Her Rodeo Man

by Cathy McDavid

  Ryder swallowed. He’d been through this before with another headhunter. “I quit rather than be sued.”

  “For what?”

  “Inappropriate conduct.”

  Myra whistled. “How inappropriate?”

  “Not at all.”

  “Then, why?”

  Now it was Ryder’s turn to groan. “I was dating a woman at work. One of my subordinates. A member of my team, actually. And before you ask, there was no company policy against employees fraternizing.”

  “Did you advise HR? Sign any kind of agreement?”

  “Yes, we advised HR, and there was no agreement for us to sign. When the relationship ended, I advised HR of that, as well.”

  “Then, where does the inappropriate conduct come in?”

  “We dated for four months. She wanted more, to move in together, and I didn’t. Rather than string her along, I ended things.”

  “That’s it?”

  “Not entirely. She didn’t take the breakup well. She’d call me at all hours and corner me in the office. A couple of our discussions got a little heated. About a week later, one of the other team members received a promotion she was also in line for. She believed I blackballed her.”

  “And did you?”

  “Absolutely not. I was asked for my input on both candidates and gave them both good recommendations. No favoritism. The next day she filed a complaint.”

  “You just said you showed no favoritism. What were her grounds?”

  “During one of those heated discussions, she got carried away. I tried calming her by putting my hand on her arm. She later claimed that I touched her inappropriately.”

  “Were there any witnesses?”

  “A few. They reported seeing me touch her but not where. They weren’t close enough.”

  “Excuse me for stating the obvious, Ryder, but that was stupid. You should have avoided this woman at all costs. Especially after she started calling you. In fact, you should have alerted HR that she was harassing you.”

  “Live and learn.”

  “Is any of this in your personnel records?”

  “No. That was part of the deal we reached. She dropped the suit, and I quit.”

  “Well, that’s one good thing.”

  “Not really. Advertising is a small world, and it’s filled with big mouths. Even though I did nothing wrong, a lot of companies are reluctant to hire me. She got what she wanted after all.”

  “Then you move out of state,” Myra said matter-of-factly.

  “I’m considering it.”

  “Okay, here’s what we’re going to do. I’ll email you our representation contract. Once you send it back, we’ll set up a meeting. Wear your best tie. My assistant will film a short interview with standard questions. We should be able to generate some interest with that. We’ll also polish your résumé and rehearse answers to potentially difficult questions. What’s your email address?”

  They discussed a few more details before disconnecting. Ryder felt both better—he was being proactive and taking steps—and discouraged. How could he have screwed up this badly? Getting involved with a coworker? Worse, a subordinate. He should have his head examined.

  Pulling into the arena, he parked by the office and got out. Still plagued by the conversation with the headhunter and not quite ready to face anyone, he went instead to the barn. Without quite realizing where he was going, he found himself standing in front of Cupcake’s stall.

  The pony snickered and came over for a petting. Ryder automatically gave her a scratch between her short, stubby ears. The next minute, he was in the stall, examining her sore hoof.

  “I think you’ll live.”

  Cupcake investigated him, snorting lustily when she encountered his hair.

  “Quit it, will you?” Ryder laughed and dropped her hoof.

  He and Cassidy once had a pony a lot like this one when they were young. A sorrel named Flame. With two parents involved in rodeo, they’d learned to ride at a very young age.

  Suddenly, Ryder missed being on a horse. He’d remedy that this weekend, he decided.

  “Hey! What are you doing to our pony?” The annoyed voice belonged to a pint-size girl who, given her long black hair, could only be Tatum’s daughter. She stood in the open stall door, hands fisted and planted at her sides.

  “Checking her foot.”

  “I don’t know you.” The girl backed away and gave Ryder a very suspicious once-over.

  “I work here. With your mother.”

  “Then, why haven’t I seen you before?”

  “I’m new.”

  “I’m going to tell my mom.”

  He expected her to take off running. She didn’t. Instead, she opened her mouth and screamed at the top of her lungs.

  “Mom!”

  “Hey, it’s all right. You don’t have to—”

  She screamed again.

  The next second, Tatum came charging up the aisle, one boy in tow, the other, younger one bouncing on her hip. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing,” Ryder said.

  The girl pointed accusingly at him. “This man is trying to hurt Cupcake.”

  Chapter Four

  “Sorry about that.” Tatum suppressed a grin. “I don’t know what got into her.”

  “No harm done. You got here before the police were called.”

  She walked beside Ryder, carrying her youngest, Adam, because he’d pitched a fit when she tried to put him down. He got that way sometimes after day care, clingy and insecure. The mother in her was patient and understanding of his separation anxiety. The teacher in her wanted him to be more independent. “Gretchen is leery of strangers.”

  “I noticed.”

  “She’s gotten worse since...” Tatum almost said, since she’d left the kids with her former mother-in-law. Fortunately, she caught herself before having to explain those dark and difficult months. “Lately.”

  “Who needs a watchdog with Gretchen?”

  Tatum took the half smile Ryder offered as an indication he wasn’t offended. Not that her daughter had done anything all that awful, other than accuse him of hurting Cupcake. At the top of her lungs.

  “She isn’t here every day. Cassidy picked up her and Benjie from school, then swung by and got the boys from day care, which is right down the road. We do that a lot. Share driving responsibilities.”

  “Sounds like a good system.”

  It was. Two single moms helping each other out. They also swapped turns running errands and babysitting. Not that either of them needed a babysitter much. For dates, at least. Tatum was acutely aware of how a woman in her midthirties with three children, ages seven and under, sent most guys running straight for the hills.

  Ryder was among that group. According to Sunny, he was a confirmed, born-again bachelor who put his career first. Not wanting children could be one of his reasons. Or, he might want his own, not a ready-made family.

  She’d heard that particular excuse more than once when, last year on a whim, she’d tried internet dating. What a mistake. There was only so much rejection a gal could take.

  “How did your visit to the marina go?” she asked.

  “We now have a poster in their window.” Ryder went on to tell her about his stop at the mining company offices.

  She was impressed. No one in the Beckett family had ever reached out to a large corporation before. “If you give me the secretary’s name, I’ll follow up in a week. Or you can make the call.”

  “I think that’s a good idea. You’re probably less pushy than me,” he added with a chuckle.

  “I was thinking more like she’d listen better to another woman.”

  His chuckle increased to a laugh. “You’ve missed your calling, Tatum Maywea
ther. You’d make a good marketing exec.”

  “I love my job.”

  “Which one?”

  “Both. Teaching and working here.” She did love her job at the ranch, in her way. “Where else can I bring my children with me when we’re not busy?”

  Gretchen and Drew, her oldest boy, walked ahead of them, Gretchen leading Cupcake and Drew batting stones out of their path with a stick. The pony’s limp had completely diminished, and Tatum wasn’t worried about letting the children ride her.

  To that end, they’d stopped first at the tack room. Rather than leave, Ryder had insisted on saddling and bridling the pony, though Tatum was more than capable of doing it herself.

  “Where to now?”

  She pointed at the round pen across from the outdoor stalls. “We usually ride there. Cupcake’s small. Less chance of being trampled by bigger, faster-moving horses.”

  He started ahead.

  She had to walk fast in order to keep pace. “Seriously Ryder, I don’t want to keep you. I’m sure you have somewhere else to be.”

  “I’ve missed working with horses.” He opened the gate to the pen and swung it wide.

  “A pony ride can’t be what you had in mind.”

  “I’m free until dinner tonight with Liberty and Deacon. Might as well spend the time with you.”

  Her heart skipped, and, all at once, she was twelve years old again and deep in the throes of a crush. Tatum had grown up with the two older Beckett siblings, she and Cassidy becoming friends in first grade. Funny, Tatum hadn’t noticed Ryder much until that last year before he left. She blamed puberty for her heart flutters then. She couldn’t say the same thing now.

  “Me, first.” Drew abandoned his stick the moment they entered the pen.

  “My turn. I’m oldest.” Gretchen pushed past Drew, grabbing the saddle horn and trying to hoist herself up. She lacked the extra foot in height to manage it on her own.

  “Now, now.” Tatum set Adam on the ground, but he instantly wrapped his arms around her leg and stuck his thumb in his mouth, a habit he’d mostly given up months ago. Had something happened at day care to prompt this worse-than-usual insecurity? She’d ask in the morning when she dropped him off. “No need to fight. You and Drew can ride Cupcake together.”

  Their combined weight was easy enough for the sturdy pony to handle.

  “I’m not riding with him.” If looks could vaporize, Gretchen’s younger brother would be no more than a puff of smoke.

  “All right,” Tatum said evenly. “Then Drew can go first.”

  “Not fair!” Gretchen shrieked.

  Who were these incorrigible monsters? Sure, her children could act up with the best of them. But why today and why in front of Ryder?

  “That’s enough, young lady. Lower your voice, please.”

  “But I’m outside.”

  The argument wasn’t entirely illogical. Tatum often chastised her offspring for yelling in the house and cautioned them to “use their inside voices.”

  “How about you ride Cupcake,” Ryder suggested, “and I’ll give Drew a piggyback ride?”

  Not quite sure she’d heard him right, Tatum stared. She wasn’t the only one. Gretchen and Drew did, too, their small mouths slack-jawed.

  “You’re spoiling them,” Tatum insisted.

  Without waiting for an answer, Ryder lifted Gretchen on to Cupcake’s back and settled her in the saddle. Next, he grabbed Drew by the arms and swung him around on to his back. Drew had to hold tight or he’d have fallen.

  Gretchen gave Cupcake a nudge with her heels and jiggled the reins. “Giddyup.”

  Drew did the same to Ryder, though instead of reins, he tugged on Ryder’s shirt collar. Cupcake started out, making a circle of the pen. Ryder followed, with Drew laughing and Gretchen pouting because, in her mind, she’d been trumped by her brother.

  “Anyone ever tell you you’re a good sport?” Tatum said to Ryder as he passed.

  “I need the exercise after driving all day.”

  Right. If there was an ounce of fat on him, it was buried beneath layers of muscles. The guy was built.

  Gripping Adam’s hand, she moved to the corner of the pen and watched Ryder play with Drew. The same charm that had won her over yesterday, before she knew who he was, worked its magic on her now. Tatum could hardly catch her breath. Looks and confidence were definitely sexy, but, to her, nothing made a man more attractive than being good with children. Stronger even than a powerful love potion.

  During his next pass, his gaze sought hers. Tatum glanced quickly away, afraid her expression would reveal too much.

  This beautiful, crazy arrangement lasted five whole minutes. Just long enough for Tatum to fall a little further under his spell. It might have continued longer if Adam didn’t suddenly start wailing.

  “Wanna ride. Wanna ride.”

  “Your turn next, sweetie.”

  “Now!” He let his legs go limp and flung himself to the ground, nearly jerking Tatum’s arm from its socket. When she didn’t let go, he twisted from side to side. She had ten seconds at most before he succumbed to a complete meltdown. Wouldn’t that be icing on the cake?

  “Enough, Adam,” Tatum said sharply.

  In the classroom, be it school or art, and with other people’s children, Tatum never lost control or raised her voice. She couldn’t make that claim when it came to her own brood, especially when they were testing the limits of her patience like today.

  “Ride,” Adam howled.

  Ryder came over, and Tatum felt her cheeks burn. “Honey, please, stop.”

  He did. But not because of anything Tatum said or did. Ryder had scooped up the boy and held him close to his chest.

  “You really don’t have to do this.” She wanted to tell Ryder that giving in to Adam’s tantrum was teaching him the wrong lesson. She didn’t. The boys’ giggles were too hard to resist.

  “My dad used to cart me and Cassidy around when we were his age.”

  Tatum had to wonder if her best friend remembered any of the good times with Mercer like her brother obviously did.

  “Hey.” Gretchen reined Cupcake to a stop in front of them and glared. “Mom says we’re not supposed to roughhouse around the horses.”

  Tatum did say that and was frequently ignored. Gretchen likely wanted in on the fun her brothers were having but refused to ask. Next best was ruining their fun.

  “It’s okay.” Drew hugged Ryder’s neck harder. “We have an adult present.”

  Tatum’s throat closed. She ached for her children, who missed their father and moments like this. Monty had come around only a few times since their divorce, though his work as an installation foreman for a national auto parts chain brought him to the Phoenix area at least every other month from his home in Flagstaff. Gretchen, old enough and smart enough to figure out that her father didn’t want to see her, was especially hurt.

  “She’s got you there,” Tatum told Ryder. “You might spook Cupcake, and Gretchen could fall.”

  “Aw, no, Mom,” Drew threw his head back and wailed.

  “Noooo,” Adam echoed.

  Without missing a beat, Ryder turned toward the gate. “Come on, boys. We’ve got bigger pastures to ride.”

  While Gretchen continued circling the pen with Cupcake, an activity that had lost a lot of its appeal, Ryder and the boys frolicked outside the round pen. Before long, Gretchen reached her fill of being excluded and pronounced, “It’s Drew’s turn.”

  “Okay.” Tatum didn’t think either of her sons would abandon Ryder in favor of Cupcake.

  Even so, she helped her daughter dismount, then looped Cupcake’s reins over a fence railing. “Your turn,” Tatum said to Drew upon leaving the pen.

  “I don’t want to ride.”

  Of
course he didn’t. “You need to give Mr. Beckett a rest. He must be tired.”

  “How about I go with you?” Ryder offered.

  Drew bestowed a Christmas-morning smile on him. “All right!”

  “Wanna ride,” Adam said, refusing to be left out.

  “If it’s okay with your brother.”

  “Okay.” Drew’s joy visibly dimmed. He didn’t want to share his new best pal with his brother, but he’d rather share than miss out entirely.

  Using one hand, Ryder lifted Drew off his back, then lowered Adam to the ground. He didn’t resume sucking his thumb, but he did grab Ryder’s leg.

  “Daddy!”

  Uh-oh. Tatum’s stomach dropped to her knees. Could her children not go fifteen minutes without embarrassing her? “Honey, he’s not—”

  “You stupid dork!” Gretchen shoved her little brother, nearly knocking him over. “He’s not our daddy.”

  “Gretchen! No name-calling. You know better.”

  Adam burst into sobs. Drew looked ready to cry but held himself in check. Tatum wished for the ground to open up and swallow her and her children whole.

  “I’m not your daddy.” Ryder lowered himself so that he was eye level with both boys. “I am your friend, though. And that’s good enough. Now, let’s ride Cupcake.”

  Like a miracle, Adam’s tears dried, and Drew’s smile reappeared. Gretchen, however, was another story, and she remained aloof.

  The boys rode Cupcake a full twenty minutes before tiring. Ryder stood in the center of the pen, giving them instruction. Correction, giving Drew instruction. Adam sat behind his brother, holding on. Tatum couldn’t resist and took several pictures with her phone. All right, she admitted it. She took a few shots just of Ryder. Who could resist?

  “Time to get home, boys.” Tatum scanned the area for Gretchen. Her daughter had found twin sisters to play with, children of Liberty’s client. Confident her daughter was fine and adequately supervised, she returned her attention to Ryder.

  “Let’s unsaddle this steed.” Ryder lifted first Adam, then Drew, off Cupcake.