Temporarily Texan

Raven extended her hand. “Hello, Mr. Hammer.”

“Just visiting our city boy, hmm?” he said with a knowing grin.

“Just a professional visit to the Crawford ranch,” she replied.

“Professional? What’s the problem, Troy?”

“Nothing serious. Ms. York is a consultant. She’s giving me some new ideas…for crops and feed, mostly.”

That was sort of true, she realized. They’d talked about what plants and products she thought everyone should eat.

“Oh.” Bud winked at Troy. “Whatever you say.”

“This is not a social visit.” Raven fixed her eye on Mr. Hammer. She absolutely would not have anyone thinking she’d come to Texas for a nonprofessional reason, no matter how good-looking Troy Crawford was.

“Quit teasing the young folks,” another older man said, clapping Bud on the back. “Who are you to question someone who’s an expert?”

“That’s right,” his companion, also about retirement age, added. “Troy ought to know what he’s talking about, since he works in the cattle industry.”

“Thanks, Mr. Maxwell. Hello, Rodney.”

“Call me Burl, Troy.”

“I still remember you as Mr. Maxwell, my math teacher. It’s hard to call you by your first name.”

“We’re all in the same boat now, aren’t we?”

“I’m going to get some dinner,” Bud said, “since y’all are having such a happy reunion.”

“Have a nice one,” Troy said, although Raven could tell he wasn’t sorry to see the man go.

“I’m Rodney Bell. My spread is a little west of the Crawford ranch. We’ve been neighbors for years.”

“And as Troy mentioned, I’m Burl Maxwell. I teach math at the high school and sponsor the 4-H Club.”

“Hello, I’m Raven York,” she introduced herself to the two men. “I’m pleased to meet you.”

The men smiled. They seemed genuinely nice. “How are you enjoying your visit to Brody’s Crossing?” Rodney asked.

“It’s very…different than New Hampshire,” she answered with a smile. “Troy has been a gracious host.”

“Cal asked me to get a consultant out to the ranch,” Troy explained. “Raven got sent here by mistake, but we’re making the best of it until we get the mix-up fixed. She’s trying to reform my wicked cattleman ways, and I’m trying to keep her from running off with all the calves.”

Both men laughed, but Raven felt surprise that Troy had divulged so much to them. And a little annoyed that he’d made her seem so very different. So odd.

“I specialize in heritage gardens,” she explained.

“That’s great,” Burl Maxwell said. “Too many of the old plants are being lost to modern hybrids and genetically engineered varieties. There’s a real art in traditional methods of cross-pollination and grafting.”

“Exactly! I’m so glad to find someone who shares my enthusiasm.”

She could practically feel Troy roll his eyes, but even Rodney Bell didn’t seem put off by her passion for plants.

“I remember back in the day,” he said, “the Crawford place had quite a vegetable garden, plus there were some climbing roses. You know, those little pink ones that have quite a smell?”

“Probably a floribunda,” Raven commented.

“Troy’s mother tried her best to keep it going, but you know, after…”

“Then she was gone, and I imagine the garden was completely lost,” Troy said, his tone flat.

Raven turned to look at him. His jaw seemed tight and his shoulders tense. What was the story with his mother?

“Well, we’d best get some dinner, too,” Burl said, breaking the uncomfortable silence.

“You’re welcome to join us,” Troy said.

“Thanks, but we’ll let you young people talk.”

“I’d value your opinion on some of my ideas for the ranch,” he said. “If not now, then how about coffee in a day or two?”

“It’d have to be after school,” Burl said.

“Throw in some pie and you have a deal,” Rodney added.

“Tuesday, then? Around four o’clock?”

“Sounds good to me.”

“See you then.”

The two men smiled and went back to another booth. They didn’t join Bud Hammer, Raven noticed.

“Nice guys,” she commented.

“Good neighbors, too. Maybe I’ll get some ideas from them, just in case the ranching expert doesn’t show.”

“That might be a better option anyway, since they know the area.”

“You’d think that, but it’s not what Cal wanted.”

“Do you have to do it Cal’s way?”

“Cal’s way or the highway,” Troy scoffed. “I shouldn’t be mean-spirited about this, but Cal is hell-bent on keeping our father’s traditions, down to the last, ill-conceived detail. The ranch is struggling, but all he cares about is having things the same as they’ve always been.”

“It must be frustrating for you.”

“Believe me, it’s beyond frustrating. Do I upset my brother while he’s dodging land mines and snipers in Afghanistan, or do I contribute to the failure of our family ranch?”