Champagne and Cowboys

by Donna Michaels

  She nodded and followed him back to the house. It occurred to her maybe she should be walking next to him instead of behind, but some habits were hard to break. That was the reason for her living alone. She needed to figure out what was the right way to act. Being afraid all the time left little room for other emotions, even anger.

  She thought about it long and hard later as she lay in bed. She had a right to be angry. She’d spent the last year trying to placate her family, trying to smile. Her therapist told her she had a right to her feelings, but she kept the anger hidden deep inside. Now she was livid. Andy stole so much from her. He stole her dignity, her pride, her sense of self, her safety, her ability to be calm and happy. Maybe if she weren’t so damaged, Maverick would be interested in her. She tossed and turned, finally coming to the realization there was never going to be a future for them. She’d been stupid to have even thought about it for a single second.

  Now that was settled she could just enjoy her time with him and Belle.

  Coffee was made, homemade sweet rolls were on the counter still hot and the turkey was in the oven. Maverick smiled in satisfaction as he poured himself a cup of coffee. He sat at the table gazing out the front window. The cowboys had all gotten their Christmas bonuses. They were a happy lot. They usually went to the diner and had Christmas dinner there, then headed down to Sledges for a few drinks. A few would stay behind to keep the place secure. A sense of pride washed over him as he gazed at the horizon. He’d had to be as tough as they came, but doggone it, he succeeded. He and Belle both.

  He walked over to the stereo and turned Christmas music on. Which sleepy head would be down first? He hoped it was Anora. His thoughts startled him. What happened to his cold hard heart? The hell with it, if being with her made him happy why not? If he took it slow, perhaps…

  “Good Morning.” Anora’s eyes lit up when she spied him. “I thought you were kidding about being the one to put the turkey in. Are those sweet rolls? You didn’t make them did you?”

  “I sure did. I know my way around the kitchen. I just don’t have time to cook most of the time.” He put a roll on a plate and handed it along with a fork to her.

  “Ohhh,” she gushed after her first bite. “This is heaven.” She closed her eyes and sighed.

  “Glad you like it.” What he wouldn’t give for her to have the same look when she talked to him. He swallowed hard. This was going to be a long holiday hiding his feelings for her. Pretty as a picture but too scared for what he had in mind.

  “Merry Christmas, Maverick. Thank you so much for having me here. I dreaded being alone, but there wasn’t any way I could be with my family. They just don’t know how to let me be. I think it helps you didn’t know the before me. You have no expectations of how I’m supposed to act. I can smile or frown and it’s not a major thing. You don’t stare at me wondering what I’m thinking. I appreciate it. You and Belle.”

  “We’re glad you’re here. Merry Christmas to you too. Expectations are a pain in the neck. People know what to expect from me. They know I can be a son of a bitch if warranted. I’m glad I have good people working for me. I don’t enjoy playing the role of hard ass.”

  “I know you say what you mean, but there’s a difference between a hard ass and being a boss.”

  Both the landline and his cell rang at the same time. He answered his cell. “Hello?”

  “We need you down at the barn. Rumble is down. The vet is on his way but it doesn’t look good,” Cooper told him.

  “Damn. I’ll be right there.” He hung up.

  Anora’s eyebrows rose as she waited for him to speak.

  “Something is wrong with Rumble.” He leaned in and kissed her cheek and hurried away. Her skin was so soft and she smelled like sweet lavender, but he didn’t have time to luxuriate in the feeling of being close to her. “Tell Belle when she comes down.”

  “I hope everything is okay.” He heard her say as he raced out the door. Running the whole way he made it to the barn and the look on Cooper’s face did anything but reassure him.

  “He went down in his stall about ten minutes ago and it might be colic, but I have a bad feeling. Dr. Martin is on his way. Man, what a way to start out a holiday.”

  He didn’t acknowledge Cooper. “Get him out of the stall. We need to keep him up.”

  “I tried and he won’t leave the stall. I thought I’d wait for you. Maybe you can calm him a bit.”

  Rumble was down again and screaming. It wasn’t like anything he’d ever seen before. “How long until the doc?”

  “About five more minutes.”

  Rumble didn’t look like he had five more minutes. His eyes kept rolling into the back of his head until only the white of his eyes were visible. “If I didn’t know better I’d swear he’d been poisoned.”

  “That thought crossed my mind too,” Cooper said. He sighed in relief when they heard the doctor’s truck pull up. “He’s here. I’m hoping for a miracle.” Cooper hurried out of the barn to meet the vet.

  Maverick stepped into the stall and patted Rumble’s neck. “It’ll be okay boy. Dr. Martin will be here in a minute. You like him.” His gut twisted as he gazed at his struggling horse. White stuff was coming out of Rumble’s mouth. It was the end and it broke his heart.

  “Step aside, Maverick.” Dr. Martin waited for his to leave the stall before he went in. His shoulders sagged as he looked Rumble over. “Poison most likely. I’d like your permission to put him down. Let’s get him outside. I’m sure he’d rather take his last breaths out there. Cooper, come help me.”

  They got Rumble up on his feet one last time and Maverick led him outside. This time when he went down they allowed him to stay. It was hard to sit at his head and tell him what a great horse he was as the doctor injected him. Rumble took one last breath and shuddered. He was gone.

  His best friend was gone. It didn’t matter Rumble was supposed to be the future of the ranch. An emptiness so great grew inside him. Damn he wanted to kick some ass.

  “Maverick, man I’m so sorry. I don’t know how this happened,” Cooper said trying to give comfort.

  “I do. Damn Anora’s husband. Damn him to hell. I don’t know how he did it, but he found some way to get Rumble poisoned. He might have pushed Anora around but not me. It’s time to push back.”

  “It’s a shame, Maverick. I wish there were something I could have done to save him.”

  “Doc, you did your best. Some things can’t be fixed. Thanks for ending his suffering. Now go back to that beautiful wife and little girl you have. It is Christmas.”

  Dr. Martin shook Maverick’s hand and hurried to his truck.

  “It’s an awful thing, Maverick.”

  “You might as well come with me to the house. I want to review the video footage and see what the hell happened.”

  They walked in silence to the house. Christmas music could be heard as they walked in, and he hated being the bearer of bad news. Belle came hurrying toward them from the kitchen. Her face full of worry.

  “What happened? How is Rumble?” She took Maverick’s hand.

  He shook his head and turned away not wanting her to see the sheen of tears forming in his eyes. If it had been an injury or colic, it would have been more bearable somehow. The fact that it was poison made him feel like a failure. He failed to protect his horse. How the hell was he qualified to keep Anora safe? He swallowed hard and squeezed Belle’s hand.

  “Rumble was poisoned. He’s dead.” He heard a loud gasp and glanced over Belle’s head. Anora stood there wide eyed with her hand over her mouth.

  “This is all my fault. I’ll leave. Oh, poor Rumble did he suffer? I couldn’t bear it if he suffered because of me.” Her shoulders drooped and her hands started to shake.

  “It’s not your fault. You can’t put this on yourself. Andy was after Rumble from the very beginning.” He stepped away from Cooper and Belle and slowly walked toward Anora. He opened his arms, and when she stepped into them, it made his hurt a little
better. She’d endured much more in her life. He rubbed his hands up and down her back pulling her tight against him. “There’s nothing we can do about it today. Besides I heard there is a great meal to be had.” Stepping back he lifted her chin with his finger until he could look into her eyes. “Really it’s not your fault. I don’t want to hear about you leaving anymore today.”

  Her smile didn’t reach her eyes as she nodded and turned around. She walked back to the kitchen.

  “She’ll be just fine,” Belle said. “Let’s just try to have a good Christmas.”

  Cooper smiled. “Worth a try. Is it too early for a shot of whiskey? I could really use one.”

  “I hear you.” Maverick nodded. “I guess we should wait until after breakfast, though.”

  Breakfast was awkward. Everyone tried to act cheery, but he was worried about Anora. Her face was pasty white and the ends of her mouth were turned down. He’d wanted to make it a good Christmas for her, but Andy had still been able to get to her and ruin it.

  “I hope we get snow,” she said.

  Bite your tongue,” Maverick told her.

  “I want to be able to stand outside while the snow falls. My parents acted as though I was sickly and didn’t want me to leave the house all winter.”

  “We’ll get a bit. When? I just don’t know but when it does you are welcome to it. Right, Cooper?”

  “She’s welcome to help feed the horses when it snows. It’s a big pain in the rear end.”

  Maverick smiled at Cooper’s politeness. “No one likes a pain in the rear that’s for sure.”

  “I know it’s not snowing but, Anora would you like to take a walk with me?”

  She hesitated and then nodded. “I’d like that.”

  “Don’t you two worry. I got kitchen duty today and Cooper can help me.” Everyone glanced at Cooper for his reaction to Belle’s announcement.

  “Sure sounds like something I’d enjoy.” His eyes twinkled as he shook his head.

  “Come on, Anora. Let’s get out while the going is good.”

  Belle laughed. “You mean before Cooper hurts himself.”

  Maverick stood and pulled Anora’s chair out for her. “See you two in a while.”

  “Where are we going? Anora asked when they stepped outside.

  “In the opposite direction of the barn. The vet is sending out a team to remove Rumble, and I just can’t be there. I wanted this day to be perfect for you, and now it’s ruined. I don’t feel like pretending to smile for Belle’s sake. I know you understand.”

  “I do. I’m so sorry about Rumble, and I wish there were something I could do. I know it’s not on me, but I feel like it’s my fault. I have a feeling no matter where I go, Andy will try to find me. I know Rumble was a valuable horse. Will it be bad for your ranch?”

  “It’s a setback for sure, but we’ll get through. I have to admit I had high hopes for the offspring of that horse. He’s heavily insured, but it’s not much consolation. But I always try to land on my feet. I just want to know who did it and how they got on the property.” They walked for a while through a big pasture.

  “Then why aren’t you looking at the recordings from you security system?”

  “I didn’t think it fitting, it being a holiday and all.”

  “Maverick, let’s get back and start looking. I don’t think any of us feel very cheery anyway.”

  Maverick smiled and leaned down. He kissed her cheek and took her hand. “You’re right. I won’t be able to rest until we find out who did it.”

  They quickly walked back, went inside and headed for the den. Cooper was already at the computer. “I figured you wouldn’t be gone long. Belle is bringing in some coffee. We figured we might as well look for the culprit. I can only pretend merriness for so long.”

  “Us too.” Maverick pulled two chairs next to Cooper and gestured for her to sit in the middle one. “How far did you get?”

  “Just started. I promised Belle I’d wait until she made a new pot of coffee.”

  “And the wait ends,” Belle said as she put a tray laden with coffee and cups onto the desk. “Hope you saved me a seat.”

  Anora couldn’t help but laugh at Belle’s raised eyebrows.

  “I’ll set it up so we can see it on the big screen,” Cooper offered.

  “Great idea!” Belle gave him a sweet smile. It warmed Anora to see her friend and Cooper interact. Just like a healthy relationship was supposed to be.

  They all got up and sat in the leather chairs angled toward the big screen television. Her body warmed when Maverick took the seat next to hers. Her emotions were all over the place. Guilt, shame, attraction, and despite what happened to Rumble, she still felt safe. But it was just for today. Tomorrow she’d be back at her place. She couldn’t bring more danger to her friends. It wasn’t fair. Not fair at all.

  “Okay everyone keep your eyes peeled.” Maverick sat with his elbows on his knees, leaning forward. They watched for a long while and then it happened. Dinner time was when the culprit snuck into the barn, but he didn’t stay long before he left.

  “Do you think he came back later? If he put the poison in the feed, Rumble would have been sick last night,” Cooper commented, shaking his head.

  “Let’s keep watching,” Belle said.

  It took forever and it became boring, but they had to know. Finally, as most of the daylight was done, they saw the man again. This time, he had a backpack.

  “How’d he know what feed to put it in?” Anora frowned.

  “I have different bins for different horses. They each get different supplements depending on their needs. The bins are all labeled.” Maverick jumped up. “Let’s go get that bin before it disappears.”

  She stayed behind, telling them she was tired. Truthfully she wanted to be alone. Maverick and Belle and been nothing but kind to her and all she brought them was trouble. Christmas was ruined and there was no way to salvage it. There’d been enough fake cheerfulness for one day. She didn’t belong here anymore than she belonged with her parents. She wasn’t ready for friends. It was too hard. All she seemed to do was disappoint people and she couldn’t take it. Not again. She couldn’t run away like a coward, the whole mess was her fault.

  She quietly put the presents she’d brought for Maverick and Belle under the tree and stared at the twinkling lights and beautiful ornaments. It was the type of tree one would see in a magazine. It hurt to know she dimmed the holiday for everyone. Slowly she turned and walked up the stairs, into her room and sat in the chair next to the big window facing the front of the house.

  Her heart squeezed painfully as she gazed outside. Maverick played it off but losing Rumble was a bigger deal than he made it out to be. She should have stayed with her parents. She shook her head. There was no way she could stay any longer. What she should have done was sold her house and relocated to a new town where no one knew her. Her selfishness caused Rumble’s death. She just had to have Maverick’s arms around her one more time. Well, she got what she came for. Tears poured down her face. She hadn’t planned on the heartache of leaving him.

  They had told her in therapy not to be surprised if she avoided relationships or any type of physical contact. She’d taken it to heart. She never wanted a man to touch her again, until now, until Maverick. Sure she felt safe but she also loved him. Funny he was such a big, powerfully-built man, but he didn’t scare her in the least. She didn’t prepare herself for this much hurt.

  They left the barn, bin in hand and headed back to the house. She closed her eyes, praying they didn’t come looking for her. She just hoped they liked her presents. A beautiful scarf for Belle and riding gloves for Maverick. She heard voices, but they faded as they went into the library.

  She got up and slipped into the bed. If she were sleeping, she wouldn’t feel the pain.

  Maverick hesitated before he lightly knocked on Anora’s door. Hearing nothing, he peered in. She lay on the bed, her back to him, and he had the distinct feeling she wasn’t asl
eep. He whispered her name, but she didn’t answer.

  Chapter Seven

  Maverick stared out the kitchen window. He’d just said goodbye to Belle, and it always tore a piece of his heart out every time she left. She wore the new scarf Anora had left under the tree for her. It had been a busy morning. He talked with the sheriff and showed him the footage. The sheriff knew who it was and left to go pick him up. It was a man named Timmy Roberts. According to the sheriff, he was a drinking buddy of Andy’s. Figured.

  Glancing at his watch, he shook his head. He couldn’t wait all day for Anora to wake up. He grabbed the new gloves she gave him and went to the front hall. Grabbing his coat and hat he left. She’d be up when he got back. Maybe she had more nightmares last night. Shrugging he went out into the cold. He’d been more than a little disappointed she’d gone to her room early yesterday. She didn’t even get to celebrate with them. She’d find plenty of leftovers in the fridge.

  He and Cooper would be busy looking up bloodlines of horses. He wouldn’t find one as great as Rumble, but he needed to start searching. He had a ranch to keep building. Walking into the barn he smiled. He’d certainly come a long way from the red, rotted, wooden structure they used to call a barn. He put every penny he had into a stud with impressive bloodlines. It was a huge gamble. There was never a guarantee what type of offspring the stud would throw. He’d been lucky and his risk paid off.

  Now he could afford better horses and… He sighed. Rumble was more than an investment to him. They’d bonded and he loved Rumble. He didn’t protect his friend and it hurt. What if he failed to protect Anora? He’d come to the conclusion last night that her happiness mattered to him. It mattered too much, but there wasn’t a thing he could do about it. He was hooked. Unfortunately, she didn’t want a man in her life. It was a bit hard to swallow.

  He wanted to be able to take her into his arms and kiss her. He wanted to smile into her eyes and know she felt the same way. She wasn’t whole, he understood, but he couldn’t help but dream things could be different.