THE COWBOY'S RULES: 3: THE SURPRISE (Cowboys After Dark Book 6)

by Maggie Carpenter

  “Goodness, I didn’t expect to see you all decked out,” Rose tittered.

  “Just clothes that look good in the lights,” he chuckled. “They’re not that comfortable, especially since I’ve put on a few pounds since last year.”

  His humor put them at ease, and asking Cassie to join them, he pulled them away from the distraction of the rig; he could see neither Rose or Clyde could pull their eyes off their suddenly docile mare.

  “Your seats are just inside the arena,” Chad began. “That security guard, the one with the orange vest, he’ll take you to them. After the interval Cassie will have Willow waiting in the wings, and it will be really obvious when you’re to enter with her.”

  “So, the announcer will say it?” Rose asked.

  “No, I will, I’ll say something like…to demonstrate how to help a horse with this problem I have a volunteer, a local lady, Rose Thomas, and her horse, Willow, something like that, and then you take the lead rope from Cassie and come on in.”

  “I’m not sure she’ll be calm enough,” Rose said fearfully. “I mean, with all the lights, and things around, and all the people. She can be so spooky,”

  Chad appreciated the woman’s nervousness, and understood why she was so concerned.

  “Cassie, why don’t you walk in with Rose and Willow, so if anything happens you’ll be right there to help if its needed.”

  “That would be good,” Rose nodded, “that would be really good.”

  “Of course I will,” Cassie smiled.

  “Then I’ll ask you to try to put the bridle on, and Willow will back up and lift her head, right?”

  “Yes,” Rose nodded,“that’s exactly what she does.”

  “And if you touch her ears?”

  “Oh, that’s bad, she really throws up her head, it’s just terrible.”

  “Don’t you worry, Rose, Willow will be Willow the Wonder, not Willow the Witch in no time,” he promised. “I have to leave, but just go to that security guard and he’ll take you to your seats. If you have any questions find Cassie, and if she can’t answer them she’ll find me.”

  “My goodness, this is just too exciting for words,” Rose declared. “Thank you so much.”

  “Come on now, Rose,” Clyde interjected, speaking for the first time. “Chad’s a busy man, let’s go and have that man take us to our seats.”

  “Of course, yes,” Rose nodded. “See you later.”

  As Cassie watched them head off, she looped her arm through Chad’s elbow.

  “See that?” she said softly. “You’re going to make that woman very happy, and turn a wicked witch back into the sweet mare it wants to be. This is so right, Chad, so utterly and completely right.”

  Turning around and staring down at her, he ran his hand down her hair.

  “What’s right is you, is us, and yep, this. I owe you, Cassie.”

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  After escorting a trembling Rose and an edgy Willow into the arena, Cassie walked briskly back into the wings to watch. Chad did a quick interview, asking Rose some general questions, then asked her to put on Willow’s bridle. The horse did exactly what Rose had described; threw up her head and backed away. When Rose attempted to touch her ears, the horse swing its head, its jaw swinging perilously close to Rose’s face.

  A smiling Chad took the lead rope, asking Rose to hold on to the bridle for the moment, and began chatting amicably to the large crowd.

  Standing in the wings Cassie shook her head in wonder.

  It’s as if he’s talking to a single person. How does he do that? He’s really funny, and yet he’s educating everyone, and he’s holding on to Willow as if she’s standing completely still, not spooking and dancing like she is.

  She watched, amazed, as he kept Willow walking around him the entire time, as if Willow was an extension of his body, not a nervous, 1000 lb animal, and the more he walked and talked the more relaxed Willow became; her head began to drop, and the odd noise, applause or laughter from the audience became a nonevent.

  My gosh, Chad, I’ve seen you work with horses all this time, and you still take my breath away.

  He began to rub the horses mane, which Willow found very enjoyable, and almost like an accident his hand brushed over one of the horse’s ears; his fingers didn’t hesitate or linger, but like a momentary breeze simply floated across the horse’s head.

  Cassie hadn’t seen the technique, none of the horses on the ranch had issues with their ears, and like every other audience member she was drawn in.

  Chad repeatedly feathered his hand across the mare’s right ear, and after only a few minutes the horse was licking its lips, signaling her brain was connected; she was out of reaction mode and into thinking mode. A short time later, to everyone’s astonishment, he was purposefully touching her ear with no response.

  “As most of you know, a horse has two brains, one on each side of its head, so now I have to repeat this technique on the opposite side,” he announced.

  Chad worked with Willow for thirty, enthralling minutes, and by the time he’d finished he could put the bridle on her head and leave it hanging half-on and half-off, and the horse just stood quietly, not caring.

  He called Rose back into the ring and stood by as she caressed Willow’s ears, put the bridle on, and took the bridle off, and as she led a calm, happy Willow from the arena she was so completely overcome she was wiping tears of happiness from her face.

  “Cassie, how did he do that?” she blubbered. “I never thought my mare would be normal, not ever. I’m just so shocked and happy.”

  Rose’s joy brought a lump to Cassie’s throat, and she hugged the older woman warmly.

  “Chad is something special, that’s all I can say,” Cassie sighed. “It’s a technique, but with Chad it’s more than that. It’s as if he speaks horse, and what he tells them make them feel better.”

  “I’ll never be able to thank him enough,” she sniffled, her face brimming with joy.

  “It’s wonderful, sweetheart,” Clyde said, suddenly appearing beside her. “Let’s get you home and give you a brandy. You can collect Willow and put her in her paddock when they get back.”

  “Oh, Clyde, isn’t it just a miracle?” Rose exclaimed, “A brandy, yes, perhaps you’re right. I think I could use one.”

  Taking Willow’s lead rope, Cassie watched the couple walk away, Clyde’s arm around his longtime, cherished wife, and turning back around saw Chad was taking his final bow, Mickey at his side doing his extraordinary flips, then finally getting shot dead by Chad’s finger.

  “See you all next year,” Chad waved, and jogging from the ring he went straight to Cassie and kissed her lightly on the lips.

  “That went well,” he panted.

  “Well? Well? Chad, that was fantastic,” she declared.

  “Thanks, hon. I really enjoyed it. I need to get out of these clothes. I’ll see you at the rig,” and moving quickly through a small gathering of fans that had backstage passes, he disappeared into the trailer, Mickey glued to his side.

  As Cassie began leading Willow back to the horse van she noticed that Bailey and Captain had grown tired of their hay bales and were napping in the sun, and Mandy was sitting on the ramp, laying back on her elbows with her eyes closed.

  We’re all tired, it’s been quite the weekend.

  As she approached, Captain pricked up his ears, but Bailey paid them no attention.

  “I wish I could have seen all of Chad’s demonstration,” Mandy said sitting up and yawning. “Man that sun felt good.”

  “You missed the whole thing?” Cassie asked, securing Willow next to her hay net.

  “I took a few minutes a couple of times and dashed over to peek. I need him to teach me that stuff.”

  “Uh, not sure how he can do that with you in California,” Cassie smiled.

  “True,” Mandy sighed. “How did he learn it all?”

  “I think it’s just in him,” Cassie replied. “How you do what you do?”

>   “True again,” Mandy nodded, “and you, jumping those big fences, that’s breathtaking.”

  Cassie smiled and looked wistfully across to the trailer, knowing Chad was inside getting changed.

  I have to tell him, and I will, when we get back to the cabin I’ll tell him.

  As if on cue Chad appeared, but was immediately waylaid by Rick and Alan. Waiting impatiently Cassie watched them chat for a few minutes, then he finally began striding towards her.

  “Thank goodness, I want to get home,” she muttered.

  “I’ll start loading,” Mandy offered, and untying Captain she led him up the ramp and inside.

  “Are you ready to leave, Chad?” Cassie asked hopefully as he approached.

  “Yep, let’s get up and loaded. Rick and Alan have invited us to an early dinner, Mandy and Jennifer too, a kind of goodbye.”

  “Oh,” she frowned.

  “Is that, oh, a no?” he asked.

  “Maybe not, maybe after we get home and relax a bit I’ll feel like going,” she replied.

  He nodded and untied Bailey, taking up him the ramp, and Cassie followed with Willow, who had no problem following her calmly into the van. A few minutes later, as they drove home, Cassie leaned back on the seat and closed her eyes.

  This weekend has gone exactly as I’d hoped, even better. That little boy yesterday was a star, and Willow? I didn’t see that coming, and things are going to be incredible when we get home and Chad sees his surprise. I just have to share this thing with him, I have to fix it, I have to.

  “Hon? You okay?” Chad asked. “You’re so quiet.”

  “When we get back in the cabin I need to talk to you about something,” she murmured. “It’s a bit weird.”

  “Sure, of course,” he promised.

  Rose and Clyde were waiting for them as they rolled into the ranch. Rose was holding a wicker basket, and after the horses had been unloaded she handed it over to Chad.

  “Here are four jars of my three-berry jam I made especially for you,” she said proudly. “It always sells out at the church sale, and I know you’ll just love it. The berries grow right here on the ranch and I pick them myself.”

  “Oh, man,” Chad chuckled, “I haven’t had homemade berry jam since I was a kid. My mom used to make it. I’ll treasure this, thank you, Rose.”

  “When you run out you just let me know and I’ll ship you some more,” she promised. “What you’ve done for me and Willow, I just can’t thank you enough.”

  “You just keep workin’ those exercises I showed you and your mare will get better and better.”

  “God bless you, Chad Douglas, how can I ever repay you?”

  “It’s my pleasure,” he smiled, “though I do have a small favor to ask.”

  “Anything, anything at all,” Rose said enthusiastically.

  “Cassie and I would like to take the day off tomorrow. Would you mind throwing the boys some hay around lunchtime, and checking their water?”

  “Of course, we’d be honored,” Rose beamed.

  There were hugs all around, then Cassie and Chad led the horses to their paddocks, gave them their hay, and ambled back to their cabin.

  “I’m gonna take a shower, then you can tell me what’s on your mind,” Chad said as they walked in.

  “Okay, I’ll put the coffee on,” she replied, and waiting until she heard the shower running she sat down at the kitchen table, pulled out her phone and called Hannah.

  “Cassie, I’m so glad you called. How’s everything going?”

  “Really great,” Cassie replied. “What happened with the catering thing? Did you tell Marty? Did you manage to work everything out?”

  “You were right,” Hannah sighed. “He was so sweet and so understanding, and it’s all been taken care of. I’ll tell you the details when you get back.”

  “I’m glad to hear it. Now, you have to tell me, how’s my surprise for Chad coming along?”

  “You won’t believe it,” Hannah exclaimed. “Amazing, absolutely amazing. Marty is really excited. It’s incredible, honestly.”

  “Thank goodness,” Cassie sighed.

  “Are you okay?” Hannah asked. “You don’t sound like yourself.”

  “It’s a problem I’ve been dwelling on for a while, something that’s been bothering me.”

  “What is it? Can I help?”

  “No, I’m going to talk to Chad about it, right now as a matter of fact. The shower just stopped so he must be coming out. I’ll call you later, and tell Marty and Jeb I said hello.”

  “Will do, bye.”

  “Hey,” Chad smiled. “Is that coffee ready?”

  “Sorry, no, I called Hannah and got distracted,” she replied, and standing up she hurried to the counter and started a fresh pot.

  “Tell me what’s been eatin’ at you,” he said, walking up behind her and wrapping his arms around her shoulders.

  “It’s…disturbing…” she muttered.

  “Things usually aren’t as bad as we think they are,” he purred.

  “This is,” she groaned, turning around and laying her head against his chest.

  “Is it about the show, and Shelby?” he suggested, hoping to make it easier for her.

  “Yes, how did you know?”

  “It’s not brain surgery,” he smiled. “You fall into a funk every time I bring it up. What’s the deal?”

  She searched for the words, her face crinkling as she felt the onset of tears.

  “I…uh…I think I’ve, I can’t even say it,” she mumbled.

  “Do you want me to?” he asked gently.

  “You know?” she asked staring up at him.

  “Maybe. Were you going to say you think you’ve lost your nerve?”

  “Yes,” she replied, and breaking into sobs she buried her head in the hollow of his shoulder.

  “Hey, it’s okay,” he murmured.

  “I’m afraid, I’m afraid to jump anything high,” she stammered. “I want to, and I sort of can some days, but when I think about going in that ring…”

  “Shh,” he purred, feeling her body tremble against him. “I understand, I swear, I do. You’ll get past it, I promise, and I’ll help you. Randy will help you. Have you told him?”

  “No, I’ve been too embarrassed. I was his star, and now…”

  “That’s one of the reasons you want to see him tomorrow, not just because you wanted to keep me away from the ranch for this big surprise you have planned. Am I right?”

  “Yes, but I wasn’t sure…I’m still not sure…”

  “Sure about what?” Chad pressed.

  “If I can tell him,” she said, a fresh wave of tears taking hold.

  Moving her across the room he sat her on the couch and let her curl up in his lap.

  “Listen to me,” he said gently. “Randy’s a great trainer, and he’s been one for a long time. He’ll have seen this before and he’ll know what to do. I know this must be heartbreaking for you, I know that-”

  “It is, Chad, it’s heartbreaking,” she interrupted. “Jumping is my passion, like what you do is your passion. What if I can’t ever do it again? What if-”

  “Hey, stop that. You will, trust me, you will.”

  “I’m sorry, everything is going so well. I don’t mean to pop your balloon or bring things down,” she mumbled.

  “Cassie, for better or for worse. We haven’t said those words yet, but that doesn’t mean we don’t feel them already. You’re not bringin’ me down, not at all. I’m just glad you finally told me. You’ll jump big fences again, you will, just keep the faith.”

  Sighing heavily she snuggled closer and closed her eyes.

  “I want to believe you,” she whispered, “I really do.”

  “Trust Randy, trust me, you can get past this, I promise.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  Taking a taxi into town, Cassie and Chad joined the Rick and Alan for dinner, and Mandy showed up with a rare appearance from the usually shy Jennifer. With the tour safe
ly behind them there was a feeling of joyous celebration, and the wine flowed and food was devoured. When Cassie and Chad stumbled home later that night, drained and slightly drunk, in spite of Mickey’s excited welcome home and invitation to play, they fell into bed and passed out.

  Not having to get up early they relished the luxury of sleeping in, making leisurely love and dozing back off, until finally Chad made a move into the bathroom. As she laid in bed, listening to him humming under the shower, Mickey moved to the side of the bed whining for attention.

  “Come on then, five minutes,” she whispered.

  He jumped up next to her, licked her face, then lifted his paw, and sitting up she hugged him fiercely.

  “You are the best dog ever,” she declared.

  “Really?”

  Mickey leapt off the bed, and spinning around she saw Chad standing the bathroom doorway grinning down at her.

  “It’s not our bed, and you’re supposed to be in the shower,” she quipped.

  “I came out to invite you to join me,” he said, then marching forward he grabbed her hand, and yanking her from the bed he spanked her forward with one hand as he pulled her into the bathroom with the other.

  “OW, STOP,” she yelled.

  “You are such a brat,” he exclaimed, but he couldn’t stop laughing in spite of her blatant disobedience.

  After breakfast and checking on the horses, Cassie decided to take her riding clothes and boots.

  “I might need them,” she said hopefully. “If Randy’s going to help me I’ll probably end up on a horse.”

  “Makes sense,” Chad nodded.

  Mandy picked them up drove them into town where Chad rented a Mustang convertible for the drive to meet up with Randy.

  The week long event where Randy had taken a number of his junior riders was only an hour away, so Cassie suggested they take the scenic route through the countryside. Chad agreed immediately, and lowered the top on the car.

  “Chad, we need our Sunday’s back,” she said firmly as they began their drive. “You’ve been working seven days a week.”

  “I agree, and it’s going to be written in stone,” he declared. Reaching across he took her hand and kissed it. “No more craziness. I was just thinkin’ about it before, but now I’ve made the decision; I’m pullin’ the plug on the expansion of the clothin’ line.”