The Cowboy's Secret (Cowboys After Dark: Book 3)

by Maggie Carpenter

  Her house was finished and on the market, her horses were living at the ranch, and she spent most of her time at his house. She and Jiminy were joined at the hip, and the big gelding would follow her around like a puppy. When she made her trilling sound he would gallop across the field to stand with her at the fence, and he would whinny a loud greeting whenever she approached his corral.

  She had taken over his care, bought him new blankets, had her saddle fitter visit to make sure the saddle wasn’t pinching or pressing, and she wouldn’t let anyone else groom or feed him. Clint too, adored the horse, and having watched the love and trust develop between Amelia and Jiminy had touched him profoundly.

  Clint and Amelia had become a couple. They shared a passionate ardor than fired hot and showed no signs waning, but Clint had hesitated in asking her to give up her rental house, stop looking for another ranch, and move in with him. He suspected she wanted to, but it was the one area in which she was displaying tolerance, though it had occurred to him perhaps she wasn’t ready to make such a commitment either.

  It wasn’t because he didn’t want her there, quite the contrary. On the nights she would stay at her cottage he missed her, and was always happy to see her car moving up the driveway the next day, but he knew if they took that pivotal step, he would have to open the trunks, and if he opened the trunks he would have to share his past, and the relationship would fire into something deep and extraordinary, or he would lose her.

  The loud ringing of his house phone snapped him from his thoughts, and moving quickly from the closet to his bedside table he picked up the receiver.

  “Hey, Clint, it’s Matt.”

  “Matt! Hey yourself, I’m glad you called. What’s happenin’? I was startin’ to get a bit worried.”

  Clint had placed several calls to his friend wanting an update on his plans for the twins’ horses, most especially Jiminy.

  “Sorry, things here have been a bit crazy. I think Victoria and I are heading for the courtroom,” Matt said soberly. “I’ve been up to my eyeballs with accountants and lawyers. The twins are beside themselves, and of course with the holidays coming up they want their horses back here so they can ride again.”

  A fist hit Clint in his gut, and he dropped on his bed.

  “I thought Jiminy was too much for Caitlin,” Clint reminded him. “He’s a big, powerful horse. Are you sure that’s a good idea? I have a buyer if you want to move him on.”

  “Hey, I’d like nothing better. I agree and I used to worry every time she climbed on his back, but she’s in such a state about the possibility of this divorce it’s hard for me to argue.”

  “I have a suggestion,” Clint said slowly. “Why don’t you send her down here for the day? She’s probably forgotten what it was like to ride him, and if she hasn’t been on a horse in all these months I suspect it will be even tougher for her.”

  “Genius,” Matt declared. “That is absolute genius. I should warn you though, she’s become a handful. I mean, really difficult.”

  “Uh-huh. That’s okay, I can scare nineteen-year-olds into behavin’. Besides, she doesn’t know me that well and that’ll help.”

  “I’m sure you can. I’d be much happier if she got a new horse. Something that doesn’t jump as big or gallop as fast. I don’t want her getting hurt.”

  “If it looks like she’s having trouble I’ll make sure she gets off,” Clint promised.

  “Done. I’ll fly her down in the company jet, so expect her on Saturday, sometime in the late morning.”

  “Call me she’s leavin’ and I’ll make sure Sam’s at the airport waitin’,” Clint assured him. “Sorry about you and Victoria. Maybe two can work out your differences.”

  “I live in hope. I’ll speak to you later, bye.”

  “Bye, Matt.”

  Hanging up the phone Clint shook his head.

  How the hell am I going to tell Amelia about this? If that girl comes down here and God Forbid, has a great ride, she’ll take the horse away, and it could happen. Amelia has him goin’ so well.

  “Clint? What’s wrong? You look really upset?”

  He turned to see Amelia walking towards him. The winter was officially upon them, and she was dressed in thick beige riding britches and a black sweater.

  “You look gorgeous,” he said softly. “You should wear that out to dinner.”

  “I should?” she asked merrily. “Maybe I will. I know you like watching me walk around in my riding clothes.”

  “I like watching you walk around in anythin’,” he said quietly.

  “Clint? Something’s wrong, what is it? I heard you on the phone, was it bad news?”

  “You’d better sit down,” he sighed.

  “You’re scaring me,” she breathed, feeling her pulse abruptly accelerate.

  “I’m sorry, darlin’, but Caitlin, Matt’s daughter, she’s comin’ in to ride Jiminy this weekend,” he announced.

  “What? Why?” she whispered.

  Clint saw the color drain from her face, and as the crease crinkled her forehead he could feel his heart breaking for her.

  “The holidays are comin’, and she wants him home, but she hasn’t ridden in ages and she probably won’t even be able to manage him.”

  “This can’t be happening,” she croaked, her throat constricting, making it difficult for her to speak. “It’s been months, I don’t understand. I thought your friend wanted to sell him. I should have pushed, I should have made it happen,” she exclaimed clenching her fists.

  “I’m so sorry,” he murmured putting his arm around her.

  “Well, she can’t have him. She just can’t. I’ll put him in a trailer and haul him away somewhere!” she blurted, jumping from the bed. “There’s no way in hell she can just come waltzing in here and take him back. I won’t let her, no fucking way!”

  The tears sprang from her eyes, and letting out a wail of sheer pain she ran from the bedroom. Clint stood up to run after her, but stopped, not even sure what he could say.

  All I can do is pray that Caitlin won’t be able to ride him. Shit. This sucks real bad.

  Moving through the sliding glass doors, he shivered in the cold air as he looked across at the barn; Amelia was in the golf cart zipping down the driveway towards Jiminy. She was driving much too fast, and he cringed as she skidded the cart to a stop. A hot lump forming in his throat, he watched as she jumped out and ran into Jiminy’s corral, throwing her arms around his neck. The magnificent white horse dropped its head and engulfed her; he was giving her a horse hug.

  Unable to watch her heartbreak he closed the slider and moved quickly into the living room, pouring himself a shot of scotch. He rarely drank during the day but the entire situation was extremely upsetting, and he couldn’t bear to see Amelia so bereft. Dropping into his favorite easy chair by the fireplace, he pondered the heaviness in his heart.

  Your heart’s breakin’ for her. You care more about her than you realized.

  Looks like.

  So, whatta you gonna do about it?

  Good question.

  He finished his drink and was contemplating a second when she returned, her face drawn and wet from her tears.

  “Hey, darlin’,” he said softly, moving quickly to greet her.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to yell at you, I know it’s not your fault,” she sobbed. “I just can’t bear the thought of losing him. We love each other.”

  “I know, darlin’, I know,” he crooned, enveloping her in his arms. “We’ll figure this thing out one way or another.”

  “How? He’s perfect, he never puts a foot wrong,” she sniffled.

  “He never puts a foot wrong when you’re on him. It’ll be a different story when Caitlin’s on his back,” I hope, I pray!

  “How can someone leave their horse for months, then think they can just come barging back in its life,” she exclaimed. “He’s not a car! He has feelings, and…and…fuck!”

  “Hey, come on now,” Clint murmured leading her towar
ds the couch in front of the fire. “Take a deep breath. You’re right, but if you’re all upset and angry he’s gonna feel it. You gotta be strong for him, Amelia.”

  “You’re right, I do, but I’m telling you, Clint, there’s no way in hell she’s leaving here with him,” she said vehemently as he sat her on the couch. “You hear me? No way in hell.”

  “I hear you,” he replied pouring her a large scotch. “Here, drink this, it’ll take the edge off.”

  “Thanks,” she said, taking the heavy tumbler. “I mean it, I’ll slash the trailer tires, I’ll do whatever, she can’t have him!”

  “You won’t be slashin’ any tires,” he said firmly sitting next to her. “We’ll figure it out. Drink.”

  Hands shaking, she brought the glass to her lips and took a large swallow. As the spicy liquid burned down her throat, she closed her eyes and curled up against him.

  “I love him so much,” she whispered, fresh tears spilling down her face. “Please don’t let her take him.”

  “I’ll do whatever I can,” he promised.

  His heart pumped in his temples as he held her tightly, and with the heat in his throat becoming almost overwhelming, an epiphany flooded his soul.

  You’re feeling her pain as if it were your own! Damn…you love this girl with all your heart, and it’s taken this crisis for you to realize it.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  Sam pulled the car into the parking lot of the small airstrip. It had been a tense two days at the ranch, with Amelia’s red-rimmed eyes a constant reminder that she was virtually inconsolable.

  He had grown to like Clint’s girlfriend very much. She could be hilariously witty, and she wasn’t just tough and smart, she possessed a sensitive heart. The horses adored her, and Jiminy was head-over-heels in love. She was an excellent rider and a hard worker, riding at least four horses every afternoon, except on Sunday.

  Clint had decreed that Sunday was a day of rest and relaxation for Amelia, and would take her off the ranch. They’d leave in the morning, and not return until late in the evening, sometimes staying away overnight.

  Sundays had become Sam’s favorite day of the week, not because Clint and Amelia were gone, but because Anastasia, or Annie as he’d taken to calling her, would arrive at lunchtime and spend the afternoon. What was supposed to have been a temporary sentence for a selfish, spoiled naughty girl to learn to care about something other than herself, had transformed into a permanent once a week visit. Annie had taken to horses as though born to it, and though he’d had to keep her on a tight leash, as the months had passed he had become quite fond of the young vixen.

  Sitting in the car waiting for the private plane to touch down, he grinned when he thought about her. He’d smacked her hard on the rump the last time he’d seen her, something he’d not done before, and when she’d spun around to stare back at him, her wide-eyed shock and flushed face had stirred something in him, something that had taken him by surprise.

  It had been a simple thing; she’d forgotten to cover the saddles when she’d placed them on their racks, something she neglected to do on a regular basis. He’d discovered his expensive show saddles covered in dust, and when he’d ordered her into the tack room to clean them up, he’d added the swat as she’d walked past him.

  “How many times do I have to tell you!” he’d barked as his hand landed against her full, fleshy cheeks.

  He grinned at the memory, but the sound of the approaching aircraft snapped him back. Never having met the young woman who had disrupted the harmony that had fallen upon Train and Trail Farm, he wasn’t sure what to expect, but from what Clint had told him she wasn’t going to be easy. Rich, spoiled beyond reason, angry about her parents pending divorce, and not a particularly good rider.

  Amelia’s hard work with Jiminy had resulted in a muscled, fit horse, highly tuned to Amelia’s hands and leg. Sam shook his head; he had a feeling the reunion between Caitlin and the big gelding was not going to be pretty.

  The door to the plane opened and a short young woman impeccably dressed in britches, boots and a hunt coat, moved down the few steps on to the tarmac. Sam waited a minute before stepping from the car and introducing himself. He wanted to take stock, and his first impressions weren’t good ones.

  Caitlin was far too small for the 17.3 hand gelding, and he couldn’t understand why a diminutive young woman would want to sit on such a big horse. She was dressed for the show ring, not a casual ride at a friend’s ranch, and moments later a young man looking worried and harassed followed her out carrying a large leather bag.

  As the girl stood, staring around the airfield looking for her ride, Sam could see an unpleasant scowl cross her face. She turned, said something to her escort, and the young man immediately dug into the side pocket of the bag and handed her a phone.

  “Oh man, she’s a doozy,” Sam mumbled, and climbing from the car ambled slowly towards her.

  “Hey, Caitlin, I’m Sam Monroe. I’m here to take you to-”

  “About time,” she said tersely. “Where’s the car?”

  “Right over there, in the parking lot, where the cars are parked,” he replied with a wry grin.

  Without responding she turned around and handed her phone back to the young man.

  “Let’s go, I want to get this over with,” she declared.

  “Sure enough,” Sam said calmly, and man, wouldn’t I love to get you over my knee.

  She marched past him, the young man scurrying after her, but Sam meandered, taking his time.

  “Must you take all day?” she called. “Which car is it?”

  He pointed to the black Range Rover, and watched, shaking his head, as the young man opened the back door for her, then walked around the car and climbed into the front passenger seat.

  I guess I’m gonna be a chauffeur, Sam thought as he dawdled to the car. This is gonna be an interesting afternoon.

  At the ranch Amelia was in the house, agitated and anxious, unable to decide whether she wanted to be in the ring when Caitlin was riding. For two days Clint had done his best to reassure her, and while she’d had some moments of calm, for the most part she’d been walking around distressed and distracted.

  “You might be better off staying up here,” Clint said softly. “It’s cold and a bit blustery, and Jiminy will pick up on your vibe. It might make him edgy and that-”

  “That would be good,” Amelia interrupted. “Maybe if he’s nervous she’ll get scared and leave us in peace.”

  “You’ve got him so finely tuned I doubt she’ll be able to ride him. I really think this is going to work itself out,” he said reassuringly, repeating what he’d said to her countless times over the previous forty-eight hours.

  “I know you think I’m overreacting, but it’s been a long time since I’ve had this connection. Not since my first horse when I was fourteen. Jiminy and I, we’re…we’re…” but unable to continue she dropped her head into her hands. “I’m sorry,” she sobbed. “I can’t help it. He’s such an incredible horse. I can’t stand to think of him being stuck in a stall in a show barn with some horrible trainer. I can’t stand it, Clint.”

  Wrapping her up in his arms he managed to settle her down, but when he saw the Range Rover approach the barn he took a deep breath.

  “They’re here,” he said gently.

  “Shit,” she barked, “we have to do something. Fuck, I can’t stand this. I don’t want her anywhere near him.”

  “You stay here, and please, darlin’, try not to worry,” he murmured. Knowing it was a futile request, he squeezed her tightly, then breaking his hug he placed his finger under her chin and stared at her intently.

  “Hey, look at me,” he said gently.

  Lifting her tear-filled eyes she gazed back at him.

  “Do you trust me?”

  “Uh-huh,” she managed.

  “One way or another, I’ll find a way to make sure you get to keep him,” he promised.

  “H-how?” she stammered, a puzzled
frown crinkling her brow.

  “You leave the how up to me,” I love you to bits, and if it’s the last damn thing I do, I’ll make sure of it.

  “R-really?” she muttered, a huge droplet running down her cheek. “Y-you r-really th-think you can?”

  “You know I keep my promises,” he smiled, though how the hell I’ll keep this one I have no idea, “just be brave and keep the faith.”

  “Okay, I’ll try,” she nodded, “thank you so much. I know you don’t have a plan, but I, uh, really appreciate you saying all that,” and I love you so much, Clint Hogan, and no matter what happens, when this is over I’m going to tell you so.

  Silently grimacing he kissed her on the forehead, then turned away and headed out the kitchen door.

  Not knowing what to do with herself, she wandered into the kitchen and stared out the window. Sam was leading Jiminy from his corral, and heart breaking, she watched as he placed the horse in the cross-ties. A moment later Clint arrived in the golf cart, but she couldn’t see the girl anywhere. Clint talked to Sam for a minute, then walked across to the Range Rover and climbed inside.

  Shit, she’s sitting in the Range Rover while they’re getting Jiminy ready? She didn’t even get out and say hello to him. What a fucking cow! No, this is NOT going to happen. There is no fucking way she’s getting that horse. Sorry, Clint, I know you’re going to try and keep him for me but I can’t just sit here. I can’t. I’ll go fucking crazy.

  Impulsively she grabbed her jacket and hurried out the kitchen door towards the guest house. Racing around the back, she moved quickly down the track to the side of the barn.

  No-one will see me but I’ll be watching, and if that cow hurt’s a hair on Jiminy’s head, if she’s mean or can’t ride, I’ll be close enough to do something.

  Like what?

  I don’t know, but I’ll do something, I’ll pull her out of the saddle by her hair if I have to.