Claiming Her Cowboy

by Tina Radcliffe

  “It took you five minutes to decide I was a crook.”

  “I was wrong. Which is why I want to be more thorough.”

  “You’re running out of time for thoroughness. If I don’t have a signed proposal or a check in hand soon, we can close the gates and send everyone home.”

  “Summer is over in two weeks, Lucy. I get that.”

  “What about the gala?” she continued.

  “That’s Aunt Meri’s thing. My aunt loves a party. If anything stands in the way of that gala, she’ll pretty much shoot me. The Brisbane Foundation will cover the expenses for the gala in full.”

  Lucy released a breath. “Thank you.”

  Jack looked over his shoulder at Dub, who was happy to walk Grace around the yard outside the stables in circles. “What will happen to Dub?”

  “You keep asking me, but you know these things take time.” She sighed and clasped her hands together. “I’m working on that, Jack. In fact, I need to get back to my office to work on a stack of paperwork.”

  “Paperwork? Why not wait until Iris starts and let her help you with your paperwork?”

  “This is time-sensitive. I’m applying to the State of Oklahoma Department of Human Services for their Bridge Foster Program.”

  “You’re really doing it?” A joy he hadn’t felt in a long time welled up inside at her words. Jack grabbed Lucy around the waist and swung her around.

  ”Jack, stop. Put me down.”

  “Lucy, this is fantastic.”

  “Please. Keep this confidential. If it doesn’t work out, I don’t want to disappoint them. The end-of-summer transition from Big Heart Ranch is going to be difficult enough. If they get excited about this and it falls through, they’ll be devastated.” Lucy sighed. “I’ll be devastated. Besides, you know how I feel about promises.”

  He stared at her, speechless for a few moments at her admission. “You’ve really applied to foster Dub, Ann and Eva?”

  She nodded.

  “Lucy, you are amazing.”

  “Don’t give me too much credit. And please don’t tell anyone. I may not be approved.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous, Lucy. Everyone approves of you.”

  “Jack, I’m serious. I don’t want anyone to find out. You know, just in case.”

  “Right. In case the other boot falls. In case the zombies take over. Especially in case Plan B doesn’t work, either.”

  Her expression faltered for a brief moment at his words.

  “Oh, Lucy.” Unable to resist, Jack snaked his arm around her waist and gave her a swift kiss.

  Lucy put a hand to her mouth and stared at him, her face flushed with color. “Jack!” She backed up and looked around. “What are you thinking?”

  “That you are a generous and giving woman.”

  “Thank you, but you can’t kiss me in public.”

  As quickly as the kiss of a moment ago was over, a thought raced through his mind and he froze, stunned. Dub wasn’t the only one he was going to miss. He’d miss Lucy Maxwell as much as the little guy.

  How had that happened?

  * * *

  Jack turned to Travis. “What’s this?”

  “What?” The cowboy stopped cleaning his boots to glance over at Jack.

  “There’s a box on my bed.”

  “Yeah. It was there when I got here. Looks like a hatbox to me.”

  Jack opened the round box and unfolded the tissue inside. “What is this?”

  “Jack, I know you’re a city boy, but I’m thinking even you greenhorns know a straw Resistol when you see one.”

  “Resistol?”

  “Yeah, see that Resistol insignia pin on the band?” Travis shook his head. “That’s not a cheap hat, either. The ranch will be full of lovely ladies today. Wear it with pride, bro.”

  Jack put the hat on his head, examined himself in the mirror and laughed.

  “Good fit,” Travis said. “Someone knows your hat size.”

  “Yeah, and they got it big enough to fit my ego. Only one person could have done that.”

  “My sister, huh?”

  “Exactly.” He looked at himself again. “You don’t think I look a little ridiculous?”

  “Jack, a man never looks ridiculous in a hat if he earns the right to wear it. You’ve put in the time this summer. You earned the right.”

  “Thanks,” Jack murmured.

  Travis looked him up and down. “Going to the rodeo, right?”

  “Yeah, me and Dub.”

  “You need a proper shirt. Thankfully, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve got shirts.” Travis opened his closet and fingered through over two dozen crisply starched and ironed Western shirts. “This one.” He handed Jack a black-and-blue plaid Western shirt with snap buttons and black pipe trim on the pockets.

  Jack grinned. “Thanks, Travis.”

  “I’ll expect it returned in the same condition.”

  “Absolutely.”

  Tripp stepped into the bunkhouse and stood for a minute, staring at Jack without saying anything. Then he went to his drawer and pulled out a belt and brass buckle and handed them to him.

  “Here.”

  Jack’s eyes widened at the oversized trophy buckle with a cowboy and bronc engraved on the front, along with the words Guthrie Frontier Days. “Thanks, Tripp.”

  Tripp nodded and left the bunkhouse without another word.

  Jack put the shirt on over his T-shirt and then pulled the belt through the loops on his jeans. He adjusted the hat on his head. “You’re sure I should wear this hat?”

  “I’m not telling you again,” Travis said. “Cowboys wear hats. It keeps your head cool, keeps the sun off your face and keeps the dirt out of your eyes. A cowboy without a hat just ain’t right.”

  “Is that a song?”

  “Could very well be.”

  Jack nodded and pushed his hat to the back of his head and scooped up his keys. “Thanks again, Travis.”

  “No problem.”

  Jack strode back across the rodeo grounds for twenty minutes, past cowboys and cowgirls of all ages and sizes before finally admitting to himself he was lost. The ranch was packed with people, but so far the only thing that called his name was barbecued chicken and beef. If he didn’t find someone familiar soon, he was going to give up and go eat.

  The tent in front of him displayed a colorful banner announcing musical performances on the hour. He stuck his head inside and looked up and down the bleachers.

  “Jack?”

  He turned to see Rue in a white fringed Western shirt and denim skirt with boots. When he realized her straw hat was exactly like his own, he stood a little straighter.

  “Look at you,” she said with a sly grin. “Our temporary cowboy looks like one of the locals today.”

  “You don’t think it’s too much?”

  “Too much what?” She smiled. “Take a peek around you, cowboy. You blend right in with this crowd.”

  “That’s a relief.”

  “Are you here for the yodeling competition?”

  “What?” He stepped back out of the tent. “No. I’m looking for Dub. Do you know where the children’s competition is being held?”

  “Right over there.”

  She pointed left, and he took off. A moment later, a small hand slipped into his. “Jack, I like your hat. It matches mine.”

  He glanced down at the little boy. “So it does.”

  “Miss Lucy got it for me. She got one for Ann and Eva, too. They have pink hats.” He laughed. “I didn’t know cowboys could have pink hats.”

  Jack pulled out his phone and checked the time. “We’ve got to hurry and find the greased pig competition.”

  Dub grabbed his arm. “We’re right there. It’s in that corral.”

  “Did
you tell Miss Lorna you’d be with me?”

  “Yeth.”

  “Are you sure you want to do this?”

  “I’ve been practicing.”

  “How do you practice?”

  “I chase Stewie and Henry.”

  Jack laughed. “But listen, Dub, I’ve been studying up on this, as well.”

  “You’ve been studying greased pig?”

  Jack looked up. Lucy smiled at him, nearly knocking him off his feet. She wore the yellow sundress with her red boots. The one that made her look like a sunflower. The one she’d been wearing when they met.

  “Wow, you’re the whole package today, aren’t you?” she said, assessing his clothes. “Even have a Western shirt and buckle.”

  “Courtesy of my roommates.” He nodded toward her hat. “I see we all match.”

  “I thought it might be easier to find you and Dub, but everyone pulled out their straw hats today.”

  “Thank you for the Resistol,” Jack said.

  “Yeth! Thank you, Miss Lucy.”

  “You’re both welcome. Now tell me about this greased pig strategy.”

  “No way. You’re the competition,” he said.

  Lucy sighed, feigning disappointment. “Are you going to be that way?”

  “I am, and Dub is going to win today.”

  Dub grinned when Jack led him to a private area.

  “Show me your left hand,” Jack said.

  Dub shot up his left hand.

  “The pig is going to go left, so you have to be ready. Always be prepared to go left. Grab him around the neck, land on his back and hook him with your feet so he can’t go anywhere.”

  Dub offered a solemn nod as he took in the instructions. “How do you know the pig will go left, Mr. Jack?”

  “Google.” Jack patted his back. “Do your best. That’s all you can do.”

  The announcer called out Dub’s name and Jack stood at the fence, hands gripping the rail.

  That was his kid in there.

  The crowd roared when the gate opened, releasing a sow covered in grease. Dub’s little legs moved down the field after the squealing animal.

  “Go, Dub go! Go left! Go left!”

  Dub focused on his target, pulled the pig to the ground by the neck and hooked his back legs around the animal’s torso.

  “With a time of forty-five seconds, and the time to beat, Big Heart Ranch’s own Dub Lewis!”

  Dub raced out of the arena and into Jack’s arms. “Jack, I’m the time to beat!”

  Jack offered a high five. “Whoa, that’s some grease on you, pal.”

  “Stewie and Henry are going now.”

  They stood side by side at the fence, hands gripping the rail as each competitor had their moment of glory in the ring with the pig. Lucy, too, cheered her buddies from the sidelines.

  “And the winner of the junior greased pig competition, with a time of forty-five seconds, is Dub Lewis.”

  Dub’s eyes rounded, and he started to jump up and down. “Jack. Jack. I won!”

  “Yahoo!” Jack shouted. He scooped Dub up and raced him through the applauding crowd to the winner’s circle to get his ribbon.

  “That was great, guys,” Lucy said. She mussed Dub’s hair. “I am so proud of you.”

  Dub held his ribbon up for her to examine. “Look, Miss Lucy. Mr. Jack told me how to grab the pig, and it worked.”

  “Oh, Dub. Wait until your sisters see this.”

  “Do you know where my sissies are, Miss Lucy?”

  “They’re with Miss Lorna at the line dance competition. We’ll find them later. Don’t worry.”

  “Dub, let’s pin this on your shirt,” Jack said as he wiped his hands on his jeans. He knelt down next to Dub and grabbed a wad of fabric, but the ribbon kept dangling crooked.

  Lucy knelt next to him. “Let me help.”

  Their hands touched as she took the ribbon and expertly attached it to Dub’s shirt. Lucy’s gaze met his and she smiled, a soft, smile that reached her eyes and warmed him inside and out.

  “Thank you, Lucy,” Jack murmured.

  “You’re very welcome.”

  He stood. “Which way is the food? Us cowboys need to eat after a hard day tackling greased pigs.”

  “Follow your nose,” Lucy said.

  “Left.”

  “Correct.” Lucy grabbed his arm. “Look, Jack.”

  He turned in time to see a vintage red humpback Chevy pickup truck pull into the parking lot.

  “It’s exactly the same as my dad’s.”

  “Wow, she’s a beauty. Do you recognize the driver? An alumni?”

  “Let me go check.” A moment later she returned with a smile on her face. “He’s the husband of an alumni and he restores cars.” She waved a business card. “I’ve got his number. I’m going to stop by and take the Chevy for a test drive.”

  “Way to go, Lucy. I’m proud of you.”

  “What for?” she asked.

  “For doing something for Lucy, for a change.” He smiled, sharing her enthusiasm. “So you’re getting rid of the Honda?”

  “Old Yeller? Yes, I’m warming to the idea.” She grinned and looked back at the truck. “A test drive, Jack. That’s all.”

  “Can we get our food now?” Dub asked.

  “Single-minded, aren’t you, Dub? I guess that’s what makes a greased pig champion.” Jack pointed to a picnic table in view of the Chevy. “I’ll grab the food. Why don’t you and Miss Lucy wait here?”

  “Burger for me, please,” Lucy said.

  “Me, too,” Dub chimed in.

  When Jack returned to the bench, Dub was asleep with his head on Lucy’s lap.

  “He’s beat. No mutton busting for this little guy.” Lucy smoothed back the hair from Dub’s forehead. “Lorna said he’s been having trouble sleeping again.”

  “Again?” Jack sat down on the other side of Dub and placed the food on the picnic table.

  “Yes. He couldn’t sleep when he first came to Big Heart Ranch.”

  “What’s going on now?”

  “Dub knows the end of summer is almost here. He’s worried. For himself and his sisters.”

  Moisture welled in Lucy’s eyes. She bit her lip and stared ahead. “No child should have to worry like that. Dub Lewis has grown-up problems, and it’s not fair. A little boy shouldn’t have to sacrifice his childhood to protect his sisters.”

  A sucker punch hit Jack straight in the gut as a lone tear rolled down Lucy’s cheek.

  “What can I do to make sure the fostering goes through for you, Lucy? Whatever you need. I’m your guy.”

  “Pray, Jack. Pray.”

  He could do that. The Lord had given him plenty of practice this summer at Big Heart Ranch. He’d developed a proficiency for stall mucking, coop cleaning and prayer. Time to put that last one to work.

  Chapter Twelve

  “Here you go, Iris. Two Big Heart Ranch staff T-shirts. Jeans or slacks are the uniform. No sneakers, and absolutely no open-toed shoes. This is a working ranch and you could be called out into the field at a moment’s notice, so keep a pair of boots at the office.”

  “Yes, Ms. Maxwell,” the young woman replied with a nod.

  “Call me Lucy.”

  “Yes, ma’am. Um, Jack said I’d have my own office.”

  “Of course he did.” Lucy laughed. This was yet another one of those “oh, that Jack” moments she was learning to take in stride.

  Lucy opened the door to the supply closet. “Unfortunately, until Jack builds you an office from pixie dust, we’re going to have to be creative.” She shoved the copier against the wall with her hip and propped open the door.

  “Do I have a phone?”

  “Yes. I would have ordered you one sooner, however, someone failed t
o let me know you’d be starting today. He told me Monday. The phone company technicians promised that an installer is on his way. Make sure they give you a jack in here, along with your cable connection. Oh, and the guy who does our computers is coming this afternoon.”

  Iris glanced at the boxed computer on the floor. “Oh, I can take care of the computer. All your tech will need to do is download the software.”

  “Really?”

  “Consider it done.”

  “Terrific.”

  “Would it be okay to reorganize this room?”

  “Of course. Make it your own. There’s a closet down the hall and a conference room. Anything you can discreetly move into either of those locations is fine with me.”

  “Thank you, Lucy.”

  “No. Thank you, Iris. Despite my lack of preparation for your first day, and the fact that this is Friday and my brain already checked out, I’m excited you’re here. One glance into my office will verify that. I have a ton of work to dump on you.” She smiled. “Of course, I mean that in the nicest possible way.”

  Iris chuckled, and Lucy was certain that despite her misgivings, things were going to work out. If Iris relieved Lucy of the day-to-day stressors of the office, then Jack would be proven right. She did need an admin.

  “Thank you, Jack,” she whispered.

  Rue had a point—she did need to learn to allow people to help her, without being afraid.

  Was partnering with Jack to review the ranch funding such a bad idea? She hadn’t reevaluated the expenditures in five years. Sure, they’d hired an independent auditor each year, but those results simply kept the books in order. Suddenly the idea of her and Jack working together held an exciting appeal.

  Lucy’s desk phone rang the moment she sat down. Soon someone else would be handling these calls. She glanced at the ivy on the windowsill. Perhaps Iris could resuscitate the plant, as well.

  She pushed the stack of fostering paperwork ready for the Department of Human Services aside and picked up the phone.

  “Lucy Maxwell, Big Heart Ranch.”

  “Ms. Maxwell, this is Asa Morgan with Morgan and Masters in Manhattan. I’m trying to reach Jackson Harris. The numbers we have on file for him aren’t functional and his aunt referred me to you. I understand Mr. Harris is doing pro bono work with your ranch this summer.”