Cowgirl Up

by Cheyenne Meadows

  Frightened more than she ever recalled being, Trinity drew in deep, calming breaths.

  Get a hold of yourself. You’ve got a run in less than an hour and you’ll only upset Legacy.

  She turned around and focused on her stallion, who stood with his head over the door, watching her intently. Immediately, she walked over and started to stroke his forehead, needing the comfort he always offered. The tension began to ebb as she petted her horse and pushed the scary event from her mind.

  Thankfully, this was the last event of the season. While she might have nine more days to go, she could pull out on Sunday night and never worry about seeing Gary again. He would hang around the circuit, find another woman, and she’d be who knew where, hopefully hundreds of miles away, living her own life. Man free.

  Too bad Cody hadn’t been here. If ever she needed a hero, it was a few minutes ago when Gary attacked her.

  What am I going to do?

  What could she do? File a complaint for sexual harassment? Like that would do anything. The association might look at her letter in a couple of weeks, when the season wrapped up. No one patrolled the competitors’ behavior. There were no managers, no supervisors. No authority to take her complaints to. In essence, she was on her own.

  And that frightened her all the more.

  Because the shady spark in Gary’s eyes told her he wasn’t ready to give up. Not yet.

  A shudder rolled through her.

  Legacy nickered and nudged her shoulder. She straightened his forelock and kissed his nose. At least she had him. Nothing else mattered. Together, they would finish what they started, then go home.

  Home to Kentucky. To the stud farm. And go from there.

  Cody started into the barn aisle, only to freeze in place. Before him, Trinity stood against one of the stalls, her lips locked with none other than the biggest playboy on the circuit—Gary. As Cody watched, Trinity turned her head and latched onto the front of Gary’s shirt, while Gary leaned in heavily, one hand cupping the back of her head, as he opened wide and added some tongue action.

  Cody saw red.

  Fury rose to the fore, quickly followed by a heady sense of betrayal.

  Unable to stand and watch the woman he was dating kiss another man, Cody spun on his heel and stormed right back out of the barn.

  He’d suffered enough at the hands of women. Fell for their games. How he thought he could trust another at this time just showed how blind and dumb he’d become. Fickle. That’s what he’d learned in the past as a girl sashayed from man to man, seeking a quick fuck or a ring on her finger. They all had their wily ways, but maintained the same goal— to get what they want and screw the guy who gave it to them.

  He thought Trinity was different, that she had more substance than most. Now, he learned differently with a minced up heart. Just like the only woman he’d loved in his life.

  He stepped through the office door, found his empty desk chair, and plopped down. Rage boiled over in his gut as he recalled the last time a woman got the best of him, leaving him torn and ragged.

  She stood there in her bra and panties, gorgeous as a runway model, with an expression of pure desire on her beautiful face. He’d waited for this moment since he first asked her out, fantasized about their first coming together. The first of many.

  “I need you, Cody.” The softly spoken words ratcheted up his arousal to a fevered pitch and hurried him along. He couldn’t wait another minute to scoop her up, place her on the bed, and cover her with his overheated body. His dick throbbed painfully and all other thoughts dissipated under the relentless need.

  Hastily, he stripped down, then turned to retrieve the condom stored in his wallet.

  A loud gasp, born of fear, carried to him.

  Spinning back around, he saw the disgust written boldly on her features, where longing existed seconds earlier. She stared mutely at him, her eyes wide as if she’d seen a ghost. Dark eyes stood out against her pale skin.

  “Deidre?”

  She covered her mouth with trembling hand, shook her head, and started yanking on previously discarded clothing like a fire threatened to overtake them in a matter of seconds.

  His heart thudded against his ribs as his gut clenched. “Deidre, let me explain.”

  She yanked the dress over her head, slipped her feet in the high heels without bothering with her hose, averting her gaze all the while.

  She couldn’t even look at him now. After seeing his back, thighs, and stomach.

  “I’m sorry. I…just…I’ve got to go. Forgot something important.” As soon as she stuttered that piss poor excuse, she grabbed her purse, and fled.

  Anger mixed with emotional agony sliced through his heart.

  He shuddered at the memory so vivid, they were able to inject deep cuts that still bled.

  Before, he never appreciated how lucky he’d been. Now, just when he needed companionship and love the most, his own body betrayed him.

  Deidre, a lady he truly cared for nearly puked at the sight of his war scars. If she couldn’t handle them what other woman could?

  Loneliness followed him like a persistent rain cloud until he wanted to scream at the injustice. Just when he decided to give dating another try, thinking perhaps he stumbled across a woman who might be able to deal with his disfigurations, the evil hand of fate struck again. This time in the form of a two-timing Trinity.

  Shit.

  He ran one hand through his short hair and fought to control the strong urge to either smash something, pick a fight, or drink down a few shots of whiskey. Anything to exorcise the bottled-up hurt and rage at the fairer sex for all their fucking deceit, inadequacies, and selfish ways.

  Why do I want a woman again? Because I’m a stupid masochist, that’s why.

  The clock chimed.

  Peeking up, he noted the hour and growled. Seven p.m. Time for the rodeo to start for the night.

  No time to work this latest round of rage out of his system since his boss expected him in the arena for the duration of the night. Though he wasn’t the only vet hired for the circuit, all of them were expected to hang around the competition. After all, that’s when the majority of injuries to the animals occurred.

  With a vile curse, he stood, marched out, and slammed the door behind him.

  The short distance to the huge arena did nothing for his temper except allow the churning cauldron inside to slosh and bubble all the more. By the time he arrived, he blanked his face with an iron will learned during hard lessons as a SEAL. He could bury any and all emotions in a flash and worked to do so now. Just the same, he’d avoid anyone and everyone unless one of the livestock needed his attention.

  Finding an isolated spot by the chutes, he leaned against the bars and half-heartedly watched the ceremonies while wishing himself elsewhere.

  Suck it up, SEAL.

  He still stood there when the barrel-racing event started. Automatically, he watched for Trinity to appear in the wings, biding her time to run. Despite what he witnessed earlier, he couldn’t help finding her with his gaze and locking on the pretty girl astride the big gray stallion.

  She soared through the course. He watched with reluctant admiration as she gracefully guided Legacy through the intricate pattern at full speed.

  Halfway through, her foot slipped out of a stirrup. He stood up straight, held his breath, and stared as she continued on. Other riders might have teetered and fallen off without the support of both stirrups. Trinity ignored the hassle, went about her task, and flew by him with thundering hoof beats.

  Though impressed with her obvious horsemanship skill, he couldn’t forget the knife she stabbed into his back earlier.

  Why did she do it? And why did he bother to care?

  Chapter Eighteen

  Trinity jogged Legacy around in a circle, allowing him to stretch and cool down after the mad dash. “Great job, boy. Sorry I let you down on my end.” Whether the loss of her stirrup cost her any time or even the race, she didn’t know yet. W
ouldn’t until the last rider finished and they posted results. Until then, she would hang around in case they called her for a victory lap.

  The arena lights caught her attention. Silhouetted against the end chutes, she spied Cody. If she hadn’t looked back at the right time, she would have missed him entirely as he blended so well into the natural shadows. A warrior still to this day. Once a SEAL, always a SEAL.

  She recalled his words with a small grin.

  He looked the part now, standing by himself in muted light as if waiting for orders to pounce. His position allowed him a decent view of the action while placing him out of the way for the barrel racers who came and went at rapid intervals. Smart and a definite throwback to his military days. The fact both humored her and humbled her while notching another dent into the shield around her heart.

  He’d watched her run. Pride and happiness washed over her as she aimed Legacy in his direction, not stopping until they reached his side.

  “Hi.”

  Cody didn’t bother to even look up. Instead, he focused on the arena as if the Roman Gladiators themselves fought to the death inside.

  Confused, she tried once more. “Cody?”

  He spared her the briefest glance, rife with anger judging by the sharpness of his gaze.

  Taken aback, she could only blink at the one-hundred and eighty degree turn around from their last visit. “What’s wrong?”

  “Who said there was anything wrong?” He didn’t budge from his position leaning against the chutes, but his steely voice could have cut through frozen tundra.

  She shivered in reaction. Legacy pawed at the ground impatiently. She kept a steady hand and wracked her brain for something to say to the sour tempered man before her.

  “You’ve never been surly to me before. I just wondered.” She bit her lip.

  His intense blue eyes met hers. She read leashed anger in the thinning of his lips, the clenching of his jaw. “Is there anything I can do?”

  He snorted. “Yeah. Go find some other dumb prick to screw. Sloppy seconds aren’t my style.” After one more glare, he stepped forward, ducked through the corral bars, and strode through the milling cattle.

  Shocked at his vulgarity and accusation, she gasped, narrowed her eyes on his retreating back, then pointed Legacy toward the exit and back into the evening air. Her mind replayed the conversation over and over, yet she remained clueless as ever. Cody’s reaction contrasted brightly with every other time they ran into one another. Never had he been upset or so downright rude.

  Old hurts reared their ugly head with a vengeance. The cruel gossip, the not so subtle hints from men who saw her as a sex-crazed whore, free for the taking. She’d heard it all and, no matter her age, the taunts never failed to hit home and reopen wounds.

  Whatever set off Cody, she might not have a clue, but she could make a couple of good guesses. Someone had blabbed outright lies and she brought up the losing end in Cody’s eyes.

  If he already sentenced her as guilty in his mind, what chance did she have of making him see the truth? None.

  Her heart sank in sadness, then her pride kicked in, fueled by latent anger.

  What did it matter anyway? This was the last rodeo of the season. Besides, she had more to worry about than Cody’s atypical outburst. Her dream loomed just ahead. Then retirement.

  In just over a week, she would walk away from the sport forever and never see any of the other competitors again. Including Cody.

  With that less than satisfying thought, she slid off Legacy and began to walk him in large circles, trying mightily to stem her building fury, knowing the emotion would travel through the reins and right to her stallion. He needed to be calm in order to cool, not wound to the hilt and sweating profusely.

  “Why do I even bother, Legacy? Men are jerks. Besides, we’ve done just fine without one, right?”

  The horse walked alongside her, his ears flicking back and forth as he listened to her.

  “After all, the old adage is true. A horse is a girl’s best friend.” She patted Legacy. “We’ll just get through these next few days, focus on our races, then head back home.”

  Home.

  She once again considered her initial plans to pack up and head to parts unknown. Now, the more she thought about it, the weaker the inclination became. Her winnings, while quite a tidy sum, wouldn’t last long, especially if she meant to buy a house with some land. Taxes would come out first, leaving her a decent amount, but only enough to live on for the next couple of years. Sure, she would put Legacy up for stud, but what if few owners wanted to risk breeding her hot and temperamental stallion to their mares? That source of income would dry up like a puddle of water in the Sahara.

  In all reality, Heritage truly was the best place for Legacy. He enjoyed his pampering, the best of care, and the ability to just be a horse along with a few stallion friends to keep him company. He wouldn’t do well alone and not just anyone could work with him. That fact shackled her immensely.

  She couldn’t afford Legacy’s room and board at the stud farm. No way. Thus, for him to continue to live there, she needed to keep her stable-hand job.

  Trinity sighed. “It’s a great place, don’t get me wrong. I know how much you like it there,” she rattled off as she continued to lead Legacy in slow circles. Everyone accepted her, covered for her when she went off to rodeos, and welcomed her home each time. While she worked demanding, long hours when there, she truly never minded the hard labor.

  A labor of love. Carmen’s words popped into her head.

  Who wouldn’t want to spend their days in such a glorious place, surrounded by some of the most famous thoroughbreds of their time?

  Her ideas crumbled under the newfound information. Trinity shoved all thoughts of her future aside for the moment.

  She didn’t need any more complications or distractions. This was her and her mother’s dream and by damn she wouldn’t blow it because some man had a stick up his butt about something.

  With determined steps, she finished cooling out Legacy and returned to the barn to finish caring for her horse.

  She had a race to win tomorrow.

  Trinity sat in her chair and stared at her uneaten plate of food. Her appetite gone, she didn’t even have the urge to nibble.

  “Way to hang on, Trin.” Lacey walked over, opened up her chair, and plopped down with a can of soda in her hand. “Don’t know how you did it and still came in third. If that were me, I’d be face down in a pile of horse shit.”

  Trinity shrugged and sipped her water. Her mind still whirled over Gary’s insistent kiss and then Cody’s snide remarks. Obviously the men around there had lost their collective minds and she found herself on the receiving end. A place she found more than concerning.

  “Are you hungry? I have plenty.” Trinity offered her untouched food.

  “No thanks. I had a burger before feeding Candy.”

  Silence reigned. In the background, Trinity made out the sounds of cars leaving the parking lot for the night, the announcer having gone quiet after the final event.

  She glanced up to find Lacey staring at her with scrunched eyebrows and pressed lips. “What’s wrong?”

  Preferring to keep what happened to herself, Trinity just shook her head. “Nothing.”

  “Bullshit. I know you, Trinity. You get pensive now and again, but you’re always relaxed and cheery. This distraction is new.”

  Trinity blew out a breath and considered confessing her troubles. As much as she might need to unload the negative stuff, she hated to place that weight on Lacey’s shoulders. She had enough to deal with. They both did. The national finals itself contained enough stress and drama to last a decade and give even the strongest person a major case of heartburn.

  “Trinity…”

  Deciding Lacey wasn’t about to give in, Trinity opted for the quick, basic version. “It’s been a lousy day is all.”

  “The stirrup?”

  “Not just that. This evening Gary cornered
me in the barn, kissed me, and told me he wasn’t ready to give up on me yet.”

  “Holy shit.” Lacey’s eyes widened.

  “Yeah. Then after my run, I ran into Cody. He smarted off about sloppy seconds and curtly dismissed me. I have no idea what crawled up his butt and died, but he’s never been so rude before.”

  “Damn.” Lacey pushed a stray lock of hair out of her face. “Sounds like a day from hell.”

  Trinity didn’t argue.

  “What did you do when Gary kissed you?”

  She recalled the moment of trepidation and her hands shook. “Bit the tongue he was shoving into my mouth and kneed him hard enough to influence his sperm count for a week.” She remembered how Gary only stepped back, didn’t cup himself, or even bend over, which meant he had some protection over the area. Most likely that hard barrier she rammed against in her bid for freedom. Damn it anyway. She would have enjoyed seeing Gary writhing in pain. “Too bad he wore a cup.”

  Lacey tilted her head, her eyes clouding with worry. “What are you going to do?”

  “I guess Cody will go his own way. Not like we declared forever love or anything.” The thought stung deep. All season, he’d grown on her, to the point where she couldn’t wait for the next rodeo in order to see him again, share a meal, have a laugh, and just hang out. Just when she thought they were to the point of mutual dating, even taking the next step into intimacy, he turned ice cold and threw out horrible insults. Maybe she’d misjudged his intentions all along.

  Her heart cracked all the more. She’d put all her eggs in Cody’s basket only for them to fall out and break.

  “No, I meant about Gary.” Lacey took a drink of her soda.

  Trinity peered over at her friend. “I don’t know. He doesn’t want to take no for an answer. But, who do I complain to? Who can rope him in? No one that I know of.” She sighed wearily. “If I can just make it through the next few nights, I’ll be gone and this will just be a memory.”