by Kari August
Lindsey had made quick friends with Caroline. She was bright, had a similar sense of humor, and enjoyed the same music as Lindsey. And she was easy to live with—a natural fellow slob—of course, that was before Charlena moved in.
Now, Charlena, Lindsey had fully expected to dislike. However, that wasn’t the case at all. Charlena was good-natured and very agreeable to be around. After Lindsey had tailored the clothes Charlena would wear for TBN, there wasn’t much for the other woman to do—at first. But now Charlena was everybody’s go-to person. And she seemed to revel in the fact that she was needed. Charlena ran all sorts of errands: She did the grocery shopping, replaced broken phone chargers, visited the hardware store for the right-size wrench, and ran for carryout if nobody felt like cooking. She was pretty and made her environment pretty. She gathered wildflowers and placed beautiful bouquets on tables throughout the cabin and RV.
Nobody could deny that Charlena was a people person. She had a knack for making acquaintances and learning about the community. She was already helping organize the town’s next parade. And it was Charlena who had found a better kitchen for Dickie and Cody to spend most of their days cooking in.
Lindsey appreciated the fact that Charlena had a sense of style, knew quality items, and understood what shoddy workmanship was. In fact, Lindsey asked Charlena to make the trip with her to the clothing manufacturer in a couple weeks to guarantee that the line was sewn to satisfaction.
But what she pointedly avoided asking Charlena was anything about her relationship with Ned. She made sure she wasn’t around when Ned and Charlena were together. Lindsey didn’t actually know how much time the two of them spent together, though, because Lindsey avoided Ned at all costs.
It wasn’t so hard to do. Lindsey used Caroline as an intermediary for any business questions. Caroline was adeptly taking over many of Ned’s work responsibilities anyway. She knew Caroline spent most of her days with Ned, but that didn’t bother Lindsey at all. There clearly weren’t any romantic feelings between those two. In fact, twenty-two-year-old Caroline considered Ned an old man at age thirty. Besides, Caroline was Cody’s girl. Sixteen-year-old Cody had a real crush on her, though Caroline didn’t realize it and considered Cody a little brother. That was probably why she had accepted his invitation to attend the opening ceremonies of the Estes Park rodeo tonight.
Oh, Ned had tried approaching Lindsey a few times after Charlena had arrived, but he had gotten the idea quickly enough that she didn’t want to talk to him. How could she? She was so embarrassed. To think she had fantasized that Ned actually had developed feelings for her as strong as hers for him. And the day the contract had been finalized with TBN, when he had rushed out of his car to tell her the good news? Lindsey groaned aloud. How humiliating! She had wanted to kiss Ned for so long she had let her emotions get carried away. She had been the aggressor. She had kissed him first. Of course he had returned the kiss, but what else could the poor man have done? Rejected her in front of everyone in the front yard? He wasn’t that cruel. And then when he had led her to the woods, she had foolishly thought he had wanted to find someplace more secluded to fulfill their mutual desires. Yeah, right. He had probably only wanted to have a private conversation with her, to let her down more easily.
Anyway, she didn’t need Ned. Lindsey had her career to focus on now. That would be satisfying enough. Besides, Ned was crazy, she reminded herself. As if Dickie could actually be Richard III! Oh, Ned had hidden it well recently, but it would be prudent to keep reminding herself of what had happened in England.
Lindsey straightened her shoulders. No, she could do this thing tomorrow. She could appear at the meeting Ned had called for everybody to attend at eight in the morning. Caroline had just informed her of the dreaded gathering, and Lindsey had tried protesting that it wasn’t necessary. Everybody was getting on with their own work adequately. But Caroline had explained that, with Dickie and Cody working in town, Caroline and Ned at the cabin, Lindsey in the RV, and Charlena everywhere but there, Ned felt that they were too spread out to coordinate their activities. Coordinate what activities? It didn’t make sense to Lindsey, but she quit protesting when Caroline said she needed to get back to work.
Dickie looked out the kitchen window the next morning and saw Cody sauntering toward the cabin with more than his usual swagger. Dickie grinned. Squires often became a little cocky when they started mastering some of the necessary skills. He glanced to his right at Ned sitting at the dining room table, waiting for their meeting to start. He looked somewhat anxious. Dickie couldn’t imagine why. He got the impression things had taken a turn for the worse lately with his relationship with Lindsey, but why was he so unsettled about this gathering? Was he going to try to impress Lindsey with his leadership qualities? How would that make him more attractive to her?
Cody walked into the cabin at the same time as Caroline.
Dickie asked, “How was the rodeo?”
Caroline’s eyes bulged. “Scary! I’m never going again.”
Cody grinned. “It was just your first one. You get used to them.”
Caroline shook her head. “I was screaming and holding on to Cody practically the whole night!”
Cody chuckled and stood a little taller. “I didn’t mind.” Dickie bet he didn’t.
Caroline smirked. “But what did your friends think of me? Some nutty loon, I’m sure.”
Cody smiled. “They thought you were hot.”
Caroline gave Cody a pinch and chased him halfway around the dining table. “They did not! Stop teasing me.”
Dickie looked at Caroline’s long blond hair and shapely figure. Another beautiful woman who didn’t realize it.
Dickie took a seat at the table at the same time as Caroline. “But what’s so scary about the rodeo?” He looked over at Cody, who took the seat next to Caroline. “You told me it was just people riding horses.”
Ned cut in, “Ha! You might have thought football players were girly men, but you wouldn’t think that of cowboys. They ride bucking bulls and wrestle steers to the ground.”
Caroline spoke up. “But when they fall off the animals, they nearly get stomped! And then Cody told me at the team roping that men have lost part of their thumbs if the rope gets caught, and I couldn’t watch that either!”
Everyone looked over as the door opened and Charlena walked in cheerfully. “Good morning, everyone. It’s glorious outside today, isn’t it?” She took a seat next to Ned and started pulling the wilted flowers out of the vase at the center of the table, fluffing up the remaining vibrant ones.
Ned looked over at Caroline. “Where’s Lindsey? You told her the meeting’s starting at eight, didn’t you?”
Charlena answered, “She said she’ll be over in a bit. You should start the meeting without her.”
Ned looked briefly crestfallen, but quickly composed himself.
Uh-huh. So Dickie was right: Ned’s romance was not going so smoothly.
Ned cleared his throat. “So I thought we should hold this meeting weekly to discuss any group issues. Does anyone have something they would like addressed?”
Silence.
Ned frowned. “Dickie, how are the new rented spaces?”
Dickie held back a smile. “Fine, as I already told you.”
Charlena spoke up. “Ned, I could probably find rented office space for you in town. That would leave just Lindsey here at the headquarters.”
Ned shook his head quickly. “No, we’re fine in the cabin. Aren’t we, Caroline?”
Caroline scrunched her nose. “Well, it would be kind of nice to have a little more space. We could each have our own office.”
Ned cleared his throat again. “Uh, I think it’s better if we remain at the headquarters for now. I mean, until we know exactly how much more space we need.”
Caroline gave him a puzzled look, but said nothing.
Dickie spoke up. “I have a group issue. I was watching a television show where a boss took the firm on a . . . what did
they call it?” He snapped his fingers. “A retreat. That was it. We need to learn to bond together. We need a group activity.”
Cody groaned and gaped at the ceiling. “You mean like a field trip?” He looked back at Ned. “Do I have to go? I’m on summer break. I shouldn’t have to go on a stupid field trip.”
Ned shook his head. “No, you don’t have to go.” He looked at Dickie. “What did you have in mind? Where would you like to go?”
Dickie smiled. “The Estes Park rodeo. Is it playing tonight?”
Cody answered. “For the next three days.”
Caroline shook her head. “Oh, no. No way. I’m getting out of this little excursion also.”
Cody smiled at Caroline jauntily. “My friends and I are going to the movies tonight. Wanna come, Caroline?”
Caroline narrowed her eyes. “Only if it’s not a scary one.”
Charlena interjected excitedly, “I’ve never been to a rodeo. I’m up for it.”
Dickie smiled. “Then it’s settled. Our company’s headed for the rodeo! Who’s going to tell Lindsey?”
The door to the cabin opened. “Who’s going to tell me what?” Lindsey looked around the table, shifting her eyes quickly past Ned.
Ned coughed, then looked her directly in the eye. “Your attendance is required tonight at our company’s group bonding activity, the rodeo.”
Ned noticed that Lindsey hadn’t said a word on the car ride over to the rodeo. She just quietly looked out the window in the second seat as the conversation flowed around her. Then she had quickly sat down on the bench in the stadium in between a stranger and Dickie so that if Ned tried to talk to her, he would have to lean over not only Dickie, but Charlena also.
Ned knew it was pathetic that the only way he could spend time with the love of his life was if he held required company meetings and outings, but he was desperate. Lindsey had barely talked to him since Charlena had arrived. He knew she was avoiding him.
Charlena and Dickie were chattering away while they waited for the rodeo to start. Dickie had insisted on trying a sample of everything offered on the concourse. Caramel popcorn, funnel cakes, cinnamon pecans, and a giant pretzel had been devoured with obvious relish. Right now Charlena and Dickie were slurping while debating whether the rainbow or strawberry snow cone tasted better.
Ned leaned far over. “Lindsey, did you know the Estes Park rodeo has been held annually for close to a hundred years?”
She looked over, interested at first. “Really? That’s a long time.” Then, as if she remembered who she was talking to, she quieted and looked forward again.
“Have you been to a rodeo before?”
She shook her head and returned her gaze back to the arena. “No.”
Fascinating conversation. Ned couldn’t think of anything more to say. Well, that wasn’t exactly true. Just nothing more to say to her in front of Dickie and Charlena.
He had been a touch angry with her when she had initially started the silent routine. Did she really think he could possibly be more interested in Charlena than in her? Okay, Charlena was a stunning, nice heiress. But, come on. Lindsey had so much more to offer as far as intellect, humor, and companionship went. But not only that: Ned was wildly attracted to Lindsey’s natural good looks. She must have realized how much he desired her the day he had returned from the TBN meeting.
Ned frowned. Perhaps Lindsey just truly wasn’t interested in him. Perhaps she never really had been. No, he knew there had been at least some early spark between them. Well, that was before she thought he was insane, acknowledging Dickie could be Richard III. Did she still hold that against him?
Ned glanced at Charlena. He would have thought it would have been much more awkward between Charlena and himself since she arrived in Estes Park. But he had zilcho romantic feelings for her now, and he suspected she had none for him. They were just two good friends. That was all.
The announcer proclaimed the start of the rodeo. Thirty women, wearing flashy decorated shirts and chaps, rode into the arena and reined their horses into intricate and tight formations.
Dickie appeared a bit stunned. “I’ve never seen so many women riding astride in my life.”
The trick-pony riders performed next. They hung off the side of their mounts and stood upon them while galloping. The crowd cheered enthusiastically. Even Lindsey stood and smiled widely.
Bareback bronc riding was next. There were no close mishaps, but the height and vigor of the bucking horses were impressive. After five contestants proved their prowess, Dickie looked over at Ned and said, “You’re right. They’re not girly men.”
As each new competition—the steer wrestling, team roping, saddleback bronc riding, and barrel racing—progressed, the crowd became more animated. Lindsey was clearly enjoying herself with the rest of them. Ned exchanged an occasional word of astonishment with her over the performances.
By the time the bull riding started, all were on their feet. The first two contestants barely stayed on, but the next couple of riders held on for nearly seven seconds. The gate opened for the final participant. The bull bucked wildly to and fro, swinging his hips widely and violently. The rider tumbled off, head over heels. But the bull wasn’t finished. He kept bucking near the contestant, threatening to stomp the cowboy, who was slow to rise. Charlena shrieked and covered her head with her hands at the same time Lindsey screamed, “Ned!”
He instinctively stepped around and grabbed her in a hug as she buried her head in his shoulder. He looked to the arena. The clowns had distracted the bull. The contestant was waving to the crowd. Ned leaned into Lindsey’s ear. “It’s all right. The rider made it.”
Lindsey looked tentatively over at the grounds, then smiled up at Ned. “Oh, my God! I couldn’t watch, I was so afraid.”
He stared into her eyes. “Lindsey . . .”
But they were jostled by the passing crowd starting to exit the stadium, and Lindsey took a step out of his embrace. She glanced down and straightened her blouse. When she looked back up at Ned, he could tell that she regretted her reaction. They were back to where they were at the beginning of the rodeo.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Dickie watched as Ned hoisted his pack and camping gear onto his back the next morning. Ned walked to the front door of the cabin and opened it, then turned to Dickie. “I want to get away for a short while. I need to think.”
“What about Lindsey? Is she going with you?”
Ned shook his head regretfully. “She changed her mind about wanting to camp.” He pleated his brows and focused on Dickie a moment. “Are you feeling all right?”
Dickie half smiled. “Just tired. I didn’t sleep too well.”
Ned teased, “Too much excitement from the rodeo?”
“No, I’ve definitely experienced more tumult than that.” Dickie looked briefly away. “It just brought back some unpleasant memories.”
Ned closed the door and dropped his gear to the floor. “What about?”
“The unpredictability of animals, especially horses.”
Ned looked puzzled, so Dickie explained. “If my horse hadn’t stumbled in my final battle with Tudor, I probably wouldn’t be in this predicament. I should have won that fight and reigned for years. I would have influenced my reputation, instead of the Tudors.”
Ned nodded. “Yeah, I read the details of that battle in a history book. Dickie, are you so unhappy living in the twenty-first century?”
“No. It’s not that. It’s just . . . I miss my family, especially my wife and son. If I could transport you and my new friends into the fifteenth century—or better yet, heaven—I would be in the best of all worlds.”
Ned paused a moment. “Sorry, I haven’t been concentrating much lately on how we can repair your reputation.”
“It’s all right. There’s time for that once we start making some real money.” Ned looked a bit surprised by that response, and Dickie pondered a moment. Why wasn’t he as concerned anymore about going to hell or salvaging his
own and the York family pride? Somehow the main purpose of this trip was losing some of its importance. What was important to him now? Certainly helping Ned sort out his life. But that was because Ned was family, and Dickie cared for him now as if he were one of his brothers. So he repeated, “I miss my family. That’s what’s bothering me more right now.”
Ned nodded. “I understand.” He hesitated before lifting a corner of his mouth. “But I bet you don’t miss your brother George, the Duke of Clarence. I’ve read enough negative things about him to know that.”
“Actually, you’re wrong. George and I were very close when we were younger. We were playmates, but also shared some really harrowing experiences.” Dickie shook his head at the thought. “Did you know my father rebelled against Henry VI, before Eddie became king?”
Ned sat down on the arm of the couch, realizing he needed to talk. “Because Henry VI was truly insane?”
Dickie raised his brows. “Ha, that’s putting it mildly. Henry VI would have episodes for months at a time when he was unaware of his surroundings, mute and unresponsive. When he came out of these attacks of insanity, he often would take advice from harmful individuals. The country suffered. My father was trying to help, though he had pledged his loyalty to Henry. . . .”
“What happened to you during this time period?”
“When my father first rebelled, my mother, George, and I were captured. We witnessed our mother . . . being abused.” Dickie looked fleetingly away before returning Ned’s gaze. “George and I were vulnerable, young boys of seven and nine, scared for our lives. However, there was a brief reconciliation before my father revolted again. George and I were sent to the Low Countries for safety. We became very close during that time period. But my father’s rebellion eventually failed. He and one of my older brothers, Edmund, were killed in the fighting, though Edmund pleaded for his life. Their heads were displayed on the gates of York, with my father’s head encircled with a mocking paper crown.”