Song of the Meadowlark (Intertwined Book 1) (11 page)

Chapter 10

“Mrs. O’Reilly?”

“Pearl.”

“Pearl.” Cora smiled. “Would you mind if I take a few hours away to ride one of the horses around the ranch?” Cora, wound tighter than a ball of yarn, needed a break from the Clarice episode.

“Of course not. Susie will be fine here. You go ahead.”

Cora changed into her old jeans and a worn T-shirt and walked toward the stables. On Saturdays, most of the ranch hands headed into town for the day, so Cora didn’t worry about disrupting their work. Only Rusty, one of her favorite hands and one she trusted, would be there. Cora stopped by the chicken coop to check out the day-old baby chickens. She reached down and patted a kitten on the head. “Don’t you bother these chicks. You hear me?”

Rusty helped Cora mount a gray horse with black spots. “Her name’s Millie, and she is the gentlest one we have on the ranch.”

“Thank you.” Cora’s body melded into the saddle, which freed her mind from worries of falling off Millie in her gallop, so she could enjoy the cloud-sprinkled sky and scrubby pines. The ranch seemed to go on forever, the rolling hills various shades of green. Wild flowers bloomed in every field Cora rode through. Cows dotted the landscape at every turn. Gravel paths popped up sporadically, edged by barns, bales of hay, and ponds.

By the time Cora looked at her watch, over an hour had passed. She should head back to the barn. It probably wasn’t safe to be so far away from the ranch by herself. The wildlife or the kidnapper might be watching her. Sighing, she turned Millie around and retraced her path. She was about halfway to the stables when Millie began to kick and twist like a bronco.

“Steady, Millie. Calm down!” But Millie didn’t heed Cora’s call. Instead, the horse bolted like lightning over the hill behind the stables.

“Slow down, girl! Please! Millie, Millie!” Cora tried to remain calm so as not to excite Millie any more than she already was, but it was no use. Now she could only hold on and hope not to fall off.

Millie ran until she topped what looked like a small mountain, then headed straight down it, ignoring the path already cut out. Cora closed her eyes and ducked down as far as she could against Millie’s mane.
Lord, please let Millie stop running long enough for me to jump off.

Without warning, Millie raised up on her back legs, and Cora fell off. As she hit the ground, landing on her side with a thud, Millie ran over another peak. Cora winced with pain. Her brain rattled in her head. She lay there helpless on the ground and cried. She’d never felt pain like this before in her life. Fire shot through her body. Maybe someone would come for her soon.

“Cora, Cora? Wake up. Are you okay?”

Someone called her from a distance. She opened her eyes and tried to move. “Ouch! I can’t move.”

Rex gently touched her face. “What happened?” Rex checked to see if Cora was bleeding anywhere.

“Millie threw me.” Cora tried to move again.

“Millie? How?”

“I don’t know. Something scared her, I think. She—she just bolted. I held on as long as I could.”

“Where do you hurt?”

“My side. I landed on my ribs.” Cora coughed. “Ouch!”

Rex scooped Cora up off the ground and walked away from the direction of the ranch.

“Where are you taking me?” Cora breathlessly held her side.

“To my cabin.”

“But where...?” Cora began and then turned her head toward the direction Rex was walking. A dreamy log cabin tucked away amongst a cluster of oak trees towering above stood before her. “Oh, Rex! It’s beautiful.”

Rex smiled as he carried Cora into the cabin. He laid her down on the couch in the living room, in the back of the cabin, which boasted wall-to-wall windows from the floor to ceiling, both made of pine. Outside, through the windows, was a bubbling creek about five feet wide, and there was Millie munching on grass. Cora let out a low grumble. “That horse.”

Rex headed toward the kitchen. “I’ll be right back. Don’t try to move.”

“Don’t worry.” Cora obeyed.

A cobblestone fireplace graced the back wall, and the furnishings of pine and rattan added to the rustic feel. The chairs were sea green and white striped, and the couch printed with pastel roses. The overstuffed recliner in the corner must be Rex’s chair.

Although the cabin was quite masculine in design, an air of femininity floated about the place. Silk flower arrangements and custom frames with family pictures adorned the end tables. Bowls of potpourri, which still held a faint scent of peaches and cinnamon, fragranced the cabin like the Carolina mountains.

Rex came from the kitchen carrying a glass of water and some tablets. “Here take these. I’ve called the doctor, but he won’t be here for another forty-five minutes. Looks like you may have bruised your ribs. He said it didn’t sound as though you’d broken any, so that is good.”

“Thanks.” Cora took the medicine from Rex. “What am I taking?”

“Just some aspirin. It’s all I have here. Sorry I couldn’t offer you something other than water, but I don’t have anything in the fridge.” Rex’s eyes clouded.

“That’s okay. I’m so glad you found me. How did you know where I was?” Cora tried to shift into a more comfortable position.

Rex sat on the end of the sofa and put Cora’s feet in his lap. “I didn’t know where you were. I was out this way, and something told me to come toward home. I’m not usually here. It’s a miracle I found you. Luckily I got to ya before you dehydrated or a snake got ya.” Smirking, he brushed dust from her boots.

“Please, don’t get your hands dirty.” Cora ignored his comment about the snake, although it did send a shiver up her spine.

Rex removed her boots. “There, that’s better.”

“Rex, you’re impossible. Why didn’t the doctor want me to come to his office?”

“I told him I didn’t want you to be moved. I felt like you need to rest.”

“Thanks. Again.” Cora drank her glass of water and reached to set it down on the coffee table. She winced.

“Here, give it to me. So, we have some time to talk. Whatcha wanna talk about?”

“How did things turn out with Matt and Clarice?”

“Be glad you left when you did. Matt was furious with Clarice for not coming home. Clarice was angry because neither of us took up for her. I don’t know what to do with either of them.” Rex ran his finger along the top of Cora’s socked foot.

She shivered again. “What do you mean? Why is what they’re doing so wrong?” She tested Rex.

“Because they shouldn’t go home with strangers. Or with anyone, for that matter.” Rex blushed.

“Oh?”

“What do you mean?”

“No offense. I just thought...” She looked away.

“What? Veronica and me? No way!”

“Really?” Glee shot through Cora. Was it glee? Yes, yes, it was.

“No, never! What gave you that idea?” Rex shifted to face her.

“You did stay out all night with her that one night, so I assumed…. And you didn’t exactly deny it that morning at the pool.”

“You got me on that one. I guess I was too prideful to admit what I’d really been doing. Let me set the record straight.” The sun popped out from behind a cloud and beamed in through the windows, casting its rays on Rex’s tanned face. His dark eyes were like deep pools.

“Wait! You don’t have to explain anything to me. Really,” Cora interrupted.

“Yes, I do. I like you. And I want you to know the truth about me. I came across cocky in the beginning, and I meant to. You see, when I first met you at Ms. Lottie’s, I thought you were the prettiest thing I’d ever seen. Not just because of your looks, but your personality as well. I came home and told Mom about you. I don’t know why, but I did.” Rex paused.

“I’m shocked. I didn’t think you even noticed me.”

“Oh, yeah, I noticed you. What’s not to notice? When Mom and Dad brought you home, I knew they were trying to match-make. It made me mad that they were interfering in my life, so I rejected the very thought of you. I could tell right away the type of woman you were, respectable and all. So I pretended to be a stud so you wouldn’t like me.”

“And that was all an act?” Cora snickered.

“No, not all of it. I am a stud.” Rex smirked.

“Go on with your story, before I kick you.” Cora snickered.

“What else do you want to know?” Rex glanced around the cabin at the display of memories.

“The rest. The part about you and Veronica. I thought you were serious with one another.”

“No way. That’s what she wanted you to think. She was jealous of you from the start.”

“I knew that much. She acted too insecure for me not to figure that out. So, you didn’t bring her here?” Cora pushed.

“No, why do you ask?”

“I wasn’t going to say anything to you, because I didn’t want you to think I was eavesdropping. One night, right after I came here, I went out on the back porch—hoping to find you, actually—and I heard voices in the pool. It was you and Veronica.” Cora looked away from Rex.

“And? What’s the question?”

“I heard her asking you to bring her here, and when you said ‘no,’ she...”

“...tried to get me to be with her in the pool?” Rex completed her thought. He closed his eyes and shook his head.

“Yes.” Cora continued to look away, knowing she’d caught him in a lie.

“You obviously didn’t stick around to hear what happened after that.”

“No. I got out of there as quickly and as quietly as I could.” Cora peeked back at Rex.

“I told her I wasn’t ready to be with her. I said I hadn’t completely gotten over Patricia, and I felt marriage should come before sex.” Rex stared directly into Cora’s eyes with such intensity it made his eyes water.

“Really? You’re not just saying that?”

“Believe me, if it wasn’t true, I wouldn’t say it. This is too embarrassin’ for me to talk about.”

“Why embarrassing?” Cora inquired.

“Because I’m a man. Real men are supposed to get right back in the saddle, if you know what I mean.”

“I’m a fool. I thought the worst of you. I’m sorry.” Cora reached for Rex’s hand.

Taking her hand in his, Rex accepted her apology. “That explains why you pulled away from me in the pool last Sunday. You thought...oh, I’m so sorry.”

“I thought you were a gigolo.” Cora chortled.

“Well, I’m not. I even have a confession to make. When you saw me that mornin’ at the pool, I was returnin’ from Ms. Lottie’s. I wasn’t out all night with Veronica.” Rex colored. “I go there a lot to get away from the ranch.”

“You’re her boy.”

As the doctor suspected, Cora had only bruised her ribs. He wrapped her and told her she should rest for a week. When she asked about her duties with Susie, he told her someone else would have to tend to the child. Rex reassured Cora he’d watch after Susie. She’d made an impact on Rex’s life, after all. He was finally becoming a better father.

When she was alone in her room, Cora blew out a frustrated grunt for thinking romantic thoughts of Rex. Only two weeks had passed since Clark’s funeral, and she seemed to have forgotten, practically overnight, about him. Starting a relationship with Rex, as nice as he may be, wouldn’t be a good idea at this time. When she was better and had enough money, she’d hightail it out of there and head home to Florida.

Per the doctor’s orders, Cora stayed in bed to rest the next day. She hated to miss church since she’d done so the week before. A heaviness fell on her heart. Had she made the right decision in coming to the ranch? She’d made it out of defiance to Mom and Dad, after all. If she’d stayed with Ms. Lottie, she wouldn’t be developing a potentially destructive relationship with Rex, and she’d at least be closer to church. She couldn’t change things now.

As Cora lay in her bed, reading a book, someone knocked on her door.

“Come in.” She straightened her covers, pulling them up over her chest.

“Good mornin’. Here’s your breakfast.” Rex carried a tray of food.

“Rex? What are you doing? You don’t have to pamper me like this.” Cora’s breath caught in her throat. Those dark eyes, that tanned skin, those tight jeans, and leather boots played havoc with her resolve. She swallowed hard. This was nothing more than lust, and she had to stop it now. Or was there more to her feelings for him?

“It’s my pleasure. Someone has to take care of you. Mom and Dad are gettin’ ready for church, and so is Jimmy. So that leaves me.” Rex grinned and set the tray over her lap.

“But you need to go to church with Susie. What about Clarice or Matt? Or...or...Juanita?”

“Cora? What’s wrong? You don’t want me here?” The sparkle left his eyes.

“No, it’s not that.” She shook her head.

“It must be somethin’, if you’d rather have Clarice or Matt take care of you. And Juanita has the day off anyway.” Rex waited for her excuse.

“I feel funny being alone in the house with you. What will people think? What will your family say?”

“I don’t think anyone will think a thing since you’re in the condition you’re in. Nobody’s around for miles. Now, eat!” He nudged the tray closer.

Cora surveyed the silver tray Rex had brought to her. “The food does smell good.” She noted the bud vase with a pink rose in it. “Thank you, Rex. The rose is lovely too.”

“I thought it’d be a nice touch. I picked it from my mom’s rose bush underneath the kitchen window. Is something else botherin’ you?”

“No. I guess not. Maybe it’s the pain medicine.”

“I’m goin’ downstairs. I’ll be in the office for a while. I’m workin’ on a few plans for the ranch. Dad and Matt want me to come up with a design for the workin’ ranch.” He groaned.

“That sounds so cool.”

“I’m not thrilled about it, but they’re forcin’ my hand.”

“I hope you get some work done.”

“Me too. I’ll be back in about thirty minutes to get your tray, okay?”

“Thanks.” Cora smiled as Rex left her room.

After her breakfast, she stretched out in the bed with her cell phone between her ear and shoulder and called Anne.

“Hey, Cora. What are you doing?”

“I’m in bed.” She ran her fingers through her messy hair, combing out the tangles.

“In bed? What for?”

“I got thrown from a horse on the ranch yesterday and practically killed myself.”

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, just sore and bored.” She yawned.

“Have you got anyone there to take care of you?” Anne teased.

“You’re so funny. Yes, Rex, Susie’s dad, is here. In fact, he’s home playing nurse today.” She sniggered.

“Very cool. Life gets better and better for you, huh?”

“Yeah, having an injury after being thrown from a horse…that’s a real treat.” The two laughed until Cora’s sides ached.

“Are you going to be okay, though?”

“Yeah. The doctor said my ribs were bruised, and I need to chill out for a few days.”

“Did you call your mom?”

“No way. I don’t need her rushing up here taking over. I’ll call them soon. I can’t go there right now. Hey, listen, I hear Rex coming up the steps. I’m going to let you go and call you later, okay?”

“Sure thing.”

“Bye.” Cora closed her cell phone and quickly pulled herself to a sitting position in the bed.

When Rex returned for her tray, Susie trailed right behind him. “I want to stay home from church so me and Cora can play.”

“No, not today, girl.” Rex patted her on the top of the head.

“Please, Daddy?” Susie begged.

Cora interjected, “Susie, I can’t take care of you until my ribs are better. You’ll have to go to church with your gramma.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Susie leaned up and kissed Cora on the cheek before leaving her room.

“I’ll see you later, honey.” Cora stuck her bottom lip out at Rex and then grinned.

“Okay, dear.” He hooted and winked at her.

“I meant Susie!” Embarrassed, she slapped the air.

“Do you need anything else?”

“No, I’m fine. Thanks.”

“Get some rest. I’ll be back in a while.”

Cora’s mind swirled with thoughts about the decision she must make. She fluffed her covers, fidgeted, flipped through her Bible. What else besides taking care of Susie could she do to help out if she stayed at the ranch? She turned on the television only to see a report of another missing woman—this one from Lewistown. The woman’s description was similar to hers: dark hair and green eyes. Hold on. Was there a pattern here?

The pieces of the puzzle were coming together.