The Bull Rider's Manager

by Lynn Collins

  Barb stood to greet them.

  “Jesse, guys, what are you doing here? You’re supposed to be riding in Montana this weekend.” Barb hugged each man in turn.

  Mike, the oldest rider, grinned. “We didn’t make the finals. So we thought we’d skip out early and come meet your new man.”

  Barb glanced at the sheepish looks on all four of their faces. “None of you made the finals?”

  “Believe me, it looked like we tried. Jesse had a hell of a ride, taking it just up to the buzzer before he brought his hand down and disqualified himself.” Mike slapped Jesse on the back. “The rest of us took a tumble, but this guy didn’t want to take a chance of getting hurt. The puss.”

  “You threw the competition just so you could be here?” Barb asked, focusing her attention on Jesse.

  “Now don’t be getting all mad, we all agreed we should be here to support you. Especially because of your mom.” Jesse stood in front of the other three, looking like a momma bear in front of her cubs. “Everyone needs family at times like this. And we may not be much, but we’re your family.

  “I think it’s the sweetest thing you guys have ever done for me.” Barb kissed each man on the cheek. Then stepping back, she grinned. “Of course, next weekend, I expect you all to place so we can recoup the loss we’re going to show for today.”

  “Well, at least one of us will.” Mike poked Jesse in the side.

  Barb felt Hunter’s hand on the small of her back. Protective, but not pushy. Like he was saying, I’m here if you need me. “Guys, meet Hunter Martin, my husband. Hunter, meet the guys who take up most of my summer with their problems.”

  Jesse held out his hand. “Nice to see you again. You guys should have told me you just got hitched. I would have found another shower.”

  “I’m sure you won’t make that mistake again,” Hunter responded, his voice cool.

  Barb watched the interaction. For a guy who knew this arrangement was short lived, Hunter sure was claiming her as his territory. She shook her head. Maybe guys couldn’t help it. “Come on guys, play nice.”

  “What are we playing?” Kati pushed in between Barb and Hunter. “Wow, are you guys real cowboys? I bet Claire would love to meet you.”

  “Who’s Claire?” Jesse squatted to be face to face with Kati.

  “She’s my riding instructor. She’s always saying it’s hard to find a real cowboy these days.” Kati looked up at Barb. “Claire says she dates a lot of wannabes.”

  “Well, maybe I need to meet this Claire. She as pretty as you?” Jesse pinched Kati’s cheek.

  Kati giggled.

  The man could charm a rattlesnake, Barb thought. She pushed Kati’s hair back out of her eyes. “Kati, these are the bull riders I work with.”

  “Miss Kati.” Jesse nodded to the little girl, then rose back to his 6'2" height. “You mind if we grab something to eat? We didn’t stop on the way, didn’t want to be late.”

  “Of course. There’s an open bar over there too.” Hunter pointed to the left. “I’m sure you should be able to find a woman or two who would grant you a dance in this crowd.”

  The men nodded then tipped their hats to Barb. As she watched them walk away, she muttered to Hunter, “You realize you just released the wolves into the chicken coop. Those girls don’t have a chance.”

  “As long as they stay away from my prize hen, I’m not concerned.” Hunter kissed the back of her hand then walked away with Kati to greet more newcomers.

  13

  The day was winding down. Barb watched as more of the guests dwindled out of the yard. One more hour and they’d be able to go home. Home. She thought of Hunter’s house as home. This play was getting a little too real for her tastes. Hunter was talking to his dad, Lizzie and James were slow dancing on the wood parquet floor, and Kati was showing off her dress to everyone. Barb’s bull riders were crowded around a table, each with a girl at their side. The guys didn’t waste time.

  “Great party,” Angel’s voice broke into her thoughts.

  Turning to greet the one person this entire show was developed for, she took in a sharp breath. Angel had a companion. Tall, dark, and good looking, the man stood in his jeans and button-down shirt, smirking.

  “You look great, Barbie.” His Texas twang as thick as ever.

  Barb’s stomach knotted. “What are you doing here?”

  “I wanted to meet the new husband. I think it’s my right, don’t you?” Kevin Flavin put his fingers in his belt loops and looked around the party. Raising his voice to be heard over the music, he said, “So where is the newest victim?”

  Barb felt Hunter’s hand before he even touched her shoulder. He stood over her. “I don’t think we’ve met.” Hunter’s voice was cool, commanding.

  “Wild Barbie didn’t tell you about me?” Kevin shook his finger at Barb, who was still rooted in her chair. “I’m the love of her life, the man she married and dumped in less than a month. Once she got what she wanted from me, that is.”

  Barb felt Hunter’s hand squeeze her shoulder. “Then maybe our wedding reception isn’t the most appropriate place for you to be right now.” Hunter’s words were calm, but his voice sounded threatening, almost a growl.

  Angel laughed. “Hunter, I can’t believe you’re being so rude to your guest. I invited Kevin to be my date today. Since he knows the bride so much better than either you or I.”

  “I think you should leave,” Jesse Sullivan’s voice broke through Barb’s silence. The words she’d wanted to say but couldn’t make her voice work. She felt trapped. She looked up at Jesse and realized all four of her guys were surrounding her and Hunter. A united front. Protecting her.

  “Barbie owes me a dance. We never danced at our wedding, did we?” Kevin reached for her hand. “We had more important things to do. Right, honey?”

  Barb pulled her hand out of Kevin’s grasp. His touch after all these years still made her feel dirty. Fear she hadn’t felt since she’d closed the door on this chapter of her life overwhelmed her. “Don’t touch me. I told you if you ever came back, you’d regret it.”

  “Now, honey, that sounds like a threat.” Kevin’s eyes gleamed and he took a step closer.

  That was all Jesse and the boys needed. All of a sudden, Kevin was being dragged out of the yard, two men on his arms and two with his legs.

  Angel smiled. “This isn’t over. I understand you are kind of a financial black widow. Marrying men just to get ahead in your career. What agreement do you have with Hunter, I wonder?”

  “Get out, Angel. And don’t expect to see Kati until the hearing. You’re not going to win.” Hunter stepped between Angel and Barb. “And take the trash you brought with you. I think the guys have dropped him off at the curb, where he belongs.”

  Angel looked around Hunter and caught Barb’s eyes. “Just remember, I get to present my side of the case too. And maybe you’re not the upstanding citizen you pretend to be. Believe me, missy, I can find enough people to testify that you’re just as bad as the trash you hang around with.”

  “Leave now, or I’ll call the cops.”

  “I’m going.” Angel smiled again. “For now.”

  Barb watched the woman literally skip out of the yard. The music had died down, the band was packing up, and the remainder of the guests had been watching their little show. Probably why Angel had waited to arrive, for maximum impact. She looked up at Hunter. “Look, we need to talk.”

  He turned toward her. His face hard, his eyes cold. “Not now. I don’t want to hear this now. Just make sure you’re at the hearing on Friday. You can stay at your mom’s, right?”

  “Hunter, that’s not fair. Kevin’s a piece of crap. He’s the man who wants to be the quarterback throwing the fourth down pass, winning the game. No matter that the trick fails nine-point-seven-five times out of ten. He thought he was that point-two-five percent in bull riding. Another Jesse, but without the work. I was just a stepping stone in his path to glory.”

  “None of that
matters right now. I just need to do some damage control before the hearing.” Hunter asked his question again. “You can stay at your mom’s?”

  “I take it I’m not welcome at your house?” Barb’s voice came out steadier than she’d thought.

  He glanced around at the crowd that still watched the bride and groom and lowered his voice to a whisper. “Seriously? You know I need you for the court hearing. And you give Angel the one thing that could blow up in my face. Without telling me there’s even a Kevin out there.” Hunter shook his head. “Kati can’t go live with that woman, no matter what I have to do to make sure I keep custody.”

  “But…” Barb started.

  Hunter cut her off. “I mean it, Barb. Just make sure your story is solid for the judge. I don’t even want to know if it’s true or just another lie.”

  “I’ll be at the hearing. But, Hunter, Kevin didn’t tell you the entire story.” Barb put her hand on her husband’s arm. Or her husband for now. The dream she’d been living had been destroyed by a past she couldn’t change.

  “Don’t. Just don’t.” Hunter shook off her hand then headed toward the bar. Kati met him halfway and he scooped the little girl up into his arms as they walked away.

  Barb sank into her chair as she watched her family disappear. She’d been a fool to think Hunter had any intention of continuing her tenure as Mrs. Martin past the hearing date. He’d been using her. Just like she’d used him to get her mom placed at Countryside. She felt a hand on her shoulder.

  Brushing back the tears she didn’t realize were falling, she looked up. Jesse stood there, concern for her on his face. “Bad day?”

  “The worst.” Barb glanced around the reception. “Where are James and Lizzie?”

  “They left just as we were dumping that piece of shit Kevin out on the driveway.” Jesse grinned. “I’m in charge of you.”

  “Excuse me?” Barb’s head was fuzzy from the champagne and the fight. She blew her nose on a napkin, patting her face dry. No more tears. Not now, not ever.

  “Lizzie went into labor. The twins are coming. I’m driving you to the hospital.” Jesse looked at her dress. “You have something a little more casual?”

  “Upstairs. Give me a second and I’ll be ready.” Barb let Jesse help her out of the chair and they walked together to the house. She turned for a second before she went through the door and saw Hunter watching her. Watching her leave with Jesse Sullivan.

  Hunter blinked first and turned back to the bar, a beer in his hand.

  14

  Hunter closed Kati’s bedroom door. Three bedtime stories later, and she was still questioning him about when Barb was coming home. He didn’t know how long the story Lizzie needed her help with the twins was going to hold water. He’d dropped off her suitcase at the hospital yesterday after receiving a call from Jesse.

  He’d been prepared to apologize, to at least see where her head was, to talk, but he hadn’t had the chance. Jesse had been waiting in the lobby to meet him.

  “Dude, she doesn’t want to see you.” Jesse’s tone was kind, and there was a touch of, what, sympathy, in the man’s eyes?

  “I screwed up. I just reacted when Kevin showed up.” Hunter shook his head. “I don’t know what we’re supposed to be. Who we’re supposed to be.”

  “Barb’s always been a hard nut to crack.” Jesse’s phone went off. “Look, I have to get back but this thing with Kevin wasn’t Barb’s fault. That lying sack of shit set her up to help his career. I wouldn’t doubt if he’d drugged her.”

  “You’re kidding me.” Anger flooded into Hunter’s body, his hands clenching involuntarily.

  “Nothing I can prove, just something I’ve heard from more than one of his past conquests. Barb had just quit as his manager. Then they show up the next morning married? I’m not the sharpest tool in the shed, but even I know a snow job.” Jesse’s phone buzzed again. “Look, I’ve got to go. The little guys are having some issues.”

  And with that, Jesse Sullivan took Barb’s overnight bag and turned and went into the hospital. Hunter had wanted to follow. Wanted to stand by Barb and help her through Lizzie’s pain, but it wasn’t his place. Hell, they were married, but he’d screwed up even the fake relationship they’d had.

  Sitting in the dark kitchen, a cup of coffee in his hand, he tried to replay the reception in his mind. Hunter wondered if Barb had felt the magic of the day like he had. Sunday, he’d been a newly married groom. And damned if he hadn’t planned on showing Barb that he wanted to continue their relationship long after the custody hearing was finalized. They’d felt like a family. The curve of her cheek when she laughed made him want to reach out and cradle her face in his hands.

  Then Angel had brought in Kevin to ruin the moment. And instead of Hunter taking the time to play knight in shining armor, he’d let Jesse Sullivan and the other rodeo crowd save Barb. He’d just stood there and let her disappear.

  The doorbell rang.

  Glancing at the wall clock, Hunter frowned. His dad wouldn’t show up after nine, especially on a weekday. Probably a neighbor kid.

  Swinging open the door, he was surprised to see a grinning Kevin Flavin. A very drunk Kevin, leaning against the wall of the entryway.

  “Is Barbie home?” Kevin leered around Hunter. “You two still playing house?”

  “What do you want?” Hunter’s voice was cold.

  “The girl owes me. I’ve come to collect. Especially since she’s come into some money.” Kevin opened his arms, motioning to the house. “That sister-in-law of yours wants to stiff me, won’t pay me what I deserve for my testimony, so I thought I’d give Barbs a chance to buy my services.”

  “Angel was paying you?” Hunter leaned against the doorway. This was getting better and better.

  “Not much. I told her I have expenses, but the witch just laughed. She said I could walk right now and the damage had already been done.” Kevin pulled up a half empty longneck bottle and took a sip. “She told me to go away.”

  Hunter thought about Jesse’s suspicions. “Kevin, did you drug Barb when she married you?”

  “Somebody’s been talking out of school.” Kevin’s eyes narrowed as he took a second swig of beer. “Ah, hell, it doesn’t matter now, does it? Barb was dead asleep when we were getting married. I found a stripper who was her double, except maybe in bed. Man, that girl was flexible. Of course, since Miss Priss wouldn’t let me do her, I can’t compare the two.”

  “You faked the wedding?”

  “Let’s say ‘staged.’ It sounds less criminal.” Kevin laughed. “Anyway, it doesn’t matter. Barb never believed me or the pictures. She passed me on to a new manager, got a quickie annulment, and never even calls on our anniversary.”

  “You’re lucky she didn’t press charges.” Hunter could smell the man now. Several days on this bender if the smell of alcohol and sweat could be measured.

  “Barb’s not like that. Besides, she liked me.” Kevin laughed. “So what do you say? You ready to give me a new offer?”

  “Get off my porch and leave town. Never come back.”

  Kevin nodded. “I can do that. What’s my cut?”

  “I won’t press charges for trespassing and fraud.” Man, Hunter wanted to deck the guy. He knew that if he hit the pathetic excuse for a man once and he might not be able to stop. Hurt him for the pain he’d caused Barb.

  Confusion filled Kevin’s face. “I don’t understand.”

  “I hope you didn’t spend all the money Angel gave you upfront, because you’re going to need enough to buy a bus ticket out of town. If I see you around here or bothering Barb again, I’m going to press charges. And make sure Barb does as well.” Hunter stared down the man standing on his porch.

  “You’re going to regret this.”

  “There’s a lot of things I regret, but kicking you off my property isn’t one of them.” Hunter pointed to the road. “I’ll give you till the count of ten to get walking.”

  Kevin stumbled off the porch. “No
one gives me a damn bit of respect anymore.”

  Hunter watched until Kevin reached the street. Then he lobbed the empty beer bottle toward the house, but the bottle landed short, in the middle of the yard.

  “Jerk,” Hunter muttered before closing the door.

  He’d let Angel get under his skin. He let her cast doubts in his mind about Barb. Doubts she didn’t deserve and he never should have expressed. And now she was gone.

  Hunter turned off the lights, checking the locks on the windows and doors. His momma didn’t raise no fool. Even though Kevin had appeared to walk off, it didn’t mean that the man wouldn’t double back.

  Hunter sat in the living room, lights off for a long time that night. Thinking about a future without worrying about a past.

  “Why don’t you come back to Shawnee with us?” Lizzie folded clothes into her bag from the closet of the small hospital room. “You look like you could use some sleep. You can have one of the cabins, and you may not even hear the boys cry at night.”

  Barb smiled, looking down at one of the twins she cradled in her arms. Robbie. She was kind of sure the baby she held was Robbie, but how Lizzie told the two boys apart, Barb still didn’t know. Alex slept, already in the car seat. “As tempting as that sounds, I think I’m going to stay in town for a while. I’m heading out with the boys on Friday and I’d like to spend as much time with Mom as possible.”

  Lizzie sank on the bed. “He’s not going to change his mind and come running to your side, apologizing for his bad behavior.”

  “Who?” Barb didn’t even look up.

  Lizzie sat on the bed and stared. “You know Kevin wasn’t your fault. Nothing that man says is true even when you ask him the time.”

  Barb stroked Robbie’s cheek, trying to keep tears from filling her eyes. “I let myself get in that situation. I trusted him.”