Rodeo Blues Read online

  I want a man by my side, not a boy who's still licking his wounds. Jolie's words came back to haunt him.

  The gravel crunched beneath his tires as he brought his truck to a stop. He stared at the lumber, tools, and other supplies stacked in strategic piles. Men hurried to and fro, working to make the house he'd designed. Well, the house he'd envisioned anyway. The talented architect he hired put it to paper with detailed sketches.

  Jolie thought he wanted to even the score with Jhett. She'd been right in a sense. He'd come back home because he had the means now to hurt those who had hurt him. It just wouldn't be a punch in the nose. He'd get them where it hurt the most, their bank accounts. He wanted to ruin Jhett Reeves, bring him down a notch, and show this town he was not the poor boy living in a tin can called a home. He would be the one who kept the town afloat when Reeves couldn't. He had plans. They didn't need Reeves Construction. He'd show them all.

  I want a man by my side, not a boy…

  He pounded the steering wheel in frustration. Revenge wasn't sweet if it meant he'd lose the girl. Then it dawned on him, there was another way he could handle Reeves Construction. Funny how he needed Jolie's words of wisdom to make him see it.

  "I can be that man you need, Jolie," he vowed and fished for his phone in his pocket. He found the contact he needed and pushed send.

  "Hello, Tye-bo," his cousin said on the other end.

  "Jon, I need a favor."

  "Sure thing. Whatcha need?"

  "Don't buy out Reeves Construction."

  "'Scuse me? What did you say?"

  "You heard me. I don't want to buy it out and close it down. I want to invest in it. I want to keep it going."

  "Reeves Construction? The family who owns said business and made your life miserable, treated you like trash, that Reeves Construction? Hell, they still think you're gum that needs to be scraped off their boots. Never met such disagreeable folks in my life, and that's saying something since I've seen plenty of disagreeable people in my line of work."

  Tye pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'm aware of their fondness for me."

  "I just wanted to make sure you didn't go and forget," his cousin said.

  "I haven't forgotten my beginnings, but I can make what happens next in my life count for something good. Hurting Reeves Construction, not only hurts the Reeves family, it hurts the workers as well. I'll ruin families. Jobs are scarce right now and closing Reeves Construction won't make it better for the people of Skeeter Blue. Besides, working with Jhett Reeves every day, as an equal, is sure to get under his craw. What could be a better revenge?"

  "You might kill each other if left in the same room. So…not seeing the upside to this."

  "If it comes to that, I know this lawyer…"

  "Not funny, Tye-bo."

  Tye chuckled. "Perhaps, but I'm not one to hit a man while he's down, and Jhett is down for the count. Let's set up a different meeting with Jhett Reeves and his father. Crunch the numbers and tell me what we have and what I need to contribute to keep the company on its feet until we find us some contracts. We can talk later tonight when you have something." He ended the call without a goodbye. He knew Jon would do what he asked.

  He stepped out of the truck and headed over to where he spotted a group of men wearing hardhats and sporting tool belts. The tall man with gray sideburns, overlooking the site and directing the workers, was Donnell McNab, the foreman. He'd gone to school with his son, Ben, but he hadn't known him well since he was a few years his senior. Donnell had been let go from Reeves Construction due to cut-backs.

  Tye paid him a hefty fee to keep quiet on what was going on out here. He didn't want anyone in town to know he was the one financing everything, mostly because he wanted to buy his shares from Reeves Construction without Jhett becoming suspicious and stopping him. He'd promised Donnell long-term employment if he managed to keep his workers from breathing a word of it too. It was difficult to find people he could trust, but Donnell had proven his loyalty.

  Donnell finally glanced his way then spoke to the workers once more before jogging over to greet him. "Good morning, Mr. Casper," Donnell said and held out his hand. Tye returned the gesture. "You're here early," Donnell continued. "We're just getting started. Trying to beat the heat." He chuckled and shook his head.

  "Not much chance in that, is there?" He grinned. At half past six, the day promised to be a warm one. "And please, call me Tye." He'd never get used to having people address him in such a formal fashion.

  "Sure thing," Donnell said. "I take it you're here to see the progress we've made."

  "I am." They headed inside the house. They had indeed been busy, and it was coming along faster than he'd expected.

  "We're just about ready to put up the drywall in this room," Donnell said, "but we're still waiting on supplies from the outside company you wanted us to deal with."

  Tye noticed the frustration in Donnell's voice and inwardly winced. All this could have been avoided and he knew it.

  "They've told me we should have the shipment by the end of the week," Donnell finished.

  "About that…" He lifted his hat and smoothed his hair back. "There's a company in town – Reeves Construction – from now on, I want you to deal with them and them only."

  Donnell's brow creased. "I thought you didn't want to work with them."

  "I've changed my mind. They'll have the resources you'll need in town and you won't have to wait days for the deliveries."

  Donnell nodded, but Tye could tell the man didn't understand his sudden change of heart. Why would he?

  "I'm moving back to Skeeter Blue," he explained. "How would it look if I don't rely on the local business for this project? Gotta give back to the community," he added and met the foreman's gaze head on.

  "I'll contact Greg Marshal," Donnell said. "He's the leadman there at Reeves."

  "Good." They strode back outside and he turned toward Donnell. "Thanks for handling all this. I should have another job for you in the near future. I've been talking to Mayor Dirkly about remodeling the arena and the fairgrounds. Would you be interested in working on the project?"

  Donnell grinned. "Sure would, Mr. Casper."

  "Tye," he corrected. "Good. As soon as I have all the details, I'll arrange a meeting with Greg Marshal. So the both of you can work out all the details."

  "No problem, and thank you, Tye." They shook hands.

  Tye strode back to his truck, feeling as though he was finally heading down the right path.

  Now for his next stop.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Tye strode into Trinkets Galore to find Jolie giving two teenagers instructions on how to set up the booth at the fairgrounds. She then handed each of them a box full of items. Once they were on their way, she glanced at him.

  "What brings you by?" She sounded miffed as she headed around to the other side of the counter as if she wanted to put some distance between them.

  "About last night," he began, and she held up her hand.

  "Let's forget it ever happened. I'm glad you were smart enough to put a stop to it." She chuckled, but wouldn't look at him as she traced the design on the counter. "It wouldn't have been smart on our part to fall into bed – again." Finally, she did look at him and he wished she wouldn't lick her lips the way she was doing right now. It just made him want to kiss her.

  As for making love to her… It would never be wrong in his way of thinking, but he knew she wasn't ready for the commitment he wanted from her. She was in love with what they had in the past, and what they meant to each other when they were teens. She wasn't in love with him now. "You're right," he said. "It would have been a mistake."

  "Oh...of course," she stammered. "It would have been."

  He nodded. "We're married though."

  "But—"

  "Let me finish…please," he added and she fell silent. "We're married. I know this is a problem for you, and we can talk to Mayor Dirkly and try and convince him to give us an annulment, but I'm s
till hoping you'll give me a chance…give us a chance. I'm not sorry we're married, Jolie. I know you don't want to hear that, but I'm not going to lie to you. My only regret is I didn't make it perfect for you. I botched that up big time."

  Her features softened as she peered at him. "I was there too. We couldn't have had a barroom wedding if I hadn't said yes." She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "You want me to give you a chance, but I have to be able to trust you," she said.

  "But you don't." Tye knew this. Could see it in the way she looked at him, as if she expected him to disappear. "How can I put your mind at ease?"

  "Last night Jhett said he was meeting with you on Monday. Why? The truth this time."

  "I want to help his company," he didn't hesitate to tell her. Sure, he only came up with the plan a few hours ago, but it was the truth now.

  "You want to help Jhett?" she said without hiding her doubt.

  "No, not Jhett. Truthfully, I don't even like the guy. I'm interested in the company. I have money, Jolie. I'm not the poor pathetic boy you knew with no means. I want to invest in Reeves Construction, turn it around, and make it prosper."

  "First off, I never thought you were a pathetic boy. I always knew you would make something of yourself."

  "The other night you didn't believe I could take you out to a nice restaurant."

  She sighed. "I guess it would look like that, but that wasn't it. I just didn't want you to think you needed to impress me with extravagant dinners. I'm a small town girl. I don't do fancy dinners."

  "Okay," he nodded. "No fancy dinners unless you say so." He gave her a smile and she seemed to relax a bit more. "What was the second thing?"

  "Why does Jhett think you're going to sue him?"

  He shrugged. "Can't answer that one. I have no idea. What would I be suing him for?"

  "For trying to run you out of town all those years ago. For beating you up… I don't know."

  Tye laughed. He didn't know he had Jhett so scared. "I don't think either one of those would hold up in court. Besides, what proof would I have? His word against mine, and not to mention, it is ancient history. What else do you have questions about?"

  She leaned her elbows on the counter. "Are you leaving town once the rodeo is over?"

  "I'm done with rodeos, and I'm tired of living out of a suitcase. I'm home for good. Skeeter Blue is where I want to be."

  They talked for nearly an hour after that with only a few interruptions from patrons. He even helped out by making some of the fancy coffees people ordered.

  He told her about going back to school and getting his Master's in geology and finance. She told him about her time away at the University of Houston.

  "I earned my Master's in accounting," she said. "My first job was at a Houston hospital in the accounting department. I enjoyed the experience, but I always knew Skeeter Blue was my home. I saved my money and came back here to open Trinkets Galore."

  The easy banter between them felt like old times when they would sit in her room, him on the floor, her lying on the bed, as they talked about the future and what they wanted to be when they grew up. Sometimes they would just talk about the latest issue of the comic book they were both reading, or they'd chat about the new movie they wanted to see.

  She glanced at her watch. "I don't mean to put an end to this, but I have to relieve the girls at the fairgrounds for lunch."

  He didn't want to go either. This bond they shared right now was still new, still so fragile, he feared if they said goodbye, even if it only for now, it would ruin the progress they'd achieved. "I'll walk with you to the fairgrounds," he offered. It would also give him more time with her.

  She locked the store and they headed on their way. As they turned the corner of Main Street, he could see the old cemetery in the distance with its tombstones, crosses, and statues. It's where generations of Skeeter Blue folks had been buried since Mr. Skeeter Blueford, or Skeeter Blue as he liked to be called, founded the town in 1849. He'd been a cattleman when he arrived in Texas with a wife and four boys.

  Tye's mother was buried in the cemetery. So was Jolie's. He didn't realize he'd halted his steps until Jolie spoke.

  "He's buried there," she told him and he looked at her. "Your father," she clarified. "He's buried next to your mother. He must have bought the plots together."

  He hadn't come home for the funeral. At the time, he'd wondered what was the point? His father hadn't been a part of his life when he was alive. What was the purpose of coming home, now that he wasn't?

  "Do you want to visit?" Jolie asked. "I still have time."

  He nodded, surprised at his response. They crossed the street and headed for the gate to the cemetery. Mesquite trees were part of the landscape, and bluebonnets peeked out of the whitewashed fence. He let Jolie lead him to the spot, even though he remembered where his mother was buried. He'd been to her gravesite when he was a teenager, more out of curiosity than anything else. When they halted their steps, he was surprised to see his father had a tombstone. He glanced at Jolie. "He had the tombstone paid for too?" he asked.

  "No. My father and I had one made." She shrugged. "Just seemed…I just thought he needed to have one."

  He pursed his lips. "Thank you." His throat tightened with emotion, which made swallowing difficult. Why was he upset? He hated his father, or at the very least hated what he'd become.

  Jolie moved closer to him. "It's all right to feel sad. No matter what. He was still your father."

  He wrapped an arm around her and she leaned against him. He needed this and he hadn't even known it. "Damn him." His voice choked. "Damn him for not being there for me when I was a kid. And damn him for not staying alive long enough so we could have fixed our relationship." He glanced at her. "I would have tried, you know. I kept thinking I had time."

  "I know."

  They stayed for a while longer and he waited for Jolie as she said a prayer at her mother's gravesite.

  When they headed out of the cemetery, they were holding hands. It felt so right for her to be at his side, and he hoped she felt the same about him.

  * * * * *

  Jolie watched Tye as he headed toward the arena. They were going to go out again later. They'd made plans for a late supper. He wanted her to give him a chance. If she were perfectly honest with herself, she wanted it too.

  She headed toward her booth. Whisper spotted her and waved. She wore her purple and pink outfit today that reminded her of a scarf.

  "How has the morning gone?" Jolie asked.

  "Good," Whisper said. "I just sent Mary Lou's girls on a break."

  "Thanks. Sorry, I was late getting here."

  "No worries. Did Tye have anything to do with you being late? Saw you two together." She winked.

  "Something like that."

  "Then you being late was definitely no problem." Whisper's lips curved. "Oh, I almost forgot. Your daddy was by earlier looking for you. He said he needed to talk to you."

  She frowned and pulled out her cell phone and noticed she'd missed three calls from him. She listened to the message he'd left her.

  "Jolie, we need to talk," her father's voice came in loud and clear. It was his 'all business' voice. Whatever he needed to talk about, it had to be important. In his next breath, she knew it was. "It's about Tye Casper and why he truly came back to Skeeter Blue." She knew why Tye had come back home. He told her this morning at Trinkets Galore, but still…

  "Do you want to go find your father?" Whisper asked.

  "What? Uh… No, it can wait." She slipped the phone into her back pocket.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  The morning proved different than Tye expected it to be. Jolie and he talked and all was good, but he hadn't expected the trip down memory lane at the cemetery. If he wanted to be perfectly honest, that had also been good. He felt a weight lifted off his shoulders, a weight he hadn't known he was carrying around, until today. Saying goodbye to his father had been something he had to do, but forgiving him had been
a surprise. Jolie had encouraged him to let go. She'd been there for him.

  You were there for me when my mother died, she had told him.

  He didn't think he'd done much. He was just there… He listened when she needed him to. Held her when she wanted comfort, and he let her use him as a soundboard when she couldn't keep the anger back.

  She'd been so angry when her mother had died. Death didn't just affect the person who passed on. It had a huge impact on the living as well. He'd been too young when his own mother died. He didn't remember her other than what his Aunt Gertrude had told him about her. His father couldn't be the parent he needed him to be, but he could now stop beating himself up for it. He couldn't have changed him or have been a better son. None of it would have helped. He knew that now. Deep down he'd always known, but today he faced the truth of it.

  Tye's cell phone buzzed and he fished it out of his pocket. "I have to get this," he told Buddy and strode a few feet away from the stalls where they were looking over their equipment for today's event. He was third in line to ride. They would be calling him soon.

  "Hello, Mayor Dirkly," he said as he placed the cell phone to his ear.

  "I've been avoiding your wife as best I can," the Mayor said. "I thought you were going to win the gal over. What in tarnation is taking you so long? You're a good lookin' fella, you're rich, and you both love each other. So why is Jolie still hollerin' for an annulment?"

  "I don't think you'll have to worry about her hunting you down," Tye said. This afternoon they had made some progress in getting to know each other again. They were going out on a date tonight too. Everything was looking up. "I'm working on it."

  "Work faster. I can only stall for so long. I know I owe you for helping me make this year's rodeo a success, and you promised to donate the money to rebuild the arena for next year's event, but I can't hide from Jolie forever. So get that plan of yours rolling or Jolie is going to think I've gone and killed someone and you know where the body is buried."