Bet on a Cowboy

by Julie Benson

  “We’ve been having a lot of conversations like this lately. We both know work’s an excuse. Why don’t you want to be around me?”

  In reality, I want nothing more, but we can’t always have what we want.

  “When we met, you said seeing a foal born must be a miracle,” Griffin recalled. “This is your chance to see for yourself.”

  Hope filled his eyes. The kind that shone in a five-year-old’s as he waited for his mom to say she would take off work to attend his soccer game.

  “I want to share this with you.” Griffin’s quiet plea reached inside Maggie and squeezed her heart.

  They’d be in a barn, not the most romantic of places. Why not go with him? She was already pregnant. What other trouble could she get into?

  * * *

  MAGGIE AND GRIFFIN SAT outside Sugar’s stall, the still night broken only by an occasional whinny or an owl hooting. If anyone had told him four months ago that he’d be sitting near a horse stall with a woman he’d made love to, simply enjoying being with her, he’d have said the person needed medication to control his hallucinations.

  Life took some crazy turns.

  “I’m sorry about forcing you to attend the rodeo,” Maggie said. “If I could go back and change things, I would.”

  “I survived.” Had that become the theme of his life—surviving?

  “I admire you. I’m not sure I would’ve handled things as well as you did. Has it been hard, trying to find something to do after giving up bull riding?”

  He stiffened, refusing to let her open those old wounds. Instead, he fell back on a tried-and-true strategy: avoiding a question by asking one. “What would you do if you had to give up your dream job?”

  “I’m lucky, because there are so many options in entertainment. If I couldn’t be a director, I’d write screenplays or TV scripts.”

  “Unfortunately, if a rodeo cowboy can’t ride, there aren’t a lot of other choices.” Especially without an education to fall back on.

  “Have you ever considered having your own ranch?”

  And he’d thought her earlier questions had been bad?

  Before the accident, that had been his goal. After he saved enough money from the purses he won, and sold his share of Twin Creeks to Rory, Griffin had planned on buying his own spread. He’d kicked around the idea of breeding rodeo horses.

  He had forgotten how many dreams the accident had killed. “I’m not the ranch owner type.”

  Since that fateful day, all he’d seen was what he couldn’t do, and he hadn’t found a new dream to chase. Had he given up? Deep inside he knew he had.

  But was this how he wanted to spend the rest of his life? There had to be more…

  He’d never believed that before he met Maggie.

  Sugar groaned.

  “Is she all right?” Maggie asked, her eyes wide with concern.

  “She’s having another contraction. Horses do fine giving birth on their own. We’re just here to make sure she doesn’t have any problems.”

  There was so much he wanted to say to Maggie. So much he needed to sort out.

  Griffin had lost a lot the last few years. The thought of letting Maggie go, of not seeing her again, left him feeling sick. While their lovemaking was like nothing he’d ever experienced, that wasn’t what he’d missed most these last few weeks. He missed the way she challenged him, the way she made him laugh, and her enthusiasm for life.

  He wanted to ask her if she’d wait for him, until he fulfilled his contract, but he couldn’t say the words. If he did, he’d have to explain his true intentions, and a good girl like Maggie couldn’t overlook breaching a legal contract.

  Uneasy with his thoughts, Griffin stood, walked to Sugar’s stall and peered over the door. As the horse circled the stall, he wondered where he’d gone wrong. Filming the show hadn’t been anything like he’d expected, and he knew exactly where things went astray—the moment he’d danced with Maggie. Holding her in his arms had been his downfall.

  He stared at Sugar, now lying in the hay, and saw a tiny hoof appear. Griffin held out his hand to Maggie. “Come here. It won’t be long now.”

  When she joined him, he pulled her closer to get a better view. “Can you see the foal’s feet?”

  Maggie nodded. Griffin stood behind her, much too near. His breath fanned her neck, sending chills through her. When she inhaled, his earthy scent filled her. The irony of them standing together watching Sugar give birth swamped her, and she placed a hand over her stomach.

  As they watched, the fool’s nose and shoulders slid into view. A while later, the rest of the baby slipped out, and Sugar went to work, clean the newborn.

  “Is it a boy or a girl?” Maggie asked.

  “It’s a filly. Do you want to name her?”

  “I couldn’t.” Why not? You’ll be naming Griffin’s child soon.

  “Just because you suggest something doesn’t mean I’ll agree to it.”

  She smiled. Typical Griffin. “So much for that grand gesture.”

  “You know I’m not that kind of guy. Now how about giving me a name?”

  “Her mom’s name is Sugar. How about Spice? You know the saying, sugar and spice and everything nice.”

  “Is that what you’re made of?” Then he laughed and shook his head. “What a silly question. You may be sugar and spice, but the spice is chili powder, and there’s a whole lot of it.”

  “I’m offended.”

  “Girl, I like things with a little kick.”

  Maggie’s mouth went dry. How had they gone from naming the foal to this conversation? She was sinking fast, and had better start swimming before she went completely under. “If you don’t want to name her Spice, it’s no big deal.”

  Sugar nickered and tossed her head.

  “Her mom seems to approve of your choice, so Spice it is,” Griffin stated.

  Unsure what else to do, Maggie said, “Thanks for sharing this with me, and for the honor of naming her.”

  “We’ve shared a lot over these past weeks, haven’t we? You get to me in a way no woman ever has.” He clasped her shoulders and spun her around to face him. “You get me all tied up. One minute I want to strangle you, and the next all I can think about is kissing you.”

  His large hands cupped her face and as his mouth covered hers, skyrockets blasted off around Maggie. She loved this man in a way she’d never imagined possible. She clutched his shirt when her knees threatened to give out. She’d forgotten how beautiful she felt in his arms.

  After he ended the kiss, his gaze bored into her. The intensity flaring in his eyes startled her. “Maybe when all this is over, we could find out what’s between us.”

  “I don’t want to hear that.” Yes, she did. Her heart shot into orbit. Then the panic set in. There was too much at stake—for both of them—for him to talk like that. “I’m part of the show. If you tell me anything, I have to inform my producer.”

  He leaned his forehead against hers, and every cell in her body cried out for him to wrap his arms around her. “Maggie girl, what’re we going to do?”

  She scooted away to a safe distance. “We can’t do anything. Not now. Maybe not ever. We have to pretend this never happened, because you’re headed for a three-month tour with your fiancée.”

  “That’ll be loads of fun.”

  Maggie ignored his sarcasm. “You’ll enjoy it more than you think, and I’ll go to work on the next season. I love preparing for it, meeting new people and planning the dates.”

  “What about after the three months?”

  His gaze, full of hope and uncertainty, tugged at her heart. But she couldn’t break now. She had to be strong. “I can’t think about that.”

  The light left his eyes. With his face as cold as a winter lake, he said, “I’ve got to check on Sugar, and you need to head back to the house. Now.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  The next morning Maggie stood by the corral, rubbing Charmer behind the ears, wondering how she’d make
it through the day without falling apart.

  Wispy clouds spread across the morning sky. The sun, way too bright and cheerful for her mood, taunted her. She turned up her coat collar to ward off the chill.

  Everything had seemed so simple and logical in Las Vegas, when she’d decided not to tell Griffin about the baby. Then she’d met his family, and seen how much they loved each other. She felt as if she’d pressed her nose against the toy store window to stare with longing at what she could never afford. How could she deprive her child of this wonderful family?

  And last night she’d made the mistake of being alone with Griffin again and letting him kiss her. She’d told herself she could handle the situation, that nothing would happen, but she’d been a fool.

  Thank goodness her common sense kicked in eventually. Now, somehow, she needed to harness the emotional strength to watch him take his date riding and go to dinner at Cascades Restaurant in the Stanley Hotel.

  Maggie stared into the horse’s wide brown eyes. “Charmer, why’s life so complicated?”

  “He’s not much of a thinker, so don’t expect any revelations,” Avery said as she joined Maggie at the railing. “You sound upset. I know we met only a few days ago, but can I help? I’m a good listener.”

  “It’s nothing, really. Just normal job headaches.”

  “Is it Griff? He can be a major pain in the ass. I can’t imagine how hard it is working with him.”

  “He can be a bit stubborn, but he’s not the problem.” At least, not technically. Her feelings for him, what to do about them, and her pregnancy posed bigger problems. “I’m worried about the finale details.”

  That was true, too. She wondered how she could watch her child’s father propose to another woman without having a major meltdown.

  “With the way you feel about Griffin, this must be hard for you.” Avery placed her hand on Maggie’s arm. “You should tell him you’re in love with him.”

  Maggie had to work to slow her racing heart. “I do care for him, but we’re simply good friends,” she said numbly.

  “Neither of those women is right for him,” his sister stated. “If it weren’t for the show, he’d already have grown bored and moved on.”

  “They both have good qualities. Our website poll predicts he’ll propose to Olivia.” Maggie swallowed hard. “I think Griffin has come to care for them.”

  Avery pulled away and shook her head. “He doesn’t. When he smiles at them it’s his I’m-tolerating-you smile. Trust me, I’ve seen it enough to know, and his voice is flat when he talks to them. There’s no emotion there.”

  Maggie thought about when Griffin smiled at the bachelorettes. They weren’t the wide, toothy grins he shared with her.

  As if she read her mind, Avery said, “When he’s with you he’s not looking over your head to see if he can find a bigger, better deal.”

  “That’s only because he can’t see over me.”

  “Why is it so hard to believe he cares for you?”

  Was Avery kidding? She must have the McAlister poor eyesight. “I looked in the mirror this morning. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m not his type.”

  “I know it’s corny, but beauty is only skin deep. And you have so much more going for you than anyone Griff’s ever dated.”

  “Sure, I annoy the hell out of him.”

  “Actually, that’s part of it. His looks don’t matter to you. You’re not trying to impress him. You challenge him and make him think. No one’s ever made him do that.”

  “He’s about to propose to another woman.” On the verge of tears thanks to her annoying pregnancy hormones, Maggie glanced at her watch. “It’s later than I thought. I’ve got to run.”

  Avery’s hand wrapped around her wrist. “Maggie, it’s obvious something’s wrong, and you could use a sympathetic ear. I am a good listener.”

  “I’m fine.”

  “Mom said you felt ill the other day, and now you’re overly emotional. Is there any chance you’re pregnant?”

  Maggie’s worst fear stared her straight in the face—someone asking if she was pregnant. “I appreciate your concern, but if I was pregnant, it would have nothing to do with Griffin.”

  It couldn’t.

  * * *

  THE FINALE COULDN’T COME soon enough for Griffin. He’d prefer to cut to the last episode, make his choice and start the countdown—three months, then complete freedom.

  He’d almost blown everything with Maggie last night. How could he forget she worked for the show, and that was her first allegiance? That one little statement had put his family, the ranch and his mother’s life at risk.

  Maybe when all this is over, we can find out what’s really between us.

  For one moment he’d forgotten about the money, his mother’s treatments, the threat of legal action and his plan. He’d thought of nothing but Maggie. He’d almost derailed everything he’d worked for.

  Today they’d film the last dates. He and the lawyer would be riding around the ranch. Griffin stopped in the kitchen for a quick cup of coffee before meeting his date, and found Rory there reading the morning paper.

  “What’s on your agenda today? Taking a private jet to go skiing in Aspen?” his brother teased. “I’ve been watching the shows. Some of your dates have been surreal.”

  “You mean when you and Elizabeth dated you didn’t perform with Cirque du Soleil?”

  “Where the hell did you get the nerve to put on that costume?”

  “I had three thousand dollars’ worth of incentive, but damn, that was embarrassing. The things you and I do for Mom. You wouldn’t believe some of the text messages I’ve gotten.” Then he remembered the ribbing Rory had taken from his friends over being a jeans model. “Then again, maybe you would. Sorry I was so hard on you about the modeling.”

  “It’s different now that you’re on the other side of the jokes, isn’t it?”

  “No kidding.” Griffin sipped the coffee he’d poured, and eyed his brother. How likely was it that he would help without asking a bunch of annoying questions? “Could you keep Mom occupied today?”

  Rory set his own coffee cup on the granite counter with a clink, his eyes narrowed. Man, Griffin hated that what-have-you-done-now stare.

  “What’re you going to do that Mom won’t like?”

  That was annoying question number one. “For today’s date, we’re going horseback riding around the ranch.”

  Rory shook his head and rubbed his neck. “That’s not the best idea you’ve ever had.”

  “It wasn’t mine. It was the producer’s.”

  “You didn’t tell them what could happen if you fall off a horse?”

  Griffin shook his head. “Come on. Dad put me on a horse when I was three. I’ve been riding my whole life. I’m not going to fall off one of our horses.”

  “And you want me to keep Mom from finding out what you’re doing?”

  “Pretty much. I’ll also need five horses.”

  “Ah yes, your entourage. Move the date to tomorrow. For the first day in months, we’ve got a couple of big tours scheduled, plus a bunch of smaller ones. If you need five horses, somebody will have to ride Hank, and I’d rather not have anyone on him.”

  “I used to ride bulls for a living. I can handle a cantankerous horse.”

  “He’s gotten worse lately, like he’s pissed at the world because he’s getting old.” Rory shook his head. “If I ever get that cranky, take me out back and shoot me, will you?”

  Griffin smiled. “Be happy to do it.” He glanced at his watch, then downed the last of his coffee. “I’ve got to go. I’m late. You’ll keep Mom busy for me today?”

  “I’ll do what I can, but I can’t guarantee anything. And I still don’t think horseback riding is a good idea.”

  “You and Mom worry too much. I’ll be fine.”

  * * *

  AS MAGGIE BOUNCED ALONG on a sweet gray horse at the end of the single-file line, she monitored the conversation via a headset and prayed he
r stomach would quit rolling. Dust from the dry trail filled the air. Evergreen trees formed a canopy around them, and mountains framed the sky.

  While the image stabilization cameras should compensate for any slight movements of the horses, they couldn’t get good footage riding. Because of that, and being single file on the trail, they’d filmed Griffin and Olivia preparing for the ride and saddling up. One cameraman rode ahead of the group, and periodically, they stopped for him to film. Another cameraman concentrated on wide shots. Maggie instructed the third that if any good action started, he was to halt his horse and capture the moment.

  Despite the stopping and starting, the date was going well. At least for Griffin, Olivia and their future viewers. Maggie, on the other hand, was miserable. Every step the horse took made her queasier, and watching Griffin flirt with his date was like watching a horror movie—she didn’t want to see, but couldn’t look away.

  Maggie ducked to avoid a low branch, and her stomach protested against the sudden movement.

  Please. Not now. Not here.

  She breathed deeply, hoping to settle her system. Why hadn’t she brought saltines to snack on? She glanced at her watch. Nine-thirty. If she could hold out until ten, the morning sickness should pass.

  Breathe. Concentrate on the beautiful scenery.

  No good. She was going to be sick. She pulled on her horse’s reins, stopping him. Then she slid off the animal and stumbled into the brush, barely making it off the path before she threw up.

  Griffin materialized by her side, along with a cameraman.

  “I’m fine.”

  “Do we need to head back?” Griffin asked, concern lacing his voice as he helped her to her feet.

  She caught sight of his date, perfectly dressed in skintight jeans, a cute leather bomber jacket and stylish boots, atop a magnificent sorrel mare. And here Maggie was tossing her cookies in the dirt.

  Wasn’t life grand?

  “I feel better now. Let’s keep going.” Maggie had made it halfway through this date, and wanted it over. If they had to tie her to the horse and find her something to use as a barf bag, she would get through this.

  They plodded along for about a half an hour with Griffin and Olivia talking about the ranch and its history, the two of them trading sexual innuendos.