The Last Cowboy In Texas (7 page)

“That’s my boy.”

After changing clothes, they set out to pick up Osmond Turner. Paige was sitting on the porch when Edgar pulled into the drive. When she saw
Troy
, her face darkened into a scowl.

“Paige must have eaten something that didn’t agree with her,” Edgar said. “She’s a lot prettier when she smiles.”

“You can say that again. Maybe I can cheer her up.”

Troy
got out and headed for the house. He’d gone only a few steps when Paige jumped up and dashed inside. He came back to the van. “Maybe not.”

Osmond appeared, carrying his gear. “Sorry to keep you fellows waiting.”

“No problem, Ozzie. Is Paige sick or something?”

“Don’t know. She hasn’t said ten words all day.”

* * *

By mid-afternoon, the three of them were well out on
Table
Rock
Lake
.
Troy
operated the small trolling motor as they worked one site and then another in search of the big ones. They were using the now-infamous Gamies for bait and had already caught plenty for a meal. Unlike many bass fishermen, the Roberts and Turners usually ate the keepers they reeled in.

Edgar put down his rod and pulled a beer from the cooler. “Sure you don’t want to try your luck,
Troy
?”

“Nope. I’m just enjoying watching you two reel them in.”

Ozzie spoke up, “How’s the real estate business going?”

“Pretty good. I’ve got some excellent prospects right now. If I’m successful, we’ll soon have a number of Branson celebrities living near Reeds Spring.”

“Really?”

“Yep. I just purchased a big parcel there that will develop into luxury homesites.”

Ozzie’s eyes gleamed. “Tell me something. Does this deal have a potential problem with a certain environmentalist?”

“How did you know about that?”

“Paige said something but she wouldn’t give me any details. She didn’t say you were involved. Is there a chance that environmental gal can block your plans for development?”

“A small one. I don’t think she’ll be able to pull it off. She claims the Gamies are endangered.”

Edgar harrumphed. “That’s crazy.”

“I know that, Dad, and so does anyone who’s ever lived in these parts. But Aggie Kingfisher won’t listen to reason.”

Ozzie smiled. “So that’s why she’s being so secretive.”

Troy
blurted, “Aggie?”

“No, Paige. She said she had something that might develop into a real story but wouldn’t tell me about it.”

Troy
scowled at Ozzie. “I didn’t think she would side with Aggie.”

“She hasn’t, as far as I know. There’s something stewing in there somewhere, though. Paige only gets like this when she’s deep into a story. Or working an intrigue of some kind.”

“I’d hoped to do some advertising in the paper.”

“We’d welcome that.”

“I hope so. After talking to Paige last night, I’m not so sure she’ll welcome anything I come up with.”

Ozzie looked
Troy
in the eye. “Did you say something to upset her?”

“I don’t think so. I hope not.”

“Me, too. Paige is moody enough without help from others. You know, I think what she really needs is a good man who can keep her on the straight and narrow.” Their eyes locked.

Edgar smiled. “Well, how are chances of your filling that bill, son? I know you’re sweet on her.”

“Me sweet on Paige? Where’d you come up with that?”

Ozzie snarled, “Don’t you like my daughter?”

“Sure, I like her. I like her a lot, for all the good it does. She doesn’t like me.”

“I’m not so sure about that.”

“Does she talk about me?”

“No. Not so much talk. But with Paige, you have to watch her actions. What she does is more telling than what she says. Actions speak louder than words, my boy.”

“I’ll remember that, sir.”

Edgar shook his head. “You could do worse in picking a mate, son. A whole lot worse. That is, if you’re ever going to settle down.”

He turned to Ozzie. “Mary Jo and I have just about given up hoping for grandkids.”

Troy
glowered as he replied, “I want a family, Dad. I’m just not ready yet.”

Ozzie laughed. “That’s what we all think until the time comes. Then we can’t wait to wear the ball and chain. For what it’s worth, I’d be pleased to have you for a son-in-law if it comes to that.”

“And I’d love to call Paige my daughter-in-law,” Edgar added. “Not that we’re trying to put the noose around your neck, boy.”

“I understand. I admit Paige is the only woman I ever met I could consider living with.” The smile left his face. “But I don’t think it’ll ever work out. Paige doesn’t respect me.”

“That’s something you’ve got to earn-” Ozzie’s line pulled taut as the rod bent almost double. “Oh-oh! I’ve got a big one on the line.”

* * *

Troy
had been at work for about an hour on Monday morning when he heard a deep rumbling voice in the outer office. “Where is he? I demand to see this Mister Troy Roberts of yours. That is, if he’s not afraid of speaking to me.”

Julie said, “I’ll tell him you’re here, Professor.”

“Doctor, young lady. I am Doctor Steven Carlson.”

Troy
opened the door and waved Julie off. “I’m Troy Roberts, Dr. Carlson. I’ve been expecting you.”

“Yes well, um, your secretary didn’t seem to think so.”

“Perhaps if you’d given her a few seconds to respond,”
Troy
gave him his best smile, “but let’s not quibble over inconsequential matters. Please come in.”

Troy
waited until Carlson had gone into his office to wink at Julie with lifted eyebrows. She mouthed “Shall I call the sheriff?” but he shook his head.

“Aggie tells me you’re her mentor, Dr. Carlson. She’s quite an amazing woman.”

“Oh? Well yes, Agatha certainly is. And now I understand she’s found something quite valuable. On your property, I believe.”

“That she has. But I’d quarrel over the notion they’re valuable or anything but a doggone nuisance.”

“To you, I have no doubt they are. Anything that gets in the way of the almighty dollar would do that.”

“Hold on, Dr. Carlson. You have absolutely no idea of my value system. Nor I of yours.”

“I have all I need to evaluate your objectivity, Roberts. You don’t mean you’d be willing to give up your lucrative plan to protect these helpless creatures, do you?”

“Not on your life. If they truly were endangered, I might do just that. But these damn things multiply faster than you can blink, year after year. Endangered? In a pig’s eye.”

“We’ll see about that. You civilians have no idea what it means to mankind for us to protect every specie that exists.”

“Oh? Well, we civilians do know what it means to have our livelihoods threatened by unbridled intellectual chicanery. If the Gamie is a threatened animal, so be it. But it’ll be a fair fight, fought in the courts of the land, not something you ram down our throats.”

“Is that so? Well, we’ll just see about that.”

“Yes, we certainly will. Have you talked to Aggie yet?”

“No. She said she was staying in Reeds Spring.”

“That’s right.”
Troy
beamed. “Quiet Springs Motel. I left her in Unit Eleven after our dinner date last evening.” Wide-eyed, his eyebrows lifted in a knowing smile. “I’d knock before I entered if I were you. Aggie might shock you if you barge in unannounced."

“You sound as though you’ve been right at home with her there, Mr. Roberts.”

“That’s right. I have.” He allowed a naughty smile.

Carlson’s face clouded. “We’ll be in touch.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” He followed Carlson out, winking at Julie again.

* * *

Paige looked out her office window to see a man emerge from
Happy Estates
with a dark scowl on his face.
Dr. Carlson, I presume.

He was tall and thin, with sandy red hair, dressed like he’d just come from
Out Of
Africa
; the movie, not the continent. He was definitely a Robert Redford look-alike. She was about to head for the door to overtake him when he turned abruptly, marching solemnly toward the Herald. She met him at the bottom of the steps.
 
“Good morning. You must be Dr. Carlson.”

The man smiled grimly. “I am indeed. And you are?”

“Paige Turner, associate editor of the Flanders Herald. I’ve talked to Aggie about her find and I was anticipating your arrival, Doctor.”

“Well, young lady, I have arrived. To quite a reception if Troy Robert’s attitude is any indication.”

“You mustn’t take
Troy
too seriously.”

“Oh?”

“Let me guess. He stonewalled you from the get-go.”

“That’s one way of putting it. I’d hoped we could find a mutual agreement of some sort. That doesn’t seem possible at this point.”

“Have you met with Aggie yet?”

“You’ve met her, too?”

“Yes. That’s how I knew you were coming. She contacted us to let us know what she’d found.”

“Excellent. Good move on her part. Were you impressed?”

“Very much so. Who would have believed that one could find endangered species in this part of the world?”

“You’d be surprised, Miss Turner. It is Miss, isn’t it?”

“Yes. My father is editor and owner of the paper.”

Carlson turned on the charm. “Well let me tell you, Miss Turner, we’ve found unusual animals in most unexpected places. I’d love to share some of my experiences with you, if you have the time.”

Judging from his lustful eyes, she had a thought.
Is this ego-inflated jerk hitting on me?
She said, “That would be interesting but I’d like to know your assessment of Aggie.”

“I’ve coached her very thoroughly and she’s become a prize student.” His words seemed innocent enough but the way he kept leering at her bosom confirmed his true intent.

“I gathered that from what she said.”

He asked, “Just what did she say?”

“Only that the two of you work very closely together.”

“That’s right.”

She was amused by the look of relief on the professor’s face. It was clear he’d be less willing than Aggie to flaunt his affair with his prize student.
And now this character is lusting after me. I wonder what his witchy wife would think about that.

“If you’d like, you can ride along with me to see Aggie. I’m ready to compile notes for the first installment of the story I plan to publish this weekend.”

“That would be nice, if you don’t mind. The winding roads down here confuse the daylights out of me. I just spent two hours trying to get here from Branson. The road signs were no help at all.”

“I can well imagine. Come on.” She led him to the Volvo and keyed the doors.

Paige took note of the man beside her as she drove; handsome, with bright blue eyes and strong facial features. And exuding the distinct scent of expensive cologne. Full of himself, but she understood Aggie’s attraction to the man. He put out strong male vibes.