Promise Them (The Callahan Series Book 6) (20 page)

Nellie stood with her back to the door and watched a thunderstruck Dani look around.

“I like your kitchen.”

Molly grinned. “I’m going to miss this place. Let me show you the rest.”

She led Dani to a door at the end of the kitchen. “This is the pantry”

“It’s huge.”

Tall, blond, blue-eyed, Zach popped up from behind a stack of boxes. Dani jumped a foot.

Nellie stifled a laugh. Zach had graduated high school a month ago and had been working here since he was fourteen. Against the law, but he loved the place and kind-hearted Molly couldn’t tell him no when he begged for the job.

“Don’t scare the help, Zach. This is Dani, our new chef. Dani this is Zach. He washes the dishes and keeps the pantry straight.”

“My real title is Gopher.” He grinned. “Go for this…go for that.”

“Glad to meet you. I’m not really a chef. Just filling in.”

“No time for chit-chat,” Molly said. “I don’t need this much room. Told Emma that when I leased the place, but she said it came with the lease. It’s wasted space.”

“I presume next to the wasted space is what was once Jane’s Gift Shop.”

“It is,” Nellie chimed in. “Has Emma said anything about finding someone to lease it?”

“Nope,” Dani said. “Guess this place will be next.” She turned to Molly. “Can’t you think of some way to stay open?”

Molly shook her head. “I have to accept the truth. It’s time to retire.”

“Well, then.” Dani looked at the other two women. “What’s for lunch?”

Molly opened the refrigerator. “I have chicken, salad makings, and Carter’s had squash on sale, so I bought a box.”

“What did you have in mind?”

Molly shrugged. “Think of something. Sometimes I get the feeling the customers get tired of the same old thing. Why not give them something new today?”

“Such as?”

“I’ll leave it up to you. My leg hurts, I’m going to check on the customers, then sit down.”

“You can’t leave me like this.”

“Emma told me you made a great chicken dish the other night. See if we have the ingredients. If we don’t, Zach can make a run to Carter’s.” She walked out.

“Chicken dish? What chicken dish?” Dani looked around the kitchen and started toward the door. “I can’t do this.”

“Are you going to let Molly down? Plus all her customers?” Nellie asked archly from behind.

Dani whirled around, looking scared and desperate. “You know I can’t do this. Why can’t the rest of the world know that?”

“What was the chicken dish?” Nellie asked.

Dani told her and opened the fridge again. “All the ingredients are here.”

“Then let’s get busy.”

Dani’s eyes widened. “You’re going to help me?”

“What are neighbors for?”

“I have no idea what’s too much or too little. Do you?” she asked Nellie.

Nellie shook her head. “I haven’t a clue how many people eat lunch here on a daily basis. We’ll just wing it.”

For the next hour, neither had time to think.

“Thank goodness for Zach.” Dani whispered to Nellie when he lifted heavy pots, ran for ingredients, and generally made things easier. “He’s worth his weight in gold.”

By the time Amy came in to ask what the special was so she could put it on the blackboard, everything was ready.

Amy was one of those women who couldn’t be hurried. Nellie thought it was her age, but it was hard to determine. Fifty maybe. Except her face was a roadmap of wrinkles, her long hair knotted on top of her head.

“The special of the day is chicken spaghetti, squash casserole, and salad.”

“Sounds yummy.”

“Hope so,” Dani grumped.

“’Course you know there’ll be those who order hamburgers.”

“What?”

“Oh, yeah. Hamburgers, cheese-burgers, bacon burgers; all with French fries.”

“You’re kidding.”

Amy chuckled. “You’ll get used to it.”

“I thought we were almost finished,” Dani grumbled as she ran to the refrigerator. “Everything’s here.” She sighed heavily.

“You’re holding up better than anyone I know, Dani,” Nellie said. “Hang in there.”

“How many people come in for lunch? Did I prepare all this food for nothing?”

Nellie shrugged.

“You’re in charge of the grill, Zach.”

He was so excited he almost dropped the spatula Dani slapped in his hand.

Orders poured in. Just as many for burgers as for the special. Nellie and Dani dished up the plates and let Zach handle the burgers.

At twelve-thirty, Molly came in.

“I hope you’re here to help,” Dani snapped.

“I just came in to say the clientele are happy as clams. They love the special and are impressed with the size of the fries. Cut them down a little, honey. You’re giving away profits.”

“How would I know? You didn’t tell me a thing to help me figure this out.”

“Did you ever hear the story about the man who threw his kid in the lake to teach him how to swim?”

The door burst open, and Amy rushed in. First time Nellie had seen her move that fast.

“Did you forget to send Emma her lunch?”

Dani stood back from the stove to wipe her brow. “I can’t remember everything.”

“I’ll take care of it,” Amy said as she scooped up the last bit of spaghetti. “I’ll give her an extra large piece of pie. That’ll calm her down.”

“She deserves to be upset. It’s her fault I’m even here.”

“You did amazingly well, Dani. I’m proud of you,” Nellie told her.

“Without you and Zach it would have been impossible.”

Nellie chuckled. “Somehow, I think you’d have done just fine.”

Chapter Twenty

Rey and Beau were on their horses, taking a survey of one of three hay fields.

“Do you think it’s ready to bale?” Rey said.

“How would either of us know? It’s not as if we’re born ranchers.”

“No,” Rey agreed. “But we can learn. I’ve been reading a lot about ranching and the grass looks ready. If we wait until it rains, it could be too late. We’ll lose the nutrients.”

Beau chuckled. “You
have
been doing some reading. Think you can handle the baling?”

“Do you have a book of instructions to go with that baler?”

Beau nodded.

“Then I can do it.”

“I had no idea you were mechanical minded,” Beau said.

“Actually, I’m not sure I am.”

“What’s Joe up to?”

“I have him moving cattle. It’s a small herd, so he doesn’t need help.

“Smart thinking.”

Rey turned his horse around to go back to the barn. “I’m going to get right onto this grass. If I cut it today, let it dry tomorrow, I can bale the next day.”

“It sounds like you know what you’re doing.”

“I don’t. But with Gordon gone, somebody better learn fast. Unless you’re going to hire someone to take his place.”

“Nope. You’re doing a good job. So is Joe. We’ll manage.”

“If we don’t get hit again.”

“There is that.”

“I’ll see you later, then.”

“Wait up a minute,” Beau said. “I wanted to see if you could join us for dinner tomorrow night? Your sister and Emma will be here, as well as Nell.”

“Are we celebrating something? It’s not anyone’s birthday, is it?”

“Nope. Just thought I’d return Emma’s invite.”

“I don’t know, Dad. I’ll see. Working night and day is rough. If I can grab a few hours of shut-eye, I just might do it.”

“Try. I’d like to see my kids eating at my table again.”

From the look Rey gave him before he wheeled his horse around, Beau knew what he was thinking.
I’m not a kid anymore, Dad.

He had a lot to make up for.

But it seemed that kicking the kids out and making them stand on their own two feet had worked. Rey was interested enough in ranching to study up on what needed to be done around here and when. And Dani…what could he say about Dani? She’d totally surprised him, a gourmet cook, and a companion to Emma as well.

He followed Rey to the barn. He might as well learn how to use that machine himself.

Beau watched as Rey found the instruction manual, took a look and threw it aside. After hooking the mower to the tractor, the boy headed for the hay field.

Rey would probably feel better if his dad wasn’t watching, but Beau had read about tractor accidents that curled his toes. He didn’t want Rey in a dangerous situation over an unfamiliar piece of machinery.

Rey lowered the mower and started forward. He didn’t get far before he stopped and jumped down.

“What is it?” his dad asked, moving Taro closer.

“Something’s dragging.”

“Looks as if you’re cutting too deep. Lift the mower a bit.”

Rey did as suggested, cut a few more feet, stopped the mower and got off again.

“What now?”

Rey went back to where he’d cut, squatted down and looked. “Have to make sure I’m not cutting too low or too high.”

Beau slid off Taro’s back to squat down beside him. “What do you think?”

Rey looked over at his dad, his brow wrinkled. “Well?” his dad asked again.

“From what I read, this looks about right. Want me to give it a try?”

Beau stood. “I think you know what you’re doing. I’m going to leave you to it.”

Rey got back on the tractor.

Beau watched his son for a few minutes. His line was straight, almost even. He was a fast learner. But he’d always known his son was sharp.

The next morning, Beau gave Rey the day off. “Catch up on your sleep. Like you said, the hay can’t be baled until tomorrow. Take advantage of a free day. Joe and I will handle the chores.”

When Rey didn’t argue, Beau felt guilty about the long hours the boys were putting in. He’d try to make it up to them.

“Don’t forget the dinner party tonight.”

“I’ll try, Dad.”

Back at the house, Beau picked up the ringing phone for the second time in the last hour. The first call had been from Murdock who said he couldn’t make it back because a rancher in a neighboring county had been hit.

This time it was Dani’s breathless voice. “Dad. It’s me. Look, I hate to back out at the last minute, but Emma has one of her migraines. We can’t make it.”

“What about you?” His dinner guests were thinning by the minute.

“I can’t leave her, Dad. I’m putting cold compresses on her forehead now. She’s taken her migraine meds, but if she gets worse I’m going to call the doctor. Though she tells me this isn’t unusual, I’m worried.”

“Then take care of Emma. We’ll make it another night.”

“Thanks, Dad. Have to go.”

He looked at the phone in bemusement. Was that his daughter? Who would have thought she’d be so concerned about her charge? Amazing. He went to tell Helen that their numbers had dwindled to only a few.

“That’s okay, Mr. Beau. Any food we don’t eat those two boys in the bunkhouse will.”

“I suppose...”

“Do you want me to serve in the dining room?”

The dining room was too large. Since he didn’t know if Rey was coming or not, it could be just Nell and him. “How about setting up the small table here in the kitchen.”

He’d put a round table with six chairs in the corner where two windows met. The table looked out over a flowerbed Lela had overseen when they moved in. She had tended it faithfully until she began to feel poorly. It had been neglected until Helen came. Now he caught her outside early in the mornings with a spade and watering can. Every other day, she cut a couple of flowers and put them in Lela’s room.

Though Lela couldn’t stay out of the kitchen altogether, she’d turned over the house duties to Helen. Now she was sitting at the island on a barstool, knife in hand, slicing a pie.

“You should be resting, Lela.” It hurt to see her work when he knew if it weren’t for the pain meds, she’d be in terrible pain.

“I rest too much, Mr. Beau. With guests coming I thought I’d give Helen a hand.”

“Not that many coming. I hope you ladies didn’t go to too much trouble.”

“How many places should I set?” Helen asked.

If Rey didn’t come it would be only the two of them. If Nell thought he’d brought her to dinner under false pretenses, he’d be hard-put to get her here again. “Didn’t you tell me the boys were going to eat here until this rustling business is over?”

“I did. There’s no point in them cooking, being so tired and all.”

“Set a place for both of them, the two of you, one for me, another for Nell.”

Helen looked at him, aghast. “I can’t do that, Mr. Beau. This is supposed to be a party for your friends.”

“Can’t think of better company,” he said, and walked out to get dressed.

****

“You look nice,” Phyl said as Nellie walked into the kitchen.

“Thanks.” Nellie had had a terrible time figuring out what to wear. She didn’t want to dress up, not that she had anything she would really call dressy, but she didn’t want to be too casual. So she chose a pair of black slacks and a white blouse. “Should I have worn a dress? Or skirt?”

“You look lovely.”

“You’re pretty, Gran,” Susie said, leaving her toys to come and hug Nellie’s leg.

Nellie squatted, pulled her granddaughter into a bear hug. “You’re prettier.”

Susie laughed.

“I won’t be late,” Nellie promised as she stood and headed for the door.

She had to leave before Phyl realized how nervous she was. She’d been nervous the night she went to San Antonio with Beau. Sometime during the evening, she’d relaxed and had a wonderful time. But tonight she’d be at Beau’s house. Even knowing others would be there didn’t stop the butterflies.

By the time she pulled next to Beau’s truck, the butterflies had turned to stone. She looked at her watch. Was she early? Where were the other guests? Only Helen’s car sat in the drive. A sudden gush of apprehension washed over her. Did Beau think he could get her alone, kiss her again and…what? He wouldn’t. But did she really know him?

She knew he was a loving father who worried he’d neglected his children when they were growing up. She knew he was a good neighbor and Donovan liked him. That in itself said volumes. She knew he cared deeply for Lela and was doing all he could to make her life easier. She also knew he was worried over the fact that rustlers seemed to have zeroed in on him and he didn’t know why. Was there something else—something in his past? Someone he had hurt deeply enough to do such a thing?