The Cowgirl's Sacrifice

by Tina Radcliffe

  For the second time in less than a week, she found herself thinking about what-ifs—questioning the decision to leave ten years ago. Kate pushed the thoughts away as fast as she could. She wasn’t ready to open that particular Pandora’s box just yet.

  * * *

  The unmistakable clanging sound of a rig pulling onto the ranch road had Jess stepping out of the stables to see what was going on.

  Kate stood in the drive, grinning, as an older woman jumped down from a dually that pulled a gooseneck trailer and greeted Kate with enthusiastic but careful hugs.

  The trailer door creaked when the women opened the back. Jess moved forward to offer his assistance with the horse and froze. After yesterday’s UTV rain adventure, he wasn’t quite sure where he stood with Kate. It seemed like a case of one step forward and two back, which wasn’t exactly a renewed friendship. He sensed it wouldn’t take much from either of them to kick up a disagreement.

  Nope, he’d stay right where he was for the time being.

  As Kate and her horse enjoyed a reunion, the lanky middle-aged woman with a straw cowboy hat walked toward him. “You must be one of Kate’s brothers.” She offered a hand, which Jess took.

  “Jess McNally, ranch foreman. Pleased to meet you, ma’am.”

  “Ah, sorry. You were watching Kate like someone who cares. I thought...”

  Jess dismissed the words immediately. “Everyone here cares about Kate,” he returned.

  The woman nodded. “I’m Franny Cox. Kate and I have road-tripped together on the circuit the last few years.”

  “You live in Oklahoma?” he asked.

  “Texas.”

  Jess clucked his tongue. “That’s too bad.”

  Franny laughed. “Spoken like a true Okie.”

  Both of them turned to watch Kate whisper in the gelding’s ear, all the while stroking his neck and running a loving hand over his flank.

  “She sure loves that horse,” Jess said.

  “Einstein? Yeah, she does.” Franny smiled. “Kate looks better. I’m glad she came home. Though I knew she’d make it through the other side of this. Kate’s a fighter.”

  “What exactly happened in Tucson?” The question was out of his mouth before he could decide if he really wanted to hear the answer. Yet he had to know.

  “She didn’t tell you?”

  “Kate’s as tight-lipped as they come.”

  Franny eyed him warily, then she shrugged. “She’ll give me a dressing down, but the fact is, the accident is public knowledge. There was a front-page write-up in the local Tucson paper.”

  Accident? Write-up in the paper? Jess found himself tensing at Franny’s ominous words. Kate’s dismissive remarks had led him to believe her injury was incidental. No big deal.

  “The last night of the Tucson Rodeo,” Franny continued. “A bull nearly killed a rider. If it wasn’t for Kate’s quick thinking, the ornery beast would have. Kate got stomped on for her troubles.” Franny blinked and swallowed hard, putting a hand to her chest. “Seeing her taken from that arena on a stretcher nearly stopped my heart.”

  Jess closed his eyes for a moment as a visual of the scene that Franny described flashed before him. A physical pain gutted him as he imagined Kate lying in the dirt, like a broken rag doll.

  “When was this?” His voice came out uneven and raw.

  “February.”

  “February?” Jess counted back the weeks. “Where has she been since then?”

  “Tucson. She had two surgeries on her arm.”

  “Two?”

  “Yeah, I don’t know the details, and of course, Kate won’t elaborate none. She rented a studio apartment, and I checked in on her between rodeos and took care of her horse.”

  The object of their discussion turned and eyed them, her face dark with suspicion. “What are you two talking about?”

  “The weather,” Jess called. There was no way Kate would tolerate his pity, and the look she shot him as she led her horse into the stables told him as much.

  “Uh-oh,” Franny said. “Do me a favor and don’t mention this. She’s got this idea about not being a burden to her family.”

  “I won’t.” He turned to step away and then paused. “Thanks for taking care of Kate, Franny. I know her brothers would want to thank you, as well.”

  “Taking care of Kate was the easy part,” Franny said. “Between you and me, I love her like the little sister I never had. She’s always been a scrapper, trying to prove herself.” The woman shook her head. “When that bull laid her out, I was terrified, because for the first time since I’ve known Kate, she didn’t fight back.”

  Yeah, that scared him, as well. More than he was willing to admit.

  An hour later, Jess walked from the main house toward the stables, noting that Franny’s truck and trailer were gone.

  When he stepped through the oversize doors of the building, the first thing he spotted was Kate saddling up the silky chestnut gelding in the aisle outside an empty stall. His heart jumped to his throat. “What are you doing?”

  Kate didn’t turn at his voice. At five foot seven, she was slim and tall. Her ponytail swayed back and forth as she adjusted the stirrups. “What does it look like I’m doing?”

  “How did you even get that saddle on him?”

  “That’s a secret.”

  Her chin was set with determination, and he weighed whether he wanted to be the one to poke the bear.

  When she rubbed the horse gently behind the ears, he whinnied. “Einstein wants to know if you have places to be.”

  “Nowhere at the moment.”

  “That’s too bad.” Kate grimaced as she pushed a mounting block into position next to Einstein.

  “Hang on,” he said. “I’ll help you.”

  She waved him away with her free hand. “You’re not always going to be around. I need to do this myself.”

  “I was thinking about Einstein.”

  “Einstein is obedient. He wouldn’t move if I lit a firecracker, which is why he and I work so well together. Mutual respect.” She patted the animal’s flank. “Right, boy?”

  “I don’t think that’s...”

  His voice trailed off when Kate stepped onto the block, swayed and waved her arm as she began to fall backward.

  Jess rushed forward and grabbed her. The moment his hands spanned her waist, she cried out in pain.

  He set her on the ground and stepped away while trying to figure out what had just happened. Kate released tight, shaky breaths and leaned over, her hand on her thigh.

  “What was that?” Jess asked.

  “I don’t know,” she said. Her flustered voice matched how unnerved he felt at the moment.

  “You don’t know?”

  “Sometimes...sometimes I randomly seem to lose my balance.” Kate looked up at him, her face pale and her breathing still unsteady.

  Then he realized what was going on. He’d grown up as a doctor’s kid and spent time in the Rebel Clinic. That had necessitated a few first aid classes along the way. His rudimentary diagnostic skills told him that Kate probably had a concussion and at least a few cracked ribs. That was why she’d cried out when he grabbed her.

  “You’re a hot mess,” he muttered.

  “Thanks for the pep talk.”

  “You really were dodging a bull. What happened to barrel racing?”

  “I was barrel racing for a while. But there’s no regular paycheck unless you’re a top rider. I’m good, but good doesn’t pay the bills. A friend got me a referral to clown school in Reno. Turns out I’m very good at that. Even better at bullfighting.”

  Jess blinked. “Bullfighting?”

  “Yes, sometimes I sit inside the barrel. Other times I run around distracting them, keeping the riders safe.”

  He let out a frustrated breath. “I know how i
t works. What I don’t understand is why you would want to do it.”

  “I just told you. I’m very good, and it was a regular check.”

  Jess clenched and unclenched his fists as he did his best to process what she’d said. The words couldn’t have been clearer, yet it still made no sense why she’d put herself at risk.

  Pinning her with his gaze, he picked his way through her armor until he figured out what was going on. “Your brothers don’t know how badly you were injured.”

  A statement. Not a question, and she stared at him. He sensed the moment she chose not to deny the words. Her shoulders relaxed, and she took a deep breath.

  “No. And I don’t want them to know.” Her gaze pleaded with him. “You can’t tell them either.”

  Jess didn’t know what to say. Kate was a smart woman, had been top of her class in college. She’d never been an adrenaline junkie, so why was she taking chances with her life like this? The image of her broken and hurting cut through him.

  “Stop thinking so loud,” she said.

  “What is it you think I’m thinking, Kate?”

  “You’re feeling sorry for me, and the last thing I need is pity.”

  “I don’t feel sorry for you. I’m concerned.” He paused. “Have you talked to anyone about what happened?”

  Kate jerked back. “What? You think I need therapy?”

  “You’ve been traumatized.” Maybe a therapist could help her sort things out. Like maybe what was driving her. What had been driving her all these years.

  She shook her head. “Look, it was an accident. I’m recovering. End of story.”

  “Are you going back?”

  “You mean, to the rodeo?” She cocked her head as if wondering why he’d asked.

  “Yeah, to the rodeo.”

  “I don’t know, Jess. I don’t know a lot of things right now.”

  He assessed her as she stood there with one arm casted and the other wrapped around her rib cage protectively. Jess wanted to understand, but it made no sense. “You’re going to have to tell your brothers eventually.”

  “The doctors are pleased with my progress, so I don’t see any reason to worry my family. They’ve been through enough. Things are looking up for everyone. I’ll share with them on a need-to-know basis.” Kate stared him down, long and hard. “I’m home, and I’m going to be fine.” She licked her lips. “Do you understand?”

  “I won’t lie for you, Kate.” Fact was, he wasn’t sure he shouldn’t head to Reece’s office and tell him right now. This wasn’t a little secret. This was Kate’s life, and he didn’t want to be responsible for it. Nope, he hadn’t signed up for that.

  “I’m not asking you to lie, Jess.”

  “Great, and in the meantime, you shouldn’t be riding.”

  “Says who?”

  “Anyone with eyes or a lick of common sense.” He shook his head, trying to sort everything out. “You aren’t even wearing a helmet.”

  “Okay, that is a valid point,” she said. “Next time, I’ll wear a helmet.”

  “No next time.” He narrowed his gaze and assessed her. “Did your brothers okay riding?”

  “I don’t need their approval. I’m not a kid anymore.” Kate’s lips became a firm line as she inhaled and exhaled in measured breaths. “Besides, it’s my horse.”

  “My stables.” He crossed his arms. For the first time in his life, he had the upper hand with Kate, and it wasn’t too bad a feeling. Except there was nothing to gloat about, because the woman was in a bad way and too stubborn to admit it.

  “I have to exercise Einstein.”

  “I’ll do that for you.”

  “I can walk him around,” Kate protested.

  “You prefer that I don’t handle your horse?”

  “I didn’t say that.”

  A cell phone buzzed, and he pulled his from his pocket. “It’s Reece. I’ve got a meeting in five minutes.”

  “Remember what you just promised.”

  “I didn’t promise anything, though I’ve got better things to do than report to your brothers what you’re up to.” He paused. “Unless it involves the livestock or the horses.”

  “They’re Rainbolt livestock and horses, which technically means they’re mine,” she said.

  If the situation wasn’t serious, he’d have himself a good laugh at that comment, but Jess knew if he gave Kate an inch, she’d take the entire horse and ride off on it. He weighed his response instead.

  “Technically, my first obligation is to Rebel Ranch.”

  “If you’re trying to get rid of me, it won’t work,” she huffed. “As soon as I can, I’ll be in this barn, managing the horses.”

  “Reporting to me until you ride off into the sunset again.”

  His response seemed to only infuriate her, though he wasn’t telling her something new.

  “I’m not the enemy,” he finally said after she’d fumed for a few minutes.

  She glared at him, clearly certain of the opposite.

  No, he wasn’t the enemy, but if Kate Rainbolt wasn’t going to be smart enough to take care of herself, he wasn’t going to just stand by and let her get hurt.

  Jess turned on his heel and left the stables, shaking his head. No way around it. His brain told him that Kate was trouble at every turn, and his heart agreed. Things were not going to end well.

  Chapter Three

  Jess stood outside the little house and hesitated. The last place he wanted to be was in the same room with Kate. Since their conversation on Monday, they’d had an unspoken pact to avoid each other. He’d seen her at a distance and made an effort to keep away from the stables, assigning Willard to monitor the equine staff.

  Kate was not only a danger to herself but also a danger to him on all levels. She was a long time from being healthy enough to handle the horses. He’d deal with that when it came up and prayed that for now, a house party was the sole thing that he had to worry about.

  The main reason he stood on her stoop tonight was because his bosses, all of them, had insisted. If the Rainbolts continued to multiply, he wasn’t sure how many people he would be taking orders from soon.

  He moved the gift in his left hand to his right and stared at the silver ribbon. His sister, Nicole, had assured him it was an “appropriate” housewarming gift, though he hadn’t actually asked her what it was. He assumed it was something from her pottery shop. Both he and Kate would be surprised when she opened it.

  The front door swung open, and he stared at Kate. This was the second time she’d surprised him before he’d had a chance to knock.

  “I thought you weren’t coming. Mitch just asked where you were.”

  He gave her a covert assessment. She wore snug dark slacks and a silky blouse with a scarf around her neck. The peachy colors suited the shiny dark hair that tumbled around her shoulders. His quick glance turned into an appreciative gaze, and he had to look away.

  “Are you coming in?” she asked.

  “Excuse me,” he asked, distracted. “What did you say?”

  “Mitch is looking for you.”

  “Yeah, right. Mitch. I’ll do the cursory walk around the room and leave. No worries.”

  “Jess. We’re both adults. It’s only a few hours. I think we can manage. After all, look how well we’ve avoided each other this week.” She paused. “Though I noticed your spy, Willard, checking on me when he thought I wasn’t looking.”

  She was right on all counts, though he wouldn’t admit it. Instead, he met her gaze.

  Kate smiled and pushed open the door. “Come on in. Your henchman is already here.”

  His lips twitched at her words. “This is for you.” Jess offered her the package, and their hands collided. Kate stepped back as if struck by an electric shock. The scarf around her neck slipped free and fell to the ground, and Jess sco
oped it up. He straightened and saw a crooked red suture line at her clavicle that the scrap of silk had hidden.

  It was all he could do not to reach out to touch her, but he was torn between anger and fear. That laceration had been much too close to her carotid artery.

  “Stop staring,” she murmured.

  “I can’t help it. An inch higher and...”

  “But it wasn’t an inch higher, and that’s what matters.” She circled the scarf around her neck and crossed the ends to cover up the suture line once again.

  “Kate, Franny told me.”

  When she sucked in a sharp breath, he realized what was going on. “Your brothers really don’t know how serious the accident was, do they?” he asked.

  “I don’t want to talk about it, Jess.”

  He wasn’t going to spoil the night, so he said nothing further, all the while recalling Franny Cox’s words. Kate had come much closer to death than she was ready to admit. He gave himself a mental shake, reminding himself that this was none of his business, hadn’t been for a long time, and his concern was misplaced.

  “What’s in the box?” Kate asked as he handed it to her again.

  “It’s a housewarming gift.”

  Kate’s eyes warmed, and her mouth turned up with a soft smile. “Thank you. I’m not sure why everyone keeps bringing me gifts. The prodigal daughter returns. Not exactly something to celebrate.”

  “Sometimes it’s not about us, though, is it?”

  She frowned and met his gaze. “Yes. You’re right.”

  “Careful there. You might make my head swell.”

  “I doubt that,” she said. “May I open this now?”

  “Yeah, sure.”

  As her fingers slid beneath the paper, he prayed his sister hadn’t let him down. Kate unfolded the flap of the white box inside the decorative wrapping and lifted one of two identical mugs from the tissue. The glazed stoneware was a rich shade of coral melding into black at the base.

  “These are lovely,” Kate breathed. She looked up at him. “Southwest colors too. I love them. Thank you.”

  “My sister has a small shop in town tucked next to the bookstore.”