Lone Star Joy Read online

  She dressed in the clothes Stamos had given her. Most prisoners came to his ranch with only the clothes on their backs. Almost cracking a smile, Joy slipped on the men's white briefs. It didn't matter.

  She braided her hair, and opened the door. George was expected at any minute. He'd been her champion for so long, she hoped that she didn't embarrass herself by crying when she set eyes on him. It wouldn't do.

  Walking into the kitchen, she found Stamos making a stack of pancakes. They smelled heavenly. Dillon lay in a playpen not far from Stamos. He looked happy with himself. He rolled one way, looked surprised, and rolled the other way looking just as surprised. He laughed in delight.

  Stamos' face beamed. "He just learned to roll over. Seems to be practicing."

  His smile was infectious and Joy couldn't help it, she smiled back. "He is adorable."

  She wanted to pick him up and hold him, but she knew that it wouldn't be allowed. Stamos didn't want a murderer touching his son. "What time is George coming to get me?"

  "Should be soon," Stamos said, not turning from the stove. "Help yourself to some breakfast."

  "Thanks." It smelled wonderful, but a lump formed in her throat and she didn't know if she would be able to eat.

  Joy's eyes lingered on Stamos as she sat at the table. His shoulders were broad and his rear-end looked so good in his Wranglers. The muscles in his arms left her drooling. Men were betrayers she reminded herself.

  Breakfast was good. To her amazement, she smiled often. Dillon's antics caused both adults to smile at each other. There was such kindness in Stamos' eyes and for a moment, Joy wished to be part of it.

  The phone rang, putting an end to all wishes. It was George. Joy watched anxiously as Stamos took the phone into his office. She heard him raise his voice a couple times, but she couldn't make out what he was saying.

  Her fate had been in other's hands since she was fourteen years old. Nothing had changed in eight years.

  Stamos looked put out when he walked back into the kitchen. He stood, his hands fast at his hips and a huge frown on his face. "I guess you'll be here another day."

  He appeared so upset that Joy apologized.

  "Not your fault. Well, let me get this little cowboy ready and we'll go out to the barn. I have a heap of work waiting."

  Joy's shoulders relaxed. She had another day of freedom. She would treat it as the gift it was intended. Stamos' annoyance showed, but he'd get over it, she hoped.

  Happily, she washed the dishes while Stamos got Dillon ready to go outside.

  It must take a long time to get a baby ready, she reasoned, as she sat at the kitchen table waiting. However, the wait was worth it. Dillon had a little cowboy hat that matched his father's gray Stetson. Both men looked wonderful.

  "So what's on tap?" Joy asked.

  "I want to check on Franklin and work with a few of the other horses, mainly Monroe."

  Stamos carried Dillon toward the barn and Joy followed. "Well I'm anxious to meet the other horses."

  Stamos stopped and looked at her. "Don't get out of my sight until I've introduced you to the other men. I don't want any problems having a damn blame female around the ranch."

  Joy turned her head away and took an unsteady breath. She never fit in anywhere. "Don't worry, I won't be a bother."

  The barn exhibited chaos with approximately six cowboys arguing about Franklin. They all grew mum as soon as the boss came into sight.

  "What's all the ruckus?" Stamos questioned.

  "Benji's telling another whopper about a lady horse whisperer," one of the ranch hands announced.

  "Could be Benji is right. This here is Joy. She fixed up Franklin last night and spent most of it walking him."

  The silence struck her as deafening. Joy could feel every eye on her and she knew she didn't measure up.

  "Joy, this is Corny, my foreman. Then we have Rowdy, Arlo, Shep, and Kid."

  Each man tipped his hat to her.

  "George sent her here by mistake, but heed my warning, as long as she is here, hands off."

  "Sure, Boss," Corny said. He reminded Joy of a giant refrigerator. He looked big and solid. He had blond hair and friendly hazel eyes.

  "Corny, I need you and Shep to ride to the outer perimeter and start gathering any stray cattle. Kid, you go too. Rowdy, I need you to work with Bogart. He's stopping fast enough, but he needs to turn on a dime. Arlo, buddy, I'm afraid it's your turn to muck out the stalls."

  Joy watched as all the men went about their jobs. All but Arlo, who looked down hearted.

  "If it's okay with Stamos, I'd like to help muck out those stalls," she offered.

  Arlo's brown eyes lit up. "Sure would be kind of you ma'am."

  "Stamos?" Joy asked, watching his face to see if she had overstepped her bounds.

  "Have at it."

  "What about Dillon?" she asked.

  "I have a playpen set up in here."

  "Oh good." Others might consider mucking out stalls to be the worst job, but today it seemed blissful.

  Stamos watched her pick up a shovel and grab a wheelbarrow. Joy could feel the heat from his gaze on her.

  "Da Da, Da Da, Da Da," Dillon jabbered happily.

  Stamos laughed and hugged him close. "Your first word."

  Dillon smiled and drooled.

  Joy turned from her task and smiled at Stamos. "He's a charmer. It must feel so good to have him say your name."

  Stamos stared at her. "It's amazing." He put Dillon in his playpen. "You be good. Da Da is going to check on Franklin."

  Stamos opened Franklin's stall only to have the horse balk at him. He seemed highly agitated. "It's all right boy, I'm just putting you out in the fresh air."

  Franklin wouldn't settle down for him and Stamos turned toward Joy, his eyebrows furrowed.

  Joy walked over to Franklin's stall and talked to him. Franklin neighed at her and butted her with his head. Joy kept talking to him, stroking his neck as she talked. She put the halter and lead rope on and led him out of his stall. "Where to?" she asked Stamos.

  "The corral." Stamos followed her out of the barn shaking his head the whole way. "So he only comes to you?"

  Joy latched the fence and turned toward him. "No, not at all. He's stressed that's all. You'll see, he'll be your best friend in an hour or so." She walked into the barn. There were stalls to clean.

  Dillon started to cry, she picked him up and kissed his face. Dillon started chanting, "Ma Ma, Ma Ma." She never expected that. Her heart tugged and she hugged Dillon a little closer.

  "Here, give me my son before he likes you better too."

  Joy handed over Dillon. The unfriendly look on Stamos' face said it all. He didn't want her to touch his son. She understood, but it hurt. It was tempting to watch Stamos get Dillon settled in the playpen, but she tore her gaze away and went back to work.

  Overall, it'd been a satisfying morning, mucking out the stalls and bringing the horses outside to the pasture. Stamos had some high quality horses and it stung that she wouldn't be around to help train them.

  All morning she'd been on high alert, waiting for Stamos' cell phone to ring. Mercifully it had been silent, but she didn't relax. It was bound to be any minute now.

  She placed fresh hay into the last stall. She put her hands on the small of her back and stretched. Turning she noticed Arlo's eyes on her giving her an appreciative look. Joy looked away and shuddered. No matter where she was, it was always the same. No matter how plain she made herself, she still got that look from both men and women. It disgusted her. At one point, she nearly took a shiv and scarred her face. Shaking hands and vanity stopped her in the end, but there had been many times since that she regretted her cowardice.

  Joy looked toward the door and noticed a perky blond entering the barn. Joy envied her ability to be carefree. She looked happy and Joy wondered how it felt. The blond located Stamos and launched herself into his arms.

  Joy ached for things she could never have. It was time. Why did
n't the phone ring? Joy was ready to go back to prison. The outside world was too full of emotions that she wasn't equipped to handle.

  The other men started to trickle into the barn. It was lunchtime. Joy went to help with each horse. She kept her eyes open and her mouth shut, her prison way.

  "The Boss is calling you," Corny said.

  "Oh, thanks." She'd heard him. She just needed a second to compose herself. He probably had news from George.

  Her heart dropped as she walked toward the couple. The blond gave her a hostile look. Joy figured things didn't bode well for her.

  "Joy, this is Bailey. She's offered to help out until my elusive nanny shows up," Stamos explained, smiling at Bailey the whole time.

  Joy nodded. "Nice to meet you."

  Bailey gave her a dismissive look and turned to Stamos. "Let me get Dillon and I'll make us some lunch."

  Stamos' smile was too sugary sweet for Joy. "Joy, join us. I don't want you out here with the men."

  Joy started to protest.

  "I noticed the look Arlo gave you. I think it'd be wise for you to stick with me today."

  Joy nodded, then observed Bailey's look of outrage. If it ruined the little princess's day, Joy was all for it.

  "All right if I check on Franklin first?" Joy asked.

  "Sure, just come up to the house in a few."

  Joy watched the trio walk toward the house. She shrugged her shoulders and she went into the corral. Franklin came charging over to her. "Feelin' better Frankie?" she asked, looking into his eyes. "Well yes I see you are." She stroked his head.

  Before she knew it, all the horses surrounded her, wanting her attention. Joy glowed at the horses. She preferred horses to people. Making her way out of the circle of horses, she caught sight of the men all lined up staring at her. Joy nodded at them and then turned toward the house. She didn't care what they thought, but she hoped that maybe she glimpsed a bit of respect in their eyes.

  Joy could hear voices as she stood outside the back door and she wasn't surprised that she was their topic of conversation. It seemed that Bailey didn't want her in the house. Stamos didn't defend her, he simply explained that Joy would be gone by the afternoon.

  "Hi. Am I interrupting?" she asked, stepping into the kitchen.

  "Not at all," Bailey replied. "We were just talking about you. I don't think a murderer should be in the house, but Stamos doesn't want to heed my warning."

  Joy looked from the brazen blond to Stamos. He looked at the floor. No help there. "I won't kill you, today."

  "Stamos. Did you hear her?" Bailey demanded.

  Stamos' lips twitched. It looked as though he was trying to suppress a smile. "She's kidding." He pulled a chair out from the table. "Joy, have a seat."

  "She gets to sit like a queen while I toil in the kitchen?"

  "Listen, Bailey, I appreciate the help, but if you're just going to complain..."

  "Oh, Stamos, you know I just want what's best for you and your little boy."

  Stamos gave her a wide smile. "Good. Now I'm hungry."

  Lunch became awkward with the questions that Bailey shot at her. Joy wanted to strangle her and use her blond head as a mop. Bailey asked if she had a girlfriend in prison, did she belong to the skinheads and the kicker, who did she murder and how.

  Joy grew hot under the collar. She ignored Bailey for the most part. However, the last questions about the murder were too much. She jumped up and walked to the door. "I'll be out in the barn."

  Stamos watched her leave. She remained calmer than he would have. Bailey was a piece of work. A rude, spoiled piece of work, but beggars couldn't be choosers. She'd always been a friend to him at the diner. He needed her to take care of Dillon.

  "I have a few calls to make, I'll be in my office."

  Bailey gave him one of her sultry smiles. Somehow, it made him feel dirty. He sat at his desk and reached for the phone. After a few calls, he tracked down George. He'd had a heart attack and his replacement didn't know anything about the work release program or who Joy Courtland was. After finding out that George would be all right, he hung up. He'd have to hold on to Joy until George was well. He didn't trust half of the parole officers. The main reason he started his early release program was to give these men a fair shake. He couldn't send her back until he knew she would be fine.

  His second call was to the nanny service. His file had been misplaced, but they promised him someone by the end of the week. Hell, it was only Tuesday.

  That left him with the problem of where Joy would be sleeping tonight. He had his non-violent offenders rule for a reason. He needed to protect his son. He couldn't take a chance. He'd think of something.

  It seemed to be one thing after another lately. The shock of being an instant daddy had thrown him. He knew Dillon was his. He looked just like him. It also threw him that Stacey didn't want Dillon. What kind of mother does that?

  Stamos sighed, being a rancher sure had its share of headaches, but it was better than working incessantly undercover with the FBI. Here he could breathe, he could be himself. For a while he'd been afraid that he'd lost his true self. The land, the animals, and the men grounded him and made him feel whole again.

  Chapter Three

  Joy stared at the sparse room in dismay. Bailey had insisted that she wouldn't sleep in the same house as a murderer. Stamos wouldn't hear of Joy sleeping in the bunkhouse, which secretly made Joy glad, but now looking at the tiny room attached to the barn, she began to rethink her luck.

  "It's not much," Stamos commented.

  "I'm not used to much. I'll be fine."

  Stamos smiled at her. "You just go with the flow."

  "It's the only way to stay alive."

  Stamos' smile faded. "I know. It's sad that someone as young as you has already learned such a lesson."

  "I guess I was born under an unlucky star. I've learned most of what I know the hard way."

  Stamos appeared uncertain to leave.

  Joy didn't want trouble. "I'll be fine as long as the door isn't locked."

  Stamos shifted his weight from one foot to the other. He looked decidedly uncomfortable. "I'm sorry, Joy, but I'll have to lock you in. It's for your own safety."

  Joy swallowed hard, the back of her throat burned. "If I told you I'm innocent?"

  "Makes no never mind. It is for your safety."

  "Sure, well goodnight then." Joy turned her back on him. She waited a long time until she heard him leave. The door closed and she heard the echo of the lock engaging. Her heart beat faster, she turned and stared at the locked door. The nightmare that was her life, just never ended.

  She immediately looked for a way out. The room was windowless. At least she had control over the lights. She planned to keep them on all night. The chill of the night encompassed the little room. Obviously, Stamos forgot that it wasn't heated. Joy grabbed a blanket off the cot and wrapped it around her.

  It brought back memories of long days in solitary confinement. Days in which she was sure she'd go mad. All she could think about was her father and brother, waiting for a letter or a visit. She got neither.

  The small cot squeaked when she sat on it. Leaning her back against the wall, she pulled the blanket tighter around her. The nights were always the worst. She didn't dare think about her future. There really wasn't a sunny one for her.

  Why had George sent her here? She'd been fine, feeling nothing. Now her emotions were scattered. It didn't come as a big surprise that Samos didn't want her. No one did. She was a throw away. She'd been fine with it before coming to the ranch.

  Stamos had said that George was sick and she'd be there for a few more days. In some ways, prison was easier. There wasn't this uncertainty. She knew where she'd be for the next three years, none of this waiting to see stuff. Her head ached as all her thoughts whirled through her head. She closed her eyes and listened to the night.

  Stamos swore as he heard the pounding on his front door. Damn, he'd just gotten back to sleep. Apparently, B
ailey's offer to help ended when she went to bed -- alone. Hell, she tried everything to crawl in bed with him. She sure was cute but no, he'd done that with another waitress and somehow he'd gotten her pregnant. Bailey's behavior toward Joy left him with a bad taste in his mouth.

  He wiped his hand over his weary face, got up, and pulled on his jeans. Barefoot, he trotted to the door. Kid stood there looking all kinds of sorry. "Out with it," Stamos said impatiently.

  "You'd best come, Boss. There's all sorts of wailing like noises comin' from Joy's room. I think she's possessed or somethin'," he said, his eyes bugging out of his head.

  Stamos stared at Kid. He shook his head, pulled on his boots and then Dillon started crying. "I'll be right there."

  Kid nodded and disappeared.

  Good God what else? "Hey, buddy." Stamos picked up his son. Bailey must be one heck of a heavy sleeper. "Wanna go outside for a walk? Sure you do." He wrapped him in a quilt.

  He walked toward the barn carrying Dillon. Her file didn't mention any mental problems. He wondered what was wrong. Dillon began happily chanting Da Da, Da Da. It warmed Stamos' heart every time.

  Knocking on the door, Stamos hoped for a response. He heard her wailing and figured she was having a nightmare. He unlocked the door and peered in. He wasn't going to go in if she looked at all dangerous.

  Joy sat up, her hair on end, looking confused. "What happened?"

  Stamos heaved a sigh of relief. "You were screaming in your sleep."

  Joy's face grew red. "Sorry. I do that sometimes."

  Stamos stepped into the room and frowned. "Cold in here isn't it?"

  "Yes."

  "Awe hell, I'm sorry. I forgot about the space heater. Joy, I'm so sorry. I don't treat people this way."

  Joy bit her lip and gazed at him. Nodding her head she simply said, "I know."