by J. Darling
Then the announcement, next up, cowboy mounted shooting, riders shooting at a target while on a running horse. Cool, this sounded intriguing, he thought. The program had been interesting and all, with Dani being, by far, the most interesting part. But this, he was into this. Captivated, he sat watching, the course being set up in a random pattern with ten barrels, each holding a balloon, five red, five blue.
Rider after rider came and went, scored on time and accuracy, and he decided if he saw nothing else that would be alright by him, until… Holy shit, his blood ran hot and his nostrils flared. Dani rode through the gates on Topaz and took a little stroll around the arena, checking the course before making her way to the starting line. Wiping his face, it appeared he’d developed a fever as he watched her back end roll and sway in that saddle, and when she strode on by them, he felt his blood pumping and loins go rock hard when he caught sight of her holster and pistols riding above the addition of chaps and jangling spurs.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, breathe, just breathe, he told himself. So what did he do? He swallowed. Sending praise to the heavens above, he watched. God, you sure knew what you were doing when you made this woman. She was cool as a cucumber and loose in arm and limb, and he wondered how she could concentrate with all the men hooting and hollering her way. Feeling her passion, he wanted this for her, wanted her to excel, because as much as he knew she didn’t want to do tricks, he knew she did want to do this.
With a snap, they were off and out came the colt single action, she cocked and shot five times, taking down each of the red balloons while Topaz ran the barrels. Then holstering on the turn and bringing out a second colt, she cocked and fired five more shots, taking down each of the blue balloons. He and his family joined the crowd cheering her on as she and Topaz raced for the finish line.
Why hadn’t he brought a camera? Oh yeah, because he hadn’t wanted to catch her on film pulling the kinds of tricks he’d envisioned. Lamenting the end of her run, wishing he could have seen her in action longer, he was pleased when several riders later, she returned for a second run. Except this time, he near fainted when instead of pulling out a second pistol, she hauled out a Remington rifle from a saddle scabbard. Levering, aiming, and firing five times, she rode at an all-out run, reins and hands free of all things, taking down every damn balloon on the course.
Holy shit, he was in love! Absolutely in love. No doubt about it in love. He’d known she was special from the moment he saw her, but this simply transcended anything he could’ve ever imagined in his wildest dreams. He had met the one, for sure, no doubts, none. The King had finally found his Queen.
Jake reached around Linnie and smacked him on the arm. “You screw this up and let this one go, and you’re an idiot.”
“Ditto,” Nik said, punching him on the shoulder. “Like I was saying, you better tie this one up quick. Hate to say it, but that was hot.”
“Hey!” Kris barked, not appreciating Nik’s comment in the least. “Have a little respect here.”
“Oh, I have plenty of respect, mmhmm,” Nik exaggerated, “that’s for dang sure, and I’m going to love watching little Miss Rodeo Queen whip your a—he stopped and looked at Junie—ahh, rump.”
“I’m already enjoying watching you handle all the chick stuff,” Jules added with a laugh, nodding to Junie, who had a hand in Kris’s hair twisting a bunch of it around and around with her little fingers. “It’s nice, and you’re handling it well.”
Damn, he hadn’t even noticed she was doing that. Well, he found it kind of relaxing with all the stress he was under watching Dani damn near kill herself, and he wondered if Junie was feeling stressed too.
Whispering in her ear, he said, “How are you doing, sweetpea? You doing alright?”
She nodded. “We see Nonny.”
He nodded and kissed her head as he held her close. “We sure did. The show will be over soon and we’ll go find her. How does that sound?”
“Look, second place,” Nate alerted the group.
Kris looked up quick, not wanting to miss her name on the board. Junie snuggled into the crook of his neck and watched the gates off to side as the bull and bronc riding competition ensued, until finally it was time for the closing ceremony and then, mercifully, it was over. Now what, where did they go to find her? Sitting a few minutes, waiting for the crowd to thin, they made their way out of the stands and along a mall of vendors and booths setup with various western related novelties.
There she was, standing next to an open trailer displaying numerous awards and trophies she’d won, as well as her gear and costumes. Meeting and greeting fans, she handed off a photo tucked inside a reading book to each and every one. Off to the side were both Ricochet and Topaz, placidly munching on some feed and hay as if this was everyday ho-hum. Junie shouted for her, and Dani turned to them, smiling and blowing a kiss their way.
He and his family stood talking, waiting till she finished, and he watched her. She’d always been attractive to him, but with her hair done and down, make up on, clothes made to fit, she was downright beautiful in her element. He wanted her, bad, and wondered if he’d screwed up too much to salvage this sinking ship. He needed to try. Hard.
*****
She’d thought about him, and seeing him standing there holding Junie in his strong arms made her heart thump. Knowing Junie as she did, she knew her place of preference was wrapped in loving arms. Dani supposed she was to blame for that, having held Junie so much when she was a baby. She’d been surprised when Junie asked if Kris could hold her at first, and Dani had wondered if it was simply because she was present, and therefore Junie felt safe, or because Junie actually felt comfortable with Kris. Seeing them now, she knew Junie felt safe with him.
That being the case, Junie had taken to him like no other, because the men in her mother’s life, and those that’d been in hers, had had no time or patience for a clingy little girl who wanted to be held all the time. That Kris held her now, told Dani much about his treatment and care for her, not to mention she’d seen Junie on his lap each time she’d been in the arena.
She knew that every time his hands and arms had been idle, Junie would have put herself in them. That he let her, and satisfied that need in her, made him abundantly attractive to Dani. She’d always figured that the man who treated Junie well, would be the man who’d treat her well, and she used that as her measure and guide. So far, Kris fit perfectly.
Greeting more fans and handing out mementoes, she hoped the end would come soon. She wanted to go home and spend some time with the two of them, then go to bed. The last few days had been long and demanding, and she was exhausted. Her heart started to pound as he stepped closer. The line coming to an end, she couldn’t keep from looking at him. He was so tall and strong, and she had a surprise for him.
Stepping in close their eyes connected and he said, “I’ll take a picture and a book, but I really would rather have the real thing.” Putting his free arm around her and placing a kiss on her head, he leaned in and said quietly, “I’m sorry for being a complete ass, forgive me and give me another chance, please.”
Smiling, she turned and grabbed the cowboy hat she’d bought, having seen it and thinking of him. Reaching up she placed it on his head, letting her hand run down his chest as she stared at him, smiling. He was smoking hot. “Now all you need are some snub nosed dingoes along with a big belt buckle, and you’ll be set.”
Tilting his head down to look at her better, he shook his head. “It would just be decoration, it’s the cowgirl that would make it all real. I need my cowgirl. Come here.” Hidden behind the brim of their hats, he kissed her lightly.
“Kris, quit hogging the prettiest and most talented girl here,” Nik said, gruffly. “Give some of us other single guys a chance.”
Scowling, he looked at Nik and she felt his protectiveness.
“Remind me why we brought you,” he snarled in response, hating the interruption.
Nik’s eyes danced as he answered with mischief.
“For my charm and wit, now move over, I want to hug a real cowgirl.”
Reluctantly, he let her go. “I won’t have any problem turning you into a midget,” Kris grumbled, stepping back a bit, then finished with, “I’m watching you.”
She couldn’t help but chuckle at the two of them. Nik was clearly pushing some buttons tonight.
Nik laughed, taking his brother’s discontent in stride, then continued taunting him. “You do that, then you’ll see how it’s done. It’ll be educational for you, I’m sure.”
His family rushed her and she was overtaken by them. It felt…nice.
An hour later, they were loaded and ready to leave. Kris crawled behind the steering wheel of her truck and looked over at the two of them, his eyes stopping on a sleeping Junie in her arms.
“We should probably get her in the booster seat, don't you think?”
Nodding, Dani answered, “I suppose it’s best, but I don’t want to.”
Reaching over, he ran his hand over Junie’s head. “You’re very good with her.”
Looking down, she hugged Junie a little tighter. “She’s my girl.”
Getting out of the truck, he went around and opened the front and back passenger doors. Taking Junie from her, he settled her in the seat and buckled her in, covering her with her blanket, then checked to see that Dani was buckled in and got back behind the wheel.
“I’m not the only one who’s good with her,” Dani said, looking over at him as she reclined back in the seat resting. Nothing but the hazy colored lights of the dash were on to make them see. When he turned to her, she reached for his hand and his lips were on her. Oh, how she loved his soft, gentle lips.
“Dani,” he half spoke, half moaned.
“Shhhh,” she whispered.
“I’m sorry,” he said softly, then kissed her again.
“I know, me to.” She kissed him in return, then again.
“I’ve missed you. Forgive me?”
Reaching up a hand, she ran her fingers through his hair, then said quietly, “It takes two to argue, but only one to make peace, you’re forgiven.” Then she kissed him sweetly because she really liked kissing this man. “Take me home, Kris, I want us home.”
An hour and a half later, Kris woke her with another kiss and she decided she could handle more of this.
“We’re home,” he announced softly. “Why don’t you take Junie inside and I’ll unload the horses.”
She nodded, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. “Sounds good. Has Jake been here yet with the other trailer?”
“Yeah, it’s over by the barn.”
“Great, I’ll get her settled and come back out. I need to get some of my stuff from there.”
Ten minutes and a quick shower later, Dani was by the side of the horse trailer with Coco in tow and a flashlight in hand. Opening a small door to an animal pen, she said, “Hey girl, come on.” Out popped a beautiful gold head with soft floppy ears. “Come on Goldie, let’s go girl.” The dog hopped out and shook her beautiful long hair, then trotted over and gave Dani a slurp on her hand before greeting Coco and Kris with a series of sniffs.
“So this is Goldie,” Kris stated, as he gave the canine a scratch behind the ears, then one to Coco who’d head-butted Goldie out of the way in his bid to get attention.
“Yep,” she answered, as she made her way to the trailer Jake had dropped off. “She’s good to have on a hunt.”
“I bet, and seeing as how good you are with a gun, I’m sure she’s busy.”
“You liked that, huh?” she responded, as she crawled into the trailer. “Hold the flashlight up a little more, would you please?”
Lifting the flashlight higher, he answered, “Ah, yeah, me and about a thousand other guys.”
She laughed. He was a typical alpha male, jealous, protective, and aggressive to the core. “That doesn’t bother you does it? Because I don’t pay attention to men, other than to get them to go away.”
“No, no,” he answered quickly, totally faking it. “I’m good.”
Sticking her head out of the trailer, she looked up at him in the dim glow of the yard light and smiled. “You’re a horrible liar. Good to know.” Then she popped back inside and fished around, handing him costume after costume. Finished, she hopped out, shutting and locking the door. Taking her things from him, she headed for the house.
Walking alongside her, he took her hand. “Okay, so I hated it, and I wanted to punch the eyes out of every guy who whistled and made rude and suggestive comments towards you. How’s that for being honest?”
Stepping into the porch and telling the dogs to stay, she answered him, “Better, honest.” Making her way to the laundry room, she attended to her costumes. Kris came in and handed her an open beer, then stood there lingering. It was coming, she knew it, just as she’d take a drink. She lifted the bottle.
“So what’s with the Sexy Lexy bit?”
Bingo. She swallowed. “Do you really think I billed myself with that label?”
He looked down, clearly uncomfortable. “Well, no, not necessarily, but how did it come about?”
Hmmm. Any man she’d ever been involved with hated it. Correction, it was okay when they said it, but no one else. “It’s a result of my name. I was born Alexa Danielle Reed, and have been called Lexy all my life. I became Sexy Lexy when I was objectified by horny men and their vivid imaginations.” He furtively glanced her way as he shifted around on his feet. She’d made him uncomfortable with the brute truth. Turning, she went back to attending to her costumes.
“So why don’t you want to trick ride?”
Swirling her costumes around in the water, she gently washed them. “Because people don’t take my other accomplishments seriously as a result.”
“Meaning?”
Turning on the water, she answered as she rinsed the garments. “Of all the things I did tonight, what will people remember me for doing? How will they remember me?” Pausing, she looked over her shoulder at him. “Tomorrow, at the breakfast table, people won’t be talking about Lexy Reed, the mounted horse shooter or champion barrel racer. If they talk about me at all, it’ll be all about Sexy Lexy and the halftime entertainment show.”
“So that’s why you hate doing tricks?”
Draining the water off, she delicately squeezed out the excess the best she could. “I love doing tricks. I hate that I have to wear flashy suggestive costumes to appease the promoters, feeding the rumor mill in the process, given my mother’s vocation and all. You know, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, bit.” Pulling out a drying rack, she unfolded it. “Plus, you don’t see the men being made to ride in nothing but nut cups, chaps and bowties.”
He barked a laugh as he coughed on his beer. Wiping his mouth on his arm, he said, “And thank God for that. You need help?”
She shook her head as she draped the tops and bottoms here and there. “Nah, just cleaning and drying them for the weekend, almost done.”
“What time do you have to be there tomorrow?”
“First show is at two.”
“I hate that you have to do this. Does horse training not provide enough?”
“It puts a roof over our heads, but that’s about it, the rest is up to me. I need to do this so I can afford to pay for Junie’s medical bills,” she answered, hanging the last of her costumes up to dry. “She needs counseling, and as you can tell, extensive speech therapy.”
Nodding, he asked hesitantly, “Well, wouldn’t that be covered by medical insurance?”
“Sure, if a person had some.” Grabbing her bottle of beer, she headed to the kitchen, knowing he wanted to ask for more information but didn’t. Instead, he followed along quietly. “I’m working on it, but it’s a process, and she needs help now, so we pay out of pocket.”
Satisfied with the answer, he asked, “Do you need help tomorrow?”
This is a good man, her heart said with a sigh. “You have a farm to run, remember? And I know she’s a handful, literally.”
Getting her gist, he smiled and nodded, then shrugged. “You know, I don’t mind. Kind of surprising really, kids are normally scared of me given my size. Has she always been like that?”
Finishing her beer, she nodded. “Yep, we were together all the time, took her everywhere, and as strollers are not made for pastures and don’t ride well on saddles, I had no choice but to strap her to me or hold her. So there you go, but she won’t go to just anybody, she only goes where she feels safe and loved.”
Smiling widely as he grasped what she was saying, he just stared at her as she put her bottle in the recycle bin. Holding his hand out to her, he said, “Come here, I missed you.”
Taking his hand, she was pulled in close to him. Wrapping his arms around her, he gave her a big hug.
“You’re pretty darn amazing, Dani, and of all the things I’ll remember about tonight, it’ll definitely be the mounted shooting. Oh, and for wanting to give every guy there a beat-down just for looking at you.”
Laughing, she hugged him back and rested her head on his shoulder. “You’re being silly.”
Firmly shaking his head, he answered her, “Nope, I’m being a man who wants to protect his interests. Kiss me.”
Lifting her head, he captured her mouth and kissed her passionately. She liked it, and her body responded to him. Deep inside, she felt it and she wanted it, but then waffled.
Stopping, he looked at her. “I lost you. You were there, then you left. Did I do something I shouldn’t?”
She shook her head. “No, it was good, it’s just me being me. I get into a situation like this and when I feel something, my mind starts to analyze things and it just seems to take over.”
“So you felt something when I kissed you?”
She nodded.
“In a good way, or not?”
He was looking a little worried. Staring into his eyes, she answered him. “Good.”
Clearly relieved, he looked for confirmation, “So kissing’s good?”
“With you, yes,” she said, nodding.