Cowgirl Up (37 page)

“If not, she will be soon.” Mary Leah chuckled as she turned onto the long drive. “Lights are still on.”

†

Melissa heard car doors slam and turned to look at the clock. It wasn’t even ten yet, so it couldn’t be the crew home this early. She walked to the back door to find Coal, Mary Leah, Del, and Stormy walking across the yard.

“Is everything okay? I wasn’t expecting anyone home this early.”

“The brawler here got us kicked out again,” Mary Leah said with a nod toward Coal.

“Again? Good Lord, Coal, what are we going to do with you?”

“It wasn’t my fault. Some big redneck was harassing the family and needed to be put in his place,” she said in her defense.

“And you were just the woman to do that. Do you have any injuries we need to take a look at?”

“Just some scraped knuckles,” Del said. “She may have a shiner too.”

“Someone actually landed a blow?”

“Just a glancing one, he barely got me,” she said.

“You must be slowing down in your old age,” Melissa teased.

“Speaking of old age, I hope you weren’t planning to go to bed anytime soon,” Mary Leah said. “After the excitement at the bar, the boys decided we would bring the party here. They should be home any minute.”

“Let’s get you cleaned up then before they arrive,” Melissa said and guided Coal to the bathroom for first aid.

“Let’s get some chairs and tables set up out in the yard while we wait for the boys,” Mary Leah suggested.

Mary Leah, Stormy, and Del walked out to the barn to collect tables and chairs.

“So what really happened?” Melissa asked when the others had left.

“Some woman was hitting on Stormy and her boyfriend didn’t like it,” she explained.

“I asked him nicely to leave us be, but he insisted on being an ass, so we went outside to settle our problem.”

“Did you leave him standing?”

“No, ma’am. I do believe he will have a heck of a headache tomorrow and several painful bruises.”

“Good then. Who was it?”

“A monster named Ronnie from over at Big Bob’s place. I think he and Stormy had some history too from the nasty slurs he was making.”

“I’m so glad she got away from there,” Melissa said.

“Yeah, I am too.”

“I think the boys have returned,” Melissa said.

“I’m sorry if we ruined your plans for a quiet night.”

“No need to be sorry. I’d gladly have a few drinks with y’all.”

“Let’s go then,” she said and offered Melissa her arm.

†

The crew drank cold beer and danced to country tunes on the radio for several hours. Melissa and Harley were the first to call it a night. As the night wound down, Stormy and Del walked over toward the corral to have a private conversation.

“I’m sorry about what happened tonight, I hope you’ll let me make it up to you.”

“There is nothing to apologize for, and besides, I’ve had more fun with you here tonight than at the bar,” Del said.

Stormy breathed a sigh of relief. “What plans do you have for tomorrow?”

“I plan to sleep in, and then Mary Leah has promised to bring me over to watch y’all train the horses.”

“May I cook for you tomorrow night then, just for the two of us?”

“That sounds promising,” Del said.

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

She shot her a grin, “For allowing me to spend this time with you.”

“That is very sweet of you to say. I enjoy being around you too.”

“Good,” she said and leaned down to kiss Del’s lips. “I think the ladies are ready to head home, so I guess I’ll see you later today.”

“I’ll look forward to it,” Del said and took Stormy’s hand to walk back to the group.

†

“Are you guys ready to wrap this up?” Stormy said.

“We probably should since we have horses to ride tomorrow,” Lucas said. “Come on Gene let’s put this furniture back in the barn.”

“I can help,” Stormy said.

“Y’all got it set up, so we can break it down. Go ahead and see the ladies off and we’ll take care of this and see you in the morning,” Lucas said.

“Thanks,” Coal said and they walked back to Mary Leah’s car.

“This was an enjoyable evening,” Mary Leah said as she opened a door and slipped inside.

“Yes, it was,” Del said. “Sleep well and we’ll see you tomorrow,” she said, stretching up to kiss Stormy.

“Sweet dreams,” she said and closed the door behind Del. Coal grinned at Stormy. “I’m glad the night ended well.”

“Me too, I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Count on it,” she said and slipped in behind the wheel.

Stormy watched them drive home and when the porch light went off at their house, she climbed the steps onto Melissa’s porch and slipped inside.

†

Stormy joined Melissa in the kitchen the next morning for coffee. “Could I talk you into helping me with something today?”

“Well, that depends, but I’m feeling pretty generous. What’s up?”

“I want to cook for Del tonight to make up for last night. I thought I’d go to the store this morning and pick up steaks and some vegetables for a cookout, but I was wondering if you would steam the veggies for me and wrap them in some aluminum foil so I can throw them on the grill to reheat them.”

“That sounds very interesting and easy to do, but I have veggies and steaks here unless you just want to grocery shop. I can lay out two steaks and place them in some marinade for you this afternoon.”

Stormy grinned and leaned over to kiss Melissa’s cheek. “You’re the best. Just let me know how much and I’ll reimburse you.”

“Don’t be silly. You and Del are part of the family. I am curious, though, where are you planning to cook out?”

“I thought I’d set up a spot out on the bluffs so we can watch the sunset. I can grill some steaks and then we can star gaze and have a nice private place to talk.”

“Oh my, that sounds romantic.”

She blushed profusely. “I really like Del and I don’t want to screw things up with her.”

“Don’t stress over things so much. Just relax and be yourself, that’s what attracted her in the first place,” Melissa said. “Would you mind if I made some fresh bread to go with your meal?”

“That would be perfect. May I ask for a recommendation for a wine though, I haven’t a clue.”

“Just leave it to me and finish work today. I’ll get a picnic basket put together with what you’ll need. I bet you can find a small grill to take out with you in the barn and some lounge chairs too.”

“Thanks, boss,” she said and left the kitchen to check in the barn for the supplies she mentioned.

She was loading the chairs and a small grill into the back of her truck when Coal rode up.

“Looks like you are planning to be busy later. I was going to ask you to dinner.”

“I’m going to be cooking for Del tonight.”

She told Coal of her plans to cook dinner and have a quiet evening with Del, but made her promise not to tell Del or Mary Leah of her plans.

“I think you’ll both have a wonderful time. Now let’s get to work so you can get ready to wine and dine,” she teased.

†

Mary Leah, Del, and Melissa joined them midmorning as they worked the stock. They stretched out comfortably under the oak to watch as the four ranch hands swam with their mounts in the pond.

“That looks like fun,” Del said.

“It’s so much less painful on the horse and rider than the traditional way of training horses,” Melissa said. “After watching Coal with Shadow, Gene and Lucas jumped on board with her method of training.”

“Speak of the devil,” Mary Leah said, nodding toward an approaching Shadow. “He can’t stand to be far away from her for long.”

Melissa and Del laughed. “They do make a handsome pair,” Melissa said.

“Speaking of a handsome pair, did you see Del and Stormy two-stepping last night?” Mary Leah said.

“As a matter of fact I did. You two move well together,” she said to Del.

“She is a very good dancer.”

“I hope you won’t let what happened at the bar last night taint your impression of her,” Melissa said. “I think our young friend has had a very difficult time in her life and she deserves our support.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” Del said.

“What do you know of Stormy’s past?” Mary Leah asked Melissa.

“Not much really. She’s originally from Montana, worked for Big Bob for a year before joining us. I can say she’s a good worker and gets along well with everybody. I think the girl’s got a good heart that needs to be treated with kid gloves.”

“You seem fond of her,” Del noted.

“I am. She grows on you quickly,” Melissa said with a grin. She stood and stretched. “I’m off to the house to finish lunch. Do y’all need anything?”

“Is there anything we can do to help?” Del asked.

“Nope, I’ve got this in hand. I’m used to feeding this bunch.”

“We’ll stay and watch, but holler if you need help,” Mary Leah said.

“Will do,” she answered and drove back to the house.

†

Melissa served Coal’s favorite for lunch, egg salad sandwiches, beneath the shade of the oaks.

“I swear this tastes better every time you make it,” she said as she picked up a sandwich.

“You are so easy to please,” Melissa teased.

Stormy and Del had finished eating and walked over to the lake where the horses were taking a drink.

“I’ll pick you up at five if that’s good for you,” Stormy said.

“Five will be great, but can you tell me how to dress since I have no idea what you’ve planned.”

“Something that’s comfortable. We’ll be outside, so maybe wear a long-sleeved shirt, or bring a light sweater if you have one.”

“I can manage that. Is there anything I can do to help out?”

“No, ma’am, I think I have everything under control.”

“I’ll look forward to tonight then,” Del said as Harley called an end to lunch.

†

By midafternoon, Stormy was racing her mount across the field in a steady gallop, and when she turned back toward the lake, she saw Mary Leah and Del walking back to the house. She smiled eager to finish her task and prepare for her night with Del. Her mount sensed her lack of concentration and took the opportunity to buck, sending her flying through the air. She hit the ground hard, cursing the horse that was now galloping away.

“Did someone get distracted?” Coal teased as she pulled her horse up next to her.

“Something like that.” She grinned as she reached for the arm Coal offered.