by Linda Warren
A lightbulb went off in Buck’s head. He pulled his cell phone from his pocket and called his brother Mack and got his voice mail. “Mack, it’s me, Buck. I need your help.”
After leaving a detailed message, he went upstairs to Destiny’s apartment and scrolled through his list of contacts then began reaching out to his rodeo buddies. Once he had a head count of guys willing to ride for nothing to raise money for Lizard Gulch, he called P. T. Lewis, a stock contractor who owned a ranch between Stagecoach and Yuma.
There was nothing like a rodeo, a free concert and a good cause to bring country folk together. Buck’s gaze shifted to the bedroom door.
And he knew just how to persuade the mayor to go along with his plans.
* * *
“YOU’RE A DIFFICULT woman to pin down.”
Destiny spun and came face-to-face with Buck. Darn. A week had passed since they’d slept together, and she’d done her best to avoid being alone with him—except at the end of the day when they retired to her apartment above the garage. And once the bedroom door shut, there had been no need for talk. After they made love, she promptly fell asleep in his arms, and when morning arrived, she sneaked out and worked on Bernie’s car before Buck had crawled from bed.
“Do you always play a round of mini golf in the dark?” he asked.
“Sometimes.”
Technically the sun had set an hour ago, but the lights from the pastry shop, Lucille’s and Bernie’s trailer along with the stars in the sky illuminated the putt-putt course well enough to see.
“Mind if I play with you?”
“Sure.” There went her time to think. Reflect. And panic. While Buck fetched a rusty putter and a golf ball from the vacant concession stand, Destiny returned to the first hole and sat on the head of a miniature allosaurus.
When Buck joined her, he said, “You’ve been avoiding me.”
Guilty. She enjoyed being with Buck—that’s why she couldn’t allow herself to become too attached to him. “You never mention when you plan to leave Lizard Gulch.”
“Are you getting tired of me?” he whispered in her ear.
She’d never tire of him. “I figured you’d miss your family or rodeo by now.” She looked him in the eye. “Maybe even working with your mechanic friend.” He couldn’t help her in her garage forever.
“I miss my family, but I’ll be seeing them soon.”
Her heart dropped into her stomach.
You knew this day would come. Shoot, you’ve been pushing him away ever since you made love the first time.
In her defense, Buck was the first person since Simon and Sylvia Carter that she’d allowed to get close to her. “When are you leaving?” She set her ball on ground.
“I’m not leaving. My family is coming here.”
The news jarred her, and she swung the club too hard, driving the ball like a missile toward the cave at the end of the green turf. The ball sailed into the opening, banged off the plaster wall and bounced out, rolling the length of the green until it hit Buck’s boot and came to a stop.
“Nice shot,” he said.
“What do you mean your family is coming to Lizard Gulch?”
“I didn’t want to say anything until I knew all the details, but my brother’s country-and-western band agreed to play a free concert after the rodeo.”
“What rodeo?” When had he done all this?
“The only way you’ll save the town, Destiny, is to fight Custer in court. To do that you need a lawyer.”
“Lizard Gulch doesn’t have the funds to pay for a lawyer.”
“I know.” He swung his club, sending the ball slow and steady toward the cave. It stopped an inch from the hole. “That’s why I came up with the idea of a fund-raiser. The money collected from the rodeo and concert will pay the lawyer’s fees.”
Was he crazy? “Lizard Gulch is off the beaten path. Who’ll come to a rodeo way out here?”
“My buddies on the circuit are spreading the word, and my sister made up flyers and posted them in Yuma and Stagecoach,” Buck said. “The stock contractor providing the animals for the rodeo is using his connections to promote the event. Rodeo cowboys and their fans are a tight group, Destiny. You’ll see on Saturday.”
“This coming Saturday?”
“Yep.”
That was three days from now. She didn’t know whether to hug Buck or haul off and sucker punch him. “Does anyone else know about this?”
He shook his head. “I thought you should be the one to break the news.”
Destiny wanted to resent Buck for taking charge of a problem that was hers to solve, but she was grateful he was trying to help. She followed him to his ball. “What’s in it for you?”
“What do you mean?”
“Why would you care about helping this town when you don’t live here?”
“I care about you.” Buck brushed his knuckles across her cheek, and she almost melted against him. “And I don’t like bullies,” he said.
She felt as if she’d let her constituents down, because she’d assumed the town couldn’t afford a lawyer. She should have made a few calls and found out for sure. “How can I help?”
“We’ll need to order several Porta Potties and have enough food and beer on hand to feed the crowd.”
She motioned to his golf ball. “Mind if we finish this game later? We have a lot to accomplish in three days, so I’d better call a town meeting tonight.” She placed her ball and putter in the empty shack. “I wish you’d have told me this sooner.”
“I would have if you hadn’t been avoiding me and then—” he snagged her arm “—at night, I couldn’t think of anything but you after we went to bed.”
She saw it coming—his mouth. The light caress of his lips, testing her response before he thrust his tongue inside. She inched closer and gave in to the need that was always present whenever Buck touched her.
“Hate to break up a romantic kiss, but Hank sent me to get you.” Enrick stood at the entrance to the course.
She broke free from Buck’s embrace. “What’s the matter?”
“Mitchell’s stirring up trouble.”
Buck walked behind the pair. “What’s he doing now?”
“Threatening to call the police on Bernie, if he doesn’t stop stalking the Dockers.”
Destiny entered Lucille’s and took in the chaos. A fight had broken out between Mitchell and Bernie, and by the looks of it both men could use a few pointers on brawling.
“Stop!” Destiny charged forward, grabbed Bernie by the back of his shirt and yanked him off Mitchell.
“He started it!” Bernie spat.
Mitchell smoothed his messy hair into place then tucked his dress shirt into his pants.
“You ought to be ashamed of yourself, Mark—” Destiny stomped her foot “—fighting an old man.”
“You’re worried about him?” Mitchell pushed his shirtsleeve up, revealing bite marks. “He tried to gnaw off my arm!”
Aware the room was divided—half standing with the former mayor and the other half supporting the sheriff, Destiny said, “Everyone sit down.” When no one moved, she shouted, “Now!”
Feet shuffled as the crowd settled at the various tables. Once the mumbling and grumbling quieted, she walked to the front of the room. “Bernie, I don’t think there’s one person here who doesn’t admire your loyalty to this town, but from now on you stay away from the Dockers.”
“But—”
“If you don’t, I’ll take your badge.”
Bernie’s mouth dropped open.
“Quit the dramatics,” Mitchell said. “It’s not even a real badge.”
Bernie shoved his chair back, but Destiny pinned him with a dark look and he remained seated.
She faced Mitchell. “You are no longer the mayor. You were recalled, because the people of Lizard Gulch could no longer trust you.” At least he had the grace to look embarrassed. “I’m ordering you to stop intimidating and harassing people. If you don’t, I’ll f
ile a report with the Kingman police department.”
Mitchell fisted his hands. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“Try me.”
Seconds ticked off on the clock on the wall, but finally he backed down. Honestly, she didn’t know why he made the drive to and from Kingman every day to hang out in town when he harbored such disdain for its residents.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do in the next three days, and it’s going to require everyone’s help,” she said.
The door opened and the Dockers walked in. They stopped suddenly when they noticed the large gathering. “Sorry,” Jim said. “We didn’t mean to intrude.” The couple backpedaled.
“Stay.” Destiny waited until they sat down.
“What’s going on?” Sonja asked from the back of the room.
“With Buck’s help, the town is hosting a rodeo and a music concert this Saturday.”
No one said a word. “The money we raise from the event will pay a lawyer to represent us against Wyndell Resorts and—” Destiny nodded “—Mr. Mitchell’s activities.”
“No lawyer will help this town, because you don’t have a case.” Mitchell laughed.
“I believe we do,” she said. “And if we don’t, then you won’t have to worry, will you?”
“Does this mean Delores and I came here for nothing?” Jim asked.
Mitchell gave the signal for Jim to hold his tongue.
“This is a great chance to bring in new business for the saloon and the pastry shop. We’ll need volunteers to spruce up the town and create a welcome sign out by the highway.”
“I’ll do it!” Sonja shoved her hand in the air.
“How many folks you think will be coming?” Frank spoke up.
Destiny looked at Buck, and he said, “A couple hundred at least.”
“I’d better call for a liquor delivery.” Hank disappeared into the kitchen.
“We’ll need a place to hold the rough stock,” Destiny said. “Any suggestions?”
“Put the bulls in the cemetery,” Bernie said.
“What about Maisy?” Melba ignored Mitchell’s laugh. “Won’t she be upset if the graves are trampled?”
“Serves her right for terrorizing people,” Delores grumbled.
“Did Maisy visit you in your motel room?” Bernie asked the Dockers.
“She won’t leave us alone,” Delores said.
Destiny caught Buck’s grin, but took charge of the conversation before folks got sidetracked swapping ghost stories. “What about the horses?”
“No need to worry about the rough stock,” Buck said. “The rodeo production company will bring temporary holding pens.”
Destiny could only imagine the smell in town by the time the rodeo left. “Where should the band set up for the concert?”
“In back of the motel,” Melba said. “They can put their stage at the end of the pool. That way folks can swim or sit on the grass and listen to the music.”
“So we’re all on board with this?” Destiny asked one last time.
“What if we’re not?” Bob Wilson stepped from the shadows. “What if some of us don’t want our town invaded by a rodeo or a bunch of rock and roll freaks?”
“It’s a country-and-western band, and if they don’t invade us and help raise money, then you won’t have a town to complain about, Mr. Wilson.”
When the old man remained quiet, Destiny said, “Those of you who oppose the rodeo and concert won’t have to help of course, but I’d advise you to find somewhere else to be this Saturday, because Lizard Gulch is going to turn into a Wild West town for one day.”
Chapter Eleven
“Ladies and gents, hang on to your hats for the final event of the afternoon. It’s time for a little bull poker!” A roar echoed through the bleachers, bringing a smile to Destiny’s face. She was thrilled that all the town’s residents had turned out for the rodeo—even those leaning toward taking the buyout from Custer.
When she’d explained the reason for the fund-raiser, everyone had agreed that no matter what happened in the end—whether Wyndell Resorts claimed the town or not—they’d need a lawyer to make sure Custer played fair.
Destiny swung her gaze to the men gathering near the bull chute. Buck and his siblings were easy to pick out among the others—the Cash brothers were the best-looking cowboys here. Not only were the six brothers handsome and full of swagger, but they were talented. Buck and Will had won the tie-down roping event then Mack and Conway had ridden in the saddle-bronc competition and took first and third places. Johnny rode in the bareback event and had come in second. Porter had been the only Cash brother crazy enough to compete in bull riding. Although he’d been tossed after two seconds, the buckle bunnies in the crowd had gone crazy, acting as if he’d won a national championship.
The rodeo had begun three hours ago, and Destiny had been amazed at how quickly the event had come together. P. T. Lewis and his crew had arrived before dawn and set up the bleachers, the arena and the temporary corrals for the livestock. By the time folks had crawled out of bed, the town had been transformed into a rodeo venue.
“Do we have four brave men willing to play a hand of poker?” the announcer asked.
“I hope Buck doesn’t volunteer.” Destiny spoke out loud.
“Don’t worry...the bull’s harmless.” Buck’s sister Dixie spoke. “He’s a family pet.”
The bull in the chute bellowed as if it didn’t appreciate being described as harmless. Destiny’s gut twisted but not from morning sickness. Her queasy stomach had disappeared a week ago, leaving her with an insatiable appetite, which was being teased by the scent of barbecue cooking in the smokers behind Lucille’s.
“Dixie and I have practiced on Curly several times in the past,” Shannon said. The former female rough stock rider was married to Buck’s eldest brother, Johnny.
“I can’t believe you rode bulls.” Destiny considered herself a tough chick, but even she wasn’t crazy enough to hop on the back of a bull.
Shannon’s green eyes sparkled as she adjusted her sleeping baby girl in her arms. “And I loved every second of it—even the times I got dumped in the dirt.”
“I envy you,” Will’s wife, Marsha, said. “I’ve never done anything that daring in my whole life.”
“Yes, you have.” Dixie’s eyes twinkled and Marsha blushed. “You married my brother.”
Before the Cash clan had arrived, Buck had given Destiny the rundown on his family. Marsha was the daughter of a local pastor—she’d slept with Will the night of their prom and ended up pregnant. Will had asked her to get an abortion and believed she had done so before she’d gone off to college in California. Buck said Marsha had kept the baby and raised their son on her own the past fourteen years—until this summer when she’d returned to Stagecoach and informed Will he had a son. Now Marsha and Will were married, and the new family appeared to be happy.
Destiny would love to talk to Marsha about her pregnancy and fear of being a single parent, but she didn’t dare. The Cash family was a tight-knit group and she didn’t trust Marsha not to tell her husband. When Buck left Lizard Gulch, Destiny wanted his last memory of her to be what they’d shared and not the fact that she’d hid her pregnancy from him.
“The other day Javier and Miguel told Conway that they want to grow up and be rodeo cowboys,” Conway’s wife, Isi, said. “I’m not sure my heart would survive the stress.”
Destiny pressed her hand against her stomach. Isi had married Conway after they’d been friends for a couple of years. Buck claimed Conway never wanted children, but after watching Isi’s twin sons for several weeks, he’d grown attached to the boys and had fallen in love with Isi. Was it possible Destiny might one day find her own happy ever after like the Cash women?
“You’ll have more than rodeoing to worry about with the twins, Isi,” Dixie said. “Javi and Mig are going to be drop-dead gorgeous when they grow up. Your phone will ring off the hook with fathers warning your sons away from their daughters.
”
The women laughed.
“Looks like we’ve got our four poker players,” the announcer said.
Applause rippled through the stands while a pair of cowboys set up a card table and chairs in the middle of the arena.
“How ’bout a warm welcome to the first fool of the bunch, Bernie Flynn, from right here in Lizard Gulch.”
Bernie? The old fart was going to get himself killed. He sat down in the chair facing the bull chute, and Destiny debated whether or not to walk into the arena and drag his carcass out of there.
“The next crazy wannabe cowboy is Mark Mitchell from Phoenix.”
This could be interesting... She’d love it if Curly tossed the arrogant lawyer on his ass. Mitchell sat in the chair on Bernie’s left.
“Well, now I don’t believe my eyes. Looks like we got a cowgirl brave enough to face down a bull.”
The stands exploded with shouts and cheers as Melba pranced into the arena, waving a pink silk scarf. “I sure hope you’re right about Curly, Shannon,” Destiny said.
“Our last dummy is Buck Owens Cash!”
Whoever ran the sound system cranked the volume and the song “All Around Cowboy” by Buck Owens blared from the speakers. The fans went wild, and Destiny gaped at the females in front of her who whistled and preened when Buck waved his cowboy hat at them. A jealous urge to shout at the women that Buck was hers almost drove her to her feet.
“Don’t pay attention to them,” Dixie whispered in Destiny’s ear. “Buck only has eyes for you.”
Destiny was embarrassed that Buck’s sister had seen through her. It must be pregnancy hormones that made it impossible to hide her feelings. “We’re just friends.”
Dixie laughed. “That’s what my brothers all say when they fall in love with a woman.”
Fall in love? Buck didn’t love her. Did he?
As if Dixie had read her thoughts, she whispered, “Buck hasn’t come right out and said as much, but it’s there in his eyes when he looks at you.” She tilted her head toward the arena. “Like now.”
The air in Destiny’s lungs seeped out in a quiet puff of air. Buck stopped in front of the stands where Destiny sat and placed his hat against his chest then bowed. Her heart melted at the gesture and she blew him a kiss.