Cowboy Country (51 page)

“So do you, Nicole, you look really elegant. I love that dress. Ms. Hortense said Teja could ride in front, are you okay with that?” Jessie inquired quietly.

Though they’d never been close friends, but Nicole was real friendly, not fake friendly.

“Oh yeah, Billy’s a bore, I just needed a date for tonight and he agreed to do it. Teja will be lots of fun. Looks like he’s dressed for the celebration,” Nicole agreed in a whisper. Then, in her regular voice, she said, “Billy saved my life by agreeing to do this. Hop in Teja, and join the fun!”

“I owe you my undying gratitude, Nicole!” Teja squealed, kneeling on the passenger seat, taking Nicole’s hand and making a ceremony of kissing it passionately. 

“No problem, Teja. Get ready to wave.”

Behind them, the driver of the white convertible was helping Stacia and Alexis in. Both girls were in full length, snug gowns. Long, formal gloves matched their dresses, Stacia’s a shimmering gold, Alexis in red.

“Copycats,” Teja hissed back to Nicole and Jessie, as Jessie shushed him.

The clock wound down, the referee whistled half-time, and the announcer’s voice boomed over the loudspeaker. “Welcome to the hundred and fifty-sixth annual Hobble Creek Texas Consolidated High School’s Homecoming Parade.”

As the marching band struck up the alma mater and started onto the field for the half-time show, the Cadillacs pulled onto the track, behind the flag and rifle teams.

Smiling under his sequined cap, Teja put on a white glove, Michael Jackson style, and saluted the crowd while Jess and Nicole chatted, raising their hands shyly. As the band, flag team, rifle team, and cheerleaders took the field, the Cadillac convertibles pulled alongside the sidelines, facing the home audience, the conductor whistled, and the Hobble Creek Diamondback Halftime Show began.

Watching it, the butterflies in Jessie’s tummy flipped and flopped, but at least she didn’t feel like she was losing her Doritos. At the close of the performance, the announcer’s voice boomed. “Hobble Creek Diamondback Alumnae, Students, Faculty, Parents and Friends, our student body has selected the nominees for this year’s Homecoming Queen, and I’m pleased to introduce them. Ladies, please join your escorts at the sidelines.”

This felt like her worst nightmare.

Wyatt opened the door and came around for Jess. “Thank you,” she whispered, voice shaking with nerves as she took his hand. “I’m really glad you’re here.” He smiled and squeezed her hand, steadying her as they waited for Billy helped Nicole out.

“I am too, Jess. Just take a deep breath and have some fun.”

The announcer boomed, “In alphabetical order, we have Miss Alexis Danforth, and her escort Brock Grabin.” Brock took Alexis arm, and they walked out in the middle of the field. The audience clapped as the announcer continued, “Alexis is an honor roll student, and a cheerleader. The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Grabin of Hobble Creek, Alexis volunteers at the Hobble Creek Retirement Home, and enjoys helping senior citizens with craft projects there.”

“Oh brother,” Jessie heard Teja mutter, but she didn’t dare turn around, for fear she’d burst out laughing. She was glad that Wyatt clapped.

She did too, more politely than enthusiastically, as did the rest of the crowd, because Alexis had maybe picked a marker up at the retirement home once, on a good day. Everyone knew she only went there to visit her grandma, and that was only when her parents bribed her to go. “Brock is the quarterback for the Hobble Creek Diamondback Varsity Football team.” The crowd erupted in cheers so loud, Jessie almost felt sorry for Alexis, who hadn’t gotten near as much fanfare.

“Miss Jessie O’Rourke, and her escort Wyatt Callanbach.” Jessie’s stomach jolted, but she felt a smile freeze her face as Wyatt led her out on the field. Behind her, Teja blew a party horn, and everyone laughed, in the good way, Jessie realized. The crowd loved Teja, and from the applause, she was a favorite, too.

“Currently ranked first in her class, Jessie set a Diamondback record by achieving a perfect score in junior year Pre-Calculus.” Jessie knew she had Ms. Hortense to thank for that comment; Ivan was sure to flatten her in the hallway.  “Jessie is the daughter of Jacqueline Chavez, of Hobble Creek, and the late Gerry O’Rourke, of Corpus Christi.” She could hear Lance and Ralph whistling for her. Summoning courage, she looked up at her cheering section and gave a big wave. They all started screaming.

Lalinda stood up and threw kisses, while Teja blew the horn vigorously. Giggling at first, Jessie started laughing out loud. Maybe this really was fun, after all. “Wyatt Callenbach is assistant manager at Mockingbird Ranch,” the announcer said, but it was hardly audible, because everyone was still cheering for Jessie.

 Wyatt beamed at her, and the audience didn’t stop clapping until finally, she took a bow. Everyone went wild. Jessie waved, smiling on the outside, cringing with embarrassment on the inside.

Everyone knew that her daddy died, they’d seen her drunken, disheveled, disorderly mother. Jessie wanted to curl up in a ball, and run off the field, but she stood her ground, fake smile plastered on her face, waving, trying to let the happy people make her happy. At one time or another, she figured, she’d fed most of the people in the crowd an egg and steak sandwich from the grill at Okay’s, or had rung up their candy, coffee and gas. Maybe service did matter, more than a fancy dress.

 After Nicole Reish and Stacia Smith and their dates were announced, the four couples stood on the field while the band played, then stepped in behind the flag and rifle team, the band falling in behind them. Then they were back in the cars, a final lap around the track as Teja continued to blow his horn in time with the music.

Finally, Ms. Hortense opened the gate, and the cars pulled through.

“Oh my God, my arm hurts,” Nicole wailed, turning to Jess, who shook her head in agreement, wiping her eyes.

Teja glowed, “You girls were fantastic!”

“It was fun, but I’m glad it’s over,” Jessie cried.

“We have the dance tomorrow night!” Nicole chimed, giving Jessie a little hug of encouragement.

“I’m dreading it.”

“Why?” Nicole asked.

“I’ve offered to help out at Mockingbird all day tomorrow, but Teja and Lalinda said they’d look for a dress. This fussy stuff freaks me out.”

“Jessie, aren’t you a size four? Or a six? My mother is a huge shopper, she’s always in Houston or Dallas, and brings me back tons of clothes I can’t be bothered with, it’s her hobby, she’s compulsive, drives my daddy nuts. Twenty dresses with tags still on them hang in my closet, too small, that I will never wear. If you all are going to Mockingbird tomorrow, just have Wyatt drop Teja and Lalinda by, we’ll find you something in a snap,” Nicole offered, so casual about what had to be thousands of dollars in dresses.

Jessie was stunned. “Nicole, are you sure? It sounds like a huge imposition.”

“Jessie, honestly, please do. You won’t be able to find a gorgeous dress at this late date, and you deserve to look fabulous, you do. C’mon, you’ve never been to my house. I’d love for you to stop by and visit after Mockingbird, we can get ready together. Lalinda and Teja might do our makeup, it will be fun. Please come over,” Nicole begged. 

“Wow, that’s really kind of you. I’ll let Teja and Lalinda know, if you’re serious.”

“I’m counting on it, Jessie. I’ll expect you around four. The dance starts at nine that gives us plenty of time.”

“Thanks, Nicole. I want you to know that I voted for you for Homecoming Queen.”

“Jessie, I voted for you. You don’t really think Alexis helps senior citizens with craft projects, do you?” she asked giggling, her blue eyes twinkling in amusement. Nicole was a lot of fun, Jessie realized. She’d been in class with Nicole since fifth grade, but she’d never spent any time with her outside of school.

“See ya tomorrow,” Nicole called, as Billy came by and took her up to the stands. Jessie gave her a quick hug. “Okay, thanks, Nicole.”

“What was that about?” Teja asked.

6

MOCKINGBIRD MOONLIGHT

Sunday, September 12, 2006, 12:13 AM~ Sunburst Trailer Park, Hobble Creek, TX

Wyatt pulled the truck into the Sunburst Trailer Park after midnight. Garth Brooks played softly on the stereo. Teja, Lalinda and April had all gone with Spectra after the Homecoming Dance, and they were still out carousing someplace.

Jessie sat next to him, in a pale blue satin strapless snug minidress, criss cross folds across the front, with matching high heeled sandals and a little blue purse. Big fake blue drop pearls were in her ears, with a pearl necklace. Teja had done her nails, pale pink, and Lalinda had curled her hair and put it up.

“You look real pretty, Jess,” Wyatt said, searching her eyes. They’d danced all night, and he wanted to hold her again, close.

“Thanks for being my date, Wyatt, you rescued me again,” Jessie said, her green eyes flashing gratitude.

“You didn’t need rescuing, Jessie. The dance was fine. I like dancing with you.”

She touched her hair, self-consciously. Teja had given her a pale blue rhinestone headband, insisted that she wear it, like a tiara. The rhinestones matched the sparkles in her dress and shoes.

“Nicole saved my life with this dress, didn’t she? I’m so glad she won Queen.”

“You were second runner-up.”

“That was a huge surprise, wasn’t it? I would’ve been embarrassed if I’d won. Well, I was embarrassed, anyway, but you know that. I think I’m really more book queen, or ranch queen, than Homecoming Queen, anyway, don’t you?”

“You shine in many arenas, Jess. Nothing to be embarrassed about.” He wished his certainty was contagious. She could sure use a big dose of self-confidence.

“Thanks for dancing with Lalinda, and Spectra and April. Lalinda and Teja were a pair, weren’t they?” Jessie smiled.

“Hobble Creek Homecoming’s never seen such a colorful couple,” Wyatt agreed, grinning.

“Stacia didn’t mind dancing with you. It looked like she would’ve ditched her date if you’d given her the chance,” Jessie said, searching his eyes.

“Ah, Stacia’s a nice girl, Jessie, but she’s not you.”

Her face broke into a smile, and she turned away from him, blushing.

“Thanks for your help with the heifers today, Jess.”

“Any experience I can get for vet school appreciated, you know that,” she said, still gazing out the dark window.

“Wanna come out to the ranch tomorrow?” He wished he could catch her eye again.

“Gotta be at Okay’s all day. But if Mary can swing over during the week, and you don’t mind bringing me home, I’ll come out and help you finish, any day that Hymie can cover.”

“That’s a deal. Come on, I’ll walk you in, a girl dressed as pretty as you needs to be walked to the door.”

Jess rolled her eyes, but he got out and opened her door, taking her hand as she stepped down from the truck. Jessie grabbed her wrap and her little sparkly blue purse, the orchids he had given her at her wrist.

“Thanks for the flowers, Wyatt.”

“You’re gorgeous, Jess,” he said, keeping hold of her hand.

“You mean it?” She looked at him questioningly.

“I sure do,” he told her, not taking his eyes from hers, so she knew he meant it.

“Thanks for helping me through all this.”

“I’m always here for you, you know that. You came through like a champ.”

She smiled shyly. They were at the door of the trailer. Her skin was porcelain pale, in the moonlight, and he could just see tiny freckles across the bridge of her nose.

“You’ll be valedictorian, too, Jessie. Gonna have to give the other girls a chance at something,” he told her, touching her nose gently.

Jessie blushed, then fished in her purse for the key.

“You need a light?” he asked.

“I’m okay.”

She unlocked the door and turned back, biting her lip, and he could tell she was wondering if he would kiss her. He looked at her eyes, her cheekbones, soft in the moonlight, and touched her arm, moving closer. He wanted to kiss her so badly.

“Night, Wyatt.” She turned to go into the trailer.

“Wait, Jess, I just...” He grabbed her arm. She looked up, surprised, but then his lips were on hers. She started like a little colt, but then he felt her give, as she settled into it. Closing his eyes, he tasted the strawberry flavor of her lip gloss, and something else, something that was all Jessie.

The kiss was brief; her lips were too soft to linger.

He pulled back. “Night, Jess. See ya during the week.”

Her eyes were starry. Her first kiss, he hoped.

“Night, Wyatt. Thanks, again.”

7

MOCKINGBIRD CALLS

Monday, May 30, 2016, 1:42 PM~Mockingbird Ranch, Hobble Creek, TX

“Go on down to the barn, see Mabel,” Mary encouraged after Nicole had gone, so Jessie changed and walked the wide familiar path from Mary and Lance’s to the Mockingbird Stables.

Mabel was a tall, grey thoroughbred mare Lance had bought for Mary year’s before. Mary had never been much of a rider, and so she’d always been Jessie’s to ride. The mare nickered from her stall as Jessie entered through the wide open doorway.

“Hey, Mabel,” she said. “I’ll bet you’re looking for a carrot.”

Mabel’s soft whiskered lips took the carrot nub Jessie offered, and butted her hand for more.

Sunlight behind his broad back in the doorway, big thighs wrapped in Levi’s, Wyatt strolled in, tall, strapping, so temptingly hot...

“Figures you’d waste no time finding your way to the barn, Jessie O’Rourke. Is Cash with you?”

“He’s around here somewhere.”

Wyatt flashed his warm smile, and that hot, familiar charge she’d felt at church shot down Jessie’s spine, flooding her with memory and sensation. “Well, he’s sure sticking close to you! Some things never change.”