Under a Rodeo Moon

by Roni Adams

  “You can’t be serious. What kind of man lets a woman support him?”

  She crossed the room again and stood directly in front of him. “Maybe a man who wants more out of life than being right.”

  He snorted and shook his head as if she was nuts.

  “I’m dead serious, Dusty. The bottom line is, it’s your pride or it’s us. I’ve come all the way to Wayback, Texas. I gave up everything for you. All you have to do is give up your pride, let me buy the ranch, and we can live there together.”

  “Married?”

  She shrugged. “If you’re lucky, I’ll marry you, but that’s another conversation. I’m buying this ranch for us.”

  He raked a hand through his hair. “Let’s talk about this tomorrow.” He reached out a hand toward her, but she slipped out of his reach.

  “No, Dusty. I mean it. Your pride or me. That ranch won’t stay on the market long at the price they’re asking. I would suggest you make up your mind pretty quick.”

  She moved to the closet and pulled a blanket and pillow down off the shelf.

  His eyes widened. “You’re kicking me out of your bed?” He put his hand to his head. “You promised the doctor you’d nurse me back to health. I’m in bad shape, honey.”

  She rolled her eyes at his attempt to gain her sympathy. “I’m not kicking you out of bed. I’m moving to the couch. But only because you’re too big for the sofa.” She paused in the doorway and turned to give him her best hungry look. Raking her gaze up and down his body, she tipped her head. “You’re right, I do need to nurse you back to health. In fact, I think you should take that bath and let me soap you up and rub you all over before I tuck you into bed. Alone.”

  She flounced out of the room and bit back the smile on her face. The sight of his shock was priceless. There was never any doubt that Dusty wanted her physically, but he had to find out that the physical went with everything else. No matter how much she loved him, having sex with him was not going to happen if they couldn’t resolve this. It didn’t, however, mean she was above using it as a means to an end.

  She had no idea if Dusty would make the right decision about the property or not, but she was going to enjoy every second of torturing him. He deserved it after the months of hell she went through. It was time that a certain bull rider learned that he wasn’t always the one in control, and maybe he’d figure out exactly what was important to him.

  ****

  Dusty rolled over for the hundredth time. He couldn’t get comfortable. All around him, the scent of Carrie lingered on her pillowcases and sheets, but she’d held firm to her resolve that he was to sleep alone.

  Punching the pillow and tossing again, he tried to push the memories of the bath from hell from his mind. Her soft, long fingers made slippery by liquid soap stroked his body. She massaged every inch of his skin, kneaded his muscles, and managed to touch him all over on the premise of washing him. She’d tenderly shampooed his hair and managed to not get the stitches in his hairline wet. He’d done everything he could to convince her to join him in the bath. He teased, and touched, and even at one point pleaded, but she held firm. By the time she’d finished his sponge bath, he thought he’d go off like a rocket. But had she cared? Nope, she simply handed him a towel and wished him pleasant dreams and disappeared into the living room.

  He’d wandered out there several times already and she was sound asleep, her body curled up on the couch as if she was at peace with the world. He tossed off the covers and stood up, wandering about the small room. A picture of the two of them taken last year at some rodeo—he couldn’t even remember which one or which town now—was propped on her dressing table. He picked it up.

  She was right about one thing: he was stubborn. All he’d had to do to ease her fears back then was to tell her that he only planned to ride another year, two at the most. But he’d been so stubborn, thinking she was already growing bored with him and only wanted him on her terms. He’d been dead wrong and he knew it now. It took her walking away for him to realize how good he’d had it and how bad he’d blown it. What if she hadn’t been here in Wayback? He would have spent the rest of his life thinking she was married and living the good life in Dallas.

  Instead, she’d walked away from everything she knew, just on a chance of working things out with him. After a sacrifice like that, what had he done? Pushed her away and made her believe he didn’t love her or want her.

  Dusty cringed, remembering the night at the Blue Bug when he’d come on strong to her in the parking lot, claiming she owed him. What kind of an ass was he? Now, here she was once more taking care of him and offering them a solution out of the mess they were in, and he was too proud to let her help.

  He dragged his hand through his hair in frustration. But how could he let her buy the ranch for them? Use her money to finance what he wanted? He knew she’d never let him pay her back. There was no point in pretending she’d hold the mortgage or something. If they were married, it would end up being their property, wouldn’t it? If he’d bought it, he’d certainly intend to have her share it with him. Would he have thought less of her if she’d moved in with him to his ranch? Of course not. Then why couldn’t he get his head around this idea and work it out with her?

  Dusty wandered back into the living room on the premise of heading to the kitchen for something to drink. Unfortunately, he couldn’t walk past her without stopping to watch her. The covers were tossed off and she lay on her back, her arm flung up over her head. Her gorgeous breasts, hidden behind only a thin pink T-shirt, tormented him. How many times in the months they were together did he wake up in the middle of the night and have to touch her, make love to her until she woke up and smiled at him with a drowsy, but passionate, look...

  She’d always been there for him, ready and willing to make love all night. Even better were the quick little interludes in his trailer. Times when they only had a few minutes, but the sex was hot and fast and so incredibly good. Never in his life had he had things so good as when Carrie was by his side. No wonder the last six months had been like he was half-alive. He really had been.

  Forcing himself to step away from her, he walked into the kitchen and grabbed a glass of juice. Four a.m. He sighed. She’d be getting up soon to work the morning shift.

  An idea formed in his head and, before he wasted any more time, he returned to the bedroom and pulled on his clothes. Quietly grabbing her car keys from the table by the door, he slipped out into the predawn light.

  ****

  Carrie woke up to the sound of her cell phone alarm chirping. It took her a few minutes to remember why she was on the couch, and then she grinned. Dusty was in her bed. She stretched and sat up. She’d have to shower quick and get downstairs to get the coffee going in the diner.

  Padding into the bedroom, she smiled in anticipation at looking at him sleeping and was met instead with an empty bed. That was weird. Where was he?

  She glanced at the bathroom door, but it was open and no sounds came from within. “Dusty?”

  No answer. Fear coiled in her stomach and she marched back to the living room to check the kitchen.

  He was gone.

  A quick look to the side table showed he’d taken her car keys. She wrapped her arms around her middle as panic began to coil in her belly. He probably went back to the RV to get some more things, she rationalized. But when? Last night? While she slept? Or had he gotten up very early and headed out?

  She swallowed hard and reached for her cell phone. Her fingers on the keypad, she wondered if she should call him. Was that a bit much? Chasing him down, demanding to know where he was? She chewed her bottom lip. Did he go to get more things or was he punishing her for yet another ultimatum? Demanding that he let her buy the ranch or they were through? Isn’t that the same ultimatum she gave him in Cheyenne? She’d lost back then. Did she really think her stubborn bull rider was going to let her push him up against a wall and win?

  Carrie closed her eyes and grabbed the edge of the sofa
. She couldn’t live through another breakup with Dusty.

  A half-hour later, she was in the kitchen of the diner when a bleary-eyed Sam strolled in. She handed him an oversized mug of strong black coffee and knew better than to say anything until the entire mug was gone. On automatic, she moved about the diner, setting up for breakfast and getting ready to open. At five-thirty, she flipped the Closed sign to Open and waited, knowing who the first customer would be.

  Sheriff Dan walked in, took his hat off, and hung it on the peg by the door. He slipped into his usual booth as Carrie watched from across the room. She hadn’t seen him since their date several nights ago. With a mug of coffee, she walked over to where he sat studying the menu even though they both knew exactly what he’d order. “Morning, Dan.”

  The sheriff smiled at her as she set his coffee in front of him. “Morning. Hey, where’s your car? You having problems with it?”

  She shook her head and pulled out the pad of paper from her apron. “I loaned it to a friend.”

  He lifted an eyebrow, but didn’t push. “I heard that a friend of yours was injured in the rodeo Saturday night. Hope he’s doing okay.”

  Carrie pushed her hair back and lifted her chin. “He is, thank you. Dusty and I knew each other before I came to Wayback. He took my car to head back out to his place. I’m sure later today he’ll get someone to bring it back to me.”

  “Must have been early this morning then, because I saw your car there when I did my last rounds last night around eleven.”

  She bit her tongue at wanting to tell him he didn’t need to know everything that happened in town. It was Wayback. There was no point. “Do you want your usual for breakfast?”

  Dan lifted his chin and held her gaze. “Actually, I think I’m going to have biscuits and gravy with a side of eggs.”

  “That is quite a change for you.”

  “Someone told me that maybe I needed to try something different every once in a while.” He winked.

  She knew her cheeks burned. Dan would have been perfect for her. Rock solid, steady, and easy to get along with. Why did life make you fall for the one man who turned your world upside down? “I’ll get your order in right away.”

  Carrie slid the ticket through the window to Sam and waited for his usual commentary to begin. Within a half hour, the diner was busy, and she was grateful to not have much time to think. Still, she couldn’t stop herself from watching every time the bell jangled over the door, hoping that Dusty was coming through with a big grin on his face and her car keys.

  ****

  “You’re pulling out of all events?” Henry Garza stared at him from behind the counter at the Yellow Rose Arena.

  “Yep.” Dusty rocked back on his heels.

  “I guess that hit on the head did some good this time, huh?”

  “Maybe that bull did knock some sense into me, Henry. All I know is, it’s time for this bull rider to hang it up.”

  “Hey, Dusty. How’s the head?” Matt walked into the small office and reached out his hand.

  Dusty shook it and grinned. “You know me, pretty hardheaded. It would take more than one bull to bring me down.”

  Henry waved a leathered hand in his direction. “Dusty’s just pulled out of all the events for the rest of the season. Looks like you might get to win this year.”

  Matt frowned. “Pulling out? But why? I mean, you just said you weren’t hurt that bad.”

  Dusty shoved his hands in his pockets. He hated to admit what he had to admit, but it was step one of the rest of his life. “I think you’ve heard by now that Carrie’s here. I think we’re going to stick around Wayback, maybe get married, have a kid or two.”

  “You’re kidding? You said—”

  Dusty held up his hand. “I know all the stupid things I said, but listen, man, when it’s right, it’s right.” He grinned. “It came down to riding the circuit in that cramped RV with you guys for company or sleeping with Carrie every night. Which choice would you make?”

  Matt scratched his head. “When you put it like that, it makes even me want to find the right woman and snuggle in.”

  Henry snorted. “As if anyone would have you.”

  They exchanged a laugh and Dusty held out his hand. “You’re right. I’m a fool. Now if you two will excuse me, I need to get some things from the trailer.”

  Henry handed him a check. “Here’s your winnings for this season, Dusty. Got to say I hate to see you go. First your sister, then your brother, and now you. What is the world coming to?”

  “It’s a young man’s game. I have no doubt there’re several coming up behind me to take my place.”

  Matt walked out with Dusty. “So, what now?”

  Dusty kept on walking toward his RV. “I gotta pick up a few things and then take Carrie’s car back to town. She’s working all morning at the diner. We’re checking out some property outside town, too.”

  “Wow, buying your own place. This is serious, isn’t it?”

  Dusty grinned. “Yeah, it is. I’ve always wanted to do some horse breeding, maybe a little training and breaking. Maybe even do some lessons for up-and-coming bull riders, who knows.”

  “Well, hell. If rumors are true, Carrie’s loaded. Guess I wouldn’t ride bulls for a living, either.”

  Dusty stopped in his tracks and glared at the other man. “You honestly think I’d let her support us?”

  Matt scratched his head. “Hell, don’t get pissed off, buddy, I didn’t mean it that way. I’m just saying you’re lucky that money isn’t an issue anymore.”

  He tried to push his anger down. This was exactly why he didn’t want Carrie buying the property. No matter how he tried, it didn’t set right with him. “I gotta get my stuff together. “

  “Let me know if you got anything you want to get rid of. I know someone who’d be interested in your trailer.”

  Dusty kicked at the dirt in the arena and nodded. “Yeah, okay. I’ll let you know.” He walked away.

  “Hey, Dusty.”

  He turned back. Matt was probably one of his best friends on the circuit. “Yeah?”

  “What I said about Carrie and money.” Matt spat the chewing tobacco out of his mouth. “Well, what I mean is, you’re a lucky son of bitch. I wish I could find a gal half as in love with me as she is with you. I think you’re making the right decision, to stay here in Wayback with her. I’m happy for you, really.”

  For a cowboy who didn’t have much to say, he sure said a mouthful. Dusty instantly felt ashamed for wanting to punch him in the mouth only a few minutes ago. He walked back over to the other man and laid a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. “Thanks, man.”

  He walked away again.

  “Hey, if she’s got a sister or a cousin or even a best friend, don’t forget your old buddy.”

  Dusty laughed over his shoulder and kept on walking toward his RV. Inside the door, he tossed the keys to Carrie’s car on the counter and headed to the back. In the tiny bedroom, he ignored the mess of clothes he’d left when he got ready to perform. Was it only four days ago? Pulling out the drawer built into the wall that served as his nightstand, he pushed aside papers, ribbons, and even stale gum until he wrapped his hand around a small velvet pouch. Dumping out the solitaire diamond in the simple setting, he brushed his thumb across the prongs. His heart skipped a beat. The night Carrie left him in Cheyenne, he’d had the ring in his pocket. As she stormed out of the RV with only her purse, his hand had clenched around the diamond and made him feel an even bigger fool for thinking she was going to stay with him forever.

  Several times over the past few months, he’d taken it out to sell it, but something always stopped him. He put the ring back in the drawstring bag and closed his hand around it. Surprisingly, now he was feeling pretty calm about the whole thing. Maybe she was right and losing her was far worse than losing his pride. But if she thought she’d get her own way that easy, she was in for a surprise. She could buy the ranch, but first she had to agree to marry him.


  After packing a few things in a duffle bag, he grabbed his truck keys, leaving Carrie’s car in the lot by his trailer. If she didn’t have a car, she couldn’t leave him this time. He grinned to himself. Why take chances? He’d have to move his trailer out soon, but he knew Henry wouldn’t bug him about it for a couple weeks or so. As much as he knew he was ready to walk away from bull riding, he didn’t need to be around the arena, either. It was a bit like an alcoholic living over a bar.

  ****

  Carrie watched the door of the diner for the hundredth time that morning. Still no Dusty. Her cell phone hadn’t rung, and as lunch came and went, she began to panic. When Joyce Andrews, the realtor, walked in and took a seat at the counter, she wasn’t ready for her announcement. “You wanted to know if anyone put an offer in on that ranch?”

  Carrie set a glass of water down in front of the other woman. “Yes, but I don’t think there’ll be another offer coming through. The other party interested…”

  “Has put in an offer.” Joyce nodded. “I just received a text.” She held up a pink, jeweled cell phone and pointed it in Carrie’s direction. Before she could try to read it, Joyce pulled it back. “It’s a good offer, too.”

  Carrie’s mouth went dry. “What? Who? Um, can you tell me who put the offer in?”

  Joyce stared over her reading glasses at her. “That’s confidential information.” She slipped her glasses off. “I’m sorry, honey, I didn’t realize you were still really hot on it, or I would have pushed you to get an offer in. Didn’t you like any of those other properties I left for you to review?”

  Carrie wasn’t listening. Her mind whirled and her stomach heaved. Did Dusty put an offer in on the property to double cross her? Where would he have gotten the money?

  Zane. Of course. Zane had money and Dusty’s sister Free was married to him now. He was family. She couldn’t picture Dusty asking for help, but then, she’d never pushed him up against a wall this hard before. Her throat clogged with tears, but before she could say any more to Joyce, the door to the diner open and Dusty sauntered in. He looked smug, as if he had a big secret.