21. Farmer Matt - Time to Rodeo
Chapter twenty-one
Farmer Matt - Time to Rodeo
T hough she didn’t know Kent well, even the short time they spent together was significant. The tenderness and intimacy they shared, the romantic atmosphere of a massive snowfall, a warm crackling fire, and whatever was in that little pipe they smoked, kept this encounter close to her heart for a long time. She couldn’t think of a better way to spend forty-eight hours. It was hard to come to terms with his death. She distracted herself and resisted the depression that tried to haunt her.
A few months later, spring began to show its pretty face full of sunshine and warm southern breezes. Blades of lime-green grass were beginning to push their way through the undergrowth of the acreage on the east side of her driveway. The three acres had been fenced before she bought the house but she didn’t use the area for anything other than hunting for morel mushrooms in early May. That’s a must for most midwestern folks and she was no exception not only for the deliciousness of the morsels but bragging rights.
It was late April and the day was glorious. Feeling the sun warm her skin was as welcomed as s’mores around a campfire. She was doing some cleanup in her yard of the small limbs that had fallen during the winter from the big Burr Oak trees when a pickup truck pulled onto the lower part of her driveway. She held onto her rake when what should appear but a mirage of the most gorgeous man she could ever dream up. You’re probably wondering how she managed to get all the luck but hey, mama always said, ‘Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth’. I often wondered what it meant so if you too are wondering, here goes. The best way to tell the health of a horse is to examine its mouth. When someone gives you a horse as a gift, don’t insult the giver by checking the horse’s mouth before accepting the gift.
That being said, if this was her modern-day gift horse in a red pickup truck, she certainly wouldn’t complain but she also wouldn’t mind checking him out. He was as perfect a cowboy as you’d ever hope to dream about. Tall and buff, he was about thirty-five with tight curly hair and even tighter jeans, boots, and a cowboy hat pushed back off his forehead. Whatever he wanted Edie was going to make sure she had it and if she didn’t have it they could look for it together. He walked partway up her steep driveway to be closer to her.
“Hey,” he said, “I’m Matt and I’ve got a farm over on Ridge Road. Oh, sorry to bother you by the way.” Her heart was racing and her blood pressure rising as she thought under her breath, ‘Go ahead, bother me, please’. But she refrains and tries to keep her composure.
“Hi, I’m Edie. What can I do for you?” (Inside she’s saying, “Let me show you what I can do for you.”)
“Hey, nice to meet you. Forgive me for being so bold, but do you own that fenced piece of land right there?”
“Why yes, yes I do,” she nearly stuttered all the while thinking, go ahead, be bold, be as bold as you like.
“I’ve got three young steers that I need to get away from the herd so I’m looking for a place to graze them for a couple of months. Would you, by chance, consider renting that space to me for a short while?” He smiled and his teeth were so white and perfect it was like diamonds shooting off them like those stupid TV commercials.
She thought you could put your three steers in my bedroom if you come and check on them.
She had to calm down. She was overreacting. “We might be able to work something out, Ma…Matt was it? How soon would you want to bring them over?”
“Edie, that would be fantastic,” he said. “How about next week?”
“I have one problem with that. You see, morel season is just around the corner and that’s my little honey hole there so you’d have to wait until the mushrooms are done. If you’re from around here you probably understand that.”
“No problem, ma’am. So a couple of weeks would probably be about right? That would give me some time to clean the space up a little before I bring them over if you wouldn’t mind me hanging around a bit.”
Oh please…hang around all you want, you beautiful god . “No, feel free to come by whenever you need to but please don’t call me ma’am. That reminds me of my mom.”
“I’m so sorry. Hope I didn’t offend you. Let’s see, what should I call you? Hmmm.” Tapping his chin he winked. “Got it. How about Babe?”
“Wow, Matt. You’re quick”. He smiled then she launched. “But I’m quicker. I’m thinking we should have sex.” Watching his body language, she saw his knees almost buckle, his eyes became big as a cow pie, he had to concentrate on closing his mouth, and when he could catch his breath, he laughed a ‘you got me good’ laugh.
“I didn’t expect a response like that. Whew!”
“Keep in mind, I’m a country girl so it’s the goose and gander response. Got it?”
“Oh, I got it alright…well not like I’d like to. Can I take a raincheck on your offer? I’d need to take a shower.”
“If that’s the best excuse you can come up with that’s not very creative. I have indoor plumbing.”
“You are one of the most interesting women I’ve ever met and I’m intrigued,” he said nodding his head.
“I was just messing with you, Matt but I’ll see you when you come back to do whatever it is you need to do next door. Just don’t touch my morels.”
“Oh, believe me, Edie, I would never do that. In these parts that’s almost grounds for murder.”
“Great. Now that we understand each other, why don’t you prepare a short-term lease with your proposal and we’ll discuss it next time we see each other?” He walked across the hill and extended his hand. Damn, he looked even better up close. This could get interesting. She took off her glove and reached for his hand. She liked a nice firm handshake. He then reached into his pocket and gave her a business card with his information. She put it in her pocket and continued raking as he drove away, giving her heart a chance to calm down.
Later that evening as she was getting ready to shower, she pulled the card out. Oh my gosh! She was shocked to see that he was one of the Miller Brothers as in the 4M Ranch only the biggest farmers in the area. They had more acreage, more cattle, more grain, more buildings, more money, and more of everything. Surely he could have found a place for 3 little calves. Something didn’t quite seem to fit. She had her work cut out for her. Time to put on her Sherlock Holmes hat and do a little investigating.
The following day still working in the yard, her elderly neighbors came strolling up the road hand in hand from their gorgeous home just to the east of her land. “Hi, Jean. Hi, John. How are you two lovebirds doing?”
“Hi, Edie. We decided we’d better try to walk off a few pounds from those luscious cookies and candies you and the girls brought us at Christmas,” Jean answered.
“Aww, that’s sweet of you to say. Say, I’ve got a question, if you don’t mind.”
John answered, “No, go ahead. What ya got?”
She wanted to be discreet. “A young guy stopped by yesterday and asked to rent that three acres there to graze some steers. His name is Matthew Miller. Do you know him and would the cattle bother you since it borders your land?”
John smiled. “Until I retired from my law firm, I represented the Millers for years with all of their business. So yes, I’ve known Matt most of his life. I probably shouldn’t say, but since I’m not in the business any longer, I represented him with his divorce a couple of years ago. He was more than fair with that gold digger. Did I just say that? Oops.”
Edie laughed and was more than happy with that little gem of information. “And grazing the steers?” she asked.
“Oh, that’s not a problem at all. Nice to see you, Edie. We better get moving before we run out of steam,” he said.
A couple of days went by and she hadn’t seen Matt so maybe it was just a fluke. The weather was warm and sultry from the rain the night before, perfect for coaxing those beautiful morels from their winter slumber. She slipped her apron on, grabbed her walking stick and headed onto the acreage to see if they were peeking out. They’re difficult to see and she had to step carefully so as not to crush them. She had her earphones in and was jamming to some great old tunes making her happy. She just spotted her first morel of the season. She had a feeling they’d be a little early this year. She started working along the edge of the tree line on the incline when suddenly someone grabbed her from behind and pulled her back. She screamed and tried to get free.
“Hey! It’s okay,” Matt said, pulling her back. “Sorry to scare the shit out of you but didn’t you see that timber rattler?”
“What? What’d you say?” He gently reached up and took the screeching music out of her ears. “Oh,” she said, feeling silly. “Now what did you say?”
He shook his head looking down into her eyes, “Didn’t you see that timber rattler right where you were poking around? You’ve got to be more careful.”
“Nah, no timber rattler. You can’t fool me…but you can try,” she said with a little smirk.
He laughed. “It was a good excuse, don’t you think? Listen I’ll let you get back to your mushrooming. I’m going to dig out a few thistles if that’s okay then I’ve got to head back to the farm to help with milking.”
“Okay, but I’m waiting to hear what your game is. Let me know when you’re ready to confess,” Edie said.
He wrinkled up his nose and said, “I don’t have the slightest idea what you’re talking about but I’ll welcome your interrogation whenever you’re ready. You’ve got my card; give me a call.”
He was definitely inviting her to join his rodeo no doubt, but she wasn’t sure how she wanted to play it. This wasn’t her first rodeo as they say, but she needed to know the temperament of the bull before she climbed aboard. Morel season was in full swing and she was filling her freezer. Each time she went out she relived Matt grabbing her. That was a calling card in her mind. It may be time for her to make a move. She didn’t want him to think she wasn’t interested. You know, interested in renting her land.
It had been almost a week since their last encounter so she picked up the phone and left a message. “Hey Matt, this is Edie. I was wondering when you are going to bring your contract over so we can discuss your proposal. Let me know.” That should do it. An hour later he called back. She decided to give him a little of his own medicine.
Friday night was perfect. Her girls were invited to an overnight slumber party and Matt was invited for dinner. She bought a couple of tender rib eyes for the grill, two potatoes for baking, and fresh spring asparagus. She would give him a choice of dessert. She dressed in tight jeans with rhinestones going up the legs, her best boots with spurs, a tiny shirt that cinched at the waist, and a great big cowgirl hat.
When he arrived the sun was close to setting with that brilliant orange glow that was so beautiful this time of year. The sliding glass doors were open to the deck and when she heard him coming up the stairs, she got into position. He looked down the long hallway as she stood with her hand on her hip, doing her best cowgirl runway walk toward him with her spurs jingling. He stopped dead in his tracks, his mouth open. “Evenin’, cowboy. It’s time to rodeo, don’t ya think? Hope you can break the 8-second rule.”
He met her eyes holding a six-pack of beer and a bottle of wine. He looked great and smelled even better. Those tight jeans and plaid shirt fit the persona she had built in her daydreams. He put the drinks on the table, walked straight to her, tipped her back like a dance move, and laid one of the best kisses on her waiting lips that she could remember in a long time. “Wow! Rodeo time? Ya, I’m all about the rodeo especially when there’s a talented cowgirl involved. Thanks for the invite. I love a good home-cooked meal. What’s for dessert?”
She was out of breath but offered her best answer. “I’ll let you choose dessert. Chances are good I have whatever it is you’re hungry for.” He winked and popped the top off a beer and uncorked the wine for her. She lit the grill as they sat outside in the balmy evening weather to savor their drinks. There was a certain electricity between them, something she could almost see. It was a physical phenomenon. The conversation was comfortable and of no consequence. He was easy to be with and even easier on the eyes. She grilled the steaks with a little moral support from Matt as he put his arms around her waist and kissed her neck. “Gee, you’re a great helper, Matt,” she said.
“Wait till you see what else I’m good at, Edie,” he winked and blew her a kiss. They went inside to eat complete with candlelight and soft music. “Edie, can I make a toast?” he said as he lifted his beer.
“Sure, go ahead.”
“Here’s to a new friendship that I hope will be filled with excitement and fun and the cutest, sexiest cowgirl I’ve ever seen.” They clicked their drinks as he leaned toward her and touched her lips with his. She lost her appetite for food right then and there; her head was spinning, and it wasn’t from the wine.
As you can imagine, dessert did not involve food but it was one of the best desserts she’d had in a long time. While riding bare-back, she was able to coax a confession out of him that he had no intention of bringing calves over to graze on her property. He went by her house regularly, had seen her outside many times, and had been curious for over a year. Finally, he devised a plan and put it in motion. Clever boy and eager girl, a match made in heaven or somewhere.
The next few months were memorable and fun. Matt’s family ranch had horses, lambs, goats, chickens, and ducks. It was a petting zoo for the girls. During that summer they went at least twice a week for horseback riding through the hundreds of acres of woods and the kids never tired of it. They loved going to Matt’s ranch and it filled Edie with happiness to see them enjoy it so much. There was lots of laughter, hot dogs around a campsite, singing songs, and telling ghost stories. It was a summer filled with wonder, not to mention all the great “rodeo rides”, but most good things come to an end.
As Fall approached and the girls went back to school Matt and Edie still had some special times together. They enjoyed each other’s company but things weren’t as torrid as before. That’s not an unusual occurrence. Most relationships tend to cool after the initial volcanoes and raging forest fires subside and this was no exception. Still, they both had a feeling that things were coming to an end. It was lovely while it lasted, no regrets, no sorrow. Matt wasn’t ready to be a dad and Edie didn’t want to be a girlfriend the rest of her life so just before Christmas they sat calmly and talked about the future they knew they wouldn’t share but the memories were priceless.
“It’s okay, Matt,” she said with a tear rolling down her cheek. “We both knew going into this that this wasn’t a ‘happily ever after’ scenario and I’m okay with that. We’ve had so much fun together, I can’t stress that enough and the girls loved being with you last summer.” He took her hands.
“I hate goodbyes and everything you said is ten times more for me. You restored happiness and fun back to my life. You never pressured me and let me be me, no questions asked.” His eyes filled with tears as he leaned to kiss her with what she understood would be one final time. “I’ve loved us together and thank you for all you gave to me. You’re the only cowgirl I ever loved.” And just like that…Farmer Matt was gone.