Counting on the Cowboy Read online

  She swam away from it. If there were snakes in the trees, they were probably in the river too. And the only kind of snake she knew of that hung around rivers were extremely venomous water moccasins. Her hands hit something solid. She screamed, swatted at the water. But it was Brock.

  “Calm down.” He grabbed her by the shoulders. “What are you doing?”

  “There was a snake on the limb and they’re probably in the water.”

  “They’re not poisonous, just water snakes.”

  “Water moccasins?”

  “No. Stop freaking out, so I can swim the canoe to shore and we can get back in it.”

  She nodded. But something touched her thigh. She kicked and flailed, screamed again.

  “I can’t get the canoe if I have to hold on to you.”

  “Something touched my leg. That may have been a water snake in the tree—” she shuddered, though the water was a nice temperature “—but there probably are water moccasins in the river. Right?”

  “I’ve never heard of anyone getting bit by one in the water. Here, hold on to me while I get the canoe.”

  She reluctantly slipped her arms around his neck. Her fears forcing her to do his bidding.

  “No flailing around, okay? You’re fine. I’ll get you back in the canoe if you’ll work with me.”

  She held on tight, bit her lip until she tasted blood, as he swam the canoe to shore. As they neared the tree line, he was walking. She should get down, but she held on like the big scared ninny that she was.

  “You can walk now. I can see the bottom. There aren’t any snakes. None on the shore, either.”

  She put her feet down, let go of him. “Sorry. I can’t tell you how much I hate snakes.”

  “Would have been nice to know before I got in a canoe with you on a river where snakes have been known to hang around.” He grinned, dragged the boat ashore, tilted it on its side. Once the water drained out, he turned it upright.

  “Ready to get back in?”

  “Are there any alternatives?”

  “Walking back to the truck.”

  Thick overgrowth lined most of the shore on each side.

  “I’ll hold it steady while you get in like before.”

  A whimper escaped at the prospect, but she climbed in, hunkered low, held on and made her way to the seat in the bow.

  “I’ll get you down the river in one piece. I promise. You’re doing great. I’m getting in now.” The canoe shifted with his weight and they propelled forward. “Paddle on the left until we get her straightened out.”

  The boat glided to the middle of the river, then turned to go with the flow.

  “Switch.”

  “We lost all the trash we picked up.”

  “Someone else will get it. I have a feeling we’ll do good just to get to the other end intact.”

  “How will we get back to your truck?”

  “Volunteers are waiting. They’ll take us back.”

  This debacle certainly hadn’t endeared her to him. “I’m really sorry.”

  “It’s okay. We’ll do our part when it comes time to dole out the food.”

  Just get across the river without flipping them again. Another few hours and this torture of being with him would be over. Then maybe they could work in separate cottages. Until her niece or nephew, Sprint, was born and she found the courage to leave him behind.

  * * *

  Brock helped carry the portable buffet warmers to the long line of tables set up. Tray after tray of baked beans and corn on the cob. Iced down coolers held vats of coleslaw and potato salad.

  “What do we charge?” he heard Devree ask. “Since I’m at the end of the line, am I responsible for the money?”

  “It’s free.” Chase’s mom said as she handed out dippers and tongs.

  “Free? I guess it brings in customers.”

  “I hadn’t really thought about that.” Janice shrugged. “We just do it because it’s a good thing for the community.”

  Devree really had a lot to learn about country life. But he knew she wouldn’t stick around long enough for that.

  “What about drinks?”

  “Someone else is providing those. I can’t remember who.” Janice bustled around, stirring the hot dishes.

  “This part’s much easier than canoeing.” Elliot patted Devree’s shoulder. “You got this.” Chase’s dad always had a great sense of humor about everything.

  She chuckled. “Hey, I managed to fill a trash bag.”

  She was always a good sport about getting ribbed. At ease with everyone but him it seemed. Yet, when she’d overturned their canoe and was so scared, all he wanted to do was protect her. Tell her that he’d keep her safe forever...if she’d let him.

  But they couldn’t build a relationship, not with her longing to return home and reinvent her business in Dallas. And even if she stayed, she’d never fit in around here, never be happy. He knew from experience with his mom and dad that if he asked her to stay she would probably end up resenting him.

  “You’re on slaw duty.” Janice handed him a slotted spoon.

  Right next to Devree and the potato salad. “Let’s pray,” the cleanup coordinator shouted. Everyone bowed their heads. He couldn’t make out most of the words, but after a few minutes, a round of amens moved through the crowd.

  The line started up and he plopped coleslaw on countless plates, bumped elbows with Devree a few times. As usual, the slightest touch sent a shock through him.

  Eventually, the end of the line came and they served the last volunteer.

  “Maybe we’ll have time to eat before the volunteers from the other routes get here.” Janice jabbed a dish at him, then Devree.

  They filled their plates in silence.

  Brock glanced around. A boy scout troop played a rousing game of touch football in the distance. Volunteers lined long tables that had been set up with folding chairs, along with picnic blankets and canvas seating. Tents lined the parking lot since many had camped last night.

  “Where do we sit?” She looked around. “Were we supposed to bring chairs?”

  “I brought a blanket for us.” Elliot spread a bright quilt on the ground. “There’s plenty of room.”

  He and Janice settled on one side, leaving him and Devree the other. As if they were a couple. Was all of Bandera out to drive him to distraction, intent on keeping her near him?

  Since things were easier with his mom, he wasn’t itching to go like he’d been before. Maybe he could stick around, repair things further between them. But having Devree near kept him off-kilter. Even if he stayed, she definitely wouldn’t.

  “Here, I’ll hold your food while you sit.” He took the dish from her.

  “Thanks.” She settled on the quilt, then took both plates from him.

  His knee grazed hers as he joined her. “Sorry.”

  “Oh, look.” Janice set her hand on Elliot’s calf. “More volunteers from one of the other routes. We better get back to the buffet line.”

  Elliot helped her up. “Y’all stay and eat. There aren’t many. We can handle them.”

  And here they were, alone again. Like a date. But it wasn’t and never could be. He searched for something to say. A band started up from a flatbed trailer at the edge of the river.

  “So, since you and Becca are getting along better, do you think you’ll stay in Bandera?” She’d beat him to it.

  “Maybe so. I like it here.”

  “No offense to your dad’s line of work, and handyman is an honorable and much-needed profession, but I saw the magazine Becca had. You’re way overqualified and over-talented.”

  Another lifetime ago. It seemed like it, anyway. “I’ll admit, working in the cabins has made me itch to build them again. Once Chase no longer needs me, I have an opportunity to get back into cabin desig
n.”

  “And still stay here?”

  “I’m willing to travel, but my home base could be Bandera.”

  “I’m glad. I mean—that you’re sticking around—for your mom’s sake. And yours.”

  “What about you? Are you planning to leave as soon as Landry has the baby?”

  “I may stay a few days after until they get settled.”

  Hadn’t anticipated that. He’d expected her to be gone ASAP. But she did love her sister.

  An elderly couple strolled over. “Are you Devree Malone?”

  “Yes.” She set her plate aside and stood.

  “Wonderful. A lady told us you’re an event planner in Dallas.”

  “That’s right.”

  “Oh, good.” The woman patted her husband’s arm. “I’m Gladys Hewitt and this is my husband. Stanley and I live there and our sixtieth anniversary is in August. Our kids are planning a big party on the twelfth, but we’d like to remove the burden from them, so they can enjoy it too.”

  Brock stood. “I’ll find some chairs for y’all.”

  “We have some—the two red ones by that big cypress tree.” The man pointed, and Brock went to fetch the them. “Thank you, young man.”

  Minutes later, Brock set the chairs up for them. “I’ll let y’all talk planning.”

  “You don’t have to leave,” Devree protested.

  “Might as well get used to going in different directions.”

  She blinked. “Thanks for the chairs.”

  He strolled away, wishing he could leave right now and drive back to the ranch. But he’d brought her here and even though she could ride back with Janice and Elliot, he’d never been the type to shuck his duties off on someone else, and he wouldn’t start now.

  Dallas was already calling her home. Maybe once she left, his chest would stop with the constant ache.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Devree scrolled through her calendar on her phone, but she was too distracted to focus. Was Brock eager for her to leave? It sure seemed like it. From the moment she’d agreed to stay at the dude ranch and help out until Sprint was born, she’d counted down the days until she could go home. But now, that meant leaving Brock behind.

  Obviously, Brock didn’t feel the same way. Something jabbed deep in her chest.

  “Do you have the date open, dear?” Mrs. Hewitt pressed.

  “Let me just check something.” She scrolled to August. “I have the twelfth.”

  “Perfect.” Mrs. Hewitt clapped her hands.

  “Do you have a venue?”

  “We already booked the Empire Room in Dallas for that day.”

  “Nice. I’ll put you on my calendar. What do you say we meet there toward the end of next month and talk specifics?”

  “That sounds great. I’m so glad we happened upon you.”

  They settled on a time.

  Devree wrote the details on the back of her business card then handed it to Mrs. Hewitt. “What brings y’all to Bandera?”

  “Both our families are from here. This is where we met and fell in love.” Mrs. Hewitt looked at her husband, obviously as love-struck as she’d been when they were young. “Our jobs took us to the city. We always planned to return to Bandera, but then the kids settled in Dallas. So we come back every year for the cleanup.”

  “We help supply drinks.” Stanley winked at his wife. “And Gladys brings a cobbler. She makes a mean cobbler.”

  Their affection for one another was so strong and vibrant that Devree could feel it. The kind of love she’d longed for. If she could have acclimated to living in Bandera, could she have had that with Brock? She’d never know since he obviously wasn’t interested. Her throat constricted as a painful knot settled in.

  “Sorry we ran your young man off.” Gladys stood. “Let’s leave the happy couple alone, Stanley.”

  “We’re not—” Her words stalled. They weren’t together, but she wanted to be.

  As soon as Brock saw the Hewitts getting up, he headed back over. “Leaving already? Not on my account, I hope.”

  “Not at all.” Stanley folded his chair, picked it up. “It’s past our bedtime.”

  “I’ll get the chairs. Just show me where your car is.”

  “Such a nice young man.” Gladys patted his cheek, then waved at Devree. “We’ll see you in Dallas next month.”

  “See you then.”

  Brock followed them to the parking lot. A few minutes later, she spotted him returning. More volunteers streamed in from another river route. She and Brock were destined to have their short time left together interrupted. Probably for the best.

  She headed to the buffet line to help.

  “Janice, y’all never got to eat.” Brock claimed his spot beside her. “We’ll take this round. You and Elliot get a fresh plate and get some grub.”

  “I guess we should have eaten in shifts. Now we’ve wasted food.” Elliot filled new helpings for them.

  “I think there’s plenty.” From what she understood, there was only one more river route of volunteers who hadn’t arrived yet.

  Janice and Elliot left and the line of hungry volunteers trickled to an end.

  Scarlet, Ruby and Drew brought up the rear.

  “I’m so glad you’re here.” Scarlet looked like she wanted to hug Brock. “This is my husband, Drew. I’ve been wanting y’all to meet.”

  Brock offered his hand. “Nice meeting you.”

  “You too. Did you eat plenty?”

  “Too much.” He patted his stomach. “But I’m still planning to dig into that cobbler.” He shot Ruby a wink. “When are you coming for your private tour of the petting zoo?”

  “I’ve been wanting to. Maybe this week.”

  He grinned at Scarlet. “Bring her anytime.”

  “Thanks.”

  The family moved on. Definite camaraderie there. Maybe someday, they’d all sit around a big table and share a holiday celebration together. Brock needed that. And Scarlet obviously longed for it.

  “I’m diving into this cobbler while I can.” Brock grabbed a bowl. “Want some?”

  “Yes. The lady I was talking to earlier, Gladys Hewitt, made it. They grew up here and come back every year for the cleanup.”

  “They seemed really nice. Did you take the job?”

  “I did. I’m meeting with them next month at the Empire. It’s an event venue in Dallas.”

  “Believe it or not, I’ve been there. That’s where my wedding was supposed to be.”

  “I’m sorry.” Her heart pinged at the thought of him loving someone else that much.

  “I’m not. She was the wrong woman, and it definitely wasn’t my kind of place.” He closed his eyes. Savoring a bite of cobbler? Or remembering his heartache?

  The Empire Room drove home their differences once again. She loved it. He hated it.

  “Looks like you’ll have plenty to do once you get back to Dallas.”

  Apparently, that’s where he wanted her. And not a moment too soon. She’d had her chance with him and she’d blown it. No do overs.

  She’d just have to put on her big girl heels, wait for baby Sprint’s arrival and then hightail it back to her life in Dallas. Whether she wanted to or not. She could not stay here and pine over him.

  * * *

  Exhausted, Devree stifled a yawn as she drove to her sister’s house. Between all that rowing and the tension with Brock yesterday, she was toast. At least she’d slept well last night. She checked her watch.

  Thirty minutes before Sunday school class. Not long to visit with Landry, but her sister had called and begged her to stop by. And she couldn’t say no. As she neared the house, she noticed movement on the porch. Someone swinging in a hammock over to the right. Landry.

  With a grin, she parked and got out.

 
“See what Chase got me for Mother’s Day?” Landry’s head popped up. “Isn’t it wonderful? Now, I can at least come outside to lay around.”

  “I wish it would stay cool enough all day.”

  “You know me. Heat doesn’t bother me like it does you.”

  The front door whipped open as Mama and Daddy spilled out of the house. “Surprise!”

  Devree gasped, then hugged them both. “When did y’all get here?”

  “Late last night, after both you girls were already in bed.”

  “I couldn’t be away from y’all on Mother’s Day.” Mama gave Devree another hug. “Especially since Landry’s about to be a mom again.” Mama gasped as she apparently realized the implication of her words. “But not like last time. Not at all.”

  A reverent silence crackled with heaviness. None of them would ever forget little Landon Charles.

  Landry scooted over, patted the hammock. “Get in with me.”

  “What? I’ll flip you.”

  “No, you won’t. It’s like the one Mama and Daddy have on their porch in Aubrey. We used to lay in it all the time when we were kids.”

  “The emphasis being on the word kids.” Daddy chuckled.

  “Come on, Chase got in with me last night. It’s quite sturdy.”

  “Hold it steady for them, Owen,” Mama instructed.

  Devree eyed the contraption. It was anchored in four places instead of two. She grabbed the side, pushed down on it. Nothing. She’d muss her hair and her dress. But she’d do anything for Landry.

  “I’ve got you.” Daddy steadied the side for her.

  She slipped off her heels, settled on the side of it, then wiggled over and lay down beside her sister. Giggling ensued at her jerky movements, just like when they were kids.

  “It was definitely easier to maneuver around in one of these things when we were younger.”

  “But I think it’s even more fun now.” Landry giggled.

  “Shhh.” Mama pressed a finger to her lips. “Listen.”

  Horses whinnying, the hooting of an owl, the low murmur of ranch hands, the chatter of birds.

  “It sounds like home,” Devree admitted.