Rodeo Summer: A Camden Ranch Novel

by Jillian Neal

  “Because if I put J.J. back in the car seat or you try to put me back in that truck we’ll both pitch a big ol’ fit that’ll make you wish you hadn’t. Now go. I’ll be fine. I’m gonna make us dinner here. Look, we have a whole kitchen.” She gestured to the small-but-functional kitchen just inside the back door of the cabin.

  “All right, fine,” he tossed her the keys to the truck, “but I’ll walk. You take the truck. I don’t want you out wandering around by yourself. Sun’s down and town’s full of tourists.”

  “Yes, because cowboys, ranch families, and vendors selling Rice Krispy Treat balls covered in chocolate cleverly called ‘Wyoming Bison Balls’ are so intimidating. I’m a cowgirl, sweetheart. I don’t take any shit off of anyone. Never forget that. Although I will say, you offering to let me drive your truck is even more flattering than your offer to up and move us to the ranch. I know the deep affection cowboys have for their trucks.” She tossed the keys back to him.

  A grunt of frustration accompanied his eye roll. “Stubborn as hell, and damn if you don’t turn me on. Fine, but use this,” he thrust a credit card in her hand, “and don’t buy any of them bison balls. You want your mouth full of balls, I’ll take care of that as soon as I get back, darlin’. Open wide and use your tongue.”

  Before she could react to that, he popped a kiss on her head, then one on J.J.’s cheek, and headed out. Sighing, she laid his credit card on the table beside the bed. “I don’t need your money, Austin, and I’d probably get arrested for using a credit card without my name on it, anyway.” She spoke to the ether and to J.J., who was taking in his surroundings whilst gumming his fingers. “You ready to go, little man? There’s a little mercantile around here. It isn’t far. Wanna ride in your stroller?”

  Moving quickly, she set him on the western rug in the sitting area, popped open the stroller outside, then rushed back in to retrieve J.J before he could get into anything. The path leading back to the cabin check-in lodge was well lit and led directly to the main street teeming with people arriving for Frontier Days. Summer felt perfectly safe.

  Glancing back at the cabin, admiring the welcoming glow of the front porch lights she’d left on, she tried to sort through everything that had happened in the last three days. J.J. was cooing softly as they strolled. She grinned. What she wouldn’t give to just stop time right here, right now. Tucked up in a cozy cottage with Austin Camden claiming her as his, J.J. safely with them. No Brant, no Prestons, no Dallas, plenty of food, a nice warm bed, a shower whenever she wanted one, none of the problems that had plagued her for the last several months. But this isn’t real life. He’d seriously asked her to move in with him. Who does that after just three days? Austin.

  She wished she could be that confident about anything. Confidence like that had to come from not regretting most every decision you’d ever made, but how could he be so certain they could make this work? Didn’t he understand that J.J. would always have to come first? Her mind spun with all of the things that could go wrong, with meeting his family, getting to see Ekta, Austin riding several times over the next two weeks. It all staged a vicious uprising with that feeling of complete contentment she felt when she was in the little cabin with Austin and J.J. Neither side seemed willing to wave the white flag. She had no idea what she was going to do, or where she’d find herself at the end of Cheyenne.

  She was trying to enjoy it while it lasted, but worries plagued her constantly. What if his family didn’t approve of her? What if they got into some kind of big fight or something? Where would that land her? What if this all didn’t have a happy ending? Nothing else in her life ever had. She reminded herself of the last time she’d felt like she had the world on a string. Just a few years before, she’d been certain the Frontier Day barrel racing buckle was going to be hers. Not everything worked out just because you wanted it to. Austin was right about one thing, though: it did only take eight seconds for your life to completely change.

  “Hey, remember me? Your best friend since birth, the one you were supposed to let follow you to Cheyenne since I’m carrying half your crap in my truck, and the one that’s saved your ass more times than he can count?” Jackson whined as soon as Austin’s boots hit the gravel parking lot of the PBR tent area.

  “Damn, man, I’m sorry, I forgot. Little distracted lately, but it’s all good.”

  “Yeah, whatever. Let’s go grab something to eat once you have your papers.”

  “Can’t. Summer’s making me supper. Got plans tonight. I’ll catch up with you tomorrow, though. Family’s due in around lunch time.”

  “She’s cookin’ for you now? Damn, she must be some kinda good in bed for you to be playing house after just a few days.”

  “Think I’ll keep all that between me and my sheets, if it’s all the same to you. And I ain’t just playing. I’m thinking of making this a permanent thing. I know it’s quick, but …” He shrugged, not about to profess his feelings to Jackson.

  “You’ve clearly lost your fucking mind,” Jackson scoffed. “Scott said she used to be married to Brant Preston. Can’t believe your sucking up his sloppy seconds.”

  Unmitigated rage rocketed through Austin. He grabbed Jackson’s dirty t-shirt and jerked him forward. “Summer isn’t anyone’s sloppy seconds. She’s mine. You got that? If you don’t like it, you can fuck the hell off. I’m gonna let you remain standing upright because we used to be friends, and there’s three chicks over there making eyes at you like you’re a piece of prime-rib and they ain’t eaten in a while, but if you ever talk about Summer like that again, I’ll pound your pussy ass into the dirt and I won’t feel sorry for ya.”

  “Damn, Austin, what the hell is wrong with you? It’s like I don’t even know you anymore. What happened to you?”

  Letting the flare of his temper burn out, Austin made himself consider the question. “I don’t know, but some’um good. That’s all I can say. I don’t want it to end this time. Beyond that, I don’t know.” Bound and determined to get back to Summer, he headed inside the tent to get in line for his paperwork and instructions for the next two weeks.

  Jackson followed after him. “You gonna marry her?” bellowed from him.

  Refusing an answer, Austin’s eyes landed on none other than Summer’s illustrious ex and the team from Preston Cattle, in registering their bulls. Something had happened and Brant was scrambling too much to have paid attention to Jackson’s question … Austin prayed.

  “Bull did what we all want bulls to do, sir. I don’t know why you’re over here talking to me. Preston Cattle will pay for the loader’s emergency room trip,” Brant negotiated.

  “What the hell happened?” Austin let his momentary irritation with Jackson go.

  “Heard a loader got hooked just getting Dallas Devil in the trailers. He’s bad off. Bull’s mean as a striped snake, and something ain’t quite right with him. Starting to show some signs.”

  “You think they’re doping him?” Austin and Jackson both spoke through their teeth.

  “Don’t know for sure, but he’s ornery as all get out. Vet in Cody tried to tranq him so they could load him, didn’t do no good. I ain’t looking forward to fighting him, I’ll say that.”

  Three PBR reps weren’t taking Brant’s pandering. They moved in and talked faster. Shaking his head, Austin approached the line of folding tables where the Frontier Day reps were checking riders in.

  “Austin Camden,” he provided when the woman lifted her head from her paperwork to eye him.

  “Ah, yes, we’ve been anxiously awaiting your arrival, Mr. Camden. Good luck at Frontier Days. Your fans precede you. I’ve been asked all day long if you’d arrived.”

  Austin chuckled, not certain how to respond to that. His mind continued to whirl over what kinds of trouble could come Summer’s way if Brant was caught giving Dallas Devil steroids. The PBR didn’t mess around with shit like that. Preston and all of his blessed money could go down for it. He deserves whatever he’s got coming and more. So long as Brant
’s fallout didn’t implode near Summer and J.J., he didn’t give a damn. He’d take care of them. They didn’t need Brant’s money, and J.J. be better off without a father like that.

  The woman cleared her throat, regaining his attention. “All right, Mr. Camden, here are your practice times. The practice arena is about a mile that way.” She gestured south. “You’ll be doing two behind-the-chute tours. You’ll need to be on horseback tomorrow morning before sunup for the drive. Cowboys are meeting at the pasture north of Cheyenne on I-25. You can’t miss it. Parade is at 11:00. Your rides are listed there,” she pointed to the schedule she’d placed in his hands. You’ll be paired with your bull the morning of your rides and your draw will be available either here or at the PRCA tent after eight AM. Be sure not to miss the big pancake breakfasts. All of the concerts this year are in this brochure, riders and their dates get in free with your Frontier Days badge. There will be music and dancing at the Buckin’ A Saloon each night, along with the rides and fun on the carnival midway. You can purchase your armbands there. The first round of competition, the cinch shoot-out, is tomorrow night, but I’m betting you already knew that. Other than that, let us know if you need anything while you’re in Cheyenne.”

  “Thanks. Will do.” Austin tipped his hat to the woman while keeping his eye on Brant standing outside of the tent. He must’a talked his way out of the suspicions about Dallas Devil. Seemed to Austin that Preston was biding his time waiting on someone. Didn’t take a genius to figure out who that might be.

  “You smell trouble? Cause I sure as hell smell trouble,” Jackson huffed. “Better thank your lucky stars that I’d rather fight Brant than you, after your spouting off a few minutes ago.”

  “Yeah, yeah, okay, I’m sorry I threatened you, but keep your mouth shut about Summer. She means something to me.”

  “Yeah, okay, fine. Just don’t turn into some kinda pussy-whipped puppy for her. At least not before you win the buckle this year, okay?”

  “You got it. Now, should we just assume he’s gonna be a prick and go ahead and beat the shit outta him, or should we hear him out first?”

  “Better hear him out since you got PBR reps all over the place.”

  They headed out of the tent. Brant narrowed his beady eyes and sauntered closer, leaving less than five feet between them. Austin’s biceps flexed of their own accord. Jackson, who’d always loved to fight ever since they were kids, chuckled and gave Brant a gleeful grin.

  “You seem to think you have something that rightfully belongs to me, Camden.” The inevitable and idiotic words that were supposed to fuel Austin’s rage spewed from Brant’s stupid mouth. The cool night air between them weighted with tension.

  Laughing at him outright, Austin smirked. “Two things wrong with your dumbass thought processes, Preston.”

  “Only two?” Jackson feigned shock.

  “True. Okay, two things wrong with your attempt at getting me to fight your sorry ass. First off, women don’t belong to anyone but themselves unless they say otherwise, but I get that concept is probably over your head. Secondly, seems to me that since I’m the one with her in my bed, you’ve got very little left to lose. Since I’m not stupid enough to jump in a fight that might cost me something, why don’t you take your pansy ass on back to Dallas? You aren’t worth the gunpowder it’d take to blow you to hell. Get your mama to lick up your wounds for you. I don’t have to fight you for her. It’s always lady’s choice, and she chose me.”

  “You scared, Camden?”

  “Aww, come on, Austin, he’s asking for it,” Jackson jeered.

  “I don’t do scared, Preston, but I’m also not a dumbass. I take good care of what’s mine. Beating you seven ways from Sunday, while enjoyable as fuck, just ain’t worth it.”

  Before another round of quips could be exchanged, Scott and Clifton approached, eyeing everyone cautiously. “Everything okay, Austin?” Scott turned and stared Brant down. Seemed if it came to blows, Minton would step up on Austin’s account.

  “Yeah, Brant’s just got his panties in a wad. Needs to simmer down.”

  “Sounds like a plan.” Clif huffed. “Get out of here, Brant. You’re both grown men. I don’t have to guess what this is about. We may be in Cheyenne, but this ain’t the wild, wild west. Divorce papers are about the biggest sign of closure you could ever ask for.”

  Shocked and impressed, Austin couldn’t help but smile. Brant rolled his eyes, mumbled something about it not being over, and headed toward the Buckin’ A Saloon.

  “Truce?” Scott offered Austin his hand.

  “You got it, and thank you. Nothing’s changed where we’re concerned. I may have a girl I’d like to keep, but I’m gonna get Minton that buckle.”

  “We got greedy, and we’re sorry. Here, thought you might like this.” Scott held up a small, navy blue onesie about J.J.’s size. The image on the front was of a bull rider. Camden was imprinted over the bull, and Minton Chaps was on the back. He handed off a matching baseball cap and two matching t-shirts for Summer. Clif added a pair of toddler Wranglers.

  “Little small for me.” Austin laughed.

  “Have a feeling you wouldn’t mind Summer’s little cowboy wearing this tomorrow night. My wife picked it out. I have two kids, still don’t know how to buy baby clothes,” Scott allowed.

  “I appreciate it. They’ll be there rooting me on. Family’s coming in, too. Should be fun.”

  “Please tell Summer she’s welcome in the Minton box if she doesn’t want the baby down at the chutes, and we look forward to meeting your folks. We’re all doing the cattle drive tomorrow morning, so we’ll see you then.” Clif offered them a wave before he and Scott headed back the direction they’d came. Austin folded the baby clothes up and surveyed the first night of Frontier Days. By tomorrow evening, the arena would be jam-packed with people waiting to see who made it through the first round of competitions, attending concerts, riding the midway rides, and enjoying their vacations. Half the competition field would be cut on the first night. Austin could hardly wait.

  “What are you gonna do about Brant? You know he ain’t gonna back down. Guys like that have their heads shoved so far up their ass all they can do is spew shit,” Jackson commented when Scott and Clint were out of ear shot.

  “No joke. As long as he doesn’t come anywhere near Summer or J.J. he can keep right on being a shit fountain. I don’t give a damn. He wants to tangle with me, I’ll show him the stupidity of taking on a bull rider.”

  “Let me know if you need my help. You know I’ll back you up. But, uh, those girls that were out here before we went in the tent are still over there, so I’m gonna see if they might like someone to show ‘um around Cheyenne.”

  “You have a four-way tonight, I am gonna wanna hear about it,” Austin called.

  “Finally, a you I recognize. I thought she’d done you in, man.” Jackson waved and headed off towards the girls smiling at him rather ostentatiously.

  Traffic was at a standstill as he attempted to make his way back to the ranch cabins. Allowing his mind to spin while he pumped the brakes anxiously, he worked through how he could possibly have fallen for Summer Sanchez so quickly. Clearly, it was serious enough that Brant was up in arms, and both Scott and Clint recognized something was different. They’d seen him take more than one bunny to his hotel room in the last few months, and they’d never said a word. Since Austin couldn’t recall any of their names, he wasn’t shocked.

  If he were being completely honest, he’d admit that he’d had a thing for Summer Sanchez since he’d first seen her ride four years ago. He hadn’t had the courage to chat her up after the rodeo that night, but things were different now. So, the odds weren’t in their favor. Didn’t have to ride bulls long to know that odds meant nothing. He’d figure a way to make this work. Nothing else was even an option in his book. She was too good to ever give up.

  Dropping by the drug store on his way, he picked up some lube, two more boxes of condoms, along with a new toothbrush
, some razors, and a small stuffed animal calico horse for J.J. to play with.

  When he finally made his way back to the cabin and rushed inside, the sight before him filled his heart as much as it swelled his cock. He doubted their neighbors would appreciate the music volume, but he couldn’t have cared less. The empty recess that had been his life a week before disappeared completely. He stopped and stared as Summer stood at the small oven, a spatula in her hand over a sizzling skillet. She was rocking her hips back and forth to the beat of Miranda Lambert belting out Gunpowder and Lead on the radio.

  Damn, damn, damn, if that wasn’t a sight he’d donate his left nut to come home to every single day of his life, he didn’t know what was. Her short-shorts were hugging her sexy ass, and the tank top she was wearing didn’t quite conceal the hickeys he’d left on her shoulder. Her hair was pulled up in a messy ponytail, with a few wayward strands playing on the nape of her neck as she swayed. She was the epitome of perfection. J.J. was seated in his portable highchair at the table, singing along nonsensically in between his Cheerio consumption.

  Silently moving through the sitting room, he set the drug store bag on the table and slid in behind Summer. She startled and gasped, making him laugh.

  “Keep dancin’, darlin’.” His hands grasped her hips, and laughing with him, she started to sway more provocatively. “Hot as hell and all mine.” He took another nip at her shoulder and swayed with her before he grasped those luscious tits and massaged.

  She spun in his arms, delight consuming her entire being, as his grasp travelled from her tits to her ass. “You think you can just grab whatever you want, cowboy?” she flirted shamelessly.

  “Hell yeah, I do, and don’t pretend you don’t like it.”

  “I do like it.” She leaned up on her tiptoes, and Austin sank his lips to hers in a kiss that could’ve set then entire cabin ablaze. When they broke apart, she spun back to the ground beef, peppers, and onions she was cooking. Refried beans were in a skillet beside the frying pan.