Lily held a glass of iced tea and surveyed the bare dirt patch that stretched out like a garden plot waiting for spring seeds. “You spent the summer right here?”
Develyn strolled up beside her. “That's where my cabin was until last week.”
“There is no trace of it.”
“Coop cleaned it up and hauled it away yesterday. He's very good at what he does.”
Lily raised her eyebrows. “I imagine he is.”
“Heavy construction equipment.”
“Oh, that. I imagine he's quite strong for an older man.”
“Don't let that age factor fool you. He can pick me up by the ankles and hold his arms straight out with me dangling down like a fish.”
“He what?”
“You know, if he wanted to.”
“He dangled you upside down by your ankles?”
“I needed to recover something.”
“Your sanity?”
The two women meandered over to the fence.
“I like your horse.”
“Isn't she pretty? I think she knows she's good looking.”
“Does she have that arrogant attitude like Silena Lipman?”
“Yes, that's it. She torments Uncle Henry something awful.”
“Just like your cat, Josephine, treats Smoky.”
“Very similar. Will there be anything left in my house, or will the monster cat have destroyed it all?”
“She seemed to have calmed down ever since the neighbor boy took her for a walk.”
“You don't walk cats.”
“Don't argue with success.”
Delaney drifted out of the cabin, a towel wrapped around-her head. She wore sandals, khaki shorts, and a dark blue halter top.
Develyn could see no extra piercings or tattoos.
“Hi, Lily. Isn't Wyoming wide open and wonderful?”
“It certainly is wide open. I forget the world isn't closed in by trees like back home.”
“Mom, do you think I can find some conditioner at the store? Mine was lost in the fire.”
“You can use mine.”
“I need something a little, you know, for softer, finer hair.”
“That's a nice way of saying it,” Develyn said. “Lil, did you ever wonder what shade our hair really is under all this coloring?”
“I know what color mine would be, Devy-girl, and I don't intend to go there. Ever.”
“Can I take the Cherokee?” Delaney asked. “I just polished my toenails.”
“Sure, honey, the keys are in my purse on top of that pile on the table. Lil and I are goin' to walk down to the corrals where this whole adventure began. Did the four of you have a good time last night?”
“Sure. Didn't Casey tell you?”
“I forgot to ask.”
She watched Delaney scoot back into the cabin. “I think that means the conversation is over.”
Develyn and Lily ambled down the lane. Uncle Henry tagged behind.
“Dev, after spending the summer in a one-room cabin with a roommate most of the time, you'll be lost in your big house back home.”
“It's funny, I came to Wyoming to slow down. To think things through and to find a simpler life. From where I am now, Indiana seems like the quiet, uncomplicated life.”
“Could it be you take the stress and busyness with you?”
“That's a happy thought. But it's a different kind of activity. I've had less time to sit and ponder all my problems. I've been happier here. But I've also had more times I was scared to death. I've helped more people and had more people help me. I know for a fact I've had more men flirt with me...in a nice way...than eight years of high school and college. And in the past nine weeks, I've doubled the number of men who have ever kissed these lips.”
Lily giggled. “Now we are getting to the good part. Who is the best at kissing?”
“The verdict is still out. One of the contestants has yet to submit his entry.”
“You haven't kissed Cooper yet?”
“Not really. I mean...just a peck on the cheek or a brush across the lips in greeting. The kind of thing you do with your brother.”
“I have never brushed my lips across my brother's,” Lily insisted.
“You don't have a brother.”
“Good point.”
They paused at the road, then turned west toward the corrals.
“I should have saddled up My Maria. We could have ridden down here.”
“I'm not anxious to ride large animals, but I do want to get a picture of Ms. Worrell and her horse.”
Uncle Henry brayed.
“And her burro,” Lily added.
A trumpet blast caused Develyn to turn. Leon raced toward them. He was barefoot and stepped lightly across the dirt and gravel.
“Is he wearing just a towel?” Lily asked.
“I believe so.”
Uncle Henry hid behind Develyn.
“Leon, what are you doing?” she called out before the boy reached them.
“I spied you over here and wanted to tell you that I'm gettin' me a bath.”
“That's very good. You do remember that the barbecue is not until tomorrow?”
“Yes, ma'am, Miss Dev. I'll get another bath tomorrow. I just wanted to practice.”
“That's very commendable. Now go on home so you don't get your grandmother's towel dirty.”
When he turned around and trotted back to the house, Lily burst out laughing.
“Leon!” Develyn called. “You should wrap the towel all the way around you.”
“I don't think he heard you. That reminds me. Did I tell you the latest about Dougie Baxter?”
Develyn still faced the Morton house when the champagne-colored Cherokee rolled down the dusty drive and took a hard turn east toward the store.
“Did my daughter still have that towel on her head?”
“And the halter top.”
“She can't go out in public like that.”
Lily stared up and down Argenta's one empty dirt road. “Maybe she doesn't think of this as going out in public.”
“You don't go to the store like that...ever.”
“We don't go to the store like that. When was the last time you were in West Lafayette in the summer?”
They turned toward the corrals. “That is one goal I don't think I've accomplished yet this summer, Lily. I wanted Dee and me to find the relationship the Lord wants for us...and to come to peace with it. I find no peace with my daughter bouncing her barely covered chest out in plain view.”
“I've been praying for you too, honey.”
“Thanks, Lil. I know I can count on you. You're my rock. You always have been. You've saved my life on more than one occasion.”
They stopped by the fence and glanced in at the empty arena. “I think you exaggerate a bit, but thanks. So this is where Miss Dev made her grand entry into cowboy life?”
“Casey and I sat right over there, where the board is smooth. See that big dirt clod out there? That's where that paint monster mare slammed my face into the dirt. I was ready to jump on a plane and fly home right then and hide in my livingroom the rest of the summer...or the rest of my life.” She put her arm around Lil. “I didn't exaggerate about you saving my life. I remember one January driving back from the science convention in Wheaton during an ice storm at night with a three-inch ice cap on the highway. I was in tears, thinking about Spencer, about Delaney, about my hopeless situation. I got down to the river where there are all those curves and cliffs, and I said, ‘Lord, I just can't take it. This life is too hard for me.’ And I thought about stepping on the gas and ending it all.”
Lily hugged her. “Oh, honey, I'm so glad you didn't.”
“But, I thought, not before I talk to my Lil. I need to say good-bye to her face-to-face.”
“I don't remember.”
“It was the time the monster cat ate my date palm and barfed all over the bedspread and in my clothes closet. By the time I ran her to the vet and cleaned the house, the depression had lifted. There were several other times. It's you, sweet lady, who has been my rock.”
Lily wiped the corners of her eyes. “We have been there for each other. It's important to have someone who cares.”
“Yes, everyone needs that.”
“Of course, if I'm honest,” Lily grinned. “I'll have to admit that I hang out with you because you are so young and cute and a stud magnet.”
Develyn burst out laughing. “Oh, that's the joy of having older friends. I can forever be young. But a stud magnet? In Indiana?”
“I suppose one has to be a man of steel to be attracted to a stud magnet. There aren't many of those in central Indiana.”
They sauntered east toward the store. “Lily, we tease each other a lot. But before this summer, I haven't had a legitimate date in Indiana since I was at Purdue.”
“You had illegitimate dates?”
“I had several boring encounters that I couldn't wait to escape.”
“Remember that young bull rider in Louisville? He took one look at you and said, ‘Oh, thank you, Jesus, I must be in heaven.’”
“Is that the lad who was knocked unconscious when the bull slammed into his forehead?”
“I believe it was.”
“He's also the one who, when asked what day of the week it was, said ‘September.’”
“OK, so he was a little delusional, a tad mixed up.”
“Speaking of mixed up, what did you say about Dougie Baxter?”
“Oh, so you did hear.”
“Did you figure a way to keep him out of your class?”
“I didn't figure it out. But Mr. and Mrs. Baxter did.”
“Did they put him in private school?”
“No.”
“They aren't going to try to homeschool him, are they?”
“Oh, no. They took Ms. Worrell's advice.”
“You mean they are really going to keep him back a year and let him mature?”
“Yes, they are.”
“I can't believe it. Someone did something right. That's wonderful.”
Develyn noticed several pickups parked in front of the store.
“Hold onto your wonders, Dev. It gets more bizarre. The Baxters came in and demanded that Dougie be kept back a grade and placed in Ms. Worrell's class.”
“They can't do that. School policy states that a failed student has to have another teacher.”
“Dougie insisted. His parents claim you're the only teacher who treats him decent.”
Develyn waved her hands as if warding off an improper advance. “Decent? You call twenty-six detentions decent? They can't do this to me. No teacher should ever have Dougie Baxter more than once. I won't let this happen.”
“I wanted to tell you in person. I knew you'd handle it well.”
“Can't they put Dougie in Brian's class?”
“Brian told them he'd take the junior high opening if Dougie Baxter was in his class.”
“Lisa hasn't had a turn.”
“Lisa said she would go on maternity leave.”
“She's not pregnant.”
“I don't think that's the deciding factor.”
“Ms. Martin, there is no way …”
An off-key trumpet blast silenced her.
“Was that for Leon?” Lily asked.
Develyn looked east and rubbed her temples. She chewed on her lip, then shook her head. “No, I think that blast was for Dougie.”
“Dougie?”
“I think the Lord's using Leon to prepare my heart for Dougie Baxter...again.”
“You mean you aren't going to protest the placement?”
“No,” Develyn signed. “I won't.”
“You are amazing, Ms. Worrell.”
“Not hardly. But I am learning a few things this summer.” She and Lily continued to walk toward the store. “Of course I might need to borrow Casey's brass knuckles and handcuffs.” Develyn waved her hand toward Mrs. Tagley's store. “What are all those rigs doing here?”
“Rigs?”
Develyn pointed ahead. “At the store.”
“Rush hour? Lunch break?”
“Break from what?”
Several men lounged in the shade of the sole cottonwood tree. Others spread across the porch. Most held white-bread sandwiches in their less-than-clean hands.
A big man with a thick beard pointed at Uncle Henry. “Hey, lady, does he belong to you?”
“Yes, he does.”
“Well, you've got a fine lookin' …”
“Mister, the future of your children and your children's children depends upon the next word out of your mouth,” Develyn growled.
“Yes, ma'am, you've got a fine lookin' burro.”
“Thank you, his name is Uncle Henry.”
Another half dozen men stood in line at the counter with a busy Jackson Hill. “See if you can help the girls in the back,” he called out.
Develyn led Lily to Mrs. Tagley's kitchen. Casey and a T-shirt-clad Delaney were making sandwiches. “What's happening?”
Casey rubbed her broad, brown nose. “You're the carrot lady. Open another bag. They get three of those little carrots each. They started working on the state highway, and the crew drove back in here looking for lunch.”
“Jackson made them a deal, Mom. They get a lunch meat and cheese sandwich, chips, three carrots, and a soda for six dollars. They love it. They said to sign them up for two weeks at least.”
Casey waved across the table. “Lil, grab another variety box of chips from that aisle near the door. Jackson said these lunches cost us around $2.88, so we can double our money with a little work.”
“Some of the guys even tipped us,” Delaney added.
Casey grabbed another hunk of lunchmeat. “Until Dee put on the shirt.”
Develyn studied her daughter's T-shirt. “Where did you get a shirt that says, ‘Argenta, Wyo. POLICE DEPT’?”
“Under the counter.”
“Your hair looks…”
“Casey combed it out for me in a hurry, and I just pinned it back.”
When the last of the highway workers left, Develyn and Lily scouted for trash outside while Casey and Delaney cleaned the kitchen. All four sprawled on the front porch when Jackson strolled out.
“Listen to this. They spent $214.81.”
“That's more than six dollars each,” Develyn said.
“Most had more than one sandwich. Lots took a candy bar and another soda for later. Even with leftover bread and mustard and all, we made $111.12.”
Dev shook her head. “I've never known anyone so quick to calculate profits.”
“Jackson is good at that,” Casey said.
“I spent a lot of time stocking shelves at Albertsons, so I would figure how much profit per item. It runs in my head. Listen, I was thinking. What with a highway crew every summer, and BLM crews, and firefighting crews, and oil crews...we ought to cater lunches. Take them right out to them. I think we could keep a lunch profit going most all summer and into September. We'd need two people running the store, so one could deliver, but it would increase profits.” He glanced around at the ladies. “You know, if the store was ours, and all.”
Casey rubbed her nose and grinned.
“I almost forgot. David came by this morning,” Jackson announced.
“You mean Hunter Burke? Did he stop by before or after Miss Purple put on the T-shirt?”
“Mother.”
“Before she came up,” Jackson said.
“Why the name change?”
“He did a lot of New England theater work while at Yale. That was his stage name. He just kept using it.”
“What did he want from you?”
“To talk to my boss. He wants to rent the entire string of horses up in Glacier Park to take some Japanese tourists on a trail ride. He works for the museum in Cody and arranges cross-cultural events.”
“Really?” Delaney pressed. “Sounds like a very responsible position, doesn't it, Mother?”
“OK, I'll grant you that. An actor?”
“Couldn't you just see him playing James Bond or someone like that?” Delaney questioned.
Develyn bit her lip and refused to glance at Lily Martin.
“I told you I don't ride large animals,” Lily sputtered.
“You don't ride small ones, either, so what does that mean? I'm not having my best friend come all the way to Wyoming to see me and not ride my horse.”
“If I had known this, I would have stayed away.”
“What a wimpina.”
“And your point is?”
“You are going to ride, Lily girl.”
“I'd rather not.”
Develyn tightened the cinch on My Maria, then pulled herself into the saddle. “I'll tire her out a little first.”
“Great! Have a nice afternoon. I'll see you tomorrow.”
“Lily!”
“Perhaps I'll go catch some rays with Dee.” She motioned to the shaded dirt in front of the cabin.
“No, she needs some quiet time. She's studying the Purdue catalog, trying to decide on a major.”
“She's changing again?”
“She thought about changing to nutrition, but it has too much chemistry. She was trying to avoid taking a class with Mr. Corvette from South Carolina.”
“So what does that leave her?”
“Today's debate is between child psychology and drama.”
“A sudden interest in acting?”
“So it seems. I'll be right back. Let me stretch her legs out.”
Develyn turned My Maria north and dug her heels into the paint horse's flanks. The burst of speed slid Develyn against the cantle, but she leaned forward, gripped with her knees, and refused to grab the saddle horn. The wind whipped at her straw cowboy hat, but it stayed put. Develyn found the rhythm and was soon rocking back and forth.
“We haven't had many rides in the past few days. Summer is almost gone. Casey will take real good care of you and ride you some. I'll be back next year and …”
She turned the galloping horse east with a slight touch of her knee.
“That's the same speech I gave Brownie thirty-five years ago. But I have more motivation this time. I want to see you and Uncle Henry, and Casey and Jackson and their little one. There is no way that girl won't have a baby nine months after they get married. I'll want to see how Renny is doing and check on Quint and Lindsay...oh, and Mrs. Tagley.”
Develyn circled My Maria and galloped toward the waiting Lily Martin. “And, of course, Cooper. Mrs. Tagley thinks he's the one. I know she does. And to tell you the truth, I do too. He's the right one at the wrong time. If I were twenty-one and he were thirty-one, if there had been fewer mistakes, fewer tears…
“But his family can't have girls. That's the strangest thing I've ever heard of. And that means no Delaney. You see what I'm saying, honey. The right man at the wrong time. Rats.”
In a fog of dry, yellow dust, Develyn reined up and spun My Maria one full circle before dismounting.
“Wow, Ms. Worrell, I'm impressed. I can't believe you've learned that much this summer.”
“My Maria is a good horse, just a little snotty.” She handed the reins to the shorter, dark-haired lady. “Your turn.”
“No. Really, Dev.”
“Let's ride together. You get on, then I'll swing up behind.”
“Oh, no, I don't know how to steer. You drive. I'll ride behind.”
“OK.”
“What did I do? Did I just agree to ride your horse?”
“Come on, Lil.” Develyn climbed back into the saddle and reached her hand down.
With a grunt, a giggle, and a groan, Lily made it up. She wrapped her arms around Develyn's waist.
“Take it slow, Ms. Worrell. I have a sick man back in Casper who wants me to marry him. I don't want to croak yet.”
“You're not scared, are you?”
“This is fast enough.”
“Fast? If she went any slower, My Maria would fall asleep.”
“What's that noise?”
“She needs a lube job.”
“What?”
“It's my cell phone, Lil.” Develyn dug in her pocket. “Kind of breaks the ambience, doesn't it?” She plopped her hat on the saddle horn and shoved the phone to her ear.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Miss Dev, where are you?”
She studied the sky. “I'm out for a ride near Argenta. Where are you, Quint?”
“I'm still in Texas, but I'm thinking I should fly home. Do you know what's going on at the ranch? I've been trying to reach someone since six this morning. There's no one there.”
“Of course there isn't. You gave them the weekend off.”
“I did?”
“I saw Cuban and the boys in Casper yesterday. He said you gave everyone a few days paid vacation before fall work begins.”
“I did no such thing.”
“He said you left a message out on the message board in the hanger. I'm sure Cuban wouldn't make that up.”
“I didn't do any such thing, but I agree, Cuban wouldn't make it up. That's strange, isn't it? I'm flying home.”
“How's Lindsay?”
“She got the job and just rented a furnished condo. Her boss and wife are taking her out to supper to introduce her to the other staff.”
“How's Daddy doing with all that?”
“I was doing fine until this ranch exodus thing.”
“Anything you want me to do?”
“If you see the boys, tell them to get back to the ranch. I don't want to leave it vacant. You riding with Casey?”
“My friend Lily came to see me, so we're out for a ride.”
“Tell Miss Lily that I had a nice talk with Alberto Rogers. He's the president of the Texas Bar, and he knows her Stewart. He says he's truly one of the finest gentlemen in the profession. So I give her permission to marry him.”
“I'll tell her. Bye, Quint.”
Develyn prodded My Maria to a trot.
Lily clutched tighter. “What are you doing?”
“That was your friend, Quint.”
“My friend. I've never met the man.”
“But you talk to him often?”
“On several occasions. We have a mutual friend.”
“Hmmm, and you didn't bother telling me?”
“You didn't ask.”
“Well, your pal Quint Burdett, says that the president of the Texas Bar gave your Stewart a five-star rating. So your friend Quint says to go ahead and marry him.”
“Goody.”
“I can't believe that. You getting chummy with Quint.”
“He's a very nice man, Dev. Miss Emily was one lucky lady. Where were guys like that when we were young?”
“Riding horses in Wyoming, I suppose.”
“Can we slow down now?”
“You need a change of pace?”
“Yes, please.”
Develyn kicked My Maria, and she broke into a gallop.
“Dev!” Lily screamed.
“I thought that was reverse.”
“I want off right now!”
“You'll have to jump. Try to land on your feet and keep running.”
Develyn reined up and slowed My Maria. “Oh, Lily, admit it. You like the wind in your face and leather slapping your rear.”
“Now that I've lived through it, I suppose it was alright. Can I get off now?”
“Just one more thing, then we better get to the cabin. There's a thunderhead blowing this way. It will dump rain.”
Develyn tugged the reins back and brought her leg over My Maria's head.
“What are you doing?”
“Time for you to ride solo.”
“Oh, no.”
“You can't say you rode a horse if you haven't been on one by yourself.”
“I can lie.”
“You cannot. When you ride by yourself, you set the speed.”
“I can go slow?”
“Very slow.”
“Well, just for a few feet maybe.”
Develyn slid to the ground and gave Lily the reins. She grabbed the paint mare's headstall and led her across the prairie. “See how nice that is?”
“It is rather fun.”
“All right. When we get back to the corral, I'll grab my camera.”
“Hmmm. Perhaps I could borrow your hat.”
“I knew it!” Develyn shouted.
“Is that your phone again? Or did I do something wrong?”
Develyn turned loose of the headstall. “You're on your own, sweetie. Hello?”
“Hi, Devy-girl.”
“Wait...wait, what do you mean, I'm on my own? I don't want to be on my own.”
“Pull back on the reins gently and say ‘whoa.’”
“Whoa.”
“Not you, Renny.”
“Devy, who are you talking to?”
“Lily came to see me. I'm letting her ride My Maria.”
“Lily is there? That does it. I'm headed back to Wyomin'. Tell Lily darlin' howdy for me.”
“I suppose she talked with you on the phone too. Hmmm. Now, Mr. Mustang Breaker, what did you decide about the job?”
“It's a dream job, Dev. Good pay, summers and holidays off. They have a great apartment above the indoor arena. Expenses paid. Nice folks. The president of the college came to talk to me. It's one of those deals a guy only stumbles into once in his life.”
Develyn watched as Lily nudged My Maria to a trot. Somewhere to the west she heard thunder, but it was still sunny above.
“So you're going to take the job?”
“I turned them down, Dev.”
“What? Why?”
“I spent forty-two years not being tied down by my work. I like the freedom. I'm going to get a phone call some mornin' before daybreak that Lloyd and Denise's cattle are stranded in a November blizzard up in the Big Horns, and I'll be hundreds of miles away giving some eighteen-year-olds a pop quiz in elementary equine production. You're right, Dev. I can't do that. It would eat at my soul.”
Develyn's voice softened. “I think you're right, Renny.”
“I owe that to you. You could see what I was really like.”
“You are my hero, Renny. Not a silver screen actor or a sports star. Not even the rodeo star with a world championship buckle. But you're my hero. No matter what danger I faced, you'd be the first one I'd want with me.”
Lily circled the horse and headed back.
“Renny?”
“Thanks, Dev. You're the most special friend. I don't know what's up ahead for you. Don't know if, or whom, you'll marry. But ask him if I can have permission to call my Devy-girl ever' once in a while, when I can't beat the melancholies and need to hear your voice.”
“I don't need permission from anyone. Day or night, cowboy, you call me. When are you headed back?”
“Right now. I'm in Burley, Idaho, gettin' some gas.”
“We're doing a barbecue for Lily and her Stewart tomorrow night. Anyway, you can come?”
“I'll be there. Count on it.”
“It will break my heart if you aren't.”
“Darlin', did you ever dream about what it would have been like?”
“Yes, but I'm too old, remember?”
“Too many years and too many tears.”
“But you will always be my Renny. You know that, don't you?”
“Yes, I do. Hey, the trip wasn't a complete waste of time. Guess who I ran across in Twin Falls?”
“Meg Ryan?”
Renny laughed. “Janie DeFore is in town. She's doing PR work for Dodge Trucks.”
“Is she an old friend?”
“She hated me for four straight years while she was in high school.”
“Does she still hate you?”
“Nope.”
“What does this mean?”
“When she's in Sheridan next week, I promised to buy her some supper.”
“Is she…”
“Yep.”
“Has she been…”
“Nope.”
“Does she have…”
“Nope.”
“Do you think…”
“I don't have a clue. That's up to the Lord, I reckon.”
“Whoops, the thunderstorm is getting closer. I don't want another cabin to burn down. Talk to you tomorrow.”
“Your cabin burned down?”
“Now you will have to come see me.”
“Yeah, I surely will, Miss Dev. Bye, darlin.'“
“Drive careful, mustang breaker.”
Lily rode straight at her. “Dev, do something! She won't mind me.”
“Spin her a few times, then get off. She's scared of lightning.”
“So am I!”
“Turn her head and spur her.”
Lily kicked My Maria's flanks. The mare galloped toward the corrals with Lily screaming “No!” at the top of her voice.
Develyn jogged after them. I said turn her head first, then spur her. If you fall off and break your neck, I will be very angry with you.
Lily's feet bounced free from the stirrups.
Hang on, girl! Hang on!
Develyn stumbled but kept upright as she raced after the galloping horse. Raindrops slapped her face as the cloud opened up to a downpour. My Maria slowed to a trot then halted at the corral gate. Develyn huffed her way up to them.
Lily banged down off the horse, staggered two steps back, and stumbled to her rear on the moist prairie dirt.
Develyn pulled Lily to her feet. “Are you alright?”
“Alright? Alright? I'm wonderful!” Lily screamed into the crashing thunder. “I'm alive. I lived through it.” She danced around the sagebrush. “Yes! Yes! Yes!”
Develyn grabbed her shoulders. They both danced to the rumble of the thunder. Rain streaked down their faces.
“I'm alive, Devy.”
“Yes, you are.”
“And I'm going to marry Stewart.”
“Yes, you are.”
“And as soon as I can, I'm going to buy a horse.”
Develyn stopped dancing.
Like an empty bucket, the rain stopped all at once.
The cloud blew west.
The sun broke through.
“Lily Martin's going to buy a horse?”
“I loved it.”
“But you said you thought you were going to die.”
“That's the part I loved the most.”