Hitched (Tarnation, Texas Book 1), page 6
The building had been rented by the same woman, a Rosa Craig, for more than twenty-five years, which made it impossible that the woman at the register could be the owner.. Could she be the boss’ daughter?
It didn’t matter, but it would when she realized they’d be selling the building, as well as all the other real estate Buzz had owned, once the six months were up—at least Baxter hoped.
“Here’s your change.”
He dropped the few pennies into a small donation cup and took a sip of his coffee. “This really is the best coffee I’ve ever had.”
“The secret is in how you store and grind the beans,” she mumbled and placed the rolls on the platter as if silently telling him the conversation had ended.
With a smirk, he left the bakery and headed for his truck, getting several waves of greeting which he returned. He slid into his truck and took out the donut, holding it up for a closer inspection. It certainly didn’t look as appetizing as the ones in the case. He bit into the confection and chewed. It definitely tasted better than it looked.
Back at the ranch, he pulled off next to an outbuilding where the Colt men were standing along the fence. Another group of hands were gathered inside the arena. As Baxter got closer, he saw a woman checking a horse. Shiny black tendrils of hair had come out from underneath a white hat. He couldn’t see anything more because the hands shifted and blocked his view. Taking a spot between Brennan and Ash, Baxter leaned his elbows on the top rail of the rough wood, watching the scene in curiosity.
“What are we doing?” Baxter asked.
“It’s well-check day for the horses. The paint suffered fiber tears on a ligament,” Brennan answered, keeping his gaze pasted on the group in the middle of the pen. “It’s important we watch so we know what’s going on.”
“Does it take all of you?” Baxter looked down the row of men who were intently watching. It was uncanny how much they were built alike and favored in looks. They were all around six foot with slender sharp noses and broad jaws. And of course, their eyes were the same color, except for Ash. Baxter sure hoped none of them had their father’s personality genes.
Several of the hands in the arena divided and then he was able to see the woman better. She was bent close, examining the horse’s leg while all the men stared. Baxter grinned, fully understanding now.
“I’m glad to see you boys are taking Buzz’s stipulations seriously.” He nudged Brennan’s shoulder.
“I have no clue what you’re talking about. We’re just learning how things are handled around the ranch.” Adam shifted his dusty boots looking incredibly uncomfortable.
“Whatever you say.” He wouldn’t pressure them too much. He didn’t like the fiery brunette over at the bakery either, but he hadn’t minded seeing her again and had done nothing but think of her since he’d pulled away.
The woman of his brothers’ interest stepped back from the group of hands who seemed exceptionally attentive too. They dipped their dirty hats and were all smiles, and when she turned, Baxter chuckled, this time elbowing Brennan in the ribs. “Who is she?”
“The vet.”
She swiped off her hat and her thick, satin blanket of dark coiled locks caught in the breeze. She tried to contain them with a slender left hand bare of rings.
He cringed. Would this be the norm of things now? Every woman he saw on the street, in a shop, wherever, would be a potential wife. That was ridiculous. It made him feel repulsed.
The vet looked at each of the Colt men holding up the fence and a smile parted her lips. Her eyes were clear blue, made to look brighter against her tanned cheeks. He didn’t like it, but Baxter was reminded of Ms. Bluebonnet and how her cheeks had flushed. Giving his head a quick shake, he wanted to force those impossible thoughts out of his head. It couldn’t go anywhere between them, not that he’d want it to.
The vet targeted him in her gaze as she strolled across the dirt, dragging off her leather work gloves. “So, you must be Baxter Colt. I’m CC Peladora.” She held out a slender hand and he shook it.
“Dr. Peladora,” Arc whispered.
“Have you been the veterinarian here long?” Baxter asked.
“For a couple of years. I took over when my dad retired. Buzz kept me busy out here.” CC must have seen their curious gazes because she smiled. “I’m a member of Horse-to-Well-Horse which he created almost five years ago.”
“What is Horse-to-well-Horse?” Brennan asked.
“It’s a non-profit horse organization that has funded efforts in rescuing horses from slaughter, abuse, neglect, and displacement. Willoughby here,” she pointed at the paint “he was a rescue as well as a dozen others you have here. Will was about to be re-homed, until the tear.” She sighed. “Unfortunately, they have to be well before we can let anyone adopt them.”
“Buzz saved horses? That’s a bit of a shocker.” Baxter said sarcastically.
CC smacked her gloves against her jeaned thighs. “I’m sure the longer you stick around Tarnation, the more shocked you’ll become. Here’s what I can tell you about your father. When it came to spending money, Buzz was as frugal as the day is long so you all should know that he wouldn’t waste a dime, here on Grinning Spurs or anywhere else. Some people are born with a passion for horses and Buzz was one of those people, even for the broken and neglected ones. He spent a fortune on training and caring for these lovely beasts, believing they could be fixed no matter what happened in the past.” She nodded her head toward the stables. “As far as his breeders, you have some of the best Arabians I’ve seen as well as a fine selection of Quarter Horses that were used in local rodeo events. The cattle have plenty of land as well as the rest of the livestock. They’re all up to date on inoculations and Buzz had me out here at least four days a week. I can understand if you all decide that’s a bit of an overkill, but I sure hope you appreciate all the horses, even the broken ones. Not everyone has the ability to see a diamond in the rough.”
The brothers looked from each other.
She replaced her hat and shoved her gloves into her back pocket. “Look, it’s none of my business what you do with this place or the real estate, but Tarnation is a good town. Buzz was an old fart, no doubt, but he did some good things here on the ranch and also locally. Before you decide to sell everything and disrupt many lives, I hope you’ll stick around long enough to see some of the projects your father was involved in. Now that’s my two cents of peace. I better get out on the land and check the cattle.”
“We don’t wish to disrupt anyone’s lives, ma’am.” Brennan removed his hat, looking quite smitten with the vet. In fact, they all seemed quite taken with her.
“If any of you decide you’d like to learn about Horse-to-well-Horse, or some of the projects he had a hand in, I’d be happy to fill you in,” she volunteered.
Ash and Brennan jumped over the fence simultaneously and gawked at each other awkwardly.
“I have a couple of questions,” Ash said.
“So do I.” Brennan frowned.
CC smiled. “If you two can walk and talk, we can kill two birds with one stone.”
“I wonder which one will make a bigger fool of themselves?” Adam said after they walked away.
“At least they’ll be happy while they’re doing it,” Arc said.
“If you boys will excuse me, I’m starving. It appears that Melba is a damn good cook. She made dumplings.” Adam rubbed his stomach and left the fence.
“It’s about right that Buzz would go to great lengths for the horses.” Arc tucked his thumbs deep into the front pockets of his jeans. “I can remember how the horses at Stillwater had the best of everything. I admire it and, at the same time, I wonder where my brothers and I stacked up on his priority list.”
“I haven’t told Brennan this, but I called Buzz years ago. I wanted answers, but he never called me back.”
“I did too. Right before I enlisted in the Marines. I left a voice message, but I never heard back. I wasn’t surprised, and yet I was.”
“Now we’ll never know for sure why he left. Buzz definitely had a soft spot for horses.”
“I’m interested in learning more about the Horse-to-well-Horse charity,” Arc said. “Maybe after I speak to Alaska Kellington, I’ll learn more about Buzz too.”
Baxter scratched his temple. “Hey, I get that you have questions that you hope she can answer, but the likelihood that she’ll tell you what you want to hear…”
“It could be a shot in the dark.”
No part of Baxter wished to lose Dragonfly Spurs. It was a part of his soul—his legacy. Yet, he wasn’t a man who appreciated being led around on a string like a puppet. Who the hell did his father think he was? He hadn’t been an intricate part of their lives in years and suddenly he wanted his sons to prove they could ranch, run businesses, tolerate bullshit. Take care of rescued horses.
Anger sliced through him.
What was Buzz trying to prove exactly?
CC said he had done some good things for the community. Baxter didn’t think buying up all the businesses made Buzz a saint.
The brothers didn’t know one another. There was an underlying awkwardness between them and they were working hard to ignore the tension. Rightly so, things would be challenging, after all, Baxter guessed Buzz had left their mother to be with Arc, Ash, and Adam’s mother.
“How about you and I go into town and talk over some grub?” Arc suggested.
“Sure. I think it’s time we worked out the wrinkles if we all have to live under one roof for half a year.”
CHAPTER 5
It was still early when they entered the diner. The server behind the counter welcomed them with a wave and a smile. “Seat yourself, fellows. I’ll be right over.”
The brothers chose a table close to the window.
The smell of homemade food filled Baxter’s nostrils and he couldn’t wait to dig into something delicious. The server sashayed her way over to the table, giving each of them a long inspection. “I wondered when you boys were going to come in. Ol’ Buzz was a frequent customer.”
Baxter read her name tag. “The smells alone are enough to make my mouth water, Stella.”
She flushed. “Can I get you boys something to wet your whistle? Coffee? Sweet tea? Lemonade?”
“Sweet tea sounds great. What are your specials?” Arc asked.
“Meatloaf with mashed potatoes and corn. Or if you’re watching your figure, I have grilled salmon with steamed veggies. I’m guessing you fellows are the meat and potatoes type.”
There was something about her that seemed familiar to Baxter. “You’d be right.”
They ordered two meatloaf specials and were through their first round of drinks when Baxter decided to initiate the conversation that needed broached. “Do you think anyone else is as pissed off about this whole six-month thing besides us?”
Arc shrugged. “Up until Ms. Vet came into the picture, yes.” He laughed.
Hooking his hat on his knee, Baxter sat back, easing his weight in the small wooden chair. “How long was Buzz in your life?”
“Until I was eight. Woke up one morning and his truck was gone from the driveway, and so was he. Mom didn’t explain. Adam and Ash are too young to remember him. Hell, I barely do.”
Baxter nodded. “I know what you mean. I’m wondering—”
“If he was cheating on your mom with mine? I’m almost thirty-two. How old are you?”
“Thirty-two.” That answered a question that had been bugging Baxter for a while. Buzz had been seeing both women at the same time. The brothers were all about the same age. “Why do you think he wanted us to do this? I can get it a little. He wanted us to see his ranch, what he loved, but the stipulation for marriage…I just can’t wrap my brain around it. For a man who wasn’t any good at matrimony and monogamy, why the hell would he think we’d be any better?”
Arc shook his head. “Damned if I can figure it out, or that I even want to. He didn’t leave us any other choice but to jump through his hoops.”
“I’m not willing to give up my ranch.”
“Neither am I.”
“The man was good at keeping secrets. We’re a prime example.” Taking a long swig of his tea, Baxter swiped the back of his hand across his mouth. “Maybe one day this will all make sense.”
“If we sell Grinning Spurs—”
“What will we do with the rescues?” Baxter finished the sentence.
“The vet respected Buzz.” Arc rubbed his neck. “Would we be hated if we sold everything? This could disrupt a ton of lives.”
Baxter nodded. “I’m not into crushing dreams, but we’re left here between a rock and a hard place.”
“I’m going to be very honest here, I know nothing about managing rental properties. Or business outside of ranching.” Arc tapped his fingers on the table.
“Our goal is to keep an eye on things and collect rent. Oversee things.” Squeezing the bridge of his nose, Baxter braced his elbows on the edge of the table. “I’m not fond of this anymore than you and your brothers are. Brennan and I have worked our asses off to make Dragonfly Spurs what it is today. If I have to stay here for six months, ten years, or walk across coals, that’s what I’ll do—that’s what we’ll do—to keep our ranches. I hope you’re in the same boat.”
“We’re all in this together or there isn’t a plan. Count us in. Nothing in those papers that says we have to be good, but we just have to keep things running.” Arc sighed. “There’s something I didn’t tell you earlier. I did a check on this Alaska Kellington and couldn’t find one thing about her.”
“Hey, I understand there’s a bit of mystery surrounding her, but why is it bothering you? Two hundred thousand isn’t anything compared to what Buzz had in his accounts.”
Their food was served to them and Arc waited until the server left until he said, “Hell, I don’t know. Maybe I’m a bit curious what the last days of Buzz’s life were like. It’s possible she has some answers. After all, Roe said the will was changed right before Buzz died so what transpired in those last few months that made him decide to rearrange our lives?”
“I agree she might have some interesting pieces to the puzzle, but it won’t change the facts. We’re here for the duration.”
“This marriage thing…it really sucks. I’m not ready to even think about marriage let alone get hitched.” Arc blew out a long sigh.
“Well, the good news is, you have six months.”
The men lulled into a blissful silence as they ate. Baxter had to admit, the grub was delicious, much like his Ma’s cooking. He’d left her a message to call him and he wondered if she had any clue where they were, or the news they’d just learned. He couldn’t understand why she didn’t tell him and his brother the truth about Dragonfly. His mother had never spoken about Buzz. It was as if he left and walked off the face of earth. Now Baxter understood a little more. Buzz had a mistress almost the entire time he was married to Baxter’s mom.
Buzz had broken Daphne’s heart, and when that happened, most people wanted to steer clear of the subject that caused the damage. However, whether she liked it or not, they would have to talk about their predicament. His mom had a tendency to brush things off.
He looked through the window, enveloped in his thoughts. Marriage. Up until this point, he’d dodged it like the plague. Milly had been the closest he’d gotten to popping the question, but it never felt right. Hell, hindsight was twenty-twenty, and he realized they would never have made it as a married couple. Yet at the time, he had been lynched in lust. Beautiful and sexy, she’d caught his attention from the moment he saw her leaning on the fence at the rodeo wearing a tank top and Daisy Dukes, and it had taken him months before he came up for air. Even longer before he was able to detach her claws from his back.
He had no idea where she was now, but he hoped she had found happiness.
His gaze naturally wandered to the flashing OPEN sign of Bluebonnet. He couldn’t see through the window, but he wondered if Ms. Bluebonnet was working. He needed to reel in his mind and focus on his dire situation. He needed a wife.
“I’ll be back.” Baxter wiped his face and left Arc who was finishing his food.
Following the sign to the bathroom, he paused mid-stride when he heard a familiar voice—one that immediately made the hair on his neck stand.
Looking through the partially open doorway into the kitchen, he saw her, the woman from the bakery. The one who didn’t like him. And he didn’t like her, but she sure as hell did pop up in his head quite often.
Her back was to him. Her hair was pulled into a ponytail that swayed against the pale white skin of her neck with each movement of her head. She had no idea that he was there, and neither did the server, Stella, who was chopping vegetables at the kitchen island.
He wasn’t sure why it irked him that Ms. Bluebonnet didn’t like him. It wouldn’t be the first, or the last time, a woman didn’t like him, he was certain.
Why would he care that they’d gotten off to a bad start?
Maybe because, as of right now, the plan was that he and his brothers would be in Tarnation a bit longer than they first expected.
He’d never been much of an eave’s dropper, so he took a step toward the men’s restroom but stopped when he heard...
“I can’t believe he and his brother are here. Can you believe the audacity of that man?”
“No. How dare they come into a restaurant to eat.”
“First, he almost kills me with his truck,” Ms. Bluebonnet continued as if the other woman hadn’t even spoken. “Then he runs me down on the sidewalk and destroys my phone. The man has gall. He came bebopping into the bakery this morning acting like everything is A-okay. Wearing that smug smile and big belt buckle. I don’t know how they do things where he comes from, but around here respect is expected.” A long, irritated sigh escaped her.
