The Cowboy and the Girl in the Hot Pink Chaps

by Maggie Carpenter

  “That would be good,” she agreed flipping the pancakes. “Such a drama, but thank goodness I have a super-smart cowboy for a…friend.”

  She felt her face blush, and cursed herself for her awkward slip of the tongue.

  “Hey,” he said softly, walking to her side, “boyfriend, partner, you can call me whatever you want. We’re an item now, okay?”

  A warm wave of emotion rippled through her, and feeling the heat in her throat, she turned her eyes to his.

  “I know what you said earlier, but I didn’t want to assume…”

  “Assume all you want,” he grinned, “unless you burn those pancakes, then all bets are off.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  When Dusty arrived home she was surprised to find her mother busy in the kitchen, humming happily and chopping vegetables.

  “What are you doing here?” Dusty asked.

  “I called into work and told them I was taking a vacation day. Your father will be home this afternoon and he said he’s got some big news. I want to be here when he walks in the door, and I’m going to make him a wonderful dinner, his favorite.”

  “Roast beef with roasted vegetables?”

  “Yes, the one that I cook on low and takes forever,” Karen nodded. “I’m going to soak these vegetables in flavored broth while I run to the market and buy the meat.”

  “Should I make myself scarce tonight?” Dusty asked.

  “Sweetheart, would you? I figured you’d probably be off with Matt, but if you don’t have plans-”

  “No, it’s fine,” she interrupted. “You can count on having the house to yourself. I have to make some quick calls before I head off to the show. I’m hoping it’ll be a short day so I can ride Licorice up the hill. He needs the exercise, and I can’t ride him to Patrick’s with that horrible man lurking around.”

  “I hope you do have time for a trail ride. I think you could use the break.”

  “Fingers crossed. Now I have to get moving.”

  Kissing her mother on the cheek, she walked quickly to her bedroom, pulled out her cell phone, and called all the haulers she knew. She did her best to keep the story brief, but each of them was appalled that someone was trying to take Licorice away from her, especially one of her favorite drivers, a good-looking young cowboy named Jason.

  “Let him try,” he declared “If he shows up here I’ll turn Baron on him.”

  Baron was a huge Mastiff, and though he was as gentle as a kitten, he looked as ferocious as a hungry lion.

  “How would that work?” she laughed. “Wait, let me guess. You’d hold the guy down while Baron drooled all over him?”

  They both ended up in hysterics as they took her suggestion even further, deciding a suitable torture for Slim Jim would be to tie him spread-eagled to stakes in the ground, paint his face with gravy, and let Baron lick it all off.

  “Oh, my, gosh,” she howled holding her stomach she was laughing so hard. “I absolutely love that idea. I can just see it. Sorry, Jason, I wish I could keep talking but I have more people to call and I’m due at the show.”

  “Hey, leave it with me. I’ll spread the word. Who do you have left.”

  “Jason, that would be awesome, thanks.”

  She gave him the list of names, then ending the call she quickly changed clothes, dashed outside to give Licorice an extra flake of hay and some carrots, then kissing her mother goodbye, she jumped in her car and headed off to the show.

  As she pulled into the exhibitors parking lot she scanned the area for any sign of the villainous Jim Lewis or his old car. Seeing neither, she parked as close to the stable as she could, then hurried into the barn.

  The show was over in two days, and everywhere she looked grooms were loading trunks and packing equipment. Turning down the barn aisle that was assigned to Patrick’s stable she found a similar scene, and when she walked into the office Patrick was busy closing up shop.

  “Hey there. I spoke to Matt. He told me everything. He’s one smart guy.”

  “Yes, he is,” Dusty nodded, and so much more.

  “I take it you’ve been seeing a lot of each other.”

  “We have. It’s kind of wonderful,” she smiled.

  “I’m glad. I think he’ll be good for you. By the way, he’s dropping off the sponsorship paperwork over the weekend.”

  “Oh, great. With all the craziness I’d forgotten about that little detail.”

  “He was going to bring it sooner, but I asked him to wait until the show was over.”

  “Okay, so, where do you need me today? Don’t we still have some classes left?”

  “Just the team penning tomorrow. If you wouldn’t mind, finish up here in the office, then check in with Sharon and make sure everything is up to speed there.”

  “That’s it?”

  “That’s it!” he smiled.

  “This is weird. I can’t believe it’s over.”

  “I know. It always feels like this. When the show is done it happens so suddenly, even though we know it’s coming. I don’t quite understand it. Never have.”

  “State finals around the corner,” she said. “I sure hope Matt’s idea works out.”

  “It will,” Patrick said putting a reassuring arm around her. “Keep the faith.”

  “I am. I just can’t believe this whole, scary thing happened.”

  “It’s not what life throws at you that matters, it’s how you deal with it, and it seems to me Matt has this thing well in hand. I have to run. Try not to fret. I’m sure it’s all going to work out.”

  “Patrick?”

  “Yes, Dusty?”

  “Thank you for everything you’ve done for me,” she began, an unexpected well of emotion sending tears to her eyes. “I can’t imagine what my life would be like if you hadn’t been so good to me. I know I wasn’t easy.”

  “Hey, where is this coming from?” he asked wiping a single tear that had escaped down her face.

  “I don’t know. This whole thing with Licorice and that horrible man, and meeting Matt and finally being with him, I guess I just wanted you to know how important you are, how much I love you.”

  “Dusty,” he murmured, “you’re like the little sister I never had. I love you too, and I’m very, very proud of you.”

  “I do try,” she blubbered. “I know I do stupid things sometimes, but I do try.”

  Not knowing what else to say he hugged her softly, then reached across to the desk and pulled some tissues from the box.

  “Here,” he said handing them to her. “You’ve been dealing with so much, it’s no surprise you’re feeling all this.”

  “Sorry,” she sniffled. “I’m fine now. Really. It just kind of happened.”

  “You’re sure?”

  “Yes, I’m sure,” she nodded. “Honestly.”

  “Then finish up here, check in with Sharon, then you can take off.”

  “Thanks, Patrick,” she said managing a smile.

  He kissed her on the forehead, then marched away, and as she watched him leave she let out a sigh.

  “I don’t know why I’m feeling so emotional,” she muttered. “I have to take Licorice out on the trail when I get home. I need that break. I need to ride up that hill.”

  In his office Matt was smiling broadly. He had just finished a phone call which had been as successful as he’d hoped. Picking up his cellphone he hit the number for Rod Clark, the manager at Circus Farms.

  “Hey, Matt, how are you? What can I do for you?”

  “Hi Rod. You’re going to get a call from a guy called Jim Lewis, and I have a very big favor to ask.”

  Rod listened carefully, then readily agreed to Matt’s request.

  “Thanks so much for this, Rod. I owe you one.”

  “Hey, trapping this fella and makin’ sure your girlfriend’s horse isn’t taken away, I’m glad to help.”

  Ending the call, Matt smiled and felt a flood of relief. It was all going to plan, and grabbing some paperwork he headed out to his pa
tio.

  “Come on, Jinx. Time for some serious uninterrupted work. Things are under control. I can finally concentrate.”

  In the white shabby house with the blue shutters on Cottontail Lane, Slim Jim was laying on a torn couch watching a horse race on television, and drinking Three Ships whiskey from a bottle. The black wooden coffee table was strewn with cigarette butts and the remnants of a dozen burger takeaway meals, but in the midst of the mess was The Gazette, and it was open to the page with the photograph of Dusty Anderson, her black gelding, Licorice, and Matt Montgomery.

  Initially Slim Jim had thought he could scare five grand out of the kid that had taken the horse, but seeing Matt Montgomery, the Matt Montgomery, owner of Silver Streak Saddlery, had changed everything.

  “Idiot,” he muttered downing another swallow of the cheap liquor. “If you hadn’t shown up here I’d ever have known you were friends with that kid. That was so fuckin’ stooopid,” he drawled in his half-drunken state. “I’m thinkin’ twenty-five grand should about do it. Sure would like to get me some of that blonde pussy though. Probably better not push it. Twenty-five grand I can get all the blonde pussy I want. I guess it’s time I rented me a trailer. Yep, I guess it is.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  Dusty made sure everything in Patrick’s office was packed up and accounted for, then drove across to the show office and had a long chat with her aunt. By the time she returned home it was almost one-o’clock, and her mother was busy cleaning the house.

  “I was going to take Licorice for a trail ride, but if you need help I’ll be happy to stay.”

  “No, no,” her mother smiled, “you go on. I’m doing this more because I want to than I have to. I just seem to be filled with energy.”

  “It’s so good to see you this happy,” Dusty smiled.

  “Your father’s coming home, that always makes me happy. It’s not an easy being married to a man that’s on the road so much, but when he walks through that door it’s always worth it.”

  “I’m excited too,” Dusty nodded, and I’m sure now. I don’t want to be a pro-rodeo girl. I don’t want to be like dad, always on the road.

  “You go and get on that horse of yours. He’s been pacing a bit. I think he needs the climb.”

  “So do I,” Dusty declared, “and I’m going right now.”

  Quickly changing into her favorite riding jeans, she opened her bag and pulled out the hot pink chaps. Her stomach flipped at the memory of her torrid night, and she could still feel the sting of the hairbrush slapping her bottom.

  Why does that turn me on so much? I hate it and love it at the same time.

  Buckling them at the waist, she slid the zipper down the sides of the legs, then headed out of the house to the garden shed that served as her tack room. Removing the cover from the Silver Streak saddle, she gazed at the rich, soft leather, the intricate carvings, and the fine craftsmanship.

  I can’t believe I’m going to own one of these. All those years of sweeping and cleaning and exercising other people’s horses is finally paying off.

  Picking up a halter she wandered into the field and whistled to her horse. Licorice immediately ambled over to her, happily accepting the carrot she offered.

  “Such a good boy,” she sighed. “You and I are so lucky to have found each other.”

  She brushed him off, cleaned out his feet, laid the thick wool blanket in place, and gently placed the new saddle on his back. Next came the saddlebags with her phone, binoculars, water, a hoof pick, and a few granola bars. Finally set, she put on his bridle and climbed on board.

  It was a pleasant day. The heat wave had lasted only twenty-four hours, and a cool breeze was wafting around them, but Dusty barely noticed the weather. Even though the saddle was exceptionally comfortable she could feel the tenderness in her seat, but far from making her frown, it filled her with an unfamiliar satisfaction and sent a smile across her lips.

  There were only two gates she had to open and close before starting up the hill, and though happy to be out on the trail and full of beans, Licorice remained a perfect gentleman each time she had to dismount and climb back on board.

  The path was wide and well used, the footing was safe and soft, and when Dusty asked Licorice to move into the canter he bolted forward, filled with pep and loving the trail. It was a fast run up the gentle stope, and when they reached the top Dusty gazed across at the busy town below, then stared down at Circus Farms at the base of the hill.

  “Let’s go down and meet Jackson,” she grinned. “I’m sure no-one will mind if we wander in.”

  She started down the hill, and was about halfway down when Matt’s warning words echoed through her head.

  “No ridin’ Licorice where you might be spotted by that lunatic.”

  “Shoot, maybe we’d better not do this,” she muttered. “It would be just my luck to be ambling around down there and have that maniac show up.”

  Sighing, she turned back and retraced her steps, but when she reached the top and turned around for one last look, she couldn’t believe what she saw.

  An old car was driving into the parking lot, and it looked exactly like the one she’d seen covered in dust, parked at the house on Cottontail Lane. Grabbing the binoculars from her saddle bag she peered down at the tall, thin man who had stepped out and was walking towards the office.

  “Holy crap,” she gasped, “it is him.”

  Putting the binoculars back and retrieving her phone, she urgently called Matt. He answered on the third ring.

  “Hey, gorgeous, everythin’ okay?”

  “I’m sitting on Licorice at the top of the hill looking down at Circus Farms, and Slim Jim just drove up. He’s in the office now. Were you able to reach the manager?”

  “Take a deep breath,” he said evenly. “Yep, I reached him, and it’s all under control.”

  “My heart is pounding so hard,” she breathed. “Just seeing him makes me feel panicky.”

  “It’s all good, darlin’, I promise.”

  “I’m so glad I was able to reach you. Just hearing your voice is calming me down.”

  “Well, uh, hearin’ yours is havin’ the exact opposite effect on me,” he chuckled.

  The joke made her giggle, and she let out a sigh.

  “You are so wicked,” she grinned. “That was such a close call, but speaking of wicked, can I be forward and ask if I can see you tonight? My dad is coming home this afternoon and I told mom she could have the house to herself.”

  “Sure. Tell you what, why don’t you come on by here. I’d like to show you some leather samples, and we can have a bite to eat here in town.”

  “That’s sounds great. What time?”

  “Everyone leaves about five-thirty, so any time around then. Call me when you pull into the parking lot. I’ll meet you.”

  “Perfect. Oh, he’s leaving,” she remarked as she saw Slim Jim climb back into his car.

  “What did you mean when you said it was a close call?”

  “What? Oh, uh, I’ll tell you later,” she said evasively. “I should head back.”

  “You do that, and ride safe.”

  “I will. Bye.”

  Ending the call she dropped the phone back in her saddle bag and started for home.

  “Me and my big mouth,” she mumbled as they headed down. “He’s going to ask me again, I know he is.”

  Breaking into a gentle lope when they reached the bottom of the hill, her house soon came into view. She could see her father and mother pottering around the backyard, and when her father spotted her, he jogged forward to open the gates.

  “Hey, honey,” he waved as he reached the first one.

  “Hey, dad, it’s so good to see you.”

  “I’m so proud of you,” he exclaimed meeting up with her at the second.

  In spite of the gates being open, Dusty jumped from the saddle to give him a welcome home hug. In spite of the long hours on the road Tom Anderson had kept himself fit. He was a big man, tall a
nd broad, and Dusty let out a squeal as he lifted her into the air as though she was still a five-year-old.

  “My champion,” he declared setting her back on her feet, “and your mom tells me you’re in love. We’ve got some celebrating to do.”

  “She did? Damn, can’t a girl have any secrets?”

  “Not in this family,” he chuckled. “Let me give you a leg up.”

  As they made their way back to the house, he questioned her in detail about her encounter with Slim Jim at the show grounds, then wanted to know about Matt’s plan to ensure Licorice’s safety, and get Slim Jim out of their lives.

  “Sounds like Matt has a sound plan there, but you shouldn’t have talked to that man,” he scolded.

  “I know,” she said raising her eyebrows, “Matt has already made that very clear, and I agree.”

  “See you don’t go putting yourself in a situation like that again.”

  “Good grief, you and Matt, you’re a match set.” Huh, I wonder if that’s why I’ve always been so crazy about him. He reminds me of dad.

  They’d reached the hitching post in front of Dusty’s garden shed, and sliding off, her father let out a low whistle.

  “Now that’s a saddle,” he declared.

  “I know! Isn’t it gorgeous? It’s amazingly light, and so comfortable.”

  “Seems like this guy is doing right by you. He’d better. You get yourself together and come into the house. I have some news.”

  “Can’t you tell me now?” she begged.

  “No, I’m telling you in the house. Love you kitten,” he smiled, and hugging her again he marched away.

  “Yes, Licorice, he and Matt are bookends,” she mumbled.

  She put away her tack, did a quick grooming job, then grabbing her phone she hurried back to the house. Her parents were in the kitchen, a bottle of champagne was open, and there was a glass waiting for her.

  “What’s all this?” she grinned.

  “This is to celebrate your win, to wish you luck at the State Finals, and to toast my news,” her father smiled. “I have been given a management position at the trucking company. No more long hauls.”