Sully reluctantly left to catch up with the moving truck heading to his ranch. At the cabin, Charley and Leon stayed busy helping with the arrival of columbines, roses, daisies, tulips, orchids, carnations, irises, and lilies. She had also ordered a variety of her favorite plants such as the peacock, peace lily, and spider plants. She clasped her hands under her chin as three dozen of the most beautiful red, white, and pink poinsettias filled her new shop. When the truck was empty, Charley tipped and thanked the delivery man. Leon stayed busy arranging the new items with the ones already in place.
“I love the Christmas items filling the bay windows,” Charley said, a broom in hand. “Things are taking shape.”
“Yes,” Leon said, arranging plants on a display. “I can see that now.”
When Sully returned, they had the log cabin-turned-florist store in good order and were taking a coffee break in the kitchen/office area.
“Pretty Petals looks like a flower shop,” came Sully’s voice as he entered the front door.
“That’s what Sully has always called this place and I love it,” Charley told Leon as she and Wyatt hurried around the partition to greet him. Wyatt scampered ahead of her, and Sully picked him up. Leon followed her and she said, “I’ll be open just in time for Black Friday shopping. I’ve got several ads running on social media, on the radio, and in the newspaper.”
Leon asked, “Will you need my help?”
“I hope so,” Charley said, praying she’d have customers. “Do you think you’d be available on Friday and Saturday?”
“Yeah,” Leon replied.
“I’ve got things squared away at the house, and I’m starved,” Sully said. “Whatever you put in the slow cooker in the kitchen smells great. Let’s go home and eat.”
“Leon, I made pulled pork barbecue and there is plenty,” Charley said politely. “I’m going to add corn on the cob, and there’s cheesecake for dessert. You’re welcome to follow us to Sully’s house and have dinner.”
“I don’t like pulled pork,” Leon mumbled.
“Okay,” Charley said and gave him a hug. She realized it was the first time she’d ever hugged Leon. Surely, he wouldn’t get the wrong idea since Sully was standing three feet away. “Thank you for everything, Leon. You were so kind to help me after Rod Vaughn vandalized my old shop, and now you’ve helped me set up my new shop. I really appreciate it.”
“Welcome,” Leon said.
“Happy Thanksgiving,” she said as Leon walked out of the cabin.
Charley looped her arm through Sully’s as he held Wyatt and watched Leon walk to the old car in the parking area. Leon always seemed to shrink in Sully’s presence. Not just physically, because he was a much smaller man, but emotionally as well. As Leon drove out of sight, Charley wondered if he would be alone on Thanksgiving.
Leon had been sohappy when Rod Vaughn was arrested, he’d started taking his medication again. Despite the quack physician referring to Clozapine as a strong antipsychotic used to treatsevere schizophrenia, it did ease his rage. The voices claimed he was no longer a danger to himself or society. The voices insisted he’d beenreleasedfrom that psych facility for people charged with a crime but found not guilty by reason of insanity. He’d had the Clozapine because he’d only pretended to take it during the final weeks of his unjust incarceration. The pills were gone now, and his anger had risen to an all-time high over Charley selling her Old Colorado City property. He’d assumed he could pursue Charley while working for her in the country and discourage her from being serious about that cowboy. That was until she said she would be living with Custis on his ranch. Talk about a stab to the heart! Leon repeatedly banged his forehead against the wall while shrieking at the top of his lungs.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
“Something’s off about the guy,” Sully said to Charley as they left his ranch for Thanksgiving dinner on Triple C Ranch-Central. Also accepting the Coopers’ invitation, his dad had stopped by the house first and was following behind them now. “I wish you’d find somebody else to work with you in your shop.”
“I don’t disagree about Leon,” Charley said, looking beautiful in a rust-colored sweater and snug pants the same shade as her glossy brown hair. He’d surprised her with a pair of brown cowboy boots from Cash’s store, and she had them on with the hem of her pants tucked inside. She held a spectacular Tiffany glass Thanksgiving turkey floral arrangement that Jade had commissioned. She’d been honored to make it and wouldn’t hear of Jade paying her for it, saying it was a gift for the dinner hosts. “But I feel so sorry for Leon, I can’t imagine firing him.”
Ponderosa pines swayed from the gusts of Chinook winds. Chinook meant snow eater. Native Americans had labeled these warm, northwesterly winds as Chinooks for their thawing power. Though the first snowfall of the season had yet to hit, Chinooks could vaporize a foot of snow within hours. Blasting you in the face, the Chinook winds felt icy. But their ability tomelt snow off the sidewalks and streets was Mother Nature’s gift to Colorado Springs.
“Have you noticed that Leon’s expression rarely changes?” Sully asked.
“Sort of like people who have a lot of Botox in their face?” Charley replied.
“Sort of,” Sully said and looked at the compassionate woman as they passed Triple C Ranch-South where Pretty Petals was all set for its grand opening. Moonlight kissed Charley’s features as he’d done before leaving his ranch. “When he walks, his arms don’t move.”
“I’ve noticed that too,” Charley said. As they passed Triple C Ranch-East, she seemed to be to picturing Leon’s semi-humped over gait and commented, “The way he walksispeculiar.”
When Triple C Ranch-Central came into view, Sully said, “You could use the excuse of saving Leon the expense of having to drive out to the country to let him go.”
Charley nodded. “Despite Black Friday tomorrow, I doubt the shop will be too busy. I will keep my eyes and ears open for someone I might hire when I need help. How about you? Will your store be busy tomorrow?”
“Yes,” Sully said and turned under the archway to Chase and Jade Cooper’s ranch. “Whether bought for yourself or as a gift, guns are a big Christmas item.”
“I feel safe having the gun you gave me,” she said as they headed up the drive.
“And you’ve gotten good with it,” he praised. Parking alongside vehicles he knew belonged to Cash and Derek, Owen pulled in on Charley’s side of the truck. Sully placed his hand over her left one and said, “Vaughn’s behind bars, but the Cave Killer is still out there. Don’t let down your guard.”
