Counterfeit Cowboy (24 page)

A fire crackled on the hearth shared between the living room and dining room. It was Saturday morning, her time to relax. She wouldn’t let images of what could never be cloud her enjoyment of the moment. If only a big chunk of something she didn’t want to admit was loneliness would go away…

The cordless phone rang and she scooped it up. “Dr. Shelby Masters here.”

“Hi, Shel. Whatcha doin’?” Her brother’s voice rocketed her out of the blue mood.

“Watching the horses in the snow. It’s a winter wonderland here.”

“Ah, damn.” Regret tinged his exuberance. “Wouldn’t I love to see them! And I will. Soon. Good news, Shel…” His tone picked up. “Annie’s held off gigs until New Year’s. How great is that? The band and I will be able to perform at your wedding.”

“There’s not going to be any wedding.” She swallowed hard. Nothing like the truth. “I caught Andy with Michelle Latton, and let’s just say there could be no doubt what they’d been up to…in my room…in my bed.”

“Shel…” The line fell silent. “Hell, I don’t what to say…except that when I get home Andy Crowell is in for the hiding of his life.”

“Not necessary.” She drew a deep breath. “Actually, it’s all for the best. I wasn’t in love with Andy, and apparently he wasn’t with me, either. We were both saved a big mistake.”

“Still, I’m sorry you had to catch ’em…in the act.”

“So am I. It will cost me a new mattress. Now, moving on. I’m so happy you’ll be home for Christmas. I’ll order a super-large turkey. That new hand Jordan sent along has a healthy appetite and no family besides us to spend the holidays with.” She paused and waited for a response. When none came, she prompted, “Travis, are you there?”

“Sure, sure, just thinking. Thanks for giving me this chance, Shel.” The soft, deep sincerity in his words caught at her throat, made her choke up.

“No thanks necessary, little brother. I’m glad I woke up to reality in time to give your talent the free rein it deserves.”

“Nevertheless, appreciated. Shel?” Her name held a dubious question. “Jordan’s movie will be in our town next week. It’s gotten some nice reviews.” The words were hesitant, uncertain.

“And you’re wondering if I’m going to see it? Why not? I’d like to see the results of my tutoring.” She tried to make her words sound light, careless.

“Okay, fine. I think you’ll be pleased. But, Shel?”

“What? Come on, Travis. Spit it out. There’s more, isn’t there?”

“Yeah, well, Jordan told me how Michelle blackmailed him and Annie into getting her an audition with a producer.”

“Go on.”
What now? What else has that witch done?

“Well, Annie isn’t a movie-type agent. The best she could do was get Michelle a little part in Jordan’s picture. Michelle wasn’t all that pleased but took it because she thought a producer might notice her and take an interest.”

“And the part she plays in Jordan’s movie?” Her heart upped its beat.

“A bit part where she plays a saloon girl who tries to seduce Jordan. Shel, she puts on a pretty hot performance.”

“So you’ve seen it?”

“Yeah. I was at the premiere with Jordan and the band last week. Quite an affair.”

“And I suppose Michelle was there in all her sexy glory?”

“Oh, yeah. Chatting up everyone she thought might have any clout in the movie industry. Don’t think she had much success, though, because she looked like a thundercloud when the party ended.”

“Well, good for her. Finally she’s not getting all she wants.” Shelby paused before continuing, “Sorry about that, Travis. That was nasty and catty. Scratch it.”

“Sure. Just thought I’d let you know the story before you go to see the film. Anyhow, gotta go, sis. We’re heading out. See you in a couple of weeks. Love ya. ’Bye.”

“Travis?”

“Yeah?”

“How is Jordan?” She’d struggled to avoid asking—and lost.

“Okay…I guess.”

“What do you mean, ‘okay, I guess’? Is something wrong?” She heard her tone escalate with concern.

“No, no, nothing terrible. Just what Joe tells me is usual. Gut bothering him a lot.” There was a pause. “Should I tell him you were asking about him?”

“No, definitely not. Promise you won’t, Travis.”

“Okay, okay. Have to go now, Shel.”

“Thanks for calling, little brother. And take care.”

“Sure.”

****

Curiosity does more than kill cats. It made this normally sensible woman drive into town on a Saturday night in what could develop into a major snowstorm, just to see how a pupil looks up on the big screen.
She’d been standing in the theatre queue for a half hour.

“ ’Evenin’, Shelby.” The elderly ticket seller in the box office grinned out at her. “Figured you’d show up on the first night his picture is playing. It came as one big surprise to everyone around here when we found out Jordan Brooks had been at your place all summer practicing up for this movie. Look at this crowd! Normally on a night like this I’d be lucky to half fill the place. Tell me…” He leaned forward and hissed out the question. “I know the story is that he came to your place just to spruce up his riding, but could he ride at all before that? Rumor has it…”

“You got it right the first time, Mr. Harvey.” Shelby went along with the story Ann Wise had suggested she tell. “He was simply sprucing up his skills.”

“I told the wife that was it.” The old man slammed his hand down on the counter, a satisfied grin lighting up his face. “I told her Jordan Brooks was no phony cowboy. I told her he was the real deal.” He took Shelby’s money and shoved a ticket toward her. “Enjoy the movie, Shelby. You can take pride in the part you played, even if you’re not up on the screen…like some people from around here.”

The last was colored with sarcasm. Michelle, in spite of her television fame, had never been popular in her home area.

“Thanks.” Shelby scooped up the small piece of cardboard and headed into the theatre. Instantly she was surrounded by friends and neighbors, all wanting to know more about Jordan’s time at the farm.

“Hey, hey, let the lady through.” As she was trying to fend them off, an arm suddenly went around her shoulders and she looked up to see Andy Crowell standing beside her. “This isn’t a press conference. She came to see the show, just like the rest of us, so how about letting us through?”

With mutters of disappointment, the crowd acquiesced.

“Thanks, Andy.” Shelby started to move away, but he held her.

“How about us watching the show together?” He looked down at her, a slow grin coming across his lips. “Look, I have popcorn.” He shoved forward the bucket he was carrying in his other arm. “I remember you couldn’t enjoy a movie without it when we were kids.”

“Well…”

“Look, Shelby, I made a king-sized mess of our relationship, and I’m sorry as hell. I’m not asking you to forgive me, but can’t we at least be friends? We were for a long time, and pretty darned good at it.”

“Okay, sure, why not? You’re right. We were good at being friends. And we’re going to be neighbors for one very long time.”

“Great.” He took her arm and guided her toward seats near the back of the theater. “I also remember you don’t like to be too close to the screen.” Once they were seated, he asked, “How’s Travis doing?”

“Good. At least he sounds happy when he calls.”

“I’m glad.” He moved the popcorn bucket into position between them. “Help yourself. And that new guy, your new hand, how’s that working out?”

“Good, as well.” She took a handful and munched a few kernels. “Great with horses, likes his privacy at night to watch TV in the cabin. Not big on conversation, but I have my patients to provide that.”

“You can talk to me anytime you want.” He looked over at her and she saw honesty and genuine concern in his brown eyes.
Yes, Andy Crowell, we can and will be friends.

“I know. And I’m glad we met up tonight. Glad we cleared the air and are back in our old, comfortable territory.”

“Yeah, well, I can’t say I’m entirely happy about it, but now I know it’s what you want, I’ll do my damnedest to go along with the idea. You’re one special lady, Shelby Masters, and don’t you ever forget it.”

Good lord, don’t let those be tears behind my eyes
.

“The movie’s starting.” She turned back to the screen just in time.

Later, she had to admit that from the first frame to the last, she’d sat mesmerized by Jordan’s performance. Whether he was riding (very well, she was delighted to observe), singing, or playing the all-out, good-old-boy cowboy, he was terrific. And from the reaction of the audience, she wasn’t the only one to feel that way.

Feeling they knew him because of his summer spent in their area and even more so because of his personal appearance at her engagement party, they often hooted, whistled, and called out approval at the star on the screen.

Only nearing the end, when Jordan was supposedly being seduced by the saloon girl played by Michelle Latton, did the sounds of approval turn to hoots of derision. To Shelby’s eye, the scene had been inserted late in editing, probably to appease the woman, and added little to an otherwise good story.

“Ah, crap!” The hissed expression came from beside her as Michelle pulled Jordan’s head down to kiss him passionately, shining black hair swaying to her waist, a skintight red dress barely covering major areas. “Shel…”

“It’s okay, Andy. It’s all make-believe, right?”

Chapter Nineteen

“Feeling better, lad?” Joe Farrah turned from the television program flashing into the hotel room, lowered the volume, and looked up at Jordan.

“Sure.” Wearing plaid pajama pants and a navy robe that hung open over his bare chest, he came on out of the bathroom. Barefooted, he crossed the room to slump into a chair beside the bus driver’s. “What are we watching?”

“Tape of last night’s Toronto-Buffalo game. You got another choice?”

“No, it’s fine.” Jordan sprawled back and closed his eyes. “But just once it would be nice to see a game as it’s happening.”

“Still feeling rotten, right?”

“Why do you say that?” He opened one eye to glance over at the bus driver.

“Hell, lad, any game that included the Toronto Maple Leafs, even in rerun, used to have you on the edge of your seat. Now look at you.”

“Okay, okay, so a hot shower and the pink stuff don’t always cut it. I’ll be fine after a bit of rest.”

“Yeah? Well, the only way you’ll be fine is to quit this crazy business and go back to that girl…the little vet in New Brunswick. This way of life was doing a number on you even before you met her. Now you’re an all-out wreck.”

“Thanks for boosting my morale.” Jordan hefted himself to his feet. “Hey, would you look at that goal!”

“Yeah…for Buffalo. Hell, Jordan, admit it. You’re away off your game.”

“Okay, maybe.” He slumped back into the chair. “But this quitting thing…I’m not sure it’s right. Travis is doing great, but leaving the boys…”

“Maybe you couldn’t last summer, but now…” The big man swirled his chair to face him. “Travis is doing fine as a solo performer. You’ve woven him into the band and stage show without a single seam showing. The fans will accept him like he was always lead singer, once you’re gone. And I can manage the boys. Hell, I’ve even had to manage you, at times. They’ll be in good hands with me, you know that. So give yourself a chance. Quit this craziness before you start belching blood, and go get that girl.”

“Are you firing me, Joe?” Jordan let a slow grin kink his lips.

“If I could, I would…for your own good.”

“Thanks, my friend.” Jordan pulled himself out of the chair and clapped a hand on the older man’s shoulder. “Some day soon, I promise.”

“You do that.” Joe Farrah’s words followed him as he headed into the bedroom. “And after you’ve had a rest, head back to New Brunswick and that little brown-haired vet.”

“FYI, her hair’s chestnut, not brown, and she’s engaged to be married.”

A knock sounded at the door. “Jordan, hey, Jordan, I’ve got news.”

“Travis, it’s Sunday, my day of rest. What do you want?”

“It’s important. It’s about Shelby.”

He crossed the room in four long strides and yanked open the door. “Get in here.” He caught Travis by a sleeve and pulled him inside. “What about Shelby? Is she okay? She hasn’t been hurt…a horse…?”

“She’s fine…physically.” Travis was dragged a couple of strides into the room before Jordan released him. “But she and Andy Crowell broke up. The wedding’s off.”

“What! Why? You’d better not be teasing me, boy.” A gush of emotions flooded through him.

“She caught the bastard with Michelle Latton, and they weren’t exactly having tea and crumpets.”

“Hell.” A sick feeling engulfed him as he imagined Shelby’s pain. Sure, he’d wanted her back, but not with a broken heart, not humiliated by some guy who wasn’t good enough to scrape manure from her boots. He turned away and ran a hand through his once again sandy-colored hair. “How could any man do that to Shelby?”

“I’m thinking someone stupid with jealousy.” Travis sank into the chair Jordan had deserted and focused on the game. “Hey, did you see that, Joe? Great play or what?”

“Stupid with jealousy? Why?” Jordan went to stand between the younger man and the television.

“You. Ah, come on, Jordan. Move. Let me see the game.”

“Me?” He held his position. “Me?”

“Yeah, you. Shel said he suspected you and her had a thing going this summer. Didn’t believe me when I told him no way, that I was chaperoning all the time. Now will you move?”

Jordan moved out of the way, his mind suffused with crazy ideas, even hope. Then he remembered what Travis had just told him about Shelby catching her fiancé with another woman, and the thoughts faded.

“After what happened with Crowell, she’s not about to welcome another man, any man.”

“I think you’re wrong, Jordan.” Travis slanted him a sideways glance. “She was only marrying Andy because she thought you and her didn’t have a chance, that she’d better get sensible and marry the guy next door. She’s got the real thing for you, Jordan. I know it, man.”

“Did she say so?” Jordan felt his heart begin an anxious tattoo against his ribs as he turned to face her brother.