Johnny Mike and Branndon Read online

  Evernight Publishing ®

  www.evernightpublishing.com

  Copyright© 2016 Vanessa Devereaux

  ISBN: 978-1-77233-685-6

  Cover Artist: Sour Cherry Designs

  Editor: Melissa Hosack

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  DEDICATION

  Everyone who’s been following along with the Big Sky County series—thank you.

  JOHNNY, MIKE, AND BRANNDON

  Big Sky County, 9

  Vanessa Devereaux

  Copyright © 2016

  Prologue

  Maddie closed the book and looked at her watch. Time for her to get to back to the hospital and relieve Ted. He’d kindly sat with Brody all day while she took a break. She’d dry her hair, get dressed, and then head over there. Once she got settled back in, she’d continue reading Kathleen’s diary. She’d just gotten to the part where Brody’s mother had come home and made a terrible discovery…

  Chapter One

  This was the last straw. Her own mother stealing from her. She flipped the purse over and shook it just to make sure she wasn’t wronging her mom. Maybe the lining had gotten torn and the money was hidden there. But no, not even a single penny fell to the floor. She’d saved up a whole month’s worth of tips and kept them in that old purse like it was her very own bank.

  She’d obviously not hidden it well enough and someone had robbed it. Kathleen sat down on the bed and cried. She’d tried to keep the household together since her brother had married and gone to California, but she couldn’t do it anymore. She wiped a tear away from her cheek, realizing the skin on her hands was red and cracked where she’d taken on the role of dishwasher at the restaurant to earn some extra money for groceries. She heard the front door opening, and bottles clanging together. That sound meant one thing, her mother was home. The drink had more than likely been bought with the stolen money.

  Kathleen knew her mom was probably already drunk and would get more inebriated as the night wore on, so it was now or never to corner her and tell her enough was enough. She was going to face her alcoholism and get help whether she liked it or not. She stood, headed down the stairs, and arrived at the kitchen just in time to see her mother opening up the bottle of brandy.

  “And where did you get the money to buy that?” she asked.

  Her mother looked startled as she turned to face Kathleen, her eyes already bloodshot and her lower lip quivering. “I didn’t think you’d be home. You not working tonight?”

  “I put in two shifts yesterday so I thought I should take at least one night off.”

  Her mother pulled out another bottle and set it on the table.

  “Two for one sale,” she said. If Kathleen wasn’t mistaken it was almost like pride was written all over her face in snagging such a bargain.

  “You used my money to pay for that. No correct that, you stole my money. The money I was going to use to buy us groceries at the end of the week.”

  “Kathleen Ann, are you accusing your own mother of being a thief?”

  “That’s exactly what I’m doing.”

  “You really think I’d do such a terrible thing?” She pointed to herself with her thumb.

  “I don’t think you would, but I know the drink pushes you into doing bad things.”

  “What are you accusing me of now?”

  “I think you know,” said Kathleen.

  Her mother raised her finger. “Are you saying I’m a drunk just like my father was?”

  “Yes, mom, you’re a drunk, and now you’re a thief too. This has—”

  Kathleen didn’t see it coming until it was too late. Her mother’s open hand hit across her cheek. She hit her so hard that Kathleen fell onto the floor, almost hitting her head on the corner of the stove.

  “You get out of my house. My own flesh and blood saying such wicked things about me.”

  Kathleen stood, holding her face and knowing by the sting on her skin her mother had drawn blood, probably caused by the ring she wore on her middle finger.

  “You want me to leave?” asked Kathleen.

  “That’s what I said.”

  She knew her mother wasn’t totally drunk, well not yet, so it wasn’t the booze talking.

  “Well, what are you waiting for? Get you stuff and be gone with you.”

  “I’ll do just that and I can promise you I’ll never be back. Once I walk through that front door we’ll never see one another again. Is that what you want?”

  “You’re too critical of me, just like your father used to be. It’s time I was on my own, time you were on your own too.”

  She didn’t respond, didn’t argue. Maybe this was for the best. Let her mother drink and find someone else to steal from.

  Kathleen went to her room. Whatever fit into her suitcase was all she was going to leave with. She wouldn’t even stay in Great Falls. She’d find somewhere nice to live and work. She’d show her mother. She’d have the last laugh.

  After she’d gathered up her clothes, some books she hadn’t read yet, the photo of her and her father, her purse, and of course, her diary, she put on her coat, went downstairs, and slammed the door key down on the table. Kathleen didn’t look back but simply went out the front door and headed down the road. She’d walk to the bus station and leave her new destination entirely to chance. Wherever the first bus out of town was heading, that’s where she’d make a brand new start for herself.

  ****

  Johnny slung his guitar over his back and picked up his bag. He waved to his buddy as he sounded the car horn and drove away. He turned toward the bus station entrance and headed in its direction. Once inside, he made his way over to the ticket booth.

  “One way to Riker’s Creek,” he said, slipping the ten dollar bill over to the cashier.

  “You better hurry because that bus leaves in ten minutes from bay one over there,” she said.

  Johnny nodded and pushed his cowboy hat back farther on his head. His parents wouldn’t find the note he’d left until the morning. Not that he wasn’t old enough to do what he damn well pleased. However, he knew his mom would be upset that he hadn’t said goodbye and make a fuss about her baby venturing out into the big, bad world. His dad would be pissed as hell that he wasn’t there to milk the cows the following morning. He couldn’t think of the consequences now. He had his life ahead of him and he had dreams.

  He’d played with one band that’d been passing through town last week. The singer had told him about a place near Riker’s Creek in Big Sky County. A large farm where anyone who was willing to work, earn their keep, and the rest of the time, pursue their dreams, was welcome to live. Commune the drummer had called it. Johnny didn’t know if it would be full of hippies or what, but it sounded like the idea place for him to begin his journey to stardom.

  He headed outside the station and saw about twenty other people also waiting for the same bus. The sun was setting fast, there was a chill in the air but, Johnny only had optimism for what he was about to do. He was going to stand on his own two feet without any help from his parents. He’d make it as one of the best country singers. He wasn’t sure if Montana had produced one of those ever before. If they hadn’t, then he’d be the first native son to put the state on the map in the world of country music.

  The head
lights of the bus shone on him as it arrived. The driver got out and pulled up the door on the luggage compartment on the belly of the vehicle.

  “If you’d like to step forward so I can load your luggage before we start boarding,” he said.

  Johnny didn’t have much. He hoped the bus wasn’t full so he could put his guitar on the seat next to him and not be forced to put in in the luggage hold where it might bounce around and get damaged. He certainly didn’t want to be parted with it. Even putting it in the overhead bins on the bus didn’t sit well with him.

  A handful of people stepped forward with cases. Then the driver opened the door and allowed them to start boarding. Johnny handed him the ticket, got on, and quickly made his way toward the back, hoping it would be less crowded there and give him a chance to get some shut eye and a spot to safely place the guitar for the journey. He sat down, pulled out the candy bar he’d brought with him, and unwrapped it just as the driver shut the door.

  “Okay, folks, we should be in Riker’s Creek in a couple of hours. Just relax and enjoy the ride.”

  Johnny looked out of the window, seeing people already lining up for the next bus. They pulled out onto the main road that led out of town. His folks’ place was up ahead on the right and just a mile down the dirt road. He wasn’t going to look that way because suddenly he had a lump in his throat about leaving home.

  No, he was doing the right thing. When he hit the big time, he was going to buy his folks a mansion and they’d never have to work again. No more getting up at the crack of dawn to milk cows, no going out to move cattle when it was snowing and harsh winds blew over the plains.

  He set his head on the edge of the seat and closed his eyes, making up a tune in his head to match the rhythm of the bus. He ate some more chocolate. He was going to miss his mom’s cooking that was for sure. He took another bite and watched as his home town disappear from sight.

  Johnny hadn’t been aware he’d fallen asleep until someone crying him woke him. The noise was coming from a few seats behind him. He turned around, knelt on his seat, and glanced back there. He couldn’t see that well because the driver had dimmed the interior lights so folks could sleep, but suddenly his eyes keyed in on the prettiest girl he’d ever seen. Long dark hair, heart shaped face with tears rolling down both cheeks. She took his breath away.

  “Miss, you okay?” He kept his voice low so he didn’t wake anyone sitting close by.

  He wasn’t sure if she’d even hear him, but a few seconds later she looked up. She quickly wiped her face as if she was embarrassed someone had actually seen her.

  “I’m fine, really,” she said.

  “Doesn’t look like it. Didn’t sound like everything was fine,” said Johnny.

  His mother had always said he’d been born nosy. In Johnny’s books that wasn’t such a bad thing.

  “It really is…” She burst into tears.

  “Hey, hey, it’s okay. Let me come sit with you. That okay with you, miss?”

  She nodded.

  He got up, walked back to her seat, and slid in beside her.

  She dabbed her eyes with a tissue that already looked pretty soaked. Johnny rolled onto his right hip and pulled out his handkerchief. Good thing his mom always made him carry one. Not the paper kind but the sort that had to be laundered once a week.

  “Here take this,” he said.

  She took it from him and wiped both of her eyes.

  “I’m Johnny Marshall.”

  “Kathleen Paul.”

  “That’s a beautiful name.”

  “Thank you.”

  “You want to tell me why you’re crying or would that be too nosy of me?”

  “I think I’ve done something stupid.”

  “How about you tell me what it is and I’ll decide if it is or isn’t,” said Johnny.

  She took a deep breath. “My mom threw me out tonight and I said I’d never be back. I chose to get on the first bus that pulled into the station, and now I’m thinking that was just plain dumb.”

  “You know anyone in Riker’s Creek?”

  Kathleen shook her head. “That’s why it’s so stupid. I haven’t got much money. I’ve got nowhere to live, no job.”

  “Then that makes two of us.” Johnny suddenly realized that maybe what he’d done tonight was downright stupid too.

  “Really?”

  “Yeah, left home tonight to pursue my dreams of being a country and western singer. Got my guitar with me and everything.”

  “So why Riker’s Creek?” asked Kathleen.

  “There’s a comm … well, it’s sort of a farm where they say you can be whoever you want to be. Free room and board if you pitch in with chores and such.”

  “And you know someone there?”

  “No, just heard about it from someone who was in town last week,” said Johnny.

  “Farm? You mean like a working ranch?”

  “I guess so. Hey, you want to give it a try with me?”

  Johnny realized he’d just met this young woman and was asking a hell of a lot of her. For all she knew he could be some sort of weirdo or leading her into a trap.

  “Can I think about it?”

  “Sure you can. Let’s do this, when we get off the bus, I’ll let you know where it’s at. Maybe they’d let you take a tour or something. Perhaps you’ll like it and decide to give it a try.”

  She nodded. “I’d like to hear you play and sing, but obviously you can’t do it on the bus.”

  “Nope, not without getting thrown off, but I promise you I’ll play for you one of these days. I could even meet you in town for a soda and sing a song.”

  He had a fan already, well sort of. Johnny settled back down in the seat, sensing he’d just met someone who was going to be special in his life.

  Chapter Two

  Kathleen wasn’t aware she’d fallen asleep until she felt someone gently tugging her arm. She looked up to see Johnny’s face mere inches from hers. He’d decided to continue sitting next to her for the rest of the journey, and she must have dozed off and fallen onto his shoulder.

  He smiled at her. He had a cute smile, dimples and all. She sat up quickly, wondering what he must think of the girl who’d sat there crying and now had fallen asleep on a strange guy’s shoulder. She hoped he didn’t think she did this to every guy she met.

  “We’ve arrived at Riker’s Creek,” he said.

  She sat up and stretched her arms in the air.

  “You have any suitcases I can help you carry?” asked Johnny.

  “Just the one. I put it in the luggage hold, but it’s not that heavy.”

  Johnny stood and moved into the aisle and let her go ahead of him. When she got off the bus, her case was already sitting on the sidewalk. She looked around to see Johnny standing with his bag at his feet and holding his guitar like it was his baby.

  If this was the center of Riker’s Creek then the town was a lot smaller than she’d thought and expected. Hopefully there would be some café or restaurant she could find some work and a cheap place to live.

  “I’m thinking of finding a motel to stay the night,” said Johnny. “I don’t think I could find the farm in the dark.”

  “Me too. I mean not the part about finding the farm, but I’ll need to find some place to sleep,” she said.

  “How about we go find a motel,” he said. “This looks like the main street, so if we walk down here I’m guessing we’ll see one.”

  The thought of having someone with her, a big guy like Johnny around just in case she ran into any trouble in a new to her town, suddenly sounded like a very good idea. Kathleen picked up her suitcase, and she and Johnny headed down the street.

  “Beautiful night isn’t it? Look at those stars. One of the best things about being far away from the big cities,” said Johnny.

  “You’re from Montana?”

  “Sure am. Born in Great Falls. My parents have a farm just outside of town. How about you?”

  “I was born in Helena, but when
my father died we moved to Great Falls to be near my grandparents.”

  “And your mother just threw you out of the house?”

  Kathleen didn’t really want to talk about it anymore. “She has a drinking problem.”

  “Sorry to hear about that. Maybe she didn’t mean it. Some people say things out of frustration when they get drunk. My dad had a farm helper who did that. Called my dad a mean spirited bastard when he wouldn’t advance him money. But Pa knew he was going to spend it on booze and not food for his children. Pa said he was doing him a favor.”

  “My mother stole money from me.” There it was out.

  “Yeah, drink can make a person desperate enough to do that. Maybe you should give her some time to cool down and then go back home. Everything might be okay.”

  Maybe he was right, or maybe it was time she ventured out on her own. Make her mother find some other scapegoat or even go live with her brother in San Jose. No, that wasn’t likely because that was the reason Jack had decided to head to California in the first place. Maybe she should have headed there to live with him, but he had a wife now and she doubted she’d like Kathleen living under the same roof with them.

  Lights flashed ahead saying motel- vacancy.

  “Not much farther,” said Johnny.

  Kathleen couldn’t wait to crawl into bed, close her eyes, and sleep. When she’d woken up this morning she hadn’t counted on not sleeping in her own bed that evening. She’d not thought she’d be miles away from Great Falls looking for a motel room and walking with a handsome young man who was going to be a country and western star.

  “This looks pretty decent,” said Johnny. He held the door open for her, and she stepped inside. A lady looked up from the magazine she was reading.

  “Hi, honey, double room?” she asked, obviously seeing Johnny stepping inside the reception area.