The Cowboy Way

by Christine Wenger

  Chapter Nine

  Jake crossed his arms and ankles and leaned against the wall in the hallway. Through the thick glass window across from him, he could see the waiting area of the Emergency Room.

  It looked like every other emergency room he’d been in, and he’d been in many. If he couldn’t be stitched or taped at the sports medicine office, he’d be strapped to a stretcher and slipped into an ambulance like a letter into an envelope. Then he’d be rushed to the nearest hospital.

  When it was one of his fellow bull riders who took a bad hit, he’d drive over to the hospital after the event to keep him company.

  If things weren’t that bad, they’d hit the road and head to the next event.

  Yep. ERs were all the same—crowded with barely enough uncomfortable plastic chairs for everyone. Some people paced, others sat as still as statues. Some cried softly, others looked ever hopeful as they waited for news.

  The broken and bloody were the ones Jake identified with. They’d have to wait, sometimes hours, before their names were called. He’d experienced that too many times.

  Beth sat next to a young woman who he assumed was Johnny’s mother. They were talking intently. Beth had her arm around the woman’s shoulder, and they held hands in a fisted grip.

  Jake knew it had to be hard on Beth to experience Kevin’s accident all over again. Yet she was there for a stranger who was going through the same thing, supporting her, caring.

  Beth Conroy was one special woman.

  She didn’t have to drive with him to the hospital. He could have gone for X rays another time. Maybe after the Challenge was over. But she sure was persuasive. No. It wasn’t just that. It was because he wanted to be with her—alone—and away from all the distractions back at the ranch.

  When they kissed, he felt something stir inside his very soul. Sure, he had the normal physical jolt, but there was more, like the adrenaline rush when he won a Gold Buckle or rode a bull that no one else could.

  He’d noticed her doing little things around the ranch to help—she talked to the kids, wiped tables, served meals and pitched in generally. She could have taken a break, like many of the parents did, but she was always willing to lend a hand.

  He didn’t begrudge the parents some time by themselves while the kids were participating in the program. It was hard being the caretaker for someone with special needs. He could see the exhaustion on their faces, in their eyes, in the slump of their shoulders.

  Beth had had that same look of exhaustion when he’d picked her and Kevin up at the airport. Now it seemed almost gone.

  For the time she had left at the Gold Buckle, he wanted to show her a good time. Last night’s adventure at the Last Chance Saloon had had its highs and lows, but now he knew the mistake he’d made.

  He drank in front of Beth.

  Jake noticed a doctor-type dressed in aqua-colored scrubs enter the waiting room through big steel double doors. Everyone turned in his direction and held a collective breath, until he picked out the person he was looking for. Beth’s new friend stood, gave a solemn nod and disappeared behind the doors after the doctor.

  With her hands folded in her lap, Beth looked around. Her gaze settled on Jake. She smiled. He smiled back and waved, then waited as he watched her walk from the glass room toward him.

  “Her name is Maria,” she said. “Johnny was riding his bicycle home from baseball practice and a woman driver talking on a cell phone hit him. Maria is with the doctor who examined Johnny now.” Beth’s breath came out in a shudder. “I hope he’ll be all right.”

  “I hope so, too.”

  “Jake, I know you’re anxious to go back to the ranch, but would you mind if I just stay a little longer with Maria? She might need someone to talk to, and I’d like to be here for her.”

  “Like I said, you take all the time you need.” He pointed outside. “I’ll be out there. There’s a garden with a couple of benches. Sure you don’t want to take a break and catch some air?”

  Looking back at the room, she shook her head. “In case Maria needs a shoulder to cry on, I want to be there.”

  “Then you go right ahead.”

  She gave him a quick peck on the cheek. Nice. He’d rope the moon for her whenever she looked at him like that with those big green eyes. Hell, he’d camp out in the garden all night if she wanted to stay in the ER with Maria.

  “Thanks, Jake.”

  He watched as she walked away, her blond hair catching glints from the overhead lights and her stride purposeful. As he watched her take a seat through the glass wall of the waiting room, his mind strayed, thinking of how she’d felt in his arms as they’d danced last night. How she’d responded to his kisses at her cabin door, in the meadow, in the chapel…

  He couldn’t help thinking that they were on some kind of journey together, each hesitant to take another step, yet each wondering what was over the next ridge.

  Someone called to him. “Jake? Hey, Jake!”

  Looking down, he saw two of the cutest kids, a boy and a girl. The boy was about seven, the girl about four or five.

  He looked around to see if any adults were looking for them. Behind the glass of the ER, a woman pointed to the children and then to herself. Jake nodded.

  “Hey, Jake!” the boy said again. “Can we have your autograph?”

  “Why sure, son. What’s your name?”

  “Guillermo Hernandez-Rodriguez. And I’m gonna be a bull rider just like you.”

  “Be better than me,” Jake told him.

  The boy thrust a pen and a colorful rectangle of paper at Jake, who bit back a laugh. It was a magazine subscription form that little Guillermo must have found in the stacks of magazines in the waiting room.

  “You’re probably going to have to spell your name for me so I can get it right.”

  “Um…naw, just write ‘Billy’ on it. It’s spelled B-IL-L-Y.”

  Jake had just finished the N in Dixon, when Billy pulled the paper out of his hand and ran off. Jake watched through the window as Billy showed it to his mother. She smiled her appreciation to Jake, and he touched his hat to her.

  Jake turned toward Beth. She was watching him, smiling.

  He felt a push on his leg. “Hey! Me, too!”

  Awkwardly, Jake crouched down to be eye to eye with the little girl. “And what’s your name, princess?”

  “Theresa Hernandez-Rodriguez, and this is a new dress. It’s pink.” She twirled in a complete circle twice, then ended up facing him. “I want to be a ballerina.”

  “I think you’d make an excellent ballerina,” Jake said. This little gal was just perfection. “And your dress is beautiful on you.”

  She stuck her chin out and grinned. She had some teeth missing and some starting to come in.

  “Do you want me to write ‘Theresa’ on this paper?”

  She nodded, then spun around again. Jake held back his laughter.

  “What’s your name again, mister?” she asked.

  “Jake. Jake Dixon.”

  “Oh.” She twirled so fast this time that she spun, fell, her bottom hitting the marble floor. Her eyes shot open wide and her bottom lip trembled, but she seemed to be more shocked than hurt.

  Oh hell, she was going to cry. It broke his heart when kids cried. “Are you okay, Theresa?” He helped her up. “That was a great spin, but maybe a little too fast. Ballerinas dance really slow.” How would he know? It wasn’t as if he’d ever seen a ballet in his life.

  To her credit, no tears fell. She looked at her dress, smoothed it down and was back to her old self.

  Jake knew she didn’t have a clue as to why he was writing on a magazine subscription card for her.

  “My daddy’s hurt.”

  He chose his words carefully. “The doctors are going to take good care of him,” he said, struggling to stand. His legs were numb and it felt like his back wasn’t going to lock into place.

  “A bull got him.”

  “A bull?” Jake said a quick prayer. Th
is could be bad for her father.

  Theresa cupped her mouth with both hands and whispered, “A bull’s horns got him in the butt.”

  He covered his mouth, ostensibly rubbing his chin. He shouldn’t laugh. He just shouldn’t. But he was relieved for her father that the injury probably wasn’t life threatening. Then it hit him.

  “Is your daddy’s name Miguel?”

  She nodded.

  “And you have a big ranch and lot of bulls, don’t you?”

  She nodded. “And horses. My horse’s name is Candy, and Daddy says he’s as sweet as me.”

  Big Mike Rodriguez was one of the most important rodeo stock contractors in the country. He was a short, square, hulk of a man with a heart as big as his best bull, Tiny Tim. He was a wealthy, self-made man who gave buckets of money to Wheelchair Rodeo.

  “I know your daddy.”

  “You do?” Theresa took him by the hand and tugged.

  “Where are you taking me, princess?”

  “I want to show you to my daddy.”

  “But he’s busy right now. You just show him what I wrote on that paper and tell him I said to get better, okay?” When this got around the circuit, Big Mike Rodriguez would be the butt of a lot of jokes. Jake groaned at his own pun.

  “Theresa, come now. You’ve bothered Mr. Dixon long enough.”

  “Hi, Mommy!” Theresa twirled back to her mother, then curtseyed to him with a bit too much of her pink dress gathered into her hands.

  Jake bowed to Theresa as much as his back would let him, then tweaked the brim of his hat. She giggled and took another bow.

  “She’s no problem,” he said to Mrs. Rodriguez. “I’ve enjoyed talking to her. I’m Jake Dixon.” He held his hand out.

  “Kathleen.” She shook his hand. “I think we met a while back.”

  He didn’t remember. “Theresa tells me that Big Mike was hurt. Sure hope he’ll be okay.”

  “He’ll be fine. Just needs a couple dozen stitches. I’m sure Theresa told you on what part of his anatomy he needs them.” She laughed. “She’s telling everyone.”

  Jake grinned. “Please tell Big Mike I said hello and that I’ll pass the word as to what happened to him.”

  “I think that’s what Mike was afraid of!” She held on to Theresa’s shoulders, probably to still her before she twirled right into Colorado. “I hope you’re all right yourself, Jake.”

  “Oh, I’m okay. Just had some X rays. Right now I’m waiting on a friend who’s keeping someone company.”

  He pointed to Beth, who must have been watching him all along. He met her gaze and knew her warm smile was for him. That made him feel good right down to the soles of his boots.

  After more small talk, Theresa and her mother went back inside and Jake headed out to the garden.

  He collapsed on one of the benches and thought about how he’d love to have kids of his own someday. But when was “someday” going to come? He wasn’t ready to give up riding. Some riders combined a family life with rodeo, but that wasn’t for him. He wouldn’t like being gone from his family that much. Some dragged their families with them, but what kind of a life was that for children?

  Interacting with the kids was the main reason he enjoyed Wheelchair Rodeo so much. For one week in July, it seemed as though they were all his kids, and he could enjoy each and every one of them.

  Since he never wore a watch, he checked the position of the sun in the sky. Although he didn’t want to rush Beth, he couldn’t wait to get back to the ranch. Tonight was movie night, which usually turned into a laugh-fest and a popcorn fight. He had a John Wayne movie ready to roll. Lights-out would be at nine o’clock. They were going to get an early start on the trail ride tomorrow, and he wanted everyone fresh and alert.

  He shifted his weight on the hard bench and ran through a list in his head. Everything was set for tomorrow’s campout, and Jake was looking forward to it.

  As Beth walked toward Jake, she couldn’t help thinking how cute he had been with the two little autograph seekers. She’d watched him work his magic with them, just as he’d worked his magic with Kevin and Heather, the little girl who’d wanted a golden horse instead of a gray one. The kids in Wheelchair Rodeo adored him. Kevin idolized him.

  “Mommy, he said I was a princess.”

  “Hey, Mom, I’m going to be a bull rider like Jake Dixon.”

  Jake had a way about him that made a person feel special. Like the way he made her feel when she was with him.

  He had his face turned up to the sun, and his eyes were shut. His arms were crossed in front of his chest, and he was stretched out. He looked peaceful and relaxed, and she wondered what he was thinking.

  She cleared her throat, and his turquoise eyes opened slowly.

  He patted the bench next to him. “Any news?”

  She sat down. “The good news is that Johnny’s going to be okay—eventually. His most serious injury is a fractured pelvis, so they are going to put in pins and metal plates.” She sighed. “Kevin had a fractured pelvis too, among other things.”

  Jake put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer. She let her head rest on his chest, taking comfort from him, drawing on his strength.

  She’d never had anyone to share life’s daily struggles with, and wondered if it would feel like this. Marriage was supposed to be like this but what a disappointment hers had been. It had been next to impossible to share her life with Brad; he was always drunk or hungover. They never hugged or kissed, and forget about sex. If he did show up in their bed, he was sleeping off a bender.

  She found herself getting all warm and tingly when she thought of making love with Jake. She wanted to know what it would be like with him—just once. One wonderful time.

  “Thanks for not rushing me. It was something I had to do.”

  “I know.” He squeezed her hand. “It was a nice thing you did. I know it was hard.”

  She sighed as peace and contentment washed over her. She would remember this moment forever when she was back in Arizona—sitting here on a bench in Wyoming with Jake’s strong arm around her. Her heart ached with admiration for him.

  “Jake?”

  “Hmm?”

  “When did we cross the line between friendship and more than friendship?”

  “I haven’t a clue.”

  She could feel the vibration in his chest as he spoke.

  “Only a couple of days ago, you couldn’t stand the sight of me.”

  “Not true. You’re gorgeous to look at, but you know I hate drinking.”

  He chuckled. “Gorgeous, huh?”

  She coughed. “Absolutely.”

  “Studly?”

  She put her tongue against her cheek. “You got it.”

  “Sexy?”

  She rolled her eyes. “Goes without saying.” Her stomach growled. “Shall we go back to the Gold Buckle?”

  “Let’s talk more about me.”

  She moved away from him and stood, faking like she was upset. “I’m not one of your buckle bunnies, Jake Dixon.”

  “Gee, too bad. If you were, I’d autograph your stomach.”

  “No thanks, but you can feed it. I’m famished.”

  He attempted to stand, using the bench for leverage. Automatically, she moved to help him, the way she always helped Kevin.

  “No. I can do it myself. It just takes time.”

  She opened her mouth to protest, but he cut her off.

  “I promised my mother that I’d take you someplace special to eat.”

  She thought about it. “Let’s just go back to the Gold Buckle. That’s someplace special to me. Besides, I heard Cookie’s making sourdough biscuits and barbecuing steaks. I just love cookouts and eating outside.”

  “Sounds good to me.”

  Hand in hand, they walked back to the parking garage, and were soon back on the highway heading southwest. The sun was still high in the sky, and the sky was even bluer than on the way up.

  “I gave Maria the address of the
Gold Buckle Ranch for Johnny. I told her about your program and how it’s done so much for Kevin.”

  “Great,” Jake replied. “If there’s anything I can do for them…”

  She heard a phone ringing somewhere in the truck.

  “Try the glove compartment. I forgot I had the thing.”

  She answered the phone for him. “It’s Owen Michaelson from Wild West Pro Rodeo Equipment.”

  “Tell him to hang on.”

  Jake turned in to a gas station, cut the motor and took the phone. “Hi, Owen. How’s everything?”

  His shoulders slumped as he answered in one-word sentences. Beth sensed that it wasn’t good news.

  “I wish you’d give me more time, but I understand. Chris Morton is a good man. He’s going places. Do what you have to, Owen. Okay.”

  He handed her the phone. “Thank you.”

  She put it back where she had found it. “Something wrong?”

  “Lost another sponsor.”

  Beth didn’t know what to say. The article she’d read earlier had mentioned that he’d lost two previously. This made three.

  “Do you have any sponsors left?”

  “Nothing big.”

  She wished she could think of something to lessen his disappointment. “Well, look at the bright side. You’re still gorgeous, studly and sexy, and you can autograph my stomach anytime you want.”

  He laughed, but they rode back to the Gold Buckle Ranch mostly in silence. No matter how hard she tried to get him to open up, he shrugged the news off as if it didn’t matter—but she knew it did.

  She sensed that he wanted to be alone, so she was glad when she started seeing signs for Mountain Springs.

  He swung his truck into the parking area marked “Visitors.” “Thanks for keeping me company,” he said as they got out of the truck.

  “It was my pleasure. Thanks for the shoulder to lean on. Wish I could have done the same for you when you got that call.”

  “You did.”

  She shut the door. “You aren’t the easiest to get to open up about yourself, but you are a pro at getting others to open up to you.”

  He opened the passenger door that Beth had just shut and took out the cell phone. For a second he looked at it as if trying to decide if he should throw the phone as far as he could or crush it under his boot. The sparkle seemed to have left his eyes.