“Why didn’t you tell me?” she finally asked, her voice hushed. Eva didn’t turn to face him, her eyes still riveted on the landscape.
“There’s nothing to tell.”
“What about your mother?”
He frowned, fiddling with a piece of straw. “She’s sick is all.”
Eva shook her head. “That didn’t look like any kind of sickness I’ve ever seen. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say she looked ready to kill her own son.”
He shifted to his side, forcing her to do the same. “It ain’t your business, Eva Ford. Little girls shouldn’t be horning in on other people’s affairs anyhow.”
Colton didn’t need Eva raising a fuss in front of North, upsetting him further. They had a long trip ahead of them, and he wanted his personal mess left behind.
“I’m not allowed to care?”
“No.” He stepped away, massaging behind his neck with both hands. “Not about this.”
“Does it have something to do with your father leaving?”
Every muscle in his body tensed, his blood running cold. Why did she ask him such a question after all these years? He thought it was common knowledge that it was a forbidden topic. Colton had no plans or desire to talk about the deadbeat who’d left permanent scars on his body and soul. As much as Colton swore he hated the vicious man before he left, it was immeasurably more painful when he’d walked away.
“Eva, don’t,” he warned. He may love the little Ford girl, but she was pushing the envelope. “Subject is closed. All you need to worry about is Bessie and Ruby. Understand?”
Eva could never fathom what he was going through. She was born and raised by the best family he’d ever known. All she knew was kindness, safety, and unconditional love. The biggest obstacle in her life was getting her prized cows to the rodeo. She lived in a counterfeit paradise, oblivious to the real-life issues just next door, never mind around the world. It was the reason they couldn’t let her go to Chester alone.
Colton and North had been forced to man up as young men. They worked their land, supported their mother, and struggled to keep on the straight and narrow. Their mother was sliding down a slippery slope of addiction and refused to get help. Everything in their life was tainted in some unspeakable way. It was one of the reasons he was drawn to Eva. He felt that her light could somehow scare away a bit of the darkness surrounding him.
North rode up to the trailer on horseback, dismounting before stopping. “Everything’s secure at home. You ready to go?” His chin was up, his shoulders back. All his brother’s walls were firmly in place, a safety measure to avoid the pain. It was the same destructive cycle, and Colton wasn’t sure how much longer his twin could hold onto his own sanity.
They’d taken the car keys and filled the fridge and cupboards with food before leaving. God willing their mother would keep her promise to keep clean while they were away. It was tiring playing the parent to his own mother. He’d called their Aunt Laura to tell her they’d be gone the week. She promised to come check on their mother, and he prayed she’d listen to her sister’s advice to get clean.
“Trailers are hitched,” Colt confirmed.
“I’ll drive the trailer. You take Eva in her pickup.”
He knew North would avoid Eva like the plague after what she’d witnessed last night. North liked to play house, to pretend life was peaches and cream to everyone looking in. By ignoring their grim reality, he was essentially living a lie, his only happiness found in a fantasy world.
“Fine.” Colton found Eva around the corner and motioned for her to follow him. When they reached her truck, he beckoned for her keys.
“I can drive just fine, McReed.”
He waggled his fingers, not planning to head out until he had them in his hand.
She crossed her arms under her chest, and he looked away. “Part of the reason I’m going to the Chester is to prove to my daddy that I can take care of myself. I’m not getting any younger, and the thought of growing old alone doesn’t sit well with me. If he can’t see me as a woman, he’ll never let me grow up.”
“You saying he doesn’t approve of you taking a husband? You going to Chester to find yourself a man?”
Eva shook her head in exasperation. “Never mind. Let’s go.”
****
Eva ate some of the dried apples her mother had packed her. She watched the landscape change outside the passenger window, the farms getting smaller and towns larger. They’d already been driving for an hour.
“I’ve never been to the city,” she said, hoping to make some friendly conversation. It had been too quiet in the cab of the truck, and she wasn’t used to feeling uncomfortable around Colton.
“I know, Eva.”
So much for that.
“You don’t have to be mean.”
“I’m just tired. I’ll be happy when we get there, and ever happier when it’s all over with.”
She’d already decided not to mention what had happened the night before again, no matter how tempting. If the McReed brothers wanted the topic of their mother off limits, she had to respect that. It just seemed unnatural to ignore something so important. Eva had hoped they felt comfortable enough with her to tell her anything. She’d never judge them, never push them away.
Admittedly, she didn’t know much about their history even though she’d known them her entire life. Their father had walked out on the family over a decade ago. She’d seen their mother many times, but she mostly liked her solitary existence. She even refused to join the prayer group, ladies’ night, or the knitting club her mother belonged to, making excuses until no one bothered to invite her to anything. The brothers came to their house almost daily but never invited Eva over. Now she was beginning to understand why.
The McReed twins had a bad reputation around town. They were known as womanizers, brawlers, and drunks. Eva had a hard time believing a word of the gossip when they’d only been loving and patient with her. Her father trusted them unconditionally, despite the other cowboys in town warning him to keep them away from his only daughter.
“You didn’t come in for breakfast today. You hungry?” she asked.
“I’m fine.”
Eva punched Colton in the arm, garnering his full attention. He alternatively watched the road and her. “What was that for?”
“Stop being a jerk. We’re going to be stuck together for a week, and I refuse to be at each other like cats and dogs. If it were up to me I would have come alone.”
He shook his head. “That wasn’t gonna happen. Besides, your father wouldn’t have allowed it.”
“After he talked with you,” she reminded.
“The city is no place for a country girl.”
Eva huffed, but she also felt the tension slipping away. Playful banter she could handle, but having a rift between her and Colton or North was too much. Besides her parents, they were all she had.
“We’ll see.” She pulled up her legs and cuddled on her seat. The fields hurried by the window, an endless blur of greens and golds. She’d barely slept all night, replaying the terrifying events at the McReed home over and over in her head. The drone of the engine lulled her until her eyes were too heavy to keep open.
She was woken by the sound of a door closing. After a brief bout of confusion, she sat up straight and looked out windows. There were people everywhere. She’d never seen so many people in one place in all her life. The rodeo was even busier than her father’s corn roasts. Colton had parked the truck, leaving her alone in the cab. The area was laden with livestock trailers and pick-ups. She was glad the brothers were with her because she wouldn’t have a clue where to start. Eva began to think Chester was out of her element.
She hopped out of the truck and looked around for North and the trailer. She saw it parked a few down the line. She adjusted her ponytail and took in her surroundings. There were horns, loud speakers, music, and cattle clamoring. Vendors lined the streets selling everything from event tickets to hotdogs. The sc
ent of popcorn and caramel filled the air. She was star struck, walking in a daze along the dirt path as she took in all the sights, sounds, and smells.
“Lost?”
She turned around and found a seasoned cowboy approaching from behind. He had chocolate brown hair and squinty green eyes. Her heart did a little flip when he tipped his Stetson in greeting.
“I’m new. I’m entering my cows in a competition.” She continued forward, pointing to her trailer.
“Can I have a look?”
Eva smiled and unhooked the back door of the trailer, proud to show off Bessie and Ruby. “Let me know what you think,” she said, waving him to enter the tight confines of the trailer with her.
He stepped up, his leather boots creaking, and he patted Bessie as he settled in beside her. “These are big girls. Very nice.”
“I’d love to place…even if it’s just a ribbon.” She turned slightly in his direction, taking the cowboy in from head to toe as discretely as possible. His cologne was rich and musky. His Wranglers were worn with age and low on his hips. “Are you riding?”
“Plum near every day.” He shifted his stance and leaned against the side of the trailer, looking directly down at her. “You’re the prettiest little thing I’ve seen in a long time. Just gorgeous.”
She knew her face was heating and turning every shade of red. It wasn’t often a man paid her a compliment. Around town, she was just one of the locals, invisible to the opposite sex. Men daring enough to pay her mind were usually scared off by Colton or North. She liked this new attention.
“My name’s Wade, by the way. What’s yours, sweet thing?” He took a section of hair from her long ponytail and felt it between two fingers. Eva froze.
She had to think for a minute before even remembering her name. “E–Eva,” she stammered, suddenly suffering from the worst case of dry mouth.
“You should come and watch me ride. I’ll be on tonight at six in the bull pit. I’d love to have you cheering me on. You’ll be my good luck charm.” He trailed the backs of his fingers along her jaw line. She leaned into his touch, nearly closing her eyes. Was she that starved for attention? It was only natural to feel desire for a man, she decided. She was no longer a girl, and women had needs.
The thunderous boom of the ramp dropping down into place made her jump. A very serious-looking North stared at her when she looked back.
He hopped up into the trailer, coming into Wade’s personal space. “Can I help you?”
“Eva was just showing me her prize cows.” He turned in her direction with a wink. “Which I’m sure will take first place.”
“You’re sure of that now, are you?”
“North, cut it out.” She shuffled out with Wade and promised to watch him at his event before he left. This could be the start of something big—true love, the passion of a lifetime.
When she returned to the trailer, Colton and North were both waiting for her. “Shouldn’t we be unloading them?” she asked, hoping to avoid an uncomfortable conversation about the birds and bees. “I have to turn them in and get registered.”
Colton ignored her, looking at the path Wade had just taken. “Who was that?”
“That was my new friend…Wade.”
“Wade have a last name?”
She shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. I’m sure I’ll find out next time I see him.”
“There won’t be a next time, Eva.” North crowded her against the side of the trailer, bracing his arm near her head. “You need to stay close to us and stop talking to strangers. You think Wade gives two shits about you or Bessie? All he cares about is what’s between his legs.”
“You’re gross!” She tried to wriggle away, but he wouldn’t have it.
North’s voice softened. “I’m only looking out for you.”
“He said I was gorgeous.”
Colton chuckled. “He says that to anything with two legs and a pigtail, I promise you that.”
Eva’s mood soured. Wade had built her up so high in just a few minutes. She was soaring in the clouds. He was sincere and friendly, not looking to get into her pants. Not every man was a pig. But in a second she was brought down to Earth by the unforgiving McReed brothers and their seeds of doubt. Why couldn’t they be happy for her? Just because they didn’t see the value of taking wives for themselves, didn’t mean she wanted to be alone forever, too.
“He likes me,” she insisted. “Have you never heard of love at first sight?”
“You’re in love now, are you, little one?” asked Colton, humor in his tone.
She shrugged.
“Horny cowboys are a dime a dozen at these rodeo events. Guarantee you he’s already forgotten your name, darlin’.”
“Thanks a lot, Colt. Just help me get the cows out.”
Eva wasn’t naïve enough to give her heart to the first stranger she came across, but she wasn’t going to throw away any opportunities either. Wade was handsome and made her feel attractive and desirable. Just thinking of seeing him again at his bull riding event made her stomach flutter. She wondered if the McReed brothers would be a wrench in her plans the entire week.
After getting the animals checked into the holding paddock for new arrivals, they had to line up at the registration desk set up just outside a large barn. It was a mad house, people arguing and shoving, cursing and threatening. Eva kept her mouth shut and stayed safely between Colton and North. There was a makeshift tarp set up to keep the direct sunlight off everyone waiting in line, but the rays still managed to get to where she was standing.
Another thing she noticed were the number of buckle bunnies hanging around the periphery, just waiting to sink their claws into an unsuspecting cowboy.
One of them wore a barely-there shirt, showing off her midriff. Her jean shorts didn’t even cover her whole rear end. Eva knew the woman wasn’t a real cowgirl because her boots didn’t have a scuff on them and her make-up and hair were coiffed to perfection. It was all an illusion, a trap to snag her prey.
Eva didn’t wear make-up. If she was lucky, she remembered to put on moisturizer in the morning. Her mother frequently told her about the benefits of keeping the skin supple and natural. When she noted Colton and North whispering and gawking at the scantily-clad women, she looked down at herself and began to feel self-conscious. Her jeans were fitted but worn out, and her blouse covered all her skin except her forearms. But Wade seemed to think she looked good enough, and that’s all that mattered. She hoped he didn’t judge a woman by the size of their chest like the twins. They were so busy staring at all the cleavage that she had to prod them to move forward in the line every time it shortened.
After registering, they unhitched the trailer in the large field on the perimeter of the main event areas. Colton fell asleep within half an hour of entering the camper, and North rummaged through the small fridge. They’d had a long day and early start. Now it was almost dinner hour.
“I can’t believe they made us come here today when the event doesn’t start for five days,” she said. “You could have had all that time to work your fields.” She felt bad forcing the brothers to be idle when they had a massive workload back home. But they were the ones insisting on accompanying her.
“Everyone has to register today, Eva. If they don’t, they’re out,” said North.
They sat on either side of the small laminated table. North bit into an apple, the crunch obscenely loud in the small trailer. He wouldn’t look her in the eyes, obviously still upset due to the drama from yesterday.
“You’re still mad at me.”
He scowled. “I’m not mad at you.” After another bite of apple, he continued, “I just wish you hadn’t come over without asking.”
“Like you? You must crawl in through my window at least twice a week. Sometimes I don’t even know you’re in my room until I climb into bed.”
“That’s different.”
“Really? How so?”
He leaned back in his chair, some of this stiffness softened
. “You don’t have any skeletons in your closet.”
“I have plenty.”
His interest piqued, an eyebrow lifting. “You turn red as a lobster when someone says the word shit in front of you.”
“Do not!”
“You’re a good girl, Eva. Don’t try to deny it.” He tossed his apple core on her side of the table.
“Jerk.” And just like that they were back to normal. They could never stay mad at each other. North settled his head on his bend arm and fell asleep just before her eyes became too heavy to keep open.
Chapter Four
“Where’s Eva?” North woke up to the wash of pink across the table. The sun was setting, darkness stealing the last bit of daylight. He’d checked the trailer, only to find Colton asleep in the upper bunk, his big feet dangling off the end.
“She ain’t up here.” Colton rolled over, uninterested.
“It’s after eight. Fuck!”
He looked out the windows. Chinese lanterns were strung outside the makeshift trailer park. A bon fire blazed in the near distance, and a gunshot rang off. All the rodeo riders and drifters were getting ready for a night of debauchery. And little Eva was out there somewhere.
Colton climbed down, rubbing his eyes, his dirty-blond hair sticking up in every direction. “What time is it?”
“I already said it’s after eight. Eva ain’t here. God knows what trouble she’s gotten herself into.” North remembered the look of lust on that drifter’s face earlier in the day. Even worse was the way Eva fell for his charms like a calf to the slaughter. All he could think about was knocking that cowboy into next week for looking at Eva with those wicked eyes.
“We’ll take a walk. There are only so many places she could be at this hour.”
After donning heavy plaid coats to keep out the evening chill, they headed out on foot to look for Eva. They came on the trip to protect Eva. They’d promised Mr. Ford that not a hair on her head would be out of place, and on the first night they’d lost her.
Cowboys Mine Page 3