Rodeo Queen

by T. J. Kline

  She opened the main door of the barn and heard Valentino whinny. “Shh, you don’t want to wake everyone else, do you?” She hurried to his stall and he met her at the door, hanging his head over the gate. “So what do you think of this place?” She rubbed a hand over his forehead.

  “Couldn’t sleep?” The familiar voice sent her heart racing. Scott stood beside her but didn’t touch her. His rigid stance told her that he was upset, but she had no idea why.

  “Not yet. Too much excitement, I guess.” She looked over her right shoulder. “What are you still doing up? I thought everyone in the house was asleep.”

  “Seems like you are getting along fine with everyone already.” She couldn’t read anything in his face, but his tone and the fact that he refused to look at her sent up warning signals.

  She matched his nonchalant tone. “I’d like to think so.”

  “Derek seemed quite taken with you.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Sydney bridled at the suggestion.

  “It means I saw him when he first laid eyes on you and I heard the two of you in your room.” He faced her and she could see the barely contained anger glinting in his eyes. “I know you guys are going to be working together with the horses—if Derek actually works.”

  Was Scott jealous of Derek? Sydney turned and faced him. “Scott, I am not interested in your brother.” She laid her hand on his forearm, trying to reassure him.

  Scott cocked an eyebrow, his eyes still dangerously clouded. “Really? So you told him about us?” His tone clearly assured her that he knew she hadn’t.

  Sydney drew back, hurt by his accusation. “I’m not sure what you think you heard. Derek was helping me unpack and, sure, he flirted a little. But I was trying to figure out what to tell him about us without causing any trouble between the two of you.”

  He shrugged. “So you thought leading him on was the best decision? What’s next? A little seduction scene while you are out riding tomorrow?”

  “I wasn’t leading him on. What was I supposed to say, Scott? That we kissed? That you want me?” Sydney’s voice was dripping in sarcasm as her frustration flared into anger. Hadn’t he realized by now that she wasn’t out to seduce anyone?

  “I don’t think that’s really a concern any longer,” Scott interrupted. His black eyes narrowed, his voice suddenly calm.

  She wouldn’t allow him to see how his words wounded her. His accusations hurt enough, but to know that she’d imagined the desire she’d thought he felt . . . She felt like a foolish, lovesick teenage girl. “Fine. Then I’ll just do my job, and we’ll have as little to do with one another as possible.”

  “Keep your distance from Derek, Sydney. He’s trouble.”

  “At least he was nice and welcomed me. You’ve been the one who was nothing but trouble. You don’t have the right to warn me about anything, Scott.” She spun to leave but felt his hand at her elbow. She jerked it free of his grasp and whirled on him, causing Valentino to jump backward. “Don’t ever touch me again.”

  He arched a brow and his gaze swept from her head to her knees and back. “Next time, princess, you’ll beg for me to touch you.”

  “Don’t bet on it.” She wished she could slam the door of the barn but had to suffice with storming toward the house.

  Sydney hurried back to her room and flung herself onto the bed. How could she have believed that Scott Chandler cared about her? She felt the hot tears streaming down her cheeks, hating herself for crying for him but unable to find the strength to stop the flow. So much for their budding friendship, let alone any sort of truce for the sake of working together in peace.

  SYDNEY WAS UP early the next morning after a long night of tossing and turning in the unfamiliar room. She glanced at the clock just before hearing Mike greet the giant black lab on the porch. The horses immediately started whinnying in anticipation of breakfast. Every sound seemed to reverberate in her aching head. She groaned, wishing for aspirin, before tossing back the covers and grabbing her robe. She might as well get an early start on what she was sure would prove to be a trying day. In fact, that would probably prove to be an understatement.

  She grabbed a towel from the hall closet Jen had showed her the night before and headed for the shower. She stood under the warm water and closed her eyes, willing her headache to go away. Sydney let the spray of the water soothe her sore muscles and relax her mind. A knock on the door brought her crashing back to the present and her eyes flew open.

  “Any day, Sydney. You’re not the only one in the house.”

  Did Scott really have to intrude on her shower the way he’d intruded in her fitful dreams last night? Was a moment’s peace too much to ask for?

  “If you don’t open this door in two minutes, I’ll break it down.”

  “That I’d like to see,” she muttered as she turned off the water and pulled her robe over her shoulders.

  Apparently the acoustics in the bathroom were better than she’d thought. Just as she fastened the sash on her robe, the door swung in.

  “What in the hell are you doing?” she yelled.

  “I warned you.”

  With her wet hair plastered to her head and tendrils sticking to her cheeks and neck, Sydney pushed her way past him, proud of her ability to contain her anger and not slam the bedroom door.

  Sydney heard the bathroom door close and the shower turn on before a deep baritone began singing a haunting country ballad. She frowned, pulling on her jeans, as she realized Scott was singing the same song they’d danced to at the barbecue. She wasn’t sure what he hoped to accomplish by trying to aggravate her at every turn, but she wasn’t about to give him the satisfaction of knowing he’d succeeded. She buttoned a faded Western shirt over her tank top and stepped into her boots before checking her reflection in the mirror. Maybe a little mascara? She dabbed it on quickly before running a comb through her wet hair, pulling it back into a ponytail, and hurrying down to help Silvie with breakfast.

  “Need any help, Silvie?”

  “Thanks, honey, but it’s all under control.” She motioned toward the set table. “Take a load off.” She poked her head into the oven to check her breakfast casserole before glancing at Sydney over her shoulder. “Something wrong?”

  “What?” She had to get her head on straight. “No, nothing I can’t take care of.”

  Mike stomped his feet at the back door before entering. “Hey, Silvie, how much longer ’til breakfast? I’m starved!” He blinked as he noticed Sydney at the table. “Morning, Sydney.” He made his way to the cupboard and grabbed a mug. “Want some coffee?”

  “Sure, thanks.” She smiled at her employer as he placed the steaming mug in front of her.

  “Milk? Sugar?” he offered.

  “This is fine, thank you.” She raised the mug to her lips, inhaling the tantalizing aroma before sipping it.

  “So, where are you starting today?” Mike took the seat across from her, leaning back in the chair as he sipped his coffee.

  “We’re heading out after breakfast so I can show her the stock and what she’s working with. After lunch, I figured we’d get started on the paperwork,” Derek answered as he entered the room. “Morning.” He reached out as he passed by and slid a finger down her arm.

  Sydney didn’t miss Silvie’s raised brows or the questioning look she shot toward Mike. And why wouldn’t they wonder? They had no idea what had happened between her and Scott the night before. She didn’t even get a chance to answer Derek before he gave Silvie a squeeze around her shoulders. “Morning, Sil. Smells good this morning. What are we having?”

  “Your favorite, as if you didn’t know.” Silvie reached for a mug and handed it to Derek. “I have some lunch already packed for you and Sydney to take too.”

  “Are we going to be out that long?” Sydney glanced at Derek and caught his wink.

  “Who knows?” He laughed.

  “Isn’t it a bit early to be laying the charm on so thick, Derek?” Scott strode into the room.
“Morning, Mike, Silvie.”

  Sydney glanced from Mike to Silvie before settling her gaze on Derek’s storm-clouded eyes. It hadn’t escaped anyone’s notice that Scott hadn’t greeted her, ignoring her presence entirely.

  Derek glared at his brother. “I thought you’d have left early with Clay. Sleeping in?” Sydney was sure she wasn’t imagining the sarcasm and resentment dripping from Derek’s words.

  “Nope, just taking a shower.” Scott arched his brow at Sydney as if daring her to comment. He sipped his coffee and leaned against the kitchen counter. She simply frowned at him when Derek’s eyes flickered over her still damp hair. “Oh, and Mike, I’ll need to pick up a new lock for the bathroom door.”

  “Do I even want to know why?” Mike’s brows shot up between the weathered creases of his forehead.

  “Probably not.” Scott chuckled and looked pointedly at Sydney. “Ask her.” He jerked his chin at her. “I have to head out and get some work done. We can’t all take picnics and joyrides around the ranch all day.”

  Derek blanched at Scott’s open animosity before Sydney saw the color flood back into his cheeks. His pride wasn’t allowing him to tolerate Scott’s mocking. The chair scraped the wooden floor before toppling backwards. Derek was standing toe-to-toe with Scott before anyone realized what was happening. Derek had the height over his brother but his youth and lanky frame wouldn’t match Scott’s experience and powerful physique.

  Scott calmly rose to his full height, the counter still behind him, and slid the cup to the counter. “I’d advise you to take a step back, little brother. I don’t want to have to help Silvie clean the mess your blood will make.”

  Sydney held her breath. This was exactly what she’d been worried about. The dangerous gleam in Scott’s eyes left no doubt that his wasn’t an empty threat.

  “Knock it off, you two,” Mike warned. He hadn’t even looked at the two men but his tone left no room for argument.

  She watched anxiously as Derek’s lips split into a wide grin as if he’d just pulled one over on Scott. He glanced back at Sydney before stepping away from Scott and, reaching over, righted the chair.

  “It’s fine, Mike.” Derek sat down as Silvie reached for the casserole in the oven as if the fight between the brothers was typical morning chatter. “I guess Scott’s just nervous to see Liz tomorrow for the first time since their breakup.”

  Sydney shot a quick glance at Scott. He wouldn’t meet her gaze and she couldn’t read his expression. Was that why he started the argument with her last night? Did he still have feelings for his ex-girlfriend and want her out of the way now that she was returning? Well, she’d make sure that she wasn’t anywhere near either of them. Scott and his ex could get back together and she wouldn’t even care. Sydney knew it was a lie, even as she thought it. She knew she was stupid for even getting involved with Scott. There’d been nothing about him that suggested any sort of relationship. For him, it was all about desire, and he’d made that clear from the start.

  Silvie placed a plate of food in front of her, squeezing her shoulder in sympathy. She was grateful for even that little bit of offered comfort, as if Silvie understood her thoughts while the three men in the room seem oblivious to her inner turmoil. She had never felt so foolish, or so used. She moved the food around the plate, unable to eat. Scott put his cup in the dishwasher and left through the back door. He hadn’t denied Derek’s accusation.

  Sydney sighed and rubbed her temple with her fingertips. Silvie rose from the table without a word, and grabbed Sydney’s plate before returning to the chair, slipping two aspirin into her hand. She reached over and squeezed Silvie’s hand in thanks. She wasn’t sure if she should be grateful or worried about how much Silvie seemed to see.

  “Sydney, honey,” she suggested sweetly, “why don’t you head out and get those horses ready and I’ll send Derek on his way in a sec.”

  Sydney mouthed a “thank you” as she slipped out the back door, leaving Derek and Mike, and giving her time to gather her wits after the war zone that had been her first breakfast on the ranch.

  Chapter Eight

  * * *

  SCOTT WAS HEADED back to the ranch after a trip into town for some medicinal supplies for the stock. Mike had insisted he needed them immediately, although Scott had his suspicions it was to get him off the ranch and away from Derek and Sydney for a while after this morning’s scene at breakfast. He wasn’t sure what had prompted him to break down the bathroom door—although seeing Sydney’s shock was almost worth the trouble—and then to nearly come to blows with his brother. He hadn’t been that mad at him since they were teenage boys.

  Of course, he had to admit that Sydney had them both acting like teenage boys again. He knew that Derek had always been a flirt, even if he wasn’t interested in a girl; it was just his personality. He was the charming one and Scott was the quiet one. To hear him flirting with Sydney, however, had brought something to the surface that he hadn’t felt since Liz. It was more than just jealousy, although the thought of Sydney with Derek was certainly enough to make him want to punch a wall. The scene he’d caused in the barn last night wasn’t like him. He couldn’t explain why he’d been so angry that she hadn’t told Derek that there might be something beginning to develop between them. But this was more than his ego being worried to lose a woman to someone else. It was about an underlying suspicion that every word between them, every shared touch, every kiss, had been some sort of act. It had all been a lie he hadn’t seen through—again.

  Just like with Liz, he feared that Sydney was playing him for a fool. He wanted to believe that the past week was real, that the passion he’d felt was more than just desire. But he couldn’t risk what little pride he’d managed to salvage out of the situation with Liz on a fairy-tale notion of love that might or might not prove real. Even if he had convinced himself just a few days ago that Sydney was nothing like Liz. Even if it felt completely illogical, he wouldn’t chance having that wall he’d built chipped away, and being betrayed again. It was all enough to give him a headache. He pressed a button on the truck’s radio, blaring AC/DC through the speakers, hoping to drown out the part of his brain trying to convince him that pushing Sydney away was a mistake.

  By the time he’d returned and passed the supplies off to Clay, it was nearing lunch. He was starving and knew he should settle for a quiet meal in the house with Silvie, Jen, and Clay, but before he could talk himself out of it, he headed to the barn to saddle Noble, his black-and-white paint. He headed toward the creek in the east pasture, knowing his brother would pick that secluded spot for a romantic tryst, as he had so many times before. It was where they both had taken dates all through high school, but while Scott had grown up quickly, Derek still seemed to be a boy in a man’s body.

  Scott reached the creek to find it deserted. He loosened Noble’s reins, letting him graze on the surrounding grass, and leaned back on a tree to wait in case they showed. He cursed his own jealousy, especially when there were animals that needed vaccines, fences always in need of repair, and stock to check on, but he couldn’t shake the need to be close to Sydney, even if it was only to prove she was a gold digger.

  DEREK LED THE way and Valentino flipped his head, pulling at the reins, wanting to run. Sydney reined him in as they headed toward the creek Derek had told her about. She’d already checked out the stock she’d be working with and had to admit that Mike and Scott had a great eye for horses. The animals were well kept, healthy, and seemed intelligent. The two of them had enjoyed a fun afternoon of chatting about horses, rodeos, and their childhoods. She was grateful for the light conversation that didn’t hold any indication of romance, and her earlier headache from breakfast had long since disappeared. Of course, the fact that Scott had disappeared immediately following the scene in the kitchen had helped immensely.

  “Whoa.” Derek drew his gelding to a quick halt.

  Sydney followed suit, unsure of what had him pulling up short. “What is it?” she asked as she fol
lowed his suddenly somber gaze toward a stand of trees. She spotted the unmistakable black-and-white paint grazing in the trees.

  “Scott,” Derek muttered.

  Wonderful, she thought. There goes the rest of the afternoon. Didn’t he have anything better to do than to torment her? Derek glanced over at her and she tried to hide her frustration, but she knew she’d never been good at hiding her feelings from anyone. Her mother had always said that her eyes gave her away.

  “Okay, I’m not the biggest fan of my brother, but I’ve gotta ask. What’s going on with the two of you?”

  Sydney opened her mouth, ready to tell Derek a condensed version of what had happened at the rodeo grounds, but changed her mind as she saw the mix of hope tinged with reservation. If the argument with Scott last night had proven anything, it was that she’d been nothing more than a fun distraction until he’d become bored with her. She felt like a mouse being toyed with by a very irritating tomcat.

  “I think it bothers him that I took this job. He didn’t want me to,” she confessed.

  “I think it’s more than that.” Derek tapped his horse’s sides and they began walking toward the creek. “He likes to be the boss, have things his way with no surprises. I think you challenge that control and he’s not sure how to handle it. You push him out of his comfort zone.”

  An image of Scott trying to make breakfast popped into her mind. He’d definitely been out of his area of expertise there. A smile found its way to her lips. “I guess I do.”

  Her smile faded as quickly as it appeared when she saw Scott seated by the trees, one knee bent, head back against the tree, his straw hat settled on his knee. She was struck by the raw sexuality he possessed and her pulse quickened, butterflies suddenly appearing in her stomach. She could say he didn’t affect her, but she’d be lying.

  “Hey guys,” he greeted as they rode up, not even glancing their way. “What are you guys doing all the way over here?” He stood up, placed his cowboy hat back on his head, and brushed the dirt and grass from his jeans.