CHAPTER TEN

 

 

 

Think about her when you’re gone…

Apple opened her eyes? Something had woken her up. She laid in her bed a few moments and tried to figure out what she was hearing. Rubbing her eyes, she sat up. Someone was singing an old country tune.

Kiss An Angel Good Morning.

Cocking her head, she listened. Whoever was singing had a beautiful deep, husky voice. It reminded her of Josh Turner’s a little bit. “Good grief. Did I leave the television on?” Grabbing her robe, she ran out of her room, then realized the noise was coming from outside. She couldn’t imagine. Was someone parked nearby playing a radio?

Kiss an angel good morning…

Going to the window, she moved the curtain just an inch or two so she could see out. “Oh, my stars and garters!” It was Benjen. Playing a guitar. “I don’t believe it,” she declared in a breathy, disbelieving whisper, “he’s serenading me!”

Hurrying to the door, she threw it open. “Is there anything you can’t do?”

“There’s my angel. I can’t seem to get my mind off you. Can I have my morning kiss?”

She ran out in the yard and he met her halfway. Letting his guitar sway from his back by a strap, he caught her as she launched herself into his arms. If the kiss they shared was filmed by an infrared camera, there would’ve been fireworks all around them.

“I’m so, so glad to see you.” She hugged him so hard. “To what do I owe this treat?”

He kissed her face a dozen times. “I won’t be able to come by tonight and I didn’t want a day to go by without seeing you.”

“Oh, nuts.” She pooched her lips out. “You’re busy?”

“Yea, we bought a tractor from a fella in Corpus and I have to go pick it up. I won’t get back until the wee hours.”

“Well, I’m glad you’re here right now.” She framed his face and kissed him passionately.

Benjen felt like his heart was overflowing. “You make me so happy.”

This thrilled Apple. “You make me happy too. I can’t believe what a good voice you have. You should be singing professionally.”

“Nah, I sing for fun.”

“I want you to sing for me again soon. I could listen to you for hours.”

“Anytime, baby.” Benjen kissed her again. “I’d better get going.” He ran a finger around the neckline of her gown. “So pretty. So soft. You be careful today. Okay?”

“I will.” She didn’t go inside until he was gone, watching his truck until he drove out of sight. A smile played over her features. “Now, that was amazing.” Apple was elated at the sweet gesture of him waking her up in such a special way. As she turned to go back in, there was a song on her own lips.

I can’t help falling in love with you.

… Thursday evening found Apple nearing home after a hard day’s work. “Rose, I’m beat.” She’d been on her feet all day. Dr. Cleveland’s idea of offering half price spays and neuters had been a rousing success. She’d lost count of how many they’d performed. “What do you say to an early night?”

As if on cue, Rose yawned in agreement. This made Apple glance over at her and laugh.

Woof!

Glancing ahead to see what the dog was barking at, Apple noticed a vehicle in her driveway.

Benjen’s truck.

“We have company!” She squealed with delight.

Apple parked next to him. She expected to see him waiting for her on the porch, but he was nowhere in sight. Opening her car door, she let the dog run out ahead of her. “Go find him, girl.”

Rose didn’t have to be told twice. She took off around the house and happy yips led Apple to where Benjen was pouring cement in holes he’d dug for fence posts. She put her hands on her hips and gave him a playful look of disbelief. “What do you think you’re doing, Blackhawk?”

“What does it look like I’m doing, Apple Dumpling?” He held out his arms and she went to him. “I’m building a dog yard for one of my best girls.”

“How many best girls do you have?”

“Three.” He blew a raspberry on her neck. “But you can be number one if you’ll give me a kiss.”

“Oh, number one?” She kissed him happily. “Now, that’s an offer I can’t refuse.” Apple kissed him again. “Want to come in?”

“I want to finish this tonight. So, I’m going to keep working.”

Apple glanced around. “You’ll be here until midnight!” This worried her. “I don’t want you doing all of this hard work by yourself. The effort might all be in vain, anyway. If I have to sell the house to send the money back, you’ll have done all of this for nothing!”

Benjen shook his head. “Let’s not think that way. I have confidence in Zane and Presley. We don’t have any word yet, but they’re working on it.” He kissed her neck, turned her around, and swatted her playfully on the bottom. “Go in and do girl stuff. Let a man work. I’ll come tell you goodnight when I’m finished.”

She walked away reluctantly, backward. “Don’t work yourself to death, cowboy. I have plans for that sexy body of yours.”

Benjen shook his finger at her. “Don’t get me all worked up, Honeycrisp.”

“Another Apple name?” She laughed as she stepped on a root, swayed, and barely caught herself before she fell.

“Turn around and walk right. I don’t want you to fall and bruise that epic ass of yours.”

Apple reached back and covered her bottom. “Epic is big, huh?”

Benjen picked up his hammer. “No epic is spectacular. Go! You’re distracting me, woman!”

Happily, Apple followed his instructions – but she spent a lot of the time peering at him through the window.

Twice, she took him out something cold to drink.

Once, she took him a sandwich.

And when he was finished – all hot and sweaty – he came to tap on her door and tell her goodnight. When Apple joined him, she found his bronzed skin glistening with perspiration. Shirtless, he was utterly mesmerizing. “Look at you.”

He grimaced. “Yea, I’m a mess.”

“You’re sex on a stick, Blackhawk.” She walked near enough to lick his chest, give his peck a nip, and kiss his nipple.

“Ye, gods,” Benjen groaned out the words. “You are such a temptress.” He caught her to him and kissed her voraciously, nipping at her mouth, and sucking on her bottom lip. “Feel what you do to me.”

Apple gloried in the hard evidence of his desire pressed against her. “You go to my head, cowboy.”

“You go to both of mine, obviously.” He ran his palms up her arms. “Tomorrow night is the birthday dinner. Remember?”

“I’m looking forward to meeting your family.” She placed her hand over his heart, marveling at the strong beat beneath her fingertips.

“We’re going to have a blast. I want you to save the entire weekend for me. Okay?”

“Okay.” She studied his face, loving those intriguing dimples. “Other than the dinner. Do you have something special planned?”

“Oh, yeah.” He caressed her cheek. “Just leave it to me.” He kissed her. “I’ve given this a lot of thought. Soon all will be revealed.”

Apple grinned, tilting her head sideways. “You’re mystifying me. My curiosity is aroused.”

He growled and chuckled. “Good, my plan is working. I want you so aroused that you’re crazy for me.”

“I think I’m already there,” she confessed softly.

“Oh, it’s only going to get better I promise. I have an agenda.”

“An agenda?”

“Yea. Rules. Guidelines.”

“Like what?”

“To have devotion, first there must be emotion. Without sexual tension, there is no delicious release. And without seduction, there is no satisfaction.”

In his husky voice, the words weren’t clinical – they were erotic as hell. “You’ve convinced me.”

“Good.” He rubbed his mouth over hers softly. “Just hold on to your hat, missy. This is going to be a helluva ride.”

He let their palms touch as he walked slowly away, their fingers lingering until the last possible second. “Until tomorrow.”

“Until tomorrow,” Apple echoed. “Thank you for what you did.”

“My pleasure.” Benjen winked at her. “Tell Rose I said goodnight and that I hope she enjoys her new yard.”

“I will. She’ll probably inspect it before she goes to bed tonight.” She raised her hand in a wave. “Drive safely,” she called to him, whispering to herself as he disappeared into the night, “I can’t wait for the night when we don’t have to say goodbye.”

…On the drive home, Benjen rolled his window down and let the wind hit him in the face. He needed to calm down. He was so turned on, he couldn’t see straight. Part of him wanted to pull over on the side of the road and jack-off to release the tension. “No. Practice what you preach.” Dry-scrubbing his face, he groaned. “You need to spend your energy making this weekend one to remember. You’ve got a lot of work to do.”

As he held the steering wheel, his eyes on the road ahead of him, he considered his predicament. In the past, when Kelli’s father had talked to them about abstinence, what he’d told them went in one of Benjen’s ears and out the other. He could still hear the preacher’s words…

Once you’ve had sex, everything changes. Sex is sacred. It should be cherished within the confines of matrimony.

At the time, he hadn’t cared to understand what Pastor Conway was trying to say. He’d abided by Kelli’s wishes. There had been times when he’d been so sexually frustrated he’d thought he might explode. Now, after finding Apple and maturing in mind as well as body, he finally got it. No, they hadn’t ‘had sex’ yet, not technically – but he’d tasted enough of the tantalizing forbidden fruit to know how habit-forming it could be. After indulging in heavy petting and oral sex, Benjen was absolutely addicted to the feeling. He’d always wanted sex, but now he craved it.

He craved it night and day.

With Apple. Only with Apple.

And now he could comprehend what the pastor had been trying to teach them. When a person is introduced to good sex, that individual lusted to indulge in the amazing feeling again and again. If the person wasn’t in love or devoted to another, then that desire is for the act alone and the identity of their partner is not as important as feeding the hunger. He’d seen this time and again, with his college roommate and with Easy. But…if you waited until you’re were in love, that erotic yearning will be directed toward the person who is not only the center of your world, but the source of your satisfaction.

And boy, was he ready to be satisfied.

A smiled played on his face when he thought about what the next few days would mean to him.

When a man loves a woman…he crooned to the night as his imagination went wild.

 

* * *

 

“You two go have a good time!” Benjen encouraged Rose and Hope to go play as he held Apple’s hand.

“There they go!” She smiled as the two dogs bounced off to explore around the yard together. “Sounds like they’re having a good time. I hope they like me,” she worried aloud when they drew close enough for voices to reach their ears.

“Don’t be nervous. Everyone will love you, I promise,” he whispered as they strolled around the corner of the Rock House to the patio area where the family was gathering.

“I hope so.” The butterflies in Apple’s stomach were plotting a revolution, beating up a storm with their tiny wings. “Do I look okay?” Since he’d mentioned they would be dining outside, she’d worn jeans and a cream-colored lace baby doll top. Pants were not her best look.

Benjen leaned over to kiss her. “If you looked any better I wouldn’t be able to walk. You look fandamtastic.”

Apple sighed. “I think you need new contacts. Does this look okay?” She raised the basket of goodies she’d made for his brother’s birthday.

Benjen chuckled. “Quit worrying. It looks perfect.” He’d admired the goodies, captivated that she’d went to the trouble to make homemade scones to go with the jam. Each jar was decorated with a raffia ribbon and a handwritten colorful tag. “He’s going to love it.”

“Hey, Benjen!”

Her hand tightened on Benjen’s as a very handsome man stepped forward with his arm around a beautiful woman – who was clearly pregnant. “Oh, she’s going to have a baby,” Apple whispered excitedly.

“Yea, I’m going to be an uncle,” he whispered back, putting his arm around Apple’s shoulder. “Apple, this is my brother, Daniel, and his wife, Sara. Guys, this is Apple Wright.”

“Apple. It’s a pleasure.” Daniel gave her a quick hug. “You did good, Brother.”

Apple felt herself blushing, but she didn’t have time to be too embarrassed before Sara came forward and hugged her tightly. “I am so glad to meet you. Benjen has told us so much about you.”

“He has?” She glanced at Benjen but returned Sara’s hug with enthusiasm. “You look radiant, Sara.”

Now, it was Sara’s turn to blush. “Thanks, I can’t wait to get to know you.”

“Come on, you two. Sam just went inside to bring out the meat to grill. We’re having prime rib. Hope you’re hungry, Apple.” Daniel guided them to some comfortable seats next the firepit. “Can I get you something to drink?”

Benjen was amused at his older brother’s hospitality skills. “I do know my way around, Daniel.”

“I’m just trying to be a good host for our guest.” Daniel handed Benjen a beer. “How about you, Apple?”

“A cola, please.”

“Yea, Daniel,” Sam chimed in as he passed by carrying a tray loaded with food to put on the fire, “Benjen has his eyes on the place. He’s officially put Easy and I on notice.” 

“Hush and come meet Apple, Sam.” Benjen wanted to nip any argument in the bud. This gathering wasn’t the proper time for such a family discussion.

“Wouldn’t miss it.” Sam placed the tray down and returned, giving Apple a wink. “You were right, Benjen. She does look like Melinda Gordon, I Googled the name.”

“Who?” Apple asked, having no idea what they were talking about.

“Just a character on a television show, baby. I’ll tell you later,” Benjen gave her a quick smile, feeling tense. This wasn’t going like he imagined. “Where’s the birthday boy?”

“Hell, who knows?” Sam responded. “He didn’t come home last night. I haven’t seen him all day. I’ve been texting him, but he doesn’t answer.”

Suddenly a voice sounded behind them. “Are you talking about me, Sambo? I didn’t know I had a curfew.”

All eyes turned to see Easy, coming forward to join the group, his arms outspread, a too-wide grin on his face.

Apple was in semi-shock. There was no denying the Blackhawks were brothers. Their looks were very similar. This brother, however…had definitely had too much to drink.

“Aww, hell, Ezekiel,” Benjen muttered softly. Still holding Apple’s hand, he squeezed it hard. “I’m sorry about this, baby.”

She squeezed his hand back, as if to tell him everything was okay.

“So, is this Apple?” Easy sauntered up to the couple, giving Apple a sweeping, thorough, assessing once-over. “Wow, little brother, I think this little doll may be too much woman for you to handle. Honey, when you get tired of messing with the amateur here, call me. Give a real man a chance to satisfy you.”

When he felt Apple stiffen beside him, Benjen saw red. “What the hell is wrong with you?” he demanded from his brother. Before he could control himself, he popped Easy in the jaw and laid him out flat on the ground. “No one talks to her like that, do you hear me?”

Instantly, Sam and Daniel were at their sides – Sam holding Benjen back and Daniel helping Easy off the ground. Ezekiel rubbed his face and glared at Benjen. “Damn, that sobered me up. You always were a hot-headed redskin.” He turned to look at Apple, then shook his head. “I’m sorry, I meant no offense.”

Trying to ease the awkwardness, Sam extended his hand to Apple. “I’m Sam, Apple. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you.” He jerked his thumb toward Easy, then twirled it in a circle next to his ear. “Ezekiel has too. Forgive him. He has these spells sometimes.”

“It’s all right. I’m glad to meet you both.” She held out her gift to Easy. “Happy birthday.”

Ezekiel had the good grace to turn red. “Thanks.” He looked down into the gift basket. “Gosh, this looks great.”

Daniel took Easy by the arm. “Come on, let’s help Sam with the grilling.”

Benjen looked apologetically at Apple. “I’m sorry, baby. Do you want to leave?”

“Oh, no…”   

“No, don’t leave.” Sara leaned in to Benjen. “Go straighten things out with your brothers. Let me take Apple and we can get to know one another.”

Benjen was hesitant. “I don’t know…”

“Go ahead. Talk to Easy. I’ll be fine.” She caressed his face. “I know you love him.”

“Okay, baby.” He kissed Apple on the lips, then moved to give Sara a peck on the cheek. “Did you bring one of your fabulous pies, Sis?”

She held up four fingers. “Two for all of us and two especially for Easy.”

“He doesn’t deserve any pie,” Benjen grumbled. His chest felt tight and he rubbed the sore spot. “I hate conflict.”

“It’s okay, baby.” Apple tried to comfort him. “I’m sure there’s an explanation.”

Sara hooked her arm with Apple’s. “We’re going to take a walk. Don’t start eating without us.”

After the girls strolled away, Benjen stalked over to the grill. The guys were whispering, Daniel had his hand on his hip, his dark eyes drilling a hole into Easy. As he neared, he could hear their eldest brother dressing Easy down.

“You’ve been drinking! What the hell has gotten into you? You know better than to pull this shit! And in front of Benjen’s guest? What were you thinking?”

“Leave me alone, Daniel. Dammit!” He glared at his brothers. “Why don’t you all leave me the hell alone!”

“Sounds like a good idea to me, asshole.” Sam turned the meat over on the grill and shut the lid.

“I can’t believe this. We come together for you, jerkwad, and you insult a woman who means the world to me!” Benjen was still so angry his chest was heaving.

“Cool it,” Daniel said, placing a steadying hand on Benjen’s shoulder. “Obviously, your brother isn’t himself.” He gave Easy a withering glance. “Care to explain yourself?”

Ezekiel hung his head, then darted a sidewise glance at Benjen. “Sorry. I had a few too many I guess.” He raked a hand through his hair. “Yesterday was the day…. I just have a hard time dealing with the anniversary, you know?”

The other three stared at him, frozen for a moment. “Fuck…” Daniel turned his head to look out over the ranch. “I didn’t realize the date.”

“I did,” Easy said evenly. “I can’t forget, it was my fault.”

Just that fast, Benjen was transported back in time.

He stood next to his brother as they waited out in front of the arcade next to Easy’s stalled truck. He knew they were in trouble. Their father had told them specifically to come straight home after football practice. He didn’t approve of some of Easy’s friends.

“We’re in deep shit. Why did I let you talk me into this?”

“Aw, shut up. You wanted to come as much as I did.” Easy slung his backpack to the ground.

“Hey, you’re my ride!” Benjen argued. “What else was I supposed to do? Besides, I’ll be punished the same as you and it was your fault.”

“Oh, shut up. All Dad will do is give us more chores. He might ground us for a week. He remembers what it’s like to be young.”

“And in love…” Benjen mocked his brother. “Selma Vargas is the reason you wanted to come over here today. And she didn’t give you the time of day, did she?”

“Shit. We should’ve walked home.” Easy kept his eye on the road, watching for their father’s truck.

“Dad would still find out. You don’t have enough money for a tow. You couldn’t just leave your truck here.” Benjen glanced around. “Hey, where’s my backpack?”

“You probably left it inside. There comes Dad, you’d better run get it.” Easy picked up his own backpack and stood straighter, steeling his spine for the confrontation he knew was coming.

Benjen dashed in, determined not to make his father wait.

About that time – Benjen heard a horrible noise. When he ran outside, it was to see his father’s truck crumpled up against a large concrete light pole. A big semi had run a red light at the intersection and plowed right into the Ford F150 on the driver’s side.

He could still remember their screams.

“It wasn’t your fault, Easy. It was an accident.” Benjen laid his hand on his brother’s shoulder.    

“Of course, it was.” Daniel reinforced the statement.

“If I’d obeyed him and come straight home. He’d be alive today.”

Easy’s tortured voice hurt Benjen’s heart. “Hey, we don’t know that. Fate is a fickle bitch.”

“Hey, give me a hand with this food.” Sam tried to break the mood. “Give me that bowl of melted butter so I can baste this hunk of meat.”

Daniel did as Sam asked and Easy stuffed his hands in his pockets and faced Benjen. “I’m sorry I insulted your date.”

Benjen smiled wryly. “Maybe you can show her your better side. She’s a lady. She’ll forgive you.”

“I hope so.” Easy rubbed his eyes. “I just feel like shit and I took it out on all of you. I’d planned to come home and just slink off to my room, but I got Sam’s text. And it just pissed me off…”

“What pissed you off?” Daniel asked disbelievingly. “Your family worrying about you and wanting you to show up for dinner pissed you off?”

“Explain yourself, Easy. You’re not making sense.” He knew his brother. Ninety-nine percent of the time he was a reasonable human being. Almost.

“Fuck. I don’t know.” Easy pulled a lawn chair up and sat down in it. “I feel dizzy.”

Sam handed him a bottled water.

Unscrewing the top, he took a long swig. “Sometimes I get angry that we’re doing family stuff. Eating. Partying. Falling in love.” He looked up guiltily at Daniel, then Benjen. “It doesn’t seem right that we’ve moved on after Dad died.”

“We didn’t stop living when Mom died. Not even Dad. We mourned. We picked up and kept on. That’s what she would’ve wanted and it’s what our father would’ve wanted too.” Benjen felt like he was right. “I lost Kelli. I loved Kelli. I mourned her. The same with Dad…but we’re not dead, Easy. We’re still alive. People who love you don’t want you to cease to exist when they’re gone.”

“I guess.” Easy sighed. “Doesn’t make it any easier.”

“Look, we’re here for you, man.” Benjen knelt by Easy.

“That’s right. You’re not alone,” Sam told him, waving a pair of tongs in the air.

“Right. Talk to us,” Daniel agreed. “You won’t find your answers in the bottom of a bottle, that’s for sure.”

“You’re right.” Easy stood and gave his brothers a hug, each in turn. Nodding his head to the right, he told Daniel and Benjen, “You two probably need to check on the girls. No telling what kind of plan they’re hatching between them.”

“You’re right about that.” Daniel chuckled. “Where are they, anyway? Do you see them, Benjen?”

“No. I don’t.” He peered into the shadows. “It’s getting dark. I guess we’d better go look around.”

“Well, hurry back. This prime rib will be perfection in about ten minutes,” Sam muttered as he tended to the grill. “Easy, do you want to be my taste-tester?”

“Hell yeah, I do.”

… “Anyway, the Blackhawk brothers can be a force of nature. After Daniel found me walking home from the grocery store pulling my supplies in a little red wagon, he stopped and rescued me. He helped me bake pies that night, then when he found out I was living in Reverend Mike’s storeroom behind the Dam Pub, he put his foot down. The man insisted I come home with him.” Sara leaned against a tree trunk, gazing out over Honey Creek.

“And the rest, as they say, is history?” Apple laughed as she pulled her arm back and let a stone go, smiling as it skipped over the moonlit water.

“Well, no, not exactly. We had our ups and downs. So, you and Benjen?”

“We’re just…”

“Friends?”

“I’d have to say more than friends.”

“Lovers?”

Apple giggled at Sara’s open, out-spoken nature. “We’re taking it slow.”

“I understand. Benjen is a very special man. He’s deep. Sincere. An old soul, I guess you could say. Like Daniel, he has this amazing capacity to love.”

“I know he does.” The conversation was beginning to make Apple a bit uncomfortable. “I come with a lot of baggage. Benjen could do so much better than me.”

“Baggage?” Sara repeated the word teasingly. “If you want to know about baggage, girl, I can tell you about baggage.”

“Oh, okay.” Apple teased back. “We can compare, but I can promise mine is a steamer trunk compared to your carry-on.”

“Sara!”

“Apple!”

“I think we’re being summoned,” Apple whispered.

“We’re over here!” Sara called, catching Apple’s hand. “But this conversation is not over. Do you want to have coffee soon?”

“Sure, I’d love to,” Apple agreed.

“Great. I’ll call you,” Sara promised as the Blackhawk brothers joined them. “Everything okay?” she asked her husband.

“Yea, everything’s fine.” He wrapped his wife in a hug. “Are you two about ready to eat?”

“Starved,” Apple admitted as she leaned into Benjen, who cuddled her close. “I feel like I should’ve brought a dish.”

Sara waved off her concern. “All I did was slice vegetables. Sam, our master chef, grilled it all. This is an easy dinner.” She giggled. “Except for Sam, I guess.”

“Oh, he enjoys it. I think Sam considers himself to be the next Bobby Flay or something,” Benjen muttered as they moved back toward the Rock House.

As the two couples strolled in the twilight, Benjen slowed their gait so they could have a few moments of privacy. “I want to apologize for Easy again.”

“Hey, it’s okay.” She rubbed her palm on his arm. “No hard feelings at all. Stop worrying about it. I could tell by his face that he regretted what he said the moment he said it.”

“Yea, he told us that he was upset. Yesterday was the anniversary of our father’s death. I’ve always known Easy blamed himself, but I didn’t realize until tonight how much.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“I’ll tell you about it sometime.” He rubbed her back as they walked. “Easy likes to pretend he’s a playboy and I guess he is…” Benjen sighed. “Now, I’m beginning to wonder if his manwhore act is some type of defense mechanism.”

“Sara is right. You are deep.”

Benjen opened his mouth in faux surprise. “You two were talking about me? What else did you say?”

“I’ll never tell!” Apple laughed and he kissed her soundly. “I’m so glad you’re here with me.”

Overhearing Benjen’s last comment, Sara added in her two cents, “I’m glad she’s here too. I needed someone else on my team.”

“Awww,” Daniel pouted, “I thought we were on the same team.”

Sara pinched his waist playfully.

“Where’s the beef?” Benjen called out to Sam.

“Waiting on you guys. Soup’s on!” he called.

When they arrived, Easy met them and held out Apple’s chair for her at the patio table. “Allow me.”

“Thank you.” She gave him a grateful smile. Apple was relieved. She couldn’t stand the thought of being a source of conflict between the siblings. Even before Benjen explained his thoughts on what was going on with his brother, she hadn’t considered for a moment that he’d seriously been coming on to her.

After a few moments of horsing around, the Blackhawk family settled in for the meal. Sara seemed so comfortable with them all. Apple felt envious of the obvious affection between the group. Despite the tense moments with Easy, the other brothers treated him with care. Sitting next to Benjen, she couldn’t help but contemplate what she’d learned about his father. How awful for Easy to bear such a burden of guilt, even if wasn’t warranted.

“This looks wonderful, Sam,” Apple complimented the chef. She admired the beautiful cut of meat, a pan full of corn on the cob, and a platter of mixed grilled vegetables. When her eyes lighted on the gorgeous pies piled high with fluffy meringue, her eyes bugged out. “Oh, my goodness. I just gained five pounds looking at those desserts.”

“And they’re just as good as they look,” Easy confided from his place on Apple’s left. “Wait till you taste them.”

Apple sighed. “I shouldn’t. Like you said earlier, there’s too much of me.”

“I don’t think that’s what I said…” Easy murmured uncomfortably.

“I’ll handle it, Easy, but no.” Benjen was emphatic. “And no red-blooded man would think you were anything but perfect.”

“Here, here.” Sara raised her glass of ice tea. “I agree. Apple you’re simply gorgeous.”

Apple blushed furiously. “Let’s eat. Could I have some corn?” she asked Easy to pass the pan. Anything to get the attention off of her.

“So, you look older, Ezekiel. Do you feel any wiser?” Sam asked with a grin.

“No, I sure don’t,” Easy admitted as he forked a piece of meat, then passed the tray to Apple. “I do have some decent news, though. If anyone’s interested.”

“Of course, we’re interested.” Daniel frowned at his brother. “This is damn good.” He waved his fork at Sam.

Sam nodded his thanks, then, with everyone else, turned his attention to Easy.

“Well, I ran into Philip McCoy downtown the other day and he said they’re looking for someone to help run their ranch down in South Louisiana.” He paused for a couple of beats. “He offered me the job of foreman and I think I’m going to take it.”

Easy’s words might well have been boulders being catapulted over a castle wall. They fell hard on his family.

“You’re leaving? To work for someone else?” Daniel asked harshly, his eyes flashing fire. “What about this ranch? Your home?”

“Ah, come on.” Easy lifted his hand in the air. “You all don’t need me here. Even though you have your own thing going, Daniel, you set everything up so well, the ranch runs like clockwork. Benjen is like Dr. Doolittle with the animals and with his fancy degree, he can make this ranch an even bigger success. Sam is a natural planner, he’s detail oriented. He already supervises the day-to-day operations. And me? I’m just one of the hands whose last name happens to be Blackhawk.”

“Yes, your name happens to be Blackhawk,” Benjen inserted. “This ranch is your heritage.”

Easy pinned Benjen with a stare. “Well, I presume I can come home. I’m not saying I’ll stay away forever. This is a learning experience for me. My chance to see what I can do. Here, I know I have you guys to bail me out. There, I’ll sink or swim on my own.”

“I didn’t know the McCoys had a ranch in South Louisiana,” Sam muttered, his countenance sad at the thought of his brother leaving home. “What size outfit are we talking about?”

“Bigger than our ranch, by far. Belle Chasse is where the Highland McCoys hail from. The place belonged to their mother, a plantation is probably a better description. They raised cattle, grew rice, sugar cane, and cotton. It was a huge operation until Katrina and it could be again. Lately, they’ve hired a ranch manager by the name of Jed Vincent, who has a lot of ideas. Anyway, Philip is spearheading the project. In fact, he’s stopping by later tonight to talk to me about his plans.”

Daniel poked his vegetables with a fork, deep in thought. “Wow, this is sudden.” He smiled at Sara who was rubbing his shoulder in empathy. “Since meeting Jaxson at the support group and Sara getting to know the McCoy sisters, I thought I knew the family pretty well. Jaxson and Heath serve as the primary ranchers at Highlands and Ten has his wind farms, but I thought Philip was an archaeologist, a professor at the University of Texas. How did he end up focusing on cattle and crops instead of unearthed bones and pottery shards?”

Easy took a long sip of tea, appearing to continue the process of clearing his head from the abundance of alcohol he’d consumed in the last twenty-four hours. “Well, like us, the McCoy men are finding their niche. Jaxson will undoubtedly be the backbone of their Texas Ranch. Heath’s focus is split between the resort he and his wife own, plus the energy company that’s branched out into rocket fuel. Tennessee has his wind-farms down in Southwest Texas. The girls are married, of course. Ryder to her billionaires and Pepper to her rock star. Yes, Philip’s first love is archaeology and the kicker…” He grinned and shook his head. “I hope I can remember what he said – oh, yea – Philip thinks Belle Chasse may sit atop a series of ancient Indian burial mounds, maybe even a whole Pre-Columbian city like the one near St. Louis.”

“Cahokia?” Apple asked, then covered her mouth. She knew this was an intense moment for the family and she felt a bit like she was intruding. “Sorry. I spent some time near there when Alan was stationed at Scot Air Force Base.”

“No problem, baby,” Benjen assured her, taking her hand.

Easy nodded at Apple. “Yes, Cahokia sounds right.”

“Well, what I don’t understand,” Sam spoke up, is why they’re planning on restarting the ranch business if the whole place may turn into one big archaeological dig?” Sam asked.

Easy shrugged. “From what Philip told me, the family doesn’t want the land to lay fallow, but he wants to protect and study any historical significance the ranch may have.”

Benjen was torn between finding what Easy said fascinating and feeling an immense sense of loss. “Look, I can’t deny this sounds fascinating, but if you’re leaving because I made some noise about wanting to be the one to live at the homestead, we can certainly come to some arrangement that will satisfy all of us. You leaving your home never remotely entered my mind. This ranch belongs to all four of us. Always has. Always will.”

“I know,” Easy assured them all. He waved his hand around in the air, including everyone in his explanation. “You saw how I acted tonight. I’ve been going through some shit.” He gave Sara and Apple an apologetic nod. “I need to get away. Look at life from a new vantage point. I’ve been burdened with this immense amount of guilt and regret…”

“Damn, I feel like I’ve failed you,” Daniel muttered, hissing out a breath of repentance.

“No, you didn’t,” Easy countered. “You were our anchor. We wouldn’t have made it without you.” He raked his hand over his hair. “My problem is my own. Something I have to deal with and getting a different perspective will help. Believe me, this won’t be forever. I value my roots. I will come home.”

Seeing the mood at the table was anything but festive, Sara picked up a knife. “Pie anyone? Don’t we have more presents to give Easy?”

“Right.” Benjen dug in his back pocket to find the Lyle Lovett tickets. “Here you go, Brother.”

“Hey, great!” Easy exclaimed, accepting gifts from Sam and Daniel also. “And two pies! I’m going to have a good time making myself sick.”

After dessert, Apple helped clean up. As the girls carried the leftovers and dirty dishes inside the house, Sara spoke softly to Apple, “Sorry there was so much drama tonight.”

“Oh, that’s okay. Every family has it.”

“Yea, and since you’re going to be family, you might as well be indoctrinated early.”

Apple felt happiness well up in her heart like a mountain spring. “Benjen is every woman’s dream, but I don’t know what will happen.”

“Huh. I saw his face as he watched you tonight. He worships the ground you walk on. Benjen isn’t one to lead a girl on, he’s in this for the long haul.”

As they worked together, the thought of a future with Benjen almost paralyzed Apple with a combination of hope and fear. “I guess it doesn’t cost anything to dream.” Actually, broken dreams could cost dearly. She knew that from experience. Needing to change the subject, she brightened. “So, we’re still on for coffee. Right?”

“Oh, yea, definitely,” Sara agreed as she rinsed off dishes for Apple to put into the dishwasher. “When do you think you could make it?”

“Well…” She blushed anew. “Benjen asked me to reserve this weekend for him.”

“He did, did he?” Sara teased Apple. “So, how about Monday?”

“Sure. Why not? I’d love to. At lunch or after work?”

They finished the dishes, then Apple placed a detergent pod in the washer before setting it to come on. “Uh…at lunch would be good, if that’s okay with you.”

“Sure, and since you’re working, I’ll drive in to Kingsland,” Sara offered, wiping her hands on a dish towel.

“Perfect. Where would you like to meet?” Apple couldn’t help but glance around what she could see of the interior of the house. Her heart beat a little faster knowing Benjen lived here, slept here. 

Sara thought a second. “Uh, I think the only place besides the Dairy Queen is the Kingsland Coffee Company at the Antler’s Inn.”

“Sounds good to me, Sara.” Apple clasped her hands together in happiness. Other than Dr. Cleveland and the others at the vet’s office, she hadn’t really made any girlfriends in the area. “It’s a date!”

“Date?” The one word and a kiss on the neck was Apple’s only warning they weren’t alone. “If you’re dating anyone, it’s going to be me, Apple Fritter.” 

 “Awww, you two are so cute together.” Sara crossed her arms and smiled. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll leave you alone and go find my husband.”

Benjen leaned against the cabinet and held Apple cradled against him, her back to his front. “Thanks, Sis. We’ll see you soon.”

“Are you taking me home now?” Apple asked, a little surprised.

“No, I’m not ready to let you go. I need to be alone with you. Do you think I could talk my girl into a moonlight ride?”

“I think that can be arranged, cowboy.” As she lifted her face to accept his kiss, a warm feeling of peace and acceptance enveloped her. She knew there were no guarantees in this world, but right now…life was pretty good.