After investigating the area around the lake and nearby woods, Bo came to the conclusion that the horse they heard must have belonged to someone on a neighboring ranch. He and Nora were greatly relieved and put the incident out of their minds.
The following morning, Nora was drinking coffee on the back patio watching Lilli as she played with Asa’s new pups. He and Lilli had chosen not one, but two of them.
“Now, what are their names again, Sweetie?” she asked Lilli as the pups bounced around her wagging their tails.
“Gwant and Shewrman” she replied knowingly.
“Oh...I see,” Nora said. “Well...which one is which?”
“Dis is Gwant and dis one…” She picked up the wriggling pup, “...is Shewrmy. See his ear...it’s bwown.”
“Ohhh, I see…” said Nora showing unfelt enthusiasm. It didn’t matter how dirty the little pups were, Lilli loved on them anyway. They climbed all over her, licking her face. Nora grimaced.
“Don’t let them lick you in the mouth, Lilli,” she said making a face.
“Why, Mommy? Dey’s kissing me!”
“Well, they don’t need to kiss you on the mouth, honey. You don’t know where their mouths have been.”
“Daddy kisses you on da mouf,” was Lilli’s quick reply.
Nora sighed but let the conversation go. She didn’t want to get into this discussion with her tenacious two-year-old.
* * * * * * *
The day progressed and the ranch was in full swing getting ready for the evening barbecue. The pitmaster basted the beef and pork as it sizzled over the open fires. Maggie and Helen busied themselves in the kitchen making slaw, potato salad, yams, baked beans, biscuits, gravies, and desserts.
Tables and chairs had been set up outside. The kids were playing nearby. Bo,Tom, and Asa relaxed and visited with Chuck, the head ranch hand. The other ranch hands were busy setting up kegs of beer and other refreshments; with the exception of Chet Palmer who, Bo noticed, seemed to be just observing...particularly observing Nora as she carried bowls of food to the tables. As she maneuvered her way out the door with a huge bowl of potato salad, Chet moved to help her.
“Here, Ma’am, let me get that for you…” he began.
Bo was on his feet immediately. “No, that’s okay, Chet...I can help my wife. Why don’t you go help your brother? Looks like he could use a hand with those kegs.”
“Yes, sir...only trying to help,” Chet responded before taking his leave.
Nora noticed Bo’s expression as he watched Chet Palmer walk away.
“Bo...he was only trying to help,” she said in a low voice. “You need to relax.”
“Yeah, well...I think maybe I’ve been too relaxed. He can ‘help’ his brother.”
“Oh, Bo...you’ve been ridiculous ever since he asked me to dance at Brannigan’s barn.”
“I don’t like how he looks at you.”
“I haven’t noticed,” she responded as she put serving spoons into the dishes.
“Well, he looks at you like... a guy,” he said.
She rolled her eyes. “Bo, I worked in a dance hall for nearly two years. I’m used to that.”
“Well, maybe you like it, but I don’t.”
Nora looked at him, “I didn’t say I liked it,” she corrected. “I said I’m used to it.” She shook her head. “Just calm down.”
“Calm Down?” Bo glanced around to see if anyone heard his outburst, then he lowered his voice. “I thought you didn’t like these guys. At least that was the impression you gave me that night we went to the dance.”
“Wait...I didn’t say I disliked them,” she responded. “I think I said they were unique...and they are…” She finished stirring the salad and looked up at him. “Oh...why are we even talking about this?” she asked. Then she grinned at him.
“What?” he asked, jaw still clenched.
“Have you been tasting the food?” she inquired.
“No…” he said quickly.
“Bo Buchanan! You have! You have something at the edge of your mouth right there!”
He started licking the corner of his mouth. “It wasn’t food, but I did taste that barbecue sauce...that’s all. Did I get it all?” he asked referring to the sauce on his mouth.
“No...here...let me help,” she said glancing around before giving him a lingering kiss.
She pulled back leaving him with a glazed expression.
“There...I think I got it,” she said said smiling at him.
“Really?,” he asked, “because I think you missed some,” he said leaning in for another kiss. She giggled softly.
About that time, Lilli ran passed them.
“Daddy!”
Bo and Nora looked at her.
Lilli frowned. “Don’t kiss mommy on da mouf! She don’t know where your mouf have been!” she spouted before running off.
Nora burst into laughter at Bo’s puzzled expression.
“Where did that come from?” he asked her incredulously.
Nora headed back to the house. “I’ll explain it later,” she said still giggling.
* * * * * * *
“Pay attention, Chet! You nearly dropped that keg on my foot! If you’d stop ogling Mrs. Buchanan and pay attention to the job at hand…” Tate whispered.
“I’m not ogling Mrs. Buchanan,” Chet hissed at his brother.
“Well, you were! You stood over there watching her until her husband ran you off…” Tate continued.
“I offered to help her,” Chet defended himself. “Then her husband got all irritated...I can’t stand him. He didn’t hire me, old man Buchanan did. I work for Asa Buchanan, not his son…”
“No. That’s not how it is, Chet,” Tate said quietly. “We work for the Buchanan Ranch, so we take orders from the Buchanans...all of the Buchanans. Don’t get uppity with him or you’ll be out of a job and, most likely, I’ll be tossed out with ya! If they even learned the truth about you and everything that happened because of Ellie…”
“Don’t you even talk to me about Ellie!” Chet said through clenched teeth.
“That’s what it is, isn’t it? Mrs. Buchanan reminds you of Ellie...”
Chet didn’t respond.
Tate glanced at Nora. “I see the resemblance too...it’s striking. But she isn’t Ellie. Get that through your head and then concentrate on your job. Man, don’t blow this. This is a good job! Hear me?”
“I hear ya,” Chet mumbled as he sent another look Bo’s way.
* * * * * * *
Nora had Lilli tucked into bed and was already showered by the time Bo returned from the barbecue clean up. Finding her in their bedroom, he wrapped his arms around her from behind and nuzzled her neck.
“Mmmm. I’ve been looking forward to getting you alone all evening,” he whispered. She turned and wrapped her arms around him.
“Me too,” she responded, unbuttoning his shirt. She felt his hot breath on her neck as he nibbled her earlobe.
“I’m going to take a quick shower,” he said quietly, “then I’m going to devour you...I can’t wait…”
“Ooooo, Mr. Buchanan,” she teased.
He pulled her close. “And...I will even be kissing you...on the mouf…” he seductively whispered close to her lips.
She laughed softly. “I’ll never tell. Hurry up. I’ll be waiting…”
“Mmmm,” he said looking at her again. “I’ll be right back.”
As he headed down the hall, there was a loud pounding on the door of the west wing.
“BO! BO! DO YOU HEAR ME?! OPEN UP!!!” It was Maggie. She sounded frantic which was not at all in her nature.
Bo swung the door open quickly. Maggie stood there where she had been beating upon the door. She was breathless and looked frightened.
“FIRE! THERE’S A FIRE! THEY SENT ME TO GET YOU! HURRY!!!” she shouted.