Gently he touched the mare’s leg then lifted her foot. “Easy, girl.”
“What’s wrong?” Brother Timothy stepped up beside Kendra.
Stetson touched something and the horse flinched. “Looks like she picked up a rock.”
“I’ll see about her.” Brother Timothy dug a knife from his pocket. “Y’all get back in the parade.”
“Thanks.” Stetson swung back into his saddle then offered Kendra a hand. “Come on, you can ride with me.”
“Really, I’m fine. I’ll just stay here and keep Cloud company.”
“I’ll take care of her.” Brother Timothy patted the horse. “Go.”
“Come on. We’re getting too far behind.”
Kendra took Stetson’s hand, and he helped her up. She settled behind him, way too close for comfort and with nowhere to put her hands.
“You better hold on. We’ll have to trot to catch up with the youth group.”
eleven
Closing her eyes, Kendra snaked her arms around his middle. Muscle, a definite six-pack. She shivered.
Stetson urged the horse to a trot, and they fell in beside Joe.
Don’t think about how solid, dependable, and strong Stetson is. “What’s Brother Timothy doing with the knife?”
“He’ll very carefully get the rock out of her shoe. Don’t worry—Cloud will be fine.”
Kendra scanned the faces in the crowd. Several were from their church. What would people think of her riding with Stetson, her arms around him?
Clay and Rayna waved. Her friend shot her a you-go-girl grin.
It was torment. Slow excruciating torment. Touching Stetson and trying not to think about it. For seemingly slow, meandering miles on end.
❧
Stetson tried not to stare at Kendra.
She’d barely said two words on the ride back in his truck to return the float to the church. Now, back at the festival and surrounded by craft booths and youth, she spoke to the teens but not him.
“Oh, I love these.” She picked up a small wooden pedestal with a Gideon testament-size Bible on top, surrounded by bright-pink lace and ribbon. “Rayna bought one for Gabby for her birthday last year.”
“You should get it.” Lynn flipped a few pages. “It’s a real Bible.”
Stetson dug his wallet out of his back pocket and handed the lady in the booth the right amount.
“Hey, I’ve got my own money.”
“Maybe I wanted to buy it for you.”
Lynn and Missy dissolved in giggles. Huddling close together and whispering, they walked to the next booth.
“Thanks.” Kendra followed, hanging back a few paces.
Stetson fell in stride beside her. “I didn’t think you’d find anything you like here. I thought you’d think it was all hokey.”
She traced the delicate lace. “Maybe I’m just a country girl at heart after all.”
“Are you hungry?” He gestured to the line of food booths. “They’ve got great fair food—dripping in grease—and peanuts every way you can imagine.”
“I love fair food, but I’m allergic to peanuts.”
“Really. What happens if you eat them?”
“My face swells up like a balloon, my lips turn inside out, and my airway shuts off.”
“Okay.” He threaded his fingers through hers. “No peanuts for you. Let’s see what else we can find.”
Her hand trembled in his. “Shouldn’t we keep an eye out for the kids?”
“Nope. Today was a youth event until after the parade. I’m officially off duty. The rest of the day is ours.”
“Oh.”
Why did she tremble? Did he make her nervous? Part of him hoped so. Why did her hand have to feel so good, so natural, in his?
“Mmm, I smell chicken.”
“Chicken it is.” Stetson found a booth with a short line and placed an order. “Hey, I’m having a prayer watch party for Clay’s Cinch Series finale next Saturday night at my house.”
“Don’t you have to work?”
“I took off. I figure I’ll be too distracted by what’s happening in Tulsa. And a distracted bullfighter is a useless bullfighter.”
“You and Clay have gotten really close.”
“That and. . .” Stetson drew in a deep breath. “The whole thing reminds me of my dad. He only had three more rides to go in his final season. But he didn’t make it.”
“I’m sorry.”
“If I’m too distracted to work, and I can’t go to Tulsa to support Clay and Rayna, the least I can do is pray for them.”
“That’s awesome.”
“Adam and Gabby are going with Clay and Rayna. Brother Timothy and Sister Joan will be at my place. You could join us.”
“I’d like that. I dreaded watching it home alone.”
“It starts at seven thirty, but we’re planning to eat first. They’re coming at five.” He fished his wallet from his back pocket, flipped through it, and handed her a business card with his Aubrey address. “I’d come get you, but I’ll be grilling steaks, potatoes, and the like.”
“Yum. What can I bring?”
“Just you.”
“Really, I’d like to bring something to contribute. How about dessert?”
“Joan’s got that covered.”
“Baked beans?”
“You cook?”
Her gaze narrowed. “Why does that surprise you?”
“I had you figured as the career-oriented type who lived on Chinese takeout.”
“Guilty.” She shrugged. “Not because I can’t cook. I just don’t have anyone to cook for.”
His heart tripped. He wouldn’t mind her cooking for him. Anytime. Could there be a future for them?
“Here’s your order, sir.”
Stetson took the two red-and-white-checked cardboard baskets of chicken strips and handed one to Kendra.
They found a shady spot and two empty chairs at a long table. Stetson prayed over the food.
As Kendra picked up a chicken strip, Stetson read the sign above the booth.
He knocked the chicken from her hand, sending the basket flying.
“Whoa.” Her questioning gaze met his.
“That’s fried in peanut oil.”
Her eyes widened. “I should have thought of that—I mean, duh—we’re at the Peanut Festival.”
“Will you be okay?” She’d distracted him to the point he couldn’t think. And his distraction had almost cost her.
She inspected her hands. “I think so. I don’t have any cuts or anything. But I have a sudden urge to wash my hands.”
“Good idea. I’ll go get you some chicken fried in plain ole grease.”
“I’ve kind of lost my appetite for chicken. Maybe some-thing else?”
❧
Stetson barely had time to swipe off the farm dust, change clothes, and jump in his truck for the drive to the midweek photo shoot.
He turned in at Clay’s arena and parked. The pile of mail he’d grabbed from the box slid across the seat, and he clamped his hand over it. One envelope slipped to the floor.
He undid his seat belt and leaned over to pick it up. The return address pricked his soul.
Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame.
Hands shaking, he ripped it open and scanned the letter.
His heart lodged in his throat. His breath wouldn’t come.
With blurred vision, Stetson jerked open the truck door and vaulted out.
Kendra stood by the fence, her huge camera hanging around her neck. She turned toward him and frowned.
He scooped her up and twirled her around in the air.
“Hey!” Kendra kicked and squirmed. “What are you doing?”
“He’s in.” Stetson set her down gently.
Her eyes narrowed. “Sorry, I’m not with you.”
“My dad. He’s getting inducted in the Cowboy Hall of Fame.”
She let out a whoop and jumped back into his arms. “That’s awesome!”
He picked her
up and twirled her again. “And you’ll never guess what else.”
“What?”
“Somebody nominated me. I’m in, too.”
“Woo-hoo! How awesome is that?”
Adam cleared his throat. “I hope all this enthusiasm is about the shoot?”
Stetson set her down and turned to Adam.
“The Hall of Fame is inducting Stetson and his dad.” Kendra bounced on the balls of her feet.
“Wow.” Clay’s voice echoed his awe. “That’s great!”
“I’m so happy for you.” Rayna hugged him. “When’s the big day?”
“New honorees are inducted in January.”
Rayna clapped, and the entire crew joined in.
Stetson’s vision blurred again, but he didn’t care. His dad deserved the applause. Getting inducted with his dad was just extra hay on the bale. He picked up Kendra and whirled her again as she laughed and then gently set her down.
“I’m dizzy now.” She clutched his arm.
All the tender feelings he’d tried not to feel for her surfaced.
“What are you doing tonight?” he whispered. “I feel like taking a pretty girl to dinner to celebrate.”
Was he seeing things, or did she just blush?
“My brother’s bringing his fiancée for me to meet. But you could join us?”
His stomach sank. “Nah, I wouldn’t want to intrude. Maybe another night.”
“It wouldn’t be an intrusion. I’m kind of nervous about meeting her. What if we don’t have anything in common? You could fill any conversation lulls.”
“If you’re sure?”
“Definitely. Maybe if you’re there, Dalton won’t grill me about why I left home, why I never went back, and insist I attend his wedding.”
“You have to attend his wedding. He’s your brother.”
“I’d love to go. But that would require going home, and I’m not ready for that.”
“Hello?” Gabby’s teasing voice called. “If you two can tear yourselves away from each other, we are here for a photo shoot.”
❧
Kendra surveyed the tall blond seated beside her brother at Maguire’s. Pure country girl with no frills. Straight, long hair and an easy laugh. Brown eyes that could barely tear themselves away from Dalton. Yep, Heather was crazy about him.
That was enough for Kendra. “So how did you two meet?”
Heather grinned. “At the rodeo. Where else?”
“Heather rides a mean barrel race.” Dalton clasped her hand in his.
“What about y’all?” Heather’s gaze went from Kendra to Stetson. “How did y’all meet?”
“Um. We’re not. . .” Kendra searched for the right words.
“We’re just friends. And coworkers.” Stetson filled in the gap.
She could still feel his arms around her—strong, steady, safe.
Yet his proximity made her pulse rocket.
“What kind of work?”
“I’m a photographer for an ad agency. My company’s doing a publicity campaign featuring Stetson.”
“I’m the youth director at Kendra’s church and a bullfighter.”
“Wow.” Heather’s jaw dropped. “That’s really dangerous. Even more so than riding.”
“Somebody’s gotta do it.” Stetson pulled off a humble shrug. “And truth be told, working with youth keeps me hopping more than the bulls do.”
“Have you made plans to come home for the wedding?” Dalton’s gaze begged.
“I’m not sure if I’ll make it.”
“You have to make it.” Heather’s tone filled with dis-appointment. “Dalton will be crushed if you don’t, and I was actually hoping you could be a bridesmaid.”
“But you just met me.”
“True, but we’re about to be family. You can even bring Stetson with you.”
“But we’re not. . .”
“Last time I checked”—Heather traced a finger down the condensation on her tea glass—“friends go to weddings together.”
Dalton stared Kendra down. “Stetson, I’ll count on you to see that she gets there.”
“It’s Thanksgiving Day. I’m sure Stetson has a big family dinner to go to.”
“Actually, my aunt is having dinner Friday afternoon this year.”
“See, it’s all set.” Dalton still held her gaze. “Heather will be getting with you soon on the bridesmaid dress.”
Kendra sipped her sweet tea. Could she bring herself to go home? For Dalton?
❧
“You have reached your destination,” the monotone GPS voice announced.
Kendra drove down the gravel drive with the white rail fence on each side. A dozen horses grazed in the field. The large two-story farmhouse with dormer windows and a porch across the front reminded her of home. She parked next to Brother Timothy’s car, grabbed the dish of baked beans, and got out.
With one hand shielding her eyes from the mid-October sun, she surveyed the peaceful surroundings.
“You found me.” Stetson’s voice came from behind her.
Kendra gasped and the baked beans dipped, dripping juice from one corner of the aluminum pan.
He hurried around the side of the house, closing the gap between them. “Let me get that. Did you have any trouble getting here?” With his white hat framing his chiseled features, he looked like a cowboy knight-to-the-rescue. He wore his usual jeans and western shirt. At least she’d dressed equally casual in a royal-blue, button-down shirt.
“My GPS knew right where you lived.” She turned toward the horses in the field. Anything to get her thoughts off him. “It’s lovely, so peaceful. You said it’s similar to where you grew up?”
“Until I was six. Mama managed to hang on to the old farm until then.” Stetson stepped up on the porch and opened the old-style wooden screen door with the toe of his boot. “Let’s drop the beans inside, say hello to the preacher, and I’ll give you a tour.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I want to, and besides, I just started the grill out back. The charcoal has to burn down some, or we’ll have charred steaks.”
She followed him inside. There was no sign of his guests in the cozy living room, just an oversize corduroy couch.
“They’re in the kitchen.”
Brother Timothy and Joan were setting the oak pedestal table. He shook her hand. “Kendra, we’re so glad you could join us.”
“I was bummed about not going with Rayna, so this is great.” Oak cabinets lined neutral tan walls, and John Deere–patterned curtains draped the windows. “I love this house.” It reminded her of her mother.
“Thanks. I’ve had fun playing up the farmhouse theme.” He set the baked beans on the counter and opened the back door. “The grill’s too hot for the burgers, so I’m going to give Kendra a quick tour of the barn.”
A knowing look passed between the pastor and his wife.
Kendra hurried outside. The red barn was old-style wood gambrel roof with the loft and everything. “Is this the original barn?”
“Yep. I had it reinforced and painted after I bought the place.”
“I grew up playing in our barn. It was just like this. I broke my ankle jumping out of the loft when I was six because my older cousin dared me.”
Stetson winced. “We used to do the same thing. But nobody ever broke anything.”
“Can I go up?”
“Sure. Just be careful on the ladder.”
Kendra climbed up. Loose hay carpeted the loft floor with bales piled here and there. A lovely view of the farmhouse and horses and cows grazing drew her to the loft window. The sweetly sour smell of dying grass filled her senses and took her back.
“My cousin, Felicia, used to come over,” she said, “and we’d play house in the barn. We’d move the hay around and cover it with sheets or quilts to construct our pretend furniture.”
“There’s nothing like growing up on a farm.”
“I’m sorry you missed out on a lot of that
. Where did you live after. . . ?”
“My grandparents wanted us to live with them on their farm, but Mom wanted to make it on her own, and farms reminded her of Dad. She got an apartment in San Antonio. It was culture shock compared to home. I got used to it, but I never outgrew the country.”
Kendra thought she had. She’d forgotten how the sun set a hayfield gleaming.
“After Mom married Randy, we relocated to a subdivision in Denton. The population has exploded in the last twenty years. Way too big to live in.”
“I’m glad your mom found a good man to raise you. After my mom died, it was just Dad, Dalton, and me. I longed for female input. My aunt visited some, but not enough for my female-starved heart.”
“I used to wonder why God let parents die.”
She turned toward him. Sunrays caressed his dark hair. “What’d you come up with?”
“It’s a fallen, evil world ruled by despair and destruction. Sometimes parents get in the way. Everyone has an appointed time to die, no matter what we do or what we wish.”
The breeze blew a strand of hair in her eyes. Stetson smoothed it away then cupped her cheek in his calloused hand. “I’m sorry you lost your mom.”
“I’m sorry you lost your dad.” Her voice came out a whisper.
His gaze locked on her lips.
twelve
A door slammed in the distance.
Stetson’s hand dropped to his side.
On the back porch of the farmhouse, Brother Timothy checked the grill. Had he seen them?
Kendra backed away from him.
He swallowed hard. “Looks like it’s about ready. Come see the new foal, and we’ll head to the house.”
Kendra followed him to the ladder.
He stepped aside to let her descend first. Stetson jumped down from the third rung and headed to the stall on the end. The gangly, long-legged bay stood beside her mother.
“She was born yesterday.”
“Aww, she looks like a baby deer with all those legs.”
“I stayed up half the night making sure she made it into the world okay. Slept against that hay bale over there.”
“Meow.” The dark-gray kitten sat at Kendra’s feet.
“Oh how sweet.” She stooped to pick up the kitten. “He’s so pretty. A ball of fluff. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a gray cat with grass-green eyes.”
Rodeo Hero Page 9