Taming a Texas Devil - Katie Lane Page 0,52

her for a few seconds before he set her away from him. “That’s enough, Deputy Meriwether. We have reports to file and a family to get settled.”

But it wasn’t easy to get Cal and Cheyenne settled. Cal stubbornly refused to accept Val and Reba’s offer of the cottage.

“I don’t take handouts,” he said. “Cheyenne and I can stay at a hotel in Abilene until I can find work. Now that we don’t have a home, there’s no reason to stay in Simple.”

“But Daddy—” Cheyenne sent Dixie a pleading look, and Dixie couldn’t help but jump in.

“You have a job here, Cal. The people of Simple couldn’t be happier that they have their own resident mechanic. And the cottage isn’t a handout. I think Val was hoping you’d help him out while you were there. You know he’s a big-time writer. But since he married Reba and he’s helping her with all the new business at the boardinghouse, he hasn’t had much time to write. But if he had a handyman like you living there who could help him and Reba out every now and again, it would free Val up to do a lot more writing.” She winked. “And a lot more newlywedding with Reba.”

While Cal paused to consider Dixie’s words, Lincoln surprised her by stepping in. “Just give it a couple months, Cal. You just lost your home and you’re shaken. Both you and Cheyenne need some time to recover. If by summer, you decide not to stay, I’ll help you find a job in Abilene. I happen to have a friend who owns a couple auto shops there.”

“Please, Daddy,” Cheyenne said. “Please let me stay until the end of school.”

That tipped the scale. Cal blew out a breath and nodded. “Okay.” He looked at Lincoln. “But make sure Val understands that I’ll be working for our room and board.”

“I’m sure he’ll welcome the help with open arms,” Dixie said as she pulled Cheyenne close.

Lincoln helped Cal load up the plastic garbage bags of clothes and keepsakes that Cheyenne had grabbed before the flames had reached the inside of the trailer. While they did it, they both gave Cheyenne stern lectures on going back inside a burning house. Dixie kept her mouth shut and thought about what she would grab if her apartment caught on fire. Queenie and the picture of her parents came to mind first . . . and her deputy badge. She had gotten pretty attached to it.

Once Cal’s truck was loaded, Dixie went to the neighbor’s and got Queenie, then she and Lincoln followed the Dailys to Dixon’s Boardinghouse. Reba, Val, and Aunt Gertie were waiting for them on the front porch.

Reba gave Cal and Cheyenne a big hug. “I’m so sorry to hear about your home, but we have the cottage all ready for you.”

“About that,” Cal said. “I won’t take it for free. I’ll pay you what I can and work off the rest.”

“Darn tootin’ you will,” Miss Gertie called down from the porch. “We’re not runnin’ a charity operation here. And another thing, breakfast is served at eight-thirty and supper at six. If you’re late, you’ll go hungry. Now send that young thing up here so I can make sure she’s not one of those drugged out teenagers who smokes that mary-juana and ditches school.”

Cheyenne shot a scared look over at Dixie, and Dixie leaned in and whispered. “Just smile and win her over with your charm, honey. If you can get Miss Gertie on your side, you’ll win any war. Including the one with your daddy to stay in Simple.”

Cheyenne immediately straightened and smoothed down her hair. “Yes, ma’am, Miss Gertie. I’m coming.” She hurried up the porch steps.

“You know how to knit?” Miss Gertie asked.

“No, ma’am.”

“Crochet?”

“No, ma’am.”

“Sew?”

“No, ma’am.”

Miss Gertie snorted. “What is this world comin’ to?” She got up and grabbed her walker, where Rhett Butler sat in the basket. Dixie was thankful she’d left Queenie in the truck. She didn’t want her cat anywhere near Gertie’s vicious varmint. “Well, come on in,” Miss Gertie said. “We’ll need to start with knitting and work our way up.”

When they were gone, Lincoln looked at Val. “Didn’t you say something about your lawn mower not working right?”

Val looked confused for only a second before he played along. “Yeah, I’m not sure what’s wrong with it.”

“I could take a look,” Cal said.

“I’d appreciate it. It’s in the shed out back. Linc, why don’t you take Cal through the garden and show him the