Cowboy Country (38 page)

Mommy and Daddy had to kiss and make up for good. She couldn’t stand the thought of either of them not in her life. But what could she do? She was just a kid.

Maybe Aunt Darcy would have some ideas. She’d ask while they practiced. In the meantime since Uncle Virgil hadn’t come back, she better try her hardest to win the mutton busting contest, so Daddy would love her and be proud of her and stay with her and Mommy.

She couldn’t lose Daddy now.

CHAPTER 11

Thursday passed in a whirlwind of last minute glitches. The sheep had kicked down a fence and several escaped. Feeding, checking on the stock of bulls and broncs for the rodeo, and it was a mad rush getting Regina’s entries to the judges on time.

By Friday morning Sterling was exhausted. He was no closer to figuring out how to win Regina’s heart. He’d spent over an hour on the phone, calling everyone he could think of searching for Virgil and no one had seen or heard from him. Where could the kid be?

He was a complete and utter failure, ruined and hurt so many lives.

Sterling wasn’t sure he’d even attend today’s events. He’d probably screw that up too. The thought of being around Regina and not being a couple was more than he could handle. He wanted to show his support, but if she ignored him or worse, avoided him, he couldn’t guarantee how he’d react. And he’d already blown it too many times since he returned.

Maybe he should just suck it up and plan to spend time with Silver. Yeah, that was it. At least he’d feel like he was a participating parent.

He left the barn after feeding Luther intent on calling Regina for permission to spend time with his daughter. His hand closed around the screen door when a car pull up the drive. He turned. The sight of Regina’s car surprised him. He hadn’t expected to see her.

The car came to a halt and Silver jumped out. “Daddy, we’re going to the Spring Fling with you.” Silver’s excitement vibrated from her little body.

He stared at Regina’s smiling face, so different from their last encounter. She blushed under his scrutiny.

“Hi.” She batted her lashes at him and widened her smile.

“Hi yourself. I’m surprised to see you here.” If he didn’t know better, she actually seemed happy to see him.

Silver grabbed his large hand in hers and began to swing it.

“I did a lot of thinking and there’s been enough blame to go around. I thought I’d break the ice and see if you’d go with us to the Spring Fling today.” Regina’s lashes fluttered bashfully.

He almost fell over. She wanted to spend time with him. “I don’t know what changed your mind, but I’m in. Let me go take a quick shower and we can head out.”

“Sounds good, I’m a bit nervous. I hope I do well with my entries,” Regina said.

“Entries?” he said.

“Yeah, I’ve been entering Jams, Preserves, and baked goods for the last few years. I need some wins under my belt for a good sales gimmick when I open the bakery in conjunction with the restaurant.”

“I didn’t realize your plans were so big.”

“That’s why I need to make as much money as I can. I want to turn the storage space Carl has next door into a small bakery.”

“Where do I sign up to become one of your taste testers?”

“That’s my job, Daddy,” Silver piped in.

“I think there’s room for another taste tester, don’t you, sweetie?”

“Only if it’s Daddy.”

Sterling choked up. It almost sounded as if they had a future. “Thanks honey, I wouldn’t mind sharing that duty with you.” He tousled the top of his daughter’s head.

“Hurry up, I’m hungry. I wanna get a corndog and some cotton candy.”

“Yeah hurry up Daddy, we’re waiting.” Regina sent him a smile, her eyes twinkling like she had a secret.

“I’ll be right back. Why don’t you go see if Mom needs help? She’s packing a picnic lunch. She has enough for an army.”

“No surprise there, she feeds one daily. I think you boys can put away more food than all my customers during the morning rush at the Blue Moon Cafe.”

“We’re growing boys.” He chuckled, enjoying Regina’s playfulness.

“Go get your shower. We’ll be waiting for you.” She blew him a kiss, just like old times.

Sterling went up the steps of the front porch with Silver between them holding their hands. He  held the door and took a deep breath as the rush of emotions overwhelmed him.

He released his daughter’s hand and took the stairs to the second floor two at a time. He didn’t want to waste another moment. Second chances didn’t come along often and he wasn’t about to blow this one.

Rushing through his shower he toweled off and pulled on his underwear and socks then tugged on his best pair of jeans. They were snug. He didn’t realize he’d added so much bulk to his legs while he was gone. He tried on three shirts before he could find one that he could button without leaving gaps. He had to roll the sleeves up because the buttons didn’t reach the holes at his wrists. Until now, he’d worn his military camo pants and t-shirts. He’d have to go shopping, and soon.

After brushing his hair, adjusted his eye patch, he put on his good straw hat. The Resistol Regina had given him for his birthday before he left for boot camp. He brushed the dust from the hat, fingering the rattlesnake skin he’d added around the brim. His hat in place, he stuffed his stocking feet into his boots and trotted downstairs.

Regina and mom had the baskets packed.

“Silver, will you go tell grandpa we’re ready to leave,” his mother said.

“Sure Grandma.” Silver flew out the screen door hollering for her grandfather.

His mother grabbed her purse then her hat and pushed through the door. The phone rang. His mom blew out an exasperated breath, went back inside, set the basket and her purse on the counter. As  she grabbed the phone, she covered the receiver and said, “Go on ahead, I’ll be right out.”

“Hello.” Mom’s eyebrows drew together.

Sterling put his arm around Regina and waited for his mom on the back porch. He peeked in to hurrying her along.

Moments of silence followed while she listened intently. “I understand. Really I do. You do what you have to do. I’m here if you need anything.”

His mom’s voice caught and heard her swallow a sob.

“Yes, we’re about to leave for the Spring Fling. No, Blake and Wyatt didn’t make it home, but everyone else is here.”

His mother sniffed.

He stared through the screen.

More silence.

Then mom eyed him and turned her back on them.

Why?

“I’ll tell her. I’m sure she’ll understand. Call me tonight please.” She wound the cord around her finger.

All at once he knew who was on the phone.

Virgil
.

He reached for the door and stepped inside. The door hit his butt.

Mom hung up. When she whirled around there was no mistaking the tear she tried to wipe away. “Is everyone ready?” The phony smile plastered on her face didn’t fool anyone.

“Mom, I wanted to talk to him. I need to apologize.”

“Another time, we need to leave, dear.” Mom grabbed her purse and the basket then blew past him.

She wasn’t fooling anyone. His mother was upset and putting on an act.

Silver came through the door. “Hurry up, we need to leave.”

Regina stared at him, her happiness no longer evident. Gone was her smile. She placed a hand on his arm. “We’ll figure it out, I promise.” Then took his hand in hers and led him to the car.

“Grandma and Grandpa said I can ride with them. That way when Mommy has to leave for work we won’t have to leave too.”

“Work. You’re working tonight? I thought maybe you’d take it offHe had to bite his tongue to keep from voicing his thoughts. “No problem, maybe I’ll just drive Mom to work.”

“You don’t have to do that, I’m fully capable of getting there on my own,” Regina said.

“I have nothing better to do tonight, so why not?”

“Why don’t you babysit Silver at my house and we’ll talk when I get off?”

“I can do both. I’ll have Dane meet me for a beer then he can drop me off at the ranch and I’ll pick up Silver.”

“But Daddy, Grandma promised Aunt Darcy could take me on the rides tonight.”

“Did your mother agree?” He turned to Regina.

“That’s right I forgot. Darcy wanted to take her to see the sheep before they left so she’d relax before she rides tomorrow then take her on some of the rides.”

“I’ll go along with whatever your mom says.”

Silver hugged her parents then ran to her Grandfather’s truck. She climbed into her car seat and his mom fastened her in. They departed first.

“Relax, she’ll be fine.” Regina placed a hand on his arm.

“I was just hoping to spend some time with her.” Who’ have thought he’d have to schedule time with his own kid. He should have known better with a family this size.

“And you will, don’t worry. By the way, how’s your pitching arm?” Regina tilted her head, give him a wink.

“Fine, why?” What was she up to?

“Because I thought maybe I’d let you win me a prize.”

Her coquettish expression made him chuckle. “Did ya now?” He didn’t know what had changed, but he was glad all the same. He hated conflict between them.

“I still have every single stuffed animal you gave me.” She clung to his arm the way she did back in school. The look in her eyes made all the years melt away. Back to when it was just Sterling and Regina. This is what he missed about them. The closeness. The look of love in her eyes, just for him. They belonged together, always had.

Sterling couldn’t stop himself. He leaned down, tipped her chin up, and kissed her.

****

Regina was anxious, tugging Sterling to the VFW Hall to see how her entries had done.

Regina roamed aisle and aisle, shelf after shelf, looking for her name. “Oh my gosh—look.” She pointed at a blue ribbon next to her Apricot Jam.

“Here’s another,” Sterling said fingering a second place ribbon on her Apple Butter.

On and on they went, Regina gasp to discover several other first prizes for Strawberry, Blackberry, and Blueberry Jams. Another second place for her Plum Jam. And thirds for salsa, pickles, and relish.

“This is so exciting. I had no idea they’d do so well.” Regina was practically dancing. Her confidence was up. Maybe she really could do the restaurant and bakery and be a success.

“If you’re impressed with those you better sit down because I see a Best in Division with your name on it.” Sterling picked up the jar. “Banana Jam, really?” Sterling cocked a skeptical brow at her. “Never heard of it.”

Regina clapped her hands then reached for the jar. “I can’t believe it.” Her eyes welled with tears

“I was already to make an Elvis joke when you squealed. What’s Banana Jam, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“It’s something I came up with to put on the pancakes, waffles, and crepes at the Blue Moon. The customers really like it. Carl suggested I enter it.”

“I don’t know—sounds kind of weird.”

“Come by on Monday for breakfast and I’ll make you some. The customers swear by it.”

“Guess I’ll have to break down and try it then.”

Lena rushed up and said, “You have to get over to the baked goods.”

“Why?”

“I have the camera ready. I want a picture of your face,” Lena said.

Regina scurried off the baked goods, Sterling rushed to follow her. Silver and Nate grinned then stepped aside with a flourish.

“Ta-da!” Silver said excitedly, pointing out that she’d won not just First Place, but also Best in Show and Best in Division for the Raspberry Custard Tart.

“Oh my.” Regina’s hand flew to her mouth then had to fan her eyes to keep from tearing up. Why was she so emotional today?

“Congratulations Honey, you did it.” Sterling draped his arm around her shoulders then kissed the top of her head. “With awards like these your bakery will do great.”

She was speechless. She hadn’t imagined she would do so well and to have Sterling by her side celebrating with her and to have won so many awards. She basked in the glory of the day.

Dane and Darcy walked up then.

“Wow, look at you. Did you let anyone else win anything?” Dane teased.

“Way to go Gigi.” Darcy hugged her.

“I’m overwhelmed.” Regina still couldn’t it.

As they all made their way out of the Hall Darcy asked, “Can I take Silver to get her corn dog and walk around the games?”

“Sure,” Regina said. “What time should I have Sterling pick up Silver tonight?”

“Did you forget—I’m keeping Silver tonight?”

“Sorry, I’m so excited I forgot.”

“We’re going to get in a bit of practice early tomorrow morning. We can’t let that Stoddard kid win.”

Regina cast a furtive glare at Darcy. She didn’t like how this contest was becoming a vendetta. “Silver, is that okay with you?”

“Sure Mommy.”

“That’s fine, but Darcy, let’s keep the negativity to a minimum. I don’t like the idea that this is turning into a war between the Broncos and the Stoddards. That’s not how I want to raise my daughter.”

Darcy laughed. “A little good clean competition is good for the soul.”

“I agree, so long as it doesn’t hurt the kids. This is about Silver, not you and Jake.” The Broncos were intense, but she couldn’t allow her daughter to get caught in the middle.

Darcy put her hands up acting innocent.

Regina recognized that facial expression. Darcy was out for blood, no two ways about it. Poor Jake and Bruce Stoddard, they were in serious trouble.

Darcy and Silver skittered off.

After a lovely picnic lunch of fried chicken, potato salad, pickled green beans, and sweet tea, with lemon bars for dessert, Regina and Sterling held hands as they wandered among the games of chance.

Dane tagged along.

Regina couldn’t stop laughing at all the girls and women flocking around Dane. He was a magnet for the female sex of Studdland, Texas.

Sterling grabbed her hand and tried to ditch his brother. “Come on, let’s get out of here. This is embarrassing.”