The Bull Rider's Cowgirl

by April Arrington

  “Meg?”

  “Come in,” she called.

  Colt opened the door, a chuckle escaping him as Margaret, clad in pink pajamas, dashed out of the bathroom. She raced across the hardwood floor, then jumped onto the bed and snuggled under the blankets.

  “All set?”

  “Yep,” she said, smiling widely and clutching the sheet beneath her chin.

  Colt walked over and reached down, tucking the blankets around her as she giggled. “There. Snug as—”

  “A bug in a rug,” Margaret finished for him, laughing. She stopped giggling and blinked up at him, a shy look crossing her features. “Colt? Can I ask you something?”

  He nodded. “Shoot.”

  “How do you know when it’s the right time to kiss someone?”

  Ah, hell. He winced, his face heating at the eager curiosity in her eyes. And it was his own fault, putting the moves on Jen like he had in front of her.

  He rubbed his hands awkwardly over his jeans, then sat down on the bed, carefully collecting his thoughts. “Well. It depends.”

  She wiggled, pushing her way up from the blankets to a seated position. “On what?”

  “On...lots of things, really.” He gripped the back of his neck, kneading the knot forming there. “Like how well you know a person. Or the circumstances.”

  “What kind of circumstances?”

  “Well...” His breath left him in a helpless exhalation. “You don’t want to just jump into something like that. When you do it, it should mean something.”

  Colt looked down, the guilty heat in his cheeks snaking down his neck as he recalled all the random, meaningless nights he’d shared with women in the past. All the hearts he’d broken on the circuit. And all the kisses he’d wasted that, had he waited, he could’ve saved for Jen.

  He shifted, facing Margaret. “Wait, Meg. For as long as it takes. Just wait until you meet the right person. Until you know for sure it’s something you really want to do and that you’re ready.”

  Her brow furrowed, confused frustration clouding her expression. “How will I know I’m ready?”

  Colt stilled. His arms tingled as he remembered holding Jen, and his chest warmed at the thought of holding her forever.

  “You’ll know because it’ll feel right.”

  He pictured Margaret years from now. Attending high school. Going to football games and parties with friends. Dealing with peer pressure. Dating. Making her first life-changing decisions.

  A heavy fear lodged in his gut at the thought of his sister being alone. Without him to guide and protect her.

  Colt slid his hands down her arms and squeezed. “I want you to listen hard and remember this. Don’t ever let any boy talk you into kissing—or anything else—before you’re ready. No boy who truly loves you will push you into anything. He’ll wait, too. Because if he loves you, what he really wants to touch is your heart.”

  Her small teeth nibbled on her lower lip and she looked down, whispering, “But what if a boy never loves me?”

  Colt sighed and smoothed a hand over her blond curls. “The right one will, Meg. Just wait till you find him.”

  “Do...” She glanced up, cheeks flushing. “Do you love me?”

  Colt’s heart stopped beating. It halted painfully right there in his chest, waiting for Margaret to smile again and give it a reason to start back up.

  His throat closed and he swallowed hard before saying, “More than anything, baby girl.”

  Margaret smiled. “I love you, too, Colt.” She threw her arms around his neck and squeezed, kissing his cheek and whispering in his ear, “I like it here. I wish we never had to leave.”

  That feeling returned, swelling so much in his chest he thought he’d burst. He wrapped his arms around Margaret and hugged her tight, wondering if he could manage to let her go. Questioning if he could load up, drive back to the circuit and leave Margaret behind.

  If Jen won tomorrow, she’d begin mapping out the best route to hit the most competitions. She’d ask him to help her find the best opportunities to earn the highest rank in the smallest amount of time. And she’d expect him to leave first thing with her and Tammy. Just as he always had.

  Unless he took Dominic up on his offer and decided to stay at Raintree.

  Colt froze, unable to imagine standing still while Jen moved on without him. And even more disconcerted by the thought of her traveling on her own. Preparing for races without his encouragement and hitting the dirt without his support.

  An uneasiness trickled through him. He could name it now. What he felt for Jen. It was the same thing he felt for Margaret.

  Love. He loved Jen. As much as he loved his sister. And he was suddenly terrified that circumstances might not allow him to love and support them both.

  Chapter Ten

  Jen adjusted Diamond’s girth strap for the fifth time, her fingers shaking so badly she could barely maintain her hold on it. She balled her hands into fists and tried to force the shaking to stop. Just as she had a thousand times since her boots had hit the dirt of the Springfield fairgrounds several hours earlier.

  The hard rock blaring from the PA system increased in volume and the sounds of the crowd gathered in the outdoor arena at her back grew in tandem, scrambling her thoughts and blurring her focus. After a series of loud clicks, floodlights brightened the grounds, signaling the race would start soon.

  Jen glanced to her left at the warm-up ring. Several racers were already walking or jogging their horses, performing turns and circles wherever space allowed. She should have Diamond in there already, but her nerves were too shot to start yet. And the last thing she needed was for her anxiety to pass on to Diamond.

  Flashes went off by the alley gate, startling her. A line of reporters and photographers were setting up equipment and testing camera angles in order to capture just the right shots during the race. The Springfield rodeo was much bigger than Jen had anticipated. Despite being one of the smaller venues, Springfield’s 1D race had enticed a high number of the best competitors, which in turn had brought out the largest crowd of spectators Jen had seen in months.

  “You all right, boy?” she asked, moving a clammy palm over Diamond’s broad shoulder.

  He shuffled his feet and settled into a solid stance, attention on the other horses.

  “You’re always ready, aren’t you?” She pressed her forehead to his thick neck and whispered, “We can do this.”

  But even to her ears the phrase sounded weak and ineffective. Her heart pounded painfully fast, making it hard to breathe. She’d gotten used to a bad case of nerves before the start of a race, but she’d never been this anxious before. And after Colt’s attempt to discuss the change in their relationship last night, sitting so closely to him during the drive to Springfield had only increased her anxiety.

  Colt’s muscular form and handsome smile had always captured her attention. But now, something more pulled her to him. The rich tone of his voice had her longing to press her cheek to his chest. To hear his strong heartbeat and feel his words vibrate beneath his warm skin. To lie still within the safe circle of his arms and never leave.

  All of which were the very last kind of thoughts she should be entertaining at the moment.

  Lord, she wished Tammy could’ve made it to Springfield in time to compete. Or just to meet her. But her friend had texted last night to say she and Karla had already begun driving in the opposite direction for another competition. Jen had called more than once this morning just to hear Tammy’s voice, but voice mail kicked in each time, which meant they were already busy preparing for a race, too.

  Just relax. Jen inhaled, trying to calm the trembling in her fingers. Focus.

  “Hey, Jen.”

  She straightened quickly, composing her features, and looked over her shoulder.
/>   Laice Clements stood with her paint horse at her side, smiling.

  Jen relaxed slightly at the sight of her friendly eyes. Laice had always been a joy to compete with. She was supportive of everyone around her, no matter how tough the competition.

  “It’s good to see you again,” Laice said. “I got worried when I didn’t come across you in Davie last weekend. I can usually count on bumping in to you there.”

  Jen nodded. “I couldn’t make it this year. I took a week off to help Colt out.”

  Her friend’s smile faded. “Word travels fast on the circuit. I was sorry to hear about Colt’s parents. How’s he doing?”

  “Better.” Jen gestured toward the stands surrounding the dirt arena. “He’s here with his sister.”

  Laice’s green eyes brightened. “Colt has a sister?”

  “Yeah.” Jen smiled, a pleasant sensation moving through her. “Her name’s Margaret. She’s nine.”

  Jen craned her neck, straining for a glimpse of Margaret’s blond hair or Colt’s wide shoulders in the stands. Her stomach dropped when she couldn’t pinpoint them. Where were they?

  She cleared her throat, scanning the crowd and adding, “Margaret’s never been to a race before.”

  Laice laughed. “Oh, she’ll love it. Once she sees you ride, she’ll be begging for her own horse.” Her laughter faded. “I’m really glad I ran into you. You probably don’t remember, but I was competing in my first race when I met you. I was so nervous I could barely see straight, and you stood right at my side and gave me a pep talk before I hit the alley. I suppose it’s fate that I’d see you again at my last one.”

  Jen spun back to her. “Your last one?”

  “Yeah. I’m going to hang up my saddle after tonight.” Laice’s smile was wistful. “I’ve been at this for a few years now and I just don’t have what it takes.”

  Jen started to speak, but Laice held up a hand.

  “It’s okay,” she said, shaking her head. “I’m not above admitting it. There’s only a few spots at the top, and so many of us, you know? Besides, I’m getting tired. It took me a while to realize that if you run at top speed all the time, it’s just a fact that your motor’s bound to break down at some point.” She shrugged. “This isn’t something you can do forever.” Her smile returned. “I’m starting college in the fall. I’ve put it on hold long enough and it’s time to get serious about the future.”

  Jen’s mouth ran dry. She pried her tongue from the roof of it and asked, “What are you going to major in?”

  Excitement flitted across Laice’s features. “I’ve been thinking about medicine.” She laughed. “I’ve had more success on the circuit helping racers with injuries than I have actually winning. So that’s something I’m going to explore. But the possibilities are endless, really.”

  Jen forced her voice to remain steady. “Congratulations.”

  “Thanks.” Laice dipped her head toward Diamond. “Have a safe run today. I’m pulling for you, Jen.” She gathered up her horse’s lead and clucked her tongue, walking toward the warm-up area.

  A wave of nausea swept through Jen. She spun back to Diamond, placing her hands flat on the saddle and closing her eyes.

  I just don’t have what it takes.

  She sucked in a sharp breath, recalling Laice’s words and thinking about her conversation with her mom.

  You’ve wasted years already, and if you’re not careful, you’re going to use up the best ones you’ve got left chasing something that will never happen.

  Her mother’s words cut deep, causing the violent shaking in Jen’s hands to travel down her torso and invade her legs.

  What would she do if she failed to come in first again? If she continued losing and didn’t make it to Vegas?

  Go back to Hollow Rock? Accept a dead-end job with no hope of improving her or her mother’s future? Prove she was just another nobody from nowhere?

  Her shoulders dropped. She’d be a bigger joke than ever in Hollow Rock. A ridiculous dreamer who had the audacity to think she could make it big. It’d prove to everyone how foolish she’d been to believe she could hold her own against talented athletes. And all the years of hard work would be exactly what her mother had predicted.

  Wasted. She stifled a groan and hung her head, her chest aching.

  “Red.” Big palms settled over her hands and warm, solid strength pressed against her back.

  Jen almost sagged against Colt in relief.

  “You all right?” His low murmur tickled her ear. “We waited for you by the warm-up ring for over half an hour. You should be out there by now.”

  She lifted her head and turned, squirming beneath the weight of his stare. “I’m about to. I just...”

  Her throat closed and she looked away, her eyes scanning the competitors milling around the warm-up ring. She studied the reporters and photographers lined up along the alley and the spectators laughing in the stands.

  “Jen.” Colt cupped a hand to her cheek. “You can do this.”

  The pressure in her chest eased. She nodded and pulled her shoulders back.

  A sharp whistle cracked the air and they jumped, Diamond jerking his head with a snort.

  Margaret skipped over, pulling two pink-stained fingers from her mouth and pumping the air with a fist. Her other hand clutched the white stick of a massive cloud of cotton candy.

  “Go, Ms. Jen,” she shouted.

  “Hey,” Colt said hastily, placing a hand on Margaret’s shoulder and frowning. “Let’s save that for the stands, okay? You’re gonna rattle Diamond.”

  Jen smiled, the sight of Margaret in her pink cowboy boots and tan hat too adorable to resist. The knot between her shoulder blades untied at the excited gleam in Margaret’s eyes.

  “Oh, she’s all right,” Jen said, squatting down to brush one of Margaret’s curls away from the cotton candy. “Are you having fun so far?”

  “Yep.” The girl nodded, her eyes darting over the arena and the warm-up ring before returning to Jen. “Colt let me watch the other racers warm up. There’s lots of big horses over there and they’re fast. So fast I bet I’d fly right off if I were on ’em. But you wouldn’t, Ms. Jen.” Her expression grew serious. “You’re faster than all of them and you’re going to whoop the stew out of ’em.”

  Jen laughed, though her stomach still churned. “That’s nice of you to say. But I have my work cut out for me.”

  “Uh-uh.” Margaret shook her head and looked up, her expression full of admiration. “You’re gonna be the best one out there.” She pointed to a wrinkled poster tacked to a wooden light pole. “There’s a band playing after the race. Colt said we could wait for you and dance after you cool Diamond down, if you want. And they have all kinds of stuff to eat if you get hungry later. Like boiled peanuts and popcorn and corn dogs and—”

  “Cotton candy?” Jen asked, tapping the stick. “Exactly how many of these have you had tonight, hmm?”

  “One.” Colt eyed Margaret’s furrowed brow and added, “And that’s plenty.”

  She wrinkled her nose but grinned.

  “I think that’s for the best,” Jen said, wiping a bit of pink fluff from the corner of Margaret’s mouth. “If you eat much more of this you’re gonna turn pink all over.”

  Margaret smiled and stuck her tongue out. “Mah tongue ith alweady pink.”

  Jen laughed, then caught her breath as the girl hurled herself forward, wrapping her arms around Jen’s back.

  “Colt said he always stays up front so you can see him when you come out,” Margaret whispered, her lips warm and sticky. “We already got a place saved for us by the gate. So look for me, too, when it’s your turn, okay?”

  Jen hugged her back, a sweet peace settling inside her and stilling her nerves. “You’ll be the first one I look for,” she whispered.


  “All right, Meg,” Colt said, touching her shoulder. “We need to head back so Jen can warm up.”

  Jen stood, smiling as Margaret bit off a hunk of cotton candy and took Colt’s hand.

  He hesitated, his blue eyes moving over Diamond, then hovering on Jen’s face. “You’re gonna be great. Just stay focused and be careful out there.”

  “I will,” she said.

  Jen watched them leave. Colt moved with purposeful steps, tall and strong, while Margaret swung his hand in hers, strolling along at his side. The crowd swallowed them up.

  Jen flexed her hands, turned back to Diamond and gathered up his lead. “Ready, boy?”

  They spent twenty minutes warming up in the ring before moving into place at the back of the line, walking every few minutes to keep Diamond’s legs supple. She shook her head as they walked past the other waiting riders. Ironic that she’d end up running last two competitions in a row. Seemed last was the only position she’d ever been guaranteed in her life.

  Night had set in and the bright lights hummed overhead as she and Diamond waited their turn in the rear. A familiar rhythm took over the arena. An announcer shouted names over a continuous stream of music. The alley gate clanged open repeatedly with each racer’s entrance and exit. And the shouts of the crowd rose as the line grew shorter.

  “Bring her home, folks! Bring her home,” the announcer yelled.

  The crowd cheered the most recent racer in and the horse drew up at the gate, breathing hard as the rider slowed him to a stop, then circled back around toward the alley. A flash of light exploded as the cameras snapped and whirred.

  “That’s a 15.27 for Karen Thompson, which puts her in second place. Time to beat is still 14.43 and we have one more cowgirl up. Put your hands together for Jen Taylor.”

  Jen closed her eyes as the voice continued to blare over the speakers, her palms tightening around the reins. 14.43. She’d never earned above a 15.12 in competitions. And that was on her best day.