Cowgirl Up (3 page)

“Just follow Lucas. He knows the way to the Stockyard,” Gene said with an eager grin.

Coal pulled in behind him and they drove to town. They turned past McCoy’s and drove to the eastern edge of town to a small bar across from the county stockyards. “I guess the name is pretty self-explanatory.”

They walked inside and Lucas paid the small cover charge for her. “Welcome to our hangout,” he said as he offered her his arm. She laughed and allowed him to lead her to a table while the others followed.

“What can I get you to drink?” Harley asked.

“What are you having?”

“I stick to Coors Light,” he answered.

“That sounds good to me. Bottle please, if they have it.”

Harley smiled. “Coming up,” and walked to the bar.

The bar was bigger on the inside than it looked, and it was crowded early for a Friday night. Couples were dancing, and there was a small crowd gathered around the three pool tables. “They have a single-elimination doubles tournament every week,” Gene said. “You and Harley should enter.”

“You are assuming that I can play that good.”

“I have no doubt,” he said with a devilish grin.

“What’s the entry fee?”

“Twenty bucks,” Gene said. “I can spot you your half if you need me to,” he offered.

“Thanks, but I think I can handle it. What do you think, Harley?” she asked as the big man walked up carrying a round of beers.

“Think about what?” he said.

“Gene says you and I need to enter the tournament, you up for it?”

Harley smiled brightly at her. “Why the hell not.” He handed Gene a twenty and said, “Go sign us up.”

Gene disappeared like a flash of lightning and returned moments later. “You are next up on table two.”

“You do know how to shoot pool, right?” Harley asked.

“That’s the game with three strikes and you’re out, right?” she teased. “Yeah, I can generally hold my own.”

“Figured you could,” Harley said with a chuckle. “Is there anything besides cooking eggs you don’t do well?”

“I can’t sew a stitch,” she answered.

“Well, damn, I guess I will have to reconsider my marriage proposal,” Harley said. “Let’s go take a look at the competition.”

She followed Harley and Gene over to the tables. There were only ten teams competing so it wouldn’t take long to finish the tournament, especially playing on three tables.

It only took three matches for Coal and Harley to make it to the finals, and when they dropped the final team, they collected the two-hundred-dollar pot, and made their way back to a table. Harley handed her a hundred dollars, and she gave him back ten.

“What’s this for?”

“My share of the entry fee,” she said.

Harley tucked the money in his pocket as one of the crew showed up with a fresh round of beers. “Thanks, but three’s my limit,” Coal said.

“I’m gonna pass too and call it an early night,” Harley said. “Is your offer of a ride still good?”

“Of course it is,” she answered. “You ready?”

“Yes’m, I am.”

“I think I will head back too,” Gene said.

“See the rest of you guys tomorrow then,” she said, just as fireworks began.

Lucas had been dancing with a leggy blonde all during the pool tournament. Her boyfriend, a cowboy from a neighboring ranch, was on the losing team. He received all kinds of ribbing from his crew about losing to a girl, so he already had a chip on his shoulder. When he found Lucas all snuggled up with his girl on the dance floor, Billy Ray lost the remaining hold on his temper.

“It’s time to go, Betty Jean,” he said as he spun her around on the dance floor.

“Easy man,” Lucas said when she cried out in pain from the tight grip he held on her arm.

“Stay out of this or we’ll take it outside,” Billy Ray snarled.

“Take your hands off her,” Lucas said.

“Okay, punk, let’s take this outside, and we’ll see who gets the next dance,” Billy Ray challenged. Several of his buddies with their girls draped over them were watching from a distance.

“Let’s do it,” Lucas said and started for the door.

Coal, Gene, and Harley followed him out. “You know what you’re doing here, son?” Harley asked.

“Standing up for a lady,” Lucas said. “We were only dancing.”

“I hope she is worth it,” Harley said with a lopsided grin.

Billy Ray had a reputation as a brawler. His behavior had caused him to be banned from many a bar in his young life. Harley hoped that Lucas was man enough to hold his own as a small crowd gathered round.

Lucas stepped away from them as Billy Ray, and two of his friends approached. “Let’s get him, boys, and mess him up.”

“That’s not exactly fair odds,” Coal said.

“So what you gonna do about it, bitch?” Billy Ray said.

She stepped up beside Lucas. Gene made a move to stop her, but Harley caught him by the shoulder. “Just wait,” he said.

Gene looked at Harley, completely bewildered, but stood his ground.

“This is getting better by the minute,” Billy Ray said.

Coal looked at Lucas. “I want the big ugly one.”

“Take your pick, they are all big and ugly,” he said with a grin.

Billy Ray and his boys rushed them, Billy Ray coming in after Lucas while one of his crew took a swing at her. She easily dodged the blow and sent him sailing across the gravel parking lot with a powerful kick to his midsection. The other man looked at his friend sprawled on the ground and tentatively rushed her. This man ended up with a boot to his face, which broke his nose and left him on his knees crying like a baby. The first man got up, decided he didn’t want any more of Coal, and pushed his way through the growing crowd.

Lucas wasn’t so lucky. A solid right from Billy Ray and a cut lip had blood running down his chin. He landed a few blows, but they had little effect on the more solid Billy Ray. Billy Ray knocked him to the ground and was about to start kicking him when she moved quickly to sweep his legs out from under him.

“Didn’t your mama teach you not to kick someone when he’s down?” she asked.

“You are really starting to piss me off,” Billy Ray said as he picked himself up from the ground.

“So bring what you got,” she said, fixing her dark eyes on him.

He hesitated for a moment, intimidated by her challenge, but the goading of the crowd sent him rushing toward her. Coal easily stepped aside and he barreled headfirst into a parked truck. He stumbled and turned back toward her. She landed a powerful blow with her right fist to his jaw. Billy Ray took two steps and dropped to his knees.

“I think it’s time we made an exit,” she told Lucas. “He’s going to wake up even meaner than before.”

“You’re right. Gene, go get the rest of the crew,” Lucas said. “Thanks for your help. I could have taken them, though.”

“Sure you could,” she said and handed him a rag to wipe his bleeding face.

Gene returned with the rest of the boys. “You were awesome,” Gene said from the backseat as they headed for home. “I’ve never seen anyone take Billy Ray down like that.”

“You okay?” Harley asked.

“Yeah, I’m fine. It’s not the way I wanted to spend my first Friday night in town, but it couldn’t be helped.”

“Maybe not, but I doubt you will have any more trouble from Billy Ray, or his boys.”

“I hope not, but their kind tends to hold a grudge, and it’s obvious they don’t fight fair,” she said.

They drove back and parked their trucks at the ranch. A light rain began to fall as Coal headed for the house and Gene and the boys took Lucas to the bunkhouse to patch him up.

In the bunkhouse, Harley was tending to Lucas’s busted lip. “Man, I have never seen a woman fight like that,” Gene said. “Why did you stop me from helping her out?” he asked Harley.

 
“Have none of you paid any attention to the tattoo on her left shoulder?” he asked.

“No, I guess not,” Lucas said. “Why, what is it?”

“Coal wears the ink of an Army Ranger, the toughest of the tough. She could have taken on all three men easily with the training she’s had.”

“Damn,” Gene said, even more impressed with her.

“Well, I’m glad she was there tonight. I was about to get my ass kicked.”

“No about to it, Billy Ray was giving you a good pounding. I would give him a wide berth the next time you see him if I were you. That one’s as mean as a rattlesnake.”

Lucas winced from the cold rag Harley placed on his lip.

The knuckles of Coal’s right hand were a bit tender as she undressed in the darkness. The pain would go away soon enough, and she must admit it did feel good to kick some ass. She climbed into the bed and listened as the rain pelted down on the tin roof, falling quickly asleep.

Chapter Three

The next morning Coal woke to the sound of the rain pouring down. She crept from the bed and dressed before washing her face and brushing her teeth. She walked through the house to go check on the boys and get some breakfast. When she stepped outside, she found Melissa sitting on the porch drinking coffee and watching the rain.

“Good morning,” she said as Coal approached. “Grab yourself a cup of coffee and join me if you’d like.”

“You need a refill?”

“No, I’m good. Thanks.”

She poured a cup of coffee, and joined her boss on the porch.

“Y’all came back early last night,” she said. “Did you have a good time?”

“Yeah, it was great. Harley and I won the pool tournament, and then Lucas got in a bit of a tussle with a big thug named Billy Ray and two of his buddies.”

“Oh, that Billy Ray is a rough character. Was anyone hurt?”

“Lucas has a busted lip, and probably a headache today, but otherwise he’s no worse for wear.”

Melissa chuckled at her answer. “That’s good to hear. I’m sorry it ruined your evening.”

“I was already on my way out when the ruckus started so no big deal.”

Melissa went silent for a few minutes. “I’m glad we got the rest of the hay in before this rain hit.”

“Me too, but I’m glad to see the rain. We needed it, and a break from the heat.”

“Amen to that,” Melissa said. “Stan is very impressed with your work ethic.”

“I believe in a hard day’s work for a fair wage,” Coal said.

“Do you have plans for today?” Melissa asked.

“I thought I’d go check on the boys and have some breakfast with them. Is there something you need?”

“I was thinking about going to town for some groceries if you’d like to ride along. It doesn’t look like there is much else to be done today.”

“That sounds good, what time did you want to go?”

“No rush; just whenever you finish with the boys. Make a list of any items they need in the bunkhouse if you would.”

“Not a problem,” she said with a smile and stepped off the porch to rush across the yard in the rain.

†

She walked into the bunkhouse to find Harley finishing breakfast and sipping on some coffee. It was still relatively early, and there was no sign of the rest of the crew.

“Good morning,” Coal said as she walked to the coffeepot.

“Good morning. What would you like for breakfast?”

“That omelet looks tasty,” Coal said as she sat down across from him with a pad and pen. “The boss and I are going to do some grocery shopping, and she asked for a list of items we need.”

“Let me finish eating and I’ll whip you up some breakfast,” he said. “Groceries, hmm, let me think. We definitely need eggs, bread, bacon, sausage, and milk. Probably wouldn’t hurt to get some butter and syrup too.”

“Any ideas for what we will have for suppers next week?”

“I think I’ll thaw out some steaks for tonight if this rain will let up some. Let’s plan on some pork chops, maybe some fried chicken, some chicken and rice, maybe another roast. Hey, can you cook chicken and dumplings?”

“Yes, I can. Is that a request?”

“That would be great.”

“Okay, what else?” she asked.

“I think me and the boys will do some cleaning this afternoon so please pick up some cleaning supplies, oh, and some toilet paper,” he added with a grin.

“Cleaning chemicals, sponges, toilet cleaner, paper towels,” she said. “Anything else?”

“Not at the moment,” Harley said as he moved to the stove to begin cooking her breakfast. “Maybe the others will have some requests as they start coming in. Oh, yeah, coffee, filters, sugar, and creamer.”

“This list may take us all morning,” she teased. “Do we need tea bags?”

“Probably so,” Harley said.

Gene came wandering into the kitchen. “Morning,” he said, his eyes still hanging heavy from sleep. “Is it still raining?”

“It’s been pouring all night,” Harley said. “You want an omelet?”

“Sounds good, Harley,” he answered as he sat down with Coal. “Are you making a shopping list?”

“Yes, I am. Do you have any requests?”

“More of your biscuits,” he said with a sheepish grin.

She smiled at him and added a few ingredients to the shopping list. “How does Lucas look this morning?”

“He’s got one heck of a shiner and his lip’s still swollen, but I think he’ll live. He should be here any minute.”

†

Coal finished her breakfast and returned to the house to find Melissa ready to go to town. The rain had slacked off to a heavy sprinkle. “Do you want me to go get the truck?”

“Thanks, but I assure you I won’t melt.”

“Just asking,” she said.

“I appreciate that too,” Melissa said with a warm smile. “Come on, let’s make a run for it.”

The closer they got to town, the clearer the skies became. When they pulled into the lot at the grocery store, the sun was peeking through the clouds. “I think we’ll need a couple of carts for this list.”

Coal walked over to where the carts were stored and grabbed another. “Should we take our lists and split up?”

“That sounds good. I’ll join you when I finish my list,” Melissa said and headed off down an aisle.

She fished out her list and started her shopping. Thirty minutes later, Melissa joined her and they picked out the last of the items together. “I can’t imagine feeding this crew every week,” Coal said.

“I can’t afford to pay you what you guys are really worth, so the least I can do is feed you, and put a roof over your heads.”

“Most ranches wouldn’t do that,” she said.

“That’s true, but we aren’t most ranches.”

“Point taken,” Coal said as she followed Melissa to the checkout.

As they were emerging from the store, a shiny red truck skidded to a halt in front of them. She looked up to find Billy Ray glaring at her.

“Morning, Billy Ray,” she said sweetly.

“Fuck you, dyke,” he snarled. A large purple bruise covered the left side of his face.

“I really do need to talk to your mama about teaching you some manners,” Coal said.

“Billy Ray, you have no need to be nasty,” Melissa said.

“I can’t believe you take in the likes of her, you stupid bitch.”

Coal had heard enough. She stopped pushing her cart and began walking toward Billy Ray. “You are a spineless coward without your boys to back you up. Step out, and I’ll give you a better lesson than I did last night, since that didn’t seem to make it through your thick, dumb head.”

Billy Ray considered her challenge for a minute until he saw the anger flashing in her dark eyes. “You aren’t worth the sweat,” he said as he spat a stream of tobacco juice toward her.

“You wouldn’t be standing long enough to break a sweat,” Coal told him.

“Too funny,” he said and threw the truck in gear, burning rubber as he left the parking lot.

“He’s not one to be messed with,” Melissa warned.

“I won’t mess with him, but I won’t back down from his attempts to bully people. He and two of his buddies were going to pound the stew out of Lucas last night.”

“You did that damage to Billy Ray?” she asked with a smirk.

“Yeah, he was about to start kicking the snot outta Lucas while he was down. I couldn’t let that happen.”

“No wonder he’s so pissed off. Billy Ray thinks he rules the Stockyard, and to be taken down by a woman has got to be very demoralizing to him.”

“Don’t tell me you feel sorry for the jerk,” she said.

“Hell no I don’t, but you would be wise to watch your back when he’s anywhere near. He doesn’t forgive and forget very well.”

“I’ll heed your advice, but if he leaves me no choice I will take him down a few more notches.”

“I would expect nothing less from you, Coal. By the way, Gene already worships you, just so you know.”

She smiled and chuckled at her comment. “He’s a good kid, he just needs growing up.”

†

They loaded the groceries in the truck and made it back to the ranch just as the skies were starting to open up again. The crew rushed out, unloaded the groceries, and Gene parked the truck back in the garage. Coal and Melissa put away her groceries in silence.

“I’m going to see if I can find a good movie on the tube if you’d like to join me,” Melissa offered.

“Sure, doesn’t look like I’m gonna get to do anything outside today.”

“Probably not. Grab yourself a drink and I will meet you in the den in just a minute.”

Coal took a cold bottle of water and walked to the den. Her eyes took in the room and landed on a grouping of pictures that drew her attention. She walked closer for a better look and gasped as she recognized several of the photos. Melissa walked into the room just as Coal’s eyes fluttered and she fainted, her bottle of water spilling across the floor. The love seat broke her fall, but she still slithered in slow motion to the floor.

“Coal,” Melissa cried out and ran across the room. She grabbed up the bottle of water, and placed the cool plastic against her skin as she cradled Coal’s head in her lap. “Coal, Coal, please wake up,” she pleaded.

Coal felt the cool, strong hands on her face as they brushed the hair away from her eyes, and heard the urgency in her voice. It took her several attempts, but she was finally able to open her eyes and stare up at Melissa.

“There you are,” Melissa said when she was able to hold her eyes open. “What happened? Are you okay?”

She sat up. Her eyes returned to the pictures on the wall and she burst into tears. Melissa, bewildered by this behavior, pulled Coal into her arms and held her close as the sobs wracked her body. Her hand stroked across her hair as she whispered soothing words to her.

When she could regain her composure, she pulled away from Melissa’s embrace. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to break down like that.”

“It’s okay, but what happened?”

Coal pointed at the pictures hanging on the wall. “I took those.”

“The photographs from Afghanistan?” she asked.

“Yes, the ones of Major Mitch and Tessa,” she said.

“That was my husband,” Melissa said.

“And my lover,” she answered. “I’m sorry, I didn’t make the connection of the Conway name.”

“There’s no need to apologize. Come sit with me and we can talk,” Melissa said as she took her hand and guided her around to sit on the love seat.

Coal rubbed her face with her left hand. “I should have known. He talked about Melissa all the time.”

“So you served with Mitch?”

“Yes, my unit was assigned to sniper protection for Mitch and his crew. I took that picture of him and Tessa about two months after we arrived.”