Sea Of Grass (23 page)

Jack grinned and kissed her on the cheek. “Okay, Mom.”

As he started to rise, Claire held his hand. He looked down and cocked his head. “Thank you, Jack. I love you very much.”

“I love you, too.”

Claire sat back, once again wiping the tears from her eyes as she watched the boy she once knew become a compassionate young man. “I did okay,” she said with a loud sniff.

Tess opened the bathroom door to see Claire slowly opening Tess’s bedroom door.

“Boo!”

Claire let out a screech and whirled around. “Don’t do that!” Claire exclaimed as she put a hand to her heart.

Tess chuckled by way of an apology and toweled her hair. “Just what are you doing lurking around my bedroom?”

“Making sure you’re still breathing. After how angry you were last night, I thought you’d give yourself a heart attack.”

Tess scowled, remembering a few short hours earlier. She wanted to strangle Pat. She walked by Claire and into her room, tossing the towel on a nearby chair.

“This is one hell of a situation, Claire. I know Telford’s behind the stampede and last night.
Geezus
, he could have killed so many innocent people. In two months, we have to drive the herd to Colorado. We’ll get a good price for the beef, then Telford can go straight to hell. Just two more months,” she said wearily.

“You’re tired, Tess. Why don’t you take it easy today? Jack’s taking care of the stable. Later your father is going to take him out riding. He’s…” She stopped and bit at her bottom lip. Tess gave her a curious look.

“What? Tell me.”

“Jack has hinted at the possibility of going on the drive to Colorado. I’m not sure about it, but he wants to and Jed’s been teaching him how to handle a horse, and every time I see him, he looks older, and I’m wondering if I shouldn’t let him go…”

Tess grinned at the adorable rambling and put her hands on Claire’s shoulders. “If my father thinks he’s ready and it’s fine with you, then he can go. He’s a young man and you have to let him grow up. My father and I have discussed it. We can’t believe how quick he’s taken to life on the ranch.”

Claire walked away from Tess and stood by the window. “I had a talk with Jack a little while ago.” She turned and chuckled at Tess’s stunned look.

“And how did that go?”

Claire rolled her eyes. “It was unbelievable. He’s turned out to be a very compassionate and intelligent young man.”

“Who loves his mother.”

Claire nodded. “Yes. We’ll talk about it later. Right now, I’m emotionally drained.”

“Was it a good talk?”

“Yes.” Claire reached up and kissed Tess on the lips. “It was very good. And we will talk. It’s just a lot to absorb right now.”

“I’m glad. For both of you.” Tess pushed Claire toward the door. “I’m starving.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Chapter 16

It was nearly five o’clock when Chuck and the men rode back, tired and dusty. Claire stood at the sink and noticed Tess was not with them. She knew Tess was out before dawn.

Pedro, Manny, and Kyle sat at the long table, talking about the day. Claire watched Chuck as he finished and walked to the kitchen door.

“Where is she, Chuck?” she asked.

“Out at the north pasture,” he said tiredly as he looked out. “Luke and Stan are watching the herd at the south. When they’re done, I’ll send Pedro and Manny to relieve them. Me and Kyle will relieve Tess when she gets back.”

They watched as Jack practiced his roping on poor Clover. The calf patiently helped her companion.
 

“He’s getting good at that. I swear Tess is the only other young person who took to ranching as quickly as Jack has. He’s a good young man. Reminds me a little of Stephen, gentle like, but mostly of Tess. He’s got her spunk. Jed adores him.”

“I know. We’re so lucky to be here.”

He smiled. “Oh, I dunno. I
kinda
think we’re the lucky ones.” He looked out the back door. “Speak of the devil.”

With that, they saw Tess, Luke, and Stan riding up. All three were sweaty, tired, and full of dust. Tess slowly dismounted and Jack dashed up to take Stella. Tess smiled wearily and ruffled his head and petted Clover, then slapped her rump to get out of the way. The calf bleated her annoyance as she scooted.

All three riders immediately went to the horse trough. Claire grimaced. “What is it about that trough?” she asked completely confounded while she watched Tess grab a towel and dry her head. Chuck laughed quietly.

As Tess walked in, Claire had a plate ready for her. “Sit down and eat,” she ordered. “Not on the table,” Claire said over her shoulder. Tess set her Stetson on the back of the chair. The fact that Tess didn’t argue was not lost on Claire; she watched her with a cautious eye.

“Okay, finish up,” Chuck said, and every hand quickly went to the plate of biscuits.

Tess laughed tiredly. “I don’t blame you. Just save me one.”
 

“Go ahead, take them. I made more. I swear I’ve never made so many biscuits in my life.” Claire poured Tess a cup of coffee.

“Chuck, make sure Stan and Luke get something to eat. They were up with me this morning.” Tess rubbed her face. “Where’s Dad?”

“He’s in town with Claude. He wanted to be there when they paid the bank,” Chuck said with a grin.

Tess grinned, as well. “Damn, I wanted to see Telford’s
face when he made the payment. When is he bringing over his cattle?”

“He said he’d drive them over tomorrow. It’ll take the better part of the day.”

“I’ll go over there tomorrow. I think we can squeeze them in on the south pasture.”

“I think so. Why don’t you let me do it, Tess? Take a load off tomorrow?”

“That’s a good idea,” Claire said. “You’ve been running yourself ragged for the past three weeks.”

“I know. I just want to make sure nothing happens. I have a bad feeling here with two months to go before we drive them to Colorado. I don’t trust Warren Telford as far as I could throw him, the fat…”

“More coffee?” Claire gently interjected.

“Well, I’ll get a few of the boys and head out.”

“I’ll swing by later tonight,” Tess said between mouthfuls.

“You will not. You’re taking a hot bath and going to bed,” Claire said, dismissing the topic.

Tess glared at her and avoided Chuck’s grin. “Claire,” Tess started.

Claire ignored her. “Have a good night, Chuck. I’ll keep the coffee on for anyone who wants it. If you guys are out too late and get hungry, just let the men know. Good night, Chuck,” she said again.

Chuck shrugged and gave Tess a helpless look as he walked out.

“Now you go and get out of those filthy clothes. I’ll run your bath.” Claire walked out of the kitchen.

Tess sat there, frowning. “I thought I was in charge here.”

She glared at the kitchen door as she heard Chuck’s laughter.

Claude and Jed sat at the large desk waiting for their banker. The tall skinny man sat down with Claude’s file.

“What can I do for you, Claude?” he asked sadly.

The owner of Holcomb’s Farm grinned and took his billfold out of his jacket pocket. “Well, Mike, I’m here to pay my mortgage,” Claude said too loudly. He saw Warren Telford standing by the teller’s window. Both men knew he could hear them.

Mike tried to suppress his elation. “That’ll be seven thousand dollars, Claude. How did you want to pay?”

“In good old American hard-earned dollars by good
honest
people,” he emphasized, and Jed tapped his knee. Claude cleared his throat and started peeling off the one hundred-dollar bills.

Jed tried not to grin as Claude emphatically counted. Mike tried not to show any emotion at all. “Six thousand nine hundred and seven dollars,” Claude finished and pushed the stack of money toward the banker.

Over in the corner, Warren Telford puffed on his cigar and watched.

“Uh, Claude, you could have just wired the money instead of all this cash.”

“Oh, I know. Just making a point,” Claude said with a satisfied grin.

“Okay, here’s your receipt. Next payment is due on…”

“October 5, 2010. That’s after the cattle drive. You’ll have the next payment before that.”

Both men stood. “A pleasure doing business with you. Have a good day,” Claude said happily. Jed shook Mike’s hand.

Mike grinned and shook his head. “You and Tess are good people, Jed Rawlins,” Mike whispered and gave his hand a healthy pump, then quickly dropped it, lest his boss see him.

As they walked out, Jed noticed Ethan Drummond follow Telford into his office.

“What’s the Drummond boy doing with Telford?” Claude asked as Telford grinned and closed his door.

“I don’t know. He’s been away for nearly two years. Now he’s back, and it looks like he’s in tight with Telford.
Kinda
curious, though,” Jed conceded as they walked out of the bank.

Tess lay in the steamy bubbles. “I haven’t had a bubble bath in ages.” She sighed and put her head back on the deep old claw-footed tub. She grinned evilly as she heard the knock at the door. Closing her eyes, she heard the door creak open.

“Tess?” Claire whispered.

Tess feigned sleeping as she lay still. She heard Claire giggle and desperately tried not to follow suit.

She heard nothing but very heavy breathing and the sound of a bottle being opened. Then she heard nothing but the deep breaths.

“You going to give me that beer or just stare?” Tess asked with her eyes closed.

“Oh! Damn you, Tess Rawlins,” Claire said, trying not to laugh. Tess opened her eyes and laughed as she reached for the icy cold beer. Claire handed it to her as she sat on the edge of the tub.

Tess took a long pull from the cold bottle. “Ah! That’s good. Thank you.” She sighed and closed her eyes once again. She ran the cold bottle across her forehead. “Now tell me what you and Jack talked about.”

Claire took a minute to start. Tess figured she was choosing her words. “You can say anything you want.”

“I know. I suppose I thought Jack was innocent and knew nothing. That I was being careful, trying…”

“To protect him.”

Tess saw the sadness in her eyes and reached over to take Claire’s hand.

“Yes, I suppose I was trying to protect him. But he figured it out on his own.”

“Figured what out?” Tess leaned back in the bubbles and closed her eyes.

“That I’m a lesbian and he’s okay with that.”

Tess opened her eyes. For a moment, she said nothing. “He’s a good young man. You’ve done a fine job with him.”

“I’m not sure about that, but I agree with you. He is turning out to be a fine man.”

Tess waited, hoping that Claire would expound on what she and Jack talked about. When Claire remained silent, Tess grinned. “Wash my back?”

Claire laughed and picked up the soapy cloth. “Do not challenge me, Miss Rawlins.”