Duke knew Colt would always regret not playing a part in his own son’s life. “Have you seen Evan lately?”
“I managed to see one of his baseball games, but I hope to see more. He’s quite a kid.” Colt shook his head, then asked, “Say, whose kids are you training for the pony race? That’s not something you generally do.”
“The Marshall twins, and Luke Barrington.”
“Interesting trio—you should have your hands full with them. Okay, Duke. See you back at the ranch.”
Duke leaned on the fence and watched Austin ride to the money. He thought about Colt’s remarks and how much more settled he was since he’d married Leah and become a stepfather. Colt used to be a hellion. Dinah, too. Amazing how people changed. For Colt it took meeting the right woman. For Dinah, she got interested in the law.
Before Duke knew it, it was time for his ride. He suited up and today he didn’t wear a helmet. Fans expected a champion to pump a fist in the air and ride waving his cowboy hat, so he would put on a show.
Unfortunately, Hornet had a few tricks he hadn’t exhibited the last time Duke rode him. He became a nose-to-the-ground twister.
Twice Duke faltered. He missed staying on to the buzzer by the skin of his teeth. Thanks to the clowns, he didn’t get gored as he rolled away in the dirt.
Bucking horses tended to buck to the buzzer, then stopped. Bulls bucked until they dislodged their rider, then tried to kill him. Duke’s rope hand got banged again, and he smacked his bruised leg, as well. Thankfully his times held up, and he earned some nice money. He’d just collected his winnings and limped with Zorro to a motel where he booked a room when Beau called.
“I watched your ride on TV, hotshot. Sloppy, sloppy, sloppy is the best I can say. You’re danged lucky you pulled out the points.”
“Yeah, yeah. Let’s see you turn in a better ride in Great Falls.” Irritated because he thought he’d done pretty well, Duke clicked off, tossed the phone aside and stepped into the shower. Coming out dripping, he decided to head home after all instead of staying the night. He dressed, paid his bill and loaded up. He’d never admit it wasn’t Beau’s needling that made him want to get home, as much as a strong desire to see Angie again. Visions of her hovered at the back of his mind, and had him ticking off mile posts in anticipation.
Chapter Seven
He reached Roundup in time for breakfast and saw the work already underway for the upcoming fair and rodeo. The fair started a week before the rodeo, and both ended the same Sunday.
Banners painted with bucking horses and the dates for the rodeo were strung from light post to light post all down the main street. Store windows had been washed and many were decked out in Old West themes. Crews had begun nailing together rows of booths that would soon be filled with goodies and crafts waiting to be sold.
Duke had noticed along the pass that some tree leaves were already changing color. Few cowboys or ranchers looked forward to Montana winters. Duke was no exception and he hated to think about summer giving way to fall. But the fair and rodeo always meant that if they were lucky they might get a month to six weeks more of good weather before snow started to fly.
He was tempted to veer off onto the side road that would take him to Angie’s ranch. But it was early and he hadn’t established times to take the kids to Thunder Ranch for wild-pony instruction, so instead, he contacted Dinah. “I’m pulling up in front of the Number 1 Diner, any chance you care to meet me for breakfast?”
“I’m at the ranch. Mom says she’ll feed you if you come on out here, champ. Colt told us about your rough ride. Mom wants to see for herself that you’re all right.”
“Colt’s a blabbermouth. But, yeah, I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.” His aunt Sarah loved to cook. Duke knew she’d feed him well.
He and Zorro walked right in without knocking. Dinah, his aunt, and Leah and her two kids were in the kitchen. Jill and Davey were still shy around their uncle Duke. Zorro loved kids. He barged right up to the table where the kids played with a farm set. Davey squealed and drew back from the dog’s wet, black snout.
“Zorro, mind your manners,” Duke ordered. “Sit and shake hands with Jill.” The dog sat and lifted a paw to Jill who was nearest. Both kids giggled. “He won’t hurt you,” Duke said, dropping to their level to facilitate the meeting. When he went to stand again, his sore leg let him down and he stumbled backward into the counter where his aunt had dished out his piping hot breakfast.
“Whoa there!” Dinah’s quick reaction saved him from falling over.
“I’m okay,” he said, mostly to assure Sarah, who didn’t need any more to worry about. “I drove straight through the night. I thought I might catch Colt and Austin, but they had quite a head start.”
“Colt pulled in around 2:00 a.m.” Sarah handed Duke utensils. “I sleep light since the last break-in. Dinah’s been telling me how quiet it’s been in the area since they broke in here a second time.”
“Quiet is good.” Duke scooped scrambled eggs onto his toast. “Did Colt tell you we visited several pawn shops and secondhand stores? Everyone had our lists of stolen goods and said they’re keeping an eye out.”
Sarah leaned on the counter and rubbed her forehead. “I’m afraid Midnight is gone for good.”
Dinah put an arm around her mother. “I tell you he will turn up. I feel it in my bones.”
Duke washed down his toast with coffee. “I think so, too, Aunt Sarah. We got information out across Montana and even to neighboring states fast. My guess is when they figure out they can’t sell him for big bucks, they’ll let him go cheap to keep from feeding him. We just need to stay vigilant.”
Dinah sat again. “I talked to some auctioneers and others in the business of buying and selling horses about Angie telling you a thief might attempt some kind of disguise. Midnight is such a one-of-a-kind stallion, the consensus was it’d be hard to change his appearance enough to not arouse suspicion.”
Duke finished eating. He and Dinah left the house together. “I need a word with Colt,” he said. “I’ll stop by my apartment then meet you at the office. I’m worried about the ranches when folks come to town for the fair or rodeo.”
“Me, too,” Dinah said. “I’ve been thinking about that. We need to work out a plan to patrol. I’ll ask the mayor if he’ll authorize you some extra hours, Duke.”
“If not, I’ll work for free. It galls me that those guys are decimating our territory. You know the rest of the family will make sweeps, too.”
“Ace said the same thing. But he’s swamped now, and it’s my responsibility.”
“I still think they’ll slip up and we’ll nab them.” Duke hooked an arm around her neck, shaking her a little to buck her up.
She did smile, and Duke went in search of Colt.
“Hiya,” Colt greeted his cousin. Early as it was, he already had mucked out half the stalls. “Ace tells me the small corral where he sometimes quarantines a horse is available for you. I can have two ponies here by tomorrow.”
“Thanks. That’s what I wanted to check on before I got the kids all excited. I’ll contact Angie and Pam Marshall this afternoon.”
“Oh, I almost forgot. Mom said have the kids bring swimsuits. After your lesson they can have a snack with our kids, and all of them can swim awhile. I know the boys are older than Davey and Jill, but it’ll be good for them to have someone to play with.”
“I saw Leah and Austin’s sister at the park with all the kids one day
.”
“Cheyenne sometimes brings Sadie and Sammie out here, too. Our swimming pool has been getting a lot of kid action lately. Luke and the Marshall twins will have a ball.”
Duke thanked his cousin for arranging everything then left the ranch and headed to Angie’s. He continued to worry that her place was too secluded. But maybe she liked having space to herself. Yet he couldn’t help but wonder how, or if, a man might fit into Angie’s life.
She and Luke were gathering eggs at the henhouse as Duke drove in. Luke spotted him first and raced toward his pickup, waving his arms. Duke could tell Angie tried to stop the boy even as she juggled an egg basket.
Duke stopped short of the house so Luke wouldn’t plow right into his pickup. He got out, released Zorro, and the boy and dog wrestled around in a cacophony of noisy barks and boyish laughter.
“Honestly, I’m sorry he’s such an introvert,” Angie said, rolling her eyes as Duke approached and relieved her of the basket. “What brings you out so early?”
“Helping you gather eggs. I lost you your egg partner.”
“I’m almost finished. Did you have a good trip? I notice you’re limping. Did you get hurt again?”
Duke hesitated talking about his bull ride, knowing her feelings on the subject. “I bumped my leg is all. I came by here for two reasons. Three, really. I missed you and wanted to see you again,” Duke said first, surprising himself for stating his feelings so boldly. “Also,” he rushed on, “I gave out samples of your horse cookies. I can’t tell you how many horse owners asked where they could buy more. I took down a few names and addresses.” He pulled out his wallet and gave her folded slips of paper. “You need business cards. A lot of guys asked why your address isn’t on the package label.”
“Mitch from the print shop, who does my labels, said since I make the product here where I live alone, maybe it wasn’t a good idea to list my address.”
“Makes sense. Have you considered selling online? It’s easier to be removed from customers. I’d be glad to build a website and show you a few marketing possibilities. I don’t know how much you want your business to expand.”
“That’s generous of you.” Her eyes sparkled. “While you were gone I rented Ruby Winston’s coffee shop. She’s quitting and her shop is perfect for my needs. There’s a large kitchen, and glass cases in the eating area that will take the place of my roadside stand. Selling online sounds like another option.”
“I’m glad you’re leaving the roadside stand. I’ve seen some online businesses really take off. I can help you set up.”
She nodded. Putting three more eggs in the basket, she took it back from Duke and walked toward the house. “You...uh...mentioned having three things you came for,” she said, clearing her throat and looking self-conscious.
“The other is training the boys for the pony race. Colt has a corral I can use, and he’s got two ponies all lined up. Oh, and Aunt Sarah invited the boys to stay for snacks afterward. Colt suggested they bring swimsuits and they can play on the jungle gym, and then swim with his and Leah’s two kids. Does Luke know how to swim?”
She shook her head. “He does have a suit he wears to run through our sprinkler on hot days.”
“If you can get away around eleven tomorrow, come along. Colt’s kids are younger than Tommy, Bobby and Luke. The more eyes around a pool the better.”
“I’d love to, but I volunteered to help put together fair booths, and my shift is eleven to twelve tomorrow and Thursday.”
“So, throw your suit and a towel in the car and drive out to Thunder Ranch when your shift ends. I plan to work with the boys for about forty-five minutes. If I include driving time, the session will wind down at twelve-fifteen or twelve-thirty.”
Her gaze cut to where Luke and Zorro chased after a ball. “Luke asked every day when you were getting back. He’s so excited about the Wild Pony Race he can hardly stand it. He’s not the most coordinated kid, Dylan. I’m sure you won’t expect perfection, but...” She broke off, imploring him with big eyes.
Duke was moved to lean over the egg basket, tilt up her chin and brush a kiss over her softly parted lips. “No kid was ever more awkward than me, Angie,” he said earnestly. “I felt a kinship with Luke when we met. I don’t want to worry you. Why I’m training the kids is for Luke. Ace helped me come out of my shell. I hope being on this team will boost Luke’s confidence.”
“You kissed me,” Angie whispered, her whole body trembling.
“I did. Should I apologize?”
“Ah...no.” She stepped back. “It’s... I... What if Luke had seen?” she mumbled. “I don’t have men in my life, Dylan.”
He rubbed his whiskery cheek, thinking he should have cleaned up before kissing her. “You have me.”
“I...can’t.”
“Why?”
“It’s the rodeo, Dylan. It’s the way handlers, contractors and riders mistreat animals. I have grave reservations about letting Lucas get involved in even this so-called simple kids event. And you obviously love everything about the rodeo.”
“I do. I think you’re not giving it a chance because of problems you had with Luke’s father. That’s not fair, Angie.”
“Stop it. You don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m trying to let Luke be in that pony race. I think you’d better go before I change my mind.” She clutched the egg basket and looked away.
“All right,” he said stiffly. “You have to do what you think is best.” He whistled for Zorro, told Luke goodbye and backed his pickup down the lane.
He shoved a disk in his CD player, but didn’t feel like listening to another brokenhearted cowboy song. He’d hoped there’d be an opportunity for him to ask Angie out to dinner and a dance. Now that seemed highly unlikely. He guessed he’d know when he saw Pam Marshall if he’d be forced to disappoint the kids.
* * *
SHE DIDN’T END UP PULLING Luke out of the event. So the next day Duke picked up the Marshall twins before going to the Barrington ranch. It was calculated to avoid further argument with Angie. Duke figured he needed time to prove to her that he and his cousins were good stewards of the animals they worked with. During the night he discovered he still felt she was worth him making an effort to change her mind about rodeos and rodeo cowboys.
Taking three boys in his pickup meant he had to wipe doggie paw prints from the back leather seat before digging out three sets of seat belts. It was rare for him to transport anyone but Zorro. If he made inroads and Angie agreed to go out with him, he’d have to do more to the Ford than wipe down the seats.
Luke sat fidgeting on his back stoop and bounded to his feet the minute Duke entered the lane. He saw Luke run into the house and race back out with his mother following at a more circumspect pace. She carried his backpack. “He’s wired in high voltage,” she told Duke as he left the cab and opened the back door for Luke to crawl in.
“I packed sunscreen, his bathing trunks and a towel,” she said, as if none of their argument had happened.
“Right,” Duke said, setting the pack at Luke’s feet. “Buckle up, boys.”
He noticed Luke was stuttering through a greeting to Tommy and Bobby and saw Tommy, who’d claimed the spot by the window, had turned away. Duke would like to caution Luke to speak slower, but he didn’t want to embarrass him.
“Miss Sarah phoned to invite me out to the ranch, so I’ll be there after my shift,” she said, plainly feeling him out.
“Oh, okay. You can par
k near the house,” he told her.
“I keep vacillating about going,” she said, riffling a hand through her hair.
“I’m sure Aunt Sarah will be disappointed if you don’t show up.” To say nothing of himself, because he was warming to the idea again.
“Oh, I suppose. Will she and Leah swim? I wear a swimsuit so seldom. I... Oh, you don’t care about a self-conscious woman.”
Duke removed and resettled his hat, slanting it over his eyes. His heart skipped imagining Angie in a skimpy bathing suit. Closing the back pickup door, he rubbed a knuckle over his jaw. “I’d be a fool to respond to that comment, Angie. See you later.” He climbed in the front, tossed his hat on the console and didn’t look back as he left her standing in the lane. But it took all of his control to not look.
At Thunder Ranch the boys piled out and ran to the corral where the ponies trotted around.
Duke lined up the boys and explained what he expected each to do. Because Tommy had long ago claimed the right to be the team member to mount the pony, that left the two smaller boys to nab the rope and keep the pony from crossing the line prior to Tommy getting a leg over the animal’s back.
Following three or four failed attempts, Tommy, red-faced and upset, lit into Bobby and Luke, blaming them for not hanging on tight enough to the rope. Duke showed them how to snag the rope and wrap it once around their hips to give their heels more traction in the dust that littered the corral.
“Tommy, they are doing their best,” he said. “Maybe it’s time for a soda break.” Duke went to the back of his pickup and got four sodas out of the ice chest. All of them rolled the cold cans across sweaty foreheads before popping them open. It pleased Duke to realize Luke hadn’t stuttered in quite a while. And the kid seemed to really get a kick out of wallowing in the dirt.
Harts Of The Rodeo 3 - Duke - Deputy Cowboy Page 10