Rodeo Romance (Contemporary Western Romance Short)

by Teresa Gabelman

  Trisha smiled at the tinge of disgust in Jeb’s tone. “No, can’t say I do.”

  “Well, between John and those two boys, they’ve held every title there is on the rodeo circuit.” Jeb nodded proudly. “Actually, you and your friend will be helping get everything ready for the rodeo next week.”

  Before Trisha could comment, Cindy set her water down in front of her. “Here you go, party girl.” Cindy sat down, taking a long swig of beer. “You think that guy over there is cute?”

  Trisha looked to where Cindy motioned with her beer. “I don’t know. Why?” When Cindy didn’t answer, Trisha sighed. “I guess so.” Trisha looked at the guy again. He wasn’t bad, but not her type. His hair was light blond and a little shaggy. She seemed to edge more toward men with dark hair and eyes. Her own eyes flickered toward Jake.

  “Good.” Cindy took another swig of beer. “You’re playing him in a game of pool.”

  “What?” Trisha’s eyes flew to Cindy’s, narrowing. “I’m not playing anyone in pool. As a matter of fact, I’m ready to go back to the cabin and get some sleep.”

  “Ah, go ahead.” Jeb took Cindy’s side. “Go let loose. Have a little fun.”

  The man walked up, placing his hands on their table leaning toward Trisha. “Cindy said you wanted to shoot some pool. I’m Hank. You know how to shoot?”

  With a tight smile, she nodded. “I know how to shoot.” She only wished it was with a gun, so she could shoot her ex best friend. She stood then glared at Cindy when Hank turned his back to head toward the pool table.

  “Lose.” Cindy grabbed her arm and whispered when she pulled Trisha down.

  “What?” Trisha pulled away with a large frown.

  “Helpless,” Cindy reminded her with a wink, and then laughed at the look Trisha tossed her way.

  “I’ll rack, you break,” Hank instructed as she walked up. “The pool sticks are over there.”

  Trisha looked at where he nodded and moaned. Of course they were right behind where Jake and his brother were sitting. Taking a deep breath, she headed toward them while thinking of ways to torture Cindy.

  “Excuse me.” Her voice shook. Lord, she was an idiot.

  Jake pulled his chair closer to the table, but she still had to squeeze between his chair and the other chair occupied by a cowboy. Not even paying attention she just grabbed a pool stick and started to squeeze between the two chairs again, but this time, her foot caught on one of the chair legs sending her off balance. Reflex had her grabbing a shoulder and of course, that shoulder belonged to Jake.

  “I’m sorry,” Trisha groaned, trying to dislodge her foot and keep her balance without falling on her face.

  Jake slid out of his chair, grabbing her arm to steady her as he moved his chair out of the way. “I should have gotten up.” He smiled down at her. “You okay?”

  “Yeah, I’m good.” She gave him a shaky grin. Seeing him this close, she noticed how brown his eyes were, like warm chocolate with gold flecks. His nose looked to have been broken. Realizing she was just standing there staring at him, she made a quick movement to brush past him, and to her horror, the tip of the pool stick whacked him in the cheek. She was mortified when a blue streak from the chalk on the tip of the stick streaked across his cheek.

  “Oh, my God.” She pulled the stick safely away. “I’m so sorry.”

  He actually laughed. “Damn glad you missed my eye.”

  Hating herself didn’t even describe how she felt. He tried to rub the blue from his cheek, but it just smeared. “You didn’t get it all.” She frowned. Her hand, as if her brain went to mush, reached up, wiping the rest of the blue chalk from his cheek. Snapping her hand back as if she’d been burned, she spun back to the pool table and decided then and there, Cindy was going to die a painful death.

  “Go ahead and break.” Hank passed her, going for a pool stick of his own.

  Nodding, she quickly glanced toward Cindy. She and Jeb were sitting where she had left them laughing so hard all she saw was teeth. With a curse, she grabbed the cue ball, placed it and hit it as hard as she wanted to hit Cindy.

  “Nice break.” Hank eyed her as the balls scattered everywhere. Nothing went in, so Hank walked up to the table checking for his shot.

  Trisha watched as he hit three balls in the pockets easily, but missed the forth. Glancing once more at Cindy, she rolled her eyes when Cindy mouthed, ‘lose’. And she proceeded to do just that.

  After Hank hit the eight ball in the corner pocket, he gave her an arrogant smile. “Hey, you didn’t do so bad.” He winked.

  “Thanks,” Trisha replied, wondering what to do with the pool stick. No way in hell was she going to put it back where she got it. She’d hold the damn thing all night if she had to, but instead, she just laid it on the pool table. The whole time she played pool, she could feel Jake’s eyes on her.

  “Did you give him a dollar?” Cindy asked before Trisha could sit down.

  “Ah, no.” Trisha glared. “I didn’t know we were playing for anything.”

  “Hey Hank,” Cindy called out. “Come over here and get your winnings.”

  “Jeez, do you have to be so loud?” Trisha dug in her pocket pulling out a dollar.

  “That’s okay,” Hank called back, grabbing another beer. “I can’t take money from a woman.”

  Trisha’s narrowed glare met Cindy’s. “How about another game, Hank?”

  “Ah, shit.” Cindy cringed. “He had to go there.”

  “Sure, why not. I’ll even give you some pointers.” Spoken like a typical male.

  Personally, Trisha didn’t have anything against Hank. He seemed like a good guy, but good guy or not, she would take his dollar. She let him rack the balls and when he finished, she nodded toward the table.

  “You want to break?” Hank asked, grabbing his pool stick.

  “Nope. You won, you break.” She picked up the blue chalk, to chalk the end of the pool stick, reminding her of what happened with Jake. Putting it down quickly, she peeked his way, only to find his eyes on her, causing a flutter of butterflies to take flight in her stomach.

  “Looks like you got your choice,” Hank said as he studied the table. On his break, no balls had gone in the pockets. “I think you should go for solids. The shots are easier.”

  Trisha studied the table and decided he was right, but also decided to take the stripes instead, just to make a point. Hitting five striped balls in the pockets, she missed her sixth.

  Hank stared at the table, then at her with surprise. “Nice shooting.” He took a long drink of beer. “Didn’t leave me much.” Hank studied the table for a few more minutes. He pocketed three balls, missing his fourth.

  She almost felt sorry for him, but not enough to throw another game. Hitting the rest of her balls in, she was left with the eight ball. “I’m going to bank it off the side”—she pointed with her pool stick—“and into the right corner pocket.” Carefully, she aimed, hit the cue ball, which hit the eight ball, sending it off the side and into the right corner pocket. A few snickers filled the quiet room.

  “I’ll be damned.” Hank sat there and looked from her to the table. “Guess you had to warm up.”

  She smiled. “Something like that.” She glanced at Cindy who shook her head at her, then raised her beer in salute.

  “Good game.” Hank reached into his pocket, pulling out a dollar.

  Trisha put her pool stick back down on the table then looked up at the dollar. “Let’s call it even.”

  “Want to play another one?” Hank grinned.

  “Nope, think I’m going to call it a night.” Trisha smiled, wanting nothing more than to get out of there. Jake’s stares were getting to her, bad, confusing the crap out of her. “But thanks.”

  ******

  “You look a little preoccupied.” Tim grinned, eyeing his brother who hadn’t taken his eyes off Trisha Summers, their new ranch hand. “What do you think of our two city girls?”

  “They seem nice.” Jake turned his at
tention to his brother. “Haven’t really talked to them much.”

  “Trisha seems nice, but the other one has a mouth on her.” Tim glanced toward Cindy, who still sat with Jeb.

  “She’s gorgeous and your type.” Jake chuckled, but sighed when he didn’t get a response. Before his accident, Tim had been engaged to Rebecca Hardin. After about a month of intense surgeries and therapy, she had walked out on him. It had devastated his brother. Since that time, no woman fazed his brother. That was until this Cindy woman. Even though he seemed irritated by her, Tim was showing emotion toward a woman, and that was a definite improvement. When Tim didn’t respond, Jake stood. “I’m beat. I’ll see you tomorrow. It’s definitely going to be a long day.”

  “Especially if you have to work with her,” Tim growled as he watched a few other cowboys make their way toward Cindy, whose laughter rang out.

  Jake laughed, clapping his brother on the shoulder as he passed. Yeah, this was going to be interesting.

  CHAPTER 5

  “Eggs look disgusting at six in the morning.” Cindy yawned, pushing her plate away. “I can’t believe I’m on vacation and up before noon. This isn’t normal.”

  “You better eat,” Trisha warned, taking a bite of bacon. “You’re going to be starving before lunch.”

  “She’s right.” Tim walked up behind them. “No one will have time to hunt you down something to eat.”

  Trisha’s eyes widened slightly at the tone of Tim’s voice, while Cindy’s eyes narrowed dangerously. Trisha had seen that look many times. Looking down at her plate, she decided it was safer to just shut up and finish her breakfast.

  “I will not need anyone hunting me down something to eat, Mr. McCabe,” Cindy sneered. “I will, however, need to hunt someone down to pull that stick out of your ass.”

  “If you would have read the brochure, you would have known.” Tim didn’t even flinch at her words, which was impressive.

  “Would everyone just shut up about the damn brochure? So I didn’t read it. Big damn deal.” She threw her hands in the air disgusted. “Because if I had, I sure wouldn’t be here. Paying to be woken up at six in the morning by a damn chicken—”

  “Rooster,” he corrected.

  “…and then working my ass off is not a vacation in my book,” she finished, ignoring his correction.

  “Then why are you here?” Tim questioned, his eyebrow cocked arrogantly.

  Something happened that Trisha had never seen before and would have sworn she never would: Cindy at a loss for words. Absolutely nothing came out of her mouth. Cindy looked at her for help, making Trisha choke on her egg.

  Looking between Cindy and Tim, she suddenly wondered why she always had her mouth full when a handsome guy was present. “Ah…” she said then stopped, trying to chew quickly as Cindy glared at her. Swallowing hard, she cleared her throat. “Coming here was my idea. Or, ah, at least Cindy knew it was something I’ve always wanted to do, so she set it up…for me.” God, she sucked at lying.

  “Not that it’s any of your damn business.” Cindy once again found her voice then stood, stomping away.

  Cringing, Trisha watched her go. She glanced at Tim, who was also watching Cindy’s departure before turning his attention back to her. “She’s not much of a morning person,” was the only thing she could think to say.

  “Apparently.” Tim took off in the opposite direction of Cindy, leaving Trisha standing alone.

  “Well, that was pleasant.” She snorted, dumping her uneaten food in the trash before following everyone out the door. She had no idea where she was going. She guessed she was going to have to wing it.

  “Hey, pool shark.” Hank stepped beside her with a grin. “Where you headed to?”

  “Morning.” Trisha smiled up at him. “I’m supposed to help Jake, but I have no clue where to go.”

  “Well, you’re in luck.” Hank motioned with his hand to follow. “I’m heading that way.”

  Hank made small talk as Trisha took in the scenery. It really was beautiful. They passed men, who were hard at work, and would nod. It was definitely a busy ranch. “So are you ladies staying for the rodeo?”

  “I believe so,” Trisha replied as they walked up to a large barn, the smell hitting her before they entered. It wasn’t overwhelming, but you sure knew it was a barn.

  “How’s Lilly doing?” Hank walked up to a fence looking over.

  Wondering who Lilly was Trisha stepped up on the fence. Kneeling, Jake rubbed the stomach of a beautiful black horse.

  “Don’t know,” Jake replied, concern evident in his voice. “Just to be safe, I’m going to call Peterson over to take a look.”

  “What’s wrong with her?” Trisha frowned, thinking the horse looked fine.

  “She’s pregnant.” Jake glanced at her as he stood, brushing hay from his jeans. “Her last was stillborn and we almost lost her.”

  “Ah, poor thing.” Trisha jumped off the rail quickly when Lilly swung her huge head toward her.

  Hank laughed, steadying her before letting go. “I’ll see you guys later.”

  Jake stepped out of the stall nodding toward Hank, but his eyes were on Trisha. “You scared of horses?”

  “Never been around them before.” Trisha looked over at Lilly, who was staring at her over the fence. “They’re pretty big when standing next to one.”

  “Lilly is the gentlest horse on the ranch.” He grinned at Trisha’s doubtful look. “Go ahead and pet her. She won’t bite. I promise.”

  With the look he gave her, Trisha was sure she would do anything he asked. He had grabbed his cowboy hat off a rail and put it on, his intense gaze making her body tingle again, dammit. What in the hell was wrong with her? She wasn’t ready for this. She didn’t want this…did she? She refused to let Doug dictate her life, so fighting an attraction because of him would actually be letting him dictate her life…wouldn’t it? Snapping out of it, she realized she was staring at Jake during her inner battle. Embarrassed, she spun toward Lilly, stepped up on the rail again and stared at the horse.

  “You don’t eat fingers do you, Lilly?” She reached her hand out slowly, touching the softness of Lilly’s nose. Trisha laughed when Lilly lifted her head impatiently, nudging her hand.

  “Here, give her one of these.” Jake took Trisha’s hand in his, turning it palm up and placing a carrot on top. “Keep it on your palm so she doesn’t accidently grab a finger.”

  Trisha laughed again when Lilly eyed the carrot then took it gently from her hand. “That is so cool.” Trisha grinned at Jake. “Can I have another one?”

  Jake gave her another carrot. “She will stand here all day eating these.”

  “It tickles.” Trisha scratched her palm then held her hand out for another carrot. “One more?”

  “You’re going to make her fat,” Jake teased, but handed her another one.

  Trisha rolled her eyes. “On carrots? I don’t think so. That’s all I snack on when I’m dieting.”

  “Why the hell would you diet?” Jake frowned, looking her up and down.

  Okay, if she wasn’t already crushing on Jake, she sure as hell was now. She felt heat rise in her cheeks as his eyes gazed over her body. Before she could say anything, Cindy walked in.

  “Shoo wee.” Cindy headed toward them, holding her nose. “It stinks in here.”

  “Ah, maybe because you’re standing in the middle of a barn.” Trisha laughed, shaking her head. “You okay?”

  Cindy nodded with a fake smile. “Dandy.” She looked between Trisha and Jake, a sly grin playing on her lips. “Did I interrupt something?”

  “Jake was just showing me how to feed Lilly a carrot without losing my fingers.” Trisha looked back at Lilly petting her on the nose.

  “Oh, did he?” Cindy crossed her arms staring at Jake. “Okay, boss man. What do you have in store for us?”

  Leaning against the fence, Jake tipped his hat back staring at Cindy with a cocked eyebrow. “Two of us need to clean stalls while another one
brushes down the horses.”

  “I’ll clean the stalls,” Trisha volunteered, knowing Cindy would throw a fit.

  “Have you been around horses before?” Jake asked Cindy, his stance still relaxed.

  “I’ve been around all different types of animals, Mr. McCabe,” Cindy replied, her eyebrow cocking to match his.

  Trisha frowned, her eyes moving from one to the other.

  “Good to know, but right now, I’m just concerned with horses.” Jake took brushes off a table handing Cindy one. “I’ll get her started and be right back.”

  Trisha nodded, watching them walk off. Glancing around, she headed toward another stall and stood on the bottom rail to look over. A beautiful horse stood munching on some hay. The color reminded her of Jake’s eyes. Frowning at that thought, her eyes moved down and she about fell off the rail. “Whoa.” Now she knew what ‘hung like a horse’ meant.

  “That’s Devil.” Jake walked up beside her. “He’s the proud papa.”

  “Proud papa?” Trisha said, still embarrassed at being caught looking at Devil’s huge… “Oh, you mean he and Lilly…” God, if she had a gun she’d shoot herself.

  “Yep, they sure did.” He chuckled, grabbing two rakes and pitchforks. “Come on. Let’s get to work.”

  If it would get her out of this humiliating situation, she’d do anything. With a sigh, she followed him.

  ******

  Jake was working in one stall while Trisha worked in another. He had to give her credit, she was a hard worker and he sure liked having something to look at other than horseshit. He had a rule of not dating clients, but he was seriously rethinking that. It had only been one day and he wanted to know more about this woman, which surprised him. He chuckled to himself, remembering walking up to her when she was looking at Devil, who was the horniest stallion they’d ever owned, so she definitely got an eyeful. He almost teased her, but decided to be a gentleman and not say a word.

  “Okay.” Trisha looked over the fence at him. “What do I do with it once it’s in the wheelbarrow?”

  Tossing his pitchfork in the corner, he opened the gate and walked to the stall she had just cleaned. “Not bad.”