Donovan sighed and adjusted his tie, but Saxon nodded and smiled. Im sure we can scare up a photo I can sign. He passed back the menu. I smelled burgers when I walked in. Thats what Ill have, with a large order of fries.
The others ordered, too, and as soon as the women left, Donovan took a wrinkled paper from his suit pocket. Scowling, he set it in front of Saxon. Why dont Harmon or Andrews know you have family in Montana?
Saxon stiffened. Fred Harmon was the owner of his label company, and Sid Andrews had been his agent/manager from the get-go. Saxon snatched the paper, wadded it up and shoved it in his shirt pocket. What does it matter?
You have relatives we dont know about anxious to see you in person, you bet your butt its the labels business.
Its nobodys business but mine. Saxon mustered a thin smile for the waitress who slid a sizzling steak in front of Donovan and a fat burger in front of him.
Donovan waited to speak again until the men at the adjacent tables were served and the waitresses had left. How old is this uncle? Why cant he phone you? Is he dying?
That last question hit Saxon like a barreling freight train. Had Jewell said Leland was sick? I dont know. Squirting ketchup near his fries, Saxon watched Donovan slice his steak. Hes my dads older brother. When my folks died, he was named my guardian. We had a rocky relationship. He thought I should be a rancher, not a singer. This is the first Ive heard from him since I moved to Nashville. Saxon pushed a fry through the ketchup, then shoved it in his mouth and picked up his burger. Can we not discuss this?
I knew the redhead who brought the letter spelled trouble the minute you asked to see her backstage. You never invite women to your bus. Now shes gone and youre acting weird. I work for Fred. Hes invested a bundle in you. Its my job to keep you from going off the rails.
Half choking, Saxon had to take a drink of water. I earn my keep at the label. As for Jewell, leave her out of it. She had business in DC, so my uncle asked her to deliver his letter.
I admit you earn your keep. The question is, did you hear from your long-lost uncle because hes suddenly broke and sees you as a potential cash cow?
You read his letter. He doesnt say why he wants to see me. Saxon stabbed another French fry in the pool of ketchup.
While were in Austin or San Antonio, Ill put out feelers. You know, to see if the old guys in debt or shopping for a loan.
No! Saxon wiped his hands on his napkin, tossed it down on his plate and got up. Stay out of it, and that goes for Sid and Fred, as well. I get wind of anyone poking around Snowy Owl Crossing, Ill find a new label. He stormed out, aware that his band members had stopped talking and gaped after him.
He got back on his bus, scribbled his name on a photo and took it back in to the waitress. He rarely flew off the handle, and so he was sure band members whod been with him the longest would be curious. He had to decide how much to tell them. For all Donovans faults, he didnt gossip. So the guys wouldnt be privy to details about his uncles letter unless he shared them. However, theyd all seen Jewell, and most knew hed taken her to his bus. If he said nothing, the guys would speculate that his tussle with Donovan most likely had to do with her. Damn!
Back in the bus he paced. Was his uncle sick? Did he need money? When he was growing up, his parents had never even mentioned his uncle. So hed been in shock to learn someone hed never met had been named his guardian. He actually didnt know much about his parents families, period. Maybe he should be the one asking questions. But ask who? Not his uncle. They hadnt spoken since he left home. Jewell? Shed brought his uncles letter but had claimed she had no idea what Leland wanted. He had no reason to doubt her.
* * *
IT WAS LATE afternoon three days after the hurricane when Jewell finally caught a flight out of DC that eventually got her to Billings. Still feeling off-kilter, she would have spent the night in a hotel and driven home in the morning, but she was anxious to get there. She collected her pickup from the long-term lot, grateful the sun would be setting behind her on the drive.
After connecting her cell to the hands-free device, she phoned Pete Cooper, her fill-in at the vet clinic. Hey, Pete, its Jewell, she said when he answered. Im heading home as we speak. Thanks for taking my calls. Ill pop a check in the mail tomorrow. Did anything come in that I need to handle tomorrow?
Not really. Tawana called. The Artsy Ladies plan to meet for a late lunch at the café Monday at one oclock. She said its important. I left you a note.
Ugh! Theyre probably in a tizzy over the fact I wasnt able to secure an owl refuge. Im afraid everyones getting tired of working so hard to earn money at our Thanksgiving bazaars. Be sure to mark your calendar so you and your wife can come again this year. We need all the support we can get.
Lois loves doing our Christmas shopping there. Hey, I left a couple of other messages on your desk. The secretary for the Wild Horse Stampede gave me dates and times they need you as the on-duty vet over the Fourth. And a man called but didnt leave a name. He said hed seen you back east.
Jewells bruised heart leaped. Had Saxon looked up her number and phoned?
All the guy said was that he was calling from Maryland. He mentioned the storm and said he wanted to make sure youd driven through it okay.
Her heart calmed. It was probably the owner of the horse farm where I had sperm shipped to Mark Watson. He and his wife were nice folks.
Ah, speaking of the semen straws, Mark got the package. Hell refrigerate it until you can go plug it into his mare. Pete laughed. Better you than me. I hate artificially inseminating any animal.
There are jobs I like better. If thats all, Pete, Ill let you get back to doing whatever you were doing before I phoned.
Its okay. Im cleaning cages at my clinic. They shared a laugh, then said goodbye.
It was full darkness by the time Jewell turned down the lane to her ranch. Just seeing the buildings fanned out in front of her headlights sent warmth trickling through her. Travel was exhausting. Home spelled comfort.
She stopped outside the garage connecting her house to the barn, which now served as her clinic. All at once she noticed her headlights illuminated an animal cowering behind hydrangea bushes her mom had coaxed to life in the harsh Montana weather. Afraid it might be an injured wolf, Jewell squinted to better see before opening her garage. She had a tranquilizer gun in the barn, but Pete hadnt left an outside light on there. The animal slowly crawled out from under the bush and she saw it was a puppy.
She still left her pickup with care. It could have rabies. But the nearer she got, the more clearly she saw it was nothing but a poor bedraggled, half-starved spaniel. Sinking to one knee, she held out a hand. Here, boy. I wont hurt you. I dont see a collar, but maybe you have a chip. First Ill check for injuries. Then well get you some food, followed by a bath. Ill bet youd like to get back to your owner, huh?
The pup crept toward her on its belly, crying pitifully. She scooped him up and felt him curl against her in a ball. Heavens, your ribs are showing. Food comes first. Cradling him carefully, she hurried to open her clinic. Once the lights were on, she could better see his matted brown-and-white fur.