Twice the Trouble (17 page)

“I think he’s magnificent.” Lacey inspected every inch of the horse. The beautiful gelding caused her headache to ease. Mercury was solid with a strong back and a proud stance. Despite the long ride he’d taken in a strange trailer, he was remarkably calm and well mannered. He’d been cared for and trained well.

Jerrod took his lead rope and started toward the barn. “He looks like a hay burning, manure machine to me,” he grumbled.

“Where do you want this, Mr. Benson?” The young cowboy held a black tooled saddle with silver studs.

The boy was about seventeen, had shaggy blond hair, and was built like Alex had been at that age. Clearly, he was no stranger to animals or the outdoors.

“Jenna will show you as soon as you say hello to Ms. Carlyle. You’ll be taking most of your orders from her. She runs the place.” Alex turned his smile her way. “Lacey, this is Darrel Taylor. He and his brother Ben are going to help you out, a few days a week. We’ll work out the specifics over supper.”

Before Lacey had a chance to question this second decision Alex had made without her, an older truck rolled up the drive.

The driver, Ben Taylor, looked a lot like Darrel, but a couple of years older. His manner was more reserved and his hair was neater. He explained that their grandmother was waiting supper for them. They were soon gone.

“I found Darrel and Ben at the feed store looking for work,” Alex said, as they walked toward the house. “They’re a little hard up for money. I’ll pay their wages myself until we increase the herd and start making a better profit.”

“Well, thanks for letting me know.” Lacey wasn’t ashamed of the sarcasm that dripped from her words. “An expensive truck and trailer, another horse, two new farmhands, and now a larger herd-the hits just keep coming.”

“Exactly what is the problem?” Alex stopped to block her way. “I’m trying to help you make the farm more profitable. I’m trying to make your life easier. I’d hoped this would be the
more
you wanted. I don’t get the attitude.”

“I started this farm with my own two hands.” Lacey laid her fist against her chest. “I’m the one that burned the brand into that sign above the gate. I’ve poured my blood, sweat and tears into this place for eight years. I understand that you own this land now, but I’d at least like a say in what goes on here.”

For several seconds, Alex stared at her with tight lips. “I just wanted to be a part of things. Maybe I got a little carried away.” He slapped his hat against the thigh of his relaxed fit jeans. “I’m not a control freak. I’m just used to being in charge. I haven’t had to share anything since Travis and I slept in the same room.”

“I guess we’ve both got things to work on,” Lacey conceded.

Jerrod exploded from the barn and stomped past them. “All the damnable changes around this place, extra people and animals to deal with, now Jenna’s moonin’ over that blond haired cowboy. My life is going to hell in a hand basket.”

“You know,” Alex mused, “that boy takes a lot after your granddad.” Buck snorted as he walked a slow circle around them. “For that matter, so does your dog.”

****

Over supper, the four of them discussed what chores the Taylor boys would take over. The conversation became livelier when the kids realized that they’d have more time to do things away from the farm. They suggested everything from a beach trip to a cruise to Alaska. They were all in a much better mood when banana cream pie was served.

Alex was relieved that the tension had eased. “Now that supper is over, I have a surprise for everyone.”

He walked out to the new truck and came back with a shopping bag. Inside were three boxes, all the same size and shape, but wrapped in different colored paper.

Alex was excited to see their reactions to his gifts, but they didn’t open them or even seem curious. Lacey stared at the box in her hand while the kids stared at her.

“What did I do now?” Alex asked.

“Are you one of those weirdoes who celebrate Christmas in July?” Jerrod responded.

“You don’t have to give us things,” Jenna said. “We like you just…because.”

“I know it’s not Christmas, dammit, and I’m not trying to buy your affection.” Totally perplexed, Alex stated, “I don’t know how to relate to you people. Why does one small gesture have to be such a big deal? Just open the damned things.”

When Jenna tore the first piece of paper from her gift, Jerrod decided to follow her lead. They each uncovered new cell phones, Jenna’s in red and Jerrod’s in blue. The fact that they just stared at them with opened mouths made Alex even more uncomfortable. Lacey unwrapped hers to find a silver phone.

“Each of our numbers is already programmed into all the phones and they’re operational, they’ve even been charged. Of course, I’m sure your mom will have a few rules regarding their use.”

“Alex,” Lacey cried, “this is too much. We can’t accept these. We don’t need them.”

Alex ran his hands down his face to hold back his growing annoyance. “I don’t know anyone who needs them more. Look at what’s happened around here recently. When Jerrod fell through the porch floor, when Jenna got sick at a friend’s house, it could have happened anywhere. There’s a chance that next time, we’d have to call 911. Do you realize how much faster we could have gotten to Jerrod when he was struggling with that calf in the lake? We’re lucky they didn’t both drown. I was able to call you when I found him because I had a phone in my pocket. These are all on the same plan I already have. Think of them as farm equipment, just the same as the truck or the tools. Businesses everywhere use them. Why can’t you just enjoy them?”

“Hey,” Jerrod exclaimed, “this thing gets internet.”

“We aren’t used to so much extravagance, Alex.” Lacey set the box on the table, as though she was afraid it would break. “We don’t have much, but we get by.”

“I don’t want you to get by,” Alex bellowed. “I want to make your lives better. Why can’t these kids have the things that other kids all over the country enjoy-hell, take for granted?”

“They aren’t like other kids,” Lacey shot back. “I’m trying to raise them with good values. I don’t want them to be like the spoiled brats they see on TV. Not everything can be made better by throwing money at it.”

“These are good kids, smart kids. They work hard. They deserve a few basic conveniences.” He’d succeeded in calming his voice if nothing else. “If it seems like I’m throwing money around, maybe it’s because there is so much to catch up on around here. I’m not taking a damned bit of it back. You should learn to accept things more graciously and take a step into the twenty-first century. Dammit, you tell me you want more, but when I try to give you things, it’s still not enough.”

“Oh, look,” Jenna squealed. “I just sent a text to Jerrod.”

“When I said that, Alex, I didn’t mean I wanted your money. I’m not a gold-digger. We did just fine before you came here.” Lacey leveled narrowed eyes on him. “And, we’ll do just fine after you leave.”

“I’m not going anywhere. I’m a permanent part of this farm now, so get used to it.”

“Does that mean I’ll also have to get used to Donna Sullivan?” Lacey’s question shot out like a poisoned dart.

“What does my receptionist have to do with anything? She works for East Coast L.D., not the Double J.” Alex stood and took his plate to the sink. “I’ll unhitch the trailer so you can give me a ride home.”

****

Lacey turned the key in the big, new truck and felt the powerful engine catch on the first try. The rumble, though barely audible, sent a thrill through her body. It was a nice truck. And how many times had she wished for her own trailer?

She’d given up on wishes a long time ago, but now, it seemed that Alex was making a few of them come true.

Her biggest wish was for him to come home, and here he was.

Why was she being so contrary? Would it be so bad to try to trust him one more time?

She pulled out onto the highway. Several times in the first few miles, she looked over to the passenger side. He sat slumped in the seat with his legs stretched out and his head against the window. He nervously bit a fingernail as he watched the landscape pass. Lacey made her decision.

She pulled into the side road that lead to the old clearing and stopped. Their special spot was only a few yards away, but the truck was too big to pass through the overgrown path.

Alex slid up straighter in his seat and looked around. “What are we doing here?”

“I’ve been meaning to look around and see what would have to be done to clean this place up. Don’t you think it would make a nice picnic spot?”

“Oh,” he mumbled. “I guess so.”

Was that a look of disappointment? Lacey opened her door and stepped to the ground. “As long as we’re here,” she pulled her shirt over her head and tossed it to him, “there’s something I’ve been dying to do.”

Alex’s face lit up. “I’m right behind you, sweetheart.” As the buttons gave way on his own shirt he ran behind her to their private haven.

It had been difficult for Alex at first. He’d wanted to keep Lacey turned away from him, but she’d have none of that. She stopped, stood and turned here side to him, naked as the day she was born.

“Can you see all the little stretch marks on my hips and under my belly?” She grazed her fingers over her hips up her sides.

“Yes. What does it matter? They’re your little badges of courage. I intend to lick every one of them at some point tonight.”

“You aren’t repulsed by them?”

“No, of course not.” He smiled wickedly and knelt in the grass. “Standing there, like a pagan goddess, you’re just making me want you more.”

She turned toward him. “My hips are wider. My breasts and belly are softer.” Her fingers traveled gracefully under her breasts and continued up to lift her hair off her neck.

Alex rose up on his knees as if to beg. “You’re killing me, woman,” he groaned.

Lacey lifted a finger and turned it in the air. “Turn around.”

“You don’t want to see that, Lacey.” Misery etched his face.

“I showed you mine, now you show me yours. No more secrets. No more hiding.”

He slowly obeyed. Still kneeling, he turned his back to her. She wanted to cry when she saw the scars that sectioned and marbled the left side of his back, but she wouldn’t allow herself to do that to him.

His hands were clutched behind his head and his shoulders were slumped forward like he was waiting to be beaten. She’d never seen such a frightened gesture from such a brave man. It had been hard for him to do as she’d asked, exposing his greatest insecurity. She wanted to show him that he’d never have to hide anything from her again.

He caught his breath as her lips moved gently over his shoulders and down his back. Dampness glistened in his eyes as his hands relaxed and he turned to her.

They both knew it wasn’t their first time, but their encounter was better earned this time. They’d both been through hell and had come out on the other side.

Maturity had taught them to appreciate the little things-the texture and taste, the scent and sight of each other, the sound of their name from the other’s cries of ecstasy. Under a full moon, over soft grass, they became one again.

****

Three hours later, Lacey snuck into her quiet house and took a warm shower. She changed into her nightgown and brushed her hair.

Her new cell phone had been left on her dresser. She picked up the small gadget to inspect it. When it rang for the first time, she nearly dropped it. It rang twice more before she figured out how to open it.

“Hello?”

“I just wanted to tell you that supper, and everything, was wonderful tonight, thank you.”

“I enjoyed it too,” she replied.

“Good night, Lacey.”

“Good night.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

Alex was coming through his back door after his Saturday morning run. A long cool shower and a glass of iced coffee were his only other plans for the morning, until his cell phone rang. He mopped the sweat from his face with a dishtowel, and then tossed it in the general direction of the laundry room. He could always let the call go to voice mail, but what if it was another Double J disaster? He was quickly learning that anything could happen at the farm at any given time. He’d never let Lacey hear him say it, but he wondered how they’d survived so far.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Alex. I was wondering, how much money do you have?”

Alex hadn’t thought to check the caller ID, but he recognized Jerrod’s voice immediately. “I couldn’t say right offhand, but I could put you in touch with my accountant, if it’s important to you.”

“You’re a funny guy, Alex. What I meant was, do you have any cash on you?”

“I keep a few bucks around. Why do you ask?” Alex replied.

“I’m tapped and I didn’t want to ask Mom for ten bucks. She thinks I’m in town to skateboard, but I want to do something she doesn’t know about.”

“I so hope you’re not asking me to be an accessory to a crime.”

“No, I just wanted to do something on my own. She’ll be surprised, but she’s not going to shoot me or anything.”

“Okay, what do you have in mind?”

“I want to get a haircut, a real one. These curls are too girlish and they’re hell to deal with, out in the heat.”

Alex scratched his chin. “You know, I feel the same way about this beard and I could use a trim. Let me jump through the shower, and then I’ll meet you at Westin’s Barber Shop. Give me twenty minutes.”

Jerrod was pacing the sidewalk, looking as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a rocking chair factory. Alex was willing to bet that the only haircuts he’d ever had were done with his mom’s sewing scissors. Women didn’t understand the anxiety a boy could have about his appearance. A boy Jerrod’s age didn’t bitch about his hair. That would be much too wimpy. But he was ready to start making a good impression for the ladies. This new concern may have been spurred on by Jenna’s attraction to the Taylor boy following on the coattails of Lacey’s and his new relationship. He’d just have to teach the kid how to cowboy-up a bit.

“I don’t really know what to ask for in there.” Jerrod lamented. “You don’t think they’ll do something weird to me do you?”