The Cowboy and the Girl in the Hot Pink Chaps

by Maggie Carpenter

  What the blazes is here doing here, and why is he staring at me?

  “Dusty? What did you want to tell me?” the young girl asked breaking into her thoughts.

  “Sorry, honey. Don’t perch on your toes. Remember what we said in our lesson? Keep your toes up and heels down, otherwise you look like a clown.”

  Amanda burst into a fit of giggles, which was why Dusty had repeated the humorous rhyme. It made the girls laugh, and laughing relaxed them. Glancing over the horse to see if the man was still there, she caught her breath. He was crooking his finger at her, beckoning her to join him.

  What the hell? Why does he want to talk to me? He doesn’t even know who I am. Shit. Should I go? There are people everywhere. He can’t hurt me. Maybe I’d better find out what the hell he wants.

  “Just walk and trot around for a minute,” she said looking up to Amanda. “I’ll be right back.”

  “I’ll be fine,” the girl assured her. “I know what I’m doing.”

  “Of course you do,” Dusty smiled.

  Heart thumping, Dusty strode from the ring, determined to show no fear, but as she ducked under the fence she could feel herself trembling.

  This is totally weird. Totally, totally weird. Maybe I should call Patrick. No, he’s busy. I should call Matt, but what good would that do? I’ll just see what he wants, but how does he even know me?

  “You’re the girl who stole my horse,” he scowled as she approached.

  “What the hell are you talking about?” she retorted feeling a sudden chill.

  “I was outta town, you drove up to my house and conned my wife into givin’ you my horse. I’m here to tell you, Miss Champion 1D, Miss Dusty Anderson, Miss Hot Pink Chaps,” he snarled, “that I’m gonna be driving up to your barn and takin’ him back. I know you train with that Patrick O’Neal guy, so you tell him to expect me.”

  Dusty’s mind was spinning, and her heart was pounding so hard she could barely breathe. The man smelled of whiskey and cigarettes, and it was making her nauseous.

  “We can do this one of two ways,” he continued, lowering his face to hers. “You make it easy and I won’t rip all your lovely long hair outta your scalp, and your boyfriend? Well, I just might leave him in one piece.”

  “You’ll never take Licorice, never, never, never,” she hissed fighting her fear.

  “I know why you came by the house this mornin’. “he said smugly. “You were just wantin’ to see if I knew who you were. Just ‘cos I’ve been away it don’t mean I haven’t been keepin’ track. Well, I’m back now, and thanks for takin’ care of my horse. You’ve got him lookin’ real fine. I’ve already got a buyer, but maybe, if you’re nice to me,” he said as he eyeballed her body, “and I mean reeaal nice, I just might sell him to you instead, but he’ll be stayin’ with me ‘til that’s settled. I’ll be bringin’ a rig over to your fancy trainer’s barn some time soon, and I expect my horse to be ready.”

  She wanted to say something, anything, in response, but her throat was as tight as a violin string and her entire body was shaking.

  “You got me?” he snarled.

  “F-fuck you,” she managed.

  “Hey, like I said, I’m takin’ him back one way or the other. Up to you how badly you wanna get hurt.”

  Every part of Dusty was on fire as the fury burned through her body, and as he turned to walk away, it took every ounce of self-control not to lunge at him, and kick and scream and punch him as hard as she could.

  Clenching her fists, fighting to maintain control, she lowered her eyes to the ground, and as the first tears began to spill, something made her look up.

  He was standing a short distance away, an evil smile curling the sides of his thin lips, and raising his fingers in the shape of a gun, he pretended to shoot her, then breaking into a laugh, he spun around and disappeared into the crowd. She felt her legs begin to buckle, and dropping to the ground she brought her knees up to her chest and buried her head.

  “Dusty? Dusty? What’s the matter? Who was that man?”

  She knew it was Amanda’s mother, and grateful the sunglasses would hide her red-rimmed eyes, she lifted her head.

  “It’s the sun,” she stammered. “It makes me faint.”

  “That, uh, homeless man you were talking to, I almost came over. He seemed to be upsetting you.”

  “He was. He comes around sometimes. I had to tell him to leave and he wouldn’t go,” she replied, amazed that the lie had come so easily. “I shouldn’t have stood in the sun like that while I was talking to him. It was stupid. I’ll be fine.”

  “I’ll take Amanda over to the show ring, shall I?”

  “Yes, yes, please. I just need some shade. That tree over there. I’ll just sit there for a minute and I’ll meet you at the ring.”

  “Let me help you,” Mrs. Peterson offered, “and I have some water here.”

  Slowly rising to her feet, with the woman’s help she made it to the tree, and gratefully accepting the bottle of water she sank into the grass and leaned against the trunk.

  “Thanks so much, Mrs. Peterson. I’ll be fine. I’m used to this.”

  “All right then, I’ll get the girls over there.”

  Waiting until the woman was out of earshot, panic-stricken, Dusty pulled her phone from her pocket, and with shaking fingers she called Matt.

  “Please, pick up, please, pick up,” she mumbled as she waited, and the moment he answered, she blurted out everything that had happened.

  “Call your aunt, tell her to have the security guards try to find him. He’ll probably be long gone, but do that right away.”

  “Okay, yes, good idea, I will.”

  “What are you doing right now?”

  “I have a girl competing in a pleasure class, then I’m free for a bit. God, Matt, I want to get out of here. I need you, I need a hug.”

  “Are you up to helping the girl in the pleasure class? Do you think you can manage that?”

  “Uh, yes, I think so. Maybe it will help me take my mind off what just happened. I can’t stop shaking.”

  “Take a few deep breaths. Don’t worry, Licorice isn’t going anywhere, and if that bastard shows up again don’t engage him, do you understand me? Walk away.”

  “If I see him again I’ll kick him in the balls and stuff them up his ass,” she declared, her voice shaking with fear and rage.

  “I mean it, Dusty,” he said firmly. “You see him, you walk away as fast as your legs will carry you, do you understand me?”

  “The truth is, I’m so scared of him I would anyway,” she quivered, “but you have to tell me what’s going on. You knew something this morning. Why didn’t you tell me then?”

  “It was premature, and I didn’t know everything I do now,” he said quickly. “Listen to me. I’m going to call Patrick and tell what just happened, and after you finish with that pleasure class, come and meet me at the cafe.”

  “Okay.”

  “Take a deep breath and call Sharon. I’ll see you at the cafe, and try not to worry.”

  “I’m feeling bit better. Thanks. I’ll see you soon.”

  Ending the call, she did as Matt suggested and took several deep breaths, then called Sharon. After briefly telling her what happened and describing the unkempt man, Sharon promised to send security to search for him and escort him from the grounds.

  “And I’m going to send Jerry over to stick to you like glue. I’m not leaving you at the mercy of some crazy man who thinks he can threaten you like that. No way. Which ring will you be at?”

  “Western pleasure, ring two, and I have to go. My student is waiting.”

  “All right sweetheart. Take care, and call me later.”

  “I will, thanks.”

  Ending the call, she rose unsteadily to her feet and began to make her way to the arena, constantly checking the crowd. When she saw Jerry, the security guard hurrying towards her, she felt a wave of relief, but even with him standing beside her, as she tried to focus on the littl
e girl in the ring, the foul-smelling, evil man and his threat to take Licorice was all she could think about.

  In his office, Matt had just downed a swig of whisky. Dusty’s urgent call had seriously unnerved him. Walking back to his chair he reached into his jacket pocket and retrieved the piece of paper Dusty had handed him that morning. Staring at the phone number, he wasn’t sure why, but he decided to call. Picking up his cell phone he nervously tapped in the number and waited. It rang a few times, then what sounded like an old answering machine picked up.

  “Hello. You’ve reached Kathy and Jim Lewis. Leave a message.”

  “My name is Matt, and I’m calling about your house. Are you still looking to sell. If so, please call me back.”

  He left his cellphone number, then ending the call he sat back in his chair.

  Jim Lewis. Slim Jim. It’s him, but how did he know who Dusty was? I guess if he asked around he could have found out, but he’s so disheveled, why would anyone tell him anything?

  There was a knock on his office door, and Jeanette poked her head in.

  “I thought you might like to see this,” she smiled.

  “What?”

  “You’ve made this week’s edition of the Gazette.”

  The Gazette was the community’s local paper that was printed every week, and dropping it on his desk she smiled broadly.

  “Isn’t it super?”

  Staring down at the picture he took a deep breath. It was Dusty proudly smiling as she accepted the check and trophy from him, and standing next to her, Licorice, the big, black, shiny gelding.

  Local Girl Dusty Anderson, the girl in the hot pink chaps, winner of Division 1D. Headed to State Finals.

  “This explains everything,” he mumbled.

  “I’m sorry, what?” Jeanette asked.

  “It’s just answered a question. I have to run out for a bit,” he said picking up the newspaper. “I won’t be long. I’ll be on my cell if you need me. Come on, Jinx. Let’s go.”

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  He knew he’d beat Dusty to the cafe, but he wanted to nurse a cup of coffee and think a while before she arrived. Pulling his truck into the parking lot, he and Jinx walked into the outside patio and sat under the shade of a large, very old oak tree. Mary Jo appeared in a flash, and Matt ordered a regular coffee and a muffin.

  “What kind of muffin?” she asked.

  “Surprise me,” he smiled, “and water for Jinx.”

  Sitting back in his chair, idly patting Jinx’s head, he pondered what had happened that morning.

  The newspaper piece must have spurred him into action. Maybe I should go to his house with a copy of Patrick’s receipt and confront him, but this guy could be real bad ass. No tellin’ what he might do. Obviously he doesn’t know the horse isn’t boarded at Patrick’s barn. That was kinda stupid, puttin’ her on notice like that. Probably thinks if he scares her bad enough she’ll hand him a wad of cash.

  “You look deep in thought,” Mary Jo commented as she put the coffee and muffin in front of him.

  “I am.”

  “Can I help?”

  “I’m trying to decide whether to take the bull by the horns, or let it walk into the china shop and catch it in the act.”

  “If you let it into the china shop, there’ll be some breakage,” she said thoughtfully, “but then again, if you take it by the horns you might get gouged.”

  “Ah, you’re right,” Matt nodded.

  “Bulls can be unpredictable. I’d tread carefully.”

  “Mary Jo, you are a very wise young lady,” he remarked with a grin.

  “Any time,” she smiled.

  A few minutes later he heard the click of the gate that led from the parking lot into the patio, and turning around he saw Dusty.

  “Here,” he called waving his hand.

  Seeing her, Jinx bounded forward, and smiling happily, his tail wagging, he escorted her back to Matt. Sitting down she pulled off her hat, letting her hair spill around her shoulders, then removed her sunglasses and laid them on the table.

  “What?” she asked seeing Matt eyeing her.

  “That was one of the sexiest things I’ve ever seen,” he breathed. “I wanna ravage you right here, right now.”

  “I would love that,” she sighed. “That would make me feel so much better.”

  “Bring that chair closer,” he said softly.

  “Like this?” she asked as she scooted her chair next to his.

  “Yes,” he nodded, and putting his arm around her shoulder he pulled her close.

  “I needed this so bad,” she sighed resting her head against him. “Please will you tell me what’s going on?”

  “Yep, and I’ll start with this.”

  Sitting back he opened the Gazette, spreading it across the table.

  “Wow, this is fabulous. Mom and Auntie Sharon will be tickled pink, so will dad.”

  “I think this is why that creepy guy was at the show today.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Prepare yourself for some startling news,” he began. “Licorice used to be a superstar. His show name was Black Lightenin’ and he belonged to a fella back in New York.”

  “Whaaat? You’re kidding? No wonder he’s so amazing,” she breathed. “This is unbelievable. How did he end up here, and what does it have to do with…wait…I think I’m getting the picture.”

  Matt told her everything he’d learned, including how Patrick had found the receipt, and the comforting assurances his lawyer had given him.

  “If you went to the nationals, Licorice would probably be recognized. I was concerned. I wanted to make sure there was no doubt about your ownership. Now suddenly this creep, Slim Jim has shown up. My worry has changed to what might happen here. That picture in the paper told that jerk who you are. He came to the show looking for you.”

  “What should I do?”

  “Like I said, Draper is into auto-racing now. Even if he did poke his nose in, he seems like the sort of man who’d be happy to take a check to go away. Jim Lewis is a different fish. He’s stolen the horse once. We could pay him off, and he could try to steal him again anyway.”

  “Matt, what should I do?”

  “It’s not, I, it’s we,” he said warmly. “You have motion lights outside your house, right?”

  “Yes, and you can’t see the back paddock from the driveway, the fence is too high, and that gate can be locked. Itsy and Bitsy would kick up a racket if someone came into the backyard.”

  “Obviously Jim Lewis doesn’t know where Licorice is livin’, but I’m thinkin’ maybe he shouldn’t be by himself until this is all sorted out.”

  “Dad’s coming home tomorrow and he’ll be around, but that’s not an answer. How do we stop this guy? The police?”

  “I thought about that. He hasn’t really done anything criminal that we can prove, and ownership of the horse is a civil matter. If I send the police over to his house, and they don’t have a reason to take him in, how crazy might that make him?”

  “Oh, good point,” she nodded glumly.

  “Don’t worry. I’ve got an idea or two. When you leave the show, just make sure you’re not followed.”

  “I will,” she promised. “I wish I didn’t have to go back.”

  “One more thing,” he said putting his hand under her chin and tilting her head up to lock her eyes. “What were you thinkin’, goin’ over and talkin’ to him like you did?”

  “I, uh, wanted to hear what he had to say.”

  “I should spank you into next Sunday.”

  “But, there were people everywhere.”

  “Did that stop him scarin’ the crap outta you? Did it stop him threatenin’ you?”

  “No,” she whispered.

  “I’ve gotta make sure you don’t do that again. That wasn’t smart, Dusty. You know that, right?”

  “Yes, I guess.”

  “Don’t you ever put yourself in a situation like that again. You walk away and call Patri
ck or me, understand?”

  “Yes, I promise. Um, Matt?”

  “Yes, darlin’?”

  “I’m so glad you’re here. I’m so glad fate brought us together right now.”

  He could see the threat of tears, and wrapped her up in his arms.

  “Hey, Licorice will be fine. This Jim guy’s not gonna do’ anything hasty. He’s just throwin’ mud at the wall and seein’ if any of it sticks. A horse is not easy to steal, especially from someone’s backyard. Do you still wanna have dinner tonight? Are you up to it?”

  “I do, so much, but now I’m worried about leaving Licorice, although…” she paused, “yes, it’s fine. I know exactly what to do. Yes, I can definitely come over.”

  “Great. I’ll pick you up at six.”

  “I can just drive to your house if you want.”

  “Nope, I’m old-fashioned about this stuff. I’ll pick you up.”

  “Okay,” she smiled. “I’d better get back to the show.”

  Lifting her head she kissed him softly, loving the warm flush that moved through her body, then sighing, she stuffed her hair back under her hat and donned her sunglasses.

  “I can’t wait for tonight,” she whispered.

  “Me either,” he smiled. “Call me when you’ve arrived at the show so I know you got there safely.”

  “I will. Bye, Jinxy.”

  As he watched her walk across the patio he could feel the familiar stirring in his pants, and he wondered if their romance was being hampered by the sudden and unexpected drama, or being propelled forward because of it.

  I sure do feel protective about you, that’s darn tootin’. I wanna follow you right now, be at your side and make sure nothin’ happens to you, or to your horse.

  Shaking his head, he picked up his muffin and took a bite, then drank his coffee, then pulling his phone from his pocket he called Patrick and gave him the update.

  “Thanks for calling, Matt. That’s quite a story,” Patrick remarked. “I’ll tell my workers to let me know if they see this guy around, and I’ll make sure Dusty isn’t alone in the barn. What are we going to do about this guy?”