A Maverick's Heart (14 page)

“And I’ll erase any need to study that day.”

Smiling, they came together in another mutual kiss. This time Lila broke their connection. “Any more of this and I won’t get any work done tonight.”

Seth reluctantly stepped away. “I’ll put Ghost up and make sure his doggy door is latched. Kissing you is infinitely more enjoyable, but I guess we should skip fixing tea and each get back to work, knowing we have fun time scheduled for Saturday.”

Lila didn’t agree quickly, but took a deep breath and finally nodded.

* * *

S
ATURDAY
STARTED
OUT
HECTIC
. Seth had turned out the horses after feeding them and was putting fresh hay in the stalls when Rory bounded in, dressed in his game attire. It was barely 6:00 a.m. “Can we practice?” he shouted. “I know you said I played good at practice yesterday, but it’s a long time till two o’clock.”

“There’ll be a warm-up at two, Rory. You don’t want to strain your muscles. Does your mom know you’re wearing your uniform already?”

“No. She’s making breakfast. She said to change at Memaw’s. Can I stay with you instead of going to the café? Maybe we should go to the batting cages.”

Seth spread a last pitchfork full of hay and set it aside. “Let’s go talk to your mom.” He stripped off his gloves and tucked them into his back pocket.

“You look like a cowboy today.” Rory’s expression said he disapproved.

Eyeing the boy from beneath the brim of his summer straw hat, Seth decided it best to keep silent. “Let’s go in the back door. My boots are dirty,” he said.

“Didn’t you buy team shirts for you and Mom to wear?”

“You know I did. I gave your mom hers last night. Rory, it’s eight hours before we need to wear them. We don’t want them to get dirty. Same with your uniform.”

Lila heard the last comment as they entered the kitchen via the back door. “Rory, I said we’d take your uniform to the café. I’m sorry, Seth. He’s bouncing off the walls.”

“It won’t always be like this,” Seth promised. “This is his first game. It gets to be old hat.”

“My hat’s brand new,” Rory exclaimed, making the adults laugh.

“Your mother said you don’t approve of letting him play video games on my tablet. He wants to practice batting, but I don’t want him worn out before the game. I have a pot load of applications to fill out. I can set up a video baseball game to keep him occupied until I pick you up this afternoon.”

Lila set a second stack of pancakes on the warming tray. “Move, please, so I can take this to the dining room.”

Seth started to relieve her of the heavy tray, but she jerked it away. “You smell like barn and you have hay on your shirt.”

He pulled back fast.

“Mom’s out of sorts today,” Rory said. He started to cry. “I wanted today to be perfect.”

Lila rushed back into the room and she and Seth bumped heads as both bent to console Rory. “Sorry, my mother’s fussing because I’m leaving Sarah Jane to cook for the supper crowd by herself. I told you she can guilt me like no one else. And she disapproves of video games.”

Seth straightened Rory’s ball cap then he massaged Lila’s tense shoulders. “Everyone take a deep breath. The café will survive and we’ll have a great time cheering on Rory’s team.”

Blinking back her tears, Lila wiped Rory’s face with a tissue. “Seth’s right. Take his tablet. My mother’s being poopy.”

That made Rory laugh out loud.

“I’ll set up a baseball video game. I can’t wait to start reading about how compromise deflects bad behavior.”

“Really?”

“Really,” Seth reiterated. “That class is gonna be worth every penny.”

* * *

Q
UITE
A
FEW
parents were in the bleachers by the time they got to the field. Doreen had kept finding things she wanted Lila to do until Lila called a halt and shooed Seth and Rory out the door. The smattering of early customers wished Rory good luck.

“I see Lori Barnes,” Lila said. “Surely she didn’t come without Kemper’s dad.”

“He’s down with the team. Why don’t you sit with her while I check a few things with the coach? The other dads are all on the field.” Seth jerked around and stammered, “I—I’m not claiming to be Rory’s dad.”

“It’s okay, Seth.”

He fancied he heard enough wishful longing in Lila’s short response that it gave him ideas. Then he was tugged away by Rory yanking on his hand, and he saw Zeke and Myra. They waved and met Lila in the bleachers. Seth felt better leaving Lila with family while he spoke with the coach. It wasn’t that he had anything against Lori and Matt Barnes. But Zeke and Myra were going to join them after the game at an Old West restaurant. Matt and Lori were more likely to end up at the country club.

Rory left Seth his equipment bag and ran off to join teammates. Seth walked up behind the coach as Matt Barnes said, “Landis, I want—no, given the fact I’m funding the soda cart, I
expect
Kemper to be team captain.”

Seth cleared his throat to alert the men he was there.

Landis whirled. “I suppose you think Rory should be captain. He is my most improved player.”

That revved Seth’s heart, but he held up both hands. “He’s happy getting to play. I would like to sit behind the kids for a while, though.”

Landis nodded. Seth skirted the two men and called Rory over.

“Remember I said to pretend this is just another practice. Watch the ball and choose your plays.”

Rory took his mitt. “Mom’s sitting with Auntie Myra. Are you goin’ up there or will you stay so I can talk to you?”

“I’ll stay here for a bit. Give me five. You’ll do great.” They smacked hands and Seth was glad to see Rory loosen up.

By the second inning the Badgers were ahead two to one. Kemper popped out with a fly. Rory hit a line drive, but got tagged out at second base. He’d rotate at bat again in inning four. Seth left his seat and climbed up to sit with Lila.

“Zeke’s been explaining the game,” she said. “When I went to school I just never watched sports. I hate that Rory didn’t make a run.”

“He’ll make another. It’s early.” Seth took her hand and saw Myra nudge his brother.

Rory caught a high fly to retire the Bears. When he next came up to bat Lila practically cut off circulation to Seth’s fingers. Rory hit a double, driving in a run. All the Badgers fans jumped up yelling.

“I don’t know how much of this my heart can stand,” Lila exclaimed, burying her face on Seth’s shoulder as Rory slid but got thrown out at home.

Seth kissed her nose. “There are two innings to go, babe.”

The score was tied. Zeke stood. “Seth, let’s go buy sodas for everyone.”

“Sure.” Seth wasn’t surprised that Zeke asked what his situation was with Lila once they were out of earshot.

“This isn’t for publication, but I believe she’s the woman I want long term in my life.”

Zeke ordered the sodas, but didn’t congratulate his twin. Instead he passed Seth two sodas and said, “Myra told me about the high school job and that you’re signing up for college. Lila shared that with the other Artsy Ladies.”

“So? Something’s bugging you. Get it off your chest.”

“You passed up an opportunity to make a lot of money playing pro baseball to hunt gems. Monday, Myra ran into Doreen at the doctor’s. She said Rory overheard a call from one of your gem-hunting buds who asked you to meet him in China, where some dude made a fortune. Rory said on rubies.”

“Right. I turned the opportunity down. But the very talk makes Lila nervous. I’ll thank you to let the subject lie. I’m staying put.”

“Okay, okay.” Zeke led the way back to the women.

“You were gone through the whole inning,” Myra said, popping the top on her cold drink. “Are you guys cool? It looked like you were arguing.”

“We’re cool,” Seth said, passing Lila a soda.

In the fifth, Kemper struck out. His dad was not happy, especially when Rory hit a three-bagger and drove in two runs.

But the Bears were a seasoned team. They gained in the bottom of the fifth and the Badgers didn’t score again. They lost the game by one run.

Seth went along congratulating all their players while Matt Barnes railed at the coach, insisting on a lineup change before next weekend’s game against the Bobcats.

Corralling the family, Seth confirmed supper reservations with Zeke.

“Why are we celebrating?” Rory looked glum. “We lost.”

Seth hoisted him up in his arms. “You kids played great for your first game of the season. The Bears got lucky today. Even the pros win some and lose some, slugger.”

“They do.” Rory grinned. “Mom, can I order a chocolate shake with my steak burger?”

“You may.” She leaned close to Seth. “You got him past that disappointment.”

At the restaurant they were seated at a large round table. The waiter asked Rory about the game, agreeing a one-run loss wasn’t bad.

The four adults, who never got to go out, chatted and laughed throughout the meal. They parted ways promising to do it again.

Two minutes after Rory buckled up, he fell asleep.

Lila yawned and stretched. “I don’t know when I’ve had a better time. I wish this day wasn’t over.”

“It doesn’t have to be,” Seth said quietly after making sure Rory still slept. “I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to move our relationship into the realm of consenting adults. So you don’t think it’s spur of the moment, the other day when I stopped to make tonight’s reservation, I spotted a drugstore. I went in and bought protection,” he murmured.

Lila blinked at him like one of the snowy owls.

“There’s no pressure. My door will be unlocked. There’s no one else, and hasn’t been for a long time. If it turns out it’s not the right time for you, okay. Condoms keep.”

“Shh!” She shot out a hand to grip his arm as she glanced again at her sleeping son. “I... I... I...”

“Lila, honey, I understand if our making love has never entered your mind.”

“It has.” She sounded strangled. “But there’s a big gap between thinking and doing.”

At her confession, heat surged to his lower abdomen. He turned down the lane to the ranch, glad he’d laid his heart on the table whether or not this was the night.

Because Lila woke Rory up to walk into the house instead of asking him to carry the sleeping kid inside, Seth felt that was her answer.

Almost an hour later he sat on his bed in his shorts, trying to commit to memory dry information on the foundations of education. He thought he heard a light tap on his door. He set aside his laptop and got up in time to see the door slowly open. Lila peeked in then took her sweet time running her gaze the length of his barely clothed body.

“Hmm,” she murmured, closing the door with her bare foot at the same time she untied her summer robe and let it drop to the floor behind her. The bed lamp shone through her short, gossamer nightie.

Seth’s mouth went bone-dry and, for a second, he thought his heart had stopped. Until it began to pound in his ears louder than a bass drum.

“Could we have less light?” Lila requested. “And if you don’t quit standing there and come touch me, I’m either going to fall apart or turn tail and run.”

Seth moved as fast as he’d ever moved. He cut the lamp to its glowing base. With lightning speed he shut down his computer, claimed the condom box he’d tossed in the nightstand drawer, swept Lila up and tumbled them both into his generous bed.

His first kiss tracked from her lips down her warm neck to stop as he savored one of her breasts through the thin fabric and then moved to lavish the same attention on the other one.

She wrapped her legs around Seth’s hips. In a voice far from steady, she said against his mouth as it again found hers, “I don’t have all night. I wish I did.”

“We’re not going to rush,” he whispered huskily. “I intend for our first time to be memorable. To leave you satisfied yet wanting more.” And he kissed his way down to the heart of her femininity.

Fireworks flashed behind her eyes as Seth shed his shorts a moment before handing her a condom. Thoughts that had crossed her mind mere weeks after meeting him welled up. She need look no further to find a man who cared enough to put her needs and desires first.

Chapter Ten

Lila and Seth’s stolen night of lovemaking transformed their relationship. She knew it. Felt it. Changes were subtle at first, but over the next several weeks they found ways to spend more time together and they talked about their future. Still they’d only managed one additional night in each other’s arms.

Lila hadn’t thought her newfound happiness showed until she and her mom were alone in the café kitchen one morning and Doreen pounced. “That man you continue to make goo-goo eyes at and moon over doesn’t even have a paying job. What kind of man is content to live off a woman even if he hangs around feeding her horses? A sad role model for Rory, that’s who.”

Lila straightened from loading the dishwasher with breakfast dishes. “If you mean Seth, he’s signed up for online college courses to be able to teach at the high school next fall. And for your information, he returned his rental car and bought a king-cab pickup. Plus he continues to pay his rent on time. He’s not living off of me, Mother.”

Doreen slammed pots around. Mother and daughter glared at one another until Rory, who’d been watching TV in his memaw’s apartment, ran down the stairs and exploded into the room. “Mom, Mom, can I ride my bike to Kemper’s? His dad got his batting machine set up. Kemper ’vited me over to try it out.”

“You have a makeup game this afternoon. Seth plans to pick you up here at one. That’s only two hours away, and you boys shouldn’t get tired out.”

“We won’t. I can call and ask Seth to pick me up at Kemper’s.”

“He’s studying and may not have his phone turned on.”

“Then when he comes, send him there. Please, Mom. Kemper’s got his own batting machine. I want one so bad. I bet if Seth marries us he’ll buy me one.”

Doreen choked and Lila’s jaw dropped. “Rory, what...where in heaven’s name did you get that notion?”

“I saw you guys kissing. Kemper said that’s what moms and dads do. And one day me ’n Seth were talking. He asked if I knew what a stepdad was. All the kids on the team think he is my dad.”

“Seth and I haven’t actually discussed marriage per se,” Lila said mostly for her mother’s benefit. “And Lori Barnes told me what that machine cost, young man. As a teacher, even if he coaches, Seth will never earn what Kemper’s dad does as a lawyer. So get that nonsense out of your head. Yes, you may go to Kemper’s. I want a word with Seth, so I’ll direct him your way when he comes to pick you up.”

The boy stuffed his hands in his pockets. “Is he gonna be mad at me like you are?”

“I’m not mad.” Lila adjusted the net holding her hair. She did think if Seth contemplated marriage, she ought to hear of it first.

With Wild Horse Stampede folks starting to arrive in Wolf Point, the café’s lunch and supper crowd had already mushroomed. Doreen’s sling had been removed, but Lila still handled most of the cooking. Her mom and Becky waitressed and cleared tables. Lila soon got so busy she forgot to fuss over Seth.

The place hadn’t slowed down one iota when he arrived at ten to one.

Doreen accosted him as he walked in. “You’re in big trouble. But Lila’s too busy to yell at you now. Rory’s at Kemper’s. You need to pick him up there for the game.”

Seth’s head wasn’t fully out of his studies, but he couldn’t think why Lila would be upset with him. Ignoring Doreen, he poked his head in the kitchen. “Doreen said Rory’s at Kemper’s. She also said you’re PO’d at me.”

“I’m not mad at you. It’s something Rory said. We’ll have to talk later. I’m swamped with orders.”

“Okay. We’ll drop by here after the game. I wish you could go.”

“Me, too.” Lila waved a hand helplessly toward a full order carousel.

Seth walked over and kissed her. “I hope that makes things better.” He didn’t care that Doreen saw and scowled as he brushed past her and went out.

He racked his brain to think what Rory could’ve said. He hoped it wasn’t anything about hunting for sapphires or rubies. He thought he’d put that to rest once and for all.

Driving down the Barneses’ block he saw Lori getting into a BMW that matched Matt’s. Rory stood at the curb with his bike. Was Lori leaving Rory alone? Surely not. Compared to everyone else he’d met in Snowy Owl Crossing, Matt and Lori Barnes were the most preoccupied with themselves. Case in point, she backed out and drove off without waving. Kemper, however, did.

Seth pulled to the curb, let the pickup idle and got out to put Rory’s bike under the canopy.

“Are you mad at me?” It was Rory’s first question after Seth slid back behind the steering wheel.

“Should I be? Your grandmother seems to think I’d done something wrong, but your mom was too busy to talk. How about if you clue me in?”

The boy picked at his fingers. “Kemper got a batting machine. I told Mom if you married us I bet you’d buy me one. She and Memaw had a cow, ’specially after I said I saw you guys kissing. Or maybe it was when I said you asked if I knew what a stepdad was.” He shrugged.

“That was some conversation. Don’t fret about it. Your mother and I will iron things out. You do your best today, okay? It’s good we’re getting this makeup game out of the way. According to the TV weatherman, we may be in for a big rainstorm.”

“When? Rodeo’s soon. It’s always hot for that.”

“Is that why the coach said there will be practices at the school but no game until Tuesday after next? I figured the switch took into account Independence Day.”

“Yep.”

“Gosh, I haven’t been to a rodeo in years. Maybe your mom can get away and we’ll all go.”

“Nah, the café is always super busy. Auntie Jewell took me. She does veterinarian stuff there. Rodeo’s okay, but not as fun as baseball. I guess we can go if you want. Mom said Auntie Jewell’s gone somewhere to talk about the snowy owls. I heard Mom on the phone with Auntie Tawana.”

“Is she well? I haven’t heard your mom mention her craft group in a while.”

“She’s better, but behind on her job.”

“Glad she’s improved enough to be back at work. Well, here we are. Grab your equipment bag. I see you have grass stains on your uniform knees. Are you hurt?”

“Naw. I fell down at Kemper’s. His machine spit out a really low ball. I tried to stop it from going past me. His machine does a lot of change-up pitches. It’s fun.”

Their talk fell off. Most of the other players were already warming up. Rory pulled out his mitt as Seth paused to get the batting order from Coach Landis. Since he was the only person there to cheer for Rory, he took a seat in the bleachers directly behind him.

The coin toss gave the Badgers first bat. Seth finished giving Rory the usual pep talk and he’d leaned back to watch when someone sat beside him and tapped his arm.

“Hey, Myra. I didn’t know you were coming. Is Zeke here?” Seth craned his neck, looking around.

“No, but you received a couple of official-looking letters. Zeke thought I should run them over. One is from the Superintendent of Public Instruction. The other’s from the Montana Department of Environmental Reclamation Projects. Zeke said maybe it has to do with one of your classes.”

Seth took the letter from the superintendent and ripped it open. “Ah, this says they received my university transcripts and someone will post them to my file. Once that’s done I’ll be cleared to get a provisional teaching certificate. This is great.” He folded it, stuck it in his back pocket and then tore into the second envelope. “Oh, wow, it’s the permit to hunt for sapphires at the Opportunity Mine. So much has changed I forgot about this. I won’t need it now, of course.” He folded that letter, too.

“So, you’ve totally dropped gem hunting?”

“Yep. I’m thinking of asking a guy I know if he wants my quality equipment. I bought a few items here. Flashlights, ropes, a headlamp. They’re stored in a chest in Lila’s barn. If he doesn’t want the stuff, maybe I can sell it online.”

“Or hang on to them to see if teaching and coaching works out.”

“It’s going to work out, Myra.”

A whistle blew and the game began.

By inning five the wind kicked up. Angry clouds rolled overhead. Myra said to Seth, “I don’t like the look of this weather. I hate to leave early, but I should go home and help Zeke check stock in our summer pastures. Some cattle freak at thunder and trample fences.”

“I appreciate you bringing me the mail. Next time, call. I’ll come pick it up.”

Rory came back to the bench to sit directly in front of Seth again. Myra leaned down and apologized to him for not staying. “If you keep hitting like you’ve done up to now, the Badgers will win.”

“Thanks, Auntie Myra. I hope it doesn’t rain. Kemper said playing is awful when the diamond gets muddy.”

“Maybe the rain will pass us by,” Seth said. “Or hold off until tomorrow.”

“Do we still gotta practice?”

The boy seated beside Rory spoke up. “If it only rains a little, yeah. Coach will cancel practice if there’s lightning.”

Seth stored that tidbit. The storm might double down or it could blow over.

The Badgers did win, and Rory drove in the winning run, although he got put out at third. It was the team’s first victory and all the kids whooped and hollered.

Rory remained pumped on the drive to the café. He jumped out and ran inside ahead of Seth, telling everyone in earshot about the win. “Mom,” he shouted at the kitchen door, “you shoulda been there. I batted real good. Coach said every player needs to spend time in a batting cage. We have enough room in the backyard for one.” He sent a guilty look at Seth, who’d sauntered in behind him.

“I’ll leave you to calm him down,” Seth told Lila. “I think I’ll go home and read up more on what courses I need next semester. I’ll take his bike.”

“Fine. Can you set it in the barn? A customer said it’s slated to pour. To give you more study time Rory can come here tomorrow whether or not there’s practice.”

“Mom, I wanna go to Kemper’s again. If we can’t bat, we can play his new computer LEGO game.”

“I suppose. Unless it rains too hard for you to ride your bike there. You know how busy we are with rodeo people.”

“You’re always busy.” Rory kicked at a cabinet. “When can you ever do stuff like Kemper’s mom?”

Seth set his hand on Rory’s shoulder. “Apologize, slugger. Your mom works hard to keep you fed and clothed.”

“Sorry,” he mumbled.

Seth brushed a light kiss across Lila’s furrowed brow. “Things will get better.” Again he passed Doreen. This time he noticed she didn’t look so sour.

* * *

I
N
THE
MORNING
the sky remained dark and overcast, but no rain had fallen so Seth turned the horses into the corral. The last of the fishermen had been replaced by two rodeo couples.

“This is my first summer in Montana,” one of the rodeo goers said. “The weather channel’s calling for rain.”

The couples left and Seth returned to the barn. He saw Rory hooking his ball bag over his bike handle. “Hey, need some help? Maybe you should leave your bike here. It’s probably going to rain hardest this morning. If it clears up for practice, I’ll pick you up at the café.”

“I asked Mom and I’m gonna go to Kemper’s, anyway. I don’t need any help. I’ll put this in the Jeep by myself.”

Maybe his mom had lectured him about taking more responsibility. Or perhaps the two had had a tiff at breakfast. Rory was acting a bit odd. Seth headed inside, intending to ask Lila, but she wasn’t anywhere around. Ghost had already been fed. Seth felt bad he had missed a chance to smooch with Lila. Passing through to the dining room, he helped himself to a plate of breakfast burritos and went upstairs to cram before an online quiz.

He heard Lila start the Jeep, got up and went to the window. She was fast disappearing down the lane, and he realized she’d gotten a late start.

* * *

“R
ORY
,
DID
YOU
see Seth this morning?”

The boy jerked upright. “Yeah. He turned the horses out into the corral and talked to the rodeo guests. Why?”

“No reason. I missed seeing him this morning. I think he’s anxious about his quiz.”

“I don’t like them or tests. Why does he hafta go to school? I didn’t think adults had to study.”

“He’s changing jobs. He went to college, but not to teach.”

“Did he have to go to school to hunt for gems?”

Lila shot Rory a sidelong glance. “He said his degrees are in geology. That’s the science of the earth, rocks and minerals, I think.”

“My teacher said our whole planet is layers of sand and rocks.”

Lila smiled. “I’m happy you remember things your teacher tells you.”

“Well, yeah. But every year they make us learn more. What did you take in college?”

“I didn’t. I got married right out of high school. We bought the Owl’s Nest and then I had you. I learned about cooking and homemaking from Memaw.”

“Why doesn’t Kemper’s mom work?”

“Mr. Barnes has a high-paying job. A safe job,” she added, making her son frown at her. “That’s what I want for you, Rory, so study hard.”

“Maybe I’ll play pro baseball.”

“Maybe,” Lila agreed, parking outside the café. In moments her work swung into high gear and Rory trudged upstairs to watch TV until almost noon, when he came down again, begging to go to Kemper’s.

“What’s the weather like?” Lila asked as she flipped four burgers.

“I’ll go look,” he said as Becky walked into the kitchen.

She said, “The clouds are gray. But unless it’s raining in the hills, the weather guys guessed wrong again. I’m sure that’ll make the stampede promoters ecstatic. So, Rory, is Jewell taking you to see the bull riding again this year?”

Rory hiked his shoulders up to his ears.

Lila assembled burgers and dumped sizzling fries on four plates. She set them on the pass-through counter and hit the bell. “Jewell hasn’t said if she’s the backup vet for the rodeo this year. She’s due home from DC soon. She called Tawana. I understand her meeting with the Natural Resource Committee didn’t go as well as she’d hoped. We probably all need to give her space when she gets home.”

“Mom, is it okay if I go to Kemper’s?”

“I guess. Let me know if there’s going to be ball practice so I can tell Seth.”