"I'm willing to listen, but I'm pretty skeptical." Kent narrowed his eyes as he waited for an explanation.

"Understandable." Sheriff Calhoun nodded in agreement. "Now, Moore, go ahead and explain your actions to these good folks."

"I'm not a whiner," Moore said. "And I don't expect a handout. I'm willing to work and work hard. I can do most anything like small engine repair or carpentry or painting or any dirty, nasty job anybody'd like to set me. I'm up for anything as long as it's honest work for a day's pay. And I'll work cheap."

"And free, if it's community work," Sheriff Calhoun said in a stern voice.

"Yeah, I'll do it," Moore quickly agreed.

"I don't understand," Lauren said. "What does working have to do with setting fires?"

Kent wondered the exact same thing, so he waited for a better explanation.

Moore straightened his shoulders. "Like I said, I can do most any manual labor, but I don't know nothing about horses. This is equine territory. n.o.body'll hire me. Mom can't live alone, so I can't leave Sure-Shot. I've been picking up odd jobs here and there since I graduated high school, but nothing that makes a dint in her needs."

"Your mother's always been standoffish since she moved back here," Billye Jo said. "We figured she didn't like our community."

"It's not that at all. She can't work. She's got her pride. And we don't accept charity," Moore stated in a flat voice. "I got b.u.mmed out, so I set fire in those dumpsters. But I never meant harm to anybody. I just wanted folks to know how it feels to, to-"

"Feel vulnerable?" Lauren asked.

"Yeah." Moore looked down and rubbed the toe of his shoe in the dirt.

"What about the station?" Billye Jo pushed the point.

"Got out of hand. I only meant a little scorch, but I heard somebody coming and took off running." He looked up at her. "I'm sorry, and I'll work off the damages."

Kent wasn't sure if he ought to believe Moore or not, but maybe the guy needed a break. "Sheriff, what do you think?"

"We're a charitable community and we take care of our own." Sheriff Calhoun cleared his throat. "In this case, I think we let a family fall through the cracks."

Kent nodded, beginning to agree.

"If you don't mind me asking, what is your mother's trouble?" Lauren asked, appearing sympathetic.

"RA. Rheumatoid arthritis. Crippled up some. She's got her good days and her bad days." He stared hard at Billye Jo. "And don't you dare tell her I told you, if you were ever to see her."

"I won't say a word." Billye Jo paused, as if considering the situation. "Sheriff, I do believe you're right in this situation. I'm not going to press charges."

"Really?" Moore looked up at her with hope brightening his eyes. "You won't hold the fires against me?"

"Not if you're true to your word."

"Ma'am, my word is my bond."

"In that case, my daughter and I could use some help around here. We're fixing up the place for her new business."

"I know Serena. She was the prettiest girl in our cla.s.s." Moore ducked his head, appearing embarra.s.sed by his words.

"She's pretty, all right," Billye Jo agreed. "And she needs help when she comes back to town. If you'll work off what you owe us for the fire, then we'll consider hiring you to help around here."

Moore gazed at her in astonishment. "You'd pay me?"

Billye Jo nodded in agreement. "We could use a strong back and ready hand."

"I'm no good with horses."

Billye Jo chuckled, shaking her head. "We'll see about that in time."

"We're starting a new program in Wildcat Bluff County," Lauren said. "Equine-a.s.sisted therapy. Your mother might be a good candidate for it."

"I don't know about that, but she loves horses," Moore said. "She grew up here riding horseback, but I grew up in Dallas so that's not my thing."

Lauren smiled at him. "I'd be happy to discuss the possibility of hippotherapy with her."

"Oh, no." Moore vigorously shook his head. "She's got her pride and she can't afford it."

"We're just getting started, so we're looking for volunteers."

"No charge?" Moore glanced suspiciously from one to the other.

"For volunteers, it'd be free," Lauren said. "I'm not sure how much we could help her, but we could try."

"It'd be good for her to get out of the house," Moore said with relief in his voice.

"No rush." Lauren smiled in encouragement. "When you think the time is right, you might ask her about it."

"I'll do it." Moore gave her a shy smile in return.

"That's settled then." Billye Jo rubbed her hands together. "When would you like to start work?"

"Yesterday."

"Tomorrow morning then," Billye Jo agreed. "Eight sharp."

"I'll be here."

"I like your att.i.tude and your willingness to work, but keep in mind that we'll be watching you." Kent wanted to make sure Moore understood they couldn't take him at his word till he'd proven himself, not after he'd set those dangerous fires.

"I'll be on my best behavior from here on out," Moore agreed.

Kent started to say more, but he saw a fancy King Ranch pickup slow down, then pull in and park beside his truck.

Bert and Bert Two got out and sauntered over to the group, both wearing spiffy Western suits, boots, and hats.

"Afternoon." Bert tipped his cowboy hat. "We were headed to check on our drive-in theater, saw you jawing, and thought we'd join you."

"Sheriff Calhoun, you're a sight for sore eyes," Bert Two added. "We were hoping to run into you."

"That's right," Bert agreed. "It'd sure help us out if you or a deputy could keep an extra eye on our new purchase. We've been having a h.e.l.l-pardon me, ladies-of a time with our buildings burning down."

"That's the truth." Bert Two gave a big sigh. "Somebody's got it in for us or they sure do hate vintage buildings."

"Maybe both," Bert agreed. "I've been trying to save our historical structures in the county, but I'm losing them as fast as I buy them."

"We're right proud of that old drive-in built in the fifties," Bert Two added. "But we're afraid it's targeted now just because we bought it."

Kent gave them both a closer look. Could he have been mistaken about the Holloways and their business dealings? Maybe so. Then again, maybe not. He glanced at Moore, wondering if there might be a solution to all their problems.

"What do you plan to do with the drive-in?" Billye Jo c.o.c.ked her head to one side as she looked at them.

"We're not sure yet," Bert said. "But the place has got lots of possibilities."

"Once we get it cleaned up," Bert Two added. "It's an overgrown trash heap right now."

"What would you say about hiring somebody local to keep an eye on the place and start cleaning it up?" Kent asked.

"I'd say it'd be a lifesaver." Bert tapped the brim of his hat for emphasis. "But most folks around here have jobs or don't want to do that kind of work."

Kent gestured toward Moore. "I'd like you to meet Moore Chatham. He's a local guy who's looking to fill his time."

"That so?" Bert gave Moore the once over. "You look strong enough. Do you work hard and steady?"

"Yes, sir." Moore grinned from ear to ear. "I can do most anything if it don't mean horses. Dirt and sweat are fine and dandy with me."

"Sounds good," Sheriff Calhoun said. "And Moore here just might save us from another county fire."

"I'll do my best." Moore stood taller and prouder.

"Okay." Bert pointed down the road. "Moore, meet us down at the drive-in so we can show you around the place."

"Suits me," Moore quickly agreed. "But I've got work to do here at the station, too."

"Part time is just fine." Bert glanced at Billye Jo. "If that won't put a crimp in your style."

"It works for me," Billye Jo said. "Pretty quick I think Moore is going to have more business than he can shake a stick at."

"I'll take as much as I can get." Moore gave everybody a big grin. "And it'll keep me out of trouble."

"That's always a plus." Sheriff Calhoun chuckled, then turned toward Bert and Bert Two. "Now don't y'all fret none. It's just a matter of time till that firebug makes a mistake and winds up in my jail."

"Thanks," Bert said. "We appreciate your help."

"Sure do," Bert Two agreed.

They nodded to all around, then quickly got back into their truck and headed down the road.

"I can't thank y'all enough," Moore said. "Not only am I not going to jail, but I've got two jobs. I can't wait to tell Mom."

"That's the way it works in our county," Sheriff Calhoun said. "Friends help friends."

"Let us know if your mom is interested in working with us," Lauren added, giving Moore an encouraging smile.

"I will. And thanks." Moore hurried over to his four-wheeler, climbed on, and took off after the Holloways.

"Looks to me like we saved a good one," Sheriff Calhoun said. "If I can, that's the way I like to handle problems." He raised his cowboy hat before he sauntered over to his cruiser, got inside, and headed toward Wildcat Bluff.

"Good man," Lauren said. "I bet that's why he gets elected sheriff in this county."

"He's the best, all right." Billye Jo glanced up at the Sinclair station. "Now we can finally get started on our renovation."

"We'll throw a big grand opening party for you," Lauren said, "and invite the entire county."

"Perfect," Billye Jo agreed.

"But Mom's throwing the first party." Kent put an arm around Lauren's shoulders and tugged her close. "She wants to encourage the whole county to support our hippotherapy center."

"Can't beat that with a stick." Billye Jo chuckled as she looked from one to the other. "I hear tell it's gonna be real fancy, so we'd all better get duded up."

"I know Hannah will," Lauren agreed, joining her laughter as she glanced at Kent. "I can't wait to see you all spiffy."

Kent suppressed a groan, wondering if he could find anything in his mess of a closet. Maybe it was due for a good cleaning like his pickup. "Guess we better be on our way."

"Thanks for the horses and help." Lauren gave Billye Jo a quick hug.

"Any time," Billye Jo said. "Appears we're on a winning streak."

"Looks like it," Kent agreed, angling Lauren toward his truck. "See you at Cougar Ranch."

Chapter 40.

Sat.u.r.day evening, Lauren stood on the porch of Kent's farmhouse at Cougar Ranch, watching the party that was spread across the front lawn. Daffodils in flower beds here and there gave testimony to spring as their bright-yellow blooms bobbed in a warm breeze. A rosy hue spread across the land as the sun slowly sank in the west.

Country-western music filled the air as a band played favorites from Merle Haggard to Kitty Wells to Willie Nelson. Couples were two-steppin' out on the cement driveway to the strains of heartstring-tugging songs. Dozens of folks chowed down on barbeque and fixings from the Chuckwagon Cafe, pecan pie by Slade Steele, and vanilla ice cream from the Bluebonnet Cafe.

Lauren had eaten enough to make the waistband of her skirt feel tight, so she'd taken a break on the front porch. She was wearing pretty, new clothes. Hannah, Hedy, and Ruby had helped her select a rich turquoise blouse with white piping and a matching full skirt that swirled around her new turquoise cowgirl boots st.i.tched with white. She'd finished off her outfit with Morning Glory's white macrame necklace with the phoenix pendant.

As she caught her breath, she thought about the reality of her new life. Everything had moved so fast since she'd returned to Wildcat Bluff that she could hardly believe her own good luck. Of course, it was much more than luck. Folks in this county had a way of making all things possible with a positive att.i.tude and a helping hand. She truly had come home.

She saw Dune had corralled Sydney and was leading her in a complicated two-step that must be leaving her breathless. They made a handsome couple, but she doubted it'd last more than one dance, not with Sydney's dedication to the memory of her long-lost husband. Lauren smiled at the wonderful image of Kent's cousin Trey dancing close with Misty, his talented fiancee, because they obviously had eyes only for each other.