Cowboy at the Crossroads

Nicki shook her head.

“That’s a shame, because Della’s prepared this wonderful meal. I was just down in the kitchen and the smell alone was a real treat. She’s made this chocolate pie that has a fluffy meringue about three inches thick. Do you like chocolate pie?”

“No. Go ’way. I don’t like you,” Nicki said in a defiant tone.

Good, Becca thought. Now they were getting somewhere. She had to keep pushing.

“You don’t have to like me, but I’ve come all this way to see you and I expect you to eat dinner with me.”

“I’m not hungry. Go ’way.”

Becca reached up, and caught Nicki’s face with both hands and forced the child to look at her. “I’m not going away and you’re coming downstairs to eat.”

“No.” Nicki spat the word. “Daddy says I don’t have to and you can’t make me.”

Becca still held her face and looked into those angry eyes. “I’m going to pick you up and we’re going downstairs.” As she said the words, she got to her feet and gathered Nicki in her arms. This action was met with resistance. Nicki began to cry “No, no, no” and hit at Becca with her free hand and her feet. Becca kept walking; the blows to her face, neck and legs didn’t stop her. Halfway down the stairs, Nicki began to scream, blood-curdling screams. Becca still didn’t stop.

CORD JUMPED TO HIS FEET when he heard the screams. He ran for the patio door, then halted abruptly when he heard Becca’s words. “Please don’t come inside.” He turned and went back to his chair, but the screams continued. What was she doing to his baby? He marched back to the door and stopped again. God, how was he supposed to handle this? He wanted his child to get better, but he couldn’t take this. Each scream was tearing his heart out. He grasped the doorknob.

WHEN BECCA REACHED the bottom step she sat down, with Nicki still fighting and screaming in her arms. Suddenly Becca screamed as loudly as Nicki. Nicki stopped and stared at her with tear-filled eyes.

“I can scream as loudly as you,” Becca informed her in a calm voice. “So are we going to scream or eat dinner?”

“I don’t like you,” Nicki muttered, rubbing her eyes.

“I don’t like you too much right now, either,” Becca replied.

“You’re mean,” Nicki said crossly.

“I don’t want to be mean,” Becca told her.

Nicki didn’t answer. She still had a death grip on Dolly, who was looking a little worn and tattered. Now was the time for a softer approach.

“Dolly seems so sad,” Becca said.

“She is,” Nicki told her.

“Oh, that’s too bad. What do you think will make her feel better?”

Nicki shrugged.

“Chocolate always makes me feel better.”

“Candy?” Nicki’s eyes opened wide. She was talking, asking questions. That was good—very good.

“Yes, when I’ve had a long day and I’m tired, a chocolate bar perks me right up.”

“It does?”

“Sure does, but even though I love chocolate, chocolate doesn’t love me.”

“Why?”

“Because when you get to be a woman my age, you have to watch your weight and if I eat a lot of chocolate, my butt gets bigger and bigger.”

“You got a big butt?”

Becca laughed out loud. She couldn’t help it. Why in the world had she said that? She just wanted to keep Nicki talking, and the words seemed to come of their own volition. How could she correct this?

Before she could gather her wits, Cord came charging in, Della right behind him. Nicki immediately crawled off Becca’s lap and ran to her father. He picked her up and held her tight.

“How’s my baby?” he whispered.

Nicki pointed a finger at Becca. “She’s mean. I wanna go to my room.”

Just like that, Nicki had reverted to her old self. Becca got to her feet. Her eyes locked with Cord’s. Don’t you dare was flashing in their depths, and she hoped he got the message.

Cord received the message loud and clear. Thirty minutes ago he would’ve taken Nicki back upstairs. When he heard her scream, it was a certainty. Then he’d gone into the den and heard Nicki talking to Becca in a normal tone of voice. He couldn’t make out what she was saying, but she was interacting with Becca—something she hadn’t done with anyone in a long time. Now he had to look at himself. Was he an enabler, as Becca had said? Was he enabling Nicki to be the way she was because he didn’t have the strength or the courage to do anything else? Yes, he was. He could see that. Now he had to try some of that tough love Becca had talked about. Nicki’s future depended on it.

“No, baby,” Cord said with every bit of strength he possessed. “We’re eating dinner in the dining room. Della has the table all set.” Without another word, he moved toward the door.

“’Kay, Daddy,” Nicki said meekly, and laid her head on his shoulder.

Cord let out a long breath. If she’d started crying, he still would have made her, but this was so much easier. Becca was right; he had to be firm.

Becca followed them into the large dining room. As Cord settled Nicki in her chair, Becca glanced around. The furniture was exquisite and definitely antique. She guessed the late 1800s. The table could easily seat twenty people. There was also a hutch and a china cabinet. The entire set was made of dark wood and decorated with an ornate design that was unlike anything she’d ever seen. The carving had to have been done by hand. She also noticed the china in the cabinet, which was old and very beautiful. She’d bet it wasn’t used anymore because of its fragility, but it was a pleasure just to look at.

Becca took her seat next to Nicki, and Cord sat at the head of the table. Della brought the food to the table without a word. Afterward she said, “If you need anything, I’ll be in the kitchen.”

“Thanks, Della,” Cord said, and began to fill his plate and Nicki’s.

“I’m not hungry,” Nicki said with her arms tight around Dolly.

The silence became strained, and Becca could see that Cord was struggling with himself again. She had to do something, and fast. She did what came naturally—she talked.

“My, this looks wonderful,” she said as she dished roast and potatoes onto her plate. “In the hospital, I eat in the cafeteria and it’s not the most appetizing food. The vending machine and I are best friends. Of course, it’s not very healthy so I try not to indulge too often. But sometimes the mind and the stomach aren’t in agreement.” As she talked, she mashed Nicki’s potatoes with her fork and dipped gravy onto them. Then she lavishly buttered a roll and placed it beside the potatoes.

As Cord watched her, he thought, Anette used to do that. She’d make the food appealing so Nicki would eat. Maybe he should’ve been doing that.

“These potatoes are delicious, don’t you think so, Cord?”

He blinked and realized Becca was talking to him. She stared pointedly at his fork, and he realized she wanted him to start eating. He recovered himself and began to do just that.

“Yes, yes, the potatoes are great,” he said, following Becca’s lead.

“Della said they were new potatoes. Does that mean she grows them?”

“Gus does,” Nicki chimed in. Until that moment, she hadn’t said a word or even attempted to pick up her fork, but she was avidly watching Becca.