Alarmed, Tierney said, “Dodie? What’s wrong? Are you hurt?”
White spots of flour dotted Dodie’s blotchy face. “Oh. No. It’s just . . .” Tears followed the deep grooves by her mouth and dripped off her chin.
Tierney heard Renner and Janie arguing in the dining room. About Dodie? Must be serious if Renner was still here. As gently as possible, she asked, “Did you burn the pies again?”
She wailed, “Worse. Way, way worse. When Janie hired me, I told her the only time I see my kids is over Thanksgiving. Every year I fly to Texas on the Wednesday before and come home the Monday after. Janie said it wouldn’t be a problem. But today when I asked who was cooking the big meal next week and filling in for me the days I’m gone, she got mad. She didn’t remember I’d asked for the time off and then said there’s no way I can go with a lodge full of people here next week.” More tears runneled down Dodie’s cheeks. “I already bought my plane ticket. I love this job, but that’s my family time. I’m probably gonna hafta quit.”
So if they couldn’t find a temporary replacement for Dodie, then they’d be looking for a permanent replacement. Tierney patted Dodie’s arm. “We’ll figure something out. Take a break.”
Renner and Janie’s argument ended abruptly when Tierney approached. “I’m hoping you’re discussing cranberry sauce recipes for next week while Dodie’s on vacation.”
“Vacation?” Janie repeated derisively. “It’ll be the first week of her unemployment, not a vacation.”
“You are not gonna fire her to cover your own ass,” Renner warned. “Why won’t you admit you made a mistake?”
“I didn’t make a mistake,” she shot back. “Dodie did, thinking she could pull one over on us.”
Tierney made the time-out sign. “It’ll be a huge problem if we let Dodie walk. We need her. In case you haven’t noticed, Muddy Gap doesn’t have a huge employment pool to pull from.”
Renner said, “Finally. The voice of reason.”
Janie’s gaze winged between them. “You two actually agree on something? I’d be flipping cartwheels if we weren’t so seriously fucked. This just proves my point.” Her voice dropped. “Dodie is manipulating us. If we give in this time, what happens at Christmas when she pulls the same crap?”
“You think Dodie, the woman who offered to repay us for the pies she burned, is a master manipulator?” Tierney snickered. “If that’s true, I’ll eat my spreadsheet. With relish.”
“For the record, I agree with Tierney,” Renner said. “Dodie stays. However, we still have the problem of getting fifteen meals cooked while she’s gone.”
“Okay.” Janie blew out a breath. “Maybe I overreacted. It’s just everything is going along great and then something happens to throw a wrench into our plans. We’ve advertised the meal as a traditional dinner with all the trimmings. So I suppose if push came to shove, between me, Harper and Tierney, we could get something together.”
Renner looked appalled—and he was looking directly at Tierney.
She poked him in the chest. “Not a word about my lack of culinary abilities, Mr. Jackson. Not. One. Word.”
“I wouldn’t dream of bringing it up, Miz Pratt,” he drawled.
Janie frowned. “How do you know about Tierney’s cooking skills?”
“I don’t,” he lied. “I guessed.”
Tierney looked away from the mirth in his eyes. She’d tried to cook for him a few more times, always with disastrous results. But the suggestion about pitching in gave her a great idea. “I have to check on a couple of things, but I think I can get some of the meals for next week handled.” This would be a true test of her people skills.
Renner and Janie exchanged a look. “When would you know the details?”
“Later this afternoon. Then we can figure out if we’ll need a caterer to fill in the gaps.”
“Sounds good to me,” Janie said. “Renner? You trust us to handle this while you’re gone?” She winked at Tierney. “If I don’t allow Tierney in the kitchen?”
He nodded. “You did bring up a good point about Dodie. We need to get someone else in the kitchen working with her. Someone other than her cousin Lou-Lou. Someone who can fill in, if Dodie gets sick or something. So be on the lookout. Now apologize to Dodie, soothe her hurt feelings. Assure her that she’ll still have her job when she gets back from her family vacation.”
Janie saluted and marched to the kitchen.
As soon as Janie was out of sight, Renner towed Tierney around the corner. “Lookit you. Showing off your mad people management skills.” He kissed the curve of her jaw. “It’s a serious fuckin’ turn-on.”
“Everything is a turn-on for you, Renner.”
“Definitely everything about you is.” His mouth wandered. “Wish I had time to drag you into the closet for a quickie.”
“Me too.” She rubbed her cheek against his, loving the scratch of his whiskers against her skin. “I’m going to miss you.”
Renner eased back and looked at her strangely.
“What?”
“Just surprised to hear that from you.”
“Why? Because you think I’m calculating in business that I’d be that way in my personal relationship too?”
“So you’re admitting we’re in a relationship?”
“Yes.” Paranoia made her blurt, “We are, right?”
“Definitely. I understand why we’re keepin’ it under wraps, but there are times, like now, when I’d really like . . .”
“You’d really like what?”
His eyes were oddly fierce for an instant before he smiled. “Never mind. It’ll keep.”
“Call me. Or text me. Be safe on the road, cowboy.”
“Maybe one of these days I’ll convince you to come along with me.”
She smoothed a piece of hair from his damp forehead, then ran her finger along the brim of his hat. “Maybe one of these days, I’ll surprise you and say yes.”
“I’d like that. A whole helluva lot more than you know.”
A pan dropped in the kitchen and they broke apart.
She closed her eyes, waiting until his boot steps faded down the hall and the door slammed before she moved, because she couldn’t watch him leave.
Tierney looked forward to her appointment at Bernice’s Beauty Barn. The regulars welcomed her like she belonged in Muddy Gap.
Bernice grinned. “You know the drill. Fresh coffee is on. Help yourself.”
“Thanks.” She poured a cup, adding a generous dollop of cream because Bernice’s special brew was wicked strong.
Garnet patted the empty spot beside her. “Take a load off.”
Tierney checked out Garnet’s getup. A pink skirt resembling a tutu she’d pulled on over lime green leggings and topped off with a black leather shirt covered in chains. “Love the punk rock Tinkerbell look.” If Tinkerbell wore orthopedic shoes.
“That’s what I said,” Pearl exclaimed. “Girl, we think exactly alike.”
“Yes, Tierney, if you’re always wondering what you’ve done with your car keys, or if you knock back a handful of pills with every meal, and you are glued to Wheel of Fortune every night, I’d agree, you and Pearl could be twins,” Maybelle said dryly.
“Oh pooh, you’re just pissy because you lost the bet.”
Tierney said, “What bet?” the same time Garnet and Vivien said, “Don’t ask!”
Pearl confided, “Maybelle bet me ten bucks I didn’t have the guts to ask creepy Ralph at the C-Mart to rent a DVD of that porno flick, Free My Willy.” She giggled. “I did. She’s sore because I got to watch it first last night.”
“I only wanted to check it out for research,” Maybelle clarified.
Vivien said, “So, Tierney, what’s new up at the Split Rock?”
Here’s your chance, don’t blow it. “We’re in a bit of a jam right now, to be honest.”
“Anything we can do to help?” Garnet asked.
Bingo. “Yes, actually there is.”
Even Bernice
stopped snipping Tilda’s hair to listen.
Tierney explained the mix-up with Dodie’s vacation and needing expert cooks to fix the big Thanksgiving meal and a couple of smaller ones. The silence lingered after she finished speaking—nothing short of begging really—and she wondered if she’d made a judgment error. She didn’t know these women. But after the last time she’d fueled their curiosity with stories about the Split Rock, she hoped they’d want a chance to be in the thick of things, instead of on the fringe.
Garnet spoke first. “Sugar, I’ve probably baked as many pies in my lifetime as Mrs. Smith. I’d love to help out. I have a recipe for maple nut pumpkin pie that’ll knock your socks off.”
“And Garnet’s bourbon caramel bread pudding is heaven in a pan,” Tilda said.
“Bob is always carting bird carcasses home,” Bernice said. “I can cook six full-size turkeys at one time and not break a sweat. So count me in for the brining and roasting portion of the meal.”
“And Bernice’s sage, mushroom and bacon stuffing is legendary around here,” Tilda announced.
Vivien mused, “I’ve perfected six holiday side dishes that straddle the line between traditional and gourmet. Pearl onions in a balsamic honey glaze, sweet and sour green beans, a cold broccoli salad with sunflower seeds and dried cranberries, a rice pilaf with roasted vegetables, sweet potato soufflé and gingered carrots.”
“I tell ya, Vivien should’ve had her own restaurant, that’s how good she is.” Tilda added, “Make sure Dodie makes her cranberry, apple, orange and horseradish relish before she leaves. You’ve never had anything quite like it.”
“I’ll handle the mashed potatoes and gravy,” Maybelle said.
Everyone looked at Tilda.
“What?”
“We’re just waiting for you to brag on Maybelle’s spuds,” Vivien said.
“The problem with Maybelle’s potatoes and gravy is there’s never any left over.”
Pearl said, “That covers the food. I’m so-so with cooking, but I’m good at cleaning up and I’m an excellent gopher. So that’ll be my contribution.”
Tierney was truly choked up at their show of generosity. She’d hoped, but she’d never expected total enthusiasm and grace. “You have no idea how much this means.”
Garnet rubbed Tierney’s back. “It’s our pleasure to help out. That’s what a community does. Pulls together when someone’s in need.”
“I—I don’t know what to say.”
“Never been part of a community before?” Vivien asked.
Tierney shook her head and discreetly dabbed her tears.
“It ain’t always sunshine and roses. There are real piles of shit around here, but by and large, we’re good folks.”
“I see that. Anything I can do, or the Split Rock can do for you all, just let me know.”
The pointed, amused and downright hopeful looks they sent one another caused a frisson of concern, but Tierney figured it wasn’t anything she couldn’t handle.
“Well, funny you should mention that... because the girls and I were talking about this very thing, just the other day.”
“They want a what?” Janie demanded.
“A community party.” Tierney sipped her wine. “In the dining room. It has a sound system for the dance. They’ll provide the food. It’ll be BYOB. All’s we have to provide is the event space and the cowboys.”
Janie froze. “No. You did not promise them cowboys, did you?”
“I didn’t promise them a lot of cowboys, nor did I specify the ages or marital status of said cowboys, but I didn’t think it’d be a big deal to track some down. After all, we are in Wyoming.”
Groaning, Janie slapped her own forehead. “You weren’t at Harper’s bachelorette party, were you?”
“No. Why?”
“Because that gang from Bernice’s might look like sweet innocent women of a certain age, but my God, they are absolutely wild underneath those pastel twinsets, floral housedresses and support hose. It’s scary, Tierney. They outdrank me, they outdanced me, and they sure as hell outlasted me. I woke up, hungover, with a note pinned to my shirt that said, ‘Next time, pace yourself so you don’t poop out so early’.”
Tierney laughed. “Buck up because you will be there, smiling that charming dimpled smile of yours, finding them two-step partners all night long if that’s what it takes. Because we would’ve been seriously screwed if not for them volunteering their cooking time last week.”
The Thanksgiving Day meal had been a huge hit with the guests, and every couple rebooked their reservations for the following year. The rest of the weekend had been a breeze.
Janie’s eyes turned sharp. “Have you spoken to Renner about this community night with the senior set?”
“No. It’ll be a surprise when he gets back.” She glanced at the clock. Which should be any time now—not that she was anxious. Okay. She was chomping at the bit to see him again. They’d spent hours on the phone every night during his sojourn on the blacktop. She found him easy to talk to, and it really thrilled her they hadn’t discussed the Split Rock much at all. In retelling some of his stories, he’d had her laughing so hard she had to clutch her stomach. But they’d also discussed other things, places they’d been, movies, TV, friends. The sweetest thing? He’d picked out a few romance novels from an online bookstore and had them delivered to her, with a suggestion she earmark the good parts for them to try when he got back. So it was ironic that by not seeing him for ten days, Tierney knew him better than she had before he’d left.
“Don’t even think about asking me to do your dirty work,” Janie warned. “You get to fill him in on all of this.”
“I’ll shoulder full responsibility. How do you think he’ll take the news that the ladies specifically requested him as one of their cowboys?”
“Tierney, you are so dead.” Janie’s critical gaze swept the room. “Can I have your half of the office after he kills you?”
“Renner’s a smart guy. He’ll be gracious to the saviors who pulled our asses out of the fire. Besides, I’m putting him in charge of rounding up other cowboys to invite to this soiree, because if he doesn’t? His dance card will be full. All night.”
Janie shook her head. “I’m formally putting in my request for your shoe collection too. Dead women have no need of Christian Louboutin peep-toe pumps.”
“I’m sure Abe will have fun.”
“You’re asking Abe to come?”
“No. You are.”
“Dammit, Tierney, that’s not fair.”
Obviously Janie didn’t want to share Abe even with the senior set. Too bad. Tierney smirked. “If it makes you feel better, I’m making Harper bring Bran.”
Renner pulled into the Split Rock at two a.m. He parked behind his trailer and forced himself to drag his suitcase inside. The place was freezing-ass cold so he cranked the heat and showered and shaved quickly. He unearthed a pair of clean jeans from his dresser and pulled on a long-sleeved T-shirt. It’d be torture to put his boots back on after wearing them for the sixteen-hour drive. But with ten plus inches of snow, slipping on a pair of flip-flops to sneak over to Tierney’s cabin wasn’t an option.
Tierney. He’d missed her. Despite being so damn busy over the last ten days, he’d managed to talk to her every day. It was weird how easily they’d meshed. How much he looked forward to hearing her voice every night. Listening to her opinions and her offbeat way of looking at things. He’d sent her a few trinkets he thought she’d get a kick out of. Not to mention they’d exchanged some red-hot text messages. But there was nothing like the real thing, having her eager, wet and wrapped around him completely.
He trudged across the moonlit snow to her cabin. The lights were off. He used his key and stepped inside. Even in the darkness a feeling of peace settled over him. He checked the sofa, making sure she hadn’t fallen asleep, like she had so many nights after working until the wee hours because her father was a damn slave driver.
At the foot of her bed, he
took a second to drink in the sight of her sleeping on her stomach, sheets twined around her naked limbs.
Oh hell yeah. She’d slept nekkid as a welcome home present for him. If he wasn’t so goddamn desperate for her, he’d wake her up slowly and sweetly. He stripped and crawled over her, skating his palms up the backs of her arms, threading their fingers together. Burying his face in the spot between her neck and shoulder, bathing his lungs with her scent.
She stirred. Flexed her fingers. Wiggled her ass. “Renner?”
“Were you expectin’ someone else?”
“Well, Tobin—”
“Is a dead man if he’s ever been in your bedroom,” he growled and sank his teeth into the section of skin on her nape that almost brought her to orgasm.
Tierney reared up and her body shuddered beneath his.
Renner canted his hips, sliding his erection up and down the crack of her ass as he used his mouth on her neck. He inhaled the musky sweet fragrance of her hair as he continued to rock into her. He scattered kisses behind her ear. Following the curve with the barest tip of his tongue. Each pass made her writhe and shudder.
In a graceful, catlike move, Tierney slid back, keeping her arms and chest on the bed as she pushed to her knees and allowed enough space for him to slide in behind her.