Ryelee's Cowboy (22 page)

Although she knew it was all her
fault, she had hoped that Clint could have found it in his heart to
forgive her. The pain in his eyes mirrored her own. She wished she
knew what to do to fix it. Living with the love of her life,
knowing he didn't love her back was agony.

She continued to wither as each day
went by. She had hoped he would become amiable toward her, but
weeks passed, and still he refused to interact with her any more
than necessary. Her heart ached inconsolably.

* * * *

“Two more days, Mama! Happy birthday
to me!” Rheenie ran down the stairs after her nap.

Ryelee smiled. “Are you sure? I
thought your birthday was next month,” she teased.

“Oh, Mama, you know when it
is.”

“Yes, two more days ‘til your
birthday, and you get your leg brace off, and it’s Valentine’s
Day!” Ryelee told her excitedly.

“I want the biggest, most giganticest
box of heart candies.”

“Oh, really? Well, I’ll see what I can
do. I can’t believe you’re going to be five.” She hugged Rheenie to
her side. “You are growing up so quickly.”

Rheenie scrunched up her face. “I
looked in the mirror, and I look the same as I did
yesterday.”

Ryelee laughed until she saw Clint
standing in the doorway with his familiar scowl. She thought for a
moment a flicker of emotion sparked in his eyes, but then it was
gone. She needed to stop looking for signs from him. It hurt too
much.

“If you’re hungry, I made an apple
pie,” Ryelee said.

“No, I just wanted to tell you that I
have an appointment. Don’t wait up for me.” He lifted Rheenie up
and kissed her on the cheek.

Ryelee turned away. “Sure no problem,”
she said softly.

Clint had been going to many
appointments lately, and Ryelee couldn’t help but think he was
seeing another woman. It battered her soul every time he went. Some
days she felt as though it was all she could do to keep from
breaking down.

He hardly touched her or smiled at
her. He was often polite and helped her up out of the plush chairs
in the family room but he never asked how she and the baby were
doing. He certainly hadn’t noticed her swollen ankles. Her eyes
misted as she bit her lip. She heard the door close and knew he was
gone.

Ryelee turned toward Rheenie and put
on her best face. “It’s just you and me, kiddo. What shall we have
for dinner?”

“Apple pie!”

“You know what? I think we’ll do that.
We deserve a little treat every now and again.”

Ryelee watched Rheenie happily eat her
pie. She pretended to feed Sunshine a spoonful. This is what she
wanted her life to be. Little moments like these to fill her
days.

She was so tired. Sleep eluded her
more often than not. She couldn’t help but worry about all these
late night appointments Clint had. She was torn. One part of her
trusted him to be a man of integrity, but the other part wondered
if another woman was involved. She had created this whole awful
situation. It was all on her. She hoped she was wrong.

She smiled at Rheenie and started to
wipe her face. The faces Rheenie made were hysterical, and it felt
good to laugh. “Come on, princess, it’s time for bed.”

Rheenie looked at Sunshine and
mimicked Ryelee. “Come on, Sunshine, it’s time for bed.”

Ryelee bit back a smile. She noticed
that Sunshine wasn’t called princess. They all went upstairs and
got ready for bed. Ryelee tucked both Rheenie and Sunshine
in.

“You’ll be here when I wake up?”
Rheenie asked.

Ryelee hated to see the doubts on
Rheenie’s little face. “Yes, honey, I will be here when you wake
up.”

Rheenie’s face brightened as she took
Ryelee’s word to heart. “Good night, Mama.”

“Good night Rheenie, I love you.” She
kissed first Rheenie then Sunshine good night.

Ryelee tossed and turned, as much as
her blossoming body would allow. She felt ashamed that her husband
would go to another woman, but she had to get real. Where else
could he be at this time of night? Tears poured down her face as
she realized that she had years of loneliness before her. If not
for Rheenie, she would go away and lick her wounds.

She knew she was fat and very unsexy.
Nothing fit right and she waddled. What man would want a wife like
her? She couldn’t bear to see herself in the mirror. Why should she
expect Clint to find her attractive?

She worried about her baby. Clint had
originally said he could love it as if it were his own. Now she
wasn’t so sure if that was still the way of things. She would hate
for her child to feel slighted because it was hers. She tried to be
grateful that she had a roof over her head, heat, and water, and
most of all she had Rheenie. Poor Rheenie. She had suffered enough
and she needed stability..

He might have been pressured to take
her back, but he was his own man. He would honor his word and let
her stay, but for how long? Would she be bringing the baby here?
Ryelee knew he would never leave her penniless, but she didn't care
about money. She wanted Clint. She wanted him to love
her.

She heard the front door open and knew
that Clint was finally home. She glanced at the glowing clock on
the nightstand. After midnight—late hours for a rancher. At least
he still came home, she thought as a lone tear trailed down her
face.

* * * *

It was Rheenie’s birthday. She woke up
and ran up and down the hall singing happy birthday. Eventually,
Clint intercepted her, and lifted her up over his head and kissed
her belly, while she screamed in delight. Her face beamed even more
when she spotted Ryelee watching them from her bedroom
door.

Ryelee caught Clint’s eye and was
surprised to see him smile at her. She was sure that the smile
wasn’t meant for her, but it made her feel warm inside just the
same.

They had an exciting day ahead of
them. First, they were going to the doctor to get her leg brace
off. Joy filled Ryelee’s heart. She couldn’t wait. Then Annie was
throwing a party. Mostly adults, but Ryelee knew that Rheenie would
be happy.

“Go get dressed,” Clint said without
looking at her. “I’ll take care of this little monkey.”

“Princess!”

“Monkey!”

Ryelee smiled as she slipped back into
her room. She hated this room and all the loneliness it exuded. She
fingered the red envelope on her dresser. She had bought Clint a
Valentine’s Day card, but now she felt stupid. He wouldn’t welcome
it from her. Deep down, she had been hoping for a card, flowers,
and a box of candy. She had never celebrated Valentine’s Day
before. When she was little, she would just skip school that day
because she had no cards to pass out. It was just as well, since
there were never any cards waiting for her the next day. No one had
given her one.

She threw the card in the trashcan and
got dressed. This was Rheenie’s big day, and she wouldn’t spoil it
for the world. She was excited for her daughter. Although Rheenie
never complained, Ryelee knew she hated her leg brace.

Happiness filled the truck as they
rode to the doctor’s office. Rheenie couldn’t wait to see old Doc
Buddy. He always called her princess, and he always had a lollipop
just for her. As Rheenie chattered, Ryelee closed her eyes savoring
the feeling. She knew that happiness was only a sometimes
thing.

Rheenie raced into the office and ran
down the hall looking for Doc Buddy. Ryelee started to apologize
for her daughter, but the kind receptionist Mary told her that she
had expected it.

“Just look at her running! She is a
sight to behold.” She smiled at Ryelee. “From what I hear, you’ve
made a big difference in her life.”

Ryelee glowed at Mary’s praise. She
hoped that she was right.

“Mama!”

“Looks like your little one wants you.
They’re in the second room on the left,” Mary told her.

Doc Buddy nodded to Ryelee as she
walked into the examination room. The room was painted in that
hospital green color everyone hated. Rheenie sat on the table
waiting for the big moment.

“Do you want me to hold your hand?”
Clint asked.

Rheenie shook her head. “No, I want
you to hold Mama’s hand.”

Clint and Ryelee both gave each other
a quick glance. Slowly, Clint reached out and took Ryelee’s hand.
He absently rubbed his thumb over the back of it.

Ryelee wasn’t immune to his touch. His
large work-worn thumb caressing her tiny hand began to make her
want things she couldn’t have. Mostly it made her lust for her
husband. Ryelee tried to concentrate on what Doc Buddy was saying,
but it went right over her head. She couldn’t concentrate with
Clint touching her. She suddenly remembered he was reluctant to
touch her, and her head came right out of the clouds.

“Look! Look at me!” Rheenie cried
happily, as she took her first few steps without the brace. Her
sheer joy brought tears to Ryelee’s eyes.

“You look beautiful, honey,” Clint
said, his voice full of emotion.

“I can’t wait to show the guys at the
ranch. They will know that I’m a princess for sure!”

Doc Buddy laughed at her enthusiasm.
“It’s been a long recovery but worth it. I don’t foresee any more
problems with her leg.”

“That’s wonderful news,” Ryelee
exclaimed as she hugged Rheenie.

Rheenie walked over to Doc Buddy and
cocked her head to one side and began to flutter her eyelashes at
him. “Lollipop?”

Doc Buddy looked like he was having a
hard time keeping a straight face. “Of course. In fact, take two.
It’s a big day.”

Clint leaned over close to Ryelee’s
ear. “Another girl talk might be in order,” he
whispered.

Ryelee nodded, but she couldn’t think
with him standing so close. Maybe it was the hormones, but she
wanted to jump his wranglers. She could tell he hadn’t softened any
toward her. A deep sadness threatened to settle over her, but she
shook it off. It was Rheenie’s birthday.

Rheenie proudly walked out of Doc
Buddy’s office to the truck, as if a weight she’d been carrying
around had been lifted. Her posture had even improved, and she
looked taller and more graceful.

Ryelee’s heart swelled for her. She
was so glad she had been there to see the brace come off. She tried
not to dwell on the future, but she hoped to God that she would be
there for all of Rheenie’s joys and sorrows.

Ryelee stiffened when she saw Dottie
Long saunter toward them. She didn't want to hear what the woman
had to say. She opened the truck door as Clint rounded the back of
the truck to help them in.

“Wait!” Dottie yelled as she waved her
hand.

Clint tipped his hat. “Good
mornin’.”

Dottie smiled brightly. She glanced at
Ryelee, but she obviously wanted to see Clint. “You’re up early for
someone who was up half the night. Why, it was almost dawn before
you left for home.”

Dottie turned to look at Ryelee’s
blushed face. “Oops, I didn't mean to let the cat out of the
bag.”

Clint put Rheenie in the truck. “I’m
sure we’ll see you around,” he said, helping Ryelee in.

“Oh, don’t be coy, darling. I’ll be
waiting,” Dottie drawled, in a honeyed voice.

Ryelee looked at the attractive blonde
with envy. Her body was nice and trim. Ryelee finally had the last
piece to her puzzle. She now knew where Clint went at night. Anger
filled her and she wanted to have it out with Clint. She looked at
Rheenie and swallowed hard as the tears began building up. She
turned and stared out the window, struggling to regain her
composure. She was just going to have to smile even though her
heart was breaking.

* * * *

Balloons in pink and purple hung
everywhere. All the men from the ranch were there, along with
Annie, Burke, Seth, and Mrs. Harvy. Rheenie was in her element,
being the center of attention for so many people.

Ryelee hugged Annie and thanked
her.

“It is my pleasure. The first time I
met Rheenie, she stole a piece of my heart,” she said, watching
Rheenie riding on Jimmy’s back.

“She stole mine too,” Ryelee said.
From the scowl on Clint’s face, she knew he wasn’t happy with
Rheenie spending time with Jimmy McKeegan. Too damn bad, she
thought. Right now she didn’t care what Clint liked or didn’t
like.

“Mama, come see my cake!” Rheenie
called from Jimmy’s back.

When Ryelee started to get up from the
porch chair, Burke rushed to her side, helping her up. Ryelee
smiled her gratitude, silently embarrassed her own husband hadn’t
gotten to her first.

Ryelee walked over to the table that
held the cake. It was in a shape of a castle. Ryelee’s eyes misted
as she hugged her daughter. “Every princess needs a castle,” she
said, her voice choked up.

“Don’t worry, Mama. We can both share
it.”

“I’m honored,” Ryelee said, leaning
down to give Rheenie a kiss.