Rodeo Blues Page 7

  Funny no matter how many good things happened in his life, the bad times always reared their ugly head and tried to overshadow them. He could dredge up those days in a blink of an eye – Jhett terrorizing him while his buddies helped. One night in particular really got under his craw.

  After prom, he'd dropped Jolie off at home with a smile on his face and dreams for a future that would never come to be…

  Jhett and his friends were waiting for him when he arrived at home. His father had been passed out inside and was oblivious to his son getting the bejesus beat out of him.

  "What do you want?" Tye eyed the three boys flanking Jhett, all football players with more brawn than brains. By the smell of them, they'd been having a private party with Jack Daniels.

  "I want you to stay away from Jolie Lockhart, that's what," Jhett said, his words drawn out as if his tongue had been stung by a bee and had swollen twice its size. "She's my gal," he spat.

  "Seems she doesn't know you laid claims on her, Jhett, since she went with me to the dance."

  "Why you piece of scum. You're trailer trash, trying to live it high with someone out of your class. You need to be taught a lesson."

  "What? And you think you're going to do it?" Tye chuckled and realized only too late he probably shouldn't have laughed when he stood outnumbered. His gaze shifted to Sean Partridge and Gunner Boggs standing behind Jhett with attitudes to match their thick biceps.

  Jhett swung his fist, but Tye saw it coming and ducked. Jhett whirled around hitting air and his friends chuckled until Jhett threw them a lethal glare.

  "Don't just stand there," he ordered. "Grab him."

  "Crap," Tye breathed, knowing he wouldn't have a chance if the others joined in. He took a swing at Jhett. It would probably be the only one he'd get. He heard the crack as he made contact with Jhett's nose, who then screamed like a little girl, high pitch and hysterical, until anger took hold. Blood spurted everywhere, making Jhett madder than a hornet, searching to sting someone's hide.

  Tye put up a good fight, but three against one didn't give him much of a chance – a black eye, bloodied lip, and two cracked ribs later, he figured he got off light. The beating hurt less than the words did. He believed he didn't deserve Jolie. The beating only reinforced what he already knew in his heart.

  Yeah, some memories of Skeeter Blue weren't so grand.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Jolie placed the bills in the cash box and handed the bag to the customer.

  "Jhett Reeves is heading our way," Whisper said with a nudge.

  She followed Whisper's line of vision and frowned.

  Whisper clicked her tongue. "My, oh my, he doesn't look none too pleased, does he?"

  His lips were pursed and his brows were knitted together as if they were trying to kiss. Not a flattering sight for Jhett Reeves and normally he wasn't a bad looking guy. Finally, he reached them at the booth with no how-do-you-do or anything of the sort in greeting.

  "Are you seeing that no good trailer trash again?" he blurted out, making a couple at the booth turn their heads toward them in surprise.

  "Do you mind lowering your voice?" she hissed. "You're scaring the customers."

  He glanced at the couple and seemed to realize they weren't alone. "Pardon the interruption," he said and nodded toward them with a dip of his head. He then turned his attention on her once more, while Whisper stepped around her to take care of the customers.

  "Did you forget he dumped you?" he asked and leaned near her in an attempt of a whisper, but didn't quite succeed. "Did you forget how you cried your eyes out over him?"

  Jolie remained calm when all she wanted to do was punch Jhett's arrogant face for calling Tye no good trailer trash. Two seconds flat. Yep, amazing how fast she could go from being a mature woman one minute, and then acting like the teenager who would punch anyone who said an unkind word about Tye Casper.

  "Well?" Jhett demanded to know.

  "Not that it's any of your concern… Tye and I are… letting the past stay in the past. We were kids last we spoke, and why dredge up old news when we could get to know each other as adults." Yeah, jumping into bed seemed the best place to start. Very adult-like. She cleared her throat and shifted her weight to her other foot. "Besides, what Tye and I had is ancient history. Things have changed."

  "Is that so?" His nostrils flared. "He's no good for you, Jolie. Did you know he's spreading a rumor you two got hitched last night?"

  "He told you that?" Not that she believed she could keep the marriage a secret… "Don't worry about what he said." She waved him off with a chuckle.

  Jhett's cool gaze slid over her with disdain. "Fool woman, he'll only bring you down. You don't date or marry beneath you. Didn't your daddy ever set you straight?"

  God, the man could make her see red. "Money doesn't mean squat to me."

  "It should. You can't live on kisses and hopes."

  She forced herself not to roll her eyes. "Listen," she began only to be sidetracked when she caught sight of Mayor Dirkly with his large brim cowboy hat. He strode toward their way, but when his gaze locked with hers, he did a great imitation of a deer caught in the headlights.

  "Excuse me," she said to Jhett and strode around the booth.

  Mayor Dirkly whirled around and nearly sprinted in the opposite direction, looking over his shoulder as if he believed she'd chase him down.

  Jolie frowned at his odd behavior. What the heck was going on with him? "You can run, but you can't hide, Mayor Dirkly," she murmured under her breath.

  "What did you say?" Jhett asked as he came to stand by her.

  For a moment, she'd forgotten about him. So much for hoping he'd take her advice and leave her alone. "Nothing."

  He didn't miss a beat as he babbled on about relationships and other such nonsense. "I thought we were dating," he said.

  She pinched the bridge of her nose, feeling a headache coming on. "When were we ever dating?" she interrupted him.

  "I asked you out, didn't I?" he sputtered with indignation.

  "I don't recall saying yes, and asking doesn't constitute dating."

  "You would have said yes," he insisted.

  She placed her hands on her hips. "What is it with you cowboys thinking I'm going to fall at your feet?"

  "Who else thinks so?"

  "Never you mind. Now get, Jhett. I have a booth to run here and it's not a dating service."

  "We aren't finished," he said as he turned on his heel. The man always had to have the last word.

  Oh, he was right there. They weren't finished because they never got started. She refrained from saying so, letting him fade into the crowd. "Good riddance," she said beneath her breath as she went back to join Whisper in the booth.

  "Now I get what you were saying about Jhett babbling on so," Whisper said as she fanned herself from the heat. "Why didn't you just say you were married to Tye?" she asked. "Would have shut the man up right then and there."

  "'Cause this marriage isn't sticking. As soon as I get a hold of Mayor Dirkly, that is."

  "So your husband doesn't have a say?"

  She glanced at Whisper. "We're discussing it at dinner." He was taking her out. She would bring it up then – again. Just because he was taking her out, it didn't mean it was a real date or anything. She had to eat. He had to eat. It was two adults sitting down having a meal and discussing what they needed to do to set things right.

  "Dinner, is it?" Whisper wagged her eyebrows. "Will there be dessert too?"

  "Just you never mind. I won't be falling for his tricks to tumble me into bed a second time."

  Whisper laughed. "Maybe I should worry about Tye then." She winked as she turned to greet the family who walked up to their booth. "Well, howdy ya'all," she played up the Texan drawl for the tourists. "Where are ya'all from?"

  "California," a girl about six years old with red hair and freckles said. "My name is Maddy."

  "Well, aren't ya just the purdiest girl ever," Whisper said.

 
; Jolie felt her phone buzz and fished it out of her pocket. There was a text from Tye: Looking forward to seeing you tonight.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Buddy followed Tye, strides matching his. "Where are you heading now?"

  "The medical booth," he said as he stuffed his phone in the back pocket of his jeans. He'd just texted Jolie telling her how he looked forward to tonight.

  "You hurt?" Buddy yanked on his arm, stopping him in his tracks and giving him the once over.

  Tye pulled his arm free. "No, I'm not hurt, but who knows, after I see the doc I might be." He continued on his way, leaving Buddy to stare after him.

  Arriving at the medical tent, Tye took a deep breath before he entered. Dr. Lockhart glanced up from a makeshift desk with a smile only to flatten his lips into a fine line when recognition sunk in.

  Tye removed his hat. "Hello, sir."

  Jolie's father tossed his pen on the portable table and removed his glasses. "Unless you're bleeding, Tye Casper – even then I'm not sure I would lift a finger – you best be moseying on right out of here."

  The man always knew how to intimidate him. "You have the right to be angry with me, sir."

  "Is that so?"

  "Yes, sir, I believe you do. I let your daughter down."

  "You broke her heart, is what I remember," Dr. Lockhart snapped.

  "Yes, sir." God, the intensity of Dr. Lockhart's dark stare could suck the air right out of his lungs. Brought back memories of when he'd pick up Jolie for a date. He cleared his throat and lifted his chin. He wasn't a teenager anymore and he'd be damned if he'd back down now.

  Dr. Lockhart's dark eyebrows arched and his gaze traveled over him with what he could only perceive as respect. "Are you going to tell me why you're back in town then?" Dr. Lockhart asked. "Why now, after all these years?"

  It was no time to mince words. It wouldn't be long before word reached him that he and Jolie were married last night. "I love your daughter. Always have."

  "You had a funny way of showing it. Been gone near to ten years, if I recall it right."

  "I didn't think I deserved her back then."

  "And you believe you do now? Can't say that I'm not a little curious to know why."

  "Well, sir, I have the means to support her now."

  Dr. Lockhart sat back in his seat as he regarded him. "She's been doing just fine taking care of herself, without you. What makes you think she needs you now?"

  "I meant no disrespect. Jolie's a smart and beautiful woman. I had no doubt she would make it in this here world. What I meant to say is: I have a bit of money myself now. No one will look down their noses at her for picking the boy who lived in a trailer down yonder."

  Dr. Lockhart stared at him for a long measured moment before he shook his head. "If you believe Jolie ever cared where you lived, you're a bigger fool than I thought."

  His brows furrowed. "Sir?"

  "No one judged you, son. Not in my home."

  "Really. 'Cause where I stood, it sure looked that way. You were never pleased with me dating your daughter and don't go denying it."

  "I won't." He sighed. "Of course I resented you. You were taking my little girl away. If you have a daughter of your own someday, perhaps you'll understand. You make your own way in the world. Your daddy lived in a trailer. Didn't mean you had to."

  "I'm not my father," he said with conviction.

  "I'm glad you finally figured it out on your own." He narrowed his eyes then. "I hope you're planning on remarrying my daughter in the church. I'd like to be the one to give her away."

  Tye brushed a hand over his face and inhaled deeply before letting out his breath in one long whoosh. "You heard the news?"

  "Of course I heard. You say you love my daughter, make her happy then. That's all I ask."

  "I plan to."

  Dr. Lockhart put his glasses back on and picked up his pen. "Then you best get a move on it, boy. I heard she was a might put back to find herself hitched. Make sure she doesn't think her prince is truly only a frog."

  He frowned at the doctor's choice of words, but answered, "Yes, sir." He shoved his hat back on his head.

  "And Tye?" He looked up now and met his gaze.

  "Yes, sir."

  "There's been rumor that some big shot, who owns the oil drill on your daddy's land, is planning to move into a house he's building there. Do you happen to know anything about that?" His brows lifted in meaning.

  "Big shot, is it?" He shook his head. "I heard the guy was a decent fellow."

  "Hmm… I sure hope he is." Dr. Lockhart returned to his paperwork and Tye escaped out the flap of the tent before the man fired any more questions his way. He would reveal all, but not until he told Jolie first.

  To his dismay, Buddy had followed him and was standing there waiting for him with a big cheesy grin plastered to his face.

  "Don't say it, Buddy. So help me, don't say it."

  "Yes, sir." Buddy laughed as he fell in step beside Tye.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Jolie stood in front of the full-length mirror in her room and stared at her reflection. Behind her, clothes were strewn all over her bed from her attempt to find just the right outfit to wear on her date with Tye Casper. Date? "I'm married to the man," she said to her image in the mirror. "Mrs. Tye Casper. Jolie Lockhart Casper. Mrs. Jolie Casper." She shook her head, but a whisper of a smile touched her lips before she frowned.

  How many times had she stood in front of the mirror when she was just a teen and dreamed about marrying Tye? Well, now she said the 'I dos' and the fact didn't please her one iota. They would have their date and discuss how they would annul the marriage. He'd have to see the logic in the suggestion. Surely, he didn't mean to marry her and then pack up and leave town. "Serve you right if he did," she said to her reflection. "This is what you get when you drink and then make a life changing decision. …And I'm talking to myself."

  Her thoughts turned to the conversation she had with her father earlier today. He'd asked her if the boy had come back a man? Good question. Having Tye fix the mess they found themselves in would prove he had.

  Her gaze skimmed over the pink and burgundy sundress she donned and grimaced. She never did like this dress on her. She turned away from her reflection and tugged it off. Tye had texted her and told her they were going somewhere fancy. Only fancy to Tye could mean she should wear high heels with her jeans and not her worn in comfortable cowboy boots. Fancy around these parts was the Blueford's Coffee Shop on main. They had steak dinner and a piece of homemade apple pie for one low price as their summer special.

  She settled on another sundress, a vintage blue one that the store clerk had said matched her eyes. She reached for the pretty sandals with crystal-bling. She bought them on a whim when she visited a little boutique in Dallas. They were pretty, but not practical around these parts. "You said fancy," she murmured.

  She brushed her hair, letting the long tresses slide down her back in natural waves. She opened her jewelry box for a pair of earrings and noticed the cherry stem wedding ring lying on top. She should have tossed it. Before she could think about it a moment longer, she snatched the pearl studs and closed the lid. With the earrings in place, she glanced at herself in the mirror one more time before she headed downstairs to wait for Tye.

  Pacing turned out to be her activity for the next thirty minutes, along with counting how many times her stomach flip-flopped at the thought of where this night could lead.

  "Stop it," she told herself. "It's just a date. Not any different than the million others she'd gone on with Tye Casper, but he'd only been a boy back then. He was a man…a good-looking man…a man she'd already married. "I've really gone and done it this time," she murmured.

  The knock drew her attention and she halted her steps then stared at the front door. The knock came again. "Comin'," she shouted. She took a deep breath and let it out again before her hand reached for the handle.

  Tye stood there all decked out in a clean shirt and dark
slacks, and looking like sin just waiting to happen. His eyes assessed her and there was no mistaking the admiration glinting in those depths, making her glad she'd chosen this outfit.

  "Ready?" he asked with a slow smile.

  Hmm…Wasn't that a loaded question? "Yep." She reached for her purse hanging on the coat rack in the corner.

  Once they were both seated in the truck and buckled in, she glanced his way. "Where we going?"

  "It's a surprise." He winked at her.

  * * * * *

  Tye had a second chance to make things right with Jolie. Blow it this time, and he wouldn't have another. Tonight needed to be perfect, or at least as close to perfect as he could make it. He gave the woman he loved a sidelong glance and smiled. She returned the gesture. Boy, he'd missed that smile.

  "Tell me about your shop," he broke the silence, hoping casual conversation would pave the way to finding the camaraderie they once shared.

  "What's to tell?" Her slender shoulders lifted in a nonchalant shrug.

  "You used to tell me how you'd own a shop one day. You wanted to sell…what were they called…Bits and Pieces Wind Chimes."

  She chuckled, her laughter like angel's bells to his ears – sweet and musical. He loved the way her eyes crinkled when she smiled and the way her dimple on her left cheek winked.

  "Do you mean my wind chimes made out of glass and bits of metal and other odds and ends? God, no. Those wouldn't be worth spit."

  "I don't know." He glanced at her. "I kind of like them. You gave me one for my birthday one year."

  She tilted her head and her lips curved. "And you still liked me?" She shook her head. "I sell other trinkets now, all sorts. You should stop by the shop and take a gander."

  His gaze riveted to hers, wondering if she would take back the offer, but she didn't. "I will. I'd like that."