Сьюзен Мэллери: Summer Nights

Annabelle drove up to the circle of trailers and parked. Before she’d even opened her door, children spilled out of the trailers, jumped off swings and raced from the grove of trees shading the area. They circled her car, laughing, pulling open her door and urging her out.

“Did you bring them? Did you bring them?”

Annabelle stood and put her hands on her hips. “Bring what? Did you ask me for something?”

The children, ranging in ages from maybe four to eleven or twelve, smiled eagerly at her. One little boy darted behind her and pulled the latch that opened her trunk. Immediately the children hurried over and began searching through the bins of books she’d brought.

“It’s here.”

“That one’s mine.”

“The second and third book in the series? Sweet!”

By the time the kids had found their requested books and disappeared to begin the magic of getting lost in a story, the mothers had appeared, most carrying infants or toddlers in their arms.

Annabelle greeted the women she knew and was introduced to a few she hadn’t met yet. Maria, a slight woman in her early forties, leaned heavily on her cane as she gave Annabelle a welcoming hug.

“The children were watching the clock all morning,” she said, leading the way to a small outdoor table by the largest trailer. Maria’s husband managed the group of workers and spoke for them when dealing with the local farmers. Maria acted as unofficial “den mother” for the younger women.

“I’m glad,” Annabelle said, settling in one of the folding chairs. “When I was their age, summer was all about reading.”

“It is for them, too. Since last year, when you first found us, the little ones want books.”

After moving to Fool’s Gold the previous year, Annabelle had started driving around to explore the area. She’d discovered the enclave of trailers, had met several of the women and made friends with the children. Maria had been the first to welcome her and had been enthusiastic about her idea of bringing books to community.

This year, Annabelle had created several reading lists, based on the ages of the children. She was working on getting donations so that when the families left, they would take plenty of books with them. Enough to last until they returned next year.

Maria had already set out iced tea and cookies. Annabelle poured them each a glass.

“Leticia is going to have her baby this week,” Maria said. “Her husband is frantic. Men have no patience with nature when it comes to their children. He asks every day, ‘Is it now?’ As if the baby is going to tell him.”

“He sounds excited.”

“He is. And frightened.” She called out something in Spanish.

“ Sí, Mama,” came the response.

Maria smiled. “They’re writing down the titles of the books they took, and what they want for next time.”

“I’ll be back next week.” Annabelle lowered her voice. “I have several of those romances you like, as well.”

Maria grinned. “Good. We all like them.”

Annabelle wanted to offer more, which was why she was focused on getting the money for the bookmobile. With luck, this time next year she would be bringing a lot more than three or four bins of books in the trunk of her car. She would be able to offer free internet access. Maria and her friends could email with family members in different countries and use various web resources to supplement their children’s education.

“Blanca’s engaged,” Maria said with a sigh.

“Congratulations.”

“I told you, good men are out there.”

“Yes, in Bakersfield. You told me.” Maria’s eldest daughter had studied nursing, then moved to central California.

“He’s a doctor.”

Annabelle laughed. “Every mother’s dream.”

“She’s happy and that matters most, but yes, I like saying my daughter is marrying a doctor. Have you been to the hospital lately?”

“That was subtle.”

“You need a man.”

Just then a little boy ran up to her, a small jar in his hands. He stopped in front of Annabelle and grinned. “We found ’em and saved ’em. Because you bring us books.”

She took the jar full of pennies. “Thank you, Emilio. This is going to help a lot.”

He darted off and she carefully held the precious gift. Technically it was only a couple of dollars, but for the children who had collected the pennies, it represented a fortune.

“You’ve made a wonderful home for your children,” she said. “All of you. You should be very proud of them.”

“We are. But don’t think I’ve forgotten what we were talking about. Finding you a good man.”

“I’m ready for a good man,” she admitted. She thought about her post-bar-dancing revelation. “One who wants me for me. Not someone who wants to change me. I haven’t been lucky enough to find him yet.”

“Luck can change.”

“I hope so.”

She thought briefly about Shane who brought the cowboy fantasy to 3-D life. The man looked great in jeans, but he was a little strange. She was trying to figure out a polite way to ask if he’d maybe been dropped on his head as a baby.

Besides, cute didn’t equate with good and she was done making bad choices when it came to her love life. The next man she allowed in her world and her bed was going to adore her for exactly who she was.

* * *

“WAIT,” SHANE YELLED, watching the teenager on the horse. “Wait.”

Elias, nineteen and sure he knew better, jerked back on the reins. The gelding dug in hard and came to a stop. Elias’s rope fell about three feet shy of the calf who darted away.

Elias swore. “Damn calf is laughing at me.”

“He’s not the only one,” Shane grumbled. “Why are you here if you’re not going to listen?”

“I’m listening.”

“No. You’re doing what you want to do and look where it’s getting you.”

Elias muttered something under his breath and reached for his rope. “If I wait too long, I’m gonna miss.”

“Waiting too long isn’t your problem.”

“Now you sound like my girlfriend.”

Shane chuckled. “You’ll get better with practice on both counts. Now let’s try this again.”

“See, you need to be working with me, Shane. What have you got going on here that’s better than the rodeo?”

“A life.”

“Not much of one. You’re stuck in this small town. I swore, once I got out of mine, I was never going back. I can’t believe you could live anywhere and you’re here.”

Shane thought about the couple hundred acres he’d bought and the stables and house he would have built. “I’ve got everything I need.”

Elias grimaced. “Well, help me win and I’ll take care of everything I owe.”

“Kid, you got heart, but you’re going to need a lot more practice. And I’m out of the game.”

Elias nodded toward the far corral, where Khatar watched everything going on. “How much did you waste on him? Coulda bought a whole ranch with what you paid for that one.”

“He’s worth it.”

“In your dreams.”

“He’s perfect,” Shane said, not bothering to glance at the stallion.

“If he doesn’t kill you first.”

“He has a reputation, I’ll grant you that. But I’m not convinced he’s as mean as everyone says. You interested in practicing or are you here to flap your gums at me? I’ve got better things to do than stand around listening to you tell me what you don’t know.”

Elias grinned. “I’m here to learn.”

“That’s what I thought.”

“Until three. Then I have to head to Wyoming.” Elias opened his mouth to say something else, then closed it and gave a low whistle. “I sure wouldn’t mind getting me a piece of that first, though.”