Rodeo Blues Page 15

  Jolie took a ragged breath and turned away, but paused when she caught sight of the DVD Mayor Dirkly had given her, peeking out of her purse hung on one of the pegs. Tye asked if she'd watched it. Mayor Dirkly must have mentioned he'd given it to her. How else would he have known she had it?

  What had she said at their wedding? Obviously, Tye remembered. The night was a blurry mess and she wasn't sure what she said or what was a dream and wishful thinking. She strode over to her purse and lifted the DVD case. Then she headed for the DVD player in the living room.

  Once the machine took what she offered like a greedy animal at feeding time, she picked up the remote and turned on the television. She'd been so preoccupied with the papers and the truth behind Tye's motives for coming back to Skeeter Blue, watching the DVD had slipped her mind until he'd mentioned it.

  "Why am I torturing myself?" she murmured. She should just toss the thing in the trash and call it a day. Her thumb seemed to think otherwise and pressed the play button.

  The picture filled the TV screen with a scene from the poolroom in Big Bob's Saloon, where all this mess had begun. Whisper, Buddy, and Mayor Dirkly were there too, along with Sonny, Jimmy, and Mike in the background. Jimmy had his violin in his hand as if he planned to play a tune. She wore a veil of some sort on her head. On closer inspection, she realized it was a lacey tablecloth, ones used for special events booked at the saloon – like wedding receptions. She pursed her lips. Of course, what else would she wear for a poolroom wedding?

  "Wait, wait," herself on the DVD announced and waved her hands in the air for silence.

  She turned up the volume on the television set so she wouldn't miss her profound words of wisdom on what should have been the most special day of her life.

  "I just want to say a few words," herself said.

  "Go on, honey," Whisper encouraged. "We're all listening." Buddy had his arm around Whisper and was grinning as if auditioning for a toothpaste commercial.

  She rolled her eyes and turned her attention on herself again. She stood surprisingly tall, and she looked...happy. "Of course, you're happy," she reprimanded. "You drank yourself stupid." Only she didn't think she could have drank enough to gaze at Tye in such an adoring manner. He had removed his hat sometime in the night and his hair appeared combed. He sported a bowtie made from a cloth napkin. Boy, weren't they a fashionable couple?

  "I love you, Tye," herself on the TV began.

  She couldn't help but snort in disgust, but she continued to watch as she backed up until the back of her knees hit the sofa and she sat down.

  "I've loved you when you were all but a boy, with scraped knees and elbows, and with feet too big for your body."

  "Nice picture you've painted of me," Tye said, but his oh, so kissable mouth slid into a smile.

  She placed a finger on his lips. "Shush now. I'm not finished."

  He nodded. "Go on, darlin'."

  "Good. Now, where was I— Oh, yes. Then I loved you more when you were there for me that night my mama died. You weren't my crutch, but my strength, my support…my friend," she said the last in a deeper voice, with meaning.

  Tye brushed a tear from her cheek with the pad of his thumb.

  "I thought we'd have a dozen babies by now," she told him as she caressed his cheek.

  His brows lifted and he chuckled. "A dozen? My, oh my, Jolie, that's a lot of pressure."

  Buddy whistled and Whisper nudged him with her elbow to keep quiet.

  "Okay, maybe two or three," she amended with a shrug.

  "We can still have a family," Tye said. "I would love that. I would really, really love that." He moved closer, so close…

  "Me too," she said and her breath hitched.

  He leaned in to kiss her, but she must have come to her senses and placed a hand firmly on his chest. "Now don't you get carried away. I don't mean I want to start that family this minute, Tye Casper. Wait for the honeymoon."

  This made Buddy chuckle and Whisper couldn't help but join in, but then she sobered and made Buddy behave too.

  "As much as I want all of this," her gaze swept over Tye, "and more." She cleared her throat. "How do I know you won't leave me again?"

  "Aw darlin', you don't, but I'll do all I can to make sure you never doubt me. Of this, you have my word. I love you, Jolie Lockhart. Loved you since the first time I saw you. I've never stopped loving you."

  "It's true," Buddy piped up. "Boy's been dreaming about you. You should have heard some of those dreams. Why, there—"

  Whisper elbowed him in the ribs and Buddy grunted. "Shush," she told him.

  Tye and Jolie smiled, their foreheads touching.

  "Are we going to get on with the ceremony?" Mayor Dirkly asked.

  "Yes, yes," Tye said. "Marry us proper, so I can take my bride to bed."

  Jimmy played the wedding march with his violin and Mayor Dirkly married them proper, as Tye requested. She was about to turn off the DVD once the cherry stem rings were exchanged, but then she realized there was more. Whoever was filming had turned off the camera, but now it was on again. Tye's face came into view after some adjustment to the camcorder was made.

  "Jolie, it's your husband," Tye said and his lips slid into a big grin. "Guess, you would know that." He was happy. No doubt about it. His eyes radiated with happiness before he became somber. "Come tomorrow, you probably won't remember we did this." He held up his ring finger and wiggled it, "But if you happen to see this here video, I want you to know… I want you to believe me. I'll do good by you. It's an absolute promise." He looked directly into the camcorder, directly at her – or so it seemed. She shifted uncomfortably on the couch as if this recorded version of Tye could actually see her.

  The video ended then, went to black, and the silence seemed to loom at her, mocking her for claiming the wedding had been a sham when the proof of it was right there on the DVD – it hadn't been.

  She leaned back on the couch and hit her head on the backrest then screamed in frustration, the pent up aggravation seeming to have a life of its own. "It doesn't mean anything," she shouted to the room, to the universe...to convince herself. Declarations don't mean a darn when said while drunk, and it didn't change the fact: Tye was here to close down Reeves Construction. End of story. End of Skeeter Blue.

  "How's that for doing good by me?"

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Tye stormed into the office where Jhett sat behind a carved oak desk. Probably created by the Reeves Construction's lumber, the very company Jhett was running into the ground from his poor investments and gambling debts. Two men sat in chairs across from Jhett. When one of the men turned in his seat, Tye paused in the doorway, then his eyes narrowed.

  "What in the hell are you doing here, Jon?" he demanded of his cousin. They were supposed to meet tomorrow morning.

  "Hello, Tye." Jon stood with a frown. "What has you all in a fluster?" He lifted his hands to the side as if he were approaching a cornered animal with caution.

  His gaze riveted to Jhett, who had yet to do anything but stare with his dumb-as-dumb-can-get look plastered to his face. He sported one hell of a shiner, probably from the fight the other night.

  He glanced at the other man, who hadn't stood, but eyed him over the rim of his glasses. He sported an expensive Italian suit. Must be the company's lawyer.

  "Does he know?" he addressed Jon as he motioned with his thumb toward Jhett.

  Jon let out a tired long sigh. "He knows. We were going over the details of the merger. You wanted me to draw up the papers, get the ball rolling. Didn't we talk about this yesterday when you were at the hospital? I would start the negotiations and you and Jhett would meet tomorrow along with the rest of Reeves' board members to sign the papers."

  "Yeah, well, that was until Jhett decided to send my girl incriminating information before I had a chance to explain my motives had changed."

  Jhett actually looked surprised at the accusation. His brows rose high on his forehead and his eyes widened as he shook h
is head. "I don't know what you're talking about," Jhett's said and he could almost believe him. "If you're hiding something, that's on you," he added with a harrumph. "I didn't send Jolie any papers. How could I send her anything when I'm just sitting down to see the legal papers now for the first time?"

  His gaze shifted to his cousin, who lifted a shoulder in a shrugged. "You might want to listen to him," Jon said. "Jhett's agreed to the merger. He's even agreed to your stipulations that he check himself into a facility for his gambling problem. There's no reason for him to lie to you. Think about it, Tye-Bo, this is all in Jhett's favor. One, gambling debts paid," he said and lifted a finger to count off. "You're investing in the company and bringing them out of the red," he lifted finger number two, "—a substantial sum, I might add, and you've contracted a deal for the company to remodel the arena as soon as the papers are all signed." Finger number three joined the other two.

  "Why would I sabotage this?" Jhett added and glanced at his lawyer, who lifted his hand and shook his head as if to tell Jhett to pipe down.

  Confusion seemed to be a catchy thing in this room. If Jhett didn't try to make things difficult between him and Jolie – well, more difficult than they already were between them – then who sent her the papers? Since she'd glared at him as if he'd grown horns and sported a pitchfork, the papers had to be the first draft he had drawn up. Obviously, not the final one – the one that counted.

  Then it dawned on him who would be worried about Jolie and her welfare, and who would have enough pull in this town to find out what he planned. He turned to leave and didn't stop when Jhett called after him.

  "We still have a deal, right?"

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Tye didn't know Dr. Lockhart's schedule at the medical tent, but he'd find the man even if he had to drive to his house. He knew where he lived. He spent enough time there when he was young and could probably walk there blindfolded.

  He halted right outside the tent when he heard the good doctor's voice. He took a deep breath to compose himself. It would do no good to come barreling in and blasting the man he wanted as a father-in-law.

  When he entered, Dr. Lockhart was dismissing his patient, who happened to be a boy about eight. His arm sported a comic strip band-aid on his elbow.

  Tye tipped his hat to the mother as they left. The boy had a lollypop between his lips and appeared much happier – if the tear-stained cheeks were any indication of how the day had been going for the kid. Dr. Lockhart had been kind to him too, at one time. He thought when he spoke to him the other day they were okay, but now he wasn't so sure.

  Dr. Lockhart gave him a once over before he returned to his work, but his eyes said all Tye needed to know. The man had not forgiven him for hurting his little girl all those years ago. Really, Tye couldn't blame him. If he ever had the pleasure of becoming a daddy, he'd be just as ticked off if some no good cowpoke broke his little girl's heart, and then thought he could ride back into town and pick up where he left off.

  "What can I do for you, son?" Dr. Lockhart asked as he cleaned off the tray and disposed of the items in a bin marked hazardous waste. The latex gloves came off next before he lazily turned to peer at him, a direct look – a father-in-arms look.

  "Why'd you do it?" he asked Dr. Lockhart. He didn't think he had to give him any other explanation.

  "You want to play it direct now, do you?" Dr. Lockhart asked with a nod. "Didn't seem like it was your style when I came across them papers."

  He'd like to know just how he came across them papers, but why bother asking? This was a small town. Everyone knew everyone's business. You couldn't throw a gum wrapper in the trash without everyone knowing what brand you'd chosen. So he knew it wouldn't be long until everyone nosed into his business regarding the town.

  Only Dr. Lockhart hadn't been updated with the most recent bit of news. Not the man's fault. Nope, it was his. "I was handling the situation," Tye said. "I was going to come clean with Jolie once I had everything in order. Now she's angrier than a nest of hornets."

  "What did you expect me to do?" Dr. Lockhart narrowed his gaze. "You went and married my little girl, my only daughter – in a poolroom, no less." His voice had risen and he paused to take a deep breath. He straightened his white jacket and stood taller as he regained some semblance of control. "I had you checked out. You went to some fancy schools. Got yourself a degree to go with your learning, so I guess you did more with your life than just getting yourself knocked on your head. Made me wonder why you'd be needing such a thing as a geology degree, if you were breaking your back on the rodeo circuit. Then I remembered the oil drill on your daddy's land. It's been the talk of the town for the last six months." When Dr. Lockhart paused, Tye figured that was his cue to speak.

  "My father used to go on all the time about the terrain and how some geologist had done a seismic survey of the area and how sniffers detected hydrocarbons. I had no idea what he was babbling on about. Thought it was the drink talking. It wasn't until I started school that I realized my father knew there was oil on our land. He just didn't do a darn thing about it. I couldn't even fathom the reasons. After he passed, I had the land analyzed myself."

  "So they were right. There was oil."

  He nodded.

  "So why are you going to shut down Reeves Construction? How does ruining a company fall into your plans?"

  Tye heard the note of disappointment burning in Dr. Lockhart's questions. He hadn't exactly wanted to ruin the town, but then he hadn't thought through his whole revenge plot. He'd forgotten how he loved Skeeter Blue with its hot summer nights, mesquite trees, and bluebonnet flowers growing wild. But most of all, he'd forgotten the summer nights and the girl who made this town a place he wanted to live his life and with her by his side. Revenge lost its appeal the moment he came to terms on who would suffer right along with Jhett Reeves.

  A ruthless businessman he was not, but he did know finances and he knew he could bring the business back around with his new venture. So his plan of revenge turned into a plan to save the town. "I did want to shut down Reeves Construction. I won't lie." He held up his hand, hoping the doctor would let him finish. "It had been the plan in the beginning, but then I realized what a mistake that would be. It's what I've been trying to tell you." He wasn't trying to play the hero now, but a man who wanted to please his woman. Yep, he would be the first to admit he was doing a piss poor job of it so far.

  Dr. Lockhart harrumphed. "No? Son, have you told so many tall tales, you can't figure out which ones are the truth? Lies will only hamper the marriage," Dr. Lockhart said.

  He blinked in surprised. "Marriage?" he voiced in disbelief. Dr. Lockhart wanted to give him advice about marriage when he all but put a kink in it. "She wants to annul the marriage, or hasn't she told you? Even more so now, since you gave her the documents – documents you had no business having, let alone being able to pass them around as if they were flyers to a good hoedown."

  "They were your plans. She would have found out sooner or later. I chose sooner."

  "Plans change, as I've said, and as soon as everything was in order, I planned on telling Jolie everything."

  "Son—"

  "Stop calling me that. With all due respect, sir, I am not your son." His voice had risen and Dr. Lockhart pursed his lips together as he peered at him, surprisingly not with anger, but more like… Heck, he wasn't sure what, but his stance had changed, seemed more relaxed.

  "Duly noted," Dr. Lockhart finally said. "If you have nothing to hide, what I found out and shared shouldn't matter in the least."

  He cursed beneath his breath. "I was setting it right. Jolie loves Skeeter Blue and everyone who lives here. And I love Jolie – make no mistake there. I've made a deal with Reeves Construction. I'm not closing the company, sir. I'm investing money into it with hopes of turning the company around."

  Dr. Lockhart's eyebrows arched high on his forehead and he stared at him with a tilt of the head. Probably trying to decide if he were lying or not.
"So you say. It better be the truth."

  "It is."

  "Okay then," Dr. Lockhart said and turned away as if the conversation was over.

  He cleared his throat. "Sir, I need you to set things straight with your daughter."

  Dr. Lockhart had the audacity to meet his gaze and full out laugh. "That's your job. If you want my daughter, you need to convince her you're worth the trouble."

  * * * * *

  Tye stepped outside the tent. Frustrated, he cursed under his breath as he marched toward the stables. How was he supposed to fix this? He told Jolie he'd sign those annulment papers in the morning, and once he did, what was going to stop her from doing the same?

  He didn't have another event, but he was supposed to show the pre-teens who'd taken the afternoon riding lessons how to brush down the horses, feed them, and how to care for them properly. "Set it right, he says after he's gone and made it near to impossible to do any such thing." He cursed Dr. Lockhart's interference again.

  As he neared the stables, he spotted Buddy who strode over and then fell into step beside him.

  "Where've you been?" Buddy asked. His clothes were covered in dust and he looked hot and sweaty. He could still see some of the face paint he used on the side of his neck. He must have come from an event. "How's Chris Burns doing?" Buddy asked. "Been worried sick. Everyone has been. Thought you'd call by now."

  "What?" Then he remembered he had a missed call on his phone from Buddy. He'd forgotten to inform him on Chris' condition, but with everything else going to hell in a hand basket, it slipped his mind. Well, add inconsiderate to the long list of faults he was racking up faster than he could keep count. "I'm sorry. Chris is fine…or will be once the bones heal. He didn't break his back, thank God. His wife is with him now."