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“I can have one of my guys haul it into town for you,” he offered.
Her voice held an edge of impatience. “It’s okay, Hank. You’ve done enough for me and Gypsy this weekend.”
After he unloaded Cuervo, Hank negotiated Daisy’s little swale of a driveway, cut with washout from spring rains. Pulling into Hobble Creek Ranch, his headlights washed over a small barn in need of paint; it would be neat as a pin inside, he guessed. Daphne had left a light on for them.
He cut the engine. The creek babbled behind the house, reminding him of the fun he and Daisy had back there as kids. Buck Antelerone’s easy laugh followed him as he dropped the ramp.
Daisy slipped in through the front door of the trailer. Speaking low and tender, she backed Gypsy out and led the mare to her stall. Thin light glinted on the mare’s coppery belly as they crossed its path. He followed with her saddle. From the corral, a tall chestnut colt whinnied. “You hungry, Gone?” Daisy called. “I’ll get you in a minute.”
Setting her leather skirted saddle on the wall rack, Hank tossed Daisy’s pad on top. “You guys did well,” he offered, surprised at how gentle his voice sounded.
Daisy bit her lower lip and nodded. “You, too,” she said, flashing him a quick smile. Grabbing a scoop, she filled the horse’s feed buckets, then squatted in the dim stall to unwrap the mare’s legs.
Hank headed outside to fetch her bags. Setting them on the porch, he straightened as she walked up with her cooler. “Let me know about next week, huh, Daize? Rodeo’s at Odessa, up near Midland.”
“Yeah, I’ll see how it goes, getting the truck fixed.”
“It’s a helluva hustle, a six-hour drive at least. Tell you what, I’ll take an early lunch Friday and swing by for you and Gypsy, then we can load Cuervo back at my place. How’s that sound?”
In the porch light, her amber eyes wavered, torn between pride and common sense. Reaching for the screen door, she glanced his way quickly. “I’ll give it some thought.”
Suddenly, Friday felt like a long way off. Unwilling to linger, he climbed into the truck and started the engine.
*****
Daisy and Daphne
Wednesday evening, Daisy threw herself across her sister’s cabbage rose comforter and paged through magazines, watching Daphne fuss with her hair, getting ready for work. Twin frilly lamps threw pink light from each end of the bureau.
“Looks nice,” Daisy said, when Daphne had the front up in combs and was curling the back.
“Thanks.” Daphne spritzed it in place and pulled a ruffled denim miniskirt over her long, tanned legs.“Good thing it was only the radiator in the truck this time, Daize,” she mused, buttoning the skirt. “You’da been out for the season if the water pump went. Not to mention the expense of it.”
“Yeah, good thing,” Daisy agreed, flipping a page. Though the sisters were the same height and build, Daphne’s look was edgier and sexier than Daisy’s. Her hair was brighter, too, thanks to highlights at Lucy’s Cut and Curl on Main Street.
“You’re ridin’ with Hank this weekend, right?” Daphne asked, pulling her newest boots on. Daphne’s lack of interest in all things ranch and rodeo allowed her the spare cash to indulge in a collection of remarkably fine footwear.
“I don’t know, Daph,” Daisy sighed, admiring her sister’s white-shafted ropers embossed with navy and red-stars. “I didn’t say I would, but I didn’t say ‘no,’ either. It doesn’t feel right to Daddy’s memory, me ridin’ with Hank.”
Daphne chose silver eyeshadow and leaned towards the mirror. “Daddy wouldn’t mind, Daize. He liked Hank. After the funeral, Hank told me how Buck’s way with Red taught him to stand up for himself. He wouldn’t have known how else to get around his daddy’s ornery side.” Daphne picked up her mascara. “Daddy sure hated Mr. Gallagher after the trouble with the water, but he was fine with Hank. He found Red screamin’ and cursin‘ him on that little black and white pony one time too many, and took over teachin’ Hank to ride. Don’t you remember the look on Daddy’s face when you both took Best Young Rider? He was real proud.”
Daisy sighed. “Can’t say as I do, Daph. T.J. didn’t show that night, and I was real upset. Luanne and I went out with a bottle of tequila afterwards. I don’t remember much.”
Daphne rolled her eyes. “Oh, geez, you mean the baddest ass on two legs let you down? You’re stayin’ away from him these days, right?”
Daisy closed the magazine and stood up, stretching. “Shut up, Daph. Of course I am. T.J. had his chance. He had more than a chance.”
“Ridin’ with Hank will save you buckets of money, Daize. And it’s not like he’s draggin’ women home all the time. He sure could, I’ll tell you that.”
Daisy hadn’t forgotten the heat she’d seen in Hank’s eyes when he’d left her on the porch Sunday night. “Hank’s still sweet on Janie Dupree,” she said, knowing better.
“Hank and Janie fizzled spring a year ago, as I’m sure you’ve heard. Poor Janie hasn’t given up, though.”
“You gonna be late again tonight?”
“Tonight’s my night to close, so you won’t see me darken the door before three a.m., darlin’. You checkin’ horses?”
“Yep, I got chores to finish.”
