Chapter Ten
Kayla wiped the sweat off her brow. It wasn’t even noon yet, and she was already drenched in sweat. Her T-shirt sported several darkened patches across the front, and the material in the back was plastered to her skin. Not overly attractive, but there wasn’t a thing she could do about it as she crossed the street to Tillie’s Diner.
Come lunchtime, the place should be filled with muscular, sweaty cowboys, and hopefully, a couple of them were available for hire.
She’d spent all last night working out a plan, and by nightfall hoped it would be put into action. Dylan wouldn’t like it, but this wasn’t about him. They may be in the middle of a truce, but saving the farm was more important than salvaging a truce with someone she should still hate.
School would be starting back soon, so time was critical. Her goal today was to line up all the details and then present it to her dad. He couldn’t possibly turn down her offer to help if she could arrange it.
“Afternoon, Mr. Thompson.” He hadn’t changed much since she’d last seen him, his rotund body and jovial face as sweet as the candy he used to give her at the store on the rare occasions they came to town. “I was coming to see you later, but now is good. Do you have a minute, or am I interrupting your lunch?”
“Well, if it isn’t little Kayla Anderson. Does my eyes good to see you. Sit. Sit. I’d be a fool not to enjoy my lunch with a pretty companion instead of eating alone.” He winked. Old coot was always an innocent flirt.
“Thanks.” She slid into the seat across from him.
“What’s up?” he asked after the server took their order.
“I want to pump the river water up to my dad’s fields, but I need an irrigation wheelhouse, a pump, and a few hard-bodied cowboys looking to make a few extra dollars. Can you help me locate the parts and direct me to a few good cowboys needing work?”
“Those parts aren’t cheap, little lady.”
“I know. But my grandmother left me a small emergency nest egg, and I need to help my dad.”
“I heard Dylan’s cows are grazing out by the river. I’m not sure there would be enough water from the allocation to make it worth your while,” he said.
“You’re right. There’s not. I’ve already told him he has to move them, because I’m taking back our rights to the water allocation.” It really wasn’t any of his business, but old man Thompson was her link to getting a wheelhouse. Around here, being nice was the only way to get things done if you needed help.
“Oh. And how’d he take it?”
“I didn’t give him a chance to respond. Sometimes it’s easier with Dylan not to let him get a word in edgewise. He could talk a coon out of his fur coat if given a chance.”
Mr. Thompson threw his head back, guffawing loud enough to cause several heads to turn. It was as true as it was funny.
“You may be right there, child. He’s a smart man. Stepped up and done right by the boy. I’m sure his father would be proud. Dylan knows what he wants and how to get it.” Someone else singing Dylan’s praises. Would the list of staunch supporters never end? The guy had a skeleton in his closet that would shock the good townspeople. Maybe then he would come down a notch or two in their high opinion.
“That’s not always a good thing,” she said, speaking from experience. “Do you think you can find me a wheelhouse on such short notice?”
“I’m sorry, Kayla, but the closest one I could get my hands on right now is probably over five hundred miles away. We’re in the middle of a drought, and that kind of equipment gets grabbed up pretty quickly.”
His answer wasn’t what she wanted to hear. “But there has to be one someplace. Used would be better.” Without a wheelhouse, her plan wouldn’t work. Her father wouldn’t admit it, but Kayla was sure he was on the verge of losing the farm.
“I can check around for you, but don’t hold your breath,” he said. Mr. Thompson opened his mouth to say something else, but closed it without another word, only shaking his head from side to side.
“What is it? Did you think of something?”
“No. Nothing my business to mention.” He sat back in his chair and wiped his mouth with the napkin.
Odd thing to say, but whatever. “Okay, thanks. In case you find one, can you recommend anyone to do the work? I need to move on this pretty fast.”
He cast her a long, assessing look before he let out a deep sigh. “Well, there’s the Johnson boys, who should be in here in a little bit. And then there’s Andrew, you remember Willie Tannin’s son? And maybe Clifton Casey would be looking for work. You be sure to tell them where you’re looking to have the work done.”
Anyone from around here would know it was for the Anderson farm. Maybe old Mr. Thompson was becoming a bit senile. “Okay. Thanks a million. You’re the best.” She smiled.
“Your daddy know what you’re trying to do?” he asked, sticking a toothpick in his mouth to chew on.
“Well, no. At least not yet. He’s not keen on my help, so I wanted to see if it was feasible before told him my plan.”
“Hmmm. I wondered as much. You know, sometimes you gotta let a man do what he feels he needs to do and not second guess him.”
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“Seems to me your daddy would have done this already if he could, don’t you think?”
“Times are tough. I can help. What kind of a daughter would I be if I didn’t try to help?” The kind who hadn’t hung around much for the past five years. The kind who’d been caught up in her own dreams when the tough times started.
“You have a big heart, darling. Don’t mind an old fool like me. But talk to your daddy first, before we start ordering expensive parts to be hauled in. Trust me on this,” he said, reaching out to pat her hand.
“Okay. I’ll talk to him tonight after I see if I can round up a few guys to dig the trenches to pump the water up to the reservoir.”
“Hmmph,” he grunted. “Know anyone out your way who needs a dog? We’re asking around trying to help old Mrs. Kimble out. Her nephew done left her with a year-old mutt she can’t control or keep.”
“No. Sorry. I’m heading back to the city next weekend, and I can’t keep a dog in my apartment.”
“No problem. I’m sure we’ll find it a home. Sweet dog. Just the right size to make some young boy or girl a nice pal, I reckon, with a little training,” he added with a grin.
An image of Derek came to mind. He was upset she was leaving, but what if she left him with a new friend? Dylan didn’t know everything, and maybe Kayla could talk to him, convince him to see a dog was the perfect answer to Derek’s issues. Having a dog by his side would break the loneliness of the ranch, and it could teach him some responsibility. It was the perfect solution. The more she thought about it, the more she liked the idea. Maybe it was time Dylan didn’t get his way.
“I have an idea. I know someone who could use a dog.” The words were out before she could stop them. It felt right even if she would be overstepping her bounds. Maybe, just maybe, she could pull this off. For Derek’s sake. After all, Dylan owed her one.
“I was hoping you’d think of someone.” He laughed, grinning like the devil.
“Why, you, old coot, you planted the seed on purpose.”
“If anyone can talk Dylan into letting Derek get a dog, I have a feeling it’ll be you.”
Played by a pro. “I’ll do one better. Instead of talking first, I’ll take the dog with me.” Kayla laughed. It would serve Dylan right.
“Come by the store when you finish up in town and see what you think. If you want to take him with you, it’d be great. But if Dylan says no, you bring the dog back.”
Sounded fair. “No worries.” But she intended to make sure Dylan didn’t say no.
“Lunch is on me,” he said, rising to his feet and throwing some money on the table. “I’ll see you in a few.”
“Thanks. I’ll be there after I talk to the guys you mentioned.”
She didn’t have to wait long. Andy, Cliff, and the Johnson boys showed up at the diner about the same time. Easy smiles, loud, and charming, they stopped to say hello to several patrons. In a small town, everyone knew everyone.
Twenty minutes later, she left the diner feeling unsettled. The guys were excited to see her and quick to flirt, but not a one of them would commit to helping her out. Between the strange looks and comments from the guys and Mr. Thompson, she had a feeling she was being snowballed. Was it because she was a woman no one would help or take her serious? Or was it because her father owned the land and no one would lift a finger or commit without his approval?
She didn’t relish the discussion with her dad. When it came to the property, he could be obstinate. Bottom line, he hadn’t asked for her help, and he might not want it.
Kayla pulled the truck up to park in front of the hardware store. The bell above the door tinkled as she entered. She spotted Mr. Thompson right away at the register counter. “I’m here for the dog, like I promised.”
“Hang on and let me get the little fellow.” He went out through the swinging half door that led to the back room. While she waited, Kayla found the nutrient-rich additive she wanted to try to bottle-feed the calves in addition to their mother’s milk. It would help boost their energy and help the cow since she was feeding two. Kayla was determined to do everything she could to ensure the little guys survived.
When the half door swung back open, Mr. Thompson reappeared with the cutest dog she’d ever seen. The dog pulled excitedly at his leash, trying to come say hello to the newcomer. A cross between a beagle and a Lab was her best guess. His cute little brown and white face with a black eye patch reminded her of a pirate. The high-spirited mutt wanted nothing more than attention and someone to pet him. She bent down to keep him from jumping. “Sit,” she commanded. And to her surprise, he sat.
“I said he needed training, not that he didn’t have any.” Mr. Thompson chuckled. “His name is Patches. Not hard to figure out why.”
“He’s adorable.” The dog licked her hand as if he understood her words. She leaned down to nuzzle his face, kissing the side of his head. “I’d keep you for myself if I could, but the city’s no place for you.”
“I’ll be right back,” Mr. Thompson said, moving off to help another customer.
Kayla laughed and played with the dog for several minutes, loving the attention the dog seemed all too happy to lavish on her. She’d have to be careful, or she’d fall for his sweet face and doggy licks.
Mr. Thompson returned, and Kayla was more than ready to take the dog with her. “I’ll take him. I also need the nutrient additive I put on the counter. It’s for a couple of calves over at Dylan’s place.”
“I heard what you done last night. Right nice of you. Heard it was a true miracle how you saved all three animals. Supplement is on me, no charge.”
This she hadn’t expected. Another example of small-town living she’d forgotten. His words embarrassed her. “Word travels fast,” she mumbled. “I did what I could to help, even though I was scared to death.”
“Sometimes things have a way of working out exactly as they are meant to be.”
“Thanks. And thanks for the supplement. It’s sweet of you.”
“Least I could do. Here, let me carry this out since you got your hands full with Patches.”
“I won’t argue,” she said. Patches jumped excitedly when she stood. One of the first habits Derek would need to break.
“You know, old Doc isn’t getting any younger, and I reckon he could use a hand. Might be nice if he had someone like you to take his place when he retires.” Mr. Thompson delivered the comment as casually as if he was talking about the weather.
Kayla opened the truck door to let Patches jump inside.
“I’m studying to be a small-animal vet, and Riverbend already has one of those. A young one, I might add. There’s no place for me here.” It was the easiest explanation. Anything else was far more complicated than she was willing to tell anyone.
“Seems to me you’re a mixed breed now. Just like this here dog you fell in love with the instant you laid eyes on him. The town would love you, too, if you give them a chance and come home.”
“My home is in the city, and the clinic there wants to take me on as a partner when I’m licensed,” she said, her voice tight. Why did everyone keep making comments like her life in the city was temporary?
“Nothing’s been planted that can’t be replanted. Keep that in mind, will you?” Again with the cryptic comments. They were starting to get on her nerves.
“Later, Mr. Thompson,” she said. It was easier to ignore his remark, and she wasn’t sure how to answer it anyway.
The trip home was not the easiest with Patches trying to ride in her lap, but it sure was fun. Kayla hugged the dog before opening the door to let him out. She held on to his leash, not wanting to have him run off and get into trouble before she paved the way for his arrival.
If her timing was right, Derek should be home from school and Dylan would be out on the ranch somewhere. As long as he wasn’t at the house, it would work for her. She was a little nervous about her decision, but she was willing to face the challenge head on, hoping it didn’t turn into a firing squad.
Giving the dog to Derek first was blackmail, but Kayla saw the way Dylan looked at Derek when he thought no one was watching.
Dylan loved his brother, and she hoped it would be impossible for him to resist the bit of sunshine Patches could bring into Derek’s life. Kayla said a silent prayer it would all work out, because the last thing she wanted to do was upset the kid.
Patches pulled on the lease, trying his darnedest to reach the new smells assailing him all at once, his sense of curiosity and excitement kicking into overdrive. Kayla knocked on the door and waited. She let out a sigh of relief when it was Derek who opened the door.
He stepped out onto the porch, an ear-to-ear grin creasing his face.
“Hey, boy,” he said, kneeling to pet the dog.
“Hey to you, too,” Kayla said when Derek ignored her.
“Sorry. Hi.” His gaze went right back to the dog. “When did you get him?”
Derek sat down on the porch, and Patches jumped into his lap, licking his face. The two roughhoused like old friends.
“I didn’t actually get a dog. What do you think of him?”
“He’s awesome. I like the goofy eye patch. Reminds me of a pirate. What’s his name?”
“Patches.”
“Fits, I guess.” He laughed. “Hey, Patches. You’re a good boy, aren’t you?” He talked to the dog like he was a little kid.
“If he ain’t yours, whatcha doing with him?” Derek looked up at her, curiosity in his big brown eyes.
“He needs a home, and I had an idea to bring him along.”
“You thinking of keeping him?” he asked, his hand absently rubbing the dog who now sat contentedly next to him, his face planted in Derek’s lap.
“I was thinking more about you.”
Derek’s eyes lit up with excitement but just as quickly the light vanished.
“Dylan won’t let me have a dog. I told you, I asked before, and he said no.” Derek wrapped his arm tightly around the dog, pulling him close to his chest.
“Why don’t you let me talk to Dylan? That is, if you think you’d want him?”
“I want him. He’s awesome and he likes me,” Derek said. “Would you really ask Dylan for me? No one’s ever done that before. Like stood up for me.”
Who could resist such a pitiful plea? No matter what Dylan decided, it was worth the risk to ask.
“I will, but there are conditions. First, he would be your responsibility. Feeding, bathing, buying food, paying his vet bills.” If she was going to have a shot at this, she had to beat Dylan. He was a master at getting what he wanted, but he was about to meet his match.
“Um, I don’t have a job. How could I pay for his stuff? I knew this wouldn’t work.” He looked like he’d lost his best friend and was about to cry.
Kayla took pity on him, but it was important she get the message across if this was going to work. “You’re thirteen, aren’t you?”
“Yeah.”
“Well then, I would think if you do all your chores, Dylan would work out an allowance that would cover most of the expenses. And I bet he might even be willing to help you with some of the costs provided you do all your chores and all the work for the dog.”
“I can do that,” he answered with confidence. Kayla believed him. Now she had to make Dylan a believer.
“But no playing with the dog until your chores and homework are done. Is it a deal?”
“Do you hear that, Patches, you’re gonna be my dog and live with me.”
“Do we have a deal?” she asked him again.
“Hell, yeah.”
“Pardon me,” she said in mock horror.
“Sorry. I meant heck, yeah.” At least he had the good grace to look like he meant the apology.
“That’s better. It’s important to learn your manners.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said, smiling again.
He was a good kid who needed a little guidance. She didn’t blame Dylan for his shortcomings. Running a ranch and raising a kid all by himself must be next to impossible, but it looked as if he was managing. It would have made his life a whole lot easier if he’d married Becky, not to mention he could have raised his son here.
Kayla laid out the plan with Derek, who proved he could be an avid listener when he wanted. With so much at stake, he was willing to do anything to make it work. She could tell he wasn’t convinced Dylan would agree, but if he was more than willing to give it his best shot, then so was she.
“Think you can keep an eye on him until this is settled? I need to run to the barn. If you can find a long rope, it might be easier to tie him up out front to keep track of him until he becomes accustomed to you and the house.”
“Gotcha. And, Kayla,” he said, his boot scuffing at the ground, “thanks. Even if it doesn’t work, it’s nice you tried for me.”
“It’ll be fine, partner.” If only she could be sure.
Kayla grabbed the nutrient mix from the truck and headed to the barn to check on the calves. The familiar smells of the barn evoked memories of last night’s miracle. She made her way to the stall and watched as the two calves suckled on the cow’s teats hungrily.
So much sweetness. Such innocence. Velvety fur covered the calves, their hide mostly white but with a few small black patches to decorate their bodies, reminding her of Patches. She mixed the nutrient additive with some warm water and offered it in a bottle to one of the calves, but he rejected it in favor of his mother’s milk. Kayla sat Indian style on the floor next to the second calf, before offering him the bottle, hoping a better position would help things along.
When the calf started to suckle the bottle, Kayla’s heart exploded with love for the little guy. It was almost too much like feeding a baby. And she liked it. Babies weren’t in her future, but still, it was nice. More than nice. She closed her eyes, relishing the moment.
The barn door scraped open.
“Kayla, you in here?” Dylan called out.
“Over here,” she answered. She drew in a deep breath to calm her sudden nerves.
Dylan stopped outside the stall and watched her. “I saw your truck and figured I’d find you here. How’s he doing?”
“This one took some nutrient milk and looks great. The other one looks good, but I’ll feel better if he drinks a little from the bottle.”
“I’m sure you’ll get him to drink. You look like a natural. Are you sure you don’t have experience with cattle you’re hiding from us? Or maybe you have a secret kid stashed somewhere?” He smiled.
Kayla gasped in shock. She closed her eyes to fight the gut-wrenching pain that knifed through her body.
“Kayla, what is it? What did I say?”
She turned away, not wanting him to see her face.
“Nothing,” she squeaked out. “Why haven’t you ever gotten married?” She asked the first thing that came to mind, anything not to have to explain her reaction to his words.
“Whoa. Talk about a change of subject. Where did that come from?”
“I was thinking about it earlier. It would have been easier for you with Derek if you’d gotten married.”
“Can’t.”
“Can’t or won’t?” she asked, digging deeper to understand Dylan and to move further from the subject locked deep in her heart and soul.
He seemed to relax with her explanation. “It doesn’t matter. But lots of reasons, I guess. Between Derek and the ranch, I’ve never had time to invest in a relationship, and I didn’t have anything to offer. I needed to rebuild the ranch, make it a place a woman would want to come home to, and more importantly, a place to stay, I reckon.”
“By the looks of things, you’ve done all right. Derek needs a woman’s influence.”
“I think we’ve done fine.” He shrugged.
“I agree. I’m not criticizing you. It’s simply an observation.”
“The wrong woman would be as detrimental as no woman.” Was he talking about Becky? Or her?
“I agree with you there. He’s a good kid.”
“You wouldn’t know it from his teachers lately, or even here at home. I don’t know what ails him, but I’m guessing a little hard work and strict rules will keep him on the right track. Same thing my dad did for me.” Dylan crossed his arms as if challenging her to disagree.
“And yet you wanted to leave.” The words slipped out before she could stop them.
“Cripes, Kayla. That’s low.” She hadn’t meant them to sound judgmental, but Dylan needed to face the past and remember what it was like being a boy growing up on the ranch.
“It’s the truth. Maybe it’s time to change your way of thinking.”
“You have no idea what it’s like. You left everything behind and never looked back. You don’t know the meaning of responsibility in my world, so don’t think you can preach to me or criticize what I do with my brother.” The angry glint in his eyes didn’t bode well for the next conversation.
“Don’t go there. Just because I got out and you couldn’t, doesn’t mean you have the right to judge what I do, either. And I’m not preaching, merely offering an observation.”
She stood there facing him, squared off, toe-to-toe, unwilling to back down. Kayla wasn’t the scared teenager she’d been the last time she ran away from Dylan. Life had dealt her a double blow, and her recovery made her stronger.
“Around here, we call that meddling,” he said.
“I’m only trying to help. Surely you still know what it is to dream for bigger things?”
“I do. What I want is so close I can finally taste it after all these years, but I realize I was a fool to think I could ever be good enough to get it. Life is full of disappointment, and Derek needs to learn it like the rest of us.”
“Well then, I guess I just handed you his next life lesson.”
Poor Derek. Kayla didn’t stand a chance of convincing Dylan. Maybe it would have been better to talk to him first. The way he was acting now, he would go ballistic when he found out what she’d done.
“What the hell does that mean?” he asked, his voice low and demanding.
“You’re a hard and overbearing brute sometimes. Someone who can’t see past his own disappointment to figure out the power of love works better than the power of rules.”
“What have you done?” Dylan glared at her.
“I got Derek a dog.” No pretty speeches. No convincing plan. The plain truth.
“What?” he yelled in disbelief, a thunderous look on his face.
“You heard me. I brought him a dog who needs a home as much as Derek needs a dog. They’re up at the house playing as we speak.”
“Who the hell do you think you are? You can’t swoop in here, make a mess of everything, and then walk away. He already hates me enough without you stirring up trouble.” Dylan turned and started to walk away.
She wasn’t backing down, and she wasn’t letting him walk away from her again without an explanation. “Why not? I deserve an answer. You walked away once before and left my life in a mess.” Her words stopped him in his tracks.
He spun back around. “Are you serious? I saved your life. I kept you from being stuck in a town you hated. You can’t even begin to compare it to this,” he growled. “You didn’t even bother to ask me first because you knew I would say no.” Dylan closed the distance between them. “And do you know why I would say no? It’s because an untrained dog can be a hazard around cattle and stir up trouble. It’s because Derek can barely do his homework and chores. It’s because my hands are already full with everything else I need to do around here. Where do you get off thinking he can handle a dog?”
“Maybe it’s time to find out. Maybe he needs a friend. Maybe it’s exactly what he needs in his life at this exact moment to get him back on track.”
“The answer is no. You don’t know him the way I do. And you’re going to be the one to tell him.”
Like hell she would. Maybe if he’d been nicer they could have talked it over, but this was total bull. “I won’t do it. I’m leaving. I’ll be back tomorrow to check on the calves.”
“Kayla, I’m warning you. Get the dog and tell Derek you changed your mind.”
“Tell him yourself, Mr. Heartless. But hear him out before you tear them apart. You can return the dog to Mr. Thompson if you still feel the need. Or better yet, I can pick up the dog in the morning. Patches is a great dog who needs a little love in his life, too. Something you obviously don’t understand.”