“The Rockin’ C is a big cattle ranch. Ten thousand acres. We have a cow-calf operation and we provide stock to other ranchers. There are about one thousand head of cattle on it right now, but the number fluctuates seasonally. In recent years we’ve sunk several oil wells on the back side of the property that have done well. The ranch is located in Divine, about two hundred and fifty miles from here.”
He got curious when her mouth popped open and her eyes got big. “Divine, Texas?”
Chance chuckled and said, “That’s the one. Have you heard of it?”
Lydia groaned and nodded her head. “Yup. I have two very overprotective brothers who live there.”
“What are their names? I probably know them.”
She paused before responding and said, “You probably do know them. Two of the nicest guys you’d ever want to meet but ‘big brother buttinskis’ of the first order. Ace Webster and Kemp Whittier.”
Chance snorted as he drew on his straw and barely swallowed his strawberry shake before he choked. She patted his back and said, “Oh hell, you do know them, don’t you? Actually, Ace is my brother by blood and Kemp is my brother by adoption.”
Chance chuckled and nodded, “Yes. I do. How long has it been since you’ve talked to them?”
Lydia thought about it and replied, “It’s probably been a few weeks. Maybe a month. Last time we talked was really brief because they were working. Why?”
If it had been that long then she knew nothing about Ace and Kemp’s recent proposal to Summer Heston, Discretion’s co-owner. “It might be time to check in, baby.”
“Are you going to tell them about…everything?”
Chance frowned. “Why? Don’t they know? Oh! I see. They’ve nominated themselves as your personal savior committee? Without permission, I bet?” When she nodded emphatically he continued, “You know, sometimes receiving help from people who love you is a good thing. Do they have any idea what your circumstances are right now?”
She cringed and gave him a lame smile. “Not really. They know I’m living in Fort Stockton. They know the chef job didn’t pan out.”
“I hear a big ‘but’ in there.”
“But they think I just found another job as chef in a different restaurant. I told them I was fine and I want to make it on my own. They said they respected that.”
“If you were my little sister, I’d want to do whatever I could to help you out of this situation.”
“I know, but I need to do it on my own. Are you going to tell them?” She asked the question as if she wondered if he was going to tattle on her.
“No, baby. Getting in touch would be a good idea, though. They might have news of their own.”
“True. I’ll have to do that.”
“If you left Fort Stockton, where would you go if you had your way?”
Lydia smiled at him and shrugged. “It may not matter what I want, but if I had my way it would be to another small town, somewhere a little greener. I love this part of Texas, but it can feel desolate and lonely at times.”
If he had his way he’d give her what she wanted and make sure she never felt desolate or lonely again.
Inside her purse, her phone rang.
She answered it and spoke to the caller while Chance worked on his strawberry shake. It sounded like she was talking to a police officer. When she put her phone down, he asked, “Everything all right?”
“Yes. The police have finished. The old fool confessed to slashing the tires and tampering with the engine. They need to get pictures of my car and they were willing to drop my things off at my motel room.”
“Oh. Okay. I’ll take you home if you’ll give me directions. I probably ought to see about a room before it gets much later, too.”
“Chance, thank you for all you’ve done to help me through tonight. I want you to know I really appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome, baby. I’m glad I was here. I’d hate to think of you going through what happened tonight all by yourself.”
He started the truck and followed her soft-spoken directions to the western edge of town, where her motel was located.
Chapter Four
Lydia’s mind urged caution as they pulled up to the inauspicious, faded building that had served as home for the last five months. Chance was there only temporarily, and she reminded herself of that as he pulled into a parking space next to Gunther who appeared rather sad with his four flat tires. She felt violated as she looked at her Karmann Ghia. Sometimes it seemed like her transportation and the earnings she made each day were all that stood between her and the wolves at the door.