Cowboy Candy (5 page)

CHAPTER 14

Maddy was impressed. Dusty’s mother was a real gem. During their
interview, the woman had treated her as if they were old friends...amazing..
Grace was rich, but not pompous. She was refined, but told you what was
what. She was simply a really sweet woman who obviously cherished her
family. Grace was kind enough to give her an entire week to get moved and
settled into
the
place.
Inwardly
Maddy
was
crying...tears
of
sheer
happiness. Outwardly, she attempted to appear poised and confident.

Currently, she tried to avert her eyes from Dusty’s swagger as she
followed him to the den. Walt, was looking over some paperwork and
removed his glasses as they entered the room. He stood from his chair.
"Well, well...you must be Maddy," he grinned.

"Hello, Mr. Cash, yes sir . . .Maddy Cassidy," she blushed.

He gave his son an approving glance from across the room. Dusty was
leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed, taking it all in. He was
relieved that he approved of Maddy already. He couldn't recall the last time
his father had ever approved of anything or anyone when it concerned him.
However, maybe he was imagining things. Walt truly did want someone
special taking care of his wife. No slouch was going to live on his property
without putting in a good, solid day's work.

"Well, welcome to Mountain Rose.
I take it my son has shown you
around the ranch," he asked.
Dusty spoke up.
"No dad. I was just about to ask her if she wanted to go see her new

place," he confirmed.
"Which one?’
"Oh, I figured the cabin overlooking Diamond Lake.”

"Well done . . . good choice," the old man nodded approvingly.
Walt grinned and reached out to take Maddy’s hand in his own.
“You just make yourself at home Miss Maddy, and be sure to holler if
you need any help at all.”

“Why, thank you Mr. Cash. I sure do appreciate the job offer, and the
cabin.
I plan on packing my things tonight, and perhaps coming out
tomorrow?
I need to stop at the store to pick up some things to decorate
with too,” she grinned.

"You make yourself comfortable and take your time, there’s no rush.
Welcome to the family," he smiled.

 

CHAPTER 15

Dusty couldn't believe his old man had actually come through. He was
more than a little stunned. Walt normally didn't act so kindly towards the
hired help. It seemed as if the Mountain Rose Ranch was a dismal place
and Walt recognized the fact. The dismal pall that had overshadowed the
entire atmosphere since his mother’s accident was finally beginning to fade.
Maddy's presence appeared to affect everyone in a positive way. She exuded
charm, wit, and determination, and Walt recognized a good thing when he
saw it. Somehow, he sensed this girl was going to really help his wife to
regain some semblance of her former self. He was sure of it.

Dusty escorted her her outside and started walking towards his Jeep.
"How'd you like to see your new place?" he grinned.

"I can hardly wait, Dusty. I haven't felt this excited about anything in a
very long time. My own place and a fantastic new job; what more could a
girl ask for?" she laughed.

He dazzled her with another heart wrenching grin and she felt her heart
begin to race again.

 

"After you Mademoiselle," he said, as she awoke from her daze.
"My
chariot awaits," he laughed.

She followed him, hoping he wouldn't detect her shallow breathing.
He placed his large hands around her tiny waist and hoisted her into the
Jeep.

"Better be careful, you might throw out your back," she teased.
He grinned.
"What? Why you're as light as a feather.”

She couldn't remember the last time she'd had this much fun with a
man. They laughed so hard, they were crying. The ride was exhilarating as
he drove through creeks, over berms, and took hairpin turns with ease. He
sped up a little and drove up a steep ravine. Finally, the Jeep screeched
precariously to a stop at the edge of a ten-foot drop.

"What is this place," she asked curiously.
"It used to be a hunting cabin," he replied. We don't hunt much any
more, but it does come in handy during the winter season. It's fully stocked
with all the comforts of home," he replied. "I never have been one for
hunting down something I'm not planning to eat. I'd rather just fish for
some trout," he smiled, apologetically.

"Well, I've been hunting a time or two and can't say I really care for it,
either." She agreed. Their eyes caught, and she had a difficult time looking
away.

Blushing, she hopped out of the Jeep. "I didn't realize that there was a
river here," she smiled.
"That's the Diamond River," he said as he joined her at the edge of the
ravine.
"It's beautiful," she sighed, "But I bet sometimes it can be dangerous."
She pointed out. As they spoke, he began walking towards her like a large,
dangerous cat. She tried to act casual, as she found herself back stepping.
Finally, she could go no further. Her back was against the rough wooden
logs of the cabin.
Surprisingly, she didn't panic. She stood her ground and hoped that
he wouldn't come any closer.
No, she hoped that he would never stop
coming closer. He put his hand on his hip and grinned.
"Maddy, you look like a scared rabbit. You don't have to worry, I won't
bite."
She snapped out of it, hating the fact that she had become skittish
around the opposite sex. Feeling more than a little foolish, she gave him a
sheepish grin.
He unlocked the door and they stepped inside.
The living room had
a huge rock fireplace that rose to the tall ceiling. Wood panels lined the
walls
and the kitchen had granite countertops, state of the art appliances,
and a huge brass pot rack. The spiral staircase led upstairs to a large loft
with picture windows. The view was breathtaking. She could see for miles
and miles.
"What a view...it’s breathtaking,”she remarked as they made their way
to a back deck that overlooked the pond. The air was sweet with the aroma
of Night Blooming Jasmine.
He took her hand gently in his and brought her around the front of the
place. Someone had lovingly planted a variety of flowers, and among them
were Night Blooming Jasmine. They walked to the side porch where Dusty
pointed out
the
ravine, with
it's
colorful
wildflowers
and cascading
waterfall. The pool underneath looked as if it belonged on a movie set. It
was
slightly
hidden
with
Eucalyptus
branches
and sunbaked rocks.
“There’s a thermal pool down there. It hasn’t been cleared out in a
few years, but you’re more than welcome to have at it,” he grinned.
“Oh? Well, I’ll have to remedy that,” she mused.
She imagined them swimming naked together, and making love all
afternoon on the grassy bank.
"Maddy? Hello? Whatcha' thinking about, girl?" he asked.
"Me? Oh, I was just thinking that this is the perfect spot for a picnic."
Dusty chuckled.
"Funny you should say that. . . "I was thinkin' the same thing.”
There was a comfortable silence between them . . .
"Well, what do you think about your new place?”
She flashed a breathtaking smile in his direction.
"You mean, this is mine?," she laughed, giddy with excitement.
He grinned wide.
"It sure is! Thought you might take a fancy to it...you did say you loved
Night Blooming Jasmine.”
Just then, she felt like the luckiest woman in the world and without
thinking ran up to give him a grateful hug. She was close to tears and he
held her gently in his arms.
"No need to cry girl, you're home now," he whispered.

CHAPTER 16

Maddy drove the car as if on autopilot. Still dazed, she glanced into the
rearview mirror and saw that her eyes were rimmed red from crying. She
had been pent up for so long, it felt good to finally have a place to call her
own. In her mind, she replayed what had just happened. Dusty had held
her and tried to quiet her down, pulling out his handkerchief and dabbing at
her eyes.

"Come on, Maddy. Let it all out, you'll feel better," he soothed.

When her crying jag had finished, she settled into his muscular arms
and nestled her face against his chest. "Dusty Cash, you are an amazing
man, did you know that?," she whispered. He responded by holding her
closer.
They stood that way for what seemed like hours.
Finally, he
released his hold and stooped down to pick a fragrant bloom of Jasmine,
and placed softly placed it in her hair.

She all but swooned.
What a sweet man. What a sweet gesture. He
had given her the hunting cabin because of the Night Jasmine. At that
moment, she did feel like the luckiest girl in the world. After years of black
eyes, sleepless nights, and fear; she felt safe in the arms of this handsome,
sweet cowboy.

She smiled to herself.
"I think I'm in love..." she whispered to herself. "No, no. I can't allow
my heart to rule my head. I have a job to do and you're never supposed to
mix business with pleasure." Still, she felt warm inside and got butterflies in
her stomach just thinking of those huge arms sheltering her.

Just then, Boz Skaggs began to croon . . .

 

"Love, look what you've done to me. I never thought I'd fall again so
easily." She turned up the radio and floored it.

"Look out El Dorado, here I come!," she laughed with sheer happiness
as she pointed the mustang West.
“I’ve got the urge...to splurge,” she grinned and cranked up the radio.
Before long, Maddy was eighty miles away from Grand View and
found herself missing it already. She was not alone in the world any more.
It felt good to know that she had friends now, and a place to live, working
for a great family.
She pulled up into the parking lot and pulled her shopping list out of
her bag, checked her face in the mirror, and walked into the store like she
owned the place.
She felt carefree and grinned.
“Watch out everyone, hurricane Maddy’s just blown into town.”
She no longer had to fear that someone in town might see her spending
some of her own money. She no longer feared that Jack would berate her
for spending money at such a “frivolous” place as K-Mart. She no longer
had to dress, act, speak, sleep, talk, or walk a certain way for fear she might
be smacked for trying to attract too much attention.
She was relishing her
freedom, every minute of it.
She did not normally like to shop. She supposed it was because she
had never really been able to enjoy it with Jack around. Now, she realized
that she didn’t have to rush any more. She didn’t have to work two jobs
and feed a worthless drunk. She didn’t have to hide a new blouse or red
lipstick.
“I am now, a woman of leisure,” she grinned.
She
spent
an
entire
afternoon
selecting
shower
curtains, bath
accessories, and bedspreads.
She picked up some vases, candles, and
houseplants
Of course, she bought some new wranglers, socks, and
undergarments. The cabin was furnished with just about everything she
needed, but did need a feminine touch.
She wandered into the crafts
section and purchased some canvas, brushes, and acrylics. Jack used to
belittle her for sitting out in the fresh air to paint. He cramped her style and
she could hardly enjoy her hobby.
Now, she lived on a ranch with an
endless selection of subjects to paint.
As she carried her bags to the car, she couldn’t help but feel that life can
deal you a dirty deck. You can play it, or you can fold and take your losses.
She may have taken a wrong turn, but it had pointed her in the right
direction. She finally hadn’t been dealt a dirty hand, she was sure of it.
She drove out of the parking lot and headed for Mabel’s. She could
see the Mountain Rose in the distance. Passing it, she slowed the car and
spotted Dusty's white jeep in the distance. It looked like he was fixing
some fence line. Her heart did a flip-flop.
“Damn, you sure are fine,” she whispered. “See ya tomorrow,
handsome.”
She gave him a silent wave and blew him a kiss. Something inside of her
had changed. She was happier than she’d been for years. As she cruised
into town, she sang along with Tammy Wynette...
“Right now I’m like a wounded bird, hungry for the sky... but if I try my
wings and try long enough, I’m bound to learn to fly...So, I’ll just keep on
fallin’ in love, til’ I get it right....”

CHAPTER 17

 

Mabel was no fool. Maddy had the hots for Dusty, of that she was sure.
Come to think of it, she was sure that the feeling was mutual.

"Tell me all about your new place!," the old woman asked.
Animated,
Maddy explained all about the cabin that overlooked the Diamond River.
Miss Mabel had that far away look in her eye as she listened to the details of
Night Jasmine and Dusty.

Mabel let out a dreamy sigh.

 

"Well, now. That sure brings back memories. I might be old, but I still
remember what it felt like to be held safe in the arms of my love.”
“Miss M...I wish I could say the same . . . I’m sure the hug was strictly
platonic,” she attempted to explain.

 

"You sure he ain't got the hots for ya'?”

 

Maddy looked momentarily taken aback.

"Miss Mabel, I'm not looking for any romance. Especially with another
cowboy," she affirmed.
"Okay, well I was just checkin.”
"I sure am gonna' miss you Maddy. You tend to brighten up the place

and I got a hunch you’ll be down to see me as often as you can, right?
"Miss Mabel, of course! I'll be sure to come in at least once a week, I
promise. I miss you already.”
Maddy rose to give the old woman a hug. She headed for the door and
braced herself. She was about to begin another chapter in her crazy life.
Maybe this time it would work out, and she'd really make a difference in
someone's life.
She sensed that she and Grace were going to be fast friends. As far as
she was concerened, she was determined to eventually get that poor woman
out of her home and into the fresh air again. She felt that's the least she
could do. They were offering her the chance of a lifetime, and she was
never one to take the kindness offered by strangers lightly.
The red mustang was pulled a left out of the parking lot and Miss
Mabel almost felt like she was a mother hen letting her chick out of the
roost for the first time.
She had grown to really like that little gal, and if any man got the notion
to hurt her ever again, all she had to do was make one phone call.
By now, all of Grand Valley knew the name Maddy Cassidy. She was
one of them now, and by God, nobody was ever going to hurt that girl
again.