Her Cowboy's Christmas Wish (Harlequin American Romance)

by Mcdavid, Cathy

  Or was she sad?

  “Hey, Powell!”

  Hearing his name, he sauntered back to his buddies. He couldn’t afford to be distracted, by Caitlin or anyone. His upcoming ride was too important. He’d made it this far, paying the price in pain and sweat, and refused to screw up.

  “You drew a mean one.”

  Micky’s comment prompted Ethan to reevaluate Batteries Included, the bronc he was about to take for a spin. He’d helped train the big, rangy black, one of Clay’s first purchases when he’d started his rodeo stock business, and knew to expect the unexpected. Batteries Included possessed enough bucking power to give a cowboy a championship ride, if he could stay in the saddle. Most who rode the horse ended up in a pile on the arena floor.

  Ethan didn’t plan on joining their ranks.

  “You ready?” Micky asked.

  There was a lot that could be read into the question. Was he ready to make a fool of himself in front of a huge crowd? Or was he ready to show everyone he still had what it took to compete professionally, even if he couldn’t enter Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association–sanctioned rodeos?

  Micky could also be wondering something as simple as whether or not Ethan had his nerves under control.

  The answer to that last question was no. He hadn’t been this jittery since he was fourteen and competing in his first junior rodeo. He’d fared poorly, getting bucked off in every event. He’d also learned many valuable lessons that stayed with him even today.

  “I’m ready,” he said, nodding confidently. “Ready to beat the two of you and look damn good doing it.”

  The three men chuckled.

  Letting loose took a little of the edge off his tension and, oddly enough, helped him concentrate.

  They moved from the stock pens to the chutes, where they discussed in detail the competitors going before them. Micky straddled the top railing, worming his way between a pair of cousins from Tucson, while Ethan stood beside T.J., his left leg braced on the bottom railing. He could climb the fence, and would have, were he not competing shortly. No point putting unnecessary strain on his prosthesis.

  A dozen men were ahead of him, allowing him time to wait. To think. To stress. To envision the worst…and the best.

  All day long he’d glimpsed people staring at him, wearing he-must-be-crazy expressions. Who entered rodeo jackpots with a missing leg?

  Half a leg, Ethan corrected.

  What was the difference? Half or whole, he was still handicapped.

  God, he hated that word, and refused to let it define him.

  He searched the audience until he found his family. Gavin, their dad, his niece Cassie, Sage and her daughter, Isa. He didn’t want to disappoint them. His brother and father especially. He owed them an eight-second ride if for nothing other than the unconditional support they’d given him since his accident.

  Not far from his family, Caitlin sat in the front row. So she was going to watch him compete. He hadn’t been sure despite the hug. Gladness filled him, and he felt his mouth break in a wide smile. If she was able to conquer her fears enough to sit through his ride, then maybe they stood a chance. Their gazes connected across the distance and held, convincing Ethan she shared his optimism for their future.

  Thirty minutes later, another ten contestants had gone. Ethan liked being one of the last, as it gave him the opportunity to analyze the competition and determine what he needed to do in order to beat their scores. Contestants in jackpots were often weekend enthusiasts and not at the same experience level as those competing professionally.

  On the other hand, there was always one or two serious contenders. Ethan studied them the closest.

  “Powell, on deck!”

  Ethan moved into place beside the chute where Batteries Included waited. As he climbed the fence, the horse twisted and snorted, the whites of his inky-black eyes showing. Ethan swung his good leg over the top rung. The horse kicked out with his front hoof. The clang of iron shoe against metal railing rang out like a challenge, one Ethan accepted.

  Muscles clenched, nerves strung tight, he lowered himself onto the bronc’s back. Placing his feet in the stirrups, he pointed his toes. Next, he checked the reins and tugged the brim of his hat low over his eyes. When he was satisfied, he whispered a silent prayer to his mother.

  One last shift in the saddle, and he uttered the word that could possibly give him back the life he’d lost.

  “Go!”

  The gate opened. Batteries Included charged into the arena, his powerful body rocking forward and backward with enough strength to jar Ethan’s teeth loose.

  Acting on pure instinct, he marked the horse. Hand raised over his head, he leaned back in the saddle and found his rhythm.

  Time slowed. He heard the roar of air rushing into his expanding lungs, the creak of leather stretching and bending, his bones grinding together, someone hollering his name. He slipped once, righted himself and dug his heels into the horse above the shoulders, urging him to buck higher and harder.

  From nowhere, the buzzer sounded.

  Ethan’s heart exploded. He’d done it!

  The pickup men materialized beside him. With a strong arm, the nearest one hauled Ethan out of the saddle and deposited him on the ground. The crowd applauded. Ethan readjusted his hat, dusted off his jeans and began striding across the arena to the gate, his glance repeatedly darting to the scoreboard. Finally, the numbers changed and the announcer’s voice blared from the speakers.

  “That’ll be an 83 for Ethan Powell.”

  Applause followed. Not wild applause. Ethan had done well enough, though he wouldn’t place in the top three. Possibly the top six if he was very, very lucky. Still, it was a decent score for a man with a prosthesis.

  Stop thinking like that!

  “Good ride.” Micky sidled up beside him.

  “Not bad.”

  “You’ve done worse.”

  He had. In professional rodeos before he’d enlisted. He’d also done better. A lot better.

  “You going to try bull riding again?”

  “Probably not.” Ethan knew his limits.

  “Bareback?”

  He’d considered it. Without stirrups he might have even more trouble maintaining his balance. Then again, he might have less. “Soon, I’m thinking.”

  “Glad to hear it.” Micky left to join the other bull riders.

  Ethan’s buddies congratulated him as he made his way to the pens. Like Micky, they didn’t go overboard with their praise. He’d finished, and that was worth acknowledging. Not, he’d finished, and that was an unbelievable accomplishment.

  He liked being treated the same as anyone else.

  His enjoyment was cut short when the audience gasped loudly. A young man lay prone on the ground. While the pickup men went after the loose horse, wranglers streamed into the arena, surrounding the fallen rider.

  The next instant, Caitlin was running pell-mell across the arena, her shoes sinking into the soft dirt. She pushed her way through the wranglers and dropped to the ground, examining the man with expert hands. Not long after, she assisted him to a sitting position, then to his feet. Cheers rose as he limped toward the gate, Caitlin holding his elbow on one side and a wrangler on the other. The announcer wished him well and promised the audience an update on his condition before the jackpot was over.

  Returning to work after that was hard for Ethan. He kept thinking about the young man as he supervised the transfer of stock from pens to chutes. News soon spread that the rider had sprained his back. Ethan could easily imagine Caitlin recommending the young man see his regular doctor, and him insisting he was all right. Just as Ethan had done.

  He was glad the rider had sprained rather than broken his back. Not only because the injury was less severe. If he’d been driven to the hospital in an ambulance, there would be no convincing Caitlin bronc riding was only moderately dangerous.

  Yeah, moderately.

  Why was he trying so hard to sway her when she’d in
sisted there was no chance in hell they’d resume their relationship?

  But there had been that hug before he’d competed, and the one at Thanksgiving.

  No matter how much she denied it, she liked him. Possibly even loved him, deep down.

  He couldn’t give up on them.

  Two hours later, the Duvall Rodeo Arena’s first jackpot came to a close. A brief ceremony followed, and the top three contestants for each event received their belt buckles and winnings. Ethan applauded along with everyone else. He’d rather have been part of the ceremony with Micky and the others.

  Soon, he assured himself.

  He hung around as long as possible, supervising the wranglers as they returned the remaining livestock to the paddocks and pastures. Every now and then his gaze wandered to the first-aid station. When he saw Caitlin loading up her minivan, he made an excuse to the men and hurried over.

  “Need help carrying anything?”

  She spun around, nearly dropping the tower of plastic bins in her arms. “Thanks. I’ve got it.”

  Not the warm welcome he’d been anticipating after their hug.

  “Did you see my ride?” Stupid question. She’d been watching from the bleachers.

  “I did.” She loaded the plastic bins into her van. “Congratulations. You must be pleased.”

  “I am.”

  “Are you celebrating tonight?”

  “Hadn’t thought of it.” He immediately warmed to the idea. “You free? We could have dinner.”

  She exhaled wearily. “It’s been a long day, and I’m exhausted. I’m sure you are, too.”

  Not really. If anything, he was energized. Had been since his ride.

  “Sure. No problem.” He hesitated, searching for a reason to stay. “When are you coming out to the ranch next?”

  “I’m glad you asked.” She brightened, noticeably relieved at the change of topic. “Next Saturday, if that’s okay with you.”

  “Great.”

  “Any chance we can take the wagon to the park for a test drive? I’d like to experiment with a couple different routes. See which one works best.”

  “Call me.”

  No dinner. And a full week before he saw her again. No physical-therapy sessions, either.

  So far, this plan he had with Justin to go after his sister was a complete and total bust.

  “Good night, Ethan. Congratulations again.” She got in her van and left.

  As he walked back to the holding pens for a final inspection, he decided he didn’t much like being treated the same as every other guy out there.

  He much preferred to be special, after all, at least where Caitlin Carmichael was concerned.

  Chapter Ten

  Caitlin waited at the entrance to the park, shielding her eyes from the brilliant morning sun. She could just make out the wagon with its team of two horses plodding along Mustang Valley’s main road at a gentle pace. Vehicles going in both directions slowed at the unusual procession, their drivers used to yielding the right-of-way to horses.

  The wagon carried two passengers besides Ethan. Cassie and Isa sat with him on the bench seat, their excited chatter reaching Caitlin’s ears from a half block away. Musical tones blended with the girls’ voices, and it took Caitlin a moment to recognize the source.

  Jingle bells hanging from the harnesses! Ethan must have added them after Caitlin and her crew had finished decorating.

  How nice of him.

  Guilt needled her with pointy barbs. For the past week, ever since the rodeo jackpot, she’d purposefully avoided Ethan, speaking to him only once midweek to firm up their plans to drive the wagon route before the Holly Days Festival. Evidently he’d gotten her message loud and clear, because he hadn’t attempted to contact her, either.

  Caitlin should be relieved. Happy, even. Instead, she jumped every time her cell phone rang or the clinic buzzer heralded the arrival of a patient.

  This morning was no exception. Her insides fluttered annoyingly at the sight of Ethan’s broad shoulders and tall physique, and her palms leaked perspiration.

  She wiped them on her jeans, then waved. Only the girls returned her greeting. Was Ethan angry with her for turning down his dinner invitation? As the wagon drew nearer, she noticed Gavin sitting in the bed on a bale of hay and holding on to the sidewall.

  Good. More passengers. She’d been a wreck for days, uncertain how she would handle being alone with Ethan. As it turned out, her obsessing had been a complete waste of time.

  The horses’ clip-clopping hooves on the pavement, the girls’ lively chatter and the ringing of jingle bells combined to create a merry cacophony. Caitlin stepped out from her spot beneath an ironwood tree as Ethan expertly turned the horses into the park entrance.

  “Whoa, there!” He pulled back on the long reins, and the wagon came to a creaky stop.

  Caitlin walked over and gasped softly. “The lights are on!” She hadn’t noticed their multicolored flickering in the bright sunlight.

  “We’re testing the electrical system.” Gavin climbed out of the wagon bed, using the rear wheel spokes like a ladder to reach the ground.

  Vehicles continued to pass them in a slow procession, the drivers honking or waving. A pickup truck didn’t drive past but parked behind the wagon. Caitlin recognized the woman at the wheel. Sage must have followed to prevent potential tailgaters from creeping too close.

  The truck door opened and she emerged. “Morning, Caitlin!”

  “How are you?”

  The two women met up near the wagon. Caitlin liked Gavin’s fiancée and their daughters. Another time and place, she and Sage might have become good friends.

  Why not now? a voice inside her asked. Surely not because of Ethan.

  Avoiding Ethan’s family on the off chance he might show up did seem ridiculous. What was the worst that could happen?

  Plenty. One smoky glance from him, one caress of his lips on her skin, and she’d be all over him.

  Not going to happen, and four co-passengers were the perfect deterrent.

  “Come on, girls,” Gavin said, climbing out of the wagon. “Let’s get a move on.”

  “You’re leaving?”

  Caitlin wasn’t the only one protesting.

  “Aw, Dad, please. Can’t we stay with Uncle Ethan?”

  Yes, can’t they stay?

  “We have an appointment,” Sage reminded them in a motherly voice. She pulled Caitlin to her for a quick hug. “Maybe after the holidays we can meet for coffee or lunch.”

  “That would be nice,” she mumbled, releasing Sage reluctantly.

  The girls continued to whine.

  “Tomorrow afternoon I’ll take the two of you for another ride,” Ethan said. “How’s that?”

  “Really?” Isa clapped her hands.

  “Will you teach me to drive?” Cassie asked.

  “Yes and yes.”

  He helped the girls down off the wagon seat into Gavin’s outstretched arms, Isa first, then Cassie. They both kissed Ethan’s cheek before being lowered, their slim, girlish arms circling his neck.

  “Thanks, Uncle Ethan.”

  “I love you, Uncle Ethan.”

  “Love you, too, kiddos.”

  Watching them, Caitlin felt her racing heart slow, then turn to mush. He was incredibly good with the girls, and they seemed to adore him. It had never occurred to her what a terrific father he’d make.

  “All aboard!” Gavin beckoned her to the front of the wagon.

  “Me?”

  “You are riding with Ethan, aren’t you?”

  She pasted a brave smile on her face. “I am.”

  “Well, let’s do it. Unless you can climb into this wagon by yourself.”

  Caitlin might be taller than the girls, but she wasn’t nearly as nimble. She needed help. Mentally measuring the distance from the ground to the wagon seat, she decided she might need wings.

  The footrest was on the same level as her chest. No way could she lift her leg that high.


  “Are you kidding me?” She gaped at Gavin.

  “Right foot here.” He patted one of the wheel spokes. “Left foot here.” He tapped the footrest. “Then swing yourself up into the seat.”

  He made it sound so easy.

  The horses chose that moment to shift restlessly, causing the wagon to rock.

  Caitlin instinctively drew back. “I can’t.”

  “You’ll be fine,” Ethan said. “The brake’s on.”

  She wavered, angry at herself. She’d done this before. Granted, that was years ago, when she’d have walked through fire to be with Ethan.

  “Okay, okay.” She lifted her foot as instructed and placed it on the wheel spoke. Then nothing. Gravity had a hold on her and wouldn’t let go.

  “Here.”

  She glanced at Ethan. He’d placed the reins in his left hand and was holding his right one out to her. It was large and strong and appeared more than capable of hauling her safely up into the seat.

  “Hang on.” Gavin gave her a boost.

  She rose up, her left foot automatically seeking purchase. Before she quite knew what was happening, Ethan caught her by the forearm and yanked. Her world tilted crazily. Then she was seated beside him, and everything returned to its proper place.

  It had been like that before, when they were young. He had only to touch her, hold her, and all was right once more.

  “It’s high up here.” Higher than she remembered. Her fingers gripped the thin and unreassuring metal armrest. “No seat belts, huh?” She laughed nervously.

  “I don’t remember you being so afraid of horses.”

  She hadn’t been, only since Justin’s accident. She hadn’t been afraid of fast cars, roller coasters, bungee jumping or heights before then, either.

  “I haven’t ridden for years.”

  “We should go one day. Get you used to horses again.”

  “Get me used to the wagon first. Then we’ll see about horses.”

  “One step at a time.” Before she could wonder if he was really talking about them, he said, “Molly and Dolly are the two calmest horses on the ranch next to Chico. I wouldn’t take you or anyone for a drive if I thought for one second we’d have a runaway.”