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

by Maggie Carpenter

  “You are? Chad, I’m so relieved. I know I totally supported you when you went ahead, it’s too much, you can’t do it all.”

  “You’re right, I can’t, and I don’t want to. It’ll cost me but it’s worth it.”

  “You’re not shutting down everything are you?”

  “Hell no, just the expansion. I had a very successful thing, and that’s what I’m goin’ back to. I let myself get talked into tryin’ to create a cowboy Ralph Lauren, that’s what they called it.”

  “You already are a cowboy Ralph Lauren,” she grinned.

  “You think?” he chuckled.

  “Hell yeah! You’re the sexiest, best dressed cowboy I’ve ever seen.”

  He laughed out loud, and their mood was light as they entered the outskirts of the town where the show was being held, but when the big tent come into view Cassie felt her pulse quicken.

  Slowing the car Chad skirted the grounds until Cassie spotted Randy’s green and white awning showing them where his horses were being housed.

  “And there’s his trailer,” she pointed.

  A horse van similar to Chad’s, though smaller, was parked against a fence, and pulling into the field Chad stopped the Mustang close by.

  “How do we find him?” Chad asked. “This place is huge. How many rings are here?”

  “Four I think,” she answered as she climbed from the car. “Finding him won’t be a problem. We’ll just go to this tent and ask.”

  Mickey jumped out, and assuming the show had the normal leash policy, Chad put on his collar and lead, and they began walking across to Randy’s area. As they approached they saw several young girls in their show clothes, running around, squealing happily.

  “I’ll bet someone’s just won a championship,” Cassie remarked.

  “They look so adorable in their boots and breeches,” Chad chuckled.

  “Excuse me,” Cassie said, interrupting their play, “do you know where Randy is?”

  “Yeah, he’s over in the warm-up ring with Amanda,” the girl panted.

  “What’s the celebration?” Cassie asked.

  “Susie is show champion,” the girl grinned.

  “For the whole show?” Chad asked, his eyes wide.

  “No,” Cassie laughed, “don’t you remember? There are divisions, she’s show champion for her division. It’s still a big deal.”

  “Apparently,” Chad remarked, watching the girls as they continued their jubilant revelry.

  “The warm-up ring’s this way,” Cassie said, “just follow me.”

  Walking through the various barns, passing the many horses, trainers and riders, Chad kept Mickey close to his leg.

  “I’d forgotten what mayhem this is,” he remarked, “and I didn’t realize this was such a big event.”

  “The biggest until the last one of the season next month. This show is kind of the warm-up to that one. Don’t you remember how crazy it was when you were with me last year? You should, you were doing performances there.”

  “I do,” he nodded.

  The warm-up ring came into view, and they could see Randy standing next to a jump, instructing a rider as she galloped up and over it.

  “That was nice,” Cassie commented. “I wish it was me.”

  “You okay?” Chad asked.

  “Kind of, I’ve got goosebumps, and I feel a bit weird in my stomach.”

  He put an arm around her and squeezed her protectively.

  “It’ll be okay,” he whispered, then kissing her cheek he dropped his arm to hold her hand.

  They waited until they saw Randy walk to the out-gate, then hurried around the ring to intercept him.

  “Hey, glad you could make it,” he smiled as they approached. “Great to see you.”

  He hugged Cassie, lifting her off her feet, and shook Chad’s hand.

  “How busy are you?” Cassie asked. “Do you have many classes this afternoon?”

  “One now, then a break for an hour or so, then two at the end of the day.”

  “Can I have you for part of that break?” she asked.

  “Sure, of course, I definitely want to catch up,” he replied. “You can come with me now and watch this class if you want.”

  “Uh, no, we’ll just meet you back at the tent,” she said quickly. “I want to have a wander through the vendors with Chad.”

  “Sure. See you back there in a bit,” he nodded, and walked briskly away to catch up to his rider.

  “He thinks we’re here to keep me away from home, right?” Chad asked.

  “Right, though, if I’m being totally honest, he’s been a bit more involved than that,” she replied.

  “How?”

  “Sorry, I can’t tell you,” she said shaking her head.

  He grunted something she didn’t understand and chose to ignore, then taking his hand she led him to where the sales trailers were set up.

  The horse show had a number of vendors selling everything from saddles and bridles, artwork and clothing. Cassie found a belt she liked, and Chad bought a thick, short riding crop, it’s tongue in the shape of a hand.

  “What’s that for?” she asked, a slight blush moving across her face.

  “Exactly what you think,” he grinned, and lowering it down he tapped her butt, then finding an outside cafe they settled into a table. Chad bought them coffee and some muffins, then found a plastic dish to give Mickey some water.

  “This is so relaxing,” Cassie sighed. “It’s such a break, and it’s kind of nice being at a show without the pressure of riding.”

  “Yeah, it’s good to unwind,” Chad sighed. “Real good, even Mickey seems to be enjoying it.”

  Mickey had laid down under the table and was happily watching the passersby.

  “How long were you planning to keep me away from home?” he asked.

  “I was hoping we’d drive back no sooner than Wednesday, but I guess it doesn’t matter if we get back tomorrow. One day won’t make that much difference. In a perfect world we’d be gone, maybe, two weeks.”

  “What? Two weeks? What the hell are you up to?”

  “Never mind,” she said haughtily.

  “We’ll stay over at Rose’s ranch tonight and head back tomorrow. I can’t wait to see what this surprise is, and besides, I need to make an appearance at the clinic.”

  “Um, you don’t have to worry about that,” Cassie grinned.

  “What exactly do you mean?” he frowned, leaning across the table.

  “Don’t look so worried,” she laughed. “Marty has taken the group out on a four day trail ride across the back hills. They would have left this morning.”

  “Wait, so Marty is in on this surprise as well?”

  “He is, I couldn’t have done it without him, and it’s a win/win, because with him gone Hannah can get their house back in order. You don’t know this but she had a terrible time trying to cater that party. She had to throw in the towel.”

  “I’ve only been gone for two days!” he exclaimed. “How can all this have happened? Why didn’t I know about any of it?”

  “You didn’t need to,” she sighed, “and you would have asked too many questions. We can still go home, but you won’t be going back to a bunch of clients and lunches and lessons.”

  “Damn, girl,” he said, shaking his head. “We’re definitely goin’ back. I need to see what this surprise is all about. You’ve involved everyone, even Randy who doesn’t even live there.”

  “Oh, look,” she declared, “it’s him. Hey, Randy, we’re over here.”

  Grateful for the interruption she jumped from her chair and ran across to grab him.

  “I guess that’s our coffee break done,” Chad murmured, and was about to get up when he saw Randy and Cassie were heading back to him.

  “I could use some coffee myself,” Randy declared

  . “I’ll get it,” Chad said, standing up. “You want more, Cassie.”

  “Yes, please,” she nodded, and settled back into her chair.


  “So…what is you want to talk to me about?” Randy asked, sitting next to her.

  “Randy, I’m not sure how to tell you this…” she frowned.

  “From the look on your face it’s serious. Just tell me, and if I can help I will,” he said quietly.

  “It’s about my riding,” she began.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  As Randy sipped his coffee, Cassie held Chad’s hand as she tearfully recounted her fear that she’d never have the nerve to jump high again. When she’d finished Randy leaned back in his chair, pondering her story.

  “First things first. Let’s get you up in the saddle. I need to see you ride before anything else,” Randy said firmly. “I’ll put you on Beau Chavall. He’s big, but I’ve been using him as a kid’s jumper. He’s smooth as silk and safe as houses.”

  “I’m not sure, but if you think so,” she said tentatively.

  Randy was shocked by her reticence; the Cassie he knew would and could ride anything.

  “Yes, I’m sure,” he said confidently.

  They walked back to his barn area, and while she ran to the Mustang to grab her riding gear, Randy pulled Chad aside for a quiet word.

  “Ask her if she wants you to stay while I work with her,” Randy said solemnly. “If she’s indecisive then leave, but watch from somewhere so if something happens you can come running.”

  “What do you mean, if something happens? You don’t mean she might take a tumble?” Chad asked, deeply concerned. “That’s the last thing she needs.”

  “No, not for a minute, I wouldn’t have suggested she get on if I thought that, but she might panic and suddenly pull up and jump off. I’ve seen it before. I don’t think she will, but if she does you should be there for her.”

  “Yep, that I get, okay.”

  “What are you two deep in conversation about,” Cassie asked walking towards them, carrying her garment bag and boots.

  “You, of course,” Chad said honestly. “Do you want to me stay and watch?”

  “Uh, yes, no, yes, I don’t know,” she said quickly. “Sorry, I don’t know.”

  “I think I’ll take another wander through those vendors,” he smiled. “Probably best if I leave you in Randy’s capable hands. I might be tempted to interfere.”

  “Um, okay. I’ll call you when we’re done,” she said, a nervous smile crossing her lips.

  “Sounds good,” Chad said casually, and unable to stop himself he grabbed her, and hugging her tightly he had to swallow back the heat in his throat.

  “He’s crazy about you,” Randy sighed, watching the cowboy march away. “It must be tough to be that self-assured and talented and not be able to help you.”

  “He does help me, he did help me,” Cassie said pensively.

  “Of course, but not practically, not like I can. It must be killing him.”

  “Huh, I never thought about that,” she frowned.

  “Kind of like, being a tailor but your wife needs shoes. Does that make any sense?”

  “Yeah, kinda it does,” Cassie nodded, then looking up at him, she murmured, “Randy, can you really help me?”

  “Of course,” he assured her, exuding confidence, “if you do exactly what I tell you. Remember what got you here?”

  “I didn’t listen,” she said sheepishly, feeling like a schoolgirl.

  “Exactly, and do you think you’re the only rider in the word to take a tumble and have residual fear?”

  “Probably not,” she sighed.

  “So, come on, let’s get you on board, and remember, do exactly what I tell you.”

  He walked down the aisle and pulled a dapple grey gelding from its stall. The horse was big and solidly built.

  “Wow, he’s gorgeous,” Cassie smiled. “What’s his breeding?”

  “I have no idea. I found him in a backyard, something that used to be your speciality,” he smiled. “I think he has some draft in him,” Randy continued as he led him to the cross-ties. “Nothing fazes him, and he’s real scopey over fences so he must have some jumping stock in him.”

  Randy put on the horse’s tack while Cassie ducked into the tent to change, and as she walked out and saw the handsome gelding she broke into a smile.

  “You are really a good looking horse,” she muttered, and walking across she waited, starting to feel some nerves, for Randy to put on his bridle.

  “I wish we were at your barn, or mine,” she remarked. “There are so many people in the warm-up ring.”

  “We’re not going to the warm-up ring,” he declared, “come on, I’ll give you a leg-up.”

  “We’re not? Then, where?” she asked as he hoisted into the saddle.

  “I’m taking you to the indoor arena,” he replied as she settled and picked up the reins. “There’s no-one there. The manager is a friend of mine, Kevin Brandt, you might remember him, anyway, I know he’ll let us use it. I’ll call him right now just so he knows I’m bringing you over.”

  Randy made his call as they walked through the grounds, and Cassie took deep breaths, doing her best to relax. By the time they’d made it through the expansive show grounds she was feeling calmer and at home on Beau’s back. When they approached the arena the manager was waiting, and he greeted Randy enthusiastically, recognizing Cassie immediately.

  “You showed here a lot,” he smiled at her. “Good to see you again.”

  “You too,” she nodded, though she didn’t remember him at all.

  “Thanks, Kevin,” Randy said quickly, and jogged into the ring to set up the jump he was planning to use. “Come on, Cassie, start trotting around.”

  Randy knew the show world had a grapevine, and the last thing he wanted was for Kevin to bring up Cassie’s fall the previous year.

  As Chad had walked through the vendors he’d been able to keep track of Cassie as she’d made her way through the crowd. Beau Chavall was a big-boned dapple grey, and stood out in the sea of navy and dark green riding jackets. As he’d watched them head through an empty field, it became clear they were walking towards the indoor arena.

  He’d made a purchase, a surprise for Cassie, and when he was sure they were inside he jogged across the field and stopped just inside the doors. Standing in the shadows he knew he wouldn’t be seen, but he had a clear view, and could see that Randy had set up a low vertical; Cassie was already cantering around in a circle and jumping it.

  “You look as balanced as you ever did,” Randy said, his voice echoing through the empty space. “Your leg isn’t moving, you look great.”

  “It’s not that I haven’t be riding and jumping, I just can’t do anything over three feet,” she called back as she cantered around him.

  “Just keep going, keep everything the same,” he instructed.

  Cassie jumped the low fence again, and as she cantered past him he quickly lifted the rail up a hole, a small distance of three inches. Standing back, Randy watched her round the apex of the circle, then cantering forward, sail over it without missing a beat.

  “How many times am I going to do this?” she called.

  “Just keep going,” he said sternly. “Do exactly what I tell you.”

  “Sorry,” she yelled as she turned yet again, riding up to the same jump for the third time.

  “Don’t be sorry,” he yelled back, lifting the rail another three inches after she’d cleared it, “just listen.”

  Randy continued the exercise; Cassie would canter the same circle, jumped the fence twice, then Randy would raise the pole.

  “How high is that now?” Cassie called as she landed. “He feels great.”

  “Never mind how high it is, just stay steady on that same track and keep jumping.”

  Watching from the shadows Chad’s heart was in his mouth. The jump was starting to look big, really big.

  Just keep the faith, she looks fantastic, Randy knows what he’s doing, that horse is clearing it no problem.

  So it continued until the pole was at three feet six inches. She’d jumped it several t
imes without flinching, and saying a silent prayer to the horse Gods Randy lifted the rail not three more inches, but six. It was at four feet, and standing back he too held his breath.

  If Cassie stayed steady and didn’t interfere with the horse, if they reached the same perfect takeoff point, if Beau jumped as he’d been jumping, she’d clear it with no problem.

  There were a lot of ‘if’s’, and though he knew Cassie would feel a shot of adrenalin as she approached, he believed it would all come together and Cassie will have defeated her fear.

  Cassie knew the last few times over, the fence had been much higher than she’d dared jump since Shelby had slipped and rolled on top of her.

  She’d felt Beau’s lift, the exaggerated roundness of his back, and his hind end kick up to avoid rolling the rail, but when she’d heard the clink of the cup holders as Randy raised it one more time, she took a deep breath.

  Keep going, stay steady, just keep going.

  Beau was galloping around the circle, and though the horse felt solid underneath her, as she turned to go forward to the jump, she saw the new height of the rail and she tensed. Her heart banged in her chest, and as the horse pricked its ears and the jump loomed in front of her, Randy’s strong, determined voice hit her ears.

  “Stay the same, stay the same, you’re good. Stay the same. You’re good.”

  The horse was thundering forward, she was in position, the jump was closing in.

  Fuck, fuck, fuck.

  “You’re perfect, stay the same.”

  Suddenly they were in the air, the horse was flying, she was flying, everything was in perfect unison, and as she landed on the other side she let out a shriek of joy and felt hot tears spark to life.

  “Great, stop,” Randy called. “That was great, you were great.”

  Slowing Beau to a trot, then stopping him, she slipped from the saddle and burst out laughing, even though tears were spilling from her eyes.

  “Fuck, fuck, I did it, I did it, fuck. How big was that?” she gasped as Randy jogged up to her. “Three six?”

  “What? Three six? Three six is for babies, that was four feet,” Randy exclaimed.