Nothing should get in the way of that. Especially a guy. A thick-headed one she worked with.
Charlie wiggled into a pair of Wrangler jeans, pulled on a camisole then a button down long-sleeved cotton shirt. She added a leather belt with a sparkly buckle, something she’d won years ago.
Last night, as soon as they’d bumped into folks from the Bar V5 outside the chocolate shop, Zack had said goodnight and headed toward Grey’s Saloon. Charlie doubted he was scoping out candidates for her. More likely finding a woman for him.
Way to start the day off right with thoughts like that.
A glance in the mirror brought a cringe. Her horse Sierra’s mane looked better than Charlie’s hair. Two braids would work, but then she remembered the old flat iron one of the summer housekeeping staff had donated to the communal bathroom after she’d purchased a new one.
Why not? As the straightener heated, she brushed her teeth and applied sunscreen.
Twenty-minutes and one small burn on her hand later, she hadn’t done too badly. Having those clips Caitlin used to separate her hair might have helped, but Charlie liked this better than braids or a ponytail. Except…
Something was missing.
She dug through a small box she kept in her underwear drawer and found the pair of horseshoe-shaped earrings she’d picked up in Livingston a few months ago. Ones she’d never worn. She removed the small, round silver posts she normally wore, placed them in the box then inserted the dangling horseshoes.
There.
Charlie did a double-take at her reflection. She looked pretty, if she dared say so, ready to attend the rodeo and meet a handsome cowboy.
A new her?
More like the real her. And this cowgirl was more than ready for whatever the day held. She slipped on socks and her well-worn, comfy cowboy boots then grabbed her hat off the hook.
No matter what guy—make that candidate—turned up next, she would give him a chance even if her heart disagreed and her brain offered a list of Zack-centric objections.
She owed that to Caitlin.
But most importantly, Charlie owed that to herself.
Because if she ever wanted to be a blushing bride and have a family of her own, she couldn’t waste another single moment thinking about Zack Harris.
*
An hour later, Charlie found herself back under the white tent in the park. The smell of buttermilk pancakes and syrup filled the air. People laughed. A child squealed. A baby cried in the distance.
This was Marietta, the town she loved, where neighbors and strangers came together to celebrate something All-American, The Copper Mountain Rodeo. Maybe Colorado wasn’t such a good idea, even if Caitlin hadn’t gotten engaged. Running from a source of heartache wasn’t Charlie’s style, and look at what she’d be leaving behind.
She carried her paper plate past the row of griddles situated behind the serving line.
“Hey, Charlie.” A smiling Chelsea Crawford Collier wore a denim apron and held a spatula. Her thick, blonde hair was coiled on her head in a sexy up-do no other pancake flipper could pull off. She stood next to her mother, who, as one of Marietta’s First Families, had been working the pancake breakfast since she was a child. “Love the new hairstyle.”
“Thanks. Amazing what a flat iron can do.”
Charlie found the Bar V5 folks seated at a few nearby tables. Zack wasn’t here. Not surprising. He only participated in Friday’s events. A good thing, she told herself. Having him out of sight might limit the comparisons between him and every other guy here.
The round tables from last night had been replaced with long rectangular ones this morning. She sat with Allie and Dan, and Tess and Paula, two thirty-something women from Las Vegas who’d arrived at the Bar V5 for a rodeo weekend stay.
“Has everyone had a chance to look over today’s schedule?” Charlie asked.
The four nodded. Tess placed her Styrofoam coffee cup on the table. “I noticed a break between the rodeo and dinner. Will there be a chance to return to the ranch to freshen up?”
“Yes.” Charlie poured syrup on her pancakes. “After walking around and sitting in the stands all day, you may feel like you’re wearing a coat of dirt and want a shower.”
“Or you can tough it out like a real cowboy,” Dan said. “A little dirt never hurt anyone?”
“Says the man who had a shower with a propane water heater delivered when we went camping.” Allie grinned. “My husband will be wanting a shower before half-time or whatever the rodeo calls a break.”
“Intermission,” Charlie offered. “We have vans running all day between town, the rodeo grounds, and the Bar V5, so wherever you want to go let me know, and we’ll get you there ASAP.”
“You’re always on top of everything, Charlie.” Dan sounded serious for the first time since they’d met earlier in the week. “I hope you’re compensated well.”
“Nate treats us real good.”
“If you get tired of cows and want to concentrate on just horses—”
“Not now, dear.” Allie swatted at her husband’s hand, and he looked duly chastised. “Breakfast is not the time for business.”
“Mind if I join you folks?” a male voice asked before Charlie could respond.
She looked up to see local rodeo champ Rhett Dixon, a blue-eyed, blond-haired cowboy with to die for dimples and an equally killer smile. She motioned to an empty seat at the table. “It’s all yours, cowboy. But I thought you’d be getting ready for today.”
He sat. “I’ve got tie-roping up first and bulls last. I need my pancake fuel.”
“Based on the crowd this morning, so do the spectators.”
She introduced those at the table to the cowboy whose string of rodeo wins matched the trail of broken hearts he’d blazed, waiting for Payton Hollis to finally date him. Charlie could sympathize with him, given her feelings for Zack.
Tess smiled warmly. “Looks like we’ll have to stick around until the end to watch Rhett compete.”
Rhett tipped his head, grinned wryly, then winked. “I can’t guarantee what the bull will do, but I’ll be sure not to disappoint.”
Charlie could almost hear the other women sighing, including Allie.
Leave it to Rhett. The guy was a charmer. Rumor was he’d been going through a tough time with his mother’s heart attack, and he was spending too much time with the troublemaking Taylors. But the Rhett that Charlie had known as a teenager was a good guy and skilled cowboy.
He wiped his mouth with a napkin. “Happy Zack told me to stop by this morning and say hi.”
Charlie’s throat tightened. “When did you see him?”
“Last night at Grey’s.”
Her stomach churned. She didn’t need a PhD in sociology—or would that be psychology?—to know Zack had sent Rhett as the next candidate. Darn, and she’d vowed this morning to give this a try.
Except Rhett’s heart was unavailable.
Like hers, a voice mocked.
Shut up.
She didn’t understand. How could Zack think Rhett was the right guy when he’d drop any woman in a New York minute if Payton snapped her finger?
Well, Charlie wasn’t about to be rude. “Glad you could stop by.”
The others at the table nodded and asked Rhett about competing. She stared at her nearly full breakfast plate. No longer hungry, she stabbed at a pancake.
“Tenderizing your breakfast?”
That voice didn’t belong to Rhett. That was Zack. Her gaze jerked upward to see him standing at the table, looking amused. Well, her plate did look pitchforked. “Practicing for the future so I’m ready when you boys annoy me.”
“Better watch out,” Rhett joked. “Payton’s the same way.”
Zack frowned, lines deepening on his face. “Payton Hollis?”
Rhett smiled. “Just need to convince her to leave her precious cows for a couple hours so we can dance the night away on Main Street.”
“Good luck,” Charlie said the words wit
h the upmost sincerity. Liking someone who didn’t like you back was the definition of purgatory. She couldn’t wait to escape. “I hope the dance works out as you planned.”
“Me, too.” Rhett glanced at his clock. “I need to run. Nice to meet you all.”
With that, the cowboy took off.
“Almost time for the parade,” she said. “Then we’ll head to the rodeo grounds.”
Zack dangled the keys. “Let me know when you’re ready.”
Her heart bumped at the thought of spending more time with him. “I thought Nate was driving. Along with Ty.”
“Change of plans. Drivers will rotate, but I’m going to be with you guys at the rodeo today.”
Charlie stiffened, surprised by the news, but she wanted to be careful what she said in front of the guests, even if they didn’t seem to be paying attention. She knew Zack wasn’t a big fan of rodeos. He preferred riding to watching others. “Filling in for someone?”
“My choice.”
That was… odd. Zack stuck close to the ranch during rodeo weekends. Unless…
“Searching for candidates,” she said in a soft voice, so only he could hear.
Zack nodded once.
Her heart melted. He really was a good guy. “Not necessary.”
“But it is.”
He leaned next to her, his breath warm against her ear.
“Sorry about Rhett,” he whispered. “Figured he’d be over Payton by now.”
The brush of his whisker stubble against her neck prickled. Goosebumps appeared.
“No worries,” Charlie said softly, wishing Zack would back away. If she turned her head slightly to the right, his lips would be against hers.
The pounding of her heart turned into a syncopated beat. She forced herself to breathe. Being so close to him was doing crazy things to her body. Things she liked. No, she didn’t.
“You look nice today.” His words were practically a caress. “Never seen your hair straight like that or the lucky earrings.”
Her lips parted in surprise. She pressed them together, stunned. A kiss would have had less impact than Zack’s words. He didn’t give compliments. Not to her anyway. Why should he? He never noticed her clothes, hair, or jewelry.
Charlie’s throat was as dry as the Badlands, but she forced out a word. “Thanks.”
She fought the urge to smooth her hair, or touch her earrings, or kiss him. Heaven help her, but she wanted to plant her mouth against his.
Her insides trembled, a mix of need and fear. She scooted away from him, putting distance between them.
What was going on?
The only time he’d acted like this had been the night by the river. But that had been different. He hadn’t been himself. Why was he doing this now?
Charlie wasn’t sure she wanted to know the answer. She couldn’t allow herself to focus on Zack. This weekend was her chance to break free of the crush that threatened to ruin her life. She couldn’t mess this up.
Forget Zack.
Forget his help.
Forget ever kissing him again.
She could find her own candidate—make that own man who might like her back—and she would.
Charlie stood, forced a smile. “Come on, everybody. Let’s head to the parade.”
*
The parade down Main Street celebrated small town America and cowboys. Zack had never attended until today, but found himself cheering along with Charlie who waved at every group that went past. And there were plenty of them, including a decorated fire engine, horse-drawn hay wagon, local horse groups, a Native American dance troop, a marching band, children riding decorated bikes and wagons, and 4-H and Future Farmer of America—FFA—floats.
The rodeo’s opening ceremony was another piece of Americana. The festivities opened with a Grand Entry where riders carrying American, Montana State, and sponsor flags galloped around the arena. Competitors were introduced along with officials. The presentation of the rodeo queen and her court followed. A touching rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner sung by a boy and girl brought a lump to Zack’s throat.
He wiped his eyes. Darn dust was making them water.
Down in the arena, the rodeo crew prepared for the first event. Zack sat next to Dustin in the stands. The Bar V5 guests were seated in the rows below, while Charlie stood in the aisle, beside her charges, resting one booted foot on a bleacher.
“No one was injured when the horse got loose,” she explained to douse the rumors spreading through the stands like wildfire. “He ran into a stroller, but no baby was inside. The horse was caught and everything’s fine.”
“Lucky kid,” Dustin murmured to Zack.
“Luckier horse.”
This was an unfamiliar world to Zack. He had never been part of the rodeo scene growing up in Butte. His parents had been involved in one get-rich scheme after another, a handful legal, most not. Their marriage had been one of convenience at times, survival at others. Love hadn’t played a role. His birth had been an accident, something his mom and dad had reminded Zack of daily.
Anything fun, such as sports or horses, was considered a waste. He’d learned to ride thanks to his one and only school friend. Not many folks let their kids play with the son of two-bit criminals who were in and out of jail.
Instead of showing off in the arena, he preferred riding Blackbeard to the high elevation cow camp during rodeo weekend, where the herd summered and guests, who wanted a more authentic cowboy experience, spent time. Except this weekend, Charlie wouldn’t be up there. So he’d offered to take Ty’s place here.
Stupid? Yeah, since Zack imagined being bored out of his mind. Watching hotshots outgun each other wasn’t his idea of fun. But he justified the actions because of wanting to help Charlie.
He didn’t understand why some cowboy hadn’t roped her yet. Not just last night, but at all. Pretty, sharp, strong, funny. Those words described Charlie, but he’d never put them together until now. If he were looking for a wife—which he wasn’t—and if they didn’t work together—which they did—he would call her a catch.
She stood in front of the guests dressed like a cowgirl, with dangling earrings and a blinged-out buckle, a way he’d never seen her but liked. Her attitude was cheerleader rah-rah. Warm and appealing like the apple pie served at the dinner last night. She could give the rodeo queen and her court a run for their money.
Going through the rodeo program, Charlie pointed out the local cowboys and cowgirls competing in the preliminary events, as well as the champions who’d come to town. Her smile never wavered. Enthusiasm sounded in her voice.
Watching her reminded him of a baby bird taking flight for the first time and soaring. He couldn’t imagine the rodeo next year without her. She belonged at the Bar V5 and here in Marietta.
“This never gets old,” Dustin said, as if talking aloud.
“Do you miss competing?” Zack asked.
“Hell, yes. Nothing beats rodoeing.” The former champion touched his right knee, one that was healing from his most recent operation. “But I’m grateful I can walk, and ride, as well as I can, given the pins and screws inside me. No reason to push it.”
Zack laughed. The guy was too much. But that was what had made him a champion. “Save the act for the people who sign your paycheck.”
Dustin’s brows drew together. “Don’t know what you mean.”
Zack leaned closer. “I saw you steer wrestling Diablo.”
“Crap.” Dustin mouthed a few other choice words, but Nate had a rule about swearing within earshot of guests. He rubbed the back of his neck. “Anybody else with you?”
“Blackbeard.”
“At least he won’t tell. You gonna?” Dustin sounded like a kid who’d been caught firing his air-soft rifle without safety goggles. “Charlie would kill me if she finds out. Not to mention Ty, since I’ve been blowing off my physical therapy this summer. And Nate due to insurance.”
“I won’t say a word as long as you promise not to do that again,�
� Zack said. “I’m all for men being men, but they don’t call that bull Diablo for his sweet temperament. He’s one mean SOB. He could kill you if given the chance.”
“I was careful.”
Based on what he’d seen, Zack withheld judgment. The guy had been stupid and brave. “You were alone. Ever heard of the buddy system? Pull that solo crap again, and if you’re lucky enough to survive one more time, I will announce your little secret from the mega-horn.”
Still standing below, halfway in the aisle, Charlie clapped her hands. “Okay now. Game time. Tell me your favorite rodeo event and win a prize.”
“Bulls.”
“Barrel racing.”
“Calf roping.”
With each event called out, some multiple times, she rewarded the guest who answered with a coupon to a store on Main Street—a free drink at the Java Café, a candy from the chocolate shop, a cookie from Rachel’s bakery.
But who needed to go anywhere else when Charlie looked good enough to eat? Zack found himself staring and glanced at the program he held.
“Steer wrestling,” someone added.
Dan placed his hands on either side of his mouth. “Don’t forget bronco riding.”
“Dancing,” yelled Allie.
Charlie burst out laughing, and unexpected warmth spread through Zack. A charming pink colored her cheeks. Her blue eyes twinkled and brightened her face. She really was something.
“We’ll be dancing tonight on Main Street.” She handed out the remaining coupons. “It’s one of my favorite events, too.”
“Charlie sure does a good job with the guests.” Dustin sounded impressed. “Do you think she’s going to leave?”
“Hope not.”
Zack had better get back to looking for more candidates if he wanted her to stay. But he’d been having too much fun with her at the parade and opening ceremonies to think about finding her a guy.
“Me, too.” Dustin stared at her, reviewing the rodeo program with the guests while a rodeo clown performed in the arena. “She looks different with her hair straight. Nice style on her.”
That was the last thing Zack expected the wrangler to say. He shot him a sideways glance. “Most women look good when they take time to fuss with their hair.”
Kiss Me, Cowboy (Montana Born Rodeo Book 3) Page 7