Rodeo Queen

by T. J. Kline

  “My cases are right there,” Jennifer said as she pointed at the two very large suitcases and overnight bag on the porch.

  Winding his arm around his wife’s waist, he pulled her close. “And this is why I never take you, woman. You bring everything but the kitchen sink.”

  “Fine.” Jennifer shrugged, standing on tiptoes to kiss his beard-roughened jaw. “I guess I’ll just stay home then.”

  He growled and placed a quick kiss on her lips. “Like hell you will.”

  They both laughed as Clay loaded Jennifer’s bags into the truck. Sydney watched their exchange with hidden jealousy. Jennifer had explained that they’d shared a rocky start to their relationship as well, but had quickly overcome it because of their mutual love. But Sydney and Scott didn’t have a mutual love. Their relationship was nothing more than lust, at least on his part, and she just couldn’t allow herself to be swept away by that tidal wave.

  “Everyone here?” Scott stepped from the back of the horse trailer. Sydney hated that her pulse raced every time she saw him.

  “Hold on,” a voice called from the porch. All heads turned to see Liz come running down the steps, curls bouncing, an overnight bag in her hands. “I’m coming too!”

  Mike reached for her arm. “But, honey, I stayed home so that we could have time to visit.”

  “But, Daddy,” she whined. “I want to go too.”

  Sydney could see the flicker of disappointment in Mike’s eyes. How could Liz not see or seem to care that she was hurting her father? And what sort of grown woman actually thought that whining would help her get her way? Sydney rolled her eyes.

  “Not this time, Liz,” Clay insisted. “We barely have enough room as it is. Stay and visit with your dad for a while.” He turned and opened the truck door for Jennifer, helping her inside.

  Sydney met Liz’s glare with a smile tugging at the sides of her mouth. She was only able to keep her composure because she could see what Liz’s request had done to Mike. She could deal with Liz’s hatred, but she was worried at how Mike almost seemed to age from the disappointment of knowing his daughter preferred anything other than his company.

  “Let’s move out,” Scott ordered.

  Sydney slid into the back seat of the truck Clay was driving, but not before she saw Scott walk over to where Liz still stood. She couldn’t make out his words, but if the unmistakable look of fury in the woman’s face was any indication, Liz didn’t like what he had to say.

  THE CREW PULLED their caravan of trailers into the rodeo arena just as the sun began descending behind the hills. Scott, Jake, and Clay hurried to unload the stock and make sure they were fed and had a plentiful supply of fresh water. Sydney and Jennifer unloaded the riding horses and led them to a pen separate from the bucking stock. Sydney threw flakes of alfalfa over the fence and stooped to dust the loose flakes from her pants as she saw Jennifer going into one of the fifth-wheel trailers brought to house them over the long weekend.

  “Wonder how they plan on working out these sleeping arrangements?” Sydney mumbled as she stomped her feet to shake off the leaves and stood.

  “You’ll be sharing a trailer with Jen.” Sydney’s heart leaped into her throat as Scott’s familiar voice intruded.

  “Oh, okay.” She was so surprised by his nearness that she practically forgot what she’d even said.

  “At least, for now,” he added.

  Sydney saw the flame of desire in his eyes and her pulse quickened at the sight of it. Stop it, she scolded herself.

  “What?”

  Scott wiped his hands on the sides of his pants. Was he actually nervous? She tried to look busy watering the horses.

  “There are so many entrants that we’ll be running slack well into Sunday evening. We’ll have to stay an extra night or two to close up the deal. Jen and Clay will head home with most of the guys, and we will stay and finish up with Jake.”

  Sydney bit her lip, trying to control the nervous flutter in her stomach at the thought of spending one night, let alone two, nearly alone with Scott. This was the longest conversation they’d had in days without it ending in an argument.

  “Sydney.” Her name was barely spoken as he turned her to face him, but she could hear the longing in his voice.

  She turned to him, hoping that her eyes wouldn’t lay her heart bare for his perusal. Scott tipped up her chin and she trembled at the contact. His thumb caressed her jaw and it took every bit of willpower she had to not lean into his touch.

  “Hey, Sydney.” Jennifer’s voice carried through the fading light of the arena grounds, breaking the trance. “I need your help with this.”

  “I have to . . .” Sydney stammered.

  Scott let his hand fall. “Saved again.”

  SYDNEY HURRIED TO the trailer, grateful for Jennifer’s interruption. That man could tempt the devil, she thought. One look from him was all it took to get her heart racing. And with only a touch, she’d practically melted in her boots. She considered herself lucky to have been able to escape with any shred of her pride still intact. The last thing she wanted Scott to know what that being around him was like the first time she’d been on a roller coaster: scary, yet oddly thrilling. He made her constantly feel like she was on unstable ground, trying to maintain balance where there was none. If she wanted to have any sort of sanity left, she’d have to stay as far away from him as possible. Now, if only I can figure out how to do that when everyone leaves, she mused.

  She saw Jennifer putting the sodas and beer in the small trailer’s refrigerator as she walked inside. “What did you need?”

  Her friend looked over her shoulder and smiled at Sydney. “Nothing. I just happened to see you with Scott, and you looked pretty uncomfortable.” She looked back into the refrigerator. “I thought I’d rescue you.”

  “Thank you.” Sydney sighed as she flopped onto the small sofa. “It’ll be worse when you guys leave.”

  “I thought you said he wasn’t interested in you.” Jennifer glanced at her again, raising a brow. “He didn’t look disinterested, that’s for sure.”

  Sydney looked around the trailer and changed the subject. “So, why is this trailer away from the other two?”

  Jennifer shrugged and stood up, arching her back to stretch it. “Because we’re women and I told them we wanted some privacy.”

  “But what about your anniversary?”

  “How’d you know about it?” Jennifer looked pleased that she’d remembered.

  “Silvie mentioned it a couple days ago before we knew about the rodeo.”

  “Yep, number seven.” Jennifer sighed. “Doesn’t seem like it’s been that long.”

  “We should celebrate tomorrow.”

  Jennifer scoffed at the thought. “Scott would never let us have a party the night before a rodeo.”

  “Jennifer,” Sydney scolded, “Aren’t you the oldest?” She continued when Jennifer nodded and looked at her as if she’d grown a third head. “Then that makes you a senior partner, doesn’t it?”

  Sydney watched the myriad of expressions that passed over Jennifer’s features. She laughed out loud as Jennifer smiled broadly. “A party it is,” she agreed.

  THE MEN GATHERED outside, eager for dinner, as Sydney and Scott’s sister finished preparing the meal in the trailer. The easiest way to feed a crew of this size was buffet-style, and Jen had promised the crew her famous fried chicken. Both women appeared, carrying platters of crispy, golden chicken, biscuits, gravy, and an enormous tossed green salad to a folding table. When everyone had eaten their fill and several of the guys were groaning from eating their share plus quite a bit more, Sydney and Jennifer jumped up to clear the table.

  “Do you want some help?” Clay moved to rise from his chair.

  Jen stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. “You know you never do dishes,” she teased. “Don’t pretend to be chivalrous just because Sydney is here.”

  The women retreated as the men continued to tease Clay. They returned within moments wit
h four homemade pies, courtesy of Silvie’s kitchen.

  Scott laughed as Jake groaned beside him. “I can’t eat another bite, but how can I pass up Silvie’s boysenberry pie?”

  “I’m sure you’ll find a way to fit it in,” Scott teased.

  He hadn’t taken his eyes off of Sydney all night. It was amazing to see her relax and enjoy herself with his sister. She seemed to let her guard down, and he could almost see the woman he’d spent time with at the last rodeo. He knew that much of the tension between them had been inflicted by his desire to protect his ego. When she had smiled at Paco’s teasing early in the evening, he’d clenched his fists, wondering what it would take for her to smile at him that way.

  He watched as she moved to clear away the dessert. He couldn’t help but notice the way her jeans clung to her every curve, or the way the v-neck of her t-shirt dipped just low enough when she bent over that he could see the shadowy curve of her breast in the light of the lanterns and the fire pit Jake had set up. He shifted in his folding chair, hoping to calm the warmth that was spreading through him. He was disappointed when she didn’t emerge from the trailer and he realized that Jen had also turned in for the evening.

  Scott looked around to see that several of the men had headed off to bed, either in the fifth wheels or in the tack rooms. He’d been so focused on Sydney that he hadn’t realized anything else going on around him. That is not a good sign, cowboy, he thought to himself.

  “Sydney’s a nice girl,” Clay observed aloud. “Jen sure seems to have taken to her.”

  “What brought that up?” Scott sounded defensive, even to his own ears.

  “Nothing.” Clay pulled a can of Skoal from his pocket, flipped it a twice, and then pressed a pinch between his lower lip and teeth.

  “If Jen sees you with that, you’re a dead man,” Scott reminded him, nodding at the chew. “And if you have something to say about Sydney, just get it over with.”

  “She’s a good match for you.”

  Scott shook his head. “Why is everyone so fired up about my love life all of the sudden?” Clay’s only response was to spit off to the side of the chair. “She’s not my type anyway.”

  Clay laughed. “Not your type? I’ve never seen two people more suited for each other than the two of you.” Clay rose and spit the chew into the fire. He swished a mouthful of soda to rinse his mouth and spit it out before walking into the trailer and leaving Scott with his thoughts. But Scott didn’t miss Clay’s laughter as he headed for the trailer, or his comment as he entered.

  “Not your type, my ass.”

  Scott sighed in frustration and bent over to put the fire out. Hell, he thought. Okay, he was big enough to admit that Sydney was exactly his type of woman. She was feisty and strong, hard working and beautiful. She shared the same interests he did, and she was kind. Beneath the wall he’d given her reason to build, she had a tender heart that was made for loving. He’d seen glimpses of the passion she kept hidden, and he was dying to be the one to release it.

  Who was he kidding? She didn’t want anything to do with him. If he even tried to make a move for her, she’d probably die laughing. Although she didn’t seem inclined to laugh today, he realized. She’d seemed like she was longing for his touch as much as he craved hers. He crumpled up his empty soda can and tossed it into the garbage bag tied to the end of the trailer. There had to be some way that they could co-exist. He’d just have to figure it out, and soon.

  SCOTT STEPPED OUT into the cool morning. The sun had just crested the hills surrounding the rodeo grounds, casting a pink and orange hue to the sky. He knew that the coolness now would burn off quickly, but the weather here was always cooler, even in mid-spring, than at home. He made his way toward the horses and saw alfalfa leaves and stalks scattered. Several of them were already finished eating and were saddled and tied outside the arena gate. He headed toward the standing horses and saw Sydney in the arena on his horse, Noble. He leaned against the fence, watching her ride, loping in gradually arcing circles before sliding to a halt. She didn’t appear to move a muscle or cue the gelding as he began to prance sideways before taking off in a smooth lope in the opposite direction. Scott marveled at her knack for getting the animal to do things he hadn’t even thought of trying. She practically had his horse dancing.

  She patted Noble’s neck and spotted him at the fence. Reining the gelding toward him, she came to a stop behind the fence.

  “Morning,” she said brightly.

  “Morning. You’re up early.” Scott pointed at the paint. “How’s he doing?”

  “Noble?” She leaned forward and rubbed the gelding’s neck. “He’s a good boy. Aren’t you?” The gelding’s ears twitched at her voice and he turned to look at her. “But he loves to run.”

  Scott pointed at the horses tied to the fence. “You ready for the next one?”

  “I was up early so those have already been ridden and cooled off. I just need to unsaddle them.”

  Scott did the mental calculation. It was barely seven in the morning, and allowing for the horses to eat, she must have been up around three o’clock. He wondered what had kept her awake and remembered the nightmare he’d witnessed. He’d have to remember to ask Jennifer if she’d heard anything.

  “So, you’re already finished for the day?”

  Sydney shrugged. “Unless you have anything else for me to do today.”

  “Good, you can come to breakfast with me.” He hadn’t planned on asking her to join him, but it seemed like a good idea in the spur of the moment. Maybe, away from everyone, they could just talk. Sydney arched a brow and he could only imagine the questions running through her mind. He hadn’t exactly given her reason to trust him.

  “Is that an order from my boss or an invitation from you?”

  Scott rubbed his hand across the overnight growth of stubble. Why was she making this more difficult? “Does it have to be an order?”

  Sydney tipped her chin up in defiance. “No.”

  Scott couldn’t help but smile at her courageous façade. “Then I’ll unsaddle the horses and you finish cooling off Noble and clean up. I’ll meet you at the trailer in fifteen minutes.”

  AFTER WALKING NOBLE until he was cooled off, unsaddling him, and hurrying to the trailer to clean up, Sydney stepped out to see Scott waiting at the truck. She tried to think of any reason Scott would want to have breakfast with her and nothing had surfaced. While a small, hopeful part of her was looking forward to their time together, her logical, pessimistic side dreaded the battle that was sure to come from the two of them talking. She’d come to wonder if they weren’t more like oil and water: completely incompatible, even as friends.

  She started walking to the truck and was surprised to see him get out of the driver’s side and open her door. She sat down and eyed him speculatively. Scott frowned as he got back into the truck but said nothing and she wondered what she’d done wrong already. They rode in uncomfortable silence for several miles until he pulled into an empty parking lot. It was surrounded by ponderosa pines and sagebrush with a few daisies peeking through. Just past a worn trail, a small creek flowed.

  “I thought we were going to breakfast.”

  Scott smiled mischievously. “We are.” He exited the truck and reached into the back for a backpack in the bed of the truck. He hurried to her door and opened it before she could. “Come on.”

  Sydney didn’t know what to say. It was not what she’d expected, and she was a little surprised to say the least. Scott ushered her down a wide slope, not stopping until they reached an open, flattened area along the bank of the creek. He pulled a light throw blanket from the backpack and spread it on the ground, motioning for her to sit. She followed his lead and leaned back on her palms, crossing her feet in front of her.

  She still wasn’t sure where he intended for this breakfast to lead, but she decided to take a chance. “Pretty spot.” She stared out across the water gurgling slowly past them.

  “Yeah, I found it a few years ag
o by accident when I was looking for a mechanic to fix a flat tire. I didn’t have GPS and got turned around on the map. Luckily, the mechanic wasn’t too far from here and I eventually got the tire repaired.”

  Sydney laughed quietly. “And now you have the GPS in the truck, I see.”

  “Not gonna make the same mistake twice.” Scott smiled. “I try to come by if I have time when we are up this way. It’s a relaxing spot. At least now,” he clarified when she looked at him skeptically.

  She liked seeing him relax and let his guard down. She watched him stare at the water. His entire being seemed to lighten. He shoulders didn’t seem so straight, his face relaxed, and his eyes almost gleamed with delight. Away from the worries of the stock, schedules, and responsibilities of the rodeo, Scott seemed almost serene. He turned toward her, his lopsided smile curving his lips.

  “What?” He chuckled.

  Sydney returned his smile, not worrying about anything that had passed between them previously. This almost seemed like a different man—except his smile still sent her heart pounding like a racehorse. With the shadow of scruff still on his jaw, he looked dashing. “I’m just wondering why you act like such a tough guy?”

  His face clouded over instantly, and she felt guilty for dampening his lighthearted mood. “What do you mean?”

  “You only let people see the rough cowboy side.” She lowered her gaze. “You obviously enjoy this.” She waved toward the water. “There’s more to you than this cowboy persona.”

  “You think so?” His lopsided smile returned and she could tell he was teasing her. “Like what?”

  Sydney decided to play along. “Are you fishing for a compliment, Mr. Chandler?”

  “Maybe.”

  “Okay, well, we know you like to cook.” She laughed out loud when he raised his brows and gave her a dubious look. “Sort of.”

  “Anything else?” He reached into the backpack and pulled out a loaf of fresh French bread, some spreadable cheese, and a plastic container of fresh fruit. He reached in again for a thermos and two Styrofoam cups and filled them with steaming coffee. “Can’t think of anything else?” he asked as he handed her the cup.