Capturing Christmas

by Shanna Hatfield

  “What happened?” Kelly sank down beside her and rubbed her back.

  Celia jerked and winced. Kelly lifted her shirt and gasped at the multiple splinters covering her pale skin.

  “My word, Celia! What on earth happened to you?” Kelly gaped at her, waiting for a response.

  Unable to speak around the tears clogging her throat, Celia shook her head. Kelly hurried into the bathroom and returned with tweezers, tape, rubbing alcohol and medicated ointment.

  “You tell me what happened while I dig out these splinters.”

  Celia sighed. “It’s not what happened. It’s who.”

  Ransom Kressley watched the beautiful girl run toward the parking lot. He grunted in pain, surprised she’d managed to kick him where it counts.

  Evidently, his dear brother had a personal life he’d been keeping secret. At least Kash had one until a few minutes ago.

  Thoughts of messing up his brother’s romance brought a smile to Ransom’s face. There wasn’t a single thing he enjoyed more than tormenting Kash.

  As upset as the girl had been, ol’ Kash might have to find himself a new girlfriend.

  He wondered when Kash had seen the woman’s bedroom. His brother was one of those upstanding role model-type citizens who always did the right thing. Randomly spending the night with a woman didn’t sound like something cool-headed Saint Kash would do.

  When the woman mistakenly thought he was his brother, he saw no reason to correct her.

  As identical twins, people often confused them. If they were together, it was relatively easy to distinguish the two of them — not by their looks, but their actions.

  However, Ransom could pretend to be his solemn do-gooder brother whenever the purpose suited him, like tonight with the redheaded firecracker.

  Feisty and smokin’ hot, he wouldn’t mind finding out more about her. He’d noticed her snapping photos during the barbecue. Surely, someone in the pavilion could be coerced into spilling what they knew about her, especially if Ransom offered to buy them a few beers.

  Intent on finding new ways to torture Kash, he headed back to the pavilion.

  Chapter Five

  If one more thing went wrong, Kash would turn in his chaps, mount his horse and ride off to the hills.

  The idea of living off what he scrounged from the land with no one around to pester him sounded inordinately tempting. Thoughts of his brother made it even more appealing.

  Kash sighed and snapped the ends of his reins in the direction of a bull intent on throwing his weight around just because he could. The beast blew snot at him then trotted into the holding pen.

  Weary and ready for a cool shower and a good night’s sleep, Kash just wanted the day to end.

  On the way to the rodeo, one of the cattle trucks blew a tire. Once they got their caravan back on the road, his dad called to let him know he’d picked up an extra rodeo due to an incident with the previous stock contractor. It would require a split crew since it happened to be on a weekend they were already booked.

  Since both were smaller rodeos, they could handle it, but Kash didn’t like to work that way. Ransom might have to be in charge of one event or his dad would have to leave the ranch and handle it. Either way, it meant more work and headache for Kash.

  As if his day hadn’t been bad enough, an inspector didn’t want to let any of the stock pass because Kash couldn’t immediately locate the certified veterinary inspection paperwork for one of the roping steers.

  Normally, the inspectors were helpful. However, the man had discovered Ransom kissing his wife the previous evening and wasn’t inclined to be cooperative. Before the inspector decided to throw a punch, Kash showed him his driver’s license and explained in detail that he and Ransom were two different people.

  After much begging and pleading on Kash’s part, the man finally agreed not to send the whole truckload of cattle back to Idaho if he produced the paperwork for the steer.

  Every member of his crew helped search until they located the missing certification. Kash had no idea how it became separated from the rest of the paperwork, but with the distraction of Celia, he was surprised he’d managed to keep things together as well as he had.

  Since he’d dropped her off at her apartment after the wedding, she monopolized his thoughts.

  And it was driving him crazy.

  He did not intend to get involved with a woman. Not ever. Her lush curves, pink lips, and glowing green eyes were of no interest to him, or so he tried to convince himself.

  Determined to get her out of his mind, Kash went about the business of unloading the stock at the rodeo grounds. He sat on his horse Tru and watched every single animal come off the trucks. If one had so much as a runny nose, Kash wanted to know about it.

  The horses playfully kicked and bucked as they left the trailer and trotted down the alleyway to their pens.

  The bulls grunted, snorted and tossed their heads, putting on a show. That’s how he liked his animals to leave the trailers — full of excitement to be at the rodeo.

  Bred for the sport, his animal athletes loved their work. Pampered with the best feed and care, even chiropractic appointments to keep them all aligned and pain free, his horses and bulls received better treatment than most humans he knew.

  Once the crew settled the animals into their pens, Kash went off to meet with the rodeo committee. They needed to go over details for the rodeo that would begin the following evening.

  On his way to clean up for the meeting, he ran into Ransom. It took all his self-control not to pop his brother in the nose.

  Ransom settled a hand on his back and fell into step beside him. “Hey, bro. How’s it going?”

  “Did you have to mess with the inspector’s wife?” Kash shook off his hand and glowered at him. “Aren’t there enough single women willing to fall prey to your charms? Since when did you start chasing after the married ones?”

  Ransom affected a look of innocence as he hurried to keep up with Kash. “Man, it’s not my fault the women can’t keep their hands off me. Besides, I had no idea she was married. She wasn’t wearing a ring and the way she kept coming on to me last night, I seriously thought she was single. Sorry.”

  “I somehow doubt you are,” Kash muttered darkly. As he reached the travel trailer he shared with some of the crew, he stopped. “What are you still doing here, anyway? I thought you’d be headed to Utah to pave the way for Dad to negotiate a deal to pick up that spring rodeo.”

  “I was just getting ready to head out when I saw you arrive.” Ransom nervously shifted his feet. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you aren’t happy to see me.”

  “Have a safe trip to Utah, Ransom. I’ll see you back at the ranch.” Kash stepped into the trailer, slamming the door in his brother’s face.

  An hour later, he sat at a conference table going over information with the rodeo committee. Many of them seemed confused that he and Ransom weren’t the same person. Finally, they understood identical twin brothers managed the stock company. The fact the two possessed entirely different personalities became clear as Kash confidently discussed all the business details with them.

  The chairman of the board had tried to ask Ransom questions about their contract and expenses, but the man hadn’t been able to give him a clear answer. Instead, he told a few funny jokes then encouraged one of the old-timers to talk about the year he won a saddle in 1957.

  Frustrated by Ransom’s evasiveness, the chairman was pleased Kash quickly answered their questions and laid all his cards on the table. He appreciated knowing he dealt with an honest man willing to do his best to help make the rodeo successful for all parties.

  When the meeting concluded, the chairman took Kash aside. “I’m confident this will be a memorable event, Kash. Thank you for providing your stock. I’m curious to see how your Wild Willie does against our cowboys.”

  “Willie is a bull you can count on to put the cowboys through their paces.” Kash reached out and shook the man’s hand ag
ain. “We appreciate you giving us the opportunity to provide the stock this year, sir.”

  The chairman thumped Kash on the back as they left the conference room and wandered toward the door. “If I’d met your brother first, I don’t think I’d have recommended contracting you boys, but I know you won’t let us down.”

  Kash shot him a wary look. “Would you please elaborate on that, sir?”

  “Well, your brother is full of charisma, no doubt about that, but that boy hasn’t got a lick of sense, if you don’t mind my saying.”

  “I don’t mind, sir.”

  “He couldn’t answer a single question I asked him about the business side of things, but he charmed the ladies, and told a lot of funny jokes. Although I heard grumblings about him getting a little carried away with that charm a time or two, if you get my drift.”

  “Unfortunately, I do. Thank you for bringing this to my attention, sir. I’ll be sure to address your concerns with our company president. I guarantee if you contract with us next year, there won’t be any incidents with Ransom.”

  “Sounds good, Kash. It’s a pleasure doing business with you,” the chairman said as they stepped outside into the afternoon heat. “Will you be at the fundraiser tonight?”

  “Yes, sir. I’ll be there.”

  “Great. I’ll see you then.” Kash waited until the chairman disappeared around the corner before returning to the travel trailer. The two bullfighters on his payroll and one of the pickup men were already there, relaxing with cold drinks.

  Kash took a bottle of water from the fridge and sat down on a swivel chair.

  “Man, you should have warned us about the humidity. We’re gonna die out there.” One of the bullfighters took a deep swig of his soda pop.

  “I know it will be miserable. What can we do to make this easier on you guys?”

  They tossed around ideas, came up with a plan, and then moved on to discussing how things would roll out over the course of the next four days.

  The pickup man stretched out his legs and glanced at Kash. “Dude, what is up with your brother? He’s even more out of control than usual. I heard he roughed up a girl.”

  “What?” Kash leaned forward in his chair. “You better be kidding me.”

  “Nope. I heard it from one of the groundskeepers. Yesterday, he witnessed your brother getting overly friendly with a girl who wasn’t interested. Before he had a chance to step in, she handled things herself. It sounded like there may now be some question about Ransom’s ability to give your father any grandchildren. Considering your brother, that might not be a bad thing.”

  Everyone but Kash laughed. If Ransom hadn’t already left, he’d thump some sense into him. Who was he kidding? Ransom was never going to change and that fact alone left Kash edgy and angry.

  Although his father was ready to retire, he refused to admit that Kash was much better suited to take over as the head of the Rockin’ K Rodeo Company. Instead, he’d announced in January that he would stay at home on the ranch and evaluate how the two brothers handled things without him around. The one who did the best would earn the position.

  Kash’s father always called the rodeo committee after a rodeo to get a report from them and discuss renewing the contract for the following year. He hoped his dad got an earful about all the shenanigans Ransom had pulled at this rodeo.

  If his dad decided to hand Ransom the reins, Kash would take his share of the business and start his own company. Ransom would run the business his grandfather started into the ground in six months, if he lasted that long.

  While Kash went to college and earned degrees in business and animal husbandry, Ransom played at being a college student, much more interested in girls, frat parties and football. He finally dropped out of school his junior year and returned to the ranch.

  As adults, Kash fully invested in their business, using his own money to buy horses and bulls he felt would improve their bloodlines and upgrading equipment. As a result, he owned a third of the stock, two of the cattle trucks, and several pieces of equipment.

  Ransom ran through his income like water, wasting it on booze, women and cars, exclusively in that order.

  For years, Kash had tried to understand what made his brother tick, but all that did was leave him frustrated and confused. Most people assumed since they were twins, they knew what the other thought and felt. That had never been the case with the Kressley brothers.

  Although their father was tough, he was also fair and honest. Since their mother left when they were three, Kash didn’t know anything about her, but always thought his brother must have taken after her.

  Even as children, Ransom had always been full of orneriness and could sometimes be cruel, hiding his true nature behind a charismatic, outgoing front. It was as though Ransom had something to prove, being born almost an hour after Kash arrived.

  To compensate for what he viewed as his brother’s faults, Kash strived to be the opposite. Quiet, serious, calm and kind, he treated people as he liked to be treated.

  Sometimes, he came across as somber or reserved.

  Most days, he didn’t care, as long as people recognized he was nothing like his good-timing brother whose primary interest was in serving himself.

  He wished his dad would realize the only reason Ransom worked for the company was to feed his ego and meet women looking for a few hours of fun.

  Kash fixed his gaze on his friend and employee. “Did you get any information on this girl? What she looked like? If she was hurt?” Ransom hadn’t ever stooped to the level of forcing his affections on an unwilling female, but Kash honestly wouldn’t put anything past him.

  “Nope, boss. The guy said it was almost dark, but Ransom had her shoved up against a tree. She fought against him and won. That’s all I know.”

  Kash nodded his head. Unknowingly, he crushed the water bottle in his hand and water gushed out of the cracked plastic, puddling on the floor.

  The other occupants of the trailer looked from the muscles working in his jaw to his clenched fists. One of them grabbed a towel and mopped up the spill while Kash got to his feet.

  “Don’t forget to be at the fundraiser tonight. It starts at six. Your tickets to get in are paid for and waiting at the door.”

  Furious, he left the trailer and walked off to check on the bulls.

  Hours later, he sat at a table with his crew, watching as people with deep pockets bid on a variety of items to raise funds for the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund. The fund provided financial assistance to injured rodeo athletes who would be out of work for an indefinite period. Since those competing professionally in the rodeo had no contracts for income or guaranteed pay, an injury could cause real financial hardship.

  Kash thought the fund was a great cause and had talked his dad into setting up a standing donation that they made to it every year. He also personally supported JCCF at various rodeos by purchasing tickets to raffles or buying items at auctions.

  Rodeo cowboys kept him in business so it was his way of paying them back.

  As he watched people bidding, he looked around in hopes he might see Celia. He wasn’t sure if she’d be at this rodeo, or one of the many others taking place that weekend around the region. There were certainly other rodeos closer to home for her, although this was one of the more popular rodeos, drawing many rodeo star participants.

  The thirty-plus rodeos taking place around the west during the Fourth of July week were part of something many in the business referred to as Cowboy Christmas.

  Rodeo athletes competed in multiple rodeos, working to earn their portion of a few million dollars paid out to winners. It was a grueling, exciting, career-defining time of year and Kash was gratified to be a part of it.

  A twinge of disappointment settled over him when he didn’t spy Celia’s red head among the crowd. A mental lecture about leaving the girl alone and focusing on his business did nothing to quell his interest in her.

  For a moment, he closed his eyes and recalled how she’d look
ed in that green dress dancing with him in the soft lights of the barn at his friend’s disastrous wedding.

  A nudge to his arm brought him back to reality. He glanced at one of his crew members. “We got a problem with one of the bulls, boss. Can you come take a look?”

  “Let’s go.” He grabbed his hat and hurried out the door.

  The next four days passed in a blur for Kash. Two of the bulls got into a shoving match and one of them ended up with a long cut along his neck. The veterinarian stitched him up, but it took him out of competition for the rodeo.

  Kash kept an eye on him, babied him with extra feed and care, in addition to managing everything else.

  The morning of the Fourth of July, he checked in with a handful of his crew keeping an eye on things at the holding pens then inspected the rest of his staff. They all wore matching shirts, chaps, black hats, and gloves. Tack gleamed, polished to a high shine. Meticulously groomed, the horses proudly carried their riders along with saddlebags filled with candy.

  Anyone who worked for the Rockin’ K Rodeo Company knew they had to keep everything clean, polished, and looking their best at all times. Nevertheless, when the opportunity arose to ride in a parade, they all put in extra effort.

  “Looking good, guys.” Kash gave them a nod of approval as he mounted Tru and led the way to the parade route where they waited in sweltering heat for the parade to begin.

  Once they finally started moving, tossing candy to the kids and waving to the crowds garnered all their attention.

  Kash watched for Celia, but she wasn’t among those gathered along the parade route. He’d caught sight of her taking photos at the rodeo, but hadn’t had time to speak with her. During the day, he had no idea how to find her, since they hadn’t yet exchanged cell phone numbers. If he really wanted to look her up, he could have found a way, but he convinced himself it was best to leave her alone.

  However, every time he glanced into the arena and saw her out there with her camera, his heart thumped loudly in his chest and he found it impossible to concentrate. He nearly missed pulling two flank straps the previous evening due to the way she scattered his thoughts.