Cowgirl Up (40 page)

†

Del, Mary Leah, Melissa, and Harley sat under the shade tree to watch the practice session. Coal and Stormy had dismounted and were walking toward them across the corral, leading their horses. Their movements sent dust swirling around them in a shroud. “Cowgirls do it in the dirt,” Melissa said.

“What was that?” Mary Leah asked.

“A bumper sticker I saw the other day in town. It said cowgirls do it in the dirt. Watching Coal and Stormy walk across the corral reminded me of that.”

“It is rather fitting, isn’t it?” Del asked.

“A Kodak moment,” Mary Leah said as she picked up her phone and snapped off several photos. She lowered the phone to preview the shots and Del whistled.

“I have got to get a copy of that blown up,” Stormy said. “That’s a fantastic shot.”

“Wow, that is really good. Better get two, one for me,” Melissa said.

“I can do that,” Mary Leah said as Coal and Stormy approached. “Are you two done for the day?”

“I am,” she said, “but Coal and Gene are going to rope a few steers.”

“I hate to break up this party, but I do need to start for home,” Del said.

“Hang on and I’ll give you a ride back to your car,” Stormy said as she tied off her horse.

“I’ll see you tomorrow night then,” she said to Mary Leah. “Thanks for allowing me to ride with you to Austin,” she told Melissa.

“The more the merrier,” Melissa said. “See you later this week.”

Stormy ran ahead to open her truck door for Del and got her seated safely inside.

“I think someone is truly smitten,” Melissa said as she watched Stormy rush around to the driver’s side.

 
“Which one are you referring to?” Mary Leah asked.

“Good point,” Melissa said. “I’m glad to see they are hitting it off well.”

“Me too, but I admit I’m very surprised. They are so different from one another,” she said.

“Just like another happy couple I know,” Melissa said with a smile.

“Point well made,” Coal said.

Gene yelled across the corral. “Coal, are you ready?”

“Be right there,” she hollered back. “I’ll see you soon.”

†

The week passed quickly and after Coal’s Wednesday night appointment, Del said, “I’m very impressed by the progress you have been making in therapy. Are your dreams still interfering with your sleep?”

“Knock on wood, I haven’t had a nightmare for weeks.”

“That’s good. Your vital signs during the video sessions have drastically reduced, and you’ve made it all the way through the scenarios twice now. Do you feel you’re ready to go back to traditional therapy?”

“Yes, I think so, I’m not as anxious about Tessa’s death as I have been.”

“I think you have progressed remarkably. I can’t promise you that you’ll ever be cured of the PTSD, but at least you will have learned how to minimize its control on you before we’re done with therapy.”

“I can’t thank you enough for helping me. I feel so much better since I started seeing you.”

“We still have battles to face, but I think it’s safe to say the worst is over for you. I still recommend going to visit Tessa’s grave. I think you have the right words to say to her now.”

Coal nodded her agreement as she felt her eyes filling with tears.

Del pulled Coal into a hug. “Don’t forget that it’s okay to cry when you need to.”

Coal stepped back and wiped the tears from her cheeks. “Thanks, Doc.”

When Coal regained her composure, they left the office and Del walked them out to the car. “Why don’t I bring some pizza with me tomorrow night?” she asked.

“We have beer,” Mary Leah said.

“Will you let Stormy know? I hear you talk for hours every night,” Coal teased.

Del grinned at Coal’s comment. “Yes, I’ll be sure to let her know. Be careful and I’ll see you tomorrow night.”

“You too, Doc,” she said as she climbed inside the car.

†

Coal and Stormy were helping the men load the horses and gear Friday morning when Melissa pulled Coal off to the side. “I just thought of something I need your opinion on.”

“What’s up, boss?”

“When I booked rooms I didn’t get separate rooms for Del and Stormy. Do you think they are ready to share a room, or should I ask Del if she wants me to get another room?”

“I think they are more than ready to take the next step, but be safe and ask Del. I know Stormy won’t mind.”

“I didn’t think she would.” Melissa grinned. “I’ll ask Del before we leave.”

Harley and the boys were set to pull the large trailer with the horses and when they were loaded, Melissa drove the cowboy Cadillac to pick up Del and Mary Leah. While Stormy and Coal loaded their luggage, Melissa pulled Del to the side to inquire about room arrangements.

Coal watched carefully to gauge Del’s reaction. After a quick blush, Del nodded her head and hugged Melissa. Then they walked over to the truck and Melissa gave Coal a nod.

“Hang on a sec,” she told Mary Leah. She took Stormy by the arm and walked toward the barn. “I hope you packed pajamas.”

“The usual, shorts and tee, why?” Stormy asked.

“Because, unless you have a major objection, you are sharing a room with Del this weekend,” she said.

“What?”

“Melissa only booked one room for the two of you. She can correct that if needed, though.”

“No, I can handle this arrangement,” she said.

“Good, that’s what Del said too, so maybe it’s time to take the next step.”

She shuffled her feet. “That will be up to Del. I promised to be on my best behavior.”

“I think you have done so impressively. So relax and enjoy your time together.”

“I will,” she said.

“Let’s go then,” she said and slipped her arm around Stormy’s shoulder.

†

The trip to Austin passed quickly. The group located the Travis County Expo Center, where the rodeo would take place, got registered and the horses settled into stalls. Gene would again be staying in the sleeper compartment in the trailer to look over the stock and spend time with other cowboys. He loved hearing the stories the older riders were eager to share with the younger generation.

“I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m ready for some lunch,” Melissa announced.

Mary Leah surprised them all when she stated, “I could eat a bear.”

“Well, let’s feed that beast of yours then check into the hotel,” Melissa said with a chuckle.

“What time does your first event start tomorrow?” Mary Leah asked.

Coal looked at the schedule. “The barrel racing starts at ten. What do you have in mind?”

“I thought we might check out one of the local ladies clubs if you all would like to,” Mary Leah said. “Have a few drinks, and maybe a dance or two.”

“Do you think you can keep these two out of trouble?” Melissa asked.

“With your help, I’m sure I can.”

“Okay, so what do you think, ladies?” Melissa asked.

“I’m game, but we need to get a good night’s rest. Tomorrow will be a long day for us,” Coal said.

“Agreed,” Stormy chimed in.

“All right, so after dinner we find a good spot and plan to be back at the hotel no later than eleven. Is that good?” Mary Leah asked.

Coal looked at Stormy, who nodded and answered, “I think we can handle that.”

“Okay, so you’re in charge of researching the clubs while the rest of us get settled into the rooms,” Melissa instructed Mary Leah as they pulled into a diner for lunch.

“Sounds like a plan to me,” Mary Leah said, wearing a huge smile.

†

The hotel was close to the Expo and they settled into the rooms as Mary Leah did her research on a laptop. Coal stretched out on the bed. She was seriously considering a nap when Mary Leah snapped the laptop closed and swiveled around in the desk chair.

“There’s a women’s bar two miles from here that looks promising,” she told Coal.

“That sounds good to me.”

“You do promise to be good tonight, don’t you? No brawling.”

“Darling, it’s not like I go out looking for a fight,” she answered defensively. “They just seem to find me, especially when alcohol is involved, but I promise to do my best.”

“Thanks, honey. I hope we can escape a visit to the emergency room for everyone this weekend and just have a good time.”

She couldn’t hide the fact that Mary Leah’s comment had left her feeling a bit bruised. Instead of answering with a cheeky remark, she stood and stretched. “I’m going over to Melissa’s room to get a drink, would you care for anything?”

“A Coke would be nice,” she answered.

“I’ll be back,” she said.

She walked over to Melissa’s room and knocked on the door. A few seconds later, Melissa opened the door and welcomed her inside. When she saw the look on Coal’s face, she couldn’t help but ask, “Is there something wrong? You look a bit perturbed.”

Coal took a Coke from the cooler in Melissa’s room and flopped down in a chair. “I guess I’m wearing my feelings on my sleeve today. I let an innocent comment Mary Leah made fly all over me.”

“What did my sometimes obtuse sister say to upset you?” she teased.

“She sort of implied I go out looking for fights.”

“Good grief. She doesn’t realize that’s the last thing you want to do on a night out?”

Coal shrugged. “I guess not, but a few times we have been in a bar, I did end up in a fight.”

“If my memory hasn’t totally abandoned me, you fought to defend your family. First it was Lucas and this last time Stormy.”

“Yeah, that’s right, and I would do it again.”

Melissa took a seat next to her. “I have no doubt that you would, and I think it is very honorable. Mary Leah is just wired a little differently than we are, so be patient with her.”

“I know she didn’t say it to offend me, but it stung coming from her.”

“I know it did, honey. I will take the opportunity to educate my sister this weekend, so try not to dwell on it and just have fun.”

“I will,” Coal said. “Will you save me a dance tonight?”

“Did you bring your steel-toed boots?”

“Nope, but I’ve been told I’m pretty quick on me feet,” she smirked.

“Very well, just don’t claim I didn’t warn you.”

She downed the rest of her drink. “I reckon I should take her drink to her. Thanks, boss.”

“Go ahead and take several and put them in your mini fridge,” Melissa suggested. “You can still come over if you need a break,” she added with a wink.

Taking four cans of Coke, she returned to the room, handing one to Mary Leah and placing the rest in the refrigerator. Mary Leah was sitting in the recliner watching television.