Her Last Chance Cowboy

by Tina Radcliffe

  Hannah’s brows shot up and her eyes rounded. “That’s your issue, not mine. And in case you haven’t noticed, we’re already working together.”

  A knock on the door had both of them turning to see Travis Maxwell. “What are you two talking about?”

  “The 100-Day Mustang Challenge,” Hannah said.

  “We weren’t talking. She was.”

  “You finally going to do it, Tripp?” Travis offered an enthusiastic grin.

  “One of these days,” he groused. Because he sure wasn’t going to let a bossy thing like Hannah Vincent push him into anything.

  “Why not now?” Travis asked.

  “’Cause I don’t have anything to prove. I train horses all the time.”

  “Tripp, you’re not going to stay with us forever. I know that. This might be a good way to get your name out there and get you on your way to your own horse training facility. You used to talk about doing that all the time.”

  Tripp frowned, his mind taking a cautious detour to consider Travis’s words. Used to was a long time ago. What had happened to his dreams along the way?

  “I don’t know,” Tripp finally said.

  “Come on. I know I could talk Lucy into the idea. Let Big Heart Ranch help you. You’ve helped us. You worked for us when we could barely pay you.”

  “Where would we put a wild horse?”

  “We’ll clear the old barn and set up a dedicated round pen for training.”

  “And the prize money?” Tripp asked.

  Travis raised his hands. “Hey, that’s all yours. The ranch is a charity. We won’t touch your winnings.”

  Silence stretched for moments as Tripp battled with the idea of change. The terrifying idea of change. His life was a steady, predictable ride right now. Why look for trouble?

  “I’ll think about it,” he finally said.

  “Think hard. When the door opens, you have to walk through. Big Heart Ranch didn’t get to be where it is without us stepping out in faith.”

  Tripp cleared his throat, eager to change the topic. He met Travis’s gaze head-on. “Did you have something on your mind when you stopped by?”

  “I came to tell Hannah that Lucy scheduled an appointment with the lab in Tulsa for them two weeks from now. Soonest she could fit it in. Lucy’s schedule is tight this time of year.”

  “Why can’t you or Emma go to the lab with her?” Tripp asked.

  “I can’t go because female-to-female DNA comparison yields a more accurate result. Emma can’t go because Lucy is a helicopter sister. She still thinks she’s in charge of me and Emma.”

  “I guess so,” Tripp murmured.

  “Thank you,” Hannah said. When Travis left, she turned to Tripp again. “That was a confirmation.”

  “A what?”

  “A confirmation. You know, a sign that you should enter the challenge.”

  Tripp looked her up and down. The woman was a sassy thing for a stranger who’d only arrived a few days ago.

  “You don’t even know if you’ll be here in one hundred days,” he returned.

  Though her eyes said she was dumbstruck by his bold statement, her mouth kept moving. “You don’t believe I’m related to the Maxwells, do you?”

  Tripp raised both hands. “I don’t know what to believe.” Though he tried not to judge, there was a part of him that had already stamped the woman’s card and dismissed her.

  “I am, and I’m willing to stick around to find out if it will help Clementine.”

  “Help Clementine?”

  Hannah offered a shrug. “We could use a little nest egg to start over.”

  “The prize money?”

  “Sure. Why not? If I make it possible for you to train, maybe it would be worth some of the purse.” The flush of her cheeks told him that her words were all bravado.

  “What makes you think I’m going to win?” Tripp asked.

  “I’ve seen you with the horses.” She paused. “I know a winner when I see one.”

  He nearly laughed aloud. “So what kind of split are we talking about here?” he asked.

  “Fifty-fifty.”

  Tripp released a scoffing sound. “In your dreams, lady. I’m the trainer and I’m paying for fees and feed and everything else out of my pocket.”

  “Sixty-forty?”

  “More like seventy-thirty, and you have a deal.” The words slipped from his mouth before he could take them back. What was he thinking, making a pact with a pregnant single mother who might very well prove to be a seasoned con artist? His mouth hadn’t run off on him in years. Yet here he was, with his good sense galloping away.

  “I, um...”

  Despite his misstep, Hannah seemed reluctant to commit, and that stuck in his craw. Was she having second thoughts about his ability to win the challenge?

  “What’s the problem?” he asked. “Your bravado seems to be fading the closer it gets to the chute.”

  “Seventy-thirty?” She shook her head in disagreement.

  “Are you telling me that you couldn’t start over with fifteen thousand dollars? If you can’t, then you’re doing it all wrong, my friend.”

  “We aren’t friends,” Hannah said. Then she stood and walked over to his desk. She offered him her hand, and he stared at it for a moment before accepting the handshake.

  “Deal,” she said.

  Tripp stared at her small hand in his.

  The day had started off like any other. In a heartbeat, everything was sideways. He’d agreed to the 100-Day Mustang Challenge and was seriously thinking about a future that didn’t include the Maxwells.

  Was he ready to move on from Big Heart to start his own business? The thought left him as nervous as a heifer about to give birth. Tripp offered a silent prayer, knowing this was going to take a real step of faith and no doubt bigger boots than he had on.

  Chapter Four

  “I don’t understand why Clementine couldn’t come with us,” Hannah said. About now, she was feeling like her daughter on the downside of a temper tantrum. Being stuck in a truck cab with Tripp Walker for three hours and seven minutes one way might be the reason.

  She stared out the passenger window of Tripp’s pickup at the Oklahoma countryside. Today the view had easily earned the name Green Country. Only minutes ago, cedar elm and bald cypress trees graced the emerald green lawns of residential properties they passed when they detoured from the highway to a small town for beverages and a rest stop.

  Tripp adjusted his sunglasses and rolled down his window a bit to let in the morning breeze. “The Bureau of Land Management station in Pauls Valley is not a place for children.”

  “If this is because of that incident with the feed yesterday, I said it was an accident. We’ve had a discussion about going into the stalls alone,” Hannah protested. “Clementine understands.”

  Tripp held up a hand. “Not insulting your child, Momma. She’s as smart as a dozen five-year-olds put together. Most kids are naturally curious. Your daughter is all that ratcheted up to Mach four.”

  Hannah grudgingly admitted that even though he’d only known Clementine a week, his assessment was spot-on.

  He shot her a sideways glance. “You didn’t have to come with me.”

  “Of course I did. This is my future. I’m so excited I could barely sleep last night.”

  “Then try to relax. Clementine is having a great time with Lucy’s triplets.”

  “Lucy has four children already.”

  “She loves kids. More importantly, everyone loves Clementine.”

  “They do?” Hannah’s spirits lifted at the unexpected words.

  “Yeah. You haven’t noticed? Your daughter brings out a smile wherever she goes.”

  “Thank you,” Hannah said softly. She glanced at the cowboy out of the corner of her eye. “That was a real
ly nice thing to say.”

  “Wasn’t trying to be nice. Those are the facts.” Tripp offered his usual shrug as he checked both ways before easing back onto Interstate 35. When the truck hit a bump, the empty horse trailer behind them rattled. “Besides, six hours round-trip is no fun for a kid.”

  Hannah conceded that he was right on that count as well, though being without her daughter for this long was new territory and a bit scary. Maybe she was a helicopter mother, but for good reason. She’d been raised by a series of nannies and a judgmental grandmother. Hannah was determined Clementine would know her mother and feel unconditionally loved at all times.

  After the first hour, Hannah got used to the silence that stretched between her and Tripp in the truck, and she relaxed. He apparently liked it quiet as much as she did. The radio was off and whenever she sneaked a peek at his profile, she found him focused on the road as if thinking very hard.

  What was going on in the man’s head? It was hard to say, and she’d already figured out that he wasn’t going to give her more words than absolutely necessary.

  She peeked at his profile again. With his hat tipped back and his eyes locked on the road, he seemed unnecessarily attractive. Perhaps more so because he had little regard for superficial things like appearances.

  “I hope we find a good horse,” Hannah finally spoke into the silent truck cab.

  “Yeah, except that’s not how it works. You get what you get.”

  “What do you mean? I thought we’d be able to pick the horse we spend one hundred days training.”

  “Not unless we participate in the auction.” He shook his head. “And that’s not going to happen. Doesn’t make sense to spend money bidding on a horse that’s going to be auctioned off again in one hundred days. Nope. We’ll do things like everyone else. What we get is what we train. That’s the real challenge.”

  “That certainly doesn’t seem fair.”

  “It’s not about fair.” He shot her a quick look. “And I’m guessing by now you realize life isn’t fair.”

  She pulled her denim jacket close and frowned. “It doesn’t mean I have to like it.”

  “This challenge is all about the big picture. Come September, the horses will be adopted.”

  Cocking her head, she turned to look at him. “How many is that, exactly?”

  “Close to three thousand.”

  Hannah leaned back against the seat. “I had no idea.”

  “There are about sixty thousand horses being held in Bureau of Land Management facilities across the United States.”

  Stunned, Hannah opened her mouth and closed it again.

  “Truth is, I’m glad you lassoed me into this challenge. It’s about time I gave back.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah.” Once again, he looked at her. “Don’t read anything into that.”

  “No. Of course not.” Hannah directed her gaze out the window at the highway signs. Chickasha. Anadarko. Shawnee. Seminole.

  “Native American names,” she murmured.

  “What?” His gaze followed hers to the signs. “Yeah. Chickasha, Shawnee and Seminole are tribal names. Anadarko is headquarters for a good many tribal nations.”

  “Have you lived around here all your life?”

  Tripp nodded. “Rumor has it that my great-grandfather on my mother’s side was from the Osage Nation.”

  “Rumor?”

  “I don’t have any family left to verify that information.”

  “Oh. I’m so sorry.” She lifted a hand in gesture. “I was just making conversation. I didn’t mean any offense.”

  “Why would I be offended?”

  “I just thought... Never mind.” Hannah paused. “I don’t have any family, either.”

  “No one at all?”

  “No,” she said. “My grandmother raised me.”

  “And you drove all the way here from Colorado.”

  Hannah stiffened at the question. How many times did she have to explain before he believed her? “Actually, I drove all the way from Missouri by way of Colorado. They’re holding my job in case I decide to come back.”

  “I guess you were pretty good if they’re holding your job. What did you do? Some kind of cook, right?”

  “Yes. I was the head cook at a very popular twenty-four-hour diner in Dripping Falls, Missouri.” She glanced at him. “And yes, I am a really good cook. Plus, I was in great demand during tax season for my mathematical skills.”

  He said nothing for minutes, clearly not impressed by her résumé. Yes, right, she wasn’t, either. She had graduated from an Ivy League school at the top of her class so she could be a short-order cook. A total waste of time, energy and tuition.

  “Dripping Falls,” Tripp mused. “Population three thousand and twenty on a good day. Two stoplights and a one-way street around the center of town.”

  “How could you possibly know that?” Hannah asked. She was dismayed that he’d been checking on her.

  “I caught a glimpse of your paperwork. Got curious and looked it up.” He spared her a glance, clearly holding back a smile. “Seriously? Dripping Falls?”

  “Despite the name, it’s a very nice town.”

  He nodded as though considering her words. “You’re a jill-of-all-trades, aren’t you?”

  “I suppose that’s one way of looking at it. I have a daughter to consider so I’ll do whatever I have to do to make ends meet for her.”

  “Her daddy?”

  “You certainly ask a lot of questions,” Hannah shot back.

  “Just making conversation. I guess that’s a sore subject.”

  “Not at all. I have nothing to hide.” She fiddled with the brass snap on her jacket. “Clementine doesn’t really know her daddy well. His loss.”

  “That I can agree with,” Tripp murmured.

  A half a mile down the road, he turned on his signal and nodded his head toward the right.

  Hannah read the sign at the entrance. Bureau of Land Management Horse and Burro Adoption Center. “This facility doesn’t look like much,” she observed.

  “Twelve pastures and four hundred acres of land. They’ve got six hundred animals they’re holding before they’re moved east or west to adoption centers. Lots of controversy about the land and the animals that roam wild and free. But we’re not getting into that today.”

  She glanced around. Several other rigs with trailers were parked in the facility parking area and a line of people had formed outside a small building.

  “What do we do now?” Hannah asked.

  “Pick up our registration packet over there and then they’ll pull our horse for us.”

  “That’s it?”

  “That’s it. I registered us for the challenge online.”

  “Us?” She blinked at the comment.

  “Both of our names are on those forms.” Tripp eased the truck into a parking spot and turned off the engine.

  “I don’t have any credentials.”

  “You were added as the assistant trainer, based on my recommendation.”

  “You don’t even know me.”

  “Nope.” He met her gaze before he jumped down from the cab. “So you better not prove me wrong and ruin my reputation.”

  “Yes, sir.” Hannah carefully eased down from the truck before Tripp could come around and assist her.

  Once Tripp locked the truck and headed toward the registration area, Hannah realized she’d have to walk twice as fast to keep up with his long strides.

  The line moved quickly. They picked up their paperwork and moved over to the main corral where at least forty horses raced around the giant metal circular pen, grunting and whinnying. A few rambunctious ones kicked at the pole fencing and the sound of hooves hitting metal rang into the morning air. Beautiful animals, strong and filled with pride, waited restless
ly for their futures to be decided.

  Hannah stared at the sight for a long minute while Tripp handed his receipt with the horse’s number to the cowboy manning the loading chute.

  “You got a good one,” the cowboy said with a laugh. “We nicknamed her Calamity Jane.” He pointed to an animal with a copper-red coat and dark brown-and-copper mane, about fourteen hands, who edged closer to the gate latch. “That’s her. Five-year-old sorrel mare. Good-natured animal.”

  “Calamity Jane? Why’s that?” Hannah asked.

  “Oh, she’s smart. Too smart. Couple of times she tried to jump the fence.”

  “That’s a ten-foot fence,” Tripp said.

  “Tried being the operative word.” He chuckled. “Failing that, she got her mouth on the gate latch during the night. Given a little more time, I do believe she might have opened the pen.”

  “Calamity Jane,” Tripp murmured with a smile.

  “Yeah, she’s something special.” The cowboy nodded. “Back your rig up and we’ll get her loaded.”

  Hannah guided Tripp with hand signals as he steered the trailer until the entire rig was backed up to the loading chute. She raised her palms, and the vehicle stopped.

  Tripp got out, jumped the fence and unlatched the trailer, opening the doors wide before he jumped back out of the chute and away from the horses.

  Hannah’s gaze followed the cowboy in the holding pen as he encouraged Jane toward the narrow chute.

  “Ya!” the cowboy called out, urging Calamity Jane toward the trailer.

  For a moment the horse stopped as if in slow motion and turned to the left, the chocolate eyes searching. When her gaze connected with Hannah’s, the mare moved closer to the fence. Hannah raised her hand, flat palm up. She was far enough back to stay safe, but her gesture caught the horse’s attention. Jane sniffed curiously.

  “Well, I’ll be,” the cowboy murmured. “I’ve never seen anything like that from these mustangs.”

  The horse blinked and then shook her head, tossing her mane back and forth as if breaking a spell.

  “Ya. In you go,” the cowboy said from his perch on the fence. The sound of hooves on the trailer floor told them Calamity Jane was tucked inside.