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

by Maggie Carpenter

  Chad had been watching, and as he saw Randy leading Shelby to the out-gate he thought he saw a small smile on his face.

  Damn, is he happy about this? Surely it means Cassie can’t do her class now.

  It took Randy a few minutes to reach him, and as he approached Chad looked him directly in the eye.

  “Why are you pleased about this?”

  “Was it that obvious?” Randy replied, shocked that Chad had seen his relief.

  “Probably not to anyone else.”

  Randy glanced across the ring, making sure Cassie was still searching for the shoe, then lowered his voice.

  “It’s a blessing. I just walked the jumper course. It would have been a struggle for Shelby. The lines are long, and the oxers are wide.”

  “So, what are you sayin’?” Chad asked, “that Shelby might have-”

  “I’m saying that the course and the way it’s been set wouldn’t have worked for her. Shelby is handy, she can turn on a dime, but she doesn’t cover the ground. Cassie has to hold her together and ride her to the base of the fence, then Shelby pops up and over them. The combination…that would have been trouble. Honestly, Chad, walking over here I was trying to figure out how I could get her to pull out, but knowing Cassie-”

  “Knowing Cassie she would have insisted on doing it anyway,” Chad sighed.

  “Exactly, now the problem is solved for us, and thank goodness,” Randy declared.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  Holding the twisted shoe in her hand as they walked back to the trailer, Cassie was near tears.

  “I’m so depressed,” she groaned. “I’ve worked so hard.”

  “Yep, I know, hon,” Chad said softly. “Sometimes these things happen-”

  “Please, don’t say for a reason, I’ll kill myself,” she retorted.

  “Easy there,” Chad said softly. “It’s trite, but it’s true.”

  “I can’t help it, I was so looking forward to this.”

  Reaching the trailer she undid Shelby’s girth and pulled off the saddle, while Chad removed the bridle and slipped on the halter.

  “I’m going home and getting drunk,” she announced, putting the saddle into the truck. “In fact, I must might stay drunk for days.”

  “There’s always Beau,” Randy said quietly.

  “What did you say?” Cassie asked, her eyes darting across to catch his.

  “Beau Chavall.”

  “What about Beau Chavall?” Cassie pressed.

  “Chad’s right, sometimes things happen for a reason, and to be honest the way those fences are set it would have been tough going for Shelby, but Beau would sail through it. He’s got a long stride and a big jump. That course is made for him.”

  “But Cassie’s only ridden him that one time,” Chad protested, not believing Randy would suggest such a thing.

  “But he’s so easy to ride, I can do it,” Cassie said excitedly feeling goosebumps. “I can, I know I can.”

  “Let’s tack him up and see how you do in the warm-up ring,” Randy suggested.

  “Yes!” she exclaimed, pumping her fist in the air.

  “Are you sure about this?” Chad asked warily.

  “I wouldn’t have suggested it if I wasn’t,” Randy replied.

  “I believe you, but at the same time I’m not convinced,” and I sure as hell wish we were climbing in my truck and headin’ home. My heart can’t take much more.

  “You can’t leave Shelby tied to the trailer while we go and get Beau and do the whole warm-up ring thing,” Randy remarked, “so why don’t you bring both Dominic and Shelby and we’ll put them in my stalls.”

  “Thanks, Randy, but I think I’ll call Marty and have him drive out here and pick them up.”

  “That’s a great idea,” Cassie said.

  “But it would be better if they can be in stalls until he gets here,” Chad said slowly, thinking it through.

  “Sure, no problem, bring them along,” Randy said. “I have plenty of room.”

  Locking up the truck and trailer, Chad left the keys on the front left tire, then leading the horses, they made their way to Randy’s barn.

  “This is all going to work out,” Cassie smiled as she and Chad put Shelby and Dominic in their temporary homes.

  “We’ll see,” Chad replied, “I’m not lettin’ anything happen to you.”

  “And nothing will,” she promised, then pecking him on the cheek she hurried to the cross-ties to help Randy with Beau.

  Watching her scurry away he shook his head, a worried frown crossing his face, then reaching into his pocket he pulled out his phone and called Marty.

  “Hey, Chad, how’s it goin’ over there?” Marty asked.

  “It’s complicated, but, in a nutshell Shelby’s tossed a shoe and it looks like Cassie’s gonna be ridin’ another horse in the jumper class. I need you to drive the Rover over here and trailer the horses back.”

  “Hannah and I were plannin’ on bein’ there to watch, so I’ll bring Jeb and he can drive the trailer back so we can stay, if that’s okay with you.”

  “Yep, sure, fine,” Chad replied, relieved the horses would soon be leaving and he could concentrate on Cassie. “I can’t leave them tied to the trailer, Shelby is just so damn fidgety, so they’ve been put in stalls at Randy’s barn.”

  After explaining where the trailer was parked, and how to find Randy’s particular area, he was about to say goodbye when he had a sudden thought.

  “And Marty, bring Mickey, make sure he has his collar and leash on, they’re hangin’ on the coat rack by the door.”

  “Will do,” Marty replied.

  Ending the call, Chad walked quickly back to join Cassie and the big grey gelding.

  “I love riding this horse,” she said happily as Randy hoisted her into the saddle. “He feels so solid.”

  “That’s the perfect word for him, solid,” Randy agreed. “He’s bomb proof, so head on out to the ring and start trotting. I’ll be there in five minutes.”

  As Cassie started walking away, Chad held back and pulled Randy aside.

  “You seem real confident about this, but like I said, she’s only ridden him that one time.”

  “Chad, that horse and Cassie are a match. He’s going to win that class, and do you know why I know that?”

  “Tell me,” Chad frowned, “please, tell me, ‘cos from where I’m standin’ it seems like a fool thing to do, goin’ into a class like that after just one ride.”

  “If there’s one thing Cassie knows how to do, it’s to be quiet, to stay out of a horse’s way. Leave him alone and Beau does his job. It’s that simple. All she has to do is point and shoot.”

  “And keep her nerve,” Chad added.

  “Uh, yeah, and keep her nerve,” Randy nodded, “and isn’t that what this is all about, Cassie proving to Cassie that she can keep her nerve?”

  Chad sighed heavily, and as was his habit when he was uncomfortable, he kicked the dirt under his feet.

  “Yep, I guess you’re right about that.”

  “She’s better off on Beau than she would have been on Shelby, that’s for sure,” Randy finished. “Keep the faith, don’t underestimate her. I have to make a mad dash to the show office, then I’ll see you at the ring.”

  Jogging to catch up with Cassie, he found her already trotting the big grey around the outer track of the warm-up ring, and stepping away from his emotion he watched the horse with his knowledgable eye.

  Beau had a long, smooth, beautiful way of moving, seeming to float over the ground. Chad could see the horse was balanced, and carrying himself in a perfect frame with ease, his head lowered, his neck round and regal, and his back legs under his hind-end powering him forward. Chad watched carefully as Cassie asked the horse to canter, and he noticed Beau’s head didn’t pop up, his tail didn’t swish, and he looked completely comfortable.

  You are solid, you’re as solid as a rock.

  Cassie was turning the corner where Shelby had thrown her shoe wh
en a panicked cry from the middle of the ring caused everyone to stop what they were doing.

  “Heads up, loose horse, loose horse.”

  Looking across the ring he saw a small black horse at a full gallop, and realized it would be running right past Cassie. She had pulled Beau to a stop the minute she’d heard the cry, and too far away to do anything Chad stood helplessly watching for the second time that day, holding his breath as his eyes darted between the runaway horse, and Cassie sitting on Beau.

  Other riders had jumped off their mounts, and a couple of horses were spooking wildly, but to Chad’s shocked relief, the big dapple grey turned his head, flicked his ears, and stood stock still as the black horse came to a screeching halt next to him.

  Chad stared, aghast that Beau hadn’t been fazed by the drama, and as several people slowly approached, one of whom was able to grab the reins and lead the black horse away, Beau didn’t flinch.

  “We’re fine,” Cassie called, waving her hand at him from across the ring.

  Damn, that’s a helluva a horse. Randy was right, she’s way better off ridin’ him in that class than Shelby.

  A few minutes passed before Randy showed up, and after chatting with the other trainers in the ring, begging their indulgence, he set up several fences, creating a mini-course.

  “Okay, Cassie, this horse you leave alone, you’re a passenger. If you see a long distance go for it, he’d much rather jump big than have you hold for an extra stride.”

  “Well, duh,” she called back, “of course. He’s a power house and covers the ground. If I did that it would totally unnerve him.”

  Randy broke into a grin and stared across at Chad. Sighing, Chad shook his head; Randy had provoked Cassie so Chad could hear her response.

  “Okay, Randy, you’ve made your point,” he muttered to himself, “you know what you’re doin’.”

  Feeling much better he watched Cassie sail around the ring, jumping the big horse as though they’d been partnered for years. The other riders in the ring stopped and stared, and as Randy raised the fences, Chad could see the admiration on their faces.

  When Randy was satisfied that he’d seen enough he signaled her to pull up and walk over to where Chad was standing at the fence.

  “How do you feel?” Randy asked as he joined them.

  “Like a million bucks,” she panted, slightly out of breath from the ride. “I swear, I could take this horse anywhere and jump him over anything.”

  “You ready to show?”

  “You bet,” she nodded.

  “Chad, are you okay with this?”

  “Hell, yeah,” he said confidently. “Cassie, you and that horse, you’ll wow everyone. You sure as hell just wowed me.”

  “Okay,” Randy said, “lets go walk your course.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY TWO

  An hour later, sitting on the big, calm horse waiting for her turn to enter the ring and jump the challenging course of fences, Cassie felt a strange churning in her stomach. Chad and Randy were standing next to her, and Marty and Hannah were in the audience with Mickey sitting between them. When they’d arrived and Mickey had bounded up to her, she’d been thrilled to see him.

  “Now I know everything is going to work out,” she’d beamed. “You’re my lucky charm, aren’t you Mickey?”

  But as she waited, watching the horse and rider on course rolling poll after poll, her stomach churned again.

  “See, this is really tough,” Randy remarked. “Shelby would have struggled.”

  “You’re right, and I knew that when we walked it,” she agreed, putting her hand on her stomach and willing it to calm down.

  “You okay, hon?” Chad asked, sensing she wasn’t feeling quite right.

  “Uh, I think I’m going to-”

  Jumping from the saddle she threw the reins to him and dashed to the ladies room.

  “Don’t worry,” Randy said, though he wasn’t thrilled about Cassie’s abrupt exit, “it’s just nerves.”

  “Of course, I’m worried,” Chad frowned.

  “She’ll be fine,” Randy assured him, and a moment later Cassie returned, a smile on her face.

  “That was weird, I feel totally confident, like I’ve got this in the bag,” she grinned. “I have no idea why that happened.”

  Randy hoisted her back up, and as she settled into the saddle to watch the next horse and rider, she leaned over Beau’s neck and petted him.

  “You’re going to fly through this, I know it,” she purred, then grinned as one ear flicked back at her.

  The team on course went clear until the last fence, when the horse pulled a pole with his back feet.

  “That was unlucky,” Chad muttered.

  “Happens all the time,” Randy sighed, “and there’s nothing worse than four faults on the last jump. Okay, remember Cassie, if you see long, push forward. He can do it.”

  “I’ll remember,” she nodded, and taking a deep breath she headed into the ring.

  As they entered the big grey horse pricked its ears and snorted, shaking its head, and she rode him in a circle to quiet him before going through the start.

  Cantering up to the first fence she loved the feel of his big stride, and as the horse lifted off the ground she couldn’t believe how much power she felt underneath her.

  Damn, you can really jump, Mister, you cleared that with a ton of air. Where the hell did you come from?

  The second fence loomed ahead and she could feel him pick up some speed. Every instinct told her to check, to pull on the reins and gather him up, but remembering Randy’s advice she fought the impulse, and as the horse sailed over the obstacle she began to breathe easier.

  You really do know your job, okay, Randy was right, I just need to steer.

  She knew they were covering the ground, rocketing around the course. She’d never ridden a horse with so much speed and such a big jump, and as she turned the corner and headed to the triple combination she held her breath.

  The three fences in a row had looked big when she’d walked them with Randy, but thundering towards them so swiftly she felt slightly out of control, and she knew if he didn’t get there exactly right it would be a disaster. Her talented eye saw the take-off point, but Beau seemed to hesitate, almost slowing his pace.

  Shit, no, move, move, it’s too long, it’s too long.

  Her heart stopped, but the horse pushed off his powerful hind end and cleared the rails easily, reaching the second fence just two strides later in the ideal take-off spot, then suddenly they were airborne over the third, and the combination was behind them.

  She could hear the cheering of the crowd but still couldn’t believe they’d not only made it through safely, but hadn’t rolled a pole.

  Still recovering from the stunning journey through the triple she steered towards the next fence, but with Beau’s speed it came upon her before she was ready. The big grey soared over it, and unseating her as he did, but Cassie’s natural talent kicked in and she quickly righted herself.

  The almost fatal, momentary lapse, snapped her back to attention. There were three fences left, a wide water jump, a wall, and then a tall, airy vertical, just like the one she’d jumped the day Randy had taken her to the indoor arena.

  She knew Beau could do the water jump with his eyes closed; he covered the ground with such a big step it would be almost like an extended canter stride. The wall wasn’t high, it was just scary looking with wishing wells on either side of the red and white bricks, and Beau was bombproof.

  Confidently she rode him forward, feeling fantastic, and neither obstacle presented any problems, the big horse clearing them easily. With the two jumps behind her she turned the corner and headed for the imposing last fence; the tall vertical.

  Being clear, and with a time she knew was fantastic, Cassie was determined to make it over successfully; she pulled on the reins, asking Beau to steady himself so she could focus her eye and judge their their take-off spot.

  Beau didn’t respond.

&n
bsp; Not only was Beau deaf to Cassie’s suggestion, he was gathering speed. The course designer had set the vertical at the end of a long run, and Cassie knew it was a trap; if they were traveling too quickly the horse could end up jumping flat and catch the poles.

  She leaned back, pulled on the reins again, but it was hopeless, and as the jump came closer she was sure they were traveling way too fast.

  Standing at the in-gate Randy muttered under his breath.

  “What?” Chad asked urgently.

  “They’re really moving. If she doesn’t slow down…”

  “What,” Chad demanded, “if she does’t slow down, what?”

  “Beau will either stop, or try and add a stride at the last minute, or…”

  “Or?”

  “Jump the fucking moon,” Randy breathed.

  The educated audience knew what Randy knew, and the air grew still; there was not a bag crinkling, a person shifting, or an official walking.

  Thundering forward Cassie knew there was no slowing him down. Heart in her mouth she made a decision and moved her hands up the horse’s neck, grabbing his mane.

  If he stopped, she’d be holding on to something to help break the fall, and if he added a last minute awkward stride, she’d be able to help balance herself.

  As they galloped closer to the fence Chad could see what Randy had been explaining; they were traveling so fast the only possible possible take off point would be too far away.

  “They’ll never make it,” he hissed, and without even realizing he was doing it, he grabbed Randy’s arm.

  Suddenly Cassie realized she had a third option; she could believe in the powerful, willing, talented jumper underneath her; praying he had the lift to do it, she clucked loudly, telling him she believed he could.

  It was all the encouragement the horse needed, and Cassie felt him launch into the air a full stride back from the tall obstacle; her teeth clenched as she desperately clutched his mane, her chest was touching the top of his neck, and they were literally flying.

  As they landed safely on the other side, the eerie quiet was abruptly broken by the exultant roar of the crowd. Cassie, absolutely thrilled at what she’d just experienced stood up in the stirrups, pumping the air with her closed fist, the adrenalin coursing through her body.