Married in Texas, page 29
From there she drove to the landing strip. Rowdy was waiting for her, and after greetings and hugs, Sherry boarded his company jet and settled back in the cushioned seat.
“So how’s Pepper been treating you?” Rowdy asked.
“Very well. I love Texas.”
“Any progress with that cattleman?”
She smiled. “Some.”
“Norah’s going to be glad to hear that.” He grinned with satisfaction. “She’s going to be very surprised to see you, but even more surprised to see her father. He arrived earlier this afternoon. My driver picked him up at the airport and is giving him a quick tour of Houston and Galveston Island. If everything goes according to schedule, we should get to the house at about the same time.”
“You thought all this up on your own?”
“Yep.” He looked extremely proud of himself. “I talked to Norah’s father a couple months back about flying out, but as I said, having you join us was a spur-of-the-moment idea. Norah’s going to be thrilled.”
To say that Norah was thrilled—or surprised—was putting it mildly. As Rowdy had predicted, David Bloomfield arrived within minutes of her and Rowdy. They’d waited in the driveway for him, and the three of them walked into the house together.
Rowdy stood in the entryway and, his eyes twinkling, called, “Norah, I’m home!”
Norah appeared and Rowdy threw open his arms. “Happy birthday!” he shouted and stepped aside to reveal David Bloomfield and Sherry, standing directly behind him.
“Daddy!” Norah cried, enthusiastically hugging her father first. “Sherry!” Norah wrapped both arms around her, eyes bright with tears.
“You thought I forgot your birthday, didn’t you?” Rowdy crowed.
Norah wiped the tears from her face and nodded. “I really did. I had the most miserable day. The kids were both fussy, and I felt like I’d moved to the ends of the earth and everyone had forgotten me.”
“This is a long way from Orchard Valley,” her father said, putting his arm around his youngest daughter, “but it isn’t the end of the earth—although I think I can see it from here.”
Norah chuckled. “Oh, Dad, that’s an old joke.”
“You laughed, didn’t you?”
“Come on in and make yourselves comfortable,” Rowdy invited, ushering them into the living room. “I certainly hope you didn’t go to any trouble for dinner,” he said to Norah.
“No. I was feeling sorry for myself and thought we’d order pizza. It’s been that kind of day.”
“Good—” Rowdy paused and looked at his watch “—because the caterer should get here in about ten minutes.”
Norah was floored. “Is there anything else I should know about?”
“This?” He removed a little velvet box from his pocket, then put it back. “Think I’ll save that for later when we’re alone.”
David laughed and glanced around. “Now, where are those precious grandchildren of mine?”
“Sleeping. They’re both exhausted. But if you promise to be quiet, I’ll take you upstairs for a peek. How long are you staying? A week, I hope.”
David and Sherry followed Norah upstairs and tiptoed into the children’s rooms. Sherry was fond of David Bloomfield and loved watching his reaction as he looked at his grandchildren. Sherry remembered several years back, when David had suffered a heart attack and almost died. His recovery had been nothing short of miraculous.
By the time they came back downstairs, the caterer was there and the table had been set for an elegant dinner. The candles were lit, the appetizers served and champagne poured.
“Rowdy did this once before,” Norah said, reaching for her husband’s hand. Rowdy brought her fingers to his mouth and brushed his lips over them. “He wanted something from me then. Dinner was all part of a bribe to get me to leave Orchard Valley and be his private nurse.”
Rowdy laughed. “It didn’t work. Norah didn’t believe I loved her, and I can’t say I blame her, since I didn’t know it myself. All I knew was that I couldn’t imagine my life without her. You led me on quite a merry chase—but I wouldn’t have had it any different.”
“Are you trying to bribe my daughter this time?” David asked.
Rowdy shook his head. “Nope. I have everything I need.”
The shrimp appetizer was followed by a heart-of-palm salad. Norah turned to Sherry. “How’s everything going with you and Cody?”
Sherry shrugged, unsure how much she should say. “Better, I guess.”
“I have to tell you, I got a kick out of your last e-mail. He actually proposed to you by saying he wanted to cut to the chase?”
“Sounds like a man who knows what he wants,” Rowdy commented.
“Cody’s come a long way since then. He’s trying to understand what I want, but I don’t think he’s quite figured it out.” She lowered her gaze and sighed. “Currently he’s suffering from the effects of poison ivy. He ran into a patch of it while picking wildflowers for me.”
“Well, as you say, he’s certainly trying hard.”
“I wish now I’d been more specific,” Sherry said, smoothing her napkin. “I love Cody and I want romance, yes, but more than that, I want him to share himself with me, his thoughts and ideas, his dreams for the future. What worries him most is the fear that if he loves me he’ll lose his identity. He says he isn’t willing to let any woman put a collar around his neck.”
“Sounds reasonable,” David said.
“He’s really a darling.” Sherry wanted to be sure everyone understood her feelings.
“You love him?”
Sherry nodded. “I did almost from the first.”
“Let me talk to him,” Rowdy offered.
“It wouldn’t do any good,” Sherry said. “His best friend, who’s happily married, already tried, and Cody just thinks Luke’s lost his marbles.”
“He’ll feel differently once he’s married himself.”
“Didn’t you tell me Cody has a twelve-year-old daughter?” Norah asked.
Sherry nodded. “I don’t know a lot about his marriage, just enough to know they were both pretty immature. His wife was killed in a car accident years ago.”
“And he’s never thought about marrying again until now?” David inquired.
“Heather had a lot to do with his proposal, but—” She stopped, remembering how Cody had told her that the first time he’d asked her to marry him had been for Heather’s sake, but now it was for his own. “With time, I believe he’ll understand it isn’t flowers that interest me or serenading me in the dead of night—it’s trusting and sharing. It’s a sense of belonging to each other.”
“It’s sitting up together with a sick baby,” Norah murmured.
“And loving your partner enough to allow him to be himself,” Rowdy continued. “And vice versa.”
“And looking back over the years you were together, knowing they were the best ones of your life,” David added thoughtfully.
Sherry hoped that eventually Cody would understand all of this. His mother had asked her to be patient, and Ellie had given her the same advice. It was difficult at times, but she held on to the promise of a future together.
Sherry left early the next morning. Norah walked out to the car with her, dressed in her robe, her eyes sleepy. “I wish you could stay longer.”
“I do, too.”
“If you ever want to get away for a weekend, let me know, and I’ll have Rowdy send a plane for you.”
“I will. And thank you.”
The flight back to Pepper seemed to take only half the time the trip into Houston had. She glanced at her watch as she walked to her car, pleased to see she had plenty of time before she went on duty at the clinic.
Driving down Main Street, Sherry was struck once more by the welcome she felt in Pepper. It was as if this was her home and always would be. The sight of Cody’s pickup in front of the clinic came as a surprise. She pulled around to the back of the building, parking in her appointed slot, and hurried inside.
Cody wasn’t anywhere in sight. “Mrs. Colson,” she asked, walking out to the reception area. “Have you seen Cody?”
“No, I was wondering that myself. His truck’s here, but he doesn’t seem to be around.”
Stepping onto the porch, Sherry glanced around. A movement, ever so slight, from Cody’s truck caught her eye. She ran down the walkway to discover Cody fast asleep in the cab.
“Cody,” she called softly through the open window, not wanting to startle him. “What are you doing here?”
“Sherry?” He bolted upright, banging his head on the steering wheel. “Damn!” he muttered, rubbing the injured spot. He opened the door and nearly fell onto the street in his eagerness.
“Have you been drinking?” she demanded.
“No,” he returned angrily. “Where the hell have you been all night?”
“With my friend in Houston,” she told him, “although where I was or who I was with is none of your business.”
“Some hotshot with a Learjet, from what I heard.”
“Yes. As I understand it, Rowdy’s a legend in the corporate world.”
“I see.” Cody slammed his hat onto his head. “What are you trying to do? Make me jealous?”
“Oh, for crying out loud, that’s the stupidest thing you’ve ever said to me, Cody Bailman, and you’ve said some real doozies. Rowdy’s married.”
“So you’re flying off with married men now?”
“Rowdy’s married to my best friend, Norah. It was her birthday yesterday, and on his way home from Abilene, he decided to surprise Norah by bringing me back with him.”
Cody frowned as if he didn’t believe her. “That’s not the story Heather gave me. She said I had to do something quick, because you were seeing another man.” Cody paced the sidewalk in front of her. “This is it, Sherry. I’m not willing to play any more games with you. I’ve done everything I can to prove to you I’m sincere, so if you want to run off with a married man at this point—”
“I didn’t run off with a married man!” she said hotly. “For you to even suggest it is ridiculous.”
“I spent the entire night sleeping in my pickup, waiting for you to get back, so if I happen to be a bit short-tempered, you can figure out why.”
“Then maybe you should just go home and think this through before you start throwing accusations at me.”
“Maybe I should,” he growled.
Sherry was mortified to find out that they had an audience. Mrs. Colson was standing on the porch, enthralled with their conversation. The woman across the street, who’d been watering her roses, had long since lost interest in them and was inadvertently hosing down the sidewalk. Another couple rocking on their porch seemed to be enjoying the show, as well.
“I’m serious, Sherry. This is the last time I’m going to ask.” Cody jerked open the truck door and leaped inside. “Are you going to marry me or not? Because I’ve had it.”
“That proposal’s about as romantic as the first one.”
“Well, you know what I think of romance.” He started the engine and ground the gears.
He’d just pulled away from the curb when she slammed her foot down on the pavement. “Yes, you idiot!” she screamed after him. “I’ll marry you!”
Ten
“I don’t think he heard you, dear,” the lady watering the roses called out to her.
“I don’t think he did, either,” the older man on the porch agreed, standing up and walking to his gate to get a better look at Sherry.
“I can’t believe he drove away,” Mrs. Colson said. “That man’s beside himself for want of you. Cody may be stubborn, but he isn’t stupid. Mark my words, he’ll come to his senses soon.”
Sherry wasn’t sure she wanted him to. He was too infuriating. Imagine—suggesting she was seeing a married man behind his back!
“Do you want me to phone Cody for you, dear, and explain?” Mrs. Colson suggested as Sherry marched up the steps and in the front door.
Sherry turned and glared angrily at the receptionist.
“It was only a suggestion,” Mrs. Colson muttered.
“I can do my own talking.”
“Of course,” Mrs. Colson said pleasantly, clearly not offended by the reprimand. “I’m positive everything will work out between you and Cody. Don’t give a moment’s heed to what he said earlier. Everyone knows how stubborn he can be.”
“I’m not the least bit positive about anything having to do with that man,” Sherry returned. Cody had been telling her for weeks that this was her last opportunity to marry him, that he wasn’t going to ask her again.
A half hour later, when Sherry came out of her office reading a file Doc Lindsey had left for her to review, she heard Mrs. Colson speaking quietly into the phone.
“I swear you’ve never seen anyone so angry in all your life as Cody Bailman was this morning,” she said. “He just peeled out of here, and all because he’s so crazy about—”
“Mrs. Colson,” Sherry said.
The receptionist placed her hand over the receiver, but didn’t even glance upward. “I’ll be with you in a minute.” She put the receiver to her ear again and continued, “And dear, dear Sherry. Why, she’s so overwrought she can hardly—”
Suddenly Mrs. Colson froze, swallowed once, and then looked at Sherry. “Is there anything I can do for you?” she managed, her face flushing crimson.
“Yes,” Sherry said. “You can stop gossiping about me.”
“Oh, I was afraid of that. You’ve got the wrong impression. I never gossip—ask anyone. I have been known to pass on information, but I don’t consider that gossiping.” Abruptly she replaced the receiver.
Sherry scowled at the phone, wondering what the person on the other end was thinking.
“I was only trying to help,” Mrs. Colson insisted. “Donna Jo’s known Cody all his life and—”
“You were speaking to Donna Jo?” Sherry wondered how anyone got any work done in this town.
“Why, yes. Donna Jo’s friends with Cody’s mother, same as I am. She has a vested interest in what happens between you two. So do Mayor Bowie and the sheriff, and we both know those two spend a lot of time over at the Yellow Rose.”
“What’s my schedule like this morning?” Sherry asked wearily.
Mrs. Colson flipped through the pages of the appointment book. “Mrs. O’Leary’s due at ten, but she’s been coming to see Doc for the past three years for the same thing.”
“What’s her problem?”
Mrs. Colson sighed heavily. “Mrs. O’Leary’s over seventy and, well, she wants a nose job. She’s convinced she lost Earl Burrows because her nose was too big, and that was more’n fifty years ago.”
“Didn’t marry someone else?”
“Oh, yes. She married Larry O’Leary, but I don’t think it was a happy union, although she bore him eight sons. Doc says it’s the most ridiculous thing he’s ever heard of, a woman getting her nose done at the age of seventy. When she comes in, he asks her to think about it for another six months. She’s been coming back faithfully every six months for three years.”
“If she sees me, I’ll give her a referral. If she’s that set on a new nose, then she should have it.”
“I told Doris you’d feel that way—that’s why I set the appointment up with you,” Mrs. Colson said. She looked pleased with herself. “If you want, I can save Doris the trouble of coming in and give her the name of the referral.”
“All right. I’ll make a few calls and get back to you in a couple of minutes. Am I scheduled to see anyone else?”
“Not until this afternoon.” The receptionist seemed almost gleeful at the news. “You’re free to go for a long drive, if you like.” She looked both ways, then added, “No one would blame you for slipping out for a few hours....”
Sherry wasn’t sure if she was slipping out or flipping out. She made a couple of calls, gave Mrs. Colson the names of three plastic surgeons to pass on to her first patient of the day, then reached for her purse.
She was halfway to the door when it burst open and Donna Jo rushed in. “I’m so glad I caught you!” she said excitedly. “You poor, poor girl, you must be near crazy with worry.”
“Worry?”
“About losing Cody. Now, you listen here, I’ve got some advice for you.” She paused, inhaled deeply and pressed her hand to her generous bosom. “Sherry Waterman, fight for your man. You love him—folks in town have known that for weeks—and we’re willing to forgive you for leaving in that fancy jet with that handsome cowboy. By the way, who was that?”
“Rowdy Cassidy, and before you say another word, I didn’t leave with him like you’re implying.”
“We know that, dear.”
“Rowdy Cassidy?” Martha Colson whispered. “Not the Rowdy Cassidy?”
“That’s who she said,” Donna Jo muttered irritably. “Now let her talk.”
“There’s nothing more to say.” Sherry didn’t want to spend what free time she had talking about her excursion of the night before, although both women were eager for details. “I’m going to do as you suggest and take a long drive this morning.”
“Now you be sure to stop in at the café and let me know what happens once you’re through talking to Cody,” Donna Jo instructed.
“Who said I was going to talk to Cody?”
“You are going to him, aren’t you?” Donna Jo said. “You have to. That poor boy’s all thumbs when it comes to love and romance. Personally, I thought you did a smart thing, asking for a little romance first, but everyone agrees that it’s time for you to put Cody out of his misery.”
“He’s suffered enough,” Mrs. Colson added.
“Who would’ve believed Cody Bailman would be like this with a woman. I will say it took a mighty special one,” Donna Jo concluded, winking at Sherry.
