Читать книгу Texas Dad - Roz Fox Denny - Страница 9

Chapter Three

As soon as Mack unlocked his pickup with the remote, Zoey hopped out and ran to hug Erma. That pleased Mack. Zoey really was a good kid, although he should probably still dole out some disciplinary action for sending embarrassing photos of him to a women’s magazine. He could take away a few of her privileges, he supposed, but he hated doing that to a lonely, only child. He knew what growing up alone was like.

“Zoey, will you please open the front passenger door? Stuff this bed pillow Erma brought under her right hip. Be gentle, she’s in some pain.”

“Is your hip broken?” Zoey asked Erma after her dad lifted the housekeeper into the truck. He folded the wheelchair and slid it under the canopy covering the pickup bed.

“The doctor won’t know until a specialist in Lubbock reads my X-rays, Zoey. I sure hate causing your dad so much bother. He has better things to do than waste half a day taking caring of me. I made a dumb mistake, tripping over a board I’d already said was loose.”

Mack boosted Zoey into the backseat, then rounded the pickup to the driver’s side. Then he said, “Come on, Erma. You’re family. Dad gave thanks every day that you happened to be looking for work when Mom’s cancer got bad.”

“Such a long time ago. Twenty-five years,” Erma murmured as she leaned back against the headrest. “You were younger than Zoey when your mom died, Mackenzie. The years sure roll on by quickly, don’t they?”

“I was eight,” Mack said softly as he pulled out of the parking lot.

Brandy rustled around in the backseat. “Gosh, Mr. B., you didn’t grow up with a mom, either?”

Mack frowned in the rearview mirror. He was surprised at the old sense of loss that arose, given how many years had passed. “Zoey and I are lucky Erma landed at the ranch equipped to mother us,” he told Brandy.

Erma stirred. “It was me who got lucky, y’all. You may remember, Mackenzie, but I was engaged to be married. My fiancé, Johnny, went MIA in Vietnam. It was right near the end of that awful war. I didn’t have any real skills. Johnny’s family and mine were both dirt poor. I attempted a series of odd jobs but couldn’t live on what I got paid. Back then there weren’t many good jobs available to rural farm kids. But I couldn’t bear to leave La Mesa in case the army found Johnny. Since I wasn’t his wife, they wouldn’t have tracked me down. Seems like yesterday, but it’s been forty years.” She passed a trembling, wrinkled hand over her eyes. “Shoot, it’s gotta be that danged shot making me lonesome. You kids don’t need to hear an old lady ramble on.”

Mack squeezed Erma’s arm. “I’ve heard they’re still finding dog tags over there.”

They drove in silence for a little while. “What’s MIA?” Zoey finally asked as Mack angled into a parking spot outside a chain pharmacy a ways out of town on Lubbock Highway.

“The letters stand for missing in action, Zoey,” Mack said, preparing to climb out. “I’m going in to fill Erma’s prescription and see if they have any wheelchairs— I’m hoping this pharmacy carries medical equipment.”

“What about the wheelchair you put in back?” Zoey jerked a thumb behind her.

“It’s on loan from the E.R. We can’t keep it for the four to six weeks the doctor said Erma needs to stay off that leg.”

“That long?” Zoey gasped. “Who’ll take care of us?”

Mack reached back to tap her nose. “Aren’t you ready to be our chief cook and bottle washer?”

Her eyes went wide.

“I’m teasing,” he said. “I talked to Benny earlier. He has a cousin who may be able to help us out. Everyone keep your fingers crossed.”

“I will,” Erma said as Mack’s door slammed. Silence filled the cab for a time, and it was plain to see from the way Erma’s head fell forward that she was nodding off. Then Brandy whispered to Zoey, “How old do you suppose Benny’s cousin is?”

Zoey shrugged. She kept her voice down, and said, “Benny’s seventy-two. I know because Erma baked him a cake for his birthday last month. There wasn’t room on the cake for so many candles, so Dad bought two in the shape of a seven and a two. Why?”

“Duh, our plan to find your dad someone to date.”

“Yeah, but maybe I should forget trying to find a new mom. I forgot how young my dad was when his mom died, and he turned out okay. Erma took care of him. Maybe I’m being selfish. Am I, Brandy?”

“I don’t know, since I’ve got a mom, a dad and all my grandparents. And from what you say about your grandparents, you don’t talk to them, either.”

“They’re so preachy! If I had to live with them like they wanted, I’d never mention getting my ears pierced or learning to wear makeup. They think TV and cell phones are sinful. I’m lucky Daddy’s lawyer fixed it so I only have to see them once or twice a year. And my dad goes with me.” She shuddered.

The back gate of the pickup squeaked open. Peering out the rear window, the girls saw Mack slide a big box in beside the wheelchair. Then he slammed the tailgate shut and got into the cab with sufficient noise to jolt Erma awake.

“Are we home?” she asked groggily.

“No, sorry. I didn’t realize you were sleeping, Erma. Here’s your pain medication.” She didn’t reach out for the paper bag, so he asked, “Are you okay?”

“I think I need to lie down. I can’t seem to keep my eyes open.”

“We’ll be home soon. Well, in fifteen minutes or so, after we drop Brandy off.”

“Can she come home with us? I thought J.J. might take our pictures. For fun.”

Mack ground the key in the ignition. “Jill will be long gone by the time we get home, Zoey. Plus I told Mrs. Evers hours ago that I’d collect you girls from the library.” He passed his cell phone back. “Call your mom and apologize for how late we are, Brandy. Explain that the E.R. was superbusy.”

Brandy took the phone. “I’m probably going to get my own cell for my birthday,” she said, sweeping her long hair back behind one ear as she waited for the number she’d punched in to connect. “Wait, I have to try again. I wish we had better cell service.”

They were on the road by the time she got through and relayed Mack’s message, then passed back his phone. “Mom said thanks. She was picking tomatoes and lost track of time, anyway.”

“Dad, can I get a phone for my thirteenth birthday? Some kids already have them.”

“At twelve?”

“Yes, and if I had one you wouldn’t have needed to bother Brandy’s mom to find out we were at the library. You could have called me.”

“That, young lady, is something you should have settled with me before you left the house. Responsibility doesn’t start with owning a phone.”

“Oh, brother,” Zoey drawled, flopping against her seat back.

Mack pulled slowly down the Everses’ lane. He beeped his horn at Amanda Evers, who was in her produce stand talking with a customer. “Erma, those tomatoes look great. Want me to send Zoey to buy some?”

Erma, who was dozing again, gave a start. She grabbed her hip and grimaced. “Darn, I’m afraid that pain shot is wearing off. Sorry, Mack, what about tomatoes? I, uh, thawed hamburger to make meat loaf. I sure hope I can stand long enough to fix supper.”

Mack chewed his lip. “The doctor said to take two of those pills when you get home, and he wants you off your feet. The kitchen counter is too high for you to work from a wheelchair, even if you were in any shape to make supper tonight. Zoey and I can figure it out after I haul water to the herd.” Turning in his seat, he said, “Zoey, run and see if Brandy’s mom has some lettuce and sweet onion to go with those tomatoes so we can have a good salad. I hope Benny’s cousin can come ASAP.” Digging in his pocket, Mack handed Zoey a twenty-dollar bill.

She crawled out and ran to the stand with Brandy.

Amanda Evers listened to the girls natter on about Erma’s accident as she bagged produce, took Zoey’s money and gave her change. “Honey, tell your dad to call me if he needs meals until he hires help. I’ll round up neighbors to bring casseroles you can pop in the oven. Or better yet, tell your dad Trudy Thorne can come and stay at your place. She stopped by a while ago and mentioned Erma’s fall. She wanted Mack to know she’d be happy to pinch-hit until Erma’s up and around.”

The girls traded a dark expression that Brandy’s mom intercepted. “Girls, be nice. I realize some people think Trudy is pushy, but she probably has a lot to offer you and your dad, Zoey. Brandy tells me you’re feeling the loss of your mother a lot lately. And the teen years can be rough. Trudy spent her teens here in La Mesa.”

“Yes’m,” Zoey said, although she pursed her lips. “I’d better go. Erma needs to get home and take her medicine.”

Brandy walked back with Zoey. “Mom thinks everyone is nice.”

“What if my dad likes Trudy? He called her neighborly.”

“He called Erma family.”

“Well, she kinda is. It’s just that Trudy acts all gushy with me when Dad’s around. When he leaves, she turns off all that sugar.”

“You’ll have J.J. around for two days. If Trudy brings a casserole, pretend J.J.’s staying longer. Pretend your dad really likes her.”

Zoey brightened. “Good idea. Thanks. I’ll call you later, Brandy. I’m excited that school’s only a half day on Monday and then we’re out till September.”

Mack jumped out of the pickup and took the produce. “Honestly, Zoey, I told you Erma’s in pain and we need to hurry home.”

“Sorry.” Zoey climbed unaided into the backseat.

“I’ll take it as easy as I possibly can on the graveled section of our road, Erma. You seem like you’re in even more pain now than when I took you to the doctor.”

“The nurse said I don’t have much padding over my old bones. She said to expect it to be bad for a week or two. I thought I was a tough old bird, but I hurt everywhere.”

“I’m sure you tightened your muscles when you hit the cement. If it turns out you didn’t chip or break a bone, it’ll be pure luck.” Mack soon left the smooth highway for a gravel track that led to the ranch. He slowed way down, but he could see tension building on Erma’s face. The last thing Mack expected when he entered his circular drive was a strange SUV parked at his house. Did that mean Jill was still here?

Zoey squealed happily and unbuckled her seat belt before Mack had completely stopped. “J.J.’s at the corral with Benny, Trevor and Eldon.” Leaning into the front seat, Zoey pointed so her dad and Erma would look the right direction. “J.J. must like dogs. She’s petting Jiggs.”

Indeed, his herd dog, a two-year-old border collie, sat at Jill’s feet, lapping up her attention. So did his foreman and wranglers. They were huddled around her, laughing and gesturing animatedly. A red haze of anger clouded Mack’s vision. It wasn’t until after he stepped out on his vehicle’s running board and bellowed, “Since when doesn’t time equal money on this ranch?” that he realized his irritation was due more to seeing Jill being lavished with attention from his wranglers than the fact his men were sloughing off work. He’d never been a hard-nosed boss.

* * *

HEARING THE BITE in Mack’s voice, J.J. quickly scooped up her camera bag and gave the dog a last pat. She jogged across a patch of dry grass to his truck. “It’s my fault the guys took a break,” she said, squinting into the sun as she faced Mack. “When I arrived Benny was waiting for your veterinarian—you had a laboring cow in distress. The vet asked Benny to call your wranglers to hold the cow while she and Benny pulled the calf. I wanted to make sure everything turned out okay, so I stuck around. The whole process was worrisome but thrilling, especially when they got him. Once everything was okay, I took some candid shots of the work that goes on at your ranch. The fact that one of your cowboys is a former army sergeant will be great in my article on your charity work. Oh, hey, is that Erma you’ve brought home?” J.J. lowered her voice as the woman in Mack’s truck struggled to open the passenger door. “How is she?”

By then Benny and Jiggs the dog had crossed the yard from the corral.

“We had a cow in trouble?” Mack asked Benny. Stepping off the running board, he walked around the cab and reached for Erma to keep her from falling out the door. “Erma, you can’t get out until I bring the wheelchair. Will someone please stay with her for a moment?”

J.J. rushed to comply, and Benny followed Mack to the rear of the pickup.

“Around noontime, Trevor stumbled across a young heifer set to deliver her first calf,” Benny said. “He brought her to the barn because she seemed to be laboring too hard. We tried to help her, but she went berserk. She kicked me a good one on my shin. I called Delaney, who gave her something to calm her down.”

Mack lifted the hospital wheelchair out and opened it, locking the seat in place. He listened to Benny with half an ear. The majority of his attention was focused on Erma exclaiming over how great it was to see Jill, and Jill responding with sympathy for Erma’s plight.

“Benny, I’ll take a look-see at the cow and calf after I get Erma inside. She needs to take her pain meds now.”

Erma held on to her hip when Mack lifted her from the pickup and carefully set her in the wheelchair.

“I should have fixed that loose back step,” Benny said sheepishly.

“I knew it was loose,” Erma said as Mack wheeled her toward the house. “Accidents happen, Benny. Hey, did anyone gather the eggs? That’s where I was headed when I fell.”

Benny shook his head, so Mack said to Zoey, “Bug, you can gather eggs. Uh, sorry. I’m not going to have an easy time remembering you don’t want to be called Bug.”

“I hate gathering eggs, ’cause those old hens peck me.”

“I’ve never gathered eggs,” Jill said. “But maybe I can distract the chickens for you.”

Erma waved a hand feebly. “Good idea. After you bring in the eggs, Jill, perhaps you can, uh, help me out of these clothes and into something more comfortable. These jeans are rubbing my sore hip.”

Mack stopped at the base of the front porch steps. Anyone could see his displeasure.

“What’s the matter, boss?” Benny eyed the makeshift ramp. “I cobbled boards together like you asked. Is there too much slope?”

“Huh? Oh, no. The ramp is fine. Jill is only here to do a job for her magazine, Erma. I believe she was headed back to town, weren’t you?” He shot the query at their visitor.

Erma handed Mack the now-warm ice pack. “I’m really wobbly. I doubt Zoey has the strength to steady me and help me undress or dress. And that’s definitely not a chore for you or Benny.”

“I don’t mind lending Erma a hand,” Jill said.

Scowling at her, Mack said, “So, Benny, what’s the verdict on your cousin? Can she get here right away?” Turning the wheelchair, he pulled Erma backward up the ramp and onto the porch.

“Sonja wants this job, but she can’t get here till after next week. She’s in Galveston taking care of her grandchildren while her oldest daughter and husband are on vacation. They left yesterday on one of those eight-day cruises to Mexico.”

“Well that’s a problem.” Continuing to frown, Mack reached back to open the screen door.

Erma glanced over her shoulder at Mack. “Why’s that? Seems to me we’ve got a solution. If Jill is taking pictures at the ranch, it makes sense for her to stay here instead of driving back and forth to town. I need a woman to assist me with private matters, like helping me in and out of the shower. I’m not a stork, you know. Can’t stand on my one good leg.”

“I’m pretty sure nursemaid isn’t on Jill’s professional résumé,” Mack said. “Benny, I wish you’d phoned me about your cousin while I was still in town. I need to sign a contract with Leitha Davidson to find us someone even short-term.” Mack’s frustration couldn’t be more obvious.

“Leitha won’t go to all the work of hiring until Benny’s cousin arrives,” Erma stated firmly. “Jill’s here. She said she’s willing to help. Besides, I’m dying to hear all about Paris and where all else her work’s taken her since she left Texas.”

Zoey burst out, “J.J., you’ve been to Paris? That’s so cool! Wait till I tell Brandy. Where else have you been?”

Mack bristled and interrupted before Jill could answer.

“Zoey, the eggs! You don’t have time to hear how Jill gallivanted off to Paris and London and Rio and Tokyo...” He broke off, seeing Jill’s eyes glitter, clearly curious about how he knew where she’d traveled. “I get the college alumni newsletter,” he said. “They’ve mentioned you.”

Jill nodded, but Erma didn’t let up. “This house has four empty bedrooms, Mackenzie.”

“Listen,” Jill jumped in, spreading her hands. “I’m fine staying in town. I don’t want to cause a family feud. If it’s okay with you, Mack, I’ll help Zoey gather the eggs, then settle Erma in. I’ll come back tomorrow to begin our interview and take more photos.”

Erma said something to Mack that J.J. couldn’t hear. It served to make him duck his head and rub the lines creasing his forehead. A few seconds ticked by before he cleared his throat. “Erma’s got a valid point. It’s not like me to be inhospitable. I appreciate your willingness to help us out of a jam, Jill.” Raising his head, he gazed squarely into her startled eyes. “Truly,” he added. “My main concern should be doing what’s best for Erma.” He opened the door. “If you’re okay with it, let’s call a truce.”

“Of c-course,” J.J. stammered. “I’ll just go put my camera bag away.” She pointed to her SUV.

“Bring it in,” Erma said. “Mackenzie means you should pick a bedroom and stay as long as you want. You and Zoey go collect the eggs while I take my pills. After you get me settled for a nap, you can check out of your motel. I wouldn’t mind your help fixing meals for a few days.”

Although she felt trapped, J.J. nodded. She wanted to bolt then and there—Mack couldn’t have made clearer that he’d rather walk over spikes barefoot than have her stay at the ranch. Erma had to have twisted his arm, and who in their right mind would volunteer to be an unwanted houseguest?

“Awesome!” Zoey shouted. She dashed over to throw her arms around J.J.

From the porch, Mack watched Jill smile at Zoey and smooth her hands down the girl’s braids. The simple, caring gesture hit him hard, chipping away some of the ice he’d built around his heart against Jill Walker. Her ready smile used to be something he loved. He vividly recalled the sweet taste of her lips, and unexpected heat moved through his groin. “So now that that’s arranged,” he muttered, “let’s get this show on the road.”

Benny said, “Don’t forget, boss—we’re planning to move the cattle to Monument Draw tomorrow. The summer range will make prettier pictures with the trees and all, but the herd’s bound to kick up a passel of dust on the drive up there.”

“Damn.” With everything that had happened, Mack had forgotten. “Trailing the herd can mean a couple of days before any of us get back to the ranch.”

“I have some extra days built in for this shoot,” J.J. said. After all, Donna had urged her to spend an extra week visiting her mother. “I’ll take a few pictures before you head out. Readers will like seeing you on a horse with a sea of steers as a backdrop.”

“That would be a good plan except that we’ll be leaving before daylight. It’s a dry, hot drive between Turkey Creek and the next available water. The farther we get before sunrise, the better.”

“Well, do whatever is necessary. I don’t want to interfere. I’ll keep Erma and Zoey company.”

“I suppose we could delay the drive.” Mack wasn’t keen on the notion of leaving Zoey and an incapacitated Erma with Jill. The last time she was in his life, she hadn’t thought twice about abandoning him. She probably wouldn’t do that now, but she also didn’t have any reason to stay. “There’ll be time to figure this out at supper, which we won’t have if we keep talking all day.” He eased the wheels of Erma’s chair over the threshold and disappeared inside.

J.J. worried her lower lip with her teeth as she followed Zoey to a row of chicken coops set away from the house in the shade of scrub oak. They were on a good-size plot, encompassed by a sturdy wire enclosure. “You have a lot of chickens,” she said, pausing to latch the gate behind her.

“Erma uses a lot of eggs. Wait until you see how many Benny and Eldon eat at breakfast.” Zoey unhooked one of the coop doors and exposed two shelves of nests, empty of chickens.

“So Erma cooks meals for the ranch hands as well as for your family?”

“We all eat together.” Zoey reached into a nest and began placing eggs in one of her baskets. J.J. picked up a second basket and scooped the eggs out of the higher nests. They collected about twenty eggs, closed the coop and moved to the next. Hens were sitting on the nests in this one. One screeched and flew straight at J.J., pecking her arm.

“Ow!” She jumped back and dabbed at a trail of blood, trying to keep from dropping her basket.

Zoey unhooked a long-handled whisk broom off the inside wall of the coop and swatted the squawking hens. “Shoo.” She flapped her arms at birds dive-bombing their legs. “We need to hurry and grab the eggs. The hens get braver the longer we stay.”