?”
“Of course.”
Casey led Develyn back into the cabin. “We do know how to have fun, don’t we?”
Develyn grinned. “Each day is a new delight.”
The sheets were cold, but clean, when Develyn turned off the lantern and slipped under the covers. The pillow felt softer than she remembered. Like a fluorescent nightlight, the moon glowed through the windows.
Lord, who am I to mother Casey? I need to be home, mothering my own daughter. I need to be mothered myself. Am I listening to my own advice? Does Renny bring out my best behavior? Does Quint? Does it matter? Do they let me be myself? I don’t even know who the real Dev Worrell is. That would be a nice thing for me to learn this summer. Will the real Develyn Upton Worrell please stand? Help me discover that.
I hope I like what I find.
* * *
Brownie limped when he rode up out of the water. Develyn slid off the saddle to the prairie floor and walked him over by several tall, gray and green sages. “What’s the matter, boy?”
She dropped the reins to the dirt and reached for his right front leg. He gave her his hoof.
“Oh, you got a rock in your frog …” She clutched the granite stone between her fingers and yanked it. “It’s in there tight! I wish I had a hoof pick like Dewayne.” She glanced around the dirt. “There’s a stick. I’ll use it.”
Develyn retrieved a sliver of a cedar fence post and rammed in under the rock. With a hard thrust, the rock flipped out. Brownie jerked back. Some of the cedar splinters remained lodged in the soft tissue of the upper frog.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Develyn cried out. “Let me get those.”
Brownie shied back.
Ten-year-old Develyn Worrel trotted after the horse. “Wait … wait … I’m sorry … let me take care of you.”
Every time Develyn stepped toward the big brown gelding he limped back, always keeping a distance between them.
“Stand still, Brownie.”
The wind whipped sand in her eyes. Develyn trudged several feet with her eyes closed, then peered between her fingers. The horse continued to back up.
“Wait for me.”
She lunged toward him. He bolted behind some tall sage. His head jerked down when he stepped on the reins.
“Don’t do that! Wait. You are going to hurt yourself even more. Don’t you understand?” Develyn screamed.
Brownie turned his tail toward her and grazed further away.
“I didn’t mean to yell. I’m sorry.”
She rubbed her sticky palm across her little, upturned nose and trudged after him.
“Brownie, I love you and want to help you. How come you are treating me this way?”
With his tail still pointed at her, Brownie stared across the prairie at the rocker arm of a distant oil well pump.
Lord, make that horse stand still. How can I help him if he’s always running away?
She took baby steps as she sneaked up on the horse. When she got within ten feet, he scooted away.
Is that what we do, Lord … do people who are all hurting run away from you? Do they think it is you who hurt them and don’t realize you only want to help them?
Develyn reached her foot out, then pulled it back. She repeated this until the gelding turned around.
“I know I hurt you, Brownie. I was trying to help. If I had my own hoof pick this wouldn’t have happened. But Mother said we shouldn’t waste seventy-nine cents on another hoof pick, and Dewayne said he would carry the pick and I should carry the comb. I guess it was my idea to carry the comb.”
She circled around Brownie. He pivoted, keeping one eye on her.
“Come here, Brownie,” Develyn motioned with her hands. “Come unto me … that’s in the Bible somewhere.”
She perched by a big tuft of brown buffalo grass and rested her hands on her hips. Brownie feigned grazing, though there was nothing but dirt under his nose.
“Do horses have to obey the Bible? How come they never teach that in Sunday school?”
Develyn crouched down behind a tall sage. On her hands and knees, she crept toward the horse. If Mother could see me now, she would insist I not crawl around in the dirt. Daddy would get down here in the dirt and crawl with me. And Dewayne would just laugh his head off. Are the angels laughing at me? I don’t even know if angels can laugh. I don’t think it would be very fun to be an angel if they never got to laugh.
For every foot she crept, the horse took another step away.
Develyn sat down on the warm, yellowish dirt. “I’m not playing that game any more. When you are ready, come over here and I’ll help you.”
She ran her fingers through the warm, fine dry soil, then spelled out D–E–V–E–L–Y–N by using her finger for a pen. When she glanced up, Brownie was staring at the rocker arm on the oil pump again.
“Don’t pretend to ignore me. I saw you look over here. You don’t fool me.”
Brownie shook his head as if trying to rid himself of bridle and bit.
“I mean it. Don’t you tell me no. Develyn Gail Upton does not know the meaning of the word no. At least, that’s what Mother tells me.”
The horse bent his neck around to look at her.
Develyn lowered her voice. “Come on, Brownie. Come to me, please?”
She turned her back on him and waited.
And waited.
But she didn’t peek.
When it gets dark, Daddy will come looking for me. And I’ll be sitting right here, and that dumb horse will be standing right there. We are both so stubborn. But if he thinks he can out-stubborn me, he has another think coming. I’m the queen of stubborn. I out-stared Suzanne Hillary in the school cafeteria … twice!
She felt his nose nudge her shoulder. Hah! You weren’t half as tough as Hillary. The flat leather reins dangled at her ear.
When she looked straight up, two huge brown eyes stared down at her.
This time she wrapped the reins around her right wrist. Brownie elevated his hoof, even before she asked for it. With careful deliberation she plucked out four splinters, then lowered the hoof.
“OK, let’s walk back to the road and make sure I got them all. You see, I really did want to help you. You are such a pill sometimes. That’s what Mother calls me—a pill. I never know if that means I’m hard to swallow, or that I make her feel better when she’s sick. You make me feel better, did you know that?”
Develyn trudged along in the prairie dirt, the horse one step behind her.
“Sometimes I wish horses could talk. Do you ever wish horses could talk? If you could talk I bet you’d say in a very, very deep voice…. ‘I love you, Develyn Gail Upton.’ I know you love me. I can see it in your eyes. Oh, sometimes you are disgusted with me. And sometimes you can act quite snotty. Not as snotty as LaRue Jordan, but no one can be as snotty as LaRue. But I see your eyes gleam every morning when I come out to the corral. So, there’s no reason to deny it. Brownie loves Devy-girl. I should carve that in a tree somewhere.”
She surveyed the prairie. “Provided there was a tree some place. Did you know Dewayne carved his initials in the bench in front of Mrs. Tagley’s store? I hope he doesn’t get arrested or something. I told him if they threw him in jail I’d write to him every day and bake him cookies once a week. He begged me not to send the cookies. I’m not a very good cook. I suppose I’ll get better someday. Grandma says I will never get a good husband unless I’m a good cook. Hah … I told her … ‘Who wants a husband?’ What I want is a horse.”
Brownie nuzzled her shoulder with his nose.
“Am I talking too much? Mother says I talk too much. Daddy says I’m just exercising my lungs and mouth at the same time. Mother says I should exercise my brain more.”
He nuzzled her again.
“What do you want? Is your foot hurting you?”
Again, he shoved her shoulder.
“What?” she glowered.
“It’s Delaney.”
Develyn sat straight up in bed. The only light in the cabin was the moon shining through the little window.
“What is it?” Develyn mumbled.
Casey poked something into her hand. “It’s your cell phone. You didn’t wake up, so I answered it.”
“In the middle of the night?”
“It’s Delaney. She’s crying. I thought you’d want to talk to her.”
Develyn’s feet hit the floor at the same moment the cell phone slammed into her ear. “Baby, what’s wrong?”
There was nothing but sobs.
And static.
“Dee, I’m going outside where there’s better reception.” Develyn scurried out to the porch. Casey leaned against the doorway. The moonlight radiated a dull glow like a distant dream. “Delaney, talk to me. What’s wrong?”
More static and a murmur.
“Honey, I didn’t hear that. Please tell me what the problem is. What did you say?”
“I said, I’m three weeks late, Mom, and I’m scared to death.”
“But, baby, you said you weren’t …”
“I didn’t think so. What am I going to do? Should I go back to South Carolina and talk to Brian?”
No, you aren’t going to keep shying away from me. I’m going to sit right here in the sage, and you will come to me. I love you, and I want to take care of you.
“Mother? Do you hate me?”
“Sweetheart, I don’t hate you. I’m going to Casper in the morning. It’s laundromat day. I’ll stop by AAA and get you an airline ticket. Have Lily drive you to the airport. You are going to spend a few weeks with me.”
“Really?”
Develyn stared up at the stars. “The air is clearer up here. You can think better. We’ll figure it all out.”
“Are you serious?”
“Baby, come see me. Let me take care of you.”
“I will, Mom. I will.”