Deep in the heart of Texas (FF) - Part 1
Bo sat huddled in a corner seat of the darkened bar. The smell of cheap beer and cigarettes hung in the air. This place became his new hangout. After Melanie was convicted of murdering Colin, Bo resigned as police commissioner and moved to Texas to take over operations of the Buchanan Ranch. He was building a new life for himself here. He missed his friends and family, but in his mind there was nothing left for him in Llanview and this change was doing him good, or so he thought.
The strains of old country songs rang out from the jukebox. Bo struggled to hear the words. Memories of his old music business days filled his mind. He loved music - all kinds, but mostly the old stuff.
This stranger was beginning to cause quite a stir in these parts. No one knew his name, yet he was here almost every night.
The women were enamored of him. They found him incredibly handsome, with his rugged, yet soft features, tanned face, tight jeans, and piercing blue eyes. Sometimes he wore a beat up old cowboy hat that just intensified his mystique. He was always polite and friendly, but something about him made him unapproachable.
Little did they know that Bo Buchanan had sworn off women for good.
One night, however, a gorgeous, shapely, redheaded woman worked up her nerve and asked him to dance.
On this particular night, Bo's mind had been playing tricks on him. It could have been the whiskey, but he saw the red hair and thought it was Nora. He happily obliged to dance with the woman. Neither of them spoke, but he pulled her close to him and gave this girl the best dance of her life.
Bo was lost in his own thoughts. Holding this anonymous woman near to him was stirring up old memories he didn't need right now.
All eyes in the bar were on them. When the song ended, the girl was left breathless.
Bo looked into her eyes, 'Nora', he muttered.
'No, darlin', I'm Sally. But, honey, for you I'd be anyone you want me to be.'
With those words, Bo awoke from his stupor. Startled, he apologized and tried to break free from her grip. She pulled him back and whispered in his ear how she would love to go home with him tonight. He simply smiled, tipped his hat to her, and left.
'Hey, what's your name?', she called to Bo as he left. He never looked back.
Days later, Dody, Asa's chief ranch hand, put a call in to Asa to tell him about Bo's slacking off on the job…coming in at all hours, missing supply orders, not coming in at all, problems of that nature.
Asa was concerned. It was not like Bo to not take his work seriously, no matter what the job was. He decided a visit to Texas was what he needed to do and he needed a travel partner….Nora.
Nora was sad when Bo decided to leave Llanview. She was losing one of her best friends and no matter how hard she tried or no matter what she said, she couldn't change his mind. At first they stayed in touch with phone calls and email, but eventually the contact stopped.
Lindsay was arrested for her part in Nora's kidnapping and drugging. Sam, Will, and Jenn moved back to Chicago. Nora and Sam remained friendly for Matthew's sake. They saw each other a few times a year.
Nora was shocked, to say the least, by Asa's phone call asking her to go to Texas with him. But he said Bo needed help and that was all she needed to hear. Matt was visiting his grandparents and Rachel in Chicago for two weeks and Nora was set to go there to pick him up. She missed her son. She hoped she could help Bo within that time frame. Asa provided no details, he himself had no idea what was going on. Dody could not provide any answers either, for Bo would not open up to him.
Asa's limo met Nora at her door. They greeted each other warmly. She still loved him. She still considered him as her father-in-law, always would. And Asa was never shy in telling her he felt the same way about her. Even after all he had done to the Rappaports, she forgave him. She knew he was not in his right mind. He was thankful for that. He needed her as a friend, too. Renee could not forgive him, so he was alone now. He missed Bo more than he would admit. In the back of his mind, his plan was to get all the Buchanan boys back to Llanview for good.
The jet ride to Texas was uneventful. They spent the time catching up. Nora was surprised at how interested Asa was in Matt's life. She knew how much it hurt him not to have a Bo and Nora grandchild. Her mind thought back to that time, to what she could remember. A small tear fell from her eye. That was the beginning of the end, that much she remembered.
In all the time she and Bo had been together, she had never been to the infamous Buchanan Ranch in Texas. She had seen pictures of it, but was looking forward to seeing it in person.
As they approached a wrought iron black fence, Nora was speechless. The limo drove through the enormous gates with the large circled "B". Her eyes could see nothing but miles of land, blue skies, and fluffy white clouds. Every once and awhile a cow or horse would dot the landscape. How she wished Matthew was with her. He had never seen such acreage and peaceful surroundings. She herself felt out of place in the vastness of it.
Soon, the main house was in her view. It was beautiful. Asa laughed at her reaction. 'Honey, when you and Bo remarry, this will all be yours.' 'Uh huh', was all she uttered, not realizing what he said. 'The pictures I've seen don't do it justice. Asa, it's beautiful.'
The driveway to the house was lined with blue bonnets and cactus. It turned into a circular driveway with a large fountain in the center. The house was all red brick with black shutters. Hundreds of roses of all colors were in gardens that encompassed the front and sides of the house. The front porch had two stark white porch swings on each side of the door that stood out like diamonds against the red brick walls.
The inside was equally amazing. It was manly, definitely very Buchanan, but it was elegant, warm, and welcoming. The hardwood floors shone like a newly minted penny and the sound of Nora's heels resonated through the large, quiet, home as they walked the halls. Renee's touches were very obvious throughout the many rooms and Nora was glad to know her presence was still felt in the house.
Asa showed Nora to her room. It was more like a suite with a private bath equally as large. It had a glass steam shower and a sunken whirlpool big enough for two, surrounded by candles. Nora felt silly. She was certainly used to the nicer things in life, but this was more than she imagined or was used to. 'Beautiful', was all she would repeat.
A: Nora, honey, relax - do whatever you want. I'll tell Bo we're here. It'll be some surprise.
Nora turned around quickly from admiring the fresh flowers on the nightstand.
N: What?!? He doesn't know we were coming?
A: No. Now why would I have told him? You know him, he would have took off. Don't worry, he'll be thrilled. Back in a jiff!
N: Asa!
He was out of the room before his name was out of her mouth.
N: Great!, just great! He'll be thrilled my Aunt Augusta.
She fell back onto the king size bed. How wonderful it felt. She closed her eyes. Work had been very stressful and she needed this well deserved break. At this rate, she would never want to leave.
Soon there was a knock at her door. Asa came in with Dody.
A: Nora, this is Dody Roberts, a loyal Buchanan Ranch employee. He's been with me since Bo was a teenager. He kept Bo in line when I wasn't around.
N: Pleased to meet you, Mr. Roberts.
D: Call me Dody. It's my pleasure, Ms. Buchanan. I've heard a lot about you. The pictures I've seen don't do you justice, if I may say so.
N: Why, thank you. Pictures?
D: Oh yeah. Asa here must have a dozen of you and Bo in the family room.
Nora smiles.
N: I see. Well, that's very nice.
A: Dody tells me that Bo isn't here. Seems that's his regular habit these days.
N: Do you know where he is?
D: Well, my guess is he's at a hole in the wall bar called "The Well". I've heard that's his hangout since he got here.
N: A bar? It's 10:30 in the morning. That's not like Bo.
D: That's the word around town, ma'am.
N: Let's go get him then.
D: Whoa! It's not a place for ladies such as yourself.
Nora laughs.
N: Thank you for your concern, but I think I can handle it. And I can handle Bo.
A: That's the spirit! Honey, check the closet, you'll find everything you need in there.
N: Asa, I packed my own clothes. What are you talking about?
A: Nora, you're in Texas now. You have to dress like it. If they spot you for a city slicker, they'll send you back home and fast.
N: Don't be ridiculous!
A: Suit yourself. We'll leave in an hour, be ready.
Nora started to unpack her bags. She started getting concerned that she had chosen her clothes too conservatively. She brought along some skirts and slacks, blouses and a few pairs of shorts. By now, her curiosity was getting the best of her. She had to check out the closet.
She opened the two large doors to the walk-in closet and her eyes almost popped out! The closet was supplied with everything you could think of….jeans, sweaters, blouses, shoes, belts, robes and all in her size. She opened some of the drawers in a dresser and they were filled with bras, panties, stockings, and barely-there nighties. 'Okay, this is a little weird!' 'How does my father-in-law know my bra size?' Nora slightly cringed, 'But, all the stuff is beautiful', she thought. She was getting carried away looking at everything. She found matching jewelry, hats, slippers, cowboy boots, and T-shirts. 'What the heck!', she said. She decided on black jeans, a crisp white sleeveless cotton top and the most beautiful pair of black cowboy boots she had ever seen. She also chose a matching sterling silver heart earrings and bracelet set. Playing dress up was fun.
Asa glowed when he knocked on the door an hour later.
A: Nora! You look stunning. You're gonna knock Bo's socks off. Here, wear this.
He hands her a cowboy hat.
N: Asa, I'm not wearing that!
A: Come on! It completes your outfit.
N: Oh, what the hell! No one knows me here!
She put on the hat and she looked great. It truly did complete her outfit. And then they were off to "The Well".
TO BE CONTINUED……
|
|
|