by Marin Thomas
“Would you like to see me ride?”
“I’d love to go to a rodeo with you. When?”
“I’ll check my schedule and call you.”
She brushed at an imaginary speck on her dress. “Okay.”
Leave. Before she changes her mind. Beau stepped outside into the chilly night air. “I had a really nice time.”
“Me, too. And Beau…”
“Yeah?”
“Can we keep last night just between us?”
Beau dropped his voice to a whisper. “We can keep anything you like between us.”
Chapter Five
“Hey, Beau!”
Beau stopped next to his truck parked outside the Number 1 and glanced up. Duke waited for a car to pass, then jogged across the street.
“How’s—”
“I wanted—”
“Go ahead,” Beau said.
“Thanks again for catching Zorro this afternoon.”
“Happy to help.” The awkward silence that followed the exchange bothered Beau. Things just weren’t the same between them since Duke had quit rodeo and married.
“I stopped in the diner earlier.”
“Karla said you wanted to talk to me. I was upstairs with Sierra.”
The comment tugged a smile from his brother. “Did you finally convince Sierra to go with you?”
“We had dinner together.”
“Congratulations.”
Beau wasn’t sure congratulations were in order after Sierra had proposed a friends-only relationship.
“Heard you won in Rock Springs,” Duke said.
“McLean misses you.”
“McLean’s an ass. I’m glad you beat him.” Duke scuffed the toe of his boot against the sidewalk.
“I entered the Badlands Bull Bash next month.”
“I heard. Dad got a call from Nelson Tyler Rodeos this afternoon.”
Nelson Tyler Rodeos had a reputation of running top-notch events. “What did they want?”
“One of their stock contractors had to withdraw his bulls because of a fever in the herd. They asked Dad to bring Bushwhacker and Back Bender to the Bash.”
Their father and aunt must be ecstatic over the news. “If Bushwhacker has a good showing he might get an invite to the NFR.” Beau wished he and not a bull would represent Thunder Ranch in Vegas at the end of the year, but Bushwhacker’s value would greatly increase with NFR experience and that meant more money for the ranch. “I guess I’ll be helping Dad haul the bulls to South Dakota unless you plan to ride along.” Beau had been doing most of the livestock hauling since Duke had gotten married and his father had begun chasing after Jordan Peterson.
“I’ll check my work schedule, then I’ll see if Angie has any plans that weekend.”
“Since your wife thinks so highly of rodeo, I’m sure she’ll find something to keep you at home.”
Duke curled his fingers into fists. “Watch what you say about Angie.”
Ah, hell. What was the matter with him—provoking his brother? Beau’s emotions were tied in knots over Sierra’s insistence that they remain friends and he was taking his frustration out on his brother. “Sorry. I was out of line.”
Duke, always quick to forgive, didn’t make an issue of Beau’s wisecrack. “Dad said you’re serious about making a run for the NFR next year.”
“I am.”
“If you don’t let anything get in your way—” Beau assumed anything meant Sierra “—then you’ve got a good chance of going to Vegas.” His brother spoke from experience; when Angie came along, Duke had lost his interest in rodeo.
“I’d be away from the ranch more often,” Beau warned.
“I’ll do what I can to help Dad with the cattle and bulls.”
Duke had extended an olive branch—why was it so dang hard to accept it? “I won’t be making a run for anything if Dad decides to retire.”
“Did he bring up the subject with you?”
“I mentioned it.”
“What’d he say?”
“He said he’d be happy sitting on his keister all day.”
“It’s her fault.” Duke pointed to the apartment window above the diner.
“What’s Sierra got to do with Dad retiring?”
“Not Sierra, her aunt. Jordan’s got Dad acting like a lovesick fool.”
“I guess you’d know all about that lovesickness stuff.” Beau flashed a crooked grin. Heck, if he played his cards right, he might have a chance to make a fool out of himself over Sierra.
“This isn’t funny, Beau.”
“Funny or not, I know why Dad’s smitten.”
“Why?”
“Jordan and Dad were high school sweethearts.”
“How long has it been since Jordan lost her husband?” Duke asked.
“Not sure. A few years, I’d guess.”
“Then why did she wait this long before returning to Roundup?”
“Jordan didn’t come back to see Dad. She’s here to spend time with Sierra.” Beau rubbed his cold hands together.
“I couldn’t care less who Dad dates, but he called me this afternoon while I was on duty and wanted me to contact Ace and ask him to check on one of the bulls.”
“He could have called Ace himself,” Beau said.
“Of course he could have, but he said he needed a haircut before he stopped in to visit Jordan and he didn’t want to get stuck on the phone chatting with Ace about ranch problems.” Duke shoved a hand through his hair. “I’m getting tired of Dad expecting us to pick up the slack every time he runs off to be with his lady love.”
“Yeah, well, be prepared for Dad handing off more responsibility the deeper he becomes involved with Jordan.”
“We already do our fair share—more so you than me—but I’ve got a family to look after now,” Duke said.
“Maybe we’re worrying for nothing. One of these days, Dad’s true colors will shine through and Jordan will see he doesn’t know the meaning of the word compassion.”
“Since you’re chasing after Sierra, keep your eyes and ears open around Jordan.”
“For what?”
“If you hear about either of them talking marriage, let me know. I need to prepare myself and Angie for the possibility of having to spend every day off at the ranch.”
“If it comes to that, we’ll ask Aunt Sarah to hire another ranch hand,” Beau said. “She can pay the cowboy out of Dad’s retirement.”
Duke chuckled then his face sobered. “You’d better watch yourself with Sierra.”
Beau’s hackles rose. “Why’s that?”
“If you hurt Sierra, you’ll not only have to answer to her aunt but Dad, too.”
“No one’s going to hurt anyone.” Not if Beau had his way.
Duke’s cell phone beeped and he checked the text message. “Duty calls. Talk to you later.” He headed across the street to the jailhouse.
Beau hopped into his truck and started the engine. While he waited for the heater to warm the cab he identified the nagging twinge that always gripped his stomach when he talked with Duke. Jealousy. His brother appeared happier than ever in his roles as deputy sheriff, husband and father. Beau closed his eyes and envisioned him and Sierra married with kids of their own.
Be careful what you wish for…
It would be so easy to lose himself in Sierra, then end up like his brother—allowing a woman to stand in the way of winning an NFR title. Beau refused to let that happen. He was determined to focus on finishing out the year on a high note both in rodeo and his personal life. He’d win at the Bash and he’d win Sierra.
* * *
LAUGHTER FILLED THE diner and Sierra cringed at the happy sound. It was Wednesday afternoon and expectant mothers Dinah Wright and Flynn Hart had come in to appease their cravings for sweets. A few minutes later Leah Hart, Angie Adams and Cheyenne Sundell with her twin daughters had arrived and joined the group.
Steeling herself, Sierra carried a tray of water glasses to their table. “You al
l appear to be in good spirits,” she said.
Flynn rubbed her large belly. “I’m hoping your carrot cake will take my mind off how fat I’m feeling.”
“You don’t know what fat is until you’ve carried twins,” Cheyenne said as she brushed a strand of hair from her daughter Sadie’s face. The little girl jerked her head away, but her sister Sammie refused to sit anywhere but in Cheyenne’s lap.
“Carrying a baby is the easy part,” Leah said. “Giving birth…now that’s when things get tricky.”
“After helping mares birth their foals, I think we have it easier in the delivery room,” Angie said.
Dinah grimaced. “Please, no childbirth stories. I just want to eat my dessert so I’ll be in a better mood. Austin says I’m grumpy all the time.”
Sierra steadfastly ignored the ache in her heart as she waited for the chitchat to die down. “Okay, Flynn’s having a slice of carrot cake, what would everyone else like?”
“I’ll take the apple pie,” Dinah said.
“Make that two slices of apple pie,” Leah added.
“I’ll have a blueberry muffin.” Cheyenne glanced at her daughters. “The girls will share a piece of chocolate cake.”
“Oh, what the heck. I’ll have the carrot cake,” Angie said.
“Coming right up.” Sierra smiled then hurried away. After passing along the dessert orders to Karla, Sierra stepped into the kitchen to check on the beef Stroganoff. “Irene, when you finish unloading the dishwasher, would you please set the water to boil for the noodles?”
“Sure.”
“I’m going to check on my aunt.” Instead of taking the back stairs, Sierra left through the delivery door, which opened to the parking lot behind the diner. A cold gust of wind slapped her in the face. Yesterday, the temperature had hit fifty degrees—darn near spring-like. This morning she’d woken to plenty of sunshine but she doubted the temperature had made it out of the low forties yet.
She lifted her face to the sun and breathed in deeply, hoping the crisp air would freeze out the anxiety she’d felt the past few days. Three days had passed—almost passed—and Beau had yet to contact her about going to a rodeo with him. She’d give anything to watch him ride, but she didn’t dare drive too far—Saturday night’s fiasco had proven the boundaries of her world were shrinking with each passing day.
Maybe Beau changed his mind about being your friend.
Sierra should have told Beau the whole truth about her eyesight and not just that she had trouble seeing at night. Pride and vanity had coaxed her to fudge about the seriousness of the disease. She’d wanted Beau to view her as a healthy, young woman—not a woman doomed to a life of darkness.
“Where’s your jacket?” Beau came around the corner of the building. His grin rivaled the sun, chasing away Sierra’s melancholy. “Irene said you’d gone upstairs to check on your aunt.”
“I was on my way,” Sierra said.
“I dropped by to ask you to a rodeo this Saturday.”
He hadn’t forgotten. “Where?”
“Billings.”
“I’ll check with Irene to see if she’s willing to handle the diner.”
“I don’t compete until the afternoon, and there’s no snow in the forecast this weekend so we could leave as late as ten o’clock in the morning.”
“Wait right here.” Sierra ducked her head inside the door and asked Irene if she’d work from ten to close on Saturday. Irene was more than happy to work the entire day.
Sierra shut the door and faced Beau. “I’d love to go.”
“Good. It’ll be nice to have company on the drive.” He touched a finger to the brim of his hat and walked off.
Where was the amorous cowboy who’d kissed her a few nights ago?
Friends, remember? Sierra had set the terms of their relationship, but a part of her yearned to throw caution to the wind just to see what might happen between her and Beau. Ah, well, a girl could dream.
“Sierra?” Jordan stood on the fire escape above Sierra’s head.
“I was coming up to check on you.” She climbed the steps to the apartment.
“I don’t need checking on, dear. Was that Beau’s voice I heard a moment ago?”
Aunt Jordan had bat ears. “Beau asked me to go with him to a rodeo on Saturday. I hope you don’t mind, but I said yes.” Sierra opened the apartment door and ushered her aunt inside.
“What about your eye-doctor appointment?” Jordan pulled out a kitchen chair and sat.
“What appointment?” Sierra hadn’t called the eye doctor.
“I took the liberty of scheduling you an appointment in Billings with Dr. Ryder. I thought we’d stop for lunch on the way home.”
Sierra counted to five as she fought her rising anger. “Aunt Jordan, I’m capable of making my own appointments.”
“Are you?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You keep telling me you’ll see a doctor but—”
“When I’m good and ready.”
“Time isn’t on your side.”
“What difference does it make if I learn this Saturday or three months from now that I’m going to be blind one day?” The last thing Sierra wanted to focus on was her failing eyesight.
“What about Beau?”
The quiet question bounced off the kitchen walls, smacking Sierra on all sides. “Beau is a friend.”
“A friend for now, but maybe that will change.”
“My love life isn’t any of your business, Aunt Jordan.”
“Beau should know—”
“Beau doesn’t need to know anything.”
“Even if he remains just a friend, dear, he deserves to be told the truth.”
A dull throb pulsed behind Sierra’s eyes and she rubbed her brow. How could she make her aunt understand that she yearned for a little time to enjoy being with Beau without her vision problems standing between them? Once the doctor gave her the official diagnosis, reality would come crashing down around her and Beau would move on to another woman—one who wasn’t going blind.
“Do you want me to cancel the—”
“I’ll take care of it.” Sierra would attend the rodeo with Beau and enjoy every second of his company. If he asked her out again, she’d make up an excuse and keeping making excuses until he got the message that friends were all they’d ever be. Needing to escape, Sierra made a dash for the door. “I’ll bring up supper later.”
“Don’t bother, dear. I’m going out with Joshua tonight.”
At least her aunt’s love life appeared promising. “Have a good time.” Sierra closed the door behind her and descended the fire escape, wondering if Beau was anything like his father. Would he care that she was going blind? She’d never know the truth because she wouldn’t be with Beau when the day of reckoning arrived.
* * *
“LADIES AND GENTS, before we kick off our men’s bull-riding event here in the Rimrock Auto Arena at the MetraPark, we’ve got a special treat for you.”
Sierra touched Beau’s thigh to catch his attention. “Don’t you have to prepare for your ride?” She pointed to the cowboys standing behind the bull chutes. Beau had sat with her through several rodeo events explaining the rules and answering her questions.
“I have plenty of time. I’m riding last this afternoon.”
“Today we’re honored to have Shannon Douglas here with us. A native of Stagecoach, Arizona, Shannon and Wrangler Jeans have teamed up together to promote women’s rough-stock events.” The crowd applauded and several cowboys let loose wolf whistles.
“I didn’t know women rode bulls,” Sierra said.
“Not many do, but rumor has it this Shannon Douglas is one of the more talented athletes on the women’s circuit.”
Sierra studied the female bull rider. Even though she wore a protective vest and the customary headgear with a face mask, Shannon appeared small and vulnerable on the back of a huge bull.
“Shannon’s riding Black Beauty from the
Spur Ranch near Luckenbach, Texas,” the announcer said. “Here’s hoping Shannon makes it to eight.”
The gate opened and Black Beauty burst from the chute, almost unseating Shannon. Sierra held her breath as the bull flung the cowgirl around like a rag doll. Amazingly, Shannon hung on and when the buzzer sounded she launched herself off the bull. She landed on her shoulder but quickly got to her feet and ran for the rails.
“Shannon Douglas scored an eighty-two, folks! Not bad for a girl!” Once the crowd quieted, the announcer added, “Shannon will be available for autographs in front of the VIP section after the men’s bull-riding event. If you stop by and see Shannon, she’ll enter your name into the Wrangler drawing for free merchandise.”
“I’d better go,” Beau said. He smiled at Sierra, his brown eyes warming when his gaze dropped to her mouth. “How ’bout a good luck kiss?”
Friends…remember? The warning went unheeded, and she leaned forward, pressing her mouth to Beau’s, the contact sending a bolt of heat through her body. His tongue slid sensuously across her lower lip, but the instant she relaxed her mouth he pulled away.
“I should warn you that the congratulatory kiss after I win is a whole lot hotter.”
“I can handle the heat, cowboy…” she teased. “If you win.”
“Oh, I’m gonna win.” He tapped his finger against the brim of his hat then took off for the cowboy-ready area.
Sierra pressed her tingling lips together as the loud music and raucous fan noise faded into the background. She was amazed at how easily Beau had slipped through her defenses. They were playing with fire, and the pesky voice inside her head dared Sierra to inch as close as possible to the flames without getting burned.
Relaxing in her seat, she enjoyed the rodeo until Beau’s name was announced, then she gripped the armrests and sent up a silent prayer to the rodeo gods to keep the cowboy safe.
“Turn your attention to gate four. Beau Adams is the final ride of the day and he’s coming out on Warrior, a descendant of the famed Houdini from the Circle T Ranch in Oklahoma. Folks this bull spins right out of the gate. Adams is in for a jolt!”
Sierra’s gaze latched on to Beau as he wrapped the bull rope around his hand. She was relieved to see he’d worn the protective gear he professed to hate. Without warning, the gate opened and Warrior charged into the arena, his powerful kicks attempting to unseat Beau. Sierra gasped when the bull came dangerously close to the rails, but Beau clung to the animal.