Trixie Belden books, copyrighted by Golden Books, is not mine. I just borrowed it.

Chapter Twenty-One

Saturday, August 14, 1976

Jack sat on the porch, cup of coffee in hand, watching the sun rise. Everyone else was still in bed and he'd fed the horses. His thoughts went to Ennis and the strange way he'd been acting lately. I been so wrapped up in what's goin' on with me an' Bobby I haven't been attentive as I should be.

I wonder what's goin' on with Tyler? Maybe I shoulda jus' let 'im go that day. I don't know . . . I can't blame 'im fer lookin' at Ennis–he's damn handsome and so sexy. A small smile crossed his face, then disappeared. Ennis said there was nothin' to worry about. Easier said than done. But I trust Ennis. Trust 'im more than I trust myself.

He hung his head. Damn, what if he found out about Mexico or the other guys? His worry became laced heavily with guilt. Jack had taken a few trips down to Mexico, looking for someone to fill the gap left by Ennis, all those long months they spent apart. He went, even knowing that the guilt he felt afterwards cancelled out the momentary pleasure he'd gotten from the trips. There'd also been a few cowboys he met up with, in bars usually, and spent some time getting to know each other, inside and out, for a week or two. Jack never let it last longer than that, because by then, the guilt was eating him up inside. I shoulda told him a long time ago. Or at least when we moved in together. How could he've found out, though? I shoulda told 'im. What if he wants me t'leave? Maybe that's why he's been so quiet an' moody lately. Maybe he's thinkin' of a way t'let me down easy. Goddamn, if he's gonna do it, wish he'd get it over with!

Ain't gonna help with the situation with Bobby an' L.D., though. Maybe I should just let Bobby go live with 'em. Make things a lot easier. No, it wouldn't, Jack. Bobby'd have a miserable life an' so would you. It ain't what Lureen would've wanted. Jack knew she'd loved her parents, but there was always a sense of defiance in Lureen towards them. Especially when she married Jack. He'd really loved that part of her.

Damn, wish Ennis would talk t'me 'bout what he's thinking, he thought, even as another part of him screamed out against it. Maybe if I let it go long enough, he'll just let it go an' forget about it. No, that ain't his way. He sighed and covered his face with his hand. Fuck. You're such a goddamn asshole, Jack Twist. Ya shoulda been honest with him in the first place. Those guys didn't mean nothin'. I shoulda kep' my pants zipped, though. Fuck! What the hell was I thinkin'? What'm I gonna do if he wants me t'leave? I cain't. Can't face a life without 'im. He dropped his hand and took a long swallow of coffee. The door opened behind him.

Junior stepped through, carrying a glass of orange juice and her book. She stopped when she saw him. "Oh, I thought no one was out here. Sorry t' disturb ya." She turned to go back inside.

"It's okay, darlin', you can stay. If ya want to, that is. I wouldn't mind some company. Or I'll just sit quiet, if ya just wanna read."

She hesitated, but eventually let go of the doorknob and took a seat in one of the deck chairs.

"What're ya readin'?" Jack asked.

"Trixie Belden and the Secret Code Mystery."

"Oh, a mystery. Is it any good?"

"Yep. This one's my favorite. It's number seven in a series. It's kind of like Nancy Drew, only I like these better because Trixie seems like a real person. She's always messing up and fighting with her brothers. She lives on a little farm and her best friend lives in a mansion and they have horses. She's only thirteen, but she's solved plenty of mysteries."

Jack listened to her, a smile growing on his face. Junior rarely talked to him. This was probably the most words she'd ever said to him at one time. "Those sound real good, Junior."

"Sometimes, me an' Emma pretend t'be Trixie and Honey, that's Trixie's best friend, but there sure aren't any good mysteries around here." She flushed suddenly, worried that Jack would think she was a dumb little girl for playing at pretend.

He didn't seem to notice and answered, "Ya know, darlin', there is a little mystery you an' Emma could solve fer us. You know that gray tabby cat? I know she had her kittens, but I can't seem t'find 'em an' I'm beginning t'think, by the way she carries on, that she can't either. Maybe you girls could find out where she had 'em an' we could move them t'someplace safe."

"That doesn't sound like much of a mystery, Jack."

"I know, but it's important t'the momma cat."

She looked at him dubiously, but agreed to try.

"You want some coffee? I'm goin' t'get another cup."

She giggled. "Kids don't drink coffee, Jack."

"Sure they do. My momma used ta give me a cup ever' morning." She just laughed. Inside the house he poured himself another cup and one for Junior, putting in a couple teaspoons of sugar and a big dollop of milk. He handed it to her and she eyed it speculatively. She took a small drink.

"Mmm . . . this is good."

"Glad ya like it. I'll jus' be quiet now, so you c'n read yer book."

They sat in silence, drinking their coffee, watching the day come to life in front of them.


Janie opened her eyes, a smile on her lips as her dream faded. The smile disappeared as she remembered that last night wasn't a dream. Dayle and the kiss. God, he's just a kid! What was I thinking? She rolled out of bed, put her robe and slippers on, brushed her teeth, and shuffled out to the kitchen.

Beau was standing at the stove in his t-shirt and boxers, cooking something that smelled delicious.

"Geez, put some clothes on," she said.

"I have clothes on."

"I really don't want to see you in your underwear."

"Just pretend they're shorts. They practically are."

"Ugh." Pause. "So, what're you cooking?"

"Smell good?"

"You know it does, brat."

"It's just an omelet. Want some?"

"Of course I do!" she replied, pouring a mug of coffee. She took a drink and nearly spit it out. "What did you do to this?"

"What do you mean?"

"It's too strong!"

"That's how I like it. That's how they're making it in Seattle. Just add some hot water to it."

He split the omelet and put each half on a plate with a couple of pieces of toast. They sat at the table together, eating quietly for a few moments. Beau finally asked, "So, what happened last night? You were awfully smiley on the way home."

"Smiley?"

"Yeah, sis, smiley."

She blushed and looked down, "Nothing happened."

"Oh, yeah, I believe you. Especially when you're blushing like an apple."

She covered her face with her hands. "Oh, Beau, I think I did something really stupid. I kissed a boy."

"NO! You kissed a boy?" he said, in mock shock.

"Stop it! I mean, he's a teenager, for goodness sake!"

"What do you mean?"

"He's 18 or 19. And he's leaving for college in a few weeks."

"Well, that's not so bad. I had a sudden vision of you kissing a pimply-faced, braces-wearing fourteen year old."

A look of horror came over her face and then she started giggling.

"Well, he certainly had a good effect on you," he smiled at her. "You gonna go out with him?"

"He didn't actually ask."

"He will."

"What about you? See anyone you're interested in?"

"I don't know," he said overly casually. He got up and took their plates to the sink, rinsed them, and refilled their coffee mugs.

"You're being awfully evasive."

"Well, that guy, Tyler, was pretty good-looking. But I think he's into someone else."

"Who?"

"One of those guys that owns the farm. The blonde."

Janie nearly spit her coffee out. "What? What are you talking about? Ennis and Jack are together. They've been together for a long time."

"Well, I don't know. I just know what I saw. Tyler was watching Ennis while trying not to watch Ennis. He couldn't keep his eyes off him."

"Oh no."


Kelly awoke with a smile on her face and it didn't disappear, even when she came all the way awake. She showered and dressed, then went into the kitchen to find her mom already up, dressed, and packing some homemade muffins into a basket.

"Whatcha doing, mom?"

"I thought I'd bring these over to the farm. I'd like to spend some time with Ennis's girls while they're here. He said they don't really have anything planned for today. Would you like to come with?"

"Naw, you go ahead. I spend a lot of time over there already."

"Are you complaining?"

"No, of course not! I love it there, but they're probably sick of me."

"I doubt that could ever happen, honey."

"Just tell them I said hi."

"Okay, I will," she said, going out the door with her basket.

Kelly spent the morning finishing the paperwork for the community college and was just putting it away when the phone rang.

"Hello?" She flushed. "Oh, hey Dwayne. Lunch today? Sure, I'd like that. No, I'll just meet you there. Me too. Okay, see you in a bit."


Alice knocked on the door to at the farm and heard Bobby yell come in. He came through the door to see who it was and nearly knocked her over with a hug. "Grandma Alice! Hi! What are you doin' here today?"

"I thought I'd bring you all some homemade muffins for breakfast or brunch. Where is everyone else?"

"Daddy and Ennis are out in the barn, Junior is at the lake with Emma, and Franny is in her bedroom looking for her sketchbook and markers. We're gonna draw."

Just as he got all of it out, the door opened behind them and Jack and Ennis entered and greeted her with a one-armed hug and kiss on the cheek.

"What brings you here today?" Jack asked.

"I just got done telling Bobby I made some homemade muffins for you. Blueberry and strawberry rhubarb."

"Sounds delicious, don't they, Ennis?"

"Hmmm? Yeah, they do."

"I also wanted to invite all of you over for supper tomorrow night. Around six, or so?"

"Alice, you don't have to feed us all the time. 'Sides, don't you get sick o' cooking after doin' it at the restaurant all day?"

"No, I'm used to it. And I want you to come to supper. I wouldn't have asked, if I didn't."

Jack smiled at her, "Sounds like you ain't takin' no fer an answer."

She returned the smile, "You're right about that. See you tomorrow, then?"

"Sure," he looked to Ennis, "right, Ennis? Supper tomorrow?"

"Yeah, sounds good to me, too." Ennis replied.

Franny came out of her bedroom carrying a sketchpad, markers, and colored pencils. "Hi, Alice!" she said brightly.

"Should we go down to the lake and draw?" Bobby asked. "Wanna come with us, Alice?"

"I'd love to."

Alice, Franny, and Bobby went out the door and headed down the trail to the lake, with a reminder from Jack to Bobby to keep his cast dry.

Ennis went to the sink to wash his hands while Jack poured them each a glass of lemonade. He handed one to Ennis and they sat at the table. The silence stretched uncomfortably between them.

"That new guy, Janie's brother. I hope he works out okay," Jack said finally.

"Yeah, me too." Ennis looked out the window, a million miles away.

Jack took a drink, barely got it past the lump in his throat, and set the glass on the table. "Ennis. I can't take it anymore. Are you thinkin' o' leavin' me? Or kickin' me out?"

Ennis's head snapped around. "What in the hell are you talking about, Jack? Have ya lost yer mind?"

"I thought . . . I just . . . I thought, well, I thought you were bein' so quiet 'cause you were tryin' t'think of a way t' tell me t'leave."

Ennis just looked at him, his eyes wide, before finally saying, "Jack, I don't know what you've been thinkin', but what kind of an asshole d'ya think I am? Think I'd ask ya t'share my life an' then just kick ya out a few months later? Have ya lost yer fuckin' mind?"

Jack thought maybe he had. "I thought maybe you found out . . ." he was interrupted by a shout outside. "Goddammit, what now?" He went to the door and met Alice and Bobby just coming up the stairs.

"I'm sorry Jack, he was on the dock, tripped, and fell in the water. His cast is soaked. You probably want to take him to the hospital and have it replaced." Alice said. "It really was an accident–I saw it happen," she added, noting the storminess in Jack's eyes.

He turned to Ennis, who had followed him outside. "Guess I better take him in."

"Yeah. He might wanna change into some dry clothes, though." Ennis turned to Alice as Jack disappeared in the house with Bobby, "Are the girls still down there? They aren't swimming, are they? I warned them not to swim unless there's an adult down there."

"No, they weren't in the water. I think they're heading back to the house. Why don't I help you fix some lunch for them. I'll make some sandwiches for Bobby and Jack to take with them."

"You don't have to."

"Hush, I want to," she smiled at him, leading the way into the house.

Jack and Bobby were back downstairs in moments. Alice handed them sandwiches wrapped in wax paper, while Ennis grabbed a couple bottles of soda out of the refrigerator and followed them out to the truck. He waited while Jack settled Bobby inside, then stopped Jack before he got in the truck.

"Jack, I'm sorry about today. I know we need t'talk. But, darlin', I ain't lookin' fer a way t'be apart from ya. I want t'be with you more'n anything. I hope you know that, if ya don't know anythin' else." His brown eyes looked into the blue, noting the dark storminess was still in them.

"All right. But we gotta find some time t'talk, Ennis."

"I know." Ennis's eyes flicked to Bobby, who was fiddling with the towel around his cast, and leaned in to give Jack a quick kiss.

The stormy blue eyes softened a bit as he whispered, "Ennis . . ."

"Drive careful."

"I will."

Ennis returned to the house to find the girls had returned and Alice had a simple lunch on the table for them. She joined them for lunch, then left, with a reminder about supper the next night. Junior and Emma went out the door, talking about some mystery they were solving.

Franny brought Ennis the dishes to wash, then stood on a stool next to him, rinsing and drying them. "Daddy? Are you still happy here?"

"Sure, why d'ya ask, honey?"

"I don't know. Just seems like ya aren't as happy as ya were at first."

Damn this girl is perceptive, Ennis thought, with a touch of pride and sadness. "I'm happy, darlin', but this is all new. It's takin' a lot t'get used to. An' I hate the thought of not bein' able t'see you girls very often. That makes me sad."

"You sure, daddy?"

"Yeah, I'm sure."

"You're gonna have some big changes too, when ya get back t'Wyoming. Havin' a new step-dad."

"I got used t'Jack bein' my step-dad, didn't I?"

Ennis looked at her sharply. "Wha'd'ya mean? Jack ain't yer step-dad."

"Sure he is, Daddy."

When she said it so simply, he couldn't argue with her. It surprised him and nearly brought tears to his eyes. Of course. What else was Jack to the girls? He drew her into a tight hug. "Franny, darlin', you are such a smart girl, do you know that? I love you, sweetheart."

"I love you, too, daddy," she hugged him back.