Falling for the Cowgirl

by Tina Radcliffe

  “Let’s worry about getting the grant submitted and take everything else one day at a time.”

  “Fair enough.” Travis cleared his throat and shifted.

  “You have something else on your mind?” AJ asked.

  “Uh, yeah. I may not have mentioned the social. The one that's on the night before the rodeo.”

  “I know about the Spring Social. It’s been a tradition as long as the rodeo.”

  “Great.” He brightened. “Then you’re going?”

  “Of course not,” she said, not liking the direction of the conversation. “Why would I go to a social?”

  “I don’t know.” He raised his shoulders. “To be social?”

  “Social is not in my job description.”

  “Actually, it is. As an employee, you’re the face of Big Heart Ranch. Then there’s that annoying fine print that covers this sort of thing.”

  “Does that mean you’re going?” she asked.

  “Everyone at Big Heart is encouraged to attend.” The words held little enthusiasm.

  “You didn’t answer my question.”

  He ran a hand through his dark hair. “Yeah, Lucy twisted my arm and now I’m twisting yours.”

  “One big, happy, arm-twisting family.”

  “That’s us.” He met her gaze. “It helps if you try to remember that this is for the kids.”

  AJ sighed and leaned back in the chair. “I’m trying.”

  “I’m happy to drive you to the social.”

  “Then I’d be there without an escape vehicle.”

  Travis laughed. “True. A getaway truck is vital. I can understand that.”

  “When is this event?” she asked.

  “Rodeo is one week from Saturday and the social is the Friday night before. There’s a big firework show afterward, if that makes the situation more palatable.”

  She sighed and barely resisted rolling her eyes.

  “The Oklahoma Rose Restaurant is catering and there’s dancing.”

  “I don’t dance.”

  “Nothing fancy. A small Western band. Made up of locals. Dutch plays the fiddle.”

  “I don’t dance.”

  “Everyone dances. Some folks just stand and sway. Others do a little two-step. Or you can let your partner do all the work, dragging you across the dance floor all night.” He chuckled. “Plenty of that going on.”

  AJ held up a hand. “I don’t—”

  Before she could finish her sentence, Travis had latched onto her raised hand and tugged her out of the chair and into his arms.

  “What are you doing?” she asked as her heart thumped its own two-step.

  “Proving you wrong.” He nodded to the floor and tapped his feet. “Watch and follow my lead.”

  AJ stared at his faded, tooled-leather brown boots, right next to her own dusty Ariats and tried to ignore the fact that she was being held by Travis Maxwell. For sure, she was not going to look up. That would be a huge mistake.

  With his right hand on her upper shoulder blade, his left hand held her hand at arm’s length. Perfectly respectable, she noted.

  Then why was she trembling?

  “Real simple now, AJ. One-two-three-four. Two quick steps and two slow steps and we walk while we do that.”

  “Okay,” she murmured, her eyes locked on his feet.

  “You start right foot first. I start left foot first. Ready?”

  She nodded. All her concentration was on his boots, even as his breath tickled her ear, reminding her of his too close proximity.

  “Quick, quick. Slow, slow,” Travis said time and again as they circled the small office.

  She began to relax and leaned into his hand on her back as they repeated the steps over and over. Once she felt confident she could follow the steps and dare to look up at him at the same time, AJ did. The intensity of his gaze caught her breath and she stumbled.

  “Whoa, there.” He reached out to steady her and she moved from his touch.

  They stood awkwardly, staring at each other for moments.

  “Um, thank you,” AJ finally murmured.

  “You can dance, cowgirl,” he returned.

  “It was all you, Travis. I’m still not convinced I can dance on my own.”

  “Then I guess you’ll have to save all your dances at the social for me.” He winked, letting her know he was kidding.

  “I...I better close things up and get going,” AJ said. She rubbed her clammy hands on her jeans. “Barrel race training once again in the morning.”

  “Yeah, I’ll be there.”

  “You don’t have to do that,” she said.

  “I want to be sure you bring home a belt buckle.”

  She closed up her laptop. “I thought this was all about making a showing for the ranch.”

  Travis blew a raspberry and shook his head. “It’s never just about showing up, AJ. It’s all about winning.”

  All about winning? Like a game. And was holding a girl in your arms all part of that game? She pondered that thought with concern as she headed out of the office.

  Chapter Five

  Leaning over, AJ whispered in the mare’s ear. “One more round and then we’re done. You can do it, Bess.”

  “Come on, Bess,” Travis called out. “Let’s beat that last time.”

  “She can’t listen to me if you’re talking,” AJ muttered from her position at the far end of the large corral. She glared at Travis as she prepared to guide Emma’s mare into the final barrel pattern. AJ led Bess to the right side of the barrel. The horse relaxed and bent as they ripped through the cloverleaf course, circling the last two barrels with practiced ease.

  “Whoo-ee,” Travis hollered. He waved a stopwatch into the air. “Fourteen point five eighty-six. Nice job. Not too bad for a gal who started out rusty.”

  AJ patted Bess’s neck and trotted her over to the fence. “Well done, girl. Don’t listen to him. You were never rusty, were you?”

  Travis chuckled. “I was talking about you.”

  She continued to ignore him as she dismounted, offering crooning words of sweet talk to Bess. “That’s it for today. You’re ready for tomorrow’s rodeo.” AJ walked around Travis.

  “Where are you going?” Travis asked.

  “Anywhere but here. I’ve been working this horse hard for two weeks. We’re done. I’m going to grab a hose and give her a cool-down and an apple.”

  Travis’s jaw dropped. “We’ve got another hour until lunch. Why quit now?”

  She kept walking, moving with Bess to the side of the stables.

  “Are you listening to me?” he asked as he followed.

  “Hard not to,” she mumbled.

  “Don’t you want to win?”

  AJ stiffened at the question, forcing herself to relax as she began to untack Bess. After she pulled the saddle and pad off the horse and carefully placed them on the corral fence, she turned to Travis, barely reining in her irritation.

  “I thought this was all about a showing for the ranch. For the grant?” AJ asked. The words were slow and measured.

  Travis pushed his hat back with a finger. “Sure, that’s right. But there’s nothing wrong with winning.”

  “So you keep saying,” she said.

  When he offered his patented smile, a sudden realization hit. His sister Emma had nothing on him. The Big Heart Ranch foreman knew how to finesse. Charm was his middle name and she’d best remember that.

  “I’m thinking you could get in a short practice tomorrow morning.”

  “Oh, you do, do you?”

  AJ tested the water from the hose with a hand, then ran an easy stream over Bess’s hooves, acclimating her to the temperature. Circling the horse, she moved the stream up the animal’s legs then watered down her flank and the rest of the mare’s
body in gentle movements. Bess nickered in appreciation.

  “Is there a problem?” Travis persisted.

  AJ turned with the hose in her hand and let the water hit Travis smack in the middle of his plaid Western shirt.

  Startled, he jumped back. “Hey, cut that out, I’m getting all wet.”

  “That’s the general idea.” AJ cocked her head and nodded, pleased with her handiwork. “I’m thinking you need to cool your jets.” She put her finger on the nozzle to increase the reach and force of the water and aimed for his hat.

  “What are you doing?” A fast spray of cool water took the Stetson right off his head. He sidestepped away from the water and turned to watch his hat sail into a puddle.

  “Bingo,” AJ murmured. Her lips twitched and she leisurely targeted his boots next.

  “Why didn’t you just say so, if you wanted me to back off?”

  “I’ve tried, but you don’t take a hint. For two weeks you’ve done nothing but push, push, push. And now I find out it’s all about winning? I don’t think so.”

  “Okay. Okay.” He inched closer, his eye on the hose as the water continued to splash his boots.

  “Okay, what?”

  “I apologize, and I won’t pressure you any more about winning at the rodeo.”

  “I’ve been putting in twelve-hour days since you signed me up. This was supposed to be my day off.”

  “You can’t blame that on me.”

  She released a short breath of disgust. “Bess and I are done. I’m going to town and I’m forgetting about barrel racing until tomorrow.”

  Moving even closer, he snaked his hand out and snatched the hose from her fingers.

  AJ stood with her hands on her hips, daring him to water her down.

  Travis held up a palm of surrender. He shook his head in frustrated confusion and turned off the water, winding the hose up. Facing her, he cleared his throat. “So, uh, you have a fancy pair of chaps for tomorrow?” he asked. “Something flashy? Maybe bright pink?”

  “No, my jeans will be fine. Besides, I don’t wear pink and I certainly do not do flashy.”

  Travis sighed, long and loud. “Why am I not surprised?” he muttered.

  The sound of his boots squishing with water could be heard with each of his steps. “I’ll be rooting for you tomorrow.”

  “Fine, but root from afar.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “You make me nervous,” she admitted.

  He frowned. “I do?”

  “Yes.”

  His eyes met hers. “If it’s any consolation, you terrify me.”

  AJ drew back at the words, unsure what to make of the comment. Was he finessing again?

  “You still going to the social?” he asked as he picked up his hat and slapped it against his leg.

  “I said I was.”

  “Sure you don’t want a ride?”

  “Very sure. I have other plans.”

  “You have a date?” Surprise registered on his face.

  She murmured a noncommittal sound and offered a sweet smile. “I don’t recall that my personal life being your business is in the small print of my job description.”

  “No. No. Of course not. As your employer, I like to be sure my staff is...you know. Just checking in to...” He waved a hand. “I have a civic responsibility to...”

  “Easy there, boss. I’m doing fine. I appreciate your concern.”

  Taking Bess’s reins, she turned and walked to the stables with the mare alongside of her, reveling in the fact that, for once, she got the last word with the foreman of Big Heart Ranch.

  * * *

  AJ circled the streets of downtown Timber until she finally settled on a parking spot beneath a streetlamp.

  “I appreciate the ride, dear,” General Rue Butterfield said. “Dutch will take me home. He had to arrive early to practice with the band.”

  “Oh, no problem.” She hesitated a moment before continuing. “Mind if I ask you a personal question, General?”

  “Not at all. I’m an open book.”

  “You and Dutch seem an unlikely pair. You're a retired army general and he’s a cowboy.”

  “Therein lays the beauty of our relationship. We have only our love of Big Heart Ranch in common. Mutual respect is the key. Our foundation is respect and friendship.”

  AJ nodded.

  “When you find the man who listens when you talk, you’ll have found a keeper—like Dutch.”

  “A keeper?” Her thoughts skipped straight to Travis and the hours they’d spent in his office talking, arguing and finally finding middle ground.

  Glancing down, she assessed her denim skirt and embroidered white peasant blouse. She’d even traded her worn Ariats for a pair of turquoise boots for the event.

  “Are you sure I look all right?” AJ asked.

  “Oh, my, you look lovely. And your hair! Who knew you had such glorious hair? You’ll be beating the men off.”

  “Not exactly what I was looking to do.”

  Rue stared pointedly at her and frowned. “Why is it you hide yourself?”

  “Hide myself?” AJ paused at the unexpected question.

  “Yes. Underplay your appearance, as though apologizing for what the good Lord blessed you with.”

  AJ leaned back in the seat. “It’s been my experience that ranchers don’t like being reminded that I’m a woman.”

  “Any man who is threatened by your gender isn’t really much of a man, is he?”

  “I know you’re right in principle, but that doesn’t help my bottom line and I have the résumé to prove it.”

  “And outside of the ranch?” Rue continued.

  “There is no outside of the ranch. I’ve never been real good with the whole guy-girl thing. I don’t understand the rules.”

  “Ignore the rules, dear. They were created by men. You have to go by your instinct.” Rue offered a kind smile. “I am certain that there is a man out there who will appreciate you for who you are, inside and out.”

  “I hope you’re right.”

  “Oh, I usually am.” Rue opened the door and scooted down, carefully adjusting her colorful broomstick skirt. “Are you ready to go in?” she asked.

  “You go ahead. I need a few minutes.”

  “All right, but don’t take too long.” She paused. “You know, AJ, every trail has some puddles. That’s part of life. But you never know what will be waiting for you if you’re brave enough to face your fears.”

  “What makes you think I have...?” AJ’s voice trailed off as she met Rue’s no-nonsense gaze. There would be no wool pulling around this woman.

  AJ nodded.

  When Rue left, she stared at the Timber event hall where the Spring Social was being held. The soft melody of a slow country song drifted to her ears through the truck’s open window. She’d gotten this far, she would at least go in.

  The plan was to make an appearance, taste the food, say hello to the other Big Heart Ranch folks and then sneak out. Quickly.

  She flipped down the visor for a final glance in the mirror and reminded herself of Rue’s words as she got out of the truck.

  The lights in the event hall were dimmed and miles of decorative white mini lights had been strung across the ceiling, crisscrossing back and forth. The twinkling effect created a romantic starry night.

  Red-checkered cloths covered the buffet table and shiny aluminum tubs filled with ice and beverages sat on hay bales.

  Across the room, on a small platform stage, Dutch Stevens sat wearing a crisp, white, Western shirt and a red bandana around his neck. The crusty cowboy’s head was down as he concentrated on his instrument. When he raised his head, their eyes met. A begrudging smile spread beneath his silver handlebar mustache and he raised his fiddle bow in greeting. Then he nodde
d toward the left.

  AJ turned and immediately locked eyes with Travis who held court within a circle of women, all focused on the handsome rancher. His eyes rounded with surprise as he took in her appearance. She warmed beneath his scrutiny.

  Lowering his head, he said something to his entourage. When he left the women, they glanced over their shoulders with curious gazes and longing side glances, along with plenty of hushed whispers.

  Travis dodged the milling groups of people in the crowded hall and was quickly at her side. His smile kicked her heart into a steady trot.

  Why was it this particular man took her breath away without even trying? It didn’t hurt that he looked ready for another photo shoot. She eyed his Western shirt and bolo tie and black jeans. He was clean-shaved this evening, and even his normally tousled dark hair had been combed neatly off his forehead.

  “Thanks for saving me,” he said.

  “I saved you?”

  “Sure you did.”

  “From...” She paused to count. “Six women? I’m a regular superhero.”

  “Wow. That many, huh?” He shook his head. “And not a single one of them could speak without giggling.”

  “That’s hardly their fault, Travis.”

  He knit his brows and frowned. “What are you saying?”

  “You reduce women to giggling and speechlessness.” She gestured with a hand.

  “That’s plain ridiculous. You don’t do that stuff. You never act like that.” He offered a crooked smile.

  Tongue-tied, she opened her mouth and closed it again without uttering a single rational word.

  “Did I mention how nice you look tonight?” he asked.

  “Thank you.” She folded hands together.

  “Hmm.” Travis glanced around.

  “What are you looking for?”

  “Your date. Is he the jealous type? I’d like to know if I’m going to have to eat knuckles for standing too close to you.”

  “I don’t have a date.”

  “That so?” He perked up. “Then what say we find something to eat? I’m starving.”

  AJ turned, surprised at how crowded the room had become. “Which way?”

  “Follow me.”

  She was caught off guard when he took her hand and led her to the buffet table, where Emma was waiting for them. AJ quickly tugged her hand free from Travis’s.