Cowboy at the Crossroads

by Linda Warren

  “Sure thing,” Della answered. “See ya’ll back at the house.”

  They clambered into the Jeep, which sputtered to life and roared off. Nicki was on Half Pint, ready to go. Becca glanced up at Cord on the big horse. “Is there a correct way to get on this thing?”

  Cord’s mustache twitched. “Yeah,” he said, sliding his boot from the stirrup. “Put your foot in there and swing up behind me.”

  “Which foot?”

  “The left one.”

  “Put my foot in there and swing up,” she repeated. “Just like that?”

  “Yeah.”

  “It’s easy, Becca,” Nicki said.

  She looked up again and Cord seemed a hundred feet in the air. How could this be easy?

  Sensing her nervousness, Cord held out his hand. “Come on, give me your hand and I’ll pull you up.”

  That was all she needed. She placed her foot in the stirrup and gave Cord her hand, and with one smooth movement she was on the back of his horse. Her arms locked tight around Cord’s waist. The ground had never seemed so far away.

  “Becca, you have to loosen your arms. I can’t breathe.” Laughter edged every word.

  She swallowed. “Do you have to?”

  “Occasionally.”

  She slowly loosened her grip, then the horse moved and her arms tightened again.

  “Relax,” Cord coaxed. “Apache won’t do anything I don’t want him to do.”

  Apache! Oh God, she was on a horse named Apache.

  Slowly they began to trot, and the movement of the horse reminded her of being in a boat—an easy flowing rhythm she could identify with. Her body relaxed as the creak of leather soothed her nerves and the musky scent of horse filled her nostrils. She reveled in the hard muscles of Cord’s chest and back. Oh, she liked this.

  The scenery was spectacular with green grasses, tall oaks, birds and cattle here and there. The landscape brought a sense of peace that was unequaled.

  “You okay?” Cord asked.

  “Yes,” she answered. “It’s so beautiful out here.”

  “Yep, there’s nothing like it. I’ve always loved the outdoors. Clay and Colton were different. They preferred to stay in the house and read or play games. I hated school, but they loved it. I didn’t like the confinement.”

  “So what did you do after high school?”

  “Went into the army.”

  That was a surprise. She had assumed he’d never left the ranch.

  “It was a learning experience, and what I learned was that I never wanted to be anywhere but on this ranch. It’s in my blood, as Pa used to say.”

  “Why is the ranch called Triple Creek?”

  “Three major creeks run through the property. My ancestors were looking for a good water supply and they found it here. There’re also some ground-fed springs. Water’s important to a rancher.”

  Becca heard the love and pride in his voice. It was clear that his heart was in this land.

  Nicki raced ahead and shouted, “C’mon!”

  “She’s very good with a horse,” Becca remarked. “She takes after you in that.”

  “Yeah,” he replied somberly.

  “Why didn’t Anette like her to ride? Nicki obviously loves it.”

  “Because Anette didn’t want her involved in anything she couldn’t participate in, too, and she was deadly scared of horses. Anette was sacred of a lot of things. I guess Nicki was about two years old when I just took her and put her on a horse. Anette was furious. She said if anything happened to Nicki she’d never forgive me. She had this fear of Nicki getting hurt. She was so protective of her…. That’s why it doesn’t make sense that she’d kill herself. Nothing about her death makes sense.”

  “It does seem strange,” Becca said.

  They rode in silence for a while, and Becca wondered what had happened to Anette Prescott. What had made her do such a terrible thing? The truth would probably never be known.

  “How you doing back there?” Cord asked.

  “Great,” she answered, and her arms tightened instinctively around him. Would he ever get over his wife’s death? Would there ever be room for another woman in his life?

  They rode up to the barns, where Mona and several cowhands were waiting for them.

  Mona glanced at Becca on the back of the horse. “Something wrong?”

  “No,” Cord said. “Just giving Becca a tour of the ranch.”

  “Oh, well, we found the bull and we’ve got him in your pen. I’ll pick him up in the morning, if that’s okay.”

  “Sure, no problem.”

  “I’d do it this evening, but we have that cattlemen’s meeting tonight.”

  “Damn, I’d forgotten about that.”

  “You are going, aren’t you?”

  Cord sighed. It was the last thing he felt like doing. He’d rather be with Becca. Still… “I’m the president. I have to be there.”

  “I’ll see you tonight, then.” She tipped her hat to Becca and rode off, the cowhands behind her.

  “Daddy, Daddy, watch,” Nicki called.

  Cord turned the horse toward Nicki. She threw her leg over the back of the saddle and slid quickly to the ground.

  “See?” Nicki smiled. “I can get off all by myself. I’m not little anymore.”

  “I can see that.”

  Becca was wondering how she was going to get off. If a child could do it, she resolved, then so could she. She did as Nicki had done—swung her leg over the back of the horse and slid to the ground. But she moved too quickly and lost her balance, falling backward. She landed on her rear, feeling more than a little undignified.

  Cord dismounted. “Are you all right?” he asked, but she could hear the laughter in his voice. Nicki laughed without restraint, and Becca sent her an exaggerated look of disapproval.

  “Yes,” she answered, as he helped her to her feet. She brushed off her backside. “I just bruised my pride.”

  They stood staring at each other. She finally cleared her throat. “Thanks for the ride. I enjoyed it.”

  “My pleasure, ma’am.”

  A warm fluttering started in her stomach, and she couldn’t tear her eyes away. She wanted him to kiss her so badly….

  Nicki leaned against Cord’s leg. “I’m tired, Daddy.”

  Cord looked down at his daughter. “Who’s gonna unsaddle your horse?”

  “Gus will,” she mumbled.

  “No, Gus didn’t ride your horse. You did. Now you have to take care of him. He has to be rubbed down and fed.”

  “’Kay, Daddy.”

  Becca thought that was a little unfeeling, but she knew Cord was trying to teach Nicki about responsibility. She also knew that he’d do most of the work.

  Becca made her way to the house, as father and daughter led their horses to the barn. She wished Cord didn’t have to go out tonight. She wanted to be with him.

  But there was always tomorrow, she consoled herself.

  THE NEXT MORNING Cord hung around the house waiting for Mona to pick up the bull. Becca and Nicki went out to look at the animal. He was massive with enormous horns and he pawed at the ground in anger. Evidently he didn’t like being penned up.

  Mona drove up soon afterward with a trailer. She immediately began talking to Cord, so Becca left them to their business. Nicki wanted to see Half Pint; hand in hand, she and Becca strolled into the pasture. Half Pint was grazing some distance away and wouldn’t come when Nicki called. Nicki ran back to the barn to get a feed bucket.

  As Becca turned to follow, she saw the black bull—and he was running directly toward her. Fear shot through her and she fell instinctively to the ground. The bull charged over her. She felt the heaviness and the sweaty heat of the animal, and her breath locked in her chest.

  Stark terror rippled along Cord’s spine as he saw the bull run over Becca. He dashed over to Apache and jumped into the saddle. “Gus!” he shouted, swiftly turning his horse toward the bull. Gus immediately joined him. The bull charged Apache, bu
t Cord managed to move out of the way. He pulled out his rope and swung it at the bull, and between him and Gus, they drove the bull back into the pen.

  Cord had one thought—to get to Becca. She had to be okay. He was out of the saddle before Apache came to a stop, and threw himself down beside her. “Becca, Becca,” he murmured, gently rolling her over.

  “Oh,” she moaned, and sat up.

  Cord wrapped his arms around her. “Thank God you’re okay.” He drew back. “Did he step on you?” He glanced at her body.

  Becca brushed grass from her blouse and jeans. “No, I don’t think so.” Her voice came out hoarse and unsteady.

  Cord swept her into his arms and carried her to the barn. Mona hurried toward them.

  “Cord, I’m sorry. I have no idea how this happened.”

  Cord set Becca on a bale of hay. “I want to know how that gate came open and I want that bull off this ranch.”

  Gus laid a hand on his shoulder. “She’s fine, boy. Calm down.”

  Cord took a long breath. “Mona, I want that damn bull off this property—now. Gus will help you load him. I want him gone. Do you understand me?”

  “Sure, Cord,” Mona answered, and turned away.

  Nicki came running over and crawled up beside Becca. “Oh, that mean bull! I don’t like him.”

  Becca slipped her arms around Nicki, just needing to hold on to someone. Her body was quivering and she couldn’t make it stop. Cord knelt down, gazing into her eyes.

  “Are you all right?”

  “Yeah.” She tried to smile and failed.

  “Let’s get you to the house.”

  She staggered to her feet but her legs buckled, and Cord scooped her up and started toward the house. Nicki ran behind them.

  “What happened?” Della asked as they came through the back door.

  “That bull ran over Becca and Daddy’s real mad.” Nicki spoke up before Cord could.

  “Oh my God.”

  “I’m taking her upstairs.”

  Once they reached her room, Cord carefully placed her on the bed. “Are you sure you’re okay?” he asked in a worried voice.

  “I’m just a little jittery, that’s all,” she assured him.

  Della, Edie and Nicki entered a moment later. Della had a cup in her hand.

  “We brought you a hot…” Nicki glanced up at Della. “What is it?”

  Della gave Becca the cup. “A hot toddy. It’ll calm you down.”

  “Thanks, Della.” She took a sip. It was definitely brandy and something else—and it did calm her. Her body hadn’t stopped trembling, but with Cord looking at her so tenderly, she didn’t mind.

  “I’ll be back in a minute,” Cord said suddenly, and left the room.

  He met Gus at the back door. “Is that bull gone?”

  “Yep, and Mona’s pretty upset. You were kinda hard on her.”

  “One blow from that bull’s hooves, and Becca could be dead. I don’t take that lightly.”

  Gus removed his hat and scratched his head. “It was a bad thing, but the doc’s okay.”

  “How did the gate get open?” Cord asked.

  Gus shrugged. “It wasn’t latched properly and that bull’s good at finding holes.”

  “Still.”

  “It was an accident.” Gus watched him for a second, then added, “You’ve been champin’ at the bit lately, and it’s time to let that horse run.”

  Cord scowled fiercely. “What the hell are you talking about?”

  “You got some heart-bustin’ feelin’s for the doc.”

  Cord didn’t say anything because he couldn’t deny it.

  “I’d better get back to work,” Gus muttered. “I’ll check on those calves we worked yesterday and see that Burt gets started cuttin’ that hay, ’cause I know you’ll be hanging around the house.”

  Cord walked around to the patio and sat down. He rubbed his face with a shaky hand. Gus was right. His heart was about to burst inside with the feelings he had for Becca. He’d never felt like this about any woman. He gazed off to the pool and watched as the sun glistened off the water. But all he could see was the bull charging straight for Becca. He would see that for a very long time.

  He could ride and rope with the best of them, but he was powerless to stop a two-thousand-pound bull. That chilling thought had gripped him as he rode frantically for the animal. His only thought was to keep the beast away from Becca—to keep her safe. Heart-busting’. Oh God, he loved her. He’d known it in that instant as he felt his heart being ripped from his body. It didn’t matter that she was too young. Nothing mattered but the way he felt.

  He took a tortured breath. It was a relief to admit it, but beyond that he didn’t know what to do. He knew she was attracted to him, but her life was in the city and his was here. He had brought one city girl to Triple Creek, and he’d sworn he would never do that again. Where did that leave them? Becca wasn’t like Anette, though. She didn’t seem to be afraid of anything.

  Yet they were so different, and sexual chemistry couldn’t change that. Could love?

  CHAPTER TEN

  BECCA SPENT THE REST of the day being pampered by everyone in the house, especially Cord and Nicki. She told them repeatedly that she was fine, but Cord insisted she take it easy. She spent the afternoon on the patio and found herself alone for a few minutes. Cord had gone to answer the phone, while Nicki was kicking a ball around.

  Blanche came through the French doors with a glass in her hand. She wore tight stretch pants and a tank top. She sat in a chair opposite Becca, the ice in her glass tinkling, and crossed her legs. “Heard you had a little mishap, sugar.”

  “Yes,” Becca said guardedly, wondering where Blanche had heard it because everyone seemed to avoid her.

  “Did it scare the crap out of you?”

  Becca’s eyes narrowed. “What are you getting at?”

  “Time for you to go back to the city, don’t you think?”

  “You’ve said that to me more than once. Why do you want to get rid of me?”

  She met Becca’s eyes boldly. “Because you’re not the woman for Cord.”

  “Why, Blanche? Why am I not the woman for Cord?”

  “You’re not, so leave before anything else happens to you.” Blanche stood to go back inside, but Becca stopped her.

  “Why do you have to be so…so hard and cruel?”

  “That’s me, sugar, and you’d do well to remember it.”

  Becca shook her head. “I don’t think that’s you at all. It’s just a front you put up so no one’ll get near you, not even your sons.” She paused, then added, “I’ve seen you looking out the window when we’ve been doing things.”

  “In your mind that means what?”

  “That you care more than you want anyone to believe.”

  Blanche gave a fake-sounding laugh. “Oh, sugar, you haven’t got a clue about me or Cord. This ranch is his life. Anette couldn’t get him away from here and neither will you.”

  “Is that it? You’re afraid I’ll persuade Cord to leave?”

  From the look on Blanche’s face, she knew she was right. Blanche was afraid of losing Cord. Becca moved to the edge of her chair. “I would never ask Cord to leave Triple Creek. He loves this place, and love is about giving, not taking.”

  “Every love I’ve known was about taking and it’s a lesson that’s served me well over the years.”

  “Has it? Then, why aren’t you happy?”

  Blanche took a swallow of her drink. “Look around you, sugar. Everything you see belongs to me—and that makes me happy.”

  “I don’t think so,” Becca told her. “I think you’d love it if your sons called you Mom. I think you’d love to be part of their lives. That’s why you’re desperately trying to hold on to the last piece of family you have—Cord.”

  “Shut up,” Blanche hissed, and stormed into the house.

  Well, well, well, Becca thought. Blanche loved her sons, but she would never tell them. Why was that so difficu
lt for her? Maybe it had something to do with her upbringing, or maybe she was just afraid. She was certainly afraid of losing Cord; that was obvious from her reaction. But Becca knew that Blanche would never admit it.

  THE NEXT FEW DAYS passed quickly. Cord was very attentive and he no longer seemed angry at himself for being attracted to her. She and Cord had very little time alone, however. Edie was now eating every meal with them and even Blanche had made a couple of appearances at the dinner table. On the third evening, they sat in the den and listened to Nicki, who regaled them with stories about her day. Then she insisted on playing the animal game and chose animals that had to be acted out by each person. She said Edie was to be a mule and Blanche a goat. The ladies didn’t demur. They played along, and by the time it was over they were all laughing, Blanche as much as anyone. Becca thought this was the way it should be—laughter should always fill this house. And she had to give both Edie and Blanche credit.

  Cord kept his word and taught her to ride. The next morning he brought out a reddish mare. “This is Ginger,” he told her, rubbing the horse’s neck. “She’s gentle and affable. You shouldn’t have a problem with her.”

  Becca started to laugh.

  “What’s so funny?” Cord asked.

  “My best friend’s name is Ginger.”

  “I’m sorry, but that’s her name.”

  “I can’t call her Ginger. How about…Ginny?”

  “Sure, whatever.” There was laughter in his eyes. “Come on,” he invited. “Rub her head and neck. Get acquainted with her.”

  Becca did just that. The animal was so gentle Becca couldn’t help falling in love with her.

  “Okay, time to ride,” Cord said. “You sit in the saddle and I’ll ride behind you. That way you can learn to control her.” She climbed into the saddle without mishap, then Cord swung up effortlessly behind her and they were off at a slow canter.

  “A cowboy uses the neck rein technique,” Cord told her. “That way, he can hold the reins in one hand and use the other to rope or do whatever he has to.” He held both reins in his left hand. “To turn the horse to the right, you merely lay the reins on the right side of her neck and Ginger—Ginny—will go in that direction. Likewise for the left. Pull the reins toward you to stop.” He demonstrated, and Ginny reacted instantly to the touch and pull of the reins. She followed his instructions, and it was the most exhilarating experience of her life. With Cord’s breath on her hair and his arms around her, she thought she could do this forever.