Montana Wild (13 page)

Without thinking Jamie climbed into the corral, ran through the ranch hands and into the center of the yard, running to Jack. Knowing that their yelling and wild gestures were agitating him even more, she held up her hand authoritatively toward the ranchers.

“Stop! Everybody stop!” She shouted at them and they did so, looking at her in utter surprise with her commanding voice. Now that she’d gotten the hands under control she focused on Jack.

“Jack.” Jamie spoke in a loud but calm voice. Lola was still screaming. A crowd gathered and watched the spectacle.

“Shut up, Lola!” Jamie looked at her with a stern face, “Shut. Up.” Lola stopped screaming and sat on her butt in the dirt, whimpering.

Jamie advanced slowly toward the rearing horse, giving him wide birth but trying to get in his line of vision. He kept circling as she kept moving at a safe distance. Calling his name over and over again she needed him to see her, hoping the sight of a friend would calm him.

“Jack. It’s okay, Jack. It’s okay.” Jamie kept repeating in a soft but firm voice and held out her hand.

“It’s me, boy, it’s okay. Jack. Whoa, boy. It’s okay.” Over and over again she repeated and stepped cautiously toward the flustered stallion. He stopped rearing but was still running circles. He slowed as he seemed to catch sight of Jamie approaching.

“It’s okay. Jack. It’s okay, boy. Come here. It’s okay. Shhhhhh.” She spoke calmly to Jack who slowed to a walk. He eyed her as if to ask,
Is that you Jamie?
“Yeah, it’s me boy, it’s me. Everything’s gonna be okay.” Slowly he trod over to her, nuzzling her outstretched hand. Lola screamed and Jack was off again, rearing.

“Shut up, Lola!” This time one of the hands quieted her.

“Come on, Jack, she’s done, she won’t hurt you. C’mon, let’s go in the barn.” Softly she stepped toward the retreated Jack and he slowed again. The horse looked from right to left then strolled toward her.

“That’s a good boy. Yeah. That a way. Shhhh. Everything’s gonna be okay. Shhh . . .” Jamie held out her hand and Jack nuzzled it. Taking hold of his reins, she led Jack toward the gate. One of the hands opened it and as Jamie was walking Jack out, she nodded toward Lola and instructed him to “Get her out of there!” She had suspicions that Lola had deliberately agitated the animal somehow. Jack wouldn’t go off on people like that without cause. Jamie was pissed! So hard she had been trying to convince the ranchers that Jack had a gentle spirit and Lola had managed to set that thought back a few decades. She knew Lola was not innocent in this. What the hell had she been doing in the corral anyways?

Jamie escorted Jack out of the corral, into the barn and back into his own stall. He needed to be in familiar surroundings to calm him down. She spoke to him the whole time.

“Now what do you think you were doing there, Jack?” She secured him in his stall and started to brush him down, providing her the opportunity for some hands-on therapy to relax him. Talking soothingly to him, she brushed him with slow deliberate strokes.

“Now, what do you think you were doing out there, huh? I know you might not be crazy about her. I’m not either, but she’s Kevin’s girl and we’re just going to have to accept that. We have to get along with her. I know it’s not easy for either of us, but that’s how it is. Okay? You and me, we are going to have to help each other do this. Yeah, boy, I know.”

Jamie spoke non-stop to Jack and did not hear Kevin approach. To say he looked upset would be an understatement.

“Jamie, what the hell just happened?” he bellowed pointing toward the corral, his face red, and his eyes burning fire.

“What do you mean?” she asked, baffled by his fury.

“Tell me you did not just walk up to a wild, violent horse!” Kevin spelled it out loudly.

“No I didn’t. But I did walk up to Jack, if that’s what you mean.” His blatant exaggeration of Jack’s behavior added to her outrage of the whole scene.

“That’s exactly what I mean!” His anger was palpable. She stopped brushing Jack but kept her hands on his back.

“Well you didn’t want your girlfriend to get hurt, did you?” she shouted back at him, defending her actions.

“She’s NOT my girlfriend! And if you would just listen to me I could explain that.” Kevin’s face softened and his voice calmed. “But more importantly, I don’t want you hurt or killed,” Kevin confessed as he came closer and placed his hand on top of hers on Jack’s back.

“Jack wouldn’t hurt me.” His touch unnerved her and she moved her hands away from his.

“You don’t know that.”

“Yes I do. I knew that if I could get him to see me or hear me, he would calm down. I just needed to get her to stop screaming.” Jamie couldn’t hide her disgust of Lola’s behavior. “And it worked. I needed to get him away from her. I don’t know what she did but she did something to set him off. I know she did.”

Kevin paused for a moment. “How’d you know that Jack would respond to you?”

Jamie looked guilty but said nothing.

“Promise me please, that you will never
,
ever do anything like that again. People have gotten killed doing less than that.” Kevin pleaded in a quiet voice.

“I couldn’t let them hurt Jack. They were like an angry mob and they were agitating him more.” Jamie knew she was right but he wouldn’t agree with her.

“I don’t want you to get hurt,” he repeated and looked into her eyes.

“Too late.” Jamie blurted out before she could stop her words and tears started to well.
Damn, stop that
!

Kevin went silent. He reached for her hand again. “Jamie, I . . .”

Suddenly Jack snorted and stirred restlessly in his stall.

“KEVIN! That horse almost killed me! Did you see that! I want him put down. He’s dangerous!” Lola screamed again, looking a bit haggard now, black mascara running down her face mixed with tears as she strode toward them. “He needs to be put down I tell you, before he kills someone!”

Automatically Jamie’s hands fisted and she started toward Lola.
Let me at that bitch! Just give me one swing at her, Lord!

“Jesus!” Kevin shot an exasperated look at Jamie and stepped in front of her with his arms stretched out and stared her down. Reluctantly, Jamie halted as she threw a death glare at Lola. Kevin marched over to the wearied blonde, grabbed her arm, and escorted her out of the barn.

Jamie returned to Jack’s side and brushed him as her tears began to flow. This was therapy for her now.

Chapter 16

Jamie stayed with Jack for about an hour. By 5 o’clock the excitement of the day was over and everyone had returned to their posts. Jamie went to her cabin and showered. She wanted to crawl into bed and pull the covers over her head, but tonight was Ben’s night and she would be there for him. Once dressed, she headed over to his truck.

Excitement in his eyes, Ben appeared ready to go. “Ready?”

“Are you?” Jamie shot it back at him, smiling, hiding her troubles.

“Hell yeah!” He climbed into the truck and they headed to town.

They drove in silence for a while before Ben spoke.

“Jamie?” He glanced at her while driving, his brow furrowed.

“Yes?”

“I told you I don’t want to get into Kevin and your business, but you need to hear him out.”

“Pardon me?” His words took her by surprise.

“You need to hear him out. Give him a chance.”

“He’s got a woman staying with him and you want me to hear him out? Come on, Ben!”

“That’s just it. She’s not staying with him. She’s in his house, but he’s not.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean just that. The minute she moved in, he moved out. He’s been staying with me in my cabin.”

“Really?” Jamie whispered in disbelief.

“Yes really.”

“Well, why doesn’t he just stay in one of the empty cabins?”

“Because he wants a witness, an alibi to prove that he’s been with me every night, all night. And trust me, he’s been there. I love the guy and all, but two of us in that little cabin is mighty tight quarters.”

“But why . . .”

“Because of you.” Ben said no more and neither did Jamie. That information needed to be digested. A flicker of hope ignited deep in her heart.

Kevin had escorted the shrieking Lola to her room, lecturing her that if she hadn’t teased Jack with a rider’s crop, she wouldn’t have found herself in that dangerous predicament. After leaving Lola, he walked toward Ben’s cabin, rehashing the craziness in his head. He couldn’t erase the look of betrayal and hurt in Jamie’s eyes when she’d replied ‘too late.’ He’d taken that one to the gut and hadn’t known what to say. Hurting her was the last thing he ever wanted to do; Derrick had done enough of that.

After the excitement of the day, Kevin made his rounds of the ranch, making sure all was back to normal. Stopping at Jack’s stall, Kevin viewed the stallion with new eyes.

“Hey boy, how’re ya doing?” Kevin rubbed the horse’s muscular neck. He had a soft spot for this large steed even though he knew he had a wild side. “How is it that Jamie could talk you down, huh? I didn’t know you knew each other so well.” Kevin stroked his neck again. “G’night boy, get some rest.”

After securing the ranch, Kevin returned to Ben’s cabin to shower and get ready for the big night. As he’d walked around the homestead earlier, he’d discreetly looked for signs of Jamie, hoping he could give her a ride to the bar. The ranch looked deserted now, like Kevin was the last to leave for the show. As he drove, his mind wandered to Jamie and how he might persuade her to listen to his explanation of the uninvited guest in his home. As if on cue, Lola rose to a sitting position from her hiding spot in the back seat of his cab, almost causing him to veer off the road.

“Jesus, Lola! What the hell?”

“Well, you didn’t think I was going to stay at the ranch by myself while you all go in to town. I know what’s going on tonight, and I knew you wouldn’t invite me.” Primping her hair and her lipstick, she laid a hand on Kevin’s shoulder. “It’ll be fun . . . like old times.”

“No, Lola, it’s not like old times. Since you’re here, you can go but we’re not going as a couple. This is not a date. Do you understand?” He knew he didn’t have time to take her back to the ranch and still make the show, and he would not miss Ben’s moment. But all Kevin could think about was Jamie’s take on him and Lola walking in together.
Shit, I can’t catch a break.

Lola made eye contact in his rear view mirror but said nothing.

Ben and Jamie got to the bar early as planned. She helped him make sure the mics and stage were set. He checked the costumes which were still in the back room. Crystal was due to arrive early. Ben had offered to pick her up but she’d declined the ride. She wanted to have her own car so she could leave whenever she wanted.

Even though Ben wasn’t due to go on until 9p.m., the bar started to fill up early. People longed for an excuse to go to the bar and Kenny loved it because many were coming straight from work, so not only were they ordering drinks but burgers too.

They went to the back of the bar and reviewed the sound system and lighting. Everything seemed in place and Ben could relax. Jamie and Ben sat at the bar with a few of the regulars who kept reminding him that it wasn’t too late to give it up so they could all keep their money.

“No way. Susan said they’ve got big plans for the shelter with the money from tonight. I’ve got to admit, Jamie, I feel pretty good about that part of it.”

“And you should. You worked hard practicing and seeking pledges for this. You did good.” Jamie was proud of her friend.

“Well, it’s not over yet. It ain’t over till the fat lady sings!” They both laughed. “Don’t say that to Crystal, she’ll think I’m calling her fat!” They laughed again.

It was after 8 and Crystal was supposed to have shown by 7. Ben kept scanning the crowd for her as the bar was getting packed.

A short while later Kevin showed up . . . with Lola. They walked past Ben and Jamie, with Kevin nodding his greeting. Lola looked past both of them; she was all dolled up and had enough perfume on to dust crops. They sat at the bar close to the stage, near Rick and a few of the ranch hands.

Jamie remembered what Ben told her on the trip in. Was that true?
Of course it’s true, Ben would not lie to me. So what now
? The news surprised her but more importantly, relieved much of the gnawing pain that had been in her gut the past few days. Every time she thought of Kevin with Lola, she felt sick.
But what now?
She didn’t want to be too hopeful. She had started to accept the idea that there was no us.

Jamie worried for Ben’s sake; he looked nervous. His eyes searched the crowd every few minutes. He got dressed except for the big vest and wig which he had hanging behind the door. 8:30 and Crystal still was a no show.

“She’s not answering her cell. I hope she didn’t have car trouble. I knew I should’ve picked her up. Damn!” Ben was sweating and even Jamie felt nervous now too.

8:45 No Crystal.

8:50 No Crystal.

Ben was standing at the bar close to Kevin looking over the crowd when Jamie walked up to him.

“I have to finish getting ready now. She may be waiting to make a grand entrance.” His eyes searched the room.

Jamie started to walk away just as the bartender came over to Ben and handed him an envelope. Looking at it quizzically, he opened it and his face fell. With no expression, he laid the envelope on the bar next to Kevin and walked away.

Kevin picked it up and read the letter. Eyes blazing, his face turned to stone as he threw the letter down and followed Ben. Jamie watched the whole thing unfold but didn’t have a clue. What was in the letter? She walked back to the bar, picked it up and read:

Ben,

You’re probably standing at the bar dressed in your silly bell-bottoms and stupid wig. You’re always so high and mighty doing the right thing which makes me feel small and humiliates me. I know you always thought you were better than me. You’re so gullible, I had you going the whole time. From the start my plan was to humiliate you. It’s a win-win. Either you sing alone and humiliate yourself or you cop out and let the shelter down. Good luck, sucker.

–Crystal

Stunned, she stood there frozen, but only for a minute. Kevin was now talking to Kenny who was shaking his head.

Oh no you don’t biotch! Not on my watch!
Jamie thought to herself, adrenaline flowing and she went into autopilot.
Don’t even stop and think about it girl, because if you do, you’ll chicken out. Think of Ben, only Ben.

Ben and Kevin were talking seriously near the stage. The place was packed. Kevin shook his head and headed back to his seat at the bar.

Jamie went directly to Kenny at the back controls.

“Kenny, what’s happening? I know about Crystal.”

“That bitch!” Kenny muttered and took a swig of straight vodka from his bottle. “Sorry ma’am, excuse my French. Ben’s going solo.”

“Oh no, he’s not. Where’s Cher’s costume?”

Kenny looked at her blankly, then his eyes registered understanding and he shot up from his stool.

“Everything’s over here.” He led her into the small back room and helped her with the costume, turning his back as she changed. Crystal was smaller than Jamie so she had to struggle to get into the bell-bottoms. He helped her situate the long black wig since there was no mirror. Patting herself down to check that everything was in place, she felt a lump in her jeans pocket, reached in and retrieved Cher’s fangs. Jamie laughed to herself.
Hell, why not?
They exited the backroom and the bar was dark. Everyone was cheering for the show to start.

“Now listen, Kenny. Stall Ben for a minute; don’t bother telling him at this point, it’s too late. Shine the spotlight on him on stage to get him set, but once the music starts, put the light on me back here and I’ll come through the crowd like it’s part of the act. And one more thing - crank that music up loud, especially for Cher’s solo parts because I need to hide my voice. It’s awful!”

Jamie grabbed Kenny’s bottle of vodka and took a long hard drink.

Kenny kissed her on the forehead, “You’re an angel!” Jamie took another swallow of vodka, applied her fangs, walked 10 feet away from Kenny at the controls, and nodded.
All those years as a pre-teen singing in front of the mirror with my hairbrush better pay off!

Kenny shined the spotlight on Ben on stage in his get up and the crowd howled. Ben was in character; he had his back to the crowd and his arms up in the air. As the music to “I Got You Babe” started, the light dimmed on Sonny and spotted on Cher in the back corner of the room as she began to sing. The crowd applauded and whistled as they parted so she could make her way up to Sonny.

It was a good thing the light on Sonny was dim, because his mouth dropped open as Cher appeared in the light. She walked a path alongside the bar and glanced at Kevin whose eyes were open wide in obvious disbelief to see Cher. As she passed him she deliberately and firmly nudged his knee which caused him to look closer.

Kevin shouted above the crowd to Rick.

“That’s Jamie! It’s Jamie.” Rick nodded and grinned broadly.

As Cher neared the stage, Sonny came down the steps to offer his hand. Cher smiled at Sonny exposing her canines which made Sonny hoot. He winked at Jamie and squeezed her hand.

The two alternated their lines flawlessly, exaggerating all the Sonny and Cher moves and mannerisms. Luckily, the crowd was loud so you could barely hear Cher’s voice. Sonny and Cher swayed to the music, held hands, and playfully interacted like they had back in the day. As the music and singing climaxed the crowd stood up. Finally it was over and they received a standing ovation. Sonny hugged Cher and swung her around.

Above the crowd, Ben leaned over, whispered in her ear, “I love you!” and kissed her hard on the cheek. Jamie laughed with relief that it was over, finding it hard to believe that she pulled it off. Sometimes you just have to
kiss life in the face
!

Lola stole all the fun out of the night. A look of bored apathy coated her face the whole evening and every word out of her mouth was negative. She was sucking the life out of Kevin.

“Man, it’s so hot in here. Kevin, can’t you ask the owner to crank up the AC?”

“No, I’m not going to ask Kenny to turn it up. The place is packed and his cooling system is probably working overtime as it is.”

“The martinis are terrible here; they taste like Kool-Aid.”

“You’re at a country bar that serves mostly beer and whiskey. I suggest you switch to one of those.” His patience with her grew thinner by the minute.

“These chairs are not comfortable, and I’m hungry. Is there a classier restaurant where we can have dinner?”

“Order a burger if you’re hungry. I’m not leaving.”

Kevin was in a fouler mood, if possible, after reading Crystal’s letter. But once he saw Jamie on stage, his eyes never left her, and Lola sitting only inches away did not exist.

As the show ended, Kevin stood and applauded, hooting and hollering. Lola sat at the bar looking uninterested, inspecting her nails. As the applause started to quiet down, Lola leaned over to Kevin and commented, “Doesn’t that woman have any pride?”

“Better than that,” he answered, “she’s got class.”

The applause tapered, and the crowd sat down. Sonny and Cher descended from the stage but were stopped at every table. They stayed in character and made the rounds. Everyone was in a jovial mood and the party continued. Kenny was elated; it had been a long time since he’d had business like this. Kenny hugged Ben and Jamie.

Kevin laughed as he heard Ben try to convince Jamie that they should take their show on the road but she shook her head vehemently. Sonny and Cher stayed in costume and hung closely together. He wished he could celebrate their success with them.