“I’ve never seen this place look so good.” Moonwalker let out a low whistle as he stepped in. “Blake’s going to love the way you cleaned up.”
Carmela, though, was frowning. “Did you have a cleaning crew in here? This is some major work you’ve done. What happened to the old rugs and curtains? And where’s the rickety old table that used to be under the window?”
Ryder shrugged. “I just decided the place could do with a facelift. I found a place in the shed out back to store the old stuff not being used anymore and I gave the rest of the furniture a good cleaning. That was all they needed.”
Carmela raised her eyebrows, her look still incredulous. “Well, I’ll be a toad's nose. Walker told me you were a strong fellow but for you to do all that by yourself? Well.” She said the last word like she disapproved.
Ryder only smiled and waved her over to the table. “Please. Have a seat. I’ll be right back with your meal.” As they made themselves comfortable he headed off to the kitchen and within minutes was back with a tray laden with a soup tureen and bowls filled with steaming vegetables, potatoes and sweet corn. He had to go back to the oven to get his piece de resistance – roast beef garnished with baby carrots. It was one of his favorite meals and his mother had made sure that if he knew nothing else he would know how to cook this one.
“Oh, my.” Carmela’s eyes widened as he laid the tray in front of her. “You cooked this?” She looked up at him, brown eyes wide. “By yourself?”
She looked so surprised that Ryder had to laugh. “Sure. I’m not a total novice in the kitchen, you know. I can help myself.”
“You can do more than that,” she gushed, then she drew in a deep breath. “This smells so good. I’m sure it’s going to be delicious.” Then she gave him a cheeky smile. “Where were you when I was looking for a husband? Walker can’t cook to save his life.”
Moonwalker didn’t look the least bit perturbed by his wife’s comment. He just gave her a crooked grin. "The boy wasn’t even born then,” he said as he reached over and patted her arm. “Sorry, sweetheart. You’re stuck with me.”
“Aw, shoot.” She put on a look of mock disappointment that had both men laughing.
After that, Ryder sat down with the couple and they made short work of the meal in front of them. In fact, it wasn’t long before Ryder realized that, small though she was, Carmela could pack away a good amount of grub. She didn’t play with food. That much was clear.
It was while they were enjoying slices of Carmela’s pie that the questions began. As friendly as Moonwalker had been all evening, from his questions it was clear that he hadn’t come to Beaumont’s to chitchat. He’d come to get answers.
“So what really made you come to Pequoia?” he asked as he leaned back in his chair and folded his hands across his belly. “Blake gave me some crazy story about you getting lost but you can level with me. What’s your angle?”
Time for the third degree. From the moment Moonwalker walked in the door he’d been expecting this. “No angle,” he said, his voice cool. “What you heard was true. I was on my way to Marfa and went off track. I ended up here.”
“A lucky turn of events, if you ask me. Blake must be glad you showed up.”
At her words, Moonwalker threw a skeptical glance his wife’s way but she didn’t seem to notice. He turned his attention back to Ryder. “On your way to Marfa, huh? Not many people head to that little town.”
Carmela chuckled. “It’s bigger than Pequoia.”
Looking slightly annoyed that she’d disturbed his questioning a second time, Moonwalker sighed. “Be that as it may, the question is, why would a man like you be heading for Marfa in the first place?”
“I was on my way to Mexico and decided to check out the town. I’d heard about it lots of times but just never been there.” Ryder stared across at the older man, watching the doubt flit across his face.
“On the way to Mexico, huh? I wonder why?” Then he cocked his head to one side as if a new thought struck him. “Say, you ain’t got a job or something? A young fellow like you, just driving around the country? Seems kinda strange.”
Ryder paused for a moment and just sat there regarding Moonwalker with narrowed gaze. He didn’t like having to answer to anyone, not about his motives or his plans. He was about to say just that when something stopped him. It was the almost imperceptible flash of concern that flickered in Moonwalker’s eyes. The man was questioning him out of concern for Blake. The least he could do was assuage his fears.
“I own a business,” he explained. “I have competent managers, which frees me up to be away for extended periods of time.” Then he grimaced. “But this is the first time I’ve been away so long without making contact. Telegrams aren’t going to cut it.”
Moonwalker stared back at him. “Which means?”
“Which means I’m going to have to leave soon. As soon as Blake gets back I’ll be packing up.”
“Oh, no. Just when we’re getting to know you. What a shame.” Carmela looked genuinely disappointed. “Blake’s going to be upset when she hears that you’re leaving.”
“Going back to your business, huh? What kind of business is that?” Moonwalker wasn’t paying attention to his wife or her lament. Eyes narrowed, he was staring at Ryder, looking skeptical as ever.
“The dairy business,” Ryder told him. He might as well come clean. Moonwalker would not believe him otherwise. “Ever heard of the Cozy Cow brand?”
“Sure have. It’s all over Texas. All across the country, it’s so big. What’s that got to do with you?”
“Let’s just say, I’ve got a stake in the business.”
It was only then that a new light shone in Moonwalker’s eyes and this time they were glowing with respect. “So you’re a shareholder, huh? Not bad for such a young fella. It looks like you’re making some wise decisions in your youth. Not bad.” By the time he said the last word he was grinning broadly.
“You’re just the kind of man Blake needs around here. Are you sure you have to head back so soon?” Carmela’s look was so beseeching that Ryder was tempted to change his mind. But then, who was he kidding? He couldn’t disappear in this wilderness forever. He had a business to run. Not to mention, he had to go check on his parents. Outside of a postcard he’d mailed them two days after he got to Pequoia they hadn’t heard a word from him in days.