Chapter 15
Thirty eight... Thirty nine... Forty.' Maddie exclaimed, marking down on the notepad that the count was correct. Skylar snorted, tossing her head and she gave the mare a pat. 'I know, you want to get moving-' She remarked, placing the notepad and pen back into the saddlebags. 'Come on then...'
The mare jumped forward into a canter, her long stride easily covering the distance between the pasture and the barn. For most of the day they had been out, counting cattle for Bonham. As the season was starting to slow, most of the temporary hired hands had been let go with fall coming in and she had started to take on more jobs.
Her father had been back for almost a month and during that time Maddie had hardly a moment's rest. From seven till three-thirty she worked at the ranch then after, back at home. With her father back, things had been trying to say the least.
That night they had dined at the Walkers hadn't been the most pleasant evening when she had gotten back home, to say the least. It had hardly been two days since her father had returned home and already she had found herself in trouble. Her father was strict, probably the strictest parent she knew of and he didn't take kindly to her lax in manners or anything less than perfection with her work. It didn't seem to matter how hard she tried, she just couldn't get it right. Either the bed wasn't made the right way, the coffee was too cold or the remote wasn't where it belonged. There was always something that she had done wrong.
It was exhausting.
Because of things at home, she hadn't spent time with the Walkers since, the only time she saw anyone was Bonham when she was working with him. Breakfast at their table was no longer an option, her father saying that he didn't want her to make a nuisance of herself at their house. Except for her work on their ranch, she wasn't allowed to associate with them anymore unless she had been formally invited and he agreed.
August had been the one to start asking questions, sending her a message earlier in the week to ask why he didn't see her anymore. She had replied with a simple lie, saying that she had been spending her spare time with her father. That couldn't have been further from the truth, for when he was home, she spent most of her time trying to keep out of his way.
Having him home, she had started to ponder again why he was so different towards her then the way Cordell was with his children. Before she hadn't really noticed it, but since being able to observe how other parents interacted with their kids, she had started to wonder why her father acted the way he did. Even when Stella and August had snuck out of the hotel and gone to that underground soccer game in Laredo, their father hadn't laid the belt on them and yet yesterday she had been punished because she left a dish in the sink. It didn't seem right, perhaps it was her situation that wasn't normal...
When she was at home, she found herself spending more and more time out in the barn, especially when her father had his new found friends over. Her father had always seemed to make friends easily but they didn't seem to be good people. The men he invited into his home made her feel uncomfortable, especially the remarks they would make about her and the way they looked at her. It didn't help that her father made comments too, comments that caused her a lot of embarrassment and hurt.
Even though she loved her father, she had begun to have doubts. Something wasn't right. Was it normal for a parent to give a kid the belt for missing a spot while washing the windows? Her mother had never hit her, not even once. Why then, was her father? It didn't make sense. She hadn't even been allowed to compete in the rodeo Bonham was going to enter her in, just because she left a book out on the couch.
Arriving back at the barn, Maddie pulled herself from her thoughts and returned to the job at hand. Giving the mare a pat she dismounted as Bonham and Abeline walked out of the barn. 'Finished with the count sir, numbers are all here.' She said as she pulled the notepad from the saddle bag and handed it to him. It was good they had come out to meet her, saving her time from finding him. She reached for the saddle to mount again before he could reply 'I better get home-'
'Maddie, wait honey.' Abeline interrupted, placing a hand on the girl's shoulder. 'Maddie, is everything okay? We've hardly seen you since your father got home.'
'Yeah, everything is great. I just... I just have a lot on my plate. Dad wanted me to take extra courses for school so I'm a little short on time right now.'
'Are you sure that's all it is?'
She nodded. 'I'm sure.'
Bonham finished going over the tally, looking up at her. 'Are you sure you counted right?'
'Yes sir. I counted each pasture twice.'
'Something wrong Bon?'
'There's a few head missing from each pasture...' He thought for a moment. 'Maddie, tomorrow you and I will do a recount, there might have been some away from the herd you missed counting.'
'And if they aren't there?'
'Let's just hope they are.'
'If that's all, can I head home now?'
'Well, I was kind of hoping perhaps you might wish to join us at the Side Step this evening.' Abeline stated. 'We're holding a welcome home party for Hoyt, thought you and your father might like to come along.'
'How about I give him a call and ask? Would you hold Skylar for a moment?'
'Of course.'
Stepping away from them a few paces, she pulled her phone from her pocket and rang her father. 'Hey Dad, sorry if I've caught you at a bad moment, but can I ask you something...'
Abeline observed their call from a distance, Bonham giving the mare a pat. 'Maddie might say everything is okay, but I think she's lying Bon.'
'And what makes you think that, Abby?'
'I don't know...' She shrugged. 'Just a feeling I get. Maddie hasn't been quite herself since her father has come home. You said yourself the other day that she has seemed a bit distracted lately.'
'Yeah, that I did.' Skylar rubbed her head against him and he pushed the mare away. 'I think she's just been busy.'
'What do you think of her father?'
'Bit strict perhaps but we can't make judge a guy the first time we meet him.'
Abeline turned back to the girl, Maddie still speaking on the phone. 'I'm just concerned about her.'
'I know you are but she isn't our concern Abeline.'
'I know.' Maddie ended the call, walking back to them. 'What did your Dad say?'
'He says I can go, as long as I'm not home late. He wants me back by seven.' She replied as she returned her phone to her pocket. 'That's okay, isn't it?'
'That'll be fine. We'll drop by to pick you up at around five?'
'Sure.' She nodded as Skylar's reins were handed back to her. 'I'll see you then.'
'Hey Maddie, glad you could make it.' August greeted as she came in through the back door with his grandmother. 'You didn't bring your kitten?'
Maddie chuckled. 'I don't think that bringing Bubbles would have been a good idea. She's growing up so fast and getting into all kinds of trouble. Can you imagine the mischief she could get up to in here?' She swept an arm around, noticing that Stella wasn't amongst the people gathering inside. 'Stella isn't here? I kinda had been hoping to catch up with her...'
'Ah, I don't know where Stella is actually. She said she was going to be here. I hope she turns up, otherwise I can't guarantee the food will be any good. She was supposed to be helping me in the kitchen.'
'I can give you a hand if you want.'
'You sure?'
'I'm sure. Besides, I'm better in kitchens than being in crowds anyway...' A hint of anxiety could be heard in her tone as she looked around then she turned back to August. 'So, how have you been?'
'Good, pretty good. Finally had enough money to buy a new camera and it's a beaut-'
'Alright, everyone, get ready.' Cordell's voice rang out. 'They've just pulled up outside.'
The crowd got themselves into position, Maddie staying beside August. None of the people here she recognized, except for the Walkers, Micki and Trey and she felt rather out of place... As the door opened, cheers rang out from those gathered, Cordell sneaking up behind Hoyt to knock his hat off. They embraced for a moment then Walker slammed him onto the ground. Maddie flinched, having had that happen to her more then once.
'Payback for your last homecoming.' Cordell exclaimed, helping his friend back onto his feet.
Hoyt shook his head, knowing when he had been bested and turned to August, giving him a hug then smiled at Maddie. 'Lookie here, little Maddie. You haven't been too much trouble for my friends, have you?'
Maddie chuckled, shaking his hand. 'Depends on which Walker you talk to, I guess.' He laughed then started greeting the rest of the folks. After a moment, Maddie quietly withdrew herself from the gathering and made her way into the kitchen. Closing the door behind herself, she took a deep breath to calm her nerves. She'd be okay...
'So... Abby Bear-' Hoyt started. 'How's Maddie been doing?'
'She's happier now that her father is back home with her.' Abeline took a sip of her drink then placed it back on the bar before turning to him. 'Why do you ask?'
'Oh, I knew her father a few years back.' He replied as he took a seat beside her. 'Never met her though before. She's a nice girl, coming from a guy like him.'
'What do you mean 'a guy like him?'
'Rough. I tell you, he's got two personalities. I've seen both, he can put on quite a show.'
She looked at him closely. 'Hoyt, what else can you tell me about him? Since he's come home, Maddie... She's been almost a different person. When the house was damaged during the storm we had, she came to stay with us for almost a month. Who she was back then isn't what she's like now.'
'Not surprised, from what he was like to be around. I think he's a guy with a lot of problems he's probably never dealt with, probably didn't have someone like you looking out for him.' He elbowed her arm and she chuckled. 'From what I saw of him during my time back in jail, he hasn't changed either.'
'Maddie doesn't even know that's where her father was.'
'Really? So he just up and disappeared for three months without a word to her?'
Abeline nodded.
'Gees... that's rough...' He exclaimed, swirling his beer around in the bottle. 'How'd she take that?'
'About as well as any kid would, not too well. Cordell was trying to look into him, see if there was anything that might be evidence that Maddie is in danger but there's nothing on him.'
Hoyt almost choked on his beer. 'He's got a longer list of misdemeanors then I have.'
'Your saying he has a criminal record, apart from his recent arrest?' She questioned after a moment, lowering her voice.
'Abby Bear, he ain't the kind of person who goes selling suits. He wouldn't tell Maddie bout it neither, wouldn't want her to accidentally let the cat out of the bag. But-' He finished his beer, leaving it on the table and stood, offering her his hand. 'Enough talk about that, you know this is one of my favorite songs.'
'Someone's looking a little lonely over here.' Cordell exclaimed, pulling out a seat to join Maddie at the empty table. 'I thought you were out back helping August.'
'I was, he said he's got it handled and besides-' She winced as she stretched. 'I've been in the saddle since seven this morning. He said I needed to come sit down.'
'You have been working kinda hard lately, we've hardly seen you.'
'That's life, I guess.'
'How's it having your Dad home?'
'Why does everyone keep asking that question?' Maddie asked with a slight tone of annoyance. 'It's great, couldn't be better.'
He frowned slightly. 'It's just that... your demeanor lately says something else.'
She sighed. 'Thank you for your concern Walker, but I am just fine. I just have a lot on my plate is all. Having Dad home means I need to cook for him, clean for two, do laundry for two. It means more work. And keeping up with my work for your father, and with school-' She let out a huge breath, resting back in her chair. 'I'm just too tired to do much else.'
'Maybe you shouldn't work as much out at the ranch.'
She shook her head. 'Not an option, I need the money your Dad is paying me. Dad hasn't got another job yet, he's been...' She stopped for a moment. 'Well, let's just say he's been at home a lot. Until he finds another job, we need my money to put food on the table. I do wish I had time to come by more though.'
'You know...' Cordell said after a pause. 'We have missed... having you around.'
'That's sweet of you to say.'
'It's true.' He chuckled. 'Stella, August, they seem to get along well with you and I think it's helped them, having you around. Since you've been through the same thing in a way, losing your moms.'
'Yeah...' She took another sip of her cordial, returning it to the table before she continued. 'I enjoyed spending time with your family too, it was... nice... I didn't have much of a family growing up, it was just my Mom and Dad and me. Mom's folks died when I was five, I don't remember much about them. My Dad and I, we get by though.' She took a look at the time. 'Oh man, I'm going to need to go soon...'
'How about a quick dance, before you go? Since Stella isn't here-' He looked around but his daughter was yet to make an appearance. 'I haven't had anyone to dance with.'
'Oh, I don't know. There was a pretty nice lady over there looking at you earlier.'
'Geri?' He chuckled nervously. 'We're just friends. What do you say?'
'I um... I don't know how to dance.'
'Well that's okay. I can show you.' He stood, offering a hand to her. 'Come on, it'll be fun.'
'One dance, then I'm going to need to find out if my ride can take me home. Okay?'
'Deal.' The teen stood, taking his outstretched hand and they made their way to where other couples were already dancing. 'Alright, so... One arm around my waist, my arm around your waist... You okay?' He asked, the teen flinching away from him.
'Yeah, yeah, I'm fine.' She replied, her heart having jumped a beat at the touch. 'Just sore muscles from riding all day. Really.' She placed her arm around his waist, her other hand still holding onto his. 'Like this?'
'Yep. Yep, you're getting the hang of it. Now just relax and follow my lead.'
Maddie chuckled, actually starting to enjoy herself. 'You know, I always wanted my father to teach me how to dance.' She said after a moment. 'He always would come up with some excuse not to, so I never learnt how.'
'Well, he missed out on something special then. I taught Stella how to dance before she was two years old, she'd stand on top of my boots-' The teen chuckled at that. 'And around we'd go. Just lift your arm a little higher-' He frowned, seeing a dark purple bruise across the girl's wrist. 'Maddie, what happened to your wrist?'
The teen tensed up at the question. 'I um... I hit it against a bench when I was cooking the other day. I've always bruised easily. Genetic thing.'
'Have you seen a doctor for it?'
'Mom took me when I was little, they weren't concerned. Said I'd grow out of it eventually.' The song ended and she looked at the time again. 'Look, I've got to go. Thank you, for the dance.'
'You don't be a stranger now, you hear? Come drop over for dinner soon, I know Stella would love to catch up with you.'
'I'll keep it in mind.' She replied back over her shoulder as she disappeared amongst the crowd, not being able to get away from the Ranger quick enough.
'Maddie, you look like you've seen a ghost.' Abeline said as the teen approached her. 'What's the matter honey?'
'N-nothing. I uh, I just need to get home. C-can-' She glanced back towards Cordell's direction, relieved when she saw he hadn't followed. 'Can we go now?'
'Yeah. Oh course.' She stood. 'Let's go.'
