“Yeah. Eighteen and rebellious,” he said and chuckled. Tracy walked across the office and stared up at the painting. “My folks commissioned oil paintings from their favorite photographs of my brother, sister, and me.” He indicated a framed photo on the mantel that matched the painting. “That was taken the weekend before I started college.”
Leaning against a corral, Cash wore a brown cowboy hat, long-sleeved shirt, jeans, and boots. His silver Triple C Ranch buckle, fastening his brown leather belt, showed above the low-riding chaps made of cowhide. The heel of his right boot was hooked on the bottom rung of the corral and the elbows of both his arms rested on a higher slat.
“I can’t decide if you’re smiling or frowning,” Tracy said.
“A little of both, I think. My parents wanted to send me to Denver University and into the dorms. I agreed to college but said I wasn’t leaving the ranch. We compromised and I attended the University of Colorado in the Springs. I lived with my Uncle Clarence, who was a bachelor, here in this house. In hindsight, it was a godsend.”
“How so?”
“He keeled over from a heart attack in that same corral I’m leaning against.” Cash paused and said, “I still miss him,but at least I had learned how to run the ranch before he died.”
“My grandmother’s favorite movie wasGiant. Although you’re physically a lot bigger, you kind of remind me of the young rebel James Dean in that movie.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” Cash said. Leaving his office, they made their way back down the hall and into his kitchen. It had been completely overhauled with stainless steel appliances, an island and countertops of granite, white cabinets, and polished dark, wide plank wood flooring. Cash pulled out one of six barstools at the island. “Sit and I’ll slice you up a piece of blackberry pie.”
“Your home is magnificent, Cash,” Tracy said and took a seat.
“Thanks,” he said and sliced up a couple pieces of pie. “Come on, we’ll have our pie in the den and I’ll fix you a drink if you’d like.”
“Okay.”
In the den, Cash set the plates of pie on a coffee table in front of the big leather couch. Stepping behind the wet bar, he asked what Tracy would like. Standing on the opposite side of him, she had no idea. He poured himself a shot of bourbon and Tracy said she’d try her first shot.
“Toss it into the back of your throat and swallow,” he said. She nodded and they clinked glasses. “To your magazine article.”
Tracy drank and coughed. “Oh my gosh!” Her eyes watered as she looked at her empty shot glass as if it had attacked her throat. “I understand why it’s called firewater.”
“Good?” Cash chuckled, pouring two more shots.
“I’ll need some pie before I drink that second shot.”
“Deal.” Cash liked the fact she was brave enough to try a second shot. With two more shots in hand, he led the way toward the sofa. He set the glasses on the table and picked up the pie. “Speaking of your grandmother, any word from her?”
“Yes,” Tracy said enthusiastically as he handed her aplate. Cash picked up his plate and they settled themselves onto the leather cushions. “She called me earlier and said Winston is taking her on a little road trip to Punkin Center.”
“Sixty miles east of here,” Cash commented, taking a bite of pie.
Tracy took a bite, too, and nodded at how delicious it was. “She said they are coming to Colorado Springs.”
“Tracy, that’s good news.”
“Yes, I invited them to stay with me.”
They’d eaten their pie when Cash set his plate on the coffee table and said, “If you don’t mind my asking, where do you live in the Springs?”
“I live in a gated apartment complex near Coronado High School and Garden of the Gods,” Tracy said, also setting her plate on the table “My front patio looks out at Pikes Peak. At the back of the apartment, I have an attached one-car garage. With a swimming pool and fitness center on the grounds, as apartments go it’s truly an oasis. Most importantly to me, it’s pet friendly for Dude.”
“I know the complex you mean,” Cash said, recalling that’s where Rusty lived.
“The only problem is that it has just one bedroom,” Tracy said with concern. “I hope that won’t be a deterrent for my grandmother staying with me because I’d gladly give up my bed to her…or to them.” She shrugged and appeared uneasy. “I don’t know if they share a bed or not. But Winston offered to sleep on the sofa or the floor.”
“Tracy, you’re welcome to invite them to stay here,” Cash said. “I’ll even let you stay too,” he teased.
“Cash, that’s so sweet,” Tracy said, turning to him as they sat on the sofa. “But we couldn’t impose on you like that.”
“I’ve got a bunch of bedrooms upstairs. Let’s take our second shot and I’ll give you a tour. The master suite is off the balcony I’m going to show you.”
Tracy picked up her glass. “On the count of three,” she said, squeezing her eyes shut.
