by T. J. Kline
They were bound to prove why Findley Brothers were masters of showmanship. The announcer introduced the “Black Knight,” and she stood, feigning fear, her gown gleaming as the silver and gold caught the sun. On cue, Clay rode into the arena. He wore black chain mail, a costume identical to the one Derek was wearing but with a black-and-silver tunic. As he reached the center of the arena, the horse reared, pawing at the air. The Black Knight played to the crowd as he raised a sword into the air, circling the arena to the cheers and boos from the crowd.
The announcer informed the crowd that their only hope was Sir Findley. All eyes turned toward the end of the arena where Derek suddenly charged in on Noble; he held his sword high as trumpets blared. Sydney felt her heart skip at the sight of the horse, her breath catching. He looked magnificent with a blanket matching Derek’s tunic flowing around his legs while his black-and-white mane whipped backward. Derek was entirely encased in a shining suit of armor, complete with gloves and helmet. She watched as the horse ate up the arena in long strides. The crowd broke into a wild cheer.
The rodeo announcer urged the cheers into a full uproar as he encouraged the audience to choose their knight as they rode toward one another at full speed before clashing swords. The clang of metal sounded through the wireless microphones that both knights wore.
“Give up, Sir Findley. The princess will be mine.” Metal crashed as they circled the horses around one another in a mock battle until the Black Knight fell from his mount.
Derek leaped from Noble while Jake appeared from a back gate of the arena to hold the horse. Clay approached Derek and they continued their battle on foot as the announcer called for the crowd to cheer for their knight of choice. The cries for “Sir Findley” and “Black Knight” echoed across the arena. Suddenly, Derek spun, his sword sliding across the front of Clay’s stomach. Clay doubled over, appearing mortally wounded before falling to the ground.
Two men from the crew ran into the arena to put the Black Knight’s body over the saddle of his horse and lead the animal from the arena amidst the cheers of the crowd. Derek made his way to the side of the carriage while Jake waited nearby with Noble. Sydney smiled at what would come next. Derek would ride up and say something ridiculously sappy before lifting her into the saddle and riding out of the arena with her. She reached for the wireless microphone attached to the inside of her belt and turned it on as she stood in the carriage.
“My princess,” he acknowledged as he kneeled before her, holding out a hand to help her step down from the vehicle. As her booted feet landed in the dirt, he reached up and pulled off his helmet.
Sydney’s head reeled as she stared at Scott. Her eyes shot to the gate where the Black Knight stood watching, and she saw Derek and a miraculously healthy-looking Jen beside him. She looked back at Scott, still kneeling before her, and her heart dropped to the toes of her boots.
“Scott?” she whispered. He smiled as his name echoed across the arena over her wireless mic. Her knees went weak at his lopsided grin and she held the side of the carriage.
“My princess,” he repeated. His gaze met her own and she could see the mischievous glint in them before he bowed his head. Her heart pounded against her ribs as he called her “princess.”
“My prince,” she answered, amazed that she could even speak, let alone remember the lines she had practiced with Derek the day before. “My people and I are forever grateful to you for defending my honor.” She waved a hand at the crowd surrounding the arena. “How could I ever repay the kindness you have done to this kingdom?”
“I can think of but one way.” Scott paused for effect, tossing his helmet aside and taking her hand. “I have been snared by your beauty. I have tried to fight my feelings, but it has been for naught. They have won the battle and will not be ignored.”
That wasn’t part of the script. If he can ad lib, so can I.
“My prince,” she said, slipping her hand from his as she tore her gaze away from him. She hoped her refusal to meet his eyes appeared as coyness to the crowd. “You are too bold and shouldn’t speak of such things.”
“Ah, princess, should I continue to keep my love for you hidden?” Scott stood and curved a finger under her chin, forcing her to look at him. His grin was cocky. Was he mocking her pain? She felt indignation rise up in her chest.
“I see that you don’t believe me, so I will proclaim it to the people for all to hear.” Scott spread his arms toward the crowd. A cheer went up as the spectators watched enthralled at the drama taking place before them. “I love you, princess.”
An explosion of applause sounded. Sydney’s eyes narrowed as she stepped towards Scott, standing toe-to-toe with him. “You don’t believe in love, remember?” she hissed.
“Princess,” he said, glancing at the crowd to remind her of their audience, “I was but a stupid fool.”
Her heart galloped in her chest. What was he trying to do? Hadn’t he hurt her enough? Why would Jen and Derek have called her to be a part of something that would be so painful for her? Her mind swirled with questions as she tried frantically to register any answers.
“Princess, how could you doubt the depths of my feelings for you? I have just risked life and limb to save you from the Black Knight.”
I don’t know what you’re trying to do, Scott Chandler, but I’ve had enough of this.
She arched a brow, assuming the regal posture of the queen the crowd imagined her to be. “A gesture of an honorable man. Kneel and I will knight you, sir.”
“The prize I prefer is far more valuable.” Scott turned and walked to where Jake stood, still holding Noble. Reaching into his saddle, he retrieved a package before returning to her. Scott dropped to one knee and she heard a gasp from the crowd. “Sydney Thomas, will you marry me?”
The crowd went wild as she looked down at him. He held out the diamond ring for her to see.
“Why?” she whispered, barely able to make a sound.
“Because I need you and I love you. Without you, my life means nothing.” Scott smiled up at her.
She could see nerves where she had seen cockiness only moments before. But she could see that his heart was completely exposed to her. He’d opened up for the entire world to see his vulnerability, and she couldn’t help but be touched by it. She wasn’t sure how things would work out in the future, but she had to take a chance on the love they had discovered.
Scott reached for her hand. “What do you say, princess? Marry me?”
She cupped his face, her answer swallowed by her laughter. “What was that?” the announcer asked.
“I said, ‘Yes.’ ”
The audience rose from their seats, cheering as Scott pulled Sydney into his arms, his lips finding her own. Sydney forgot that they were standing in the middle of an arena during a rodeo and wound her arms around his neck, her fingers catching on the chain-mail hood he wore. With Scott’s lips against hers again, she tasted his passion mingled with her tears. For the first time since finding out about the baby, she was excited about their future.
Scott slipped an arm under her knees and lifted her into Noble’s saddle. He swung a leg over the saddle behind her and they rode out of the arena to the sound of thunderous applause.
“I have no idea how we are going to follow that up tomorrow,” He chuckled as they rode out of the gate.
CHRIS STOOD AT the back arena gate as they passed. “Okay, Chandler, I’d say you took care of it.”
Sydney looked at her brother before glancing at Scott over her shoulder. “What was that about?”
“Someone came to defend your honor earlier. I promised him I was going to make an honorable woman out of you before the day was done.”
“A little sure of yourself?”
“I was stupid enough to let you walk away once. I wasn’t about to let it happen twice.” Scott pressed a kiss to the hollow behind her ear, causing warmth to spread through every limb. She melted into his arms as he headed toward his trailer.
She’d start
ed the day with the certainty that she would never be with Scott again, and now her entire reality had been flipped on end. She saw her parents approaching the trailers and wondered what her father would say. Within minutes they were surrounded by family and friends offering congratulatory wishes. She laughed at Scott’s nervousness when her father shook his hand while they made plans for dinner later that evening. Clay excused himself to prepare for the first event, reminding them that there was still a rodeo to run.
Scott pressed a quick kiss to Sydney’s lips. She wanted him to linger but he groaned and pulled away. “I have to change and get out there.”
“Go.” She pushed him toward the trailer. “We’ll talk more after the rodeo is over.”
Scott pulled the tunic over his head as he hurried into the trailer, appearing moments later in a long-sleeved, maroon Western shirt emblazoned with Findley Brothers patches. He pulled his chaps over his slim hips, clipping the buckles on the back of his legs. Jake had already changed Noble’s tack and Scott jumped into the saddle, winking at her as he rode to the arena. She lifted the skirt of her gown and headed toward Jen’s trailer to retrieve her clothes.
“If it isn’t the bride to be.”
Sydney arched a brow and looked at Derek. “I suppose you’re going to tell me you didn’t have anything to do with this?”
Derek rolled his eyes. “Please, this was all me.” He leaned back against the side of the truck, crossing his arms.
“I should be furious at you.”
He shrugged. “But you’re not.” Derek’s eyes twinkled.
“No, I’m not,” she agreed.
“Why didn’t you tell me about the baby?”
Sydney felt the color drain from her face. “Jen?” Derek nodded and she couldn’t meet his scrutiny. “When was I supposed to tell you? Better yet, how was I supposed tell you? I haven’t even told Scott yet.”
“I would have taken care of you and the baby, even if Scott hadn’t stepped up.”
She was touched and saddened by his revelation. He had proclaimed his feelings for her but she hadn’t realized how deep they were. She wasn’t sure how to respond. “Derek, I . . .”
He held up a hand. “It’s okay, Sydney. We weren’t meant to be.”
“I’m sorry, Derek.”
“Don’t be. I’ll have the most beautiful sister-in-law ever.” Derek pushed himself away from the truck and pressed a kiss to Sydney’s forehead. “And I’m going to spoil that little cowboy like you won’t believe.”
WORD HAD SPREAD about the opening ceremonies, and Sydney was stopped constantly, either to be told how touching the event had been or to show off her diamond. She couldn’t wait for the rodeo to be over so that she could have Scott all to herself. She knew that she had a surprise for him as well, and tonight would be the perfect night to share it. Mike had already agreed to meet with the committee at the rodeo dance so that Scott’s presence wasn’t required. If they could only finish the last event.
The bull riding was always a crowd favorite and it never failed to bring the crowd to the edge of their seats. She watched from the warm-up arena as she finished exercising one of the black geldings who would be pulling the carriage again the next day. Her stomach flipped when she realized that both Derek and Scott were going to be the pick-up men for the event, responsible for lifting the thrown rider to safety while the bull sought any moving target. It was a dangerous job, second only to the rodeo clowns.
She watched Scott lope across the arena and say something to his brother. It was shocking to watch the two of them together. In the last two months they had grown from bitter enemies to respected peers. Scott patted his brother on the shoulder and rode back to his post. There was a rodeo clown between them, and another one preparing to leap into a padded barrel that had been placed in a strategic location to distract the bull.
She heard the commotion from the chute and a slam as the door burst open to a flourish of heavy metal rock meant to charge the crowd. She couldn’t watch with Scott and Derek both in the line of harm, so she made her way to the EMT tent where she could be useful for any injuries that were bound to occur. She heard a collective gasp from the crowd. The EMTs ran past her, carrying a backboard, and her heart dropped to her knees. She hurried back to the arena in time to see the bull turn and attempt to charge Noble.
Sydney’s breath caught in her throat as Noble dodged the bull, spinning deftly before Scott tightened the rope around the bull’s head and led the animal toward the exit gate. She breathed a sigh as Scott released the rope and the bull was through the gate. Sydney hurried back to the trailers to offer any assistance that might be needed behind the scenes. She heard the announcer commending the cowboy and a cheer went up from the stands. She tied the gelding to the stock trailer and ran toward the ambulance that was always present during a rodeo.
She pulled up short as she saw a familiar limp heading toward the chutes. She hurried under the grandstands where she could get a better look. It couldn’t possibly be Kurt. Why would he have come here? Now?
“Sydney.” She heard the hushed voice from the corral and turned to see Jen wave to her. Sydney raised a hand to let her know she heard but was busy. “Come here,” Jen insisted.
Sydney shot a glance back toward the chute but had lost the cowboy. She made her way to where Jen waited. “What? You don’t . . .”
“It’s Kurt. He came in this afternoon as a late sign-up for the bull riding.”
“What . . .”
“I already called the police. They are on their way.”
“What would possess him to show up here?”
“He’s crazy,” Jen shook her head. “We already know that. But he probably doesn’t think he can be caught and he can just take the prize money and leave. It would be another jab at Scott that he was right under our noses. I only found out by accident.”
The chute burst open and another rider was thrown within a few seconds. Several riders rode their animals to the buzzer when suddenly the crew grew quiet. The only sounds the women could hear were the bulls shifting in the chutes. Sydney thought she heard Kurt’s voice yelling at one of the crew and hurried to the back gate where she could see better. She stood on the railing of the fence as the gate burst open.
Kurt had drawn one of the larger bulls, which usually accounted for a lower score since they didn’t buck as hard, but Diablo Gold was known for his ability to spin before twisting. She saw the surprise register on Scott’s face when he recognized Kurt on the back of the animal. Kurt’s body was balanced as the bull spun in one direction before switching and cutting to the inside. Time seemed to stand still. Sydney was waiting to hear the horn blare, signaling the completion of his eight-second ride, when the bull twisted again in the opposite direction, pinning Kurt between the chain link fence and the side of the bull. As the bull turned back toward the center of the arena, Kurt’s spur caught in the fence, pulling him from the animal’s back.
Scott and Derek hurried in to distract the bull as the clown helped a shaken Kurt to his feet and shoved him toward the gate. Before Scott could even build his loop the bull stopped and turned back behind the pick-up men before heading straight for the retreating backs of the clown and the thrown cowboy. Derek yelled out as the bull charged the pair. The clown, a bullfighter who had worked with Findley Brothers for nearly ten years, heard Derek and jumped onto the fence, pulling himself higher than the bull’s horns to the relief of the spectators.
Sydney watched in horror as the bull scraped his horn along the chain-link fence before heading straight toward Kurt. He glanced over his shoulder in time to jump onto the chute, but he wasn’t about to get high enough to avoid the onslaught from the animal. The first hit in his low back was enough to knock him from the gate and send the cowboys running from the chutes, trying to reach him and pull him over.
Sydney saw the fear flit over his face as he reached for the hands of another cowboy only to slip from his grasp and hit the dirt, directly below the bull’s head and th
e chute. The bull backed up and lowered his head as Kurt rolled into a ball, attempting to minimize the damage to his body. The crowd seemed to hold their breath collectively. The bullfighters ran to his aid as the bull charged again, this time pounding Kurt’s sides with his front hooves before dropping his head and slamming Kurt between his horns and the gate again.
Scott tossed the rope expertly, slapping it across the bull’s back in an attempt to redirect the animal’s attention as the bullfighters jumped in front of the animal. Derek tossed a second loop over the bull’s horns as they tried to drag the mass of pulsating muscle toward the gate. Sydney heard the crackle of a walkie-talkie as someone from behind the chutes called the EMTs out to the arena. She heard the ambulance roar to life and knew that it was only brought in for the most serious cases.
She dropped from the gate as she saw Scott and Derek release the bull into the corral. She caught Scott’s eye as he headed back into the arena, and she could see that he was torn between worry for a fellow competitor and hatred for the man that had caused so much misery in his life and Sydney’s. She opened the gate for the ambulance driver, then stepped into the arena as the entire rodeo came to a halt while they EMTs worked on the man who still lay unmoving on the ground. Cowboys exited their chutes to wait and pray for the safety of a fellow competitor as the announcer talked about the dangers of rodeo to the crowd.
The EMTs tried to block the cowboy from the view of the spectators as much as possible, but Sydney had a clear view from where she stood. She could see the blood spreading quickly on the back of Kurt’s shirt. The paramedics worked furiously, cutting off his shirt in an attempt to stem the flow. He still hadn’t regained consciousness as they slipped an IV into him, lifted him into the truck, and left the arena with sirens blaring.