The Rancher Meets His Match (2 page)

“I’ll only be a little while.  Mama, is there any coffee made?”  “No but I can make some I sure hope you’re gone get cleaned up some before you set down at my table.”  “Yes, Ma’am that’s what I’m doing could you keep Mr. Chisholm company till I get back?”  “Sure, baby girl.”  Her mama always called her that.  It had been what everyone had called her and she never liked it.  Her brothers liked to tease her and call her a baby.  They drove her insane when she was growing up but now that she was grown and they were grown they treated her with respect and they were very overprotective. 

             
While in the bathroom, Hilary had a lot of time to think.  She really needed that money.  But, she didn’t like to leave her horses for her parents to tend to, especially with her daddy offshore.  That left her mama with all the work.  She knew her mama was capable of it but she still didn’t like it.  Her mama really didn’t like the horses.  She never cared for riding and was afraid of them but she wasn’t going to admit it to anyone. 

Her mama had been a city girl and had never even been on a horse until she met Hilary’s daddy.  William was his name.  He had met her in college and fell in love with her.  He was determined to help her fit in on the farm no matter what.  He knew she would love it there, and she did but she just couldn’t get used to the horses.  Hilary had only seen her mama ride a couple of times and she could see the fear all over her even though her mama insisted she was fine.  Maybe she could talk her youngest brother, Reid, into taking care of them.  She could swap out chores with him or something.  He had been after her about wanting to take a vacation.  Maybe she would take up all his chores for a month.  She would talk to him about it.

             
She dried off and put on a fresh pair of jeans and a clean button shirt.  Then brushed her hair out and blow-dried it before heading for the kitchen.  J.W. stopped mid sentence and just stared at her.  Something that looked a lot like desire flickered in his eyes and then it was gone just like that maybe she had only imagined it.  “That was quick.” He said.  “Yeah, I don’t bother with makeup and all the things most women do.  It’s a waste of time.”  He couldn’t believe how much different she looked once she
was
cleaned up and let her hair down.  She was a damn knockout, and without makeup too. 
Damn, what the hell, was he going to do for a damn month with her around? 
Stay away from her he decided. 

             
Hilary walked to the coffee pot stepping over her dog Bubba who instantly came alive when she did.  He followed her everywhere.  He was by far the smartest dog she had ever owned and the best damn cow dog too.  “Mama, do you think Reid would tend my horses while I’m away.  I hate to ask but I could really use the money right now.  Especially if I’m ever gone get my own place.” She turned and looked at her mother.  “Of course, you know how your brothers feel about you.  They’d do anything for you,” her mother said.

Hilary knew she had just given him his answer and she could tell he was
very
pleased about it.  Then a frown crossed his face.  Maybe, he wasn’t exactly, pleased.  She wondered what could have made him change his mind so quick.  Never the less, he had a new trainer whether he liked it or not.  He had to like it he was the one who came looking for her, so why was he now scowling, like he ate something that did not settle on his stomach too well?  “When do you expect me?” she asked.  “First week in August” he said.  “I’ll call you with the directions to my place a couple days before.”  He stood up, shook her hand, tipped his hat to her mama and left.  She watched him walk out the door and caught herself thinking too much, on what a nice ass he had.  Damn it all why are all they good ones married. She thought to herself. 

             
“So, you must have really liked this man if you are going to travel to his ranch to train those horses.  You haven’t left home since you were 18.”  Her mama said.   “It’s just that I could really use the money.  I really want to buy me a small trailer to park on the backside of the property so I can move out of here.  I’m too old to be living with my parents.”  Hilary told her mama.  “You know that he’s probably married.  I mean he did say that they’re his daughters’ horses I will be training.  But I guess you’re right he did make a pretty good impression on me.  He jumped right in and helped me in the barn.  He didn’t even ask can I help you; no, he just went to work right along beside me.  That was definitely a first.”  “All I can say honey is if he isn’t married make your move.  Cause, that man has the look of a man that knows what he wants and works until he gets it.  And he’s got looks to boot.” Her mama said.  “Now mama you wouldn’t be trying to get rid of me would you?”  However, Hilary was thinking about what her mama said.  She was well past the age of marriage.  All of her friends were married and had kids before they were 22.  She was about to turn 26 and still yet to find the right man for her. 

She wanted a man who could work beside her. She wanted someone who could understand her, and most of all she just wanted a man to love her.  It didn’t matter if they fought or if he was good looking.  Those kinds of things didn’t matter to her.  Now fixing to turn 26, she didn’t think she would ever get married.  When people would ask her if she was ever going to settle down and get married she would use the phrase that she read on a t-shirt once. 
Got my horse, got my dog, don’t need no man.
  She didn’t mean any of it.  She wanted to spend her life with a man that loves her.  She wanted the kind of relationship her mom and dad have, the lasting kind, that through thick and thin you stay together.

             
On July
30
, which was on a Saturday, Hilary was packing her things and getting ready for her trip to J.W.s ranch, when the phone rang.  She nearly fell over the blue heeler lying on the stairs on her way to answer it.  For some reason he wouldn’t get out from under her feet.  It was like he knew she was leaving and he intended to go too.  She had thought about taking him with her but wasn’t sure how J.W. would feel about it.  She figured she might like it if he were along to keep her company.  “It’s for you.” Her mother said interrupting her thoughts.  “Oh thanks, Mama.  Hello!” she said into the phone.  She listened carefully to the instructions he gave her and politely said yes sir when he asked her a question.  When she hung up the
phone,
she looked down at the heeler looking up at her with his head cocked as if he was asking her something.  She bent down and scratched him behind the ears and a whine escaped his mouth.  He definitely knew she was leaving and he wanted to go with her.  “I’ll sleep on it.” She told him.

             
That night she weighed her options.  She decided it would be best to have Bubba along with her.  He would keep her company and it’s not like he has to stay inside.  He could probably sleep on a porch or in the barn.  He was good around farm animals and people.  He was also very protective of her and was a damn good cow dog.  With her mind made
up,
she rolled over and went to sleep. 

             
5 a.m. came early the next morning.  She loaded her suitcases in the truck and went to get her saddle.  She would need it.  She also made sure to hang a list of to do’s on a
clipboard
hanging on a nail in the barn for her brother.  So he would know exactly what she wanted done.  She knew he would do it too.  Then she loaded some feed for Bubba and kissed her mama goodbye.  She opened the truck door and said, “Load up, Bubba.”  The heeler jumped in and sat down in the passenger seat with his head hanging out the window.  When they pulled out of the driveway, he barked a couple times to her mother as if to say bye, I’ll be seeing you.  Hilary couldn’t help but smile at him.  He was so smart sometimes it shocked her.  And she loved him something bad.  He turned around and lay down with his head in her lap. “Not homesick already, are you boy?”  She said laying her hand on his head.  “We still got a long way to go.”

             
Sometime around 1:00, Hilary’s stomach had started to growl so she decided she better find a place to stop and get something to eat.  She also knew that Bubba needed to relieve himself and they both needed to stretch their legs.
When she came to
an
in and out diner,
she pulled in.  She made sure to park near the grass so that she could let Bubba do his business.  Then she tied him into the back of the truck and poured him some water from a water bottle she’d brought with her and then she gave him some food.  She shut the tailgate and told him to behave.  Then she went inside to sit down and order something to eat.  She was starving.  By the time she got her food, she was glad she had parked near a tree so that Bubba would be in the shade.  The service was terrible.  She couldn’t even get them to refill her drink.  She was definitely not going to leave a tip.  After she had tried a
couple of
times to get the waitress attention about her empty
glass,
she finally gave up and got it herself.  They all turned around and looked at her like she was crazy but she knew that they got the point. 

             
Ready to be on the road again, Hilary got up and paid her tab.  She still had a few hours ahead of her.  She unhooked Bubba who was not happy with being left outside, but Hilary didn’t want to chance him
being
run over.  She opened the driver side door of her dually and Bubba hopped in.  Hilary climbed in after him and they headed
north
.  Once they got on the
interstate,
everything was smooth sailing.  The interstate she could handle.  It was the large towns with all the stop and go traffic she didn’t like. 
Finally,
after several hours behind the wheel they pulled
into the small country town where
J.W. lived.  They would soon be at their destination.

             
J.W. saw the blue and tan dually coming up the drive.  He watched as she slowly came down the rough dirt drive amongst all the cattle in the road.  He knew she had experience with it.  All too
often,
he had had to crawl up someone’s ass for flying down i
t and nearly hitting a calf
.   He usually never had to ask them twice.  “Josey, come here honey.  The new trainer is here.  Be ready to greet her and get her settled in.”  He called to his daughter.  He had to get back to work.  “Tell her to meet me in the barn after she’s settled in.”  He told her before walking off. 
His daughter had been so excited to meet the trainer that she had heard so much about. 
A couple of her friends had told her stories about the horse’s she’d trained and Josey was in awe over it.  Two or three of them were champion barrel horses.  She couldn’t understand though why she wasn’t on the circuit herself.  She was surely better than any of the ladies she’d watched at the rodeos. 

             
Hilary pulled up to the house and got out to a young girl about 14 or so running up to greet her, full of excitement.  “I can’t believe you’re here.  I’m so excited.  I can’t wait to get started.  I’ve been telling all of my friends that my daddy had hired the best barrel horse trainer in all of Mississippi.  They didn’t believe me but they were wrong.  Oh, I’m Josey, I’m supposed to show you to your room and then take you to the barn to talk with my daddy.  Hilary hadn’t
had a chance to speak and the news that she was the best barrel horse trainer in all of Mississippi surely had caused her to lose her tongue.  She was shocked to say the least.  She had never been called that before. And if it were true then she surely wasn’t charging enough.  She couldn’t help but smile at the
girls’
enthusiasm.  “I’m Hilary, it’s nice to meet you.  This here is Bubba.”  At the sound of his
name,
Bubba stood up in the seat and looked around before jumping out to stand by Hilary and cock his head slightly at Josey. 

             
“Oh he’s so cute.”  Josey said as she kneeled down in front of the dog.  “Can I pet him?”  She asked.  That was a good sign that Josey knew dogs.  She knew not to run up and start petting all over one. 
“Sure, you can. Bubba, shake hands.” 
She told the heeler as he lifted his left paw for Josey to shake.  “How do you do Bubba, I’m Josey.”  She was grinning from ear to ear with excitement.  “He’s so smart.” She said.  “Thank you.”  Josey stood up.  “Come on I’ll take you inside now.   Would you like some tea?”  She asked.  “Only if it’s
sweet,
” Hilary said.  “Oh it is that’s all we drink around here.  Daddy don’t believe in drinking it like they do up north.  Mama always tried to push it on him he says.  She’s going to be an actress.  She’s in Hollywood right now.”  A look of sadness crossed the girl’s face.  She was in pain and Hilary wondered why.  “When’s your mama coming home?”  Hilary asked.  “Oh
she
and daddy got a divorce.  But I think she’ll come back one day after she’s famous and all.”  The pain was back in the
girl’s
eyes and she decided not to ask any more questions.  As she stepped up on the porch, Bubba followed but before she walked through the
door,
she told him “Stay, Bubba.  You can’t come in.”  Bubba was not pleased and let out a whine but he did as he was told and lie down on the porch in front of the door.