Holidays on the Ranch (Burnt Boot, Texas #1)(13)

“The Brennan women and the Gallagher women won’t let you stand in their way, darlin’. They’ll be coming after Finn O’Donnell, probably starting real soon. Just thought you ought to be ready for the feud to get hot,” Gladys said.

“Why?” Callie asked.

Gladys’s old eyes sparkled. “He’s new blood, and them dark, smolderin’ looks and them blue eyes sure make it even better. He’s a damn fine rancher, and they’ve already spit on their knuckles and started taking bets as to which clan will wind up with him. Betsy Gallagher is braggin’ that she could have him cornered by Valentine’s, but she’s going to have to fight her way past Honey Brennan to get to him. Betsy is a scrapper, but Honey is meaner than a junkyard dog.”

“Aren’t there any other men in Burnt Boot?” Callie asked.

“Oh yeah, but he’s a prize, and believe me, Salt Draw is a bigger one. They couldn’t buy it from Verdie, but one of them could claim it through marriage.”

“Just how rough will it get?” Callie said.

“Oh, darlin’, it’s like that fightin’ stuff they do in cages. No rules and no whinin’. There’s a feel in the air when the feud is gettin’ fueled up for another round. It’s been a while since it got real stinky but it’s comin’. They’re both just itchin’ for the other side to start something. I forgot to ask, what happened to that kitten?” Gladys said.

“The kitten is Shotgun’s new buddy. Its name is Angel.”

She nodded. “It’s a very good name for a Christmas girl cat.”

Finn threw an arm loosely around Callie’s shoulder and drew her close to his side. “I’d like you to meet Callie, my number one hand at the ranch. Declan has invited us to the River Bend Ranch for dinner, but I told him you have dinner in the oven waiting for us.”

The cowboy tipped his hat toward her. His dark sapphire-blue eyes scanned her from her black high heels to a red skirt that just skimmed her knees, up past the black shirt and to her dark hair. “I’m right pleased to make your acquaintance. Y’all are welcome at River Bend Ranch any time. We’d be glad to take Martin into our private school if you want to enroll him there.”

“Thank you, but I reckon he’ll do just fine in the public school,” Callie said.

Sandy hair, broad shoulders, a silver belt buckle that said he’d done some bull riding, and that full-body scan should have jump-started her hormones into overdrive, but the only person in the church who had an effect on Callie was standing beside her, their hands brushing with every step.

Martin tugged at her hand. “Can I go outside and wait? I might get to talk to that boy who had the drum.”

“Sure you can. Just don’t leave the church parking lot. We’ll be out in a minute,” Callie said.

A red-haired woman came from the other side of the church, weaving her way through people. She made it to the end about the same time that Callie and Finn took a couple of steps forward. She ignored Callie and smiled up at Finn. “Hello. I’m Betsy Gallagher. Wanted to introduce myself and tell you to drop by Wild Horse Ranch sometime to visit.”

A tall, dark-haired woman with crystal-clear blue eyes pushed her way between Finn and Betsy. “I’m Honey Brennan, and you can ride with me over to River Bend to dinner. I’ll see to it that you get home this evening by chore time.”

Betsy tapped her on the shoulder and said, “You’re a day late and a dollar short, Honey. He’s going to Wild Horse today.”

Honey’s hands turned into fists and her eyes were barely slits. Betsy tilted her chin up, and her body language said that she dared the woman to take the first punch.

“Ladies, this is church,” Gladys said. “Remember the rules.”

“You’d better not cross me outside this place,” Honey said.

“You’d do well to stay on your own shit farm and keep away from me,” Betsy hissed.

“You’ll pay for saying that about River Bend.” Honey bowed up to her.

“Get out your big-girl panties and bring it on. I could take your sorry ass with one hand tied behind my back and a blindfold over my eyes,” Betsy said.

“We’ll see about that.” Honey whipped around and marched out of the church.

Betsy laughed. “She’s all bitch and no power. Don’t pay no attention to her. That boy belong to you?” Betsy asked.

“He’s my nephew,” Callie answered.

“We’ve got a private school over on Wild Horse. We’ll be glad to have him. Just bring him on over there and we’ll get him enrolled in the morning.”

“Thank you, but he’s going to public school.”

“What grade is he in?”

“Third.”

“You’ll be sorry. The third-grade teacher is old and outdated. She should have retired ten years ago, and the classes are so small that he’ll have to be in her room.”

“Small classes are a blessing, and older teachers are pretty wise,” Callie said.

“Your loss.” Betsy shrugged and looked back up at Finn. “I’ll be over tomorrow morning with a pie, Finn. You got any particular kind that you like best? I’m hell on wheels when it comes to baking, and apple pie is my specialty.”