When a Cowboy Loves a Woman

by Maggie Carpenter

  “Okay,” she sighed closing her eyes. “You’re my hero.”

  Stepping back into the bedroom, he called down to the kitchen and placed his food order, then rang the barn.

  “Tim Colson.”

  “Tim, it’s Caden. How are the horses?”

  “We toweled them off real well, then put on their blankets and put them in their stalls. They seem fine, both eatin’ real good.”

  “Thanks, Tim. I know Richard will want to talk to you, and I do as well. I want to know exactly what happened.”

  “I’ve already talked to Richard and I’m meetin’ up with him in a little while. If you’re not busy, you should join us if you can.”

  “Good suggestion. I will, but one quick question.”

  “Go ahead.”

  “Did Bridget overreact?”

  “Hmm, well, she was in an impossible situation. If she hadn’t done what she did and let Jane do whatever she’d wanted, Heather Chadwick would probably have ended up tryin’ to ride a horse that was too much for her, and we all know how that can end.”

  “Thanks, Tim. I’ll talk to you later.”

  Finally able to pull off his own soaked clothes, Caden began to undress.

  I’ll take a shower after the doc has come and gone. If there’s one way to put someone in touch with their heart, it’s a drama. I knew I loved you, Bridget, but I didn’t realize how much. Screw the flowers. I know exactly what I’m gonna give you.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  The kitchen sent up a bowl of tomato-basil soup and a grilled cheese sandwich for them both, along with a pot of tea and a carafe of coffee. Bridget devoured both the sandwich and soup, washing down her meal with two cups of tea. The storm had caused a problem with the roads, but the doctor finally arrived, and after a thorough check-up Bridget was told she’d suffered no concussion. There were, however, many scrapes and abrasions that needed tending, especially on her hands and the side of her face.

  Caden sat quietly as the doctor set about his work, deeply disturbed by the entire incident. Jane’s arrogance was beyond measure. If what Tim told him was true, he didn’t blame Bridget one bit for what she’d done, but he still had questions.

  “There you are, young lady,” the doctor said rising from the side of the bed. “All your wounds are superficial, but they’re going to be sore for the next few days. Make sure you keep them clean and dry. You should change the bandages in forty-eight hours. Aspirin or ibuprofen as you need it.”

  “Thanks so much, Doctor,” she murmured. “I feel a bit strange.”

  “You’ve been through a trauma and you need to rest. Tomorrow you’ll probably find some new aches and pains, but that strange feeling should be gone.”

  Caden walked him to the door, thanking him profusely for driving through the storm.

  “I’m just glad there was nothing serious. She must have rolled over some branches. All those abrasions wouldn’t have come from a simple fall.”

  “That occurred to me as I watched you patch her up and saw the extent of them,” Caden agreed.

  “Make sure she gets plenty of rest.”

  “I will. It’s still nasty out there. Maybe you should stick around until it lets up a bit. They have wonderful coffee and desserts here. Please, order what you want and put it on my tab.”

  “That’s not necessary,” the doctor smiled, “but thank you for the offer, though I just might have a little something before I hit the road.”

  Closing the door behind him, Caden moved across and sat on the bed, staring at the many scrapes across the side of her face.

  “How did you get so many scratches, darlin’?”

  “I don’t remember.”

  “You say you got off for some reason, do you remember what that reason was? Do you know why you went into the woods?”

  “Why did I go into the woods? Let me think. I remember finding the trail that would loop me around. I’d seen it from the arena.”

  “Ah, I thought you might have.”

  “I started down. It was cold, and it was starting to rain. I remember thinking the storm would be on me soon, and then…something happened. Darn it, I can’t picture it.”

  “It’ll come back to you,” Caden said reassuringly. “I think it’s time you got some rest. I’m gonna jump in the shower real quick, then go down and to talk to Richard.”

  “Caden, are you mad at me?”

  “No, darlin’, no, of course not. Tim told me what happened. He saw the whole thing, I am curious though, why you didn’t just ride into the arena. Why did you head up into the hills?”

  “That’s what I wanted to do, go into the ring, but when I got close I saw the gate was closed and I was afraid to get off.”

  “Because you were worried Jane would come runnin’ up and you’d get into another scene.”

  “Exactly, so I went up to the other end, but that gate had a chain and a padlock around it. That’s when I figured I’d just ride up the hill and come back around. What about Jane? Have you seen her? She’s such a horrible person. How could she be working here? I don’t understand it.”

  “That’s what I intend to find out,” Caden frowned. “I’m gonna go take that shower and you need to go to bed.”

  “I don’t need to be told twice,” she yawned slowly standing up. “Wow, listen to that rain.”

  “It’s a helluva storm,” Caden remarked, and putting his arm around her, he walked with her into the bedroom, took off her robe, and helped her into bed.

  “I have to tell you about Heather and Jeff Ludlow,” she yawned.

  “It can wait,” he said pulling the bedcovers over her.

  “I think her mother drugged Jeff, sprawled him out on a hotel bed, then had his picture taken with a half-naked woman and sent it anonymously to Bridget.”

  “Unbelievable,” Caden muttered.

  “I told you it was a story,” she said yawning again. “I don’t know if I’m right yet. Heather was going to call Jeff today, but I haven’t talked to her, uh, obviously.“

  “That’s enough now,” Caden said firmly. “Got to sleep. That’s an order.”

  “Yes, Sir,” she mumbled.

  Closing her eyes, Bridget felt the heavy fatigue move through her body. Her knee was hurting, as were the cuts on her hands and face, but they didn’t prevent her from drifting into sleep. The last thought that floated through her mind was Caden, and how grateful she was that he’d found his way back into her life.

  Stepping into the bedroom after his shower, Caden found her already asleep, and quietly dressing, he tiptoed from the room and softly closed the door. Standing at the living room window, he stared out at the tumult. The wind was whipping the trees, the rain was pounding, and he decided to make a quick call to his ranch before heading off to talk to Richard.

  “Everything’s fine here, Caden,” his foreman said. “Crazy ass storm though.”

  “How’s Patty and the foal?”

  “No problems. Glad you got back safe. We’ve been hopin’ you’d call.”

  “Better check all the fencin’ once this thing passes.”

  “Yep, we will. You relax, everything here is under control.”

  Hanging up the phone, Caden felt a new appreciation for his crew. Most of them had been with him for several years, and each of them was an outstanding horseman, and as honest as any man could be.

  “How the hell did a woman like Jane end up workin’ for Richard?” he muttered. “I’ve gotta get to the bottom of this.”

  Walking briskly out the door, he headed down the stairs and turned down the hallway, but as he passed Celeste’s office, he saw her door was open so he poked his head around. She was on the phone, but signaled for him to sit down.

  “Yes, Mrs. Chadwick, I’ll have your bill sent up first thing in the morning. Yes, the Range Rover will be outside waiting at ten. You’re welcome, and we’re sorry you’re leaving us prematurely. Yes, Mrs. Chadwick, goodbye.”

  “Heather and her mother are leavin’?” Caden as
ked. “They just got here.”

  “Not Heather and her mother, just her mother,” Celeste answered. “Close the door.”

  Intrigued, Caden shut the door, and quickly returned to his seat.

  “How’s Bridget?” Celeste asked. “I’ve been concerned, though I ran into Doctor Peters and he said she’d be fine.”

  “She will be, but she’s got cuts all over her hands and face,” Caden replied, “and she can’t remember what happened.”

  “Huh, well, it will come to her, I’m sure. Give it time.”

  “What were you going to tell me about the Chadwicks?”

  “Oh, yes. Just before Mrs. Chadwick called to say she was leaving, you’ll never guess who called to say he’d be arriving tomorrow.”

  “Jeff Ludlow,” Caden said with a wide grin.

  “Jeff Ludlow,” Celeste repeated, “and he said he didn’t care if he had to sleep in a tent, he wanted a reservation.”

  “Let me guess. You’re givin’ him Mrs. Chadwick’s suite. How’s that for irony?”

  “Amazing, huh? I’d love to know what that’s all about,” she said rolling her eyes.

  “Things have a way of gettin’, out,” Caden grinned. “I’m sure you’ll know soon enough. Do you know if Richard is in his office?”

  “He is, and he’s asked me to join him for a meeting with Tim.”

  “I need to be there too. It’s about what happened with Bridget, but I have some questions about Jane outside of this whole fiasco.”

  “He wants to find out exactly what happened,” Celeste said, “and talk to Tim about the barn in general.”

  “Let’s go in then,” Caden said rising to his feet.

  Walking the short distance to Richard’s office, they knocked and entered, and discovered Tim was already there.

  “Caden, I was just about to track you down. Celeste, good, please sit down. All right Tim, we’re all here. Please tell us exactly what happened this morning.”

  “I don’t need to,” he replied reaching into his pocket and retrieving his phone. “I recorded the whole thing.”

  Starting the video for the very surprised trio, he placed his phone on Richard’s desk, and they leaned in to watch the event unfold. When it reached the point where Bridget rode away, Celeste and Richard sat back to consider the drama they’d just seen and heard. Caden, though, kept watching, and as the video continued, he caught something else.

  Isn’t that interestin’. You’re a real conniver, aren’t you, Jane?

  “You need to hear this bit comin’ up,” Tim declared interrupting his thoughts. “My phone was sittin’ on the shelf so there’s nothin’ to see, but the audio is all you need.”

  There was a blip, then a fresh recording started, replaying Tim’s conversation with Jane inside the barn.

  I’ve often wondered why you stay here?”

  Why do you think? To nail a rich bastard, of course. Where else am I going to meet wealthy men. I almost got one a couple of months ago, but his wife’s radar must have gone off because they left in a big hurry. Sonofabitch didn’t even say goodbye.”

  “Turn it off,” Richard growled.

  “Over the last few months I’ve been recordin’ her,” Tim admitted. “I knew it was only a matter of time before she went too far, and I wanted to make sure I had it on video so if you needed it, you’d have it.”

  “Why didn’t you come to me sooner?” Richard asked.

  “Most of what she did was minor stuff, and I’m just a worker bee. I really love my job, Richard, and I didn’t wanna risk losin’ it by comin’ forward too soon, or bein’ seen as a complainer.”

  “Jane called me this morning,” Richard said shaking his head, “and her version of events is vastly different from what you captured on video. That was smart, Tim, very smart, and I’m grateful.”

  “You’re welcome. You can keep that and download everything on there. I only have stuff with Jane, so feel free. If you don’t need me for anything else, I should get back to the horses. They were all calm when I left, but with the thunder still rollin’, I’d feel better if I was there.”

  “Yes, you go, and Tim, thank you. Good work.”

  Caden remained quiet as Tim left the room, then looked across at Richard, waiting for him to speak.

  “I’m astounded,” Richard muttered. “That girl has been here for almost a year. Never had a single complaint.”

  “Richard, I owe you an apology,” Caden said quietly.

  “You? Why?”

  “A few months back, Jane literally, physically, threw herself at me. It was surprising, to say the least, and I should have mentioned it.”

  “I probably would have brushed it off,” Richard frowned. “You’re not an unattractive man, Caden. I’m sure you’ve had other women make their uh, wishes, known.”

  “Not like this,” Caden said raising his eyebrows.

  “I have some other, extremely unfortunate news,” Richard said with a heavy frown. “Not something I wanted to discuss in front of Tim.”

  “Oh, no, now what?” Celeste asked with a worried frown.

  “When Jane called me this morning, she informed me she plans to sue me, and Bridget.”

  “Richard!” Celeste exclaimed. “No! You take such wonderful care of everyone here, that’s, that’s…”

  “Extremely disturbing,” Richard grimaced.

  “Richard,” Caden said slowly, “where did you find her? How did she come to work for you?”

  “Max. Max hired her, but Max has been with me for over five years, you know that, and Max is solid, isn’t he?”

  “Max is still a man,” Caden sighed, “and Jane is a very conniving, manipulative female.”

  “I don’t even know what to say,” Richard said heavily. “Obviously Jane is leaving immediately, which means I have only Max and Tim to deal with a full calendar coming up. Do I have to worry about Max?”

  “I suspect, if Max did allow himself to be, shall we say, a bit corrupted, he’s probably learned his lesson,” Caden remarked. “I’ve always liked Max. He knows his stuff.”

  “If I may,” Celeste said raising her hand.

  “Please,” Richard said rubbing his temples.

  “Putting Jane and the threat of her lawsuit aside for a minute, Caden, how would you feel about finding us a new handler?”

  “Uh, sure. Off the top of my head I know a couple of people that would probably be real happy to have a job here.”

  “If Caden brings someone in, Max won’t have a stake in it. He’ll be removed, if you see what I mean,” Celeste continued.

  “Yes, Celeste, I do see what you mean,” Richard nodded. “If you’re willing, Caden, I’d be very grateful.”

  “Yep, no problem, happy to help,” Caden replied.

  “About Tim,” Celeste continued. “Might I suggest that he has earned the right to be promoted?”

  “He’s a quiet young man. I’ve never thought of him as a managerial type,” Richard said thoughtfully.

  “Quiet and calm is a good trait to have around horses,” Caden said wisely, “and that sort of energy permeates the barn. With Max overseein’ him, I think he can do the job.”

  “When it comes to barns and horses, Caden, I trust your judgement completely. You’re batting a thousand so far, Celeste. What else have you got?”

  ”Thank you, Richard. I do have one more suggestion. I don’t know how Bridget feels about staying on, but if she plans to leave, ask her if she will wait until Caden finds us a replacement for her. Those are my suggestions,” Celeste finished.

  “Caden, what about Bridget?” Richard asked.

  “With Jane gone, I’m sure she’d be happy to stick around.”

  “My goodness, I came into this meeting with nothing but problems and questions, and it’s ending with solutions and answers,” Richard declared. “Except for Jane and her threat of a lawsuit of course,” he added soberly. “See, Caden, see why Celeste must never leave my side?”

  “I do,” Caden chuckl
ed. “I think this is a good time to ask for a raise, Celeste.”

  “Granted, whatever it is,” Richard exclaimed.

  “I’ll have to give that some thought,” Celeste smiled as she rose from her chair. “I have some arrangements to make. We have a new, last minute guest. I can pause for five minutes to solve the world’s problems, but now I must continue with my work.”

  “Someone new, or a regular?” Richard inquired.

  “New, Jeff Ludlow.”

  “Ah, a romance is about to renew itself?”

  “I think that’s a possibility,” Celeste smiled as headed to the door.

  “Have a bottle of chilled champagne waiting for him, and some of those chocolate dipped strawberries and cream.”

  “My thoughts exactly,” Celeste replied moving to the door.

  They watched her leave, then Caden turned back to Richard.

  “About Bridget, I don’t know what her plans are, but I’m sure I can get you someone new pretty quick if she does want to move on. I do have a request though.”

  “What’s that?”

  “I want Bridget to myself for two days at my ranch the minute she’s feelin’ better. I can have one of my guys fill in.”

  “How can I say no?” Richard smiled.

  “Thanks. In a way, Richard, you kinda owe that girl.”

  “I realize that,” Richard nodded. “If she hadn’t be so protective of that horse, she would never have challenged Jane the way she did, and I’d still be sitting here with my thumb up my ass.”

  “Richard! I’ve never heard you talk that way,” Caden chuckled.

  “Hey, it’s how I’m feeling right now. Sometimes there are only certain phrases that adequately describe a situation. I can’t repeat what I’m thinking about Jane’s lawsuit though.”

  “You leave that to me,” Caden said standing up. “Which is her cottage?”

  “Caden, you’ve must tread very carefully with someone who has litigation on their mind.”

  “Richard, you said you trust my judgement with horses and barns?”

  “Yes, absolutely, one-thousand percent.”

  “I have the same judgement when it comes to women, at least, most of the time,” he added with a grin. “I can work this out for you.”