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The saddle leather creaked as I swung my leg over the cantle and settled into the seat. The early morning crickets chirped and an owl hooted off in the distance. The thermos full of black coffee sloshed as Gaston fidgeted in place. The coolness from the night still hung in the air. The moisture settled on the grass, glistening in the early morning light. Gaston blew out through his nostrils, letting warm air puffs arose in front of him. I rubbed my gloved hand down his crest as he danced forward, excited to start the day’s work. I clucked to him and off he went.
The five-strand barb wire fence stretched for miles. Checking fence was a tedious job but a necessity for every rancher. A break in the fence could mean a rancher’s worst nightmare. Loose cows might get hit by cars on the road which was not something I wanted to happen. Gaston’s steady trot lulled me into a calm state as fence post after fence post went by. The wire was drawn tight and even the whole way. The fence line made a sharp turn up a hill and down into a ravine. His steel shoes clattered on the rocks as he scrambled up the side. Then, the ground leveled out as the fence stretched across a wide field.
“Hey boy, ease up. Something’s off up ahead. The strands appear to be sagging.” I sat deep in the saddle to bring Gaston down to a slow walk.
One section of the fence was down. I dismounted and ran the wire between my gloved fingers. The wire came to a loose end that should have been connected to the other side.
“See this, boy,” I snipped the end with my wire cutters, “this should not be like this. Maybe a deer ran through it,” I spliced the ends together and twisted them tight. “Let’s finish checking the fence.”
I pulled on the reins but he was busy grabbing as much grass as possible. After a moment, he lifted his head and took off at a trot, the grass flopping on either side of his mouth, proud like a dog with a bone.
The herd was bunched up under the trees by the time I found them. The sun was at its highest point, beating down as sweat rolled down my back and over my nose. A big black cow lumbered to her feet and approached us. Gaston eyed her warily; he snorted and stomped his hooves, but she ignored him. I leaned over and patted his neck.
“Easy, ole boy. She’s just here for some cubes.” I dug into my saddlebags to pull out some cattle cubes.
Her rough tongue snaked out and grabbed the cube from my fingers, rolling it around in her mouth. She nudged my leg looking for another as I gave her the last one I had. She chomped it and mooed at me before wandering back to the shade tree. I dropped the reins onto Gaston’s neck so he could crop the grass. I hooked my knee over the saddle horn and sipped from my thermos. The quiet of the early afternoon was relaxing. The cows laid under the trees chewing their cud, even the white Houdini cow was with her calf. It was perfect for reflection. I knew that my feelings for Melanie were growing; it was painfully obvious last night, but I also knew that Vance was here to win her back. Did she have any feelings for him? I needed to formulate a plan to secure her heart. There were a few things that I needed to tell her. The dress shop and Stacy were the first things that came to mind; that was going to be the hard part. How would she take it? Sweat ran a lazy path down my body as I thought about what her reaction would be. The silence was broken with the buzzing of my phone, causing Gaston to jump sideways. My thermos slipped from my hand, spilling coffee onto the ground as I scrambled to catch my balance and answer the phone.
“Hey, Melanie, what’s up?”
“Hi Pete, I’m going to have to cancel tonight.”
“Why?” I scratched my head and straightened my cowboy hat.
“I can’t seem to get rid of Vance.” Her voice quieted. “He wants to hang out tonight.”
“Can’t you just tell him to leave?” Bitterness bit through my words.
“I’m sorry. I just can’t.” She sighed and paused. “I promised to give him a fair shake.”
Red flashed before my eyes. Heat rose up my neck. I gritted my teeth. “You do what you have to.” I ended the call and slapped my hat against my thigh. Gaston swiveled his head around to look back at me.
“I know, I’m falling apart,” I leaned down and picked up my now empty thermos. “I guess, we better finish checking this fence before dinner time." Off we trotted. Thoughts and everything I should have said to her raced through my mind in cadence with Gaston’s trot.
#####
THE SMELL OF FRESH spaghetti sauce wafted in the air as I entered the kitchen. Nanna stood by the stove with several steaming pots, a floral apron wrapped around her slim body, her grey hair frizzed in the moisture.
“Nanna, it smells wonderful.” My mouth watered at the red sauce simmering on the stove. I kissed her cheek before getting myself a cola from the fridge.
“Hope you are hungry. I made enough for an army.” She chuckled as she stirred the sauce. “Be a dear and drain the noodles for me.”
I drained the noodles and rinsed them in cold water before tossing in a bit of olive oil.
“A penny for your thoughts?” Nanna broke into my reverie. I dropped some noodles on my next toss before setting the pot down.
“There was some fence down on the north pasture.”
“Any of the cows missing?” She stopped stirring, her shoulders tense.
“Nope. Everyone still there.” I poured the noodles into a bowl and set them on the table.
“Anything else that may be bothering you?”
“I was supposed to go out with Melanie tonight. But she canceled.”
She thought for a moment before throwing a noodle at the wall where it stuck to the white paint. “Why did she cancel?”
She’d drag it out of me eventually I knew from experience. She was like a stalking cat. It was easier, and less painful, to just tell her. “Her ex is in town and he wants to take her out.” My shoulders drooped and the despair wallowed in my stomach.
She spooned the noodles out and covered them with sauce. “Do you think you can’t compete with him?” Her eyes were sharp when I caught her gaze.
“No,” I slurped a noodle. She swatted me with her spoon. How could I compete with that guy? I was barely making the payments on my properties. “What if I am not good enough for her? What if she doesn’t want me? What if...”
“Now just stop that.” She scolded, rapping her spoon on the edge of the table. “What happened with Stacy was tragic but it wasn’t your fault. There was nothing you could have done to prevent that from happening.” She slid her plate to the side and leveled her gaze at me. Her face grew red as she rose from her seat to tower over me at the table. “Honestly, she was a fool to even put her and Kevin it that situation. What was she thinking?”
My heart beat faster as she raged. Nanna had never given her opinion on what happened that life-changing night. I took several deep breaths before I could open my eyes. “Wow, Nanna.”
“Well, dear boy, you’ve been beating yourself up over that for years. This is the first time since then that I’ve seen you interested in a girl. Now are you going to sit here slurping spaghetti or are you going to fight for her?” She raised an eyebrow at me.
My head spun as I wrapped my thoughts around her words. I felt about five years old. “You’re right.” I kissed her forehead as I rose to set my dish in the sink before heading to my truck.
“Don’t worry. I get the dishes!” She sat back in her chair with a smile.
VANCE WAS ORGANIZING the hidden office as I worked on the hem of Carrie Ann’s dress when Pete burst through the front door. He strode towards me with a fire in his eyes that I hadn’t seen before. It was breathtaking and made my heart race to look into his eyes. He towered over me when he picked me up by my shoulders and crashed his lips to mine. My pulse quickened as he pressed my body into his. A warmth spread throughout my body causing my knees to buckle. I pressed my lips back into his. He gently sucked on my lower lip. My mouth parted as his tongue dove into a tango with mine. My eyelids fluttered closed and a moan escaped. Pete pulled away, making me shiver at the cold air that came between us. My breath was ragged as I tried to slow my racing heart.
"Wow," I brushed my bangs back as my cheeks warmed. Words escaped me.
“You aren’t canceling on me tonight. I am picking you up at 7 PM.” He spun on his heel and strode out the door.
“What was that about?” Vance said from behind me, anger tinging his voice.
“I guess, I’m going out with Pete tonight.” I shrugged, trying not to smirk as I went back to my sewing. Vance stood there, waves of anger radiating from him as I continued to make my way around the hemline.
“He’s a mistake, Melanie.”
“I’ve made plenty of mistakes in my life.” I turned on him and glared as hard as I could. “But he can’t be a bigger mistake than you.”
“You’ll regret this.” With that he stormed from the room, slamming the door on his way out. Benny stretched out each hindleg as he got off his bed and wandered over to me so I could scratch his special spot as he thumped his hindleg and groaned.
“Men. Who knows what goes on in their heads, hey Benny?”
He woofed in response.
#####
I FINISHED UP CURLING my hair when Pete’s truck rumbled up to the front of the shop. I felt giddy like a schoolgirl. Pete surprised me this afternoon; he’d never done anything so forward, and it was very sexy. Vance, I mused, was not happy. After he stormed out the door, I hadn’t seen him for the rest of the afternoon. The doorbell rang which sent Benny racing through the little apartment, his yips filling the air.
“I’ll be right down!” I stuck my head out the window and waved to Pete. “Calm down, Benny. It’s just the doorbell.”
I threw him a new chew before heading down the stairs in my new red cowboy boots. My black dress swished around my knees as I ran down the steps.
“Hiya!” I kissed Pete on the lips, coloring them poppy red.
“You look beautiful. Great boots.”
I pirouetted. “I thought I would cave to the podunk." I held up two fingers an inch apart. "Just a bit."
He laughed and led me to the truck.
“Do you want to go to Cowboy’s...or Cowboy’s?”
“I guess, Cowboy’s it is.” I laughed
“They have another band playing. Dee and Damien will be there too.” He squeezed my hand as he steered his truck to the bar.
The parking lot was packed with cars, trucks, and even a tractor.
“What’s with the tractor?”
“That’s Old George’s tractor. His wife usually hides the car keys so he can’t drive. He always brings the tractor and someone drives him home.” He shrugged. “He’s been doing that for years.” He killed the engine and grabbed my hand. Butterflies erupted in my stomach as he stared at our hands entwined together. The cab was quiet; both of us lost in our thoughts.
“Pete?” I croaked.
His eyes darted to mine. “Yeah?”
“Who is the woman in the picture at your house?”
He was quiet. He looked out the window for what seemed an eternity. I wasn’t sure he was going to answer me. I opened my mouth to say forget it.
“She’s my wife, Stacy.” Tears welled in Pete’s eyes.
“You’re married!” I dropped his hands and slid as far away as I could. Whatever I had expected him to say it wasn’t that. The air left the cab of the truck and it got even quieter. I was dating a cheater! Panic welled in my chest when I noticed he wouldn’t make eye contact with me.
“Was married.” He ran his fingers through his hair and placed both hands on the steering wheel. “We had a son named Kevin.” The tears streaked down his face and landed on his jean-clad thighs. “On Christmas Eve five years ago, they died in a car accident.” His voice cracked.
I sat in stunned silence. I didn’t know what to do with my hands and ended up holding them awkwardly in the air. “Pete, I didn’t know. I’m so sorry.” I wrapped my arms around his neck.
“It was a long time ago. I mean, it seems like a lifetime ago, but other days it feels like yesterday. Sometimes, I wish I had been in the car with them.” He wiped at his eyes. “But I was too busy working.”
We sat in the darkness of his truck for some time, just holding hands. A fist knocked on the driver’s window. Damien’s face peered at us.
“You two coming?”
We nodded as we climbed out of the truck. Pete placed his hand on the small of my back to lead me through the maze of vehicles. My skin warmed under his touch and the butterflies did flips in my stomach. Delilah waved at us from the door where she was bouncing on her toes. Her black hair was tied up on the top of her head, moving in rhythm with her.
“I’m so happy you’re here!” She wrapped me in a hug and then hugged Pete. “I have great news!” At that moment, Vance caught my attention over her shoulder. He was out of place in a suit and tie, but he didn’t look bothered as he sipped his drink. It was probably a scotch. His lips curled up when he noticed me looking, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes. He raised his glass before blending into the crowd. The butterflies died in my stomach. I shivered. Pete wrapped his arm over my shoulder pulling me close to him.
“Really?” He said to whatever that Delilah was chattering about.
“Can you believe it? I’ll have to get Melanie’s opinion on what to wear on my date!” She twirled her earrings. “The line is moving!” She skipped ahead of us into the building.
Pete settled us into a booth before leaving to get drinks. Delilah waved at someone she knew. Before I could stop her, she was off socializing. I shredded a paper napkin while I was waiting for Pete, lost in my thoughts. Vance slid in opposite from me.
“Not really your scene, Melanie.” He slid a martini towards me.
“Vance, what are you doing here?”
“The question is, what are you doing here?” He leaned his elbows on the table. “Just come home. We can work everything out.”
“I am not sure I want to go back.”
“Mel, things here are not what they seem.”
My brows furrowed at his words. Just as I was going to ask him what he meant, Pete stood next to the table. Anger radiated off of him, lowering the temperature of the booth.
“Pete,” Vance nodded as he slid out of the booth. “Think about what I said. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He disappeared into the crowd.
I took a swig from the cold beer that Pete handed me and pushed the martini to the side.
“Let’s dance.” Pete hauled me out to the dance floor.
People were filling the small space. There was a two-step circling the dance floor as several people spun their partners. He looped his arm around me and pulled me into an upbeat swing. He twirled me out, in, and under his arm. The dance floor blurred until it was just me and him, going around and around. As the song ended, I closed my eyes to enjoy the last moment of us. Pete softly kissed my lips, finishing the dance in the most perfect way.
I LOST TRACK OF HOW many songs we danced to. Melanie was a fun partner, but as the night went on she began to slow down. She tripped a couple of times in a spin, her hair lost its curl, and her eyelids grew heavy.
“You’re beat. Let’s get you home.” I kissed the top of her forehead.
“One more dance, please.” She leaned against the side of the booth.
“Alright.” I chuckled as the band started to play a slow song.
I led her to a corner of the floor where we stood, swaying to the music. She rested her head against my chest. My heart went crazy; I was afraid she could feel it. She sighed and stepped closer to me. It felt so right; she was the part I’d been missing for all these years. A round of applause filled the air as the band finished the song.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, we have one more for you tonight. We loved playing for you, Sunnydale.” Hoots and whistles filled the air as the lead singer started to strum his guitar, and Melanie sagged against me.
“Come on, time to get you home.” I grabbed her purse and waved to Delilah at the bar before steering her towards the door.
We stumbled through the dark parking lot to my truck until I helped her inside. By the time I got to the driver’s side, she had her feet on my seat.
“These boots are killing me. Can you get them off?”
I tugged on one and then the other. Her toenails were painted a cherry red to match her boots. I rubbed her arches with my thumbs before climbing in, placing her feet on my lap.
“You are supposed to wear socks with cowboy boots.” I rubbed up the heel. “You’re probably going to have blisters in the morning.” All I got was a mumbled response. Her head was against the window and her pretty red lips parted as a small snore escaped them. Shaking my head, I pulled out of the parking lot to turn to Main Street. Sunnydale was deserted at this time of night with everyone either at the bar or home. No cars drove around as I circled the block to the back of the shop.
“Mel, honey,” I gently shook her shoulder. “We are here.”
“My keys are in my purse. Wherever it is.” She glanced around and rested her head back against the seat.
The purse was jammed behind the seat. With a little jerk, I was able to bring it into the front seat. Lipsticks, mascara, a couple of unopened bills, and a small notebook littered the bottom of the roomy bag. I finally found the old brass key, pulling it up by the frayed ribbon. I slid my arms under Melanie to extract her from the truck. Her head tucked into the crook of my neck as I carried up the stairs and into her apartment. I laid her on the bed and pulled the covers up to her chin, kissing her on the forehead.
“Sleep tight, beautiful.” I locked the door behind me. I climbed into my car and headed back home. A black Lexus sat in the shadows a block down from Melanie’s shop. The lights flickered on as I drove passed. In my rearview mirror, I watched it head in the opposite direction.