Cowboys Know Best Read online

  “It’s hot.”

  “Stop your whining. That’s why we do these chores early. Toss some chicken feed on the ground. While they eat, gather the eggs.”

  “But there’s poop on them! I’m not touching them,” Perlita said stubbornly. Hank just pointed at the nests with a frown. Grumbling curses under her breath, the girl gathered the eggs, resisting the urge to throw each of them into Hank’s smirking face.

  “That didn’t kill you, now did it?”

  “Oh, shut up.”

  “Not nice, missy. Wash your hands. Let’s try the cow again. Hey, Hannah,” Hank cooed to the large black and white cow, patting her head as she butted up to him affectionately. He ran his hands down her side and to the heavy, tight udders. After wiping the dirt off his hands with a wet cloth, he easily pulled them to gain a steady stream of milk into the bucket. Perlita shuddered with disgust, shaking her head when he called her over to learn.

  “I’m not touching that thing. That damn cow slapped me with its stinky tail!”

  “No swearing. I’d slap you too if you were yanking on me like a train horn. Watch my hands… Perlita? You get back here, young lady!”

  “I’m not gonna do that,” Perl said stubbornly, stomping out of the barn.

  “She’s gonna wear me thin, Hannah, old girl. Yeah, I know…” Hank said as the animal mooed at him, swishing him with her tail. Hank poured the filtered milk into a jug and placed it in the ice box before going to find Perl. She was back in the garden, poking around the vegetables with a long stick.

  “What are you doing now?” his tone was filled with exasperation.

  “I want out of this heat.”

  “Yeah, I know. But what are you doing?”

  “Trying to scare away that creature.”

  “Millie only comes out at night and early in the morning. Grab some tomatoes and a squash, and dig up an onion and a couple of potatoes… yes, from the dirt. Some dirt under those nails is not going to kill you!”

  “You keep telling me that but I don’t believe you. I’m not digging anywhere.”

  “Perl, I am giving you two days to change this attitude of yours. I promise you that if there isn’t improvement, you will be feeling the sore end of my strap.”

  “You wouldn’t dare!”

  The look on his face told her otherwise. She sullenly kicked the soil with her boot and picked up a potato that stuck out of the ground. She shoved it into her pocket and, with a glare, picked up a second one. Hank pointed to some greens and she yanked an onion from the ground. After picking out a couple of tomatoes and a big, yellow squash, she followed him back into the house.

  Hank proceeded to show her how to make a ‘proper’ omelet, using some cheese he kept cool in the cellar. Perlita was disinterested, her mind wandering to the nice, soft mattress and the cool dark room. The two ate quietly, with Hank speaking only to give her the list of expectations he had for her that day. She nodded absently, not hearing anything except the droning of his low voice. With a quick kiss on the top of her head, he grabbed his hat and left for work.

  Perlita watched as Hank drove off in his truck and, with a yawn, returned back upstairs to bed. She needed a few hours’ sleep before she could even think of doing anything. The warm breeze wafted through the window and, within minutes, she was back in dreamland.

  * * *

  Hank grumbled to himself as he drove toward the county courthouse to meet up with his old friend, and mentor, Sheriff Dennis Wilson. The older man waved his hat in Hank’s direction as he parked. “Welcome home, Hank. How’s Nana?”

  “As stubborn as a mule and as ornery as a badger. I’m gonna try to get her to come down for the winter.” Hank grinned, shaking his friend’s hand.

  “So she’s doing well. How long did it take before she started trying to shove you out of her place?”

  “Three weeks this time. And with reason. I have myself a little houseguest, thanks to her.” Hank sat next to the sheriff and filled him in on the details of Perl’s situation and related concerns regarding her protection.

  “I don’t think those men will find her with the false trail you left. Great Price isn’t exactly the biggest town on the map. We’ll just have to keep her under wraps for a few weeks and things should be fine.”

  “I didn’t know we actually made it to a map, yet!” Hank chuckled, staring off.

  Dennis elbowed him. “Out with it. What’s really bugging you?”

  “This girl… There is something about her that I’m finding mighty nice. She’s pretty, funny, and even more stubborn than Nana. My thoughts… well, they aren’t decent, Den.” Hank blushed.

  “It’s been a long time since Laura left. Maybe it’s time to move on.”

  “I don’t want to leave myself open for betrayal again. Can’t do that.”

  “When you met Laura, you were a naïve kid from a well-to-do Pennsylvania family who wanted nothing more than to rebel. She simply wanted a rich husband and to be in the spotlight. When she agreed to come to Texas with you, she thought she was moving into a big old mansion where she would have fancy clothes and lots of servants. She did not share your passion, Hank. She never did. I tried to warn you.”

  “Yeah, I know… I still loved her though. I believed her when she said she’d go to the ends of the earth with me and didn’t care if she had to live in a tent.” Hank sighed loudly, thinking of the delicate, golden-haired debutante who had deserted him in a huff when she realized that her new life meant having to milk cows and gather eggs.

  Dennis elbowed him with a grin. “Just remember that she walked away with less than fifty bucks. She was madder than a wet hen when she found out you put almost every penny into buying the ranch and starting your law practice.”

  Hank smiled back with a nod. “Good thing I did, too. She went to the bank that day to empty my account. I must have been born stupid to have fallen into her trap.”

  “Most men are when it comes to a pretty face and a nice pair of legs. But then we make enough mistakes to finally learn something. When am I going to meet this little Perl of yours?”

  “Come by anytime. She’s supposed to be making an Italian dinner tonight… if she remembers. She has some problems with being responsible,” Hank chuckled.

  * * *

  “Oh no! I forgot about the sauce!” Perl exclaimed, hopping out of the bed. She looked at the cuckoo clock on the wall. 3:15 PM. She had slept the day away! She rushed downstairs and began to toss the tomatoes in a pot and set them to simmer. With a groan, she realized that she would have to go to the hen house to get eggs for the pasta.

  By the time Hank arrived, Perl was beside herself. She was covered with flour and hay, had tiny cuts on her hands from the ill-tempered hens, the kitchen was a mess, and her face was red from the heat. Hank paused to take in the sight before erupting in a gale of loud laughter.

  “I guess I shouldn’t ask how your day was, little one.”

  “It was terrible,” she muttered, embarrassed.

  Hank stuck his nose in the pot of simmering sauce. “This smells mighty fine. Let me help you clean this mess up and then you can go get changed. We are having a guest tonight.”

  “What? I have nothing to wear to greet a guest!”

  “Sweetheart, in this part of the world, guests need nothing but a handshake and an offer to take a chair. It’s the sheriff and he’s one of my oldest friends. Don’t you fret, ok? I’ll wash, you dry.”

  Perl was quiet as he directed her in the kitchen duties, blushing when he commented that the morning dishes had not been done.

  “I went back to bed,” she admitted shamefully. He eyed her, making her continue her explanation. “I was still so tired. Everything just caught up with me, I guess.”

  “It’ll take some time to get used to this life. Just do your best and watch your temper. That will get you into the most trouble. And mind your manners with Sheriff Wilson. He doesn’t take kindly to being back-talked. I won’t try to stop him if he decides to take a han
d to you,” Hank warned.

  “Is this place a magnet for old fashioned good old boys? Isn’t that the term you cowboys use?”

  “Perlita, just because people aren’t afraid of some hard work and a little sweat on their brow doesn’t make them stupid, ignorant, or out of touch with the modern world. We’ve made the choice to live a simpler life because we enjoy the rewards. You need to learn to respect that, and the people who choose to live this way,” he scolded.

  Perl’s face clouded with anger. “My father worked just as hard for his rewards, Mr. Billings. Just because he didn’t rake cow manure doesn’t mean…”

  “Your father killed and cheated people to give you a pretty house and nice clothes. People like him destroyed the lives of so many others to gain for themselves. I try not to judge, but that is my job. Your father was a criminal, Miss Perl. You need to face that fact.”

  The sound of the slap against his cheek echoed through the still room. Perl’s eyes were black with rage and she balled her stinging palm into a fist. “Don’t you ever talk against my father again. He was a good man!”

  “To you. But not to the rest of the world. Baby, listen…” Hank grabbed her hand as she went to slap him again. “He is listed as one of my ten most wanted. I can’t condone anything he’s done, or forgive him for the people he’s murdered. Not even for you.”

  “I hate you!” Perl screamed, running out of the room crying.

  Hank winced as her bedroom door slammed. With a shake of his head, he finished tidying the kitchen and then slowly ventured upstairs. He tapped on her door with the back of his knuckles.

  “Perl? May I come in? Hon, I’m sorry. I was too harsh.” Swallowing a piece of humble pie this large needed to be washed down with a splash of humility.

  “Go away!”

  “No, I’m staying right here. Unlock the door, please.” He forced his voice to soften as he leaned against the wall. When she did not respond, he sighed. “Perlita, baby… I know this is hard for you. It’s never easy when you hear the truth about someone you care for.”

  “And how would you know how it feels, Mr. High and Mighty?!” she retorted through her sobbing.

  “My pa was lynched when I was eight for stealing a cow.” Hank winced as the words escaped his mouth. It was a well-kept family secret that only his closest friend knew. “Please let me in and I’ll tell you what happened.”

  Slowly the door opened and he looked upon her beautiful, but sad face. Even wet with tears, the girl was stunning to look at. Hank took her hand and sat her on the bed.

  “My family lived up in Pennsylvania, right near where you met Nana. I’m the youngest of six, plus all my cousins, aunts, and uncles. Nana used to say you could tell how cold a winter was by the size of the family,” he chuckled, thinking back. “Things were tough back then and many farms depended on their own livestock to feed their families. Someone started stealing cattle off family farms and the locals were getting restless, accusing everyone they could think of to settle their anxiety. Pa didn’t have the best reputation in the community. In fact, he was a gambler and his debts brought constant shame to Nana. She and Gramps finally told him that they wouldn’t bail him out any longer and that he needed to find his own way. One day, he just up and left. Nana made Ma and all of us kids move in with her and Gramps.”

  “Oh, Hank, that’s terrible,” Perl said, stroking his hand.

  “It confused me, but I was the only boy with five older sisters and a huge family that loved me. I barely even remember my pa, except him coming home liquored up. He got busted trying to sell a neighbor’s cow to a butcher and the community took the law into their own hands. The sheriff came and informed Nana and Gramps of the lynching two days later, and promised to get to the root of it.”

  “Did he?”

  “Yes, and the perpetrators were all put in jail. The sheriff took pity on me being around all those hens and raised me up like his own. He got me interested in the law and the proper way to manage crime. He pushed me through school and got me into Harvard law school.”

  “How did you end up here?” Perl asked, leaning against his chest.

  Hank kissed the side of her head. “Dennis had family in these parts and had been offered a position as sheriff. He invited me to come stay with him during the summer break and I fell in love with Texas and the way of living. It fit me well.”

  “Dennis? The sheriff who’s coming over tonight?”

  “The one and only. I owe everything I’ve become to that man and Nana.”

  “So you came here after college?”

  “Nana lent me money to buy up this ranch and build a house. I moved my Ma down here with me and she and Dennis hooked up. We lost her five years ago.”

  “I’m sorry,” Perl said softly, her heart aching for the man.

  “Nah, don’t be. She was loved and lived happy. She and Dennis had a lot of good years together.”

  “Was this her room?”

  “Yeah.” Hank smiled, looking around. “Nana made this quilt for her when she was a little girl. Ma loved the color blue because it reminded her of a bright new day.” He stroked the quilt with his hand.

  “Hank? Can I ask you a question?”

  “You just did,” he teased.

  “Why aren’t you married?”

  He stiffened, pulling away from her as he stood. “I think it’s time to get ready for our guest. Get yourself prettied up and come back down. I don’t know how to make that pasta stuff.”

  Perl just nodded, watching him quickly leave the room. She had unknowingly hit a sore spot. Well, she’d get answers in due time. She thought about what Hank had shared about his past. She also knew, in her heart, that what he had said about Don Moretti was true. She just wasn’t ready for her father’s memory to be colored in such a dark light yet.

  She freshened up and slipped into a breezy yellow dress. Having only the worn boots, she decided to be guided by comfort and go barefoot. She pulled her long, black hair over her left shoulder and braided it tightly, then pinched her cheeks to bring a rosy color to the surface. Satisfied with her appearance, she walked downstairs and into the parlor where she heard male voices.

  The two men stood as she entered. Hank made quick introductions and stood back with amusement as his friend kissed the back of Perl’s hand, tickling it with his long mustache.

  “Piacere di conoscerti, signorina Perlita.”

  “Why, I am pleased to meet you as well, Sheriff Wilson. Where did you learn Italian?” Perl sounded surprised.

  Dennis chuckled. “I’m afraid you have just experienced my complete knowledge of the language, ma’am. You are absolutely lovely. Why are you hanging about an ugly thing like old Hank?”

  “I’m afraid my choices were very slim at the time. He had a gun and that horrid hat, so he was the best selection.”

  “Hey, don’t disrespect the hat,” Hank grumbled.

  “Slim pickings, for sure. Oh, get that ornery look off your mug, Hank. No one’s touching the dang-on hat.”

  Hank grunted, eyeing Perl with uncomfortable fondness. His mind was also starting to drift places that just weren’t right! Perl, feeling his gaze upon her, blushed.

  “I should probably finish dinner up. Hank? If you could go pick me some more vegetables, I’ll make a salad.”

  “Guess she’s making us work for our dinner, old boy. Come on,” Hank said to his friend, leading him outside. “So? What do you think?”

  “She seems delightful, but very young. I get a hint of stubbornness, too. But you know how to handle that,” Dennis teased as they walked to the garden.

  Hank chuckled, shooing Millie the possum out of the way. ”There’s more than a hint. And she does have a nice rump to spank.”

  “What more could you ask for then? Oh, what are you hissing at?” Dennis asked the angry possum. It plopped on its side, pretending to be dead. “God could not have made a dumber animal. Hey, you know that Goldie’s about to drop a litter. Do you think Perl might like a pup?�
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  “I’ve been bothering you for years to give me one of Goldie’s whelps and you want to give one to a girl you just met?” Hank scoffed half-heartedly as he headed back to the house. In truth, the gesture pleased him immensely, because it meant his friend approved of the young woman.

  “You asked me for a pup last year and they were all spoken for. Besides, Perl is a hell of lot prettier than you will ever be.”

  “Nice to know who my friends are,” Hank commented, walking back into the kitchen with the vegetables. He stopped in his tracks, halting Dennis. He put his fingers to his lips. Perl was singing.

  “Good Lord, she has the voice of an angel,” Dennis whispered, eyes wide. “What’s she saying?”

  “It’s Italian opera. Puccini, I think” Hank whispered back, mesmerized by the sweet lilting of the young woman’s voice. “Laura took me to the opera several times when I was in school.”

  “The folks in town would love to hear this. Do you think she might sing for them? Maybe bring a little culture into Great Price?”

  “Let’s ask her. Perl, honey? That was beautiful!” Hank praised, startling her. Perl blushed wildly.

  “I’ve never heard a meadow bird sound so sweet, Miss Perl. You brought tears to these old eyes,” Dennis proclaimed. “Please, sing some more.”

  “Um, thank you… maybe after dinner. Go wash up,” Perl ordered, trying to change the subject. Her family used to have her sing for them at Mass and at family gatherings, but she hadn’t expected these work-hardened cowboys to appreciate the fine art of soprano aria. It pleased her, though. She had found something she could do well after all, and the men seemed to really appreciate her gift!

  She was doubly surprised, and tremendously pleased, by the disappearance of the food. The two men gobbled down the pasta and sauce like they hadn’t eaten for days. Dennis offered to clean up dinner if she would grace them with another song. She readily agreed.

  Hank wrapped his arm around her shoulders as Dennis drove off in his truck. He squeezed her gently then dropped his hand to takes hers. “Food was the best I’ve had in a long time. Thank you for dinner. Why don’t you slip your boots on and we can take a walk,” he suggested. Perl raced to obey.