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The Tessarae Inn |
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Consequences in Blue Notes
CHAPTER 11 This time when Wes knocked on Sheri’s front door in the small, wee hours of Sunday morning at least she was dressed. Sheri left with Emily at the break of day to go to Doric to see her aunt and uncle but not before telling Blair, with something approaching glee, to expect a surprise. Luckily, she had come to trust Sheri and that kept a sense of dread at bay. Even so, she had not expected to see Wes at the door. What the hell kind of surprise was that? Wes smiled at her and stepped into the foyer. “I came to see if you would like to go out to the ranch with me. It’s going to be a beautiful day.” “I don’t think…” “Sheri hates horses but she told me you love them and suggested that you might like to go riding.” Common sense told her to say no but her heart was having none of it. Riding! How long had it been? Years and years! “We got a range of horses from sweet and docile as a cow to real fire breathers. Whichever you prefer.” “Fire breathers.” “Somehow I knew that. By the way, the show last night was exceptional. It’s only been two weeks but people are coming in from as far away as Clearwater. Best decision I ever made was hiring you.” “I can’t promise for how long.” “I get that.” As Eagle’s Hope galloped into the clearing, Blair laughed out loud. She couldn’t remember the last time she felt so free. Emily’s ranch was wonderful and the day had turned out as beautiful as Wes predicted. She pulled the reins and Eagle’s Hope slowed to a trot then eased to a walk. Blair pulled him to a stop and dismounted then led him over to a beautiful patch of shade and tied his lead loosely to a fallen branch. She sat down under a large oak tree, leaned back and waited. After about ten minutes, Wes broke into the clearing. He grinned when he saw her. He was riding Lucky Draw, a pussycat of a horse compared to Eagle’s Hope. He trotted over to her and dismounted. He secured Lucky Draw’s reigns then flopped down beside her. “Damn, I’ve never seen anyone ride Eagle’s Hope like that except my father. That horse doesn’t take to a lot of people but you two seemed to hit it off in an instant.” Blair smiled but didn’t try to explain her affinity for wild and dangerous things. “I'm trying to figure you out. You sing like an angel who dropped to earth. You ride like you spent years working a ranch. You sing songs that make people cry but when you laugh it feels like the sun has come out. So who are you Caitlin Shaw?” “Just a woman with a broken heart who’s trying to see clearly again.” “How’s your vision?” “Getting a little bit clearer everyday.” “Does that mean you’ll be moving on soon?” Blair looked into his eyes and knew what he wanted. He wanted her to reassure him that she was going to stick around. He really was a handsome man and more important he was a decent man. In another lifetime maybe there could have been something between them, but her heart belonged to Todd and it always would and Wes’ heart wasn’t free either, although he refused to see that. ========= “How did you learn to do that? I mean this shit has been giving me a headache for months. Hell, for years. And looks like you found some money too! I ain’t as broke as I thought.” “People used to pay me to do this sort of stuff.” “You ain’t getting a raise if that’s what you thinking about agitating for. You didn’t find that much money. Who paid you to do this?” “Well, at one time I had my own business.” “What happened to it?” “Long story.” “You know what? I hope you stay around here long enough to figure out that I like long stories.” She smiled at him. “Listen, you just need a business plan and a computer with some basic bookkeeping software on it.” “You really think I can learn to use a computer?” “Yes, I do. And I can help you get started.” “I never thought about getting a computer.” “Use that found money to get one. It’ll make your life a whole lot easier and might even improve your personality.” Maddog grinned at her. “Well, I ain’t coming to see you this Saturday at the Ryder. I’m tired of people seeing me cry in public. Ruining the little bit of reputation I do have.” Blair blew him an air kiss and he laughed. His face softened though as he said, “You one smart girl, girly girl. Don’t let nobody tell you otherwise. You happy over there at Sheri’s because if you ain’t you can always come on back home. I’ll even lower the rent since you’re a long term customer.” ======== “I couldn’t believe it! I haven’t seen him in fifteen years. How was I supposed to know he was going to turn into a stud? Cat, you should see him. Hair down to his waist. Muscles from here to Cleveland. One diamond stud in his left ear lobe and the softest brown eyes I’ve ever seen. How did Milton Kleck grow into that?” “I suspect no one calls him Milton anymore.” “They call him Crae. I have no idea why but isn’t it a cool name?” “You’re really going to drive all the way to Doric by yourself? Why can’t this stud drive up here to see you?” Sheri put her arms on her hips and cocked her head, “Don’t worry, Mom. I’ve got my reasons and there’re good reasons, too.” “Don’t give up on Wes.” “Who are you? What have you done to Caitlin? How can I give up on something I never had?” “Sometimes time…” “Please-e-e-e-e. Did you or did you not sing that song for me to him last week?” “Which one?” “You know damn well which one. The Bonnie Raitt one with that line something like, ‘I can’t make you love me, if you don’t. You can’t make your heart feel something it won’t.’” “It’s just a song.” “Every damn body knew you were singing it about me and Wes. Hell, I think even Wes got it and you know how dumb as a post he can be when he wants to be.” “I didn’t mean to hurt you.” “You didn’t and that’s the point. There’s a good message in that song. And I got it. Finally.”
Despite all of Blair’s reservations about the stud muffin, Sheri whirled out of the house at the crack of dawn heading down to Doric. When the phone rang an hour later, she just knew it was Sheri calling to say she had come to her senses and was heading back. It was Emily instead. “I hear you damn near tamed Eagle’s Hope. How about coming out and going for a ride with me. Weather’s kind of iffy but I think it’s going to break into a good day.” Blair had been on edge ever since her conversation with Sheri, but the thought of riding Eagle’s Hope cheered her up.
The bad weather rolled in so quickly that she and Emily barely had enough time to get the horses back to the barn and put away before all hell broke loose. The skies opened up just as they were halfway between the barn and the house. They ran but were soaked to the bone by the time they reached the front porch. Yet, it was exhilarating for Blair. Eagle’s Hope had been as wonderful the second time as the first and Emily was great company. Emily gave her some dry clothes to wear and made a pot of hot coffee. The lights promptly went out, so they made a fire in the fireplace. The ringing of the phone startled them. It was Wes checking on his mother. He was relieved to hear Blair was with her because he had been trying to catch her at Sheri’s. When Emily pressed to know why, he finally admitted he was with Sheri and she was worried sick. Everyone agreed to stay put because the news was indicating that the storm was a major one. When Emily hung up the phone, she and Blair looked at each other and burst out laughing. “What did she tell you?” “She was meeting some guy with long hair and a diamond ear stud named Milton.” “Milton? That was surely a clue.” “So what about Wes?” “Someone he met in a church over in Clearwater.” “Church?” “Hey, a mother can dream, can’t she?”
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