A Rancher for Their Mom (Rodeo Heroes)

by Leann Harris

  “Don’t leave your shoes in the hall.”

  Todd didn’t object but simply picked up his shoes and ran into his room.

  By the time April had Cora’s stroller in the truck and her buckled into her car seat, the boys had appeared. Each one had his lasso with him. It took only moments to buckle everyone in.

  “Hurry up, Mom, and get in. We want to go,” Wes encouraged her.

  Talk about the shoe being on the other foot. They were focused on leaving for the rodeo and nothing else.

  “How was your day?” she asked as she drove.

  “Lots of kids are coming tonight. They asked about Mr. Joel and if he was going to compete,” Todd answered. “I told them yes.”

  “Dale told me his brother is in the steer wrestling and his big sister will do barrel racing tonight.”

  As the boys talked, April smiled at the animation and excitement in their voices. It seemed the Lord had dropped Joel into their lives to restore their youthful enthusiasm. Last year when their grandfather took them to the rodeo, it had been shortly after their grandmother’s death. They’d enjoyed themselves, but it was nothing compared to this year.

  Much to her embarrassment, she shared her children’s excitement. She was a grown woman, but her tingly spine and dancing stomach didn’t think she was too old for such silliness. Next they would do a jig.

  Turning off the road at the auditorium drive, the truck bounced with the boys’ excitement. Their attitude rubbed off on Cora. “Yeah, we here.”

  Only a few trucks dotted the parking lot, giving April her choice. Pulling close to the front door, she parked and hurriedly unbuckled Cora and Todd. Wes stood by the front of the truck waiting for them, like a horse being held back from a race. Once she locked the truck, Wes rushed ahead of them to the glass doors and managed to open one. He waved them forward.

  One of the women behind the glass ticket counter signaled them to come inside.

  “Mr. Joel said we should come early,” Todd announced. “Mom—” he pointed over his shoulder “—has the tickets.”

  Before April could scold her son, the woman nodded. “I know. Go back to the concession area and Hank will find Joel for you.”

  At least they were known.

  As they walked to the concession area, other cowboys saw them and waved. Both boys returned the greetings, reveling in the attention.

  “Hey, Ty,” Wes called out.

  He returned the greeting. “Are you going to show us how you’ve been practicing with your lariats?” Ty finished his cookie.

  “I am,” Wes answered.

  “Mr. Hank,” Todd called out, “we’re here. I can’t wait to see all the cowboys compete.”

  “The lady at the front said you’d find Mr. Joel for us,” Wes said.

  Cora climbed up onto the picnic bench. She looked at Hank and smiled. The older man smiled back.

  Todd scanned the area. “Are you going to get Mr. Joel?”

  “He’s been told you’re here.”

  Todd didn’t look convinced until Joel walked into the area several moments later. April’s stomach started dancing again.

  “Mr. Joel,” the boys cried, racing toward him, each grabbing a leg.

  After greeting Todd and Wes, Joel squatted in front of Cora. “How’s my girl today?”

  “’Cited.” She raised her arms.

  Without any hesitation, Joel scooped her up. He turned to April. “I’m glad you’re here.” The tone of his voice changed, softening and making her think it was more than just a greeting. Something more intimate.

  She swallowed. “Wild horses wouldn’t have kept the boys away.”

  “And you?”

  He’d nailed her. She felt heat run up her neck. Her feelings were all over the map, bringing lots of complications, but they were there. “Me, too,” she whispered.

  He leaned closer to hear her, bringing his face inches from hers.

  She wanted to ask if he’d missed them, but the boys tugged on his shirt.

  “Can we see Spice?”

  “Well, I hoped you’d get here early enough to help me with getting Spice brushed and saddled before she starts working. Spice likes a little attention before the night’s competition. And we have to brush her after, too.”

  Wes frowned. “That’s a lot.”

  “It’s part of taking care of your mount. Spice works hard for me out there in the arena. I have to take care of her.”

  A good lesson Wes and Todd needed to learn and see put into action. How could she ever repay Joel for the lessons he’d taught so naturally to the kids?

  “Besides,” he added, “just like every other woman, Spice likes to look nice.”

  April arched her brow. “Because she’s a woman?”

  Joel simply grinned.

  She wanted to laugh, again. This past week she’d felt free enough to throw her head back and laugh, and what a joy it had been.

  They followed Joel to the section of the auditorium set up for grooming the horses. Called greetings followed the boys, and Wes and Todd acted like stars, with their chests puffed out, striding across the floor with purpose.

  “They’re looking like the genuine thing,” Millie commented, laughter in her voice.

  “As much as I try to raise them right, it takes a stranger to bring that spring to their steps.” April glanced at Millie.

  “Naw, it isn’t a stranger—it’s a cowboy thing. Something they want to be.”

  Was that it? Was it just the cowboy thing or was it this particular cowboy who spent time with her boys, taught them and made them laugh? Was it this particular cowboy that made her smile and laugh?

  The question stuck with April as she watched the boys and Cora help groom Spice and saddle her. By the time they finished, the auditorium began to fill with spectators.

  “I hungry,” Cora announced, her voice carrying over the entire grooming area.

  April wanted to melt into the floor.

  “Me, too,” Todd seconded.

  “Well, we can’t have hungry little cowboys and cowgirls. Let’s go see Hank. You think hot dogs would help?” Joel grinned at the children.

  Nods and yeses answered Joel’s question.

  Not having a choice, they went back to the concession area.

  After ordering for the boys and Cora, Joel turned to her. “Want anything?”

  “Well, if I’m going to be at the rodeo, might as well have a hot dog, too.”

  The twinkle in his eyes and the crook at the corner of his mouth made April feel as though she was living the dream of every high-school girl in this part of Texas—a handsome cowboy buying her dinner at the rodeo. Never mind it was a hot dog.

  But this wasn’t a date, she reminded herself, and she needed to buy her children their dinner.

  April settled the kids at a table while Joel waited in line for their food.

  “You stay here while I help Mr. Joel,” April instructed the kids.

  Joining Joel at the counter, she pulled out her wallet. “Here’s money for the hot dogs.”

  He stared down at the money in her hand as if it was a snake. “Are we going back to square one? I thought we were friends. This is something I want to do for you and your children.” His expression told her how ungracious she sounded.

  “Thank you.”

  He nodded at her acceptance.

  “You need any help carrying things?”

  “That I could use.” He handed her a couple of drinks while Hank piled the tray with the rest of the order.

  Walking beside Joel to the table, she experienced again that feeling—that they were a real family with a mom, dad and kids. What was wrong with her? She knew better than to spin daydreams, because that was what they were—dreams. Not real, and when the dream evaporated, she’d have nothing left but sadness.

  Looking at the table where the kids were, she saw Ty Newsome seated next to Wes.

  “I’ve practiced,” Wes told Ty, “and I can twirl.”

  “One time.”
Todd held up his index finger.

  “One more time than you,” Wes shot back.

  “Keep working at it, boys.” Ty looked up. “So you’ve taken up being a waiter, Joel?”

  “Nope. Just a polite cowboy helping a fine lady carry her meal.” Joel set the tray down. “Ty had a good idea, boys. If you practice twirling your lassoes, keeping them over your head, and help each other, you could be known as the twirling Landers Boys.”

  “Great idea,” Ty added. “Next year you could come and show the audience what you can do.”

  Todd and Wes stilled, looked at each other and smiled.

  Joel passed out hot dogs. When he handed April hers, he said, “I think your boys will come up with a plan.”

  When she turned her head, her lips nearly brushed his. His eyes darkened.

  Someone cleared his throat, breaking the atmosphere.

  Ty stood. “See you later, boys. Hope y’all will cheer for me in the saddle-bronc riding.” He dipped his hat and walked away.

  Joel finished passing out chips and drinks to the kids. April grabbed Cora’s milk carton and opened it, focusing on the spout, trying to get control of her pounding heart.

  Joel reached around her and pilfered the bag of chips in front of the little girl and opened them, then returned the chips.

  April could smell Joel’s scent—a mixture of sweat and horse—and feel the heat of his body. She swallowed and looked at the area before him on the table.

  “Didn’t you get yourself anything to eat?” April asked.

  “I don’t eat before competing. After I finish, I’ll chow down.”

  Wes frowned. “Chow down?”

  “That means I’ll eat a lot of food.”

  “Oh.”

  April stared down at her hot dog, struggling with all her conflicting emotions. She heard Cora giggle, then a crash. All conversation in the snack area stopped. When April looked up, Todd stood by the condiment barrel holding the spoon that had been in the relish crock. At his feet lay broken pottery. His eyes were huge.

  “I wanted some more relish, Mama.” His voice quivered. “I didn’t mean to break it.”

  April stood and hurried toward Todd.

  “I didn’t mean to break it,” he repeated.

  “Oh, honey, I know you didn’t.”

  Pottery and relish dotted the floor. Hank appeared with a broom. “Hey, partner, it’s okay.”

  Joel stepped to Todd’s side, lifted him out of the gooey mess and put him a safe distance away.

  Relish covered the right shoulder of Todd’s Western shirt, his face and hair. Relish had also dotted his jeans and boots. Todd looked at himself and then at his mom. Tears filled his eyes.

  April cupped Todd’s cheek. “It’s all wash-and-wear. C’mon, let’s go get you cleaned up.”

  Todd’s shoulders eased.

  April turned to Joel. “Would you watch Wes and Cora?”

  “Sure. Go get Todd cleaned up and ready to watch the rodeo.”

  In the ladies’ bathroom, April helped Todd unsnap his Western shirt and place it on the sink, then turned on the faucet and rinsed out his shirt. “Now let’s get the stuff out of your hair.”

  Todd wasn’t tall enough to accomplish the task, so April picked him up and held him around his waist.

  Millie walked into the restroom with a new Western shirt and some fancy jeans. “Here, let me help.” She put the new clothes down on the counter several sinks away and supported Todd’s feet. “I have some things here for the young man to change into.”

  Todd had his head under the faucet for round two. April turned off the water and wrung out his hair.

  The older woman stepped back, waiting and watching.

  “Thank you for the help, Millie. Let’s see if the clothes will fit.”

  Millie handed April a plastic bag. “This is for the clothes that need washing.”

  “You’ve faced this situation before?”

  “Sure have. I’ve got kids and grandkids. I know you’re always facing something unexpected. Even my granddaughters are now providing me with challenges. A skunk was the latest adventure with my youngest granddaughter.”

  April turned to Todd. “You see, it could’ve been worse.”

  Todd eyed the two women, obviously not convinced.

  Millie left.

  Over the next ten minutes Todd’s hair was dried under the hand dryer and he changed into the new Western shirt and jeans.

  All of the joy and excitement of the rodeo seemed to have drained out of her son. She didn’t want him to lose the delight of the night.

  “Accidents happen, but next time, ask for help.”

  “I will.”

  When they walked out of the bathroom, the first thing April saw was Joel holding Cora and talking to Wes. It didn’t take much imagination to see him as their father. The thought stopped her cold and made her palms sweat.

  The concessions area now teemed with fans here to see the rodeo.

  “You’re looking mighty good, young man.” Hank stood there smiling at Todd.

  The words snapped her out of her daydreaming.

  “I’m better. I’m sorry, Mr. Hank.”

  “Don’t worry. Are you still hungry?”

  Todd shook his head.

  After joining the others at the table, Joel asked Todd, “Everything good?”

  “I’m okay,” Todd answered.

  “April,” Kelly called and dragged her family to where April sat. The children greeted each other.

  Kelly’s daughter studied Todd. “I like your clothes. Where did you get them?”

  A tense silence followed.

  Finally Todd said, “You can get a girl’s shirt from Ms. Millie over at the souvenir stand.”

  The announcer came on the PA system. “Welcome, ladies and gentlemen. The cowboys are itching to go and the bulls and horses are ready to test these cowboys. Get to your seats, ’cause we’re fixin’ to get this here rodeo started.”

  “That’s my cue,” Joel said. “My event, saddle-bronc riding, is the second on the list of events, and I need to get ready. You’ll need to hurry to your seats. You’ll want to see how they open the rodeo.”

  “We’ll be watching,” Wes said.

  “I’ll cheer, Mr. Joel,” Todd called out.

  Joel nodded to each boy. He picked Cora up. “Are you going to be rooting for me, too?”

  Cora leaned forward and gave him a loud kiss on the cheek.

  “That’s a great encouragement. One of the best I’ve had.” Turning to April, he smiled. “You think I could get one from your mother?”

  The children looked from one adult to the other.

  April gave him a kiss on the cheek. Drawing back, she heard him whisper, “It would’ve been better a little lower and to the left. And with a lot more enthusiasm.”

  April scooped Cora out of Joel’s arms. “Be safe,” she whispered.

  Something connected between them, which shook her to the core but also warmed her heart.

  He turned and walked off.

  “C’mon, Mom, let’s go to our seats.”

  She shook off the confusing feelings and followed the boys into the arena.

  * * *

  As Joel waited his turn to ride, he thought of April and the kids out there in the stands, waiting for him. No one else had been there for him, cheering him on. It warmed him.

  “You ready to try to gain some points on me, old man?” Shortie teased. “You think you’re going to be able to stay on Hercules?”

  “That’s my goal.”

  Shortie shook his head. “That horse is mighty good at tossing off cowboys. Not too many stay on him for the full eight seconds.”

  “That’s why a cowboy gets good scores on such a contrary animal.”

  “Kind of a good combo—old ornery horse and old cowboy.” Shortie wagged his eyebrows.

  “Hercules is a smart horse, but I know his tricks and will be watching for them.”

  With a shrug of his shou
lders, Shortie turned and walked to the chute where the horse he’d drawn stood.

  Joel turned his attention on chute two, where Hercules stood.

  “Ignore McGraw,” Buck Graham said. “He’s just trying to rattle you.”

  “I know. I’ve done my share of razzing my competition.”

  Joel slipped his glove on his right hand for protection and climbed up the slats of the chute and slid his boot over the back of the horse.

  Hercules stood still, but Joel felt the horse readying himself for when the gate opened. He adjusted his hand on the hack rein and settled in for the ride. He nodded to the cowboy at the gate and it swung open. The horse shot out and started his bucking and twirling.

  Knowing the horse’s movements, Joel prepared himself for the dips and the hard-left cut the horse loved to do. Joel kept his arm in the air to get the most points he could out of the ride, and the horse tried his best to throw Joel off.

  Eight seconds seemed like an eternity, but finally the buzzer sounded and Joel’s fingers released his death grip on the ropes.

  The pickup rider maneuvered close enough so Joel could grab his waist and pull himself off the bucking horse and land on his feet. Hercules spun and kicked out. Joel jumped out of the way in the nick of time, feeling the breeze from the horse’s hooves.

  The crowd gasped.

  “That was close,” the announcer said over the PA. “You okay, cowboy?”

  Taking off his hat, Joel waved to the crowd.

  “The score for Joel Kaye’s ride is eighty-seven, which puts him in the lead. Congratulations, cowboy.”

  Joel walked toward the gate that allowed contestants in and out of the arena.

  “Good score,” several of the cowboys called out.

  Joel nodded his acknowledgment. Looking into the audience where he knew the boys sat, Joel located them and waved. They waved back. Grins split their faces. April’s expression puzzled him. It wasn’t a frown, neither was it a smile, and she didn’t wave.

  He found himself wanting her approval. He dipped his hat toward her. She returned the greeting, making him smile.

  “You flirting with members of the audience?” Jack asked.

  “I am. ’Course, I wouldn’t say smiling at the boys would be considered flirting.”

  “True, if that’s what I was talking about.”

  “That’s all it was.”