Lacy smiled. “Whatever you say, it’s your business. But something tells me you wouldn’t have thrown your arms around just anyone and kissed him like you did Luke.”
“You’ve got me there,” Montana said, with a sheepish smile. There was no way around that one. “Lacy, to tell you the truth, I don’t know what’s going on. I think about him all the time. But I didn’t come here to get involved with anyone. And I don’t want to get involved with anyone. But that doesn’t stop the fact that, when he’s around—or even when he isn’t—I think about him. The man just does something to me, and I don’t seem to be able to stop it. And I just don’t know what in the world I’m going to do about it.”
Lacy was beaming at her. “Relax, girlfriend. You’re in love.”
Montana shook her head in vigorous denial. “No, I’m not.”
“You can deny it all you want, but I’m telling you it’s true.”
“Then I’ll just get right out of love. I’ve got plans. I’ve got things I need to do—barrel races I have to win and points I have to gain in order to make it to the finals. I do not have time to fall in love.”
She was not in love.
She wasn’t. No way. No how.
Just as she was in the middle of her internal argument, she saw Luke walk out onto the elevated metal walkway that connected the chutes where the bull riders climbed down and settled onto the backs of their rides. Luke was walking beside a bull rider. The man was not as tall as Luke, but he had the same swagger that Luke had. Though she couldn’t see his face because of the protective facemask that he wore, she knew without doubt that this must be the younger brother, Colt.
“Is that Colt that Luke just came out with?”
“Yes, that’s him. You haven’t met him, have you?”
“No.” As of yet, she hadn’t met Colt. Luke spoke to the cowboy, placed his hand on his back and bowed his head briefly. They looked like they were saying a prayer. When it was done, the cowboy, Colt, climbed over the side of the chute. Looking at Luke, he then eased himself down onto the restless bull’s back. Montana held her breath. Luke and Clint were gripping Colt’s protective vest—the vest was to protect his chest from the bull’s horns, and Clint and Luke were there to help the rider get out of the chute in case the bull went wild in the close confines of the chute. The rider could be harmed easily if he was trapped or slipped between the bull and the gates. Montana held her breath.
“This always makes me nervous,” she said.
“Me, too,” Lacy agreed, tapping her fingers on the metal bench. “I don’t want to see someone get hurt. But from what I understand, Colt is really good.”
The gate was pulled open and the bull blasted from the chute, twisting and turning and kicking like he was the meanest, orneriest bad boy around. And Colt held on! It was a wild ride. But Colt held his seat on its back. He was on at the end of a great eight-second ride! “Wow, that was awesome.” Montana admired his style and smiled when he jumped from the bull’s back, waved to the crowd, dodged the angry bull and jogged to the fence, scaling it like he was out for a Sunday afternoon stroll.
Lacy laughed. “He’s a little cocky, wouldn’t you say?”
“Just a little. But I guess if you’re that good, you can be,” Montana said, thinking about all the time he spent working in order to qualify for the nationals. It was something she and Murdock were about to begin.
“Fans enjoy seeing some personality from the riders,” Lacy said.
Luke met Colt coming over the fence and gave him a high-five and a back slap. He was all smiles as they stood there. Looking at him, her heart had begun thundering louder than if she’d been the one riding the bull. Luke Holden was a threat to her dream. The idea sent a chill racing down her spine. She didn’t want to be in love. She didn’t want to worry about trusting a man.
No, what she needed was to focus. And stay focused, if she wanted to have any chance of making her dream a reality.
“Lacy,” she said, taking action. “I’m going for it.”
Serious blue eyes met hers. “It’s time.”
Luke’s words of encouragement came to mind. He’d told her God had given her a special talent. He’d been so confident in her all along.
“Yes. It’s something I have to do.” She thought about it for a moment, then decided to say it. “I believe God gave me this talent and He has a purpose for me in doing it.” Luke’s words echoed again. “I can’t let it go to waste another day.”
“You know you can help out with Tate as long as you want.”
“I know, and I love it. But I think I’m going to need something else on the side to help with all the expenses. Unless I start out winning money, I won’t be able to last long.”
“The old saying, ‘where there’s a will, there’s a way,’ comes to mind. You’ve got the will, and if it’s in God’s plan, He’ll make the way.”
Montana knew in order for her to reach the National Final Rodeo Championship, it would take a miracle and thousands of miles hauling and racing time. It would take money and commitment and it would be harder for her than most because she would be doing it on her own.
Montana wondered if she was biting off more than she could handle. She sighed as her gaze settled on Luke, leaning on the fence, talking with a group of cowboys and watching the bull riding. Her heart clutched inside her chest and again his words encouraged her. She knew he’d tell her she could do this, and even more, she knew he’d tell her to go for it.
Chapter Seventeen
Montana couldn’t sleep. She finally got out of bed around five, after staring at the ceiling for hours. She took a shower, got dressed, then quietly padded through the house with her boots in her hand. Outside, she sat down on the deck steps and tugged her boots on. The sun was just coming up and she wanted to be riding before others were stirring.
She needed space. Time to think and be totally alone.
Time to pray. She closed her eyes and let the calm of the early morning seep in around her. The air had the scent of fresh hay. She inhaled and asked God to guide her because she needed him desperately.
She needed help getting her life figured out. She needed some peace in her heart and in her head, and she wasn’t getting it. Even the rodeo win hadn’t helped. The satisfaction that she’d hoped to find with the win wasn’t coming. Yes, she’d been excited—she’d shown that when she threw her arms around Luke—but peace? Nope, there had only been more confusion.
She’d thought when she talked to Lacy about starting her quest by hitting the rodeo trail that she’d feel some kind of satisfaction, but she didn’t. All she felt was a heavy heart. All her life she’d wanted to be a cowgirl, and now here was her shot. Why couldn’t she be happy?
Across the pasture she could see the shadow of where the festival trailers and booths were set up. But other than the soft bark of a dog in the distance, all was quiet. It was different from the way it had been last night, or would be later that day. One thing was certain, the first night of the rodeo had been a big success.
She was walking toward the arena when she heard Samantha let out a lonesome hee-haw, as if the little donkey had heard her approaching and was begging for some company. Instead of going to the arena where Murdock’s stall was, she walked across the gravel to the barn. The smell of fresh hay filled the air as she entered. Immediately, Samantha hee-hawed again.
“Hold your horses,” Montana said, striding toward the back of the stalls. The low lights illuminated the area well and Montana had no trouble seeing that the little donkey had been busy. The wooden bar they’d used to secure the gate better had been worked halfway out of its slot. Batting her big brown eyes at Montana, Samantha curled her plump lips back and gave a grin.
Montana was tickled at the sight. “Are you proud of yourself?” she asked through her chuckles. “If I’d have been out here a little later, you would have been free, and then where would we be?”
“From what I hear, she’d have let all the livestock out and enjoy
ed it,” Luke said from behind her.
Montana whirled around. “What are you doing here?”
He shrugged. “I couldn’t sleep. And I’ve been a little bit worried about Samantha getting loose and causing problems. So I decided to head over here and make sure things were secure.”
Montana stuffed her hands in her pockets. “This donkey must really be good to have y’all so worried.”
“I had visions of driving up and seeing my livestock running free while everyone was asleep.”
Montana grimaced. “That wouldn’t be good.” She was so glad to see him. It was all she could do not to go over and hug him…but that wasn’t what she needed to do. She didn’t want to get involved. You are involved.
She knew she was on the verge of falling hard for the cowboy if she didn’t watch herself extremely carefully. That meant not throwing herself at him.
Instead, she glanced down at the donkey who still had her head stuck through the bars of the gate. She batted her eyes and curled her lips back, exposing her big-toothed grin again. “Is this donkey human or what? She smiles like she knows what I’m thinking.”
Luke chuckled and moved to stand beside her. “Maybe she does. A donkey is a very perceptive animal.”
Luke stood close to her, his arm almost touching hers. It was like torture. Why did he have to stand right there? Didn’t he know she was having trouble controlling herself? Probably not.
“I’m going to say that she was probably thinking you have a lot on your mind,” he said quietly as he reached out and rubbed Samantha’s nose. The little burro closed her eyes and breathed heavily—like a sigh.
Montana was almost jealous.
“How would she know this?” she asked, realizing what he’d said.
“She could tell, because you came to the barn so early. She would also think you’re thinking about all the things you’re going to have to do to get ready to hit the road for qualifying.”
So the man had her figured out. “Think you’re pretty smart, don’t you?” she asked, sliding a look his way.
“Me? Nah, I’m just saying what Samantha is thinking. But if I was the one who was perceptive, I’d say you had a certain cowboy on your mind, too. And you were probably beating yourself up about kissing him last night.”
Her heart was thumping like a rabbit running for its life. In a way that’s how Montana felt, too. Looking at Luke, she saw how easily she could forgo her dreams and settle for a life right here with him. Be content like Lacy was with her home and family. She could love Luke.
“You have a high opinion of yourself, don’t you?” she teased, but it wasn’t easy to do.
He leaned against the gate so that he was looking at her. “You know me and Samantha are right about everything about you.”
She laughed. “And just how are y’all so sure?”
“For starters, it is five in the morning. That’s awful early for you to be out. I’d say that spells sleeplessness.”
“What about the kiss?”
“Ahh, the kiss,” he drawled, giving her a slow, toe-curling smile. “That was actually wishful thinking on my part.” He lifted a hand to touch a strand of hair that was hanging over her shoulder. He slowly wound it around his finger, staring at it before lifting his beautiful brown eyes to hers. “I’ve been thinking about that kiss ever since it happened. I tried to distract myself from it all night, during the rest of the rodeo, but it didn’t help. You—and that kiss—were on my mind the whole time. And then I couldn’t sleep. I guess a tiny part of me was hoping you hadn’t just kissed me because of the win.”
She was toast!
Done. Stick a fork in her.
The sigh came out, despite all efforts to keep her head.
The guy was just plain irresistible. She took a step toward him. He opened his arms, and the next thing she knew, his arms were around her and they were kissing. The feel of his lips was firm yet tender as he kissed her. Pulling away slightly, he searched her stunned and confused eyes before lowering his lips to hers again. It was as if she’d been waiting all of her life for this moment. For the feel of this man’s lips to connect with hers, for his heart to connect with hers.
He broke the kiss and laid his forehead against hers. Everything faded away in that instant. Her head was quiet. Her heart was calm.
Montana could have stayed like that forever.
“I can’t get you off of my mind, Montana. I’m sorry.” He sighed. “I know I’ve been trying to keep this simple. But it’s complicated.”
“Boy, don’t I know it,” she said, nodding her head against his. His arms tightened around her and at some point hers had wrapped around his neck.
He looked about as serious as a man in a face-off with a rattlesnake. “Montana, I came here to ask you to go to dinner with me. It’s time for you to go out with me. Yes, I know it will cause rumors—but with that kiss last night getting full coverage by one and all, everyone knows there’s a little something going on between the two of us.”
“Yes, I think you’re right.”
“I know I am. You can just—wait, you said yes, I was right? Does that mean you’re saying yes to dinner?”
Her lip twitched with a smile she couldn’t contain. It was adorable. He was flustered. “I meant yes on both counts. Dinner would be wonderful. And long overdue.”
“Did you hear that, Samantha? You’re my witness,” Luke said, looking at the little burro. She laid her bulbous nose against Luke’s hip and snorted.
Montana and Luke laughed, and as if knowing she’d done something good, Samantha snorted again, pulled her head from between the rails and let out a long hee-haw.
“Tell me about it, Samantha. We should have come to you a long time ago so you could set us straight.” Luke gave Montana a nod and tugged her close again. “Yup. We might all be getting on the same page, finally.”
Samantha pranced around her stall, her tail lifted out and her head held high. She looked as if she was about to bust out in dance as she batted her eyes at them.
“That is one funny donkey.” Montana chuckled.
Luke looked down at her and cocked a brow. “That is one smart little gal, is what she is.”
“I wonder.” Montana sighed, leaning her head against Luke’s shoulder. “What her advice would be on something else I have going on in my life?”
“I don’t know, darlin’, but you hang with me and I promise you we’ll get whatever’s bothering you all figured out.” He kissed her forehead and rubbed her shoulder. “I promise, I’ll help you, and so will God.”
Montana breathed in slowly. There was a mixture of excitement and comfort in his arms. Of anticipation for the step they were taking. And worry of what it could bring.
Worry and joy, too, but for now, there was comfort and peace.
And the gentle touch of a very special man’s hand.
Chapter Eighteen
“Yoo-hoo! Montana.” Esther Mae waved from her position at the top of the Ferris wheel.
“Stop waving, Esther Mae,” Norma Sue barked. From where Montana and Luke stood, waiting in line to get on the ride, it was clear that Norma Sue was white as a sheet. Her hands were glued to the protective bar. “Can’t you see this thing is moving every time you do that?”
“Norma Sue, are you afraid of heights?” Luke called, tipping his Stetson back so he could see her better.
“Yes, she is,” Esther Mae called for all to hear. “I practically had to drag her on here with me. Look, Norma Sue, it rocks.” The redhead moved side to side, living dangerously when Norma Sue elbowed her in the ribs.
“You just wait till I get my boots back on the ground. I’m going to get you.”
“She better have her running shoes on,” Montana said.
“I wouldn’t want to tangle with Norma Sue when she’s out for payback,” Luke said.
“Esther!” Norma Sue squealed, and Esther Mae hooted with laughter.
Luke laughed. “You sure you want to get on this thing? It does
wobble a lot!”
“Are you afraid of heights, too?”
“Even if I am, I’d risk it to get to ride it with you. I was just worried about your safety.”
She patted his arm. “I’ll be fine. And don’t you worry, big guy, I’ll take good care of you up there.”
He hugged her and she slipped her arm around his waist. Standing arm in arm with him, they watched the buggy with Esther Mae and Norma Sue lower a little more, as each car between them and the ground emptied out. Montana was living dangerously, knowing they’d spotted Luke’s arm across her shoulders. But she didn’t care.
“Glad that’s over with,” Norma Sue said, relief surging in her voice. “Y’all sure you want to go up in that bag of nuts and bolts?”
“We’re going,” Luke assured her.
“That’s a good place for y’all to go. Have a good time,” Esther Mae said. “And just don’t pay Norma Sue no mind. She had fun. She’s just too stubborn to admit it.”
Luke leaned close and whispered in her ear as they were leaving. “Did you catch how sly they were being about my arm being around you?”
“Yes, they don’t want to mess up a good thing.”
He helped her into the buggy and then sat down beside her, immediately placing his arm across the seat behind her. “I don’t want to mess anything up, either.”
Montana breathed the cotton candy-scented air and let herself enjoy the ride. “It would be wonderful if life could be as carefree as this feels,” she said, as they reached the top of the wheel and were looking down on all the people milling around below.
“Yeah, from up here it feels removed from all that down there.”
She smiled, her thoughts traveling to all that she’d pressed to the back of her mind. “The problem is, it’s an illusion. All my problems are still waiting for me when I get back down.” Why was she going there, when everything had been so perfect? She was with the perfect guy, on a perfect day, and she was opening her big mouth.
“True, but I can tell you, anything can be overcome.”
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