When the day finally arrived, Haley loaded Geronimo into Wyatt’s trailer and climbed onto the passenger seat beside him. She thanked her lucky stars he was driving because it had been some time since she’d raced and she was nervous. The Dooleys loaded their brood into the ranch pickup and they were off to the rodeo.
“Nervous?” Wyatt asked, maneuvering the truck and trailer into the participants’ parking area.
“A little. I haven’t raced in a while.” He parked and walked around to open her door.
“You’ll do fine, both of you. You and that stallion are like two sides of the same coin. I’ve never seen a better racer.”
Haley’s cheeks flushed with pleasure. It surprised her that she was still blushing at his compliments after all these months.
“Thank you. But I’ll bet there a lot of younger riders out there better than me. I mean, I’m twenty-five now.”
Wyatt raised his eyebrows and let go a low whistle. “That old? Then I must be ancient, pushing thirty-three like I am.”
Haley rolled her eyes. “You’ll do for an old fart.”
Wyatt gave her a menacing scowl. “I’ll show you old, woman,” he growled, pulling her into his arms. His kiss was hard, deep and demanding and she responded in kind, wrapping her arms and legs around him, pulling him closer.
They stopped mid-kiss when a voice behind them sighed in exasperation. “Pa, they’re at it again.”
Haley’s cheeks heated like fire while Wyatt belted out a merry laugh. “Yes, Miss Ezzie, we are. And when you get older and fall in love, you’ll be singing a different tune.”
Haley stared at him, open-mouthed. Had he just said what she thought he’d said? He turned and saw her stunned expression.
“What? You’re surprised I love you?”
Haley blinked. “Well, you never mentioned it.”
Wyatt chuckled. “It don’t take a genius to spot a goat in a flock of sheep, sweet pea. Figured you knew.”
Haley cocked an eyebrow. “You’re familiar with that old saying about assuming?”
Wyatt chuckled and reached into his shirt pocket. “I was gonna wait ‘til later but…” He pulled out a ring. “It’s one of those chocolate diamonds. Kind of matches your eyes.” He paused for a moment. “I love you, Haley. I know your life’s been hard and I know trust doesn’t come easy to you. But I swear, you can trust me to love you for the rest of our lives. For better or worse, I’ll stand shoulder to shoulder with you. I’ll give you all the love you can handle and more…babies and dogs and whatever you want.” He held up the ring. “Will you wear it? Will you marry me?”
Haley burst into tears and hurled herself into his arms. Never in a million years had she ever let herself dream she’d find someone like Wyatt. This new life she’d been given was more than any woman had the right to expect and, despite the threat of her daddy hanging over their heads, she thought she was the luckiest woman on the face of the earth. “Yes, I’ll wear it and yes, I’ll marry you.”
“Hot damn!” Dooley crowed, when Wyatt lifted her of her feet and kissed her.
“Pa,” Ezzie moaned. “Ain’t they ever gonna get tired of kissing?”
* * * * *
Haley took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. This was the final race of the day and Geronimo was warmed up, ready to go. She’d been walking him in circles near the gate, getting closer each time, reins held loosely in one hand so he wouldn’t push for the gate until she took the reins in both hands. The previous rider finished her run and Haley was finally up.
Guiding Geronimo to the start line, she focused on the first barrel. At the signal, Geronimo’s muscles bunched. Horse and rider shot forward. Exerting just the slightest pressure on the inside rein, she leaned into the left lead, guiding Geronimo into a tight turn. At the next barrel, they approached from the right. As the horse executed another flawless turn, Haley knew their timing was perfect. Seconds ahead of the other riders. Going last was nerve-racking but at least she knew the times she had to beat and Geronimo did so handily. As they finished the last of the cloverleaf pattern, Geronimo poured on the speed, exiting the gate in record time.
“Good boy,” Haley praised, stroking the animal’s neck. When the announcer called out her time, the audience whooped and so did Haley. Urging Geronimo back into the arena, she took a victory lap. She spotted Conner in the crowd as she walked the stallion back to the trailer. Great, just what she needed on what was unquestionably the best day of her life. Of course, he’d show up. She’d won a hefty purse. Not that she had to worry about that sort of thing anymore, what with royalties from the gas wells.
Wyatt was waiting for her. With a huge grin, he lifted her off her feet and spun her around.
“Knew you could do it, sweet pea. Never doubted you for a minute.”
Removing Geronimo’s tack, Haley slipped a halter over his head and attached a lead line. Wyatt walked beside her as the horse cooled down after a day of strenuous races. When they returned to the trailer, the Dooleys were waiting for her, but they weren’t alone.
“Hey, Haley,” Conner Kilpatrick said. There was a slight flush to his cheeks and his gaze glanced off hers before focusing on his feet, one of which was stubbing out a cigarette.
“You ain’t allowed to smoke back here, Conner.” She closed her eyes for a moment. She hadn’t meant to snap at him but she was still so aggravated by his neglectful behavior with her horses that it was all she could do to keep a civil tongue in her head. “What’re you doing here?”
Conner cleared his throat. “Come to watch my big sister ride. Like always. Wasn’t sure you’d be racing ‘til I seen your name on the program.” He gestured to his companion. “You remember Rafe Winslow.”
She remembered him all right, with his split earlobe and scarred knuckles. The man nodded to her. Haley gave him a terse “Hello,” then turned a raised eyebrow at her brother. “Figured you’d help yourself to the prize money, did ya?”
“No!” His gaze bounced from her to Wyatt and back to her again. “Pa said I should but I told him it wouldn’t do no good. I went on ahead and give him what you left me when you took the horses.”
At his pleading look, Haley sighed and nodded. “You okay? You’re skinny as a fence post.”
Conner shrugged. “Ain’t much work to be had hereabouts so I ain’t been eating regular.”
Haley glanced at a tight-lipped Wyatt. He shrugged, leaving the decision as to what to do about her brother up to her.
“I’ll wipe Geronimo down and trailer him.” He dropped a quick kiss on her cheek and led the stallion to the opposite side of the trailer.
Now that they were engaged, Haley knew Wyatt would have something to say about the situation with her brother, but angry as she was she couldn’t bring herself to let Conner go hungry. She jerked her head toward the truck and Conner followed. Reaching behind the seat, she extracted her purse and thumbed open her wallet.
“This is all the cash I got.” She handed him several bills. “You still living on that patch of dirt?”
“Yeah. I need to get away from there, though, before Rafe does something to bring the law down on us. He’s bad news, Hales, and I don’t like the way he talks about you.” He folded the bills and stuffed them in his front pocket, barely able to look at her.
“What’s he say?” Conner shook his head, refusing to answer. What was this? Conner feeling protective of her, embarrassed to take money from her? “Okay. I’ll send you a check to tide you over ‘til you can find work.” She searched her brother’s face and saw real fear there. “You scared of him, Conner? You reckon he’s dangerous?”
“He’s a friend of Pa’s. Yeah, I reckon he’s dangerous.” Conner cleared his throat. “I don’t suppose you got any work?”
Haley blew out a breath. So that’s what he wanted. “I don’t know. I’ll have to talk to Dooley and see what he says. And I’ll have to discuss it with Wyatt.”
Conner’s head shot up, eyebrows raised. “What’s he got to do with it?”
Haley held up her left hand, turning it so Conner could see the ring. “Because we’re getting hitched. Figure that gives him a say in the goings-on at the One-Eyed Jack.”
“Pa ain’t gonna like that one little bit.” Then he smiled. “You love him, Hales?”
Haley’s throat tightened. “Yeah, I do and I don’t give a hoot what Pa thinks.”
“He’s good to ya? You’re happy?”
“He’s real good to me. And yes, I’m happy. He’s a good man, Conner.”
He pulled her into an awkward hug. “Then I’m happy for ya, I guess.” He let her go, searching her eyes. “That ever changes, you let me know, ya hear?”
Tears stung the backs of her eyes. Conner feeling protective of her was a new sensation.
“Count on it.” She was about to say more when Ezzie piped up.
“You ain’t gonna kiss on him too, are ya?”
Haley choked on a laugh. “No, silly, he’s my brother.” She turned to Conner and his companion. “This is Ezzie Dooley.” She nodded to Dooley and the rest of the family, introducing each one. “This here is my brother, Conner, and his friend Rafe.”
Dooley accepted Conner’s outstretched hand but the set of his mouth said he did so reluctantly.
“This the one that starved them horses and let them stand in their own filth?”
Haley nodded. “That would be him. But Conner’s trying to turn over a new leaf. Ain’t that right, little brother?”
Conner’s face was beet-red, his eyes narrowed with anger but he kept a civil tongue in his head.
“Yeah, I’m working on it.”
“Glad to hear it,” Dooley said, then he lifted his head as the announcer spoke. “Better get a move on, girl. They’re fixing to award the prize money. We’ll meet you at Casa Miguel for supper.”
Haley grinned. Wyatt had remembered that Casa Miguel’s was her favorite restaurant in the Austin area.
“Man, I can taste that enchilada soup already.” She turned back to her brother, gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek, then whispered, “Watch for the mail.”
* * * * *
“You got nothing to say?”
Wyatt gave Haley a sideways glance. “About?” He stifled a chuckle at her derisive snort. “You mean about your brother.”
“Give the man a cigar.”
Wyatt didn’t speak right away, busy forming his response in his head before letting the words out of his mouth.
“He’s your brother, sweet pea. I know you love him. I figure I got no say in the matter.”
Haley gave a shout of laughter. “Bullshit. I seen the look on your face. Best you go on and spit it out. We’re getting married so I figure you got a stake in this too.”
Well, at least she was willing to think about his feelings and that was considerable progress for a woman determined to do things her way. And she was right. As her future husband, he did have a stake in how she dealt with her family. Conner Kilpatrick was a lazy, good-for-nothing who had lived off his sister’s hard work most of his life. There was nothing about the man to respect and even less to trust. Whatever Haley ultimately decided to do about her brother, Conner bore watching. At least if he came to work at the One-Eyed Jack, that task would be a mite easier. Still, he couldn’t help but think Haley would be better off if she cut her brother out of her life altogether. His mind said proceed with caution, but he thought he might as well give it a try.
“I just don’t want to see him take advantage of you. Him or your pa.” She squeezed his thigh gently, encouraging him to continue. “They’ve hurt you, darlin’.”
“And you’d like to see to it they don’t keep on hurting me.”
He smiled. “Give the lady a cigar.”
She snorted again. “He says he’s been looking for work but there ain’t much out there.”
Wyatt turned on the blinker and cautiously merged into traffic, ever mindful of the trailer and the valuable cargo it held. He shrugged.
“Maybe he has, maybe he hasn’t. Reckon I could make some calls and see if he’s made the rounds at any of the ranches around Austin.” Out of the corner of his eye, he watched her shoulders sag. Bless her heart, she wanted to believe everything her brother told her. If Wyatt checked and found out the boy hadn’t been looking for work… “Did he ask you for a job?”
She shrugged. “Not straight out, but he hinted at it real strong. Him and his friend have been looking.”
Wyatt sat up a little straighter behind the wheel. He hadn’t liked the look of Rafe Winslow. Hadn’t liked the speculative looks he’d sent Haley’s way. “And you told him what?”
“I told him I’d have to see if Dooley needed anybody. And that I’d have to discuss it with you.”
Wyatt barked out a terse laugh. “Bet that didn’t set well.”
“It didn’t until I showed him this.” She held up her left hand, admiring the large chocolate diamond. “And before you say something, he said if I was happy, he was happy for me.”
One eyebrow cocked, Wyatt gave her a quick glance. “And you told him?”
“I told him you were a good man and I was happy.”
He braked for a red light. “I don’t reckon you mentioned you love me?”
Her mischievous grin lit up her face. “Well, it don’t take a genius to spot a goat in a flock of sheep, darlin’. Figured you knew.”
He turned the truck into the restaurant parking lot and drove around the side where the larger vehicles parked. Putting it in gear, he cut the ignition and leaned over to unbuckle her seatbelt.
“I reckon I’ll let you prove it to me when we get home. You mind staying at the Flying W? I planned something special for tonight.” And with those words, he dragged her across the seat, kissing her soundly.
* * * * *
The sun had long since set by the time Haley and Wyatt dropped his trailer and turned Geronimo over to Dooley. The Flying W hands were finishing the last of the day’s chores and heading for the bunkhouse. Hands raised in casual greetings but no one initiated conversation as the newly engaged couple walked arm in arm to the house.
Haley hadn’t spent much time at Wyatt’s place. The One-Eyed Jack wasn’t a big operation and she and Dooley got by with a few extra hands, but with everyone on alert for trouble it made for a full day’s work. Consequently, Wyatt was more of a fixture at her place than she was at his.
The house was decidedly masculine, built of logs and Texas limestone, which had been added onto over the generations. Like her place, there was a deep wrap-around porch peppered with rocking chairs and the ever-present porch swing. Wyatt ushered her up the steps and inside. They removed their boots, setting them beside the door.
“Wait right here,” he told her, pointing to an overstuffed chair. “I’ll be right back.” He returned a few minutes later, shirtless and barefoot. “Come on.”
She grinned and stood, making her way to him. “What have you got up your sleeve?”
“Ain’t telling. It’s a surprise.” He took her hand and guided her through the master suite and into a huge bathroom with an equally large tub filled with swirling hot water. Scented candles lit the room with a warm glow and a bottle of champagne and two glasses sat on a wide ledge on the tub surround.
The air was redolent with the fragrance of cinnamon and clove and Haley took a deep breath. She turned to Wyatt, wrapped her arms around his waist and held on tightly. “It’s the best surprise ever. I can’t believe you went to all this trouble. It’s so romantic.”
“Nothing I ever do for you will be too much trouble, darlin’. I love you and I intend to spend the rest of my life showing you just how much.” He reached for her buttons and began the process of undressing her. Her shirt and bra fell to the floor and he leaned down, his mouth warm against the base of her throat. “I love this spot right here.” His tongue swirled against the gap between her collarbones. “Because I can see your pulse flutter when you’re really excited.” His lips skimmed the tops of her breasts as he fli
cked open the button on her jeans. The zipper hissed and his hands slid inside to caress her bottom. Haley wiggled her butt and her Wranglers sagged and fell to her ankles. She returned the favor, opening his jeans and shoving them past his hips, reaching inside his briefs to stroke. He chuckled. “I do like the way you take me in hand, honey. But this night is all about you.” He removed her hand and finished undressing her before helping put her hair up and climb into the tub.
“It’s your night, too,” she reminded him as he stepped into the tub behind her. “I’m not the only one who got engaged.”
“I know that but I wanted to make it special for you.” He opened the champagne, poured and handed her a glass. “Now, lean back against me and let’s just relax in this nice, hot water and soak the day away.”
They talked of inconsequential things, whiling away the time. Their respective ranches. What it was like to travel the rodeo circuit. Had she run into anyone she knew from previous races?
“I was never allowed to get too close to any of the other contestants,” Haley explained. “Pa didn’t want us making friends but I guess I had a few. At least there were some I saw all the time, talked to in the places observers weren’t allowed to go. Cowboys mostly. I’d grown up on the circuit so everybody knew me. I was one of the boys.”
She shivered when Wyatt ‘s hand skimmed over her belly to stroke between her legs. “You sure don’t look like any boy I’ve ever seen.” His lips grazed her neck and he paused to nibble her earlobe. “Even with your pa keeping such a sharp eye on you, I can’t understand how it is none of those cowboys made a move on you.”
Haley laughed, turned her head to kiss him. “Oh, there was a few that tried but I’d already seen how they were with women.” She arched her back and gasped as Wyatt’s fingers pumped into her.
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