Cowboy Candy (12 page)

Mabel and Hugh were heading towards El Dorado.
She had left Gus in charge of the Pit Stop until she returned. She never
did like the feeling of helplessness that one feels when something spins out
of control. She was never one to take anything lying down, either.

Sick with worry, she silently prayed as they drove past the Mountain
Rose. She was wringing her hands and Hugh sensed that Maddy sure must
be special. Mabel was never one to wear her heart on her sleeve. . .but at
the moment, it was out there for all the world to see.

“Hugh . . .slow down some. I see a black horse out yonder. Not too far
off the road. Let’s take a look see.”
The sheriff pulled to the side of the road and Mabel waved her kerchief
in the air like a flag. They half-walked, half-ran to the lodgepole thicket.
Mabel whispered.
“Oh dear Lord, please let everything be all right.”
Hugh had his hand on his service revolver, just in case.
“Mabel darlin’, I want you to stand back . . .no tellin’ what’s out there.”
“What? Hugh Franklin, why I never. I’m not some little kid, I have
protection.”
She smiled,reached into her bra, and pulled out a small pistol.
“Well, I’ll be. . .no mind, I know you. No point in tellin’ you to stay
back. Just stay close behind me.”
Mabel’s heart raced as they neared the thicket.
Hugh drew his revolver.
“You back there! Come out where I can see ya!”
Mabel held her breath as they heard the horse whinny and heard the
unmistakable sound of a woman’s voice.
“Hold on Hugh. . .it’s Grace Cash here. We’ve found Maddy!”
Mabel sighed with relief and felt like she was nearly going to faint.
They ran towards the thicket and gasped upon seeing Maddy’s physical
condition.
Too stunned to speak, Miss Mabel stood, motionless.
Maddy smiled.
“What . . .haven’t you ever seen anyone who’s having a bad hair day?”
They all broke into laughter and Mabel ran to give the girl a hug.
“Girl, I was worried half to death. That no-good, scoundrel thought he
had us all fooled. Half the town is out lookin’ for ya . .”
“Miss Mabel, I sure could use a piece of your pie and a strong cup of
coffee right about now.”
“Well, that’s all you had to say . . . c’mon, lets get you to the car.”

Jack groaned. The sun was beating down at him through the windshield
and he reached for his whiskey. He chugged some and threw the empty
bottle on the floorboard.

Stretching, he rolled down the window and checked his appearance in
the rearview mirror. He pulled out a comb and slicked his long hair back
and rubbed the stubble on his chin.

He stumbled out of the car to take a piss.
They had really made some
progress, but not as much as he’d have liked. No matter, those yahoos
back in town were probably headed in the other direction.

Climbing into the driver’s seat, he reached for the keys to start the
engine.
“It’s a great day to be alive. . .Awww, where’s my manners?
Hey you,
you in the back seat . . .time to rise and shi. . .”
His words caught in his throat. He spun around and noticed the bitch
was gone!
“Fuck! You rotten bitch . . .”
He thought he was hearing things. . .was that a horse neighing?
Before he had a chance to turn his head, he heard the unmistakable click
of a double barrel shotgun.
He slowly turned his head and stared up the barrel.
“I wouldn’t make any sudden moves, if I were you.”
The old cowboy thought he had the situation under control, did he?
This wasn’t the first time Jack had been in this position. Last guy that
pulled this stunt ended up in the hospital.
“Get the hell out of the car . . .slowly.”
Jack smirked and reached for the door handle, stepped out of the car
and brazenly confronted Walt.
“Just what in the hell do you think you’re doing, old man?”
Walt remained poker faced and kept pointing the rifle.
“Shut up and walk to the front of the car.”
“What? You sure as hell ain’t talkin to me, are ya? What if I don’t?
huh? What are you gonna’ do about it you old son of a bitch?”
Suddenly, he heard a booming voice from behind.
“Surprise, motherfucker . . .Let’s play!”
This time there were two clicks, as Dusty pulled two pistols from his
holsters.
The old man spoke.
“I tried to warn ya, but no . . .”
Dusty grinned.
“Let me tell you what he’s gonna do. He’s gonna step back while I wipe
that smirk off your ugly face, permanent.”
Jack spun around, and before he knew it he was face to face with the
muscular, G. Q. cowpoke.
“Well, if it isn’t . . .”
He pulled a hunting knife from his pocket and swiped it menacingly
through the air in Dusty’s direction.
In one sudden movement, Dusty kicked the knife from his hand,
grabbed him by the hair, and slammed his face onto the hood of the car.
Jack yelped in pain as Dusty spun him around and grabbed him by the
throat, damn near lifting his feet off of the ground. The toes of his cowboy
boots barely touched the dirt and he knew he was in trouble.
“You worthless piece of shit. You like goin’ around hurtin’ women?”
Jack gurgled and Dusty released his grip.
He tumbled to the ground in a heap and crawled towards the car,
groveling.
“I only came to get what’s mine. . .”
Dusty pulled him up by his hair and spun him around.
“Wrong answer.”
Dusty belted him across the mouth, drawing blood.
“Let’s see how you like being dragged you dumb son of a bitch!”
In a lightning fast motion, Dusty was up on his horse and swung his
lariat . . .it tightened around Jack’s chest.
“Hold on . . .please mister. I didn’t mean to do any harm.”
Dusty spurred the horse and took off at a gallop.
Jack’s body flipped up in the air like a wound up spring and he landed
with a thud in the dirt. The cowboy was dragging him across the field as
thorns, rocks, and twigs tore at his skin.
Dusty spurred the horse in the other direction as Jack screamed like a
pansy ass little girl. They were headed back towards the road when the
Sheriff and Mabel pulled onto the scene.
Mabel put a hand on Hugh’s arm.
Dusty galloped back to the car, with Jack still screaming for dear life.
He dismounted and untied him, dragged him to his feet, and shoved
him towards the sheriff.
“I believe this is what you’re lookin’ for Sheriff.”
Hugh pulled out his handcuffs and began to read him his rights.
“You have the right to remain silent . . .”
He felt a grip on his shoulder and Miss Mabel stepped into the fray.
She walked up and stared Jack straight in the eyes.
She hauled off and belted him one in the mouth.
“That’s for lyin’ to me . . .”
She belted him again.
“That’s for trashin’ my hotel room. . .”
Finally, she hit him square in the nose. There was a sickening crack as
the blood came gushing out all over the front of his shirt.
“ . . .and that’s for hurting our Maddy,” she fumed and spit a wad of
chew in the dirt at his feet.
Dusty and Walt could barely contain their grins.
Hugh himself was
close to breaking out into laughter.
Jack moaned.
“Please, get that woman away from me.”
Infuriated, Mabel kneed him square between the legs. He crumpled to
the ground in a blubbering heap.
“And that’s for callin’ me maam . . .”

All eyes turned to see a vision in white walking slowly down the haystrewn pathway. She was wearing a layered ivory gown with hand beaded
accents and a sweetheart bodice.
Her chestnut hair cascaded down her
back and framed her heart-shaped face. Her veil was simple but elegant,
and her bouquet was made of red roses and white jasmine.

Her big chocolate eyes were lined with a charcoal pencil, her cheeks
were blushing, and her mouth was painted a distinctive shade of red. She
was tanned, tone, and utterly female. Both women and men oohed and
aahed as she slowly walked past.

On her arm, was a handsome and distinguished cowboy.
He had a
white shock of hair peeking from the under a black Stetson hat.
A single
red rose was tucked into his lapel, and he was about as cowboy as they
come. He was grinning from ear to ear and held a comforting hand on top
of the trembling, yet perfectly manicured hand of the bride.

Behind them, an adorable
blue-eyed groomsman carried a
basket
containing two wedding rings in his mouth. People laughed and smiled as
he passed by, wearing nothing but a white bandanna around his neck. He
appeared to be smiling and glanced from side to side, but he didn’t falter.

As they approached the altar, Maddy Cassidy glanced up at her groom
and gave him a shy smile. Walt delicately flipped the veil from her face and
kissed her cheek. The groomsman followed Maddy up to the altar and took
his seat beside Dusty’s feet. Everone cheered as Maddy reached into a bowl,
gave him a pat on the head, and fed him a treat. Tuffy was adorable, and
appeared to be smiling.

Dusty was dashing in a matching black tux, ostrich boots, and a single
red rose in his lapel. His black hair was gleaming in the sunlight and the
smile he flashed at his bride made every woman’s heart swoon.
His blue
eyes burned into hers and she blushed, but didn’t look away.
He was the
man of her dreams and the love they shared was unbreakable.
She was
taking his name today, Maddy Cassidy would soon be a thing of the past.
From this day forward, she would be known as Maddy Cash.

Dusty had never seen any woman look as magnificent as she did right
now. He had dreamed of making love to her from the moment they had
met. And now, she was taking his name. Who could have predicted that a
detour in the road could lead her to him? Life worked in mysterious but
wonderful ways, sometimes.

The crowd grew silent as they exchanged vows and he placed a
magnificent ring on her finger. They repeated their wedding vows while
looking directly into one another’s eyes. Finally, they kissed and the entire
gathering erupted with whoops and hollers.
Grace and Mabel both stood
there looking as proud as mother hens. They were laughing and crying at
the same time and dabbed at their eyes. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house
as they turned and proceeded to walk together as man and wife.

It seemed that the entire town of Grand Valley had showed up for the
festive occasion. People began to congregate towards the large tent that had
been set up for the reception.

The tent was adorned throughout with long tables covered in red and
white checked gingham. Jam jars were strategically placed down the center
of each and were filled with roses, night blooming jasmine, and clover.
Of
course, jars of delicious Cowboy Candy lined each table, as well. Delicate
white tealights were strung from the ceiling and hurricane lamps illuminated
the reception area with a romantic glow.

The tent was buzzing with excitement. Finally, a voice boomed over the
loudspeaker . . .
“Ladies and Gents, we are proud to introduce Grand Valley’s newest
bride and groom . . .Mr. and Mrs. Dusty Cash!”
The crowd erupted in cheers as Dusty escorted his magnificent bride to
their seats. Their table was adorned with bowls of night blooming jasmine,
babies breath, and red roses. Tealight candles were lit and placed into jam
jars.
The centerpiece was designed to surround one particularly special
wedding gift. A fruit crate was surrounded by spirals of ribbon and roses.
Sitting atop the crate was a large empty cider jar . . .it was filled to the brim
with money . . .a sign taped to the outside read, “honeymoon fund.”
Maddy could feel the love emanating from the people of Grand Valley.
Everyone was congratulating them as they made small talk with their
guests. This was the happiest day of her life and she felt as if she were in a
fairytale. He suddenly rose from his seat and held out his hand for their
first official dance together.
The crowd grew quiet as Dusty escorted his bride to the dance floor.
He took her in his arms and kissed her. Everyone was spellbound as he
looked into her eyes and pulled a white bandanna from his pocket. She
grinned and took it from his hands, bent down, and tucked it into her garter
belt. The tent erupted with whoops and whistles. Every cowboy in town
knew what the bandanna signified.
“Good thing I have plenty of these stashed away, won’t have to worry
about running out any time soon.,” he grinned.
She looked at her with a gleam in her eye.
“We’ll have to see about that, cowboy.”
He kissed her again and looked towards the stage.
The band announced that the groom had made a special request.
A hush fell over the tent as a Charlie Rich tune began to play over the
loudspeakers.
My baby makes me proud, Lord dont’ she make me proud . . .
. . .She never makes a scene by hangin’ all over me in a crowd.
Cuz people like to talk, Lord don’t they love to talk. . .
But when they turn out the lights, i know she’ll be leaving with me.”
As they whirled in each other’s arms, the crowd began to sing . . .
. . . And when we get behind closed doors, and she lets her hair hang
down, and she makes me glad, that I’m a man . . .
Oh , no one knows what goes on behind closed doors.
This book is dedicated to country girls everywhere,
and to the cowboys who love them . . .