Rodeo Hero

by Vannatter, Shannon Taylor;

  “Aunt Darcy sent me out for a turkey carver.”

  “Finally. I’m starving.” One of the cousins trotted toward the house.

  The others followed.

  “I couldn’t eat a thing.” Dalton shoved his hands in his pockets.

  “You’re nervous?”

  “Of course I’m nervous. I’m getting married in a few hours.”

  “But you love Heather, and she loves you.”

  “I’m not nervous about marrying her. But what if I mangle the vows?”

  “I’m sure she’ll marry you anyway.” Kendra rolled her eyes. “I spent a sleepless night in Dallas, listening to her sing your praises.”

  “That’s my girl.” Dalton elbowed her in the ribs. “Every-thing go okay?”

  Kendra nodded.

  “Glad you’re home, Sis.” He turned toward the house.

  Stetson waited until Dalton was out of earshot. “You okay?”

  She sucked in a deep breath. “He didn’t mean me when he said ‘Get out.’ Just the. . .”

  Stetson’s jaw tensed.

  “He didn’t kick me out. I misunderstood.”

  “Aren’t you glad you came home to find that out?”

  “I wasted a lot of years.”

  “You can make up for them now. We better get to the house.”

  “You go ahead. It’ll be another twenty minutes or so before everything’s ready. I think I’ll go up to the loft and chill out. It’s been such an emotional trip, and I haven’t had a chance to relax and evaluate all I’ve learned.”

  He couldn’t leave her alone. “Want some company? You don’t have to talk. I can just chill with you.”

  She smiled. “That sounds nice. You’ll never know how much I appreciate you making this journey with me. I’ll never forget it.”

  He swallowed hard and turned to the barn. It reminded him of his own. He stood by the ladder while she climbed up first then followed. Square hay bales were stacked to the roof in the back. The front was empty except for loose straw.

  She sat in the loft window, feet dangling. He settled beside her. The sun glinted off her hair and stirred up the strawberry scent of her shampoo. His arms longed to wrap around her. But he had to distance himself. Shut her out of his heart. Find the perfect preacher’s daughter to be his wife.

  “Kendra!”

  Stetson snapped to attention. A brown-haired man stood on the back porch of her father’s house, waving. He jogged toward them.

  “I couldn’t believe it when Dalton said you were home.”

  “Ethan.” Excitement echoed in her voice. She vaulted to the ladder and climbed down.

  Ethan met her halfway across the barn lot with a hug as Stetson’s foot touched level ground. Was this the guy her father had caught her with? Surely not. He wouldn’t be welcome here. But one of the others? Entirely possible.

  Stetson headed for the house.

  “Stetson, this is Ethan, Dalton’s best friend. I used to babysit them both.”

  “And I had a major crush on Kendra.” Ethan grinned.

  She tucked her fingers in his elbow. “You got here just in time for the meal. So tell me what you’ve been up to?”

  Stetson stayed a few paces behind, definitely a third wheel.

  ❧

  Kendra scanned the sea of familiar faces as she stutter-stepped down the aisle. Whispers of shock and pleasure rustled through the crowd when they saw her. Countless minds wondering why she’d disappeared eight years ago. At least “what’s his name” who’d caused it all wasn’t there. Dalton had told her he’d ended up in prison on drug and theft charges.

  She was getting to be a pro stutter-stepper. First Gabby’s wedding, then Rayna’s, now Dalton’s. Would it ever be her own? Her gaze stalled on Stetson.

  If only she’d met him years ago. But it was too late now. She was too used, too tarnished.

  She had to forget him. Put him behind her. Once they arrived home, she’d avoid him. A few more photo shoots for the campaign and Stetson would be out of her life. And with Clay officially retired, she’d have no reason to go near a rodeo again. She’d have to find a new church home, too.

  At the front of her childhood church, she took her place as the music swelled for Heather’s appearance.

  Dalton’s eyes were riveted on his bride-to-be as she approached. A sappy smile spread over his face.

  If only Stetson could look at her like that.

  But it could never be.

  She’d miss him.

  ❧

  Teary-eyed, Kendra climbed in Stetson’s truck for the long, probably silent, trek home. She’d promised her dad a visit as soon as the ad campaign ended and she had a free weekend. At least by Christmas, if not sooner.

  Only a month, but as Stetson pulled onto the highway, her vision blurred.

  His hand sought hers with an encouraging squeeze. “You’ll be back in a month. Maybe before.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Everyone sure seemed glad you were home. Your dad especially, but the people from the church, too.”

  “I felt like the prodigal daughter.” She adjusted her seat belt. “Daddy welcomed me home, and we had a big feast followed by a celebration.”

  “Now tell me again who Miss Ella was.”

  “My Sunday school teacher when I was in first and second grade.”

  “And Darcy is your dad’s sister.”

  “Yes.”

  “Ethan seemed happy to see you.” His tone went from chitchatty to stiff.

  “I knew he had a crush on me. He was always a sweet kid.” She emphasized the last word.

  “Listen, Stetson.” She pulled her hand away from his. “I’m not sure what’s been going on with us. You seem interested in me as more than a friend, and then you go cold. I get the feeling my past relationships bother you, and I don’t appreciate being grilled about every man I know.”

  “I didn’t mean—”

  “It doesn’t matter. I think after the campaign wraps up, we should go our separate ways.”

  “That’ll be hard to do with us in the same church. I don’t see why we can’t be friends.”

  “Friends—more than friends. We’ve tried both and neither worked. I’ll be looking for a new church home.”

  His jaw clenched. “I hate for you to leave the church on my account.”

  “I’m not. I need to find something closer to Dallas anyway.”

  ❧

  The photo shoot at the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame was even more torturous than usual. Stetson couldn’t ignore Kendra and pose for her camera at the same time. At least it was the last shoot. The rest of the campaign would occur during rodeos at the Stockyards. There, he could concentrate on his job and tune her out.

  “Relax. You’re all stiff.” She lowered the camera and frowned at him. “The quicker you relax, the quicker we can get this over with.”

  He took a deep breath and tried to think of something other than her.

  “That’s better.” She raised the lens again.

  At least he couldn’t see her eyes. The pale-blue eyes that haunted his dreams and waking hours. Think about something else.

  He imagined his dad’s display here. Saddle, boots, buckles, newspaper clippings. He and his mom had been searching the attic for items. A little over a month and his dream would come true.

  “Much better.” Kendra interrupted his thoughts. “That’s a wrap.”

  And with those words, he probably wouldn’t get this close to her again.

  ❧

  Kendra stared at Stetson’s image on her computer. Would this campaign never end?

  “Hey, got a minute?” Rayna popped her head in Kendra’s office.

  “Sure.”

  Rayna leaned in the doorway, arms crossed. “What’s with you and Stetson? I thought after Dalton’s wedding, y’all would be closer.”

  “We’re officially off. As friends or anything else.”

  “Why?”

  “I told him some things about my
past that he apparently couldn’t handle. I’m trying to move forward, but every time we run into any man I know, Stetson grills me. I can’t move forward with him constantly dragging me backward.”

  Rayna winced. “I was really hoping it would work out for y’all. Maybe he’s jealous because he cares about you.”

  “I don’t think so. There’s other Christian fish in the sea. And maybe I need to just concentrate on God and reading the Bible right now anyway.” She sipped her coffee. “How’s Clay?”

  A smile lit Rayna’s eyes. “Taking it easy and getting stronger every day. And it’s a good thing.” She paused dramatically then jumped up and down. “I’m pregnant.”

  “That’s wonderful.” Kendra stood and hugged a still-bobbing Rayna. “I’m so happy for y’all. If anyone deserves ‘happily ever after,’ it’s you and Clay.”

  “Thanks. You’ll have it one of these days, too. And it could still work out with Stetson. Maybe he just needs time to think.”

  “I’m pretty sure we’re done. And once the campaign ends, I’m planning to find a church closer to home anyway.”

  ❧

  Stetson scanned Rayna’s box seats. Kendra sat alone. Bradley and Associates had bought the seats through the end of the campaign. Tonight would be her last rodeo.

  Her camera focused on him.

  Would she be at church Sunday? Probably not. This might be the last time he saw her. And she was so far away. Both physically and emotionally. He’d not only rejected her, he’d hurt her. Just like every other man in her life.

  Focus. The last bull of the night. The gate opened, and Mean Machine erupted with Wyatt astride. Stetson focused, anticipating the bull’s movements, dancing, spinning, staying close in case anything went wrong. The buzzer sounded, and Wyatt dismounted without incident and climbed the fence.

  But Mean Machine wasn’t finished and rounded the arena ready for another target. Stetson got his attention, and the bull charged head-on.

  He cut to the side out of the bull’s range. But Mean Machine still didn’t go to the gate. Instead he turned and came after Stetson again. The barrel man rolled his barrel between the bull and Stetson. The pickup man rode to the rescue and lassoed the bull’s horns then dragged Mean Machine to the gate.

  Leaning forward with his hands on his knees, Stetson caught his breath, glad there wouldn’t be any more bulls for the night.

  The crowd applauded as the announcer closed out the rodeo for the evening.

  Stetson trotted to the fence and climbed over. Exhausted mentally and physically, his face paint could wait until he got home. He headed for the back exit.

  Kendra stood waiting.

  His footsteps stalled. Waiting for him? Surely not. He sped past her with a nod of acknowledgment.

  “Stetson.”

  He stopped, closed his eyes, then turned to face her. “Sorry, I didn’t think you wanted to see me.”

  “I just wanted to say that you were nice to work with, and I’m glad you’re okay. That last bull kind of made me nervous.”

  “Brother Stetson.” A young girl’s voice.

  He turned. Lynn, from his youth group?

  “Lynn? Are you all right?”

  Lynn shook her head and burst into tears.

  “Oh, sweetie, what’s wrong?” Kendra hugged the girl.

  Lynn hiccupped several sobs. “I’m pregnant.”

  seventeen

  Stetson’s stomach turned.

  How had this happened?

  Oh, he knew how it had happened. But to Lynn? She was one he’d worried about least. A good head on her shoulders, with a bright future, now at a crossroads.

  Stetson focused on the wet spot Lynn’s tears made on Kendra’s silk blouse. Lynn was hurting and scared. Hide the shock. Keep it gentle, nonjudgmental. “Have you told your parents?”

  “No.”

  “What about the father?” Kendra echoed his tone.

  Please don’t let it be anyone from the youth group. Stetson glanced down the hall.

  Lynn’s gaze was glued to the floor, her shoulders slumped. “Trent.”

  Stetson’s chest would surely explode.

  How had a sweet girl like Lynn fallen for Trent’s tactics?

  Lynn took a deep breath. “I’m sorry, Brother Stetson. I know you’re disappointed in me.”

  “I didn’t even know you were dating.”

  “No one did.” Lynn wouldn’t meet his eyes either. “My parents wouldn’t allow me to date until I turn eighteen.”

  “So you snuck out?” he asked.

  Lynn nodded. “Several times after the Six Flags trip. I thought he loved me.”

  “You’re both only sixteen.” What should he advise? Get married? Give the baby up for adoption? “Does Trent know?”

  “He said it’s not his.” Lynn sniffed. “But he’s the only one I’ve ever. . .”

  “The first thing we need to do—is tell your folks.” Stetson closed his eyes. Tell her parents their daughter had gotten pregnant on his watch. “I’ll go with you tomorrow.”

  Lynn grabbed Kendra’s hand. “Will you go with me?”

  “Of course.” Kendra gently smoothed hair away from the girl’s face.

  ❧

  Lynn’s dad punched the wall.

  Kendra jumped.

  “I’m a deacon.” Luke’s voice shook. “What will the church think?”

  Beside her on the couch, Lynn cried harder.

  “They’ll support your family.” Stetson stood behind the sofa, his hand on Lynn’s shoulder.

  Her mom, Maggie, sat on the other side of Lynn, dabbing her eyes while Luke paced the carpet in front of them.

  This wasn’t going well.

  “I know you’re both upset.” Stetson, the voice of reason. “This isn’t what you wanted for your daughter. But Lynn needs your support. By giving your support, it doesn’t mean you approve of her decisions. She needs you to help her make the right decisions now.”

  “We raised you in church.” Luke jabbed a finger at Lynn. “You know better.”

  Maggie cleared her throat and scooted closer to Lynn on the sofa. “Stetson’s right. Lynn is scared right now, and we have a baby to consider. What do you want to do, sweetheart?”

  “I want to keep my baby.” Lynn hiccupped a sob. “That is—if Dad doesn’t kill me.”

  “I’m not going to kill you. I’m going to kill Trent,” Luke growled.

  “I understand your feelings completely.” Stetson paced behind the couch again. “I had the same thoughts. But whoever kills Trent will go to prison and be unable to help Lynn.”

  Kendra smoothed Lynn’s hair away from her face. “You need to think about this very carefully. You’re so young. You’ve barely begun to live. There is another option.”

  “Abortion is out of the question.” Luke turned on Kendra.

  “That’s not what Kendra’s talking about.” Though Stetson jumped to her defense, his frown questioned her intentions.

  “Of course not.” Kendra shook her head. “I’d never suggest such a thing. I was thinking adoption. We could find a good home with two parents, a mother and a father. A nice couple with a little more life experience. Maybe someone longing to have a baby, but can’t.”

  Stetson blew out a big sigh.

  Lynn pushed away from her mother. “But I want to keep my baby.”

  “I know you do.” Kendra put an arm around Lynn’s shoulders. “But it’s a big responsibility. Babies aren’t all giggles and glee. They cry, they get sick, they require constant care. It will be tough for you to finish school, and college probably won’t be an option if you keep the baby. Didn’t I hear you say something about being a teacher?”

  Lynn nodded.

  “I think emotions are under control now. Kendra and I should go.” Stetson shook Luke’s hand. “We’ll leave you alone. Just let me know if I can help.”

  “I’m sorry I lost it.” Luke’s jaw clenched. “I just—”

  “I understand.”

&nb
sp; Kendra squeezed Lynn’s hand.

  Stetson ushered her outside ahead of him.

  She sucked in a deep breath. Tension rolled off her as they left the emotion behind.

  He opened the truck door for her.

  “Do you think they’ll be okay?”

  “They’re hurt and disappointed, but they love her. I just wish I’d figured out what was going on and protected Lynn from this.”

  “You teach and counsel the kids at every opportunity. I don’t know what more you could have done.”

  “I should have alerted Luke when I caught them going off behind the church back at the Fourth of July fireworks display. I pegged Trent as trouble from the moment I first saw him.”

  “Her parents raised her in church, she’s a Christian. What more could anyone have done?”

  “I don’t know. I don’t understand why kids habitually go against everything they’ve been taught, everything they believe in.” He caught her hand.

  Kendra’s breath stalled.

  “Thanks for coming today. You really didn’t have to do that.”

  “If I’d had to tell my dad something like that, I’d have wanted someone to go with me.”

  “You’re really great with the girls. Have you ever thought about getting into youth ministry?”

  She shrugged. “I’m still sorting out things myself.”

  “You were great at helping Lynn, and I appreciate your help. You’re still coming to my Hall of Fame induction, aren’t you?”

  Her breath caught. He still wanted her to come? She’d written that off a long time ago. “I wouldn’t miss it.”

  ❧

  Stetson surveyed the faces of his church family in the fellow-ship hall, gathered for a going away party for Lynn and her family. He’d talked until he was exhausted during the last week trying to convince Luke to stay. But Luke was determined to spare his family the embarrassment of Lynn’s pregnancy.

  Instead he’d managed to get a job transfer to Denver, where they knew no one.

  Only Stetson and Kendra knew the truth.

  They were wavering between keeping the baby and giving it up for adoption, no decisions had been made. It was likely the family would never return to Texas.