Come Home, Cowboy

by Cathy McDavid

  “Me, too.” Summer’s office experience had made her the perfect choice to handle the administrative and financial duties of the adoption event. She’d be running herself ragged all day, completing paperwork and processing the money transactions. “Find me when you have a minute. I brought someone, and I want you to meet him.”

  “Him?” Had her friend made a romantic connection?

  “Not that kind of him. Dr. Franklin Armstrong, Teddy’s psychologist at the new learning center where I’ve been taking him. I’ve been telling the doctor all about the exhibition with Wind Walker, and he wanted to see it.”

  Josh had a surprise in store for Teddy. They’d kept it under wraps in case Teddy was having a difficult day as he sometimes did. Fortunately, Summer had reported her son was the most engaged and alert he’d been in months. Maybe years.

  “Okay,” Cara said. “I’ll try and find you.”

  “If not, I’ll find you. This is important. See you soon. Oh, good,” she said distractedly. “The McGraws have arrived. Bye!”

  Theo McGraw had volunteered to be the auctioneer. Made sense. He’d been to a lot of cattle auctions and wanted to participate.

  Cara insisted on obliging him after he’d used his position on the community center board to borrow their PA system. She’d assured a worried Reese that her father would be sitting the entire time and not physically stressing himself.

  Josh’s suggestion to reach out to the high school had paid off in more ways than Cara could count. To start with, the equestrian drill team members were waiting for them at the ranch. Their job was to speed-groom the mustangs and clean their hooves in preparation for adoption. The horses needed to look their best. Without the students, Cara didn’t have a prayer of accomplishing such a huge undertaking.

  The film club had jumped at the chance to make another short documentary about the sanctuary, agreeing to cover all the costs. They’d been out to the ranch several times this past week, filming routine daily activities and interviewing Cara, Josh and Gabe. They also planned to interview new horse parents after the adoption fair. Yet another reason for the event to go well.

  At the ranch, Cara and Josh herded the mustangs to the corral, where the equestrian drill team members waited for them with buckets of soapy water, brushes, mane combs and hoof picks. It was too cold to bathe the horses with a hose, but a little washing up and grooming would work wonders.

  Dismounting, Cara and Josh hit the ground running. Literally. Cara barked instructions to the drill team, the wranglers, the student film crew and the many volunteers. Josh left to set up for the pony rides and ready Wind Walker. She’d spotted the Powells’ truck on the way in and guessed they were somewhere waiting for him.

  Two hours passed in the blink of an eye. Cara’s arms ached and her feet throbbed. She’d been awake since four. How would she make it through the rest of the day?

  Josh found her finishing up with the Literary Ladies, who were running the snack bar in exchange for half the profits going to the library fund. Pushing the hair out of her face with the back of her hand, Cara greeted him with a wan smile.

  “You’ll need to do better than that,” he said.

  “What?”

  He looked fantastic. Somehow, he’d found the time to shower and change into fresh clothes and don a brown suede jacket that fit his broad shoulders to perfection.

  Great. Sweat and dirt clung to her every pore. Her clothes wrinkled as they stood there.

  “The film students want to do a segment with the two of us,” he said. “Before the adoption fair starts.”

  “I should freshen up first.”

  “You look fine.”

  She did?

  “All you need is a smile.”

  He would have to be charming on top of handsome, nice, kind, movie-star sexy and a phenomenal kisser. No way was she doing an interview with him without changing clothes and repairing her hair and makeup.

  “Give me fifteen minutes.” She pivoted and caught sight of her grubby fingernails. On second thought... “Make that twenty.”

  “Wait.”

  “I’m in kind of a rush.” A ton of work remained for her to do.

  “I have an idea. For the adoption fair.”

  “Tell me.” A small tension headache made itself known behind her right eye.

  Saying goodbye to the head of the Literary Ladies, she walked across the open area toward the house. Josh joined her. They had to navigate between and around people, vehicles, horses and riders, dogs, a donkey, one pony cart, three bicycles and a teenager on a gas-powered skateboard.

  “You’re letting me sponsor Hurry Up and Wind Walker.”

  Cara shot Josh a sidelong glance. “We both know that’s a technicality. They’re your horses.”

  “I pay you a monthly stipend.”

  “You can have the horses, Josh.” She’d been silly and stubborn, making him jump through unnecessary hoops.

  “I’ll take you up on that offer after today. And pay you a reasonable fee.”

  “I can’t accept. You’ve worked your tail off.”

  “Let’s get back to my idea. There are going to be a lot more than thirty-four people here today, which is all the horses we’re putting up for adoption. Why not give the rest an opportunity to sponsor a horse? Perhaps one that’s unadoptable. The sanctuary is nonprofit. Their sponsor fees would be a tax deduction. More than that, they would potentially save a horse that might otherwise...meet an unpleasant fate.”

  Cara loved the idea. It spoke to her heart. And it would create steady income. Granted, a small amount, but reliable.

  “With the website, we could reach potential sponsors outside Arizona.” Her excitement grew. “All over the country.”

  “I take it you approve.”

  “Josh.” Stopping, she drew in a deep breath.

  She would not throw herself at him. Not rain kisses on his face or stand on tiptoes and loop her arms around his neck. Not bury her face in the open V of his shirt and inhale the smell of the pine-scented soap he used.

  “It’s a wonderful idea,” she said.

  His eyes, brilliant blue in the sunlight, twinkled. “Glad you like it.”

  Oh, what the hell. “Thank you, Josh.”

  He caught her as she hugged him and laughed heartily when she squeezed him tight around his middle. “Whoa there.”

  It was heaven, holding him. Cara closed her eyes and, as she always did, gave in. She didn’t care they were in the middle of a crowd and that countless stares were no doubt fastened on them.

  She was sorry when he drew back, not sorry when he gazed at her with a look of tender longing. “Hey, there.”

  “I forgot myself for a minute.”

  “Maybe what you did was find yourself.”

  No. He had to be wrong. This was a mistake. A momentary lapse in judgment.

  “Excuse me. Are we interrupting?”

  The voice belonged to Summer. Cara stiffened, then separated herself from Josh, her face flushed. Of all people, of course it was her friend.

  “Josh and I were discussing an idea he had to raise more money.”

  “I noticed.” Summer cast her companion a glance.

  The distinguished-looking gentleman wearing a startled expression must have been the psychologist from Teddy’s learning center.

  Cara could live with that. It was the camera operator from the school film club standing behind them, filming every moment, that made her wish for the ground to open and swallow her whole. Please, let that not wind up in the finished documentary.

  * * *

  DOS ESTRELLAS WAS a cattle operation, not a horse ranch or rodeo grounds. They didn’t have a show arena and bleachers or even a public restroom. Josh had pondered the problem for a full week before the adoption fair. They ne
eded a confined place to show the horses and exhibit Wind Walker, and somewhere for the people to sit, if possible, or stand.

  Hosting the event at Powell Ranch was a possibility, and they were more than willing. The problem was relocating thirty-four head of mustangs. After debating the pros and cons, Josh, Cole and Violet opted to use one of the livestock pens for a makeshift arena. It wasn’t fancy but, once cleaned and graded, plenty serviceable. The small corral would be used as a holding area for the mustangs awaiting their turn up for bid.

  Volunteer wranglers would lead each horse the fifty or so yards from the corral to the livestock pen, showing off the horse’s gait and sound temperament in the process. For the past two hours, potential buyers had been inspecting horses in the holding area and test riding a few of the more broke ones in the round pen.

  Cole was already in the arena. He was in charge of the horses once they were brought to the ring, while Violet was overseeing the volunteer wranglers. Two spotters had been chosen for their outgoing personalities. Their job was to assist in the arena, pointing out bidders to Theo and enthusing the crowd.

  Josh had spent hours grooming Wind Walker, whose coat shone like patent leather. Violet had offered to braid his mane and tail and tie his forelock with a ribbon. Josh refused. He wanted the stallion to remind people of the mustangs’ wild heritage. That was better accomplished without any frills.

  He stood with Wind Walker at the entrance to the makeshift arena. The horse wore only a show halter with engraved silver hardware. Josh had won the halter years ago when competing on Wanderer. He and Nathan had polished the silver nose and brow band plates last night while Kimberly played with the lead rope. Josh wished the kids were with him now. He’d have to satisfy himself knowing they were watching from the sidelines with a new babysitter—a woman he’d found by chance in the Cowboy Up Café the other morning while he and the kids were having breakfast.

  Theo McGraw’s voice blasted through the PA system making preliminary announcements.

  Josh glanced at his phone display. It was almost time for the fair to start. The exhibition with Wind Walker would kick it off. He cast about for his partner and caught sight of Teddy and his mother approaching.

  Somehow Summer had managed to dress the boy in a pair of jeans, a Western shirt, a vest and boots. He and Josh had practiced twice during the past week. Between Wind Walker’s desire to please and Teddy’s positive response to the horse, Josh was reasonably confident their exhibition would go off without a hitch. He had one more surprise he hadn’t told anyone about, including Teddy, which he hoped would boost adoptions.

  “You look ready, pal.” Josh pointed to the boy’s shirt and vest when he and his mother neared. “I like the duds.”

  “Duhs,” Teddy said and patted his chest, making the garbled sound Josh had come to recognize as his laugh.

  “Just like a real cowboy.”

  Teddy laughed again.

  Good, thought Josh, he wasn’t nervous. Then again, did Teddy really understand what performing in front of an audience meant? Possibly not.

  “I thought he should wear a jacket,” Summer said, “but he refuses. He loves the vest.”

  “It suits him.”

  She glanced up at the clouds. The mild breeze had grown stronger the past hour, but didn’t smell of rain. Yet. “I hope the weather cooperates.” She raised her hand, the index and middle fingers crossed.

  Teddy copied her, waving his hand in the air. Summer smiled lovingly at her son, though her eyes remained sad and her arms hung loose at her sides.

  Before his divorce, before losing his kids for weeks on end, before meeting Cara and learning about her late son, Josh might not have given Summer and Teddy much thought. The events of this past year had taught him a lot. Softened the hard edges of his heart. Enabled him to notice the pain a mother who couldn’t touch her child endured.

  “Thank you again for including him,” Summer said.

  “Are you kidding? Teddy’s going to be the star of the show.”

  She patted Wind Walker on the side of his large head. The horse snorted, more interested in all the activity than receiving any spoiling. “I think this big guy’s going to be the star of the show.”

  “Hahs, hahs.” Not to be outdone, Teddy flung an arm around Wind Walker’s neck as if they were old pals.

  Josh had to admit, they were cute together.

  “I’m very proud of you, Teddy.” She leaned as close to her son as he’d allow. “Can I take your picture?”

  He nodded vigorously. Summer snapped several shots with her cell phone. Teddy bared his teeth in his version of a smile.

  The more Josh got to know Cara’s friend, the more he liked her. Summer didn’t have an easy life, yet she was always optimistic, upbeat and outgoing. Quite the opposite of Cara. Then again, maybe not. Cara was a passionate person. He’d had the pleasure of seeing her passion spring to life and had the excitement of holding her in his arms as it burned hot.

  For many nights now, he’d imagined how it might be to lie with her in the dark, her bare limbs draped over his, her soft moans filling his ears as he stirred that incredible passion to even greater heights.

  Damn. He gave himself a mental shake. Wrong time, wrong place. He needed to stay focused. One misstep and the adoption fair would be a disaster.

  “Do you mind if I stick close?” Summer asked. “I’m sure Teddy will be fine, but...”

  “Why don’t you wait by the gate?” Josh understood and agreed it would be better for Teddy if she was in the immediate vicinity should something go wrong.

  She nodded gratefully. “I’ll try to stay as much out of sight as possible.”

  Josh checked the time, then surveyed the crowd. Some people had brought lawn chairs, but most stood three-deep along the fence, studying the program Summer had put together that included a picture and background story of each mustang. Card stock bid numbers, courtesy of Summer’s boss, were stuck in hat bands or protruding from front pockets.

  “I’m guessing there are about a hundred and fifty people here,” Summer said.

  “I was hoping for more.”

  “No fooling? And here I was thinking this is a great turnout for a first time.”

  First time. He liked the way she thought. The event could become an annual occurrence. Bigger and better with more time to plan, prepare and promote.

  Would he be here next year? There were many variables to consider. If the three brothers didn’t find a way to pay off this latest batch of bills, the next family meeting might be about the best approach to selling the ranch.

  “What matters most,” Summer said, “is not how many people are here, but how much money we raise.”

  “That’s right.” Josh turned to Teddy, who still clung to Wind Walker’s neck. “We need to show these people the kind of quality horse these mustangs will make. You ready?”

  “Yah, yah.”

  “All right.” Without thinking, Josh put a hand on Teddy’s shoulder. Realizing what he’d done, he quickly withdrew his hand. Except Teddy hadn’t reacted in the slightest. He glanced at Summer. “Sorry. I didn’t mean for that to happen.”

  “Are you kidding?” She broke into a delighted smile. “That’s great progress.”

  Josh promptly lost his train of thought, distracted by the sight of Cara heading across the makeshift arena toward the auctioneer’s booth. He stared, admiring her determined yet graceful stride. Summer obviously noticed.

  “You’re good for her,” she said. “Not that it matters, but I approve.”

  “She claims she isn’t ready for a relationship.” Josh wasn’t 100 percent sure he was, either.

  “An excuse. Trust me.”

  “You think I should try?”

  “Answer me this. Who initiated the hug earlier?”

  “Cara.�
��

  Summer’s smug expression spoke volumes. “I rest my case.”

  Josh intended to consider her remarks at length when he had more time. Right now, Cara signaled them from the auctioneer’s booth.

  “Looks like it’s showtime,” he said to Teddy. “You ready?”

  “Break a leg,” Summer called after them as they entered the arena.

  Josh and Teddy walked side by side with Josh leading Wind Walker. Theo made an announcement on the PA system, welcoming everyone to the auction. He reminded them to read the rules and regulations on the back of the program, to register at the welcome table if they hadn’t done so already and, lastly, to note the very important locations of the portable restrooms and snack bar.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls.” Theo’s voice boomed loud and clear with only the slightest tremor, a side effect of his Parkinson’s. “Before we officially get under way, we have a little something special for you.”

  He proceeded to talk about Wind Walker, the stallion’s history, how he arrived at the sanctuary and how Josh had handpicked the horse for his own, recognizing Wind Walker’s potential.

  “What you are about to see will amaze you,” Theo continued. “This is a horse that, up until a month ago, hadn’t known the touch of a human hand. Barely had any human contact other than when he was captured last fall on the reservation near Tuba City after living his entire life in the hills.”

  There were a few oohs and aahs from the audience.

  “Josh Dempsey is about to show you fine folks what a few weeks of intense training can accomplish. He will be helped by his young partner, Teddy Goodwyn. Teddy lives here in Mustang Valley and attends the Learning Center for Autistic Children in Scottsdale.”

  A small round of applause followed.

  Summer had insisted on including the last part in the introduction. She thought people would be more impressed with Wind Walker’s accomplishments if they knew Teddy had special needs.

  “Now, Wind Walker hasn’t been broke to ride,” Theo said. “Going to take a few more weeks of training for that to happen. Nonetheless, we’re pretty sure you’ll be impressed. So, Josh and Teddy, as the saying goes, take it away.”