He set the bottle on the counter and headed back to the bedroom.
“Roark? Is everything all right?” Her voice was groggy sounding.
“Yeah, go back to sleep,” he said as he got under the covers with her.
She moved closer to him so he wrapped his arms around her and rested his cheek on the top of her head.
“Where did you go? I woke up and you were gone.”
“Only for a few minutes...just went for a drink. Everything’s fine, baby. Go back to sleep.” He closed his eyes and prayed he’d told her the truth.
Chapter Ten
Roark drove his pickup down the road and slowed down to turn onto a dusty dirt road. The dust swirled around the truck as he drove along. Priscilla glanced around and smiled when she saw all the cowboys. Everywhere she looked, she saw cowboy hats.
“Are you ready to get some pictures?” he asked her with a grin.
“Not really. I hate the thought of seeing you on that bull.”
“You watched me in Billings,” he reminded her.
“Yes, but that was before...”
Roark glanced over to her. “Yeah, but you need to get photos. You know how Earl is and you’ll see me ride in Butte too.”
Huffing out a breath, she nodded. “I know.” She raised her camera and snapped pictures through the windshield.
“I don’t think those will be good pictures.”
“These are for me.” She aimed the camera at him and snapped it when he looked at her.
Parking the truck in a spot among many other trucks, he looked at her for what seemed like a longer than needed moment. She was about to ask him if something was wrong when he put his hand on the back of her neck and pulled her toward him.
“Can I have a kiss before we get swallowed up in all of this?”
“Yes,” she whispered as she leaned toward him. He took her lips in a deep kiss then pressed a sweet kiss to her forehead. He pulled away from her, opened the door, and then climbed out. Priscilla opened her door, jumped down from the cab, and met him at the front of the truck.
“Do you want to find my family first or look around?” he asked.
“I’d love to look––”
“Roark,” someone shouted from behind them and they turned together to see who had called out to him.
“Wow. This really is where all the gorgeous men are!”
“Hey,” he growled making her grin. His mouth spread in a smile at the group of men and women heading toward them. He shook hands with each man and hugged each of the women. Then he pulled her alongside him. “Priscilla, this is Jake and Becca Stone, Gabe and Emma Stone, Wyatt and Liv Stone, Riley and Katie Madison, Ryder and Kelsey Wolfe, Trick and Kaylee Dillon, and Brody and Madilyn Morgan. Everyone, this is Priscilla Butler. She’s writing an article on me for Western Cowboy magazine.”
“I can see that you three are related without hearing your last names,” Priscilla told the Stone men as she shook everyone’s hands.
“We’re brothers,” Jake said smiling at her.
“I can see the resemblance.” The Stone brothers were tall, broad shouldered with slim hips, black hair, and dark brown eyes. Except for Wyatt—his eyes appeared black and he was definitely swoon-worthy. She looked at Wyatt. “I hear you’re good at what you do.”
Wyatt’s eyebrow rose. “Have you been talking to my wife?”
“Not yet. I meant...cutting.” Priscilla laughed but felt a rush of heat into her cheeks at his insinuation too.
“I haven’t told her anything...yet, cowboy,” Liv said laughing.
Roark laughed. “Please don’t encourage her, Priscilla. Liv may look all sweet and demure but she can make a sailor blush. How’s the baby?”
“Wonderful, of course.” Liv winked then looked at Priscilla. “It’s nice to meet you, Priscilla.”
Priscilla smiled and nodded at all of them.
“We’re going to head for our seats. We’ll see you later,” Gabe said as he took Emma’s hand in his then they all walked off.
“Do any of them compete in bull riding?”
“No. I told you about the Stone brothers but none of the other guys compete. They’re just here for the events. Wait until you see Wyatt ride. His horse, Cochise, can read a calf better than any horse. Wyatt just has to hold on. You’ll see.”
“I want to get some photos. Where should I meet you or do you want to come with me?”
“I have to sign in for the bull riding. I’ll meet you at our seats. You remember where I told you they are?”
“Yep. I’ll see you in a while then.” She waved and walked through the barns where the animals were kept, snapping pictures as she moved through the buildings, and then out into the crowd again.
The aromas of funnel cakes, popcorn, and cotton candy filled her nose and screams cut the air from the midway rides as she made her way to the arena. She located their seats and sat down in front of the Callahan family. Lucy tapped her on the shoulder and smiled at her. Reid was sitting beside her with Zeke on his lap. In the row in front of her sat the women she’d met earlier. They all smiled at her and seemed very nice. It was a hot day and even hotter in the arena. She raised her camera and took pictures of the crowd and each event. Roark soon joined her and sat close next to her explaining each event to her.
“Next up is barrel racing. Jaxon is in this event. Reid was supposed to be but Lucy told him she didn’t want him in it in case he got hurt before the wedding.”
“You got that right. I would seriously be pissed if Reid got hurt right before the wedding,” Lucy said from behind her shoulder.
“I’ve seen barrel racing on TV and always thought it looked so fast.” Priscilla was fascinated with everything around her.
“It is. Emma used to do it until she had kids. Mostly women compete in it now, but Jax does it for fun. He has a horse that moves like a rocket. Zander can fly around those barrels.” She looked at him and their eyes met—and held.
“Jaxon’s up next, in case you weren’t paying attention,” Reid said from over their shoulders.
“I’m paying attention,” Roark snapped at his friend, clearing his throat and looking out over the staging area.
Reid laughed. “Sure you are.”
“Watch this,” Roark told her pointing to where Jaxon had ridden out on a black horse. The only colors on the horse were from the silver streamers hanging from the saddle.
Priscilla moved to the edge of her seat and watched as Jaxon rode the horse around the first barrel then ran for the second one and cleared it then on to the third one and after clearing it too, raced for the back of the arena. The crowd roared when the announcer gave his time.
“Was that good?” Priscilla asked.
“It was great.” Roark stood. “I need to get down there and get ready. You can come down in a few minutes to see how it’s all done.”
“All right,” Priscilla said smiling but once he walked away, she slumped back on the bench.
How was she going to do this? She was scared to death something might happen to him. It had never mattered before because she hadn’t known him but now she did, and she was in love with him. She was...she was definitely in love with Roark Callahan. Her insides shook with nerves. She didn’t want to see anyone get hurt but especially someone she loved.
Standing, she moved to head toward the railing but only got a few rows down before she took a seat. She’d been thinking about it for days now, and it all terrified her. He hadn’t said anything. They’d agreed to be casual, but now she wanted more. He hadn’t said anything about how he might feel about her. She was so afraid of getting her heart broken. When it came time to leave, would she be able to walk away from him? Her heart hurt just thinking about it. If he does love her, could she deal with him continuing to ride bulls? No. She knew she couldn’t. It would be hard enough watching him ride now.
“Hey.”
She looked up to see Roark standing on the metal steps beside the bench she sat on.
“Y
eah?”
“Yeah? You’re supposed to be down there with me if you want pictures and all. And why did you move down away from the family?”
“Because I didn’t want your family to see me make a fool out of myself by throwing up.”
Roark chuckled. “Come with me, darlin’. You’ll be fine. You might even enjoy watching me ride.” He leaned down and took her hand then led her down the steps.
She tugged on his hand and when he turned to look at her, she raised her camera and took his picture. She knew this picture would be the one she’d always cherish. Smiling at him, she nodded for him to go and she followed him down the steps to the back of the arena where other cowboys stood around waiting for their turn to ride.
“I’m up next so you might want to get up on the rail to get some pictures.”
“All right,” she said in a trembling voice.
“Aww, sweetheart, I’ll be fine,” Roark said and kissed her forehead then walked away from her.
The butterflies in her stomach were going crazy. She was so afraid she was going to be sick and look like a real idiot.
“Priscilla?”
She turned to see Devin standing beside her. “Hi, Devin.”
“Roark’s getting on the bull. You’ll need to get up there if you want to get some pictures.” He took her hand and led her to the rail then nodded for her to climb up. As she watched, Roark lowered himself onto the back of the bull. When it tried to rear up, she gasped. The bull settled down and Roark scooted forward, wrapping the rope around his gloved hand then he tugged his black hat down low, and gave a terse nod.
Taking a deep breath, Priscilla raised her camera and held the shutter button down as the bull left the chute and tried everything he could to toss Roark off by twisting to the right then quickly to the left. Seconds ticked by like hours. When the buzzer rang, she let out a relieved breath but held it again in fear when she watched Roark run for the rails while the bull chased him. Roark climbed up and over the rail then jumped down on the other side. She ran to where he was. Her heart gave a jump when he grinned at seeing her then hugged her when she reached him.
“Did you get some good shots?”
“Yes, but that was scary.”
“How about a picture of us—together?”
“I’d love it, but how?”
Roark looked around. “Devin,” he called out to his cousin and Devin came over to them. “Will you take a picture of us?”
Devin looked surprised but nodded. Priscilla handed him the camera and showed him how to work it then she went back to Roark and stood beside him. They looked at each other, smiled, then looked at the camera, and waited for Devin to snap the picture. He did, and then handed her back the camera, mumbled something to Roark, and walked away.
“What did he say to you?”
Roark stared into her eyes. “He said I was in big trouble.”
She smiled. “You’re not the only one.”
“Let’s get out of here.”
“I’d love to.”
ROARK TOOK HER HAND and together, they walked out of the arena to head for his truck. When she reached for the door handle, he stepped up behind her, pushed her hair aside, placed his lips against the back of her neck, and nipped it with his teeth. She shivered, making him chuckle.
“Something funny, Callahan?”
He chuckled again, moved her T-shirt aside, and moved his lips across her shoulder then back to her neck where he opened his mouth and sucked on her soft skin. Priscilla moaned making him grin.
Roark spun her around, pushed her back against the truck, and pressed his lips to hers. Forcing them apart with his tongue, he moved it into her mouth to tangle with hers. He raised his lips from hers and put his forehead against hers.
“You drive me crazy, Priscilla.”
“You do the same to me, Roark.”
Blowing out a breath and stepping back, he opened the door and motioned for her to get in. After she climbed in, he walked around the truck, opened his door, and then climbed in. He started the truck without looking at her and drove them home. They would eventually have to talk about what was said back there at the arena. Did that mean she has feelings for him? He certainly had them for her. They needed to talk about their feelings for each other.
She might have said he drives her crazy but did that mean she loved him like he loved her. And he was positive now—he did. He loved her more than he ever thought it possible to love someone.
Once home, he parked the truck and after shutting down the engine, he wrapped his hands around the steering wheel until they ached. Staring straight ahead, he didn’t know what he could say to make her stay and he wanted her to stay with him. For the rest of his life.
“Roark?”
He glanced over at her then straight ahead again, and shook his head. He needed a moment to clear his head.
“Priscilla, I...go on inside. I want to check the horses then I’ll be in,” he said then opened his door and stepped out. He waited and watched as she entered the house then he strode to the barn and flipped the lights on. Walking down the aisle, he stopped at Apache’s stall.
“Hey boy,” he said when the horse stuck his head over the gate and butted his big head against Roark’s chest. “I’ve been on the meanest bulls ever but none of them scared me as much as this does. I want to tell her I want her to stay. But what if she says no. I don’t want a broken heart and it will definitely break if she leaves. Damn it.”
Apache nibbled on Roark’s shirt then stepped away to eat his hay.
“You don’t care at all, do you?” Roark shook his head then after taking a deep breath he blew it out and left the barn. He walked up the steps to the house, and entered the kitchen to see Priscilla leaning against the counter, her arms folded under her beautiful breasts. She tilted her head at him.
“Are you all right?” she asked him.
“I’m fine. It’s just...well, I have to say something, and I don’t know how you’re going to take it.”
“Just tell me, Roark.”
Taking her hands in his, he kissed each one then looked into her eyes.
“I don’t want you to leave here. Me. I don’t want you to leave me.”
“What?”
“Priscilla, I’m in love with you––” He grunted in surprise when she jumped into his arms.
“I love you too,” she whispered into his ear then pulled back and he stared into her eyes.
“You do?”
“Oh, yes. I knew I was in trouble the first time I set eyes on you but after being with you, I also knew I could never be with any other man.”
“Damn right about that, darlin’.” Roark laughed then sobered. “How are we going to do this?”
“I’ll quit my job and live here with you...if you want me to, that is.”
“If I want you to? I hoped that you’d say that but if you want to live in California, I’ll try—for you.”
She hugged him. “No. You don’t have to try. I want to move here. I love it here.”
“We have mighty harsh winters, sweetheart. We could be stranded inside for days.”
“Oh my, whatever would we do? Sounds wonderful to me.”
Roark grinned and lowered his lips to hers. When she moaned, he deepened the kiss then lifted his lips from hers.
“Come on,” he said, taking her hand in his, he pulled her to his bedroom.
Once in the room, he picked her up and laid her in the center of the bed. He stood there looking down at her then she raised her arms to him. He smiled and lay down beside her and took her lips in a deep kiss.
“Roark,” she whispered against his lips and it was the sexiest thing he’d ever heard.
“We’re going to make love this time,” he said brushing her hair back from her cheek.
“Yes.”
“Then we can fuck,” he said with a grin making Priscilla laugh. She wrapped her arms around his neck.
“I’m game.”
“You’re too easy.”
“Only with you, cowboy...only with you.”
“You don’t like cowboys, remember?”
“You’re right...” He frowned at her words. “Not until I got a cowboy of my own.”
Roark chuckled and lowered his head to press his lips to hers. He truly loved this woman.
THE RIDE TO BUTTE SEEMED overly long, and the silence only made it longer. Priscilla’s stomach was in knots. She was scared to death to see him ride another bull. She understood it was his passion, but could she live with it? Could she watch him ride at every event?
Oh, God! She was so afraid he’d be injured or worse—killed. Like Lucy’s husband. How had she coped? Losing the man she loved and carrying his child. She’d found love again but Priscilla didn’t want another man in her life. Roark was her life and if something happened to him...
She would leave here Monday morning. She planned to give Earl her notice but now, thinking of following Roark around from even to event, and watching him ride those bulls...she didn’t think she could cope with it. She wasn’t strong like Lucy. She couldn’t watch him get hurt...or die.
“Are you all right?” he asked her.
“Yes.”
“Why don’t I believe that?”
“I’m scared, Roark.”
“Nothing to be scared of, so don’t worry. I’ve done this a million times. I’ll be fine.”
“What if you’re not?”
Roark pulled the truck off the road and threw the gear into Park then he turned to look at her. “You can’t think like that, Priscilla. Just because I ride bulls doesn’t mean the beast is going to kill me. Hell, I could just as easily be kicked by a horse in the barn on my own ranch, and die.”
“Not helping, Callahan.” She felt the tears welling up in the backs of her eyes so she set her gaze on her hands in her lap but the feel of his hand on her hair brought her gaze back to him.
A Cowboy of Her Own Page 12