Caitlyn’s Prize

by Linda Warren

  “Let’s go home,” she said, and they trotted out of the woods, across pastures and through a hay field. Sweat trickled down her face, but she didn’t have a free hand to wipe it away. Soon she saw the ranch buildings, and hoped it wasn’t too late to save the animal’s life.

  JUDD DROVE THROUGH High Cotton on his way home. Walker was at the gas station and he waved for him to stop. Judd pulled in.

  The constable strolled to the driver’s side. “Have you been home?” he asked.

  “No. I’m headed there now. Why?”

  “I just got a call from Harland. There’s been an incident and he wanted to let me know.”

  “What happened?”

  “One of your heifers that was about to calf got out of the corral, and they found her near High Five. The cow was dead and Caitlyn took the calf.”

  “What? Why would Caitlyn take it, and why in the hell was the heifer out of her pen? We watch them round the clock when they’re about to calf. They’re too damn expensive to lose. Something’s not right.”

  “I was on my way over there to investigate when I saw your truck.”

  “Good. I’ll meet you there.” Judd turned toward the High Five.

  Why would Caitlyn take a Southern Cross calf? That didn’t make any sense. She wasn’t a cattle rustler. He’d been putting off talking to her and now he had no choice.

  He just wished it wasn’t under these circumstances.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CAIT RODE INTO THE BARN and Maddie followed her. Maddie had taken to checking on Bardwell’s crew on horseback. She was beginning to enjoy riding and the everyday work on the ranch.

  Cait dismounted and her sister was right there, staring at the newborn animal. “What in the world? Where did that come from? Is it dead? What are—”

  “Stop with the twenty questions and help me unload him.”

  They both grabbed hold and stumbled backward into the hay. But the calf was safely on the ground.

  “Where’s Cooper?” Cait asked, checking the newborn. He lay still, unmoving, but he was breathing. She had to keep him that way.

  “I guess they haven’t come in yet,” Maddie replied.

  “Keep an eye on this little one. I have to fix some milk.” Cait headed for the supply room, where the sink and refrigerator were located.

  “What do you want me to do?” Maddie shouted after her.

  “Get a rag and rub him. Talk to him.”

  Cait found the powered milk and a bottle. After mixing the powder with water, she poured it into the bottle and attached the nipple. Hurrying back, she knelt in the hay.

  “I’ve rubbed and rubbed, but he’s not moving or responding,” Maddie told her, a note of anxiety in her voice. “I think he’s almost dead.”

  “We have to give him a little incentive.” She lifted his head into her lap and attempted to pry his jaws apart.

  Judd and Walker entered the barn, but Cait didn’t look up. She kept trying to get the calf to open his mouth.

  “Caitlyn,” Walker said.

  “Yeah. What is it?”

  “Harland said you took a Southern Cross calf.”

  She glanced up then, her eyes stormy. “Does this look like a Southern Cross calf?”

  “Nope, certainly doesn’t.”

  Judd saw the expression on her face—one of love and determination. Caitlyn always fought for what she loved, except when it came to him.

  “Here.” She handed Maddie the bottle. “When I open his mouth, put the nipple in.”

  “Okay.” Her sister grasped the bottle, but as hard as they tried, the calf would not take the nipple.

  Judd stepped around Walker and knelt by Maddie. “They can be stubborn.” He took the bottle and glanced into Caitlyn’s glaring blue eyes. “May I?”

  “I suppose.”

  “Sometimes they just need to taste the milk or smell it.” He squirted milk around the calf’s nose. “Open his mouth,” he instructed Cait. When it parted a fraction, he slipped the nipple in and squirted some more.

  The little animal’s head moved and a grunting sound left his throat.

  “He’s moving,” Maddie cried with excitement.

  Judd placed his hand over Caitlyn’s and together they worked the calf’s jaws around the nipple. His throat moved. He swallowed. They kept working until the calf twitched his head, as if to butt an udder, and sucked on his own.

  Maddie leaped to her feet. “Oh, this is so exciting. He’s going to live.”

  Once the calf started sucking, he struggled to get to his feet. Cait scrambled away, holding on to the animal with one hand, as did Judd. The baby was unstable, but finally managed to stand. After a couple of minutes he sank back into the hay, but held up his head, looking around.

  Maddie made herself comfortable beside him, stroking him and cooing.

  Judd saw Walker eyeing her strangely. Without moving his gaze from Maddie, Walker asked Caitlyn, “Is this the calf Harland was talking about?”

  “Yes.”

  “But—”

  “What’s going on?” Judd asked before Walker could.

  Caitlyn relayed a story that had his eyebrow twitching upward. “Harland was going to kill the calf?”

  She nodded. “That’s what he said.”

  “How did you stop him?” Walker asked.

  Cait’s chin lifted. “With my rifle.”

  The lawman winced.

  “I have a right to protect my property, and this calf is half mine. My bull sired it.”

  “He’s also half mine,” Judd stated.

  Her eyes flared. “You’re not taking this calf so Harland can kill it.”

  “I didn’t say that.”

  “Then what are you saying?”

  “That I need to find out what’s going on. Where did you find the heifer and the calf?”

  “Near the old Dry Gulch Road.”

  “I thought that road was closed.”

  “It’s supposed to be, but people still use it.”

  “I’ll check it out in the morning. It’s too dark now.”

  Cait rested back on her heels. “What do you want to do about the calf?”

  “You’re giving me a choice?”

  “Maybe.” Her eyes twinkled. “If it’s the right choice.”

  “Figured that.” He stood. “Keep the calf for now and we’ll talk about it later.” His eyes caught hers. “Would you mind keeping this under your hat?”

  She reached for her hat in the hay and slapped it against her thigh. “Nothing much in here, anyway. It could use a little company.” Her smile made him dizzy, weak and feeling luckier than he had in a very long time.

  “Thanks.” He strolled toward his truck with a long-forgotten smile.

  JUDD PARKED BEHIND WALKER at the Southern Cross. Getting out of his truck, he said, “Let’s go inside. We need to talk.”

  Walker followed him into the study, where Judd grabbed the bourbon and two glasses. “How about a drink?”

  “No, thanks,” he replied. “With two kids, I’ve had to cut back.”

  Judd placed the bottle on the desk and eased into his chair. “I know what you mean. I’ve been drinking a hell of a lot lately.”

  “When Trisha left me and the kids, I thought liquor could solve all my troubles. But I soon found out that wasn’t the answer. My kids needed me, even though at times my daughter seems to hate me.”

  “How’s the situation now?”

  “After living in Houston, my daughter despises Hicksville, as she calls it. My son just wants his mama.”

  Judd knew that feeling and had an urge to reach for the bottle. He didn’t. “That’s rough,” he replied, eyeing the amber liquid. “Have you divorced Trisha?”

  “Yep.” Walker folded his hands between his knees. “When your wife runs off with another man, it’s a safe bet the marriage is over. I mailed the divorce papers to her sister in Lubbock, like Trisha requested. It’s officially over. But it’s hell trying to explain that to my kids.”

>   “I’m glad you came home to High Cotton.”

  “Me, too.” Walker smiled slightly. “It’s good being back with old friends.” The smile widened. “In high school we were something. Judd and Walker—the studs.”

  “That was just hype.”

  “Yeah.” Walker rubbed his hands. “But as teenagers without a clue, we ate it up.”

  Old memories mingled with the quiet in the room.

  “So what do you want me to do about the calf?” Walker asked, and held up a hand. “And just so we’re clear—I’m not taking that calf away from Caitlyn. You’ll have to do that one yourself.”

  “Afraid she’ll pull a gun on you?”

  “Hell, no. It’s that sister of hers and the evil eye she keeps giving me. She’s treating that calf like a baby, and she looks at me as the enemy.”

  Judd laughed. “Maddie’s an angel.”

  “Yeah, right.”

  Judd leaned forward. “Forget about the calf. I’m more concerned how that heifer got out of the pen and so far away without anyone noticing.”

  “You think something fishy is going on?”

  “You bet I do. See what you can find out about Brahman heifers being sold at any auction barns across the state, even private buyers. Every one of my heifers has a Southern Cross brand, so it shouldn’t take long to find out if they’ve been sold without my permission.”

  “I’ll get on it first thing in the morning.” Walker stood. “I might even make some calls tonight.”

  “Thanks. I appreciate it.”

  “Any idea who’d have enough nerve to do such a thing?”

  “Harland.” Judd pushed himself to his feet and stretched his shoulders. “He’s resented me since my father’s death. He thought I would give him free rein with the ranch, as my dad had. I told him things were going to be different and I wanted to be consulted on everything. He wasn’t happy, and I think he’s trying to show me I don’t run this ranch. I will now be checking the books and every aspect of this operation.”

  “Watch your back.”

  “Will do.”

  Judd sank into his chair, staring at the bourbon bottle. But what he saw were blue forget-me-not eyes. And they were smiling.

  THE HOUSE WAS QUIET as Cait sneaked down the stairs. She tiptoed to the kitchen and slipped out the back door.

  At the barn, she sat in the hay, watching the baby calf, which Cooper had put in one of the horse stalls. The animal was sleeping, his head curved to the side. He was going to make it. Some good had come out of this day.

  She’d been so scared facing Harland. She still wasn’t sure what she would have done if the cowboy had crossed the fence. Shooting a person, even if he was as mean as a rattlesnake, was a whole different deal—and came with a whole different realm of emotions.

  It ain’t women’s work.

  A hiccup of laughter left her throat. Nope. Glancing up, she saw the red high heel on the shelf, highlighted by the single lightbulb hanging from the rafters. She closed her eyes and envisioned herself in Judd’s arms, dancing close together.

  She swayed slightly to the music in her head, remembering the touch of his hands, his lips.

  “Caitlyn.”

  She opened her eyes and Judd stood there. She blinked and glanced around. Was she dreaming?

  “I saw the light and figured you were here checking on the calf.”

  “Yeah.” Scooting up against the wall, she brushed back her long hair. She should have known he wouldn’t just forget about the situation.

  “How’s he doing?”

  “I think he’s going to live.”

  Judd removed his Stetson and eased down by her. She wished he hadn’t. A tantalizing woodsy scent pulled at her senses. At her heart.

  “What are we going to do about the calf?” he asked, placing his hat in the hay and resting his forearms on his knees.

  “He was birthed on my property and sired by my bull, so I believe that makes him legally mine.”

  “The birthing part is up for question. No one saw that, and his mother belongs to Southern Cross. Custody always goes to the mother.”

  “The cow is dead,” she pointed out.

  “So what do we do? King Solomon would suggest cutting the calf in half. At that, you’d fold like a green-horn in Vegas, so that pretty much gives me all the rights.”

  “Are you saying I’m weak?”

  They glared at each other. The glares turned to smiles and then laughter. “Whoever takes the calf has a lot of work ahead, what with feeding and care.”

  “You’re right,” he said. “You can keep him.”

  “Thank you very much.” She slapped Judd’s shoulder playfully. “We could make a toast, but I forgot to bring wine this time.”

  “There’s a better way to mark the agreement.” Judd slipped his hand around her neck and drew her forward, his lips lightly touching, caressing, driving her crazy. She opened her mouth and the kiss deepened to a level they both needed.

  “Caitie,” he murmured, and her body turned to liquid, flowing only for him, as it had so many years ago when he’d called her that.

  His fingers unsnapped her blouse and stroked her breast. Being deprived of him for so long, she felt as if she was drowning and he was the only one who could save her, with his touch, his hands.

  “Judd,” she whispered, and all her troubles, her worries, floated away.

  He pressed her down in the hay and her hands feverishly sought his chest, his muscles. Without a second thought, she pulled his shirt from his jeans, needing more of him.

  “Cait.” He caught her hands and sank back against the wall. “We have to stop.”

  She felt deprived, lonely and a little angry. Pulling her shirt together, she sat up.

  “We need to talk.” He expelled a taut breath.

  “Okay,” she heard herself say, but her body was still craving something it wasn’t going to get.

  He ran both hands through his tousled hair. “You made the right choice in leaving me fourteen years ago.”

  If the ground had opened up and swallowed her she wouldn’t have been any more surprised. He was apologizing—something she thought he would never, ever do.

  “How do you know that?”

  He picked up a blade of hay and studied it. “A lot of things. Getting to know you again and talking to my mom. My father drilled some hardcore beliefs into me at an early age, and I never saw life any differently.”

  She swallowed. “And you do now?”

  He fiddled with the straw. “I’m getting there. Slowly. I never thought I’d forgive my mother for leaving me when I was five.” He drew a hard breath. “But I have. I’m finally able to listen and understand her side—why she did what she did.”

  “Judd, that’s wonderful.”

  “All these years, the resentment kept building inside me, weighing me down, and when you left I thought you were just like my mother, and the weight became unbearable.”

  “Judd…”

  He tucked her hair behind her ear, and at the gentle touch, her voice faded away.

  “I couldn’t understand why the women in my life wanted to get away from me. I naturally thought it was their fault, but sometimes in life you have to stop and look at the whole picture.”

  “And what did you see?”

  His eyes met hers and she saw he was picturing the years, the good and the bad. A spiral of hope coiled around her heart.

  “If you had married me, your life would have been just like my mother’s. I would have controlled you, ruined your hopes and dreams, and within a year you would have bolted for freedom.”

  She trailed a finger down his nose. “You think so, huh?”

  He reached up and locked his fingers with hers. “I know so. My father was wrong in his treatment of my mother. I was wrong in my treatment of you.”

  “I never thought I’d hear you say that.”

  His hand tightened on hers. “I never thought I’d say it, either. I wanted you to pay for having the ga
ll to leave me.”

  “And now?” Her breath wedged in her throat.

  He released her hand. No. No. No.

  “As I said before, we can’t go back and change things. Now we go on with our lives. I have no doubt at the end of six months High Five will be in the black. Dane was wrong. You can run this ranch.”

  Any other time, those words would have warmed the cockles of her heart. But not today. They weren’t the words she wanted to hear.

  “What if the ranch is in the red?”

  “Then I’ll honor the contract I made with your father.”

  “So nothing has changed?”

  He dropped the straw with a sigh. “In that regard, no. Your father didn’t want you to spend the rest of your life running this ranch, out every day in the saddle under a scorching sun or in the bitter cold. He wanted you to have a husband and kids. He wanted you to be pampered and have the best things in life.”

  She clenched her hands. “I’ve heard that before.”

  “Don’t take this the wrong way, but what’s so wrong with that?”

  A hundred responses should have popped into her head, but only one made an appearance. “You think a woman’s place is in the home and not as an equal partner.”

  “No. I think Caitlyn Belle can do anything she wants and stand toe to toe with any man. It’s up to you to make up your mind what you really want.”

  Complete silence followed his words. Judd stretched his long legs out in front of him. The calf made a snoring sound and the night closed around them.

  “You know what I want?” he asked.

  “What?” She looked into his dark eyes and felt their magic.

  “I’d like to lay you down in the hay and make love to you.”

  Her breath caught. “I want that, too.”

  His eyes held hers. “Are you sure?”

  Say no. Just say no. Don’t put your heart on the line again. Of its own volition, her hand reached up to touch his roughened cheek.

  His eyes darkened to pitch-black. “Sweet Caitie, you’re so tempting.”

  Her pulse accelerated at the passion in his gaze and in his voice.