Harts Of The Rodeo 3 - Duke - Deputy Cowboy

by Roz Denny Fox

  Friday morning, after stopping to talk to a few cowboys he knew from the circuit, Duke glimpsed his aunt Sarah bustling about town. He excused himself from another bull rider and caught up to her as she left a bevy of old friends. “Aunt Sarah, you’re looking pretty cheery today. Are things at the ranch improving?”

  “I have to put on a good face, Duke. But the shadow cast by the loss of Midnight still looms over the weekend. I so hoped we’d have him back by now.”

  “I hear you. The heck of it is, little by little, stolen stuff is turning up. There’s not been so much as a whiff of anyone putting out feelers to sell a horse. Dinah is beside herself to think the thieves are sharp enough to fly under our radar. If there is an upside to any of this it’s that no new break-ins have happened since the fair opened, knock on wood,” Duke added. “It could be because Dinah upped our patrol hours. Or they may be lying low until more ranchers come to town.”

  “I hope the weekend passes without incident, Duke. I do know at last week’s ranch co-op meeting, we all discussed staggering our crews.”

  “I saw Colt and Dad bring in two stock carriers this morning. Do you know if Beau got home? Dinah signed him up to help with the Wild Pony Race this afternoon.”

  “Flynn spoke to him. Beau bought a new supply of leather in Great Falls. According to Flynn, Ace suggested Beau not leave the bundles at our ranch since so much of his lovely work was stolen. Flynn said he arranged to store the leather at Wright’s Western Wear and Tack.”

  “Thanks. I’ll hike down to Austin’s shop and maybe catch Beau there. I wanted to let him know we can draw our first-round bulls this evening at six.”

  “If you miss him but I run into him, shall I tell him to call?”

  “I would’ve thought he’d have done that already. He must have gotten sidetracked. You know he’s been without a girlfriend for a while, but there are a lot of pretty women rolling into town for rodeo.”

  Sarah arched an eyebrow. “Speaking of pretty women, how are you getting on with Angie? I noticed Pam Marshall has been transporting the boys.”

  “Angie has a booth at the fair to sell her horse treats. She’s selling a lot, and her online business is picking up. I helped her bag cookies the night I delivered the rodeo tickets you asked me to give her. I’m glad you invited her to sit with our family, Aunt Sarah.”

  “I can’t help hoping she’ll become part of our family,” Sarah said, tilting her head saucily.

  Duke bumped his hat down over his face, but mumbled, “Will it shock you to hear I’m on the same page?”

  “That’s wonderful. I’m happy for you, Duke. I’ll stop at her booth, and we can arrange to meet and all go into the arena together.”

  “I’ll see you later, then. Be sure you’re on time for the Wild Pony Race. Luke’s still afraid his mom will back out of going. I can’t believe she’d miss supporting him.”

  “I know why she may want to skip watching him. I come from a long line of tough ranchers, but when my boys, Dinah, and you and Beau all entered junior rodeo I cringed. Many times I closed my eyes and John had to tell me if you’d all come out alive.”

  Duke laughed. “Here we thought you cheered us all the way. You were our rock whenever any of us got gored, stomped or ended up with broken bones.”

  “Yes, well, I learned to hide my queasiness. See that none of you get gored, stomped or break anything today.”

  “I’ll do my best.” He left, and it wasn’t until an hour later that he tracked Beau down at the bull pens. The brothers did a quick male hug and slapped each other on the back.

  “A nasty-looking group of bulls if ever I saw them,” Beau reported. “Colt says a new contractor out of Miles City won the bid to provide bulls. They picked up some of Earl McKinley’s stock, but some of these suckers came in from South America and have never performed before. I wish you’d told me. Now I don’t have time to trace their lineage.”

  “I didn’t know, Beau. Dinah and I have been working double shifts and trying to run down stolen property.”

  “Ace said there’s no sign yet of Midnight.”

  “None, more’s the pity.”

  “Austin said Dinah’s losing weight over it.” Beau took off his hat and raked a hand through his already messy hair. His hair was lighter brown than Duke’s and had always been straighter. “Austin also said you’ve been wasting a lot of time chasing after Angie Barrington.”

  They both leaned casually on the fence, but Duke stiffened and straightened away sharply. “That’s my business, Beau.”

  “Ouch. Touchy, touchy.”

  Duke yanked on his hat brim. “I hunted you up to remind you Dinah tapped us both to help with the Wild Pony Race at two. The three-to-six-year-olds are up first for the mutton bustin’. Colt and Austin are on board to help with that.”

  “What about Ace?”

  “He’s the official veterinarian on duty. If you hang out here for long you’ll see him. He started early this morning certifying horses. He’ll do steers for bulldogging and the bulls last. That’s another thing, we draw our bulls at six at the announcer’s cage.”

  “Gotcha! Where are you off to now? I’m meeting Shane Gillette at the Open Range for a rundown on what he’s been doing down on the southern circuit. Care to join us?”

  “Thanks, but I can’t. I’m on the city’s time clock all weekend. Sunday I’m doing my job and Dinah’s because she’s going to Billings for more workshops.”

  “I didn’t see you registered for the Greeley rodeo, Duke. Did you forget that’s where I’m headed next?”

  “I skipped Greeley. I’ll catch you in Casper, Wyoming.”

  “You’re skipping a lot of events,” Beau grumbled. “But I guess with your scores you can afford to pick and choose. Must be nice.”

  Duke slung a fake punch at Beau. “You’re not doing so shabby. Well, hasta luego.”

  “Yeah, yeah. See you later.”

  Duke made an unscheduled run out around the perimeter of town. He ambled down some ranch roads, to show a presence should anyone think about attempting break-ins. He parked next to Dinah’s SUV at the arena about the time ticket holders for the afternoon events filed in to fill up the bleachers. Barkers hawked peanuts and cotton candy. The air smelled of fresh popcorn and spicy hot dogs.

  “I scoured a few ranch roads,” he told Dinah when he found her. “All looked quiet.”

  “Great. I wondered where you were. I walked in with Mom, Leah and the kids. Mom said she’d seen you earlier.”

  Duke craned his neck to see if Angie sat with the family. He didn’t realize his stomach had balled up until he saw her and the knot unfurled. Then he couldn’t hide his smile.

  “What has you so happy?” Dinah asked.

  He braced a boot on a fence and pointed to the arena where Colt, Austin and other cowboys plainly out of their element tried to get woolly sheep to cooperate. The littlest kids competing wore helmets. Each sheep and child had one handler assigned to help get the kid onto an animal’s back and then sent the sheep toward the finish line. Many kids slid off. Some sheep refused to trot. The crowd roared with laughter, possibly because Colt’s five-year-old stepdaughter, Jill, clung like a burr to her sheep. She passed a boy to win and Colt whooped, plainly proud of her.

  “Everyone seems to be enjoying the Mutton Bustin’ this year,” Dinah said, chuckling.

  “Yeah. Did you see Colt all puffed up?” Duke laughed, then added, “Looks like we’re up next with the ponies.”


  Dinah rushed off to announce the names of contestants, and Duke vaulted the fence to meet his team.

  “Calm down, guys,” he said as he strapped on their helmets. “There’s one group of younger kids before you. You are up against three teams in your age range.”

  “I know most of the kids,” Tommy said, more nervous than usual.

  The first teams started. Younger kids got the smallest ponies, but no child managed to get on. The crowd still laughed and clapped and the kids had a blast. All contestants got ribbons anyway.

  “Okay, boys, block out the noise and concentrate on staying with your pony.” He traded high fives with each boy.

  It was an odd thing, but as Sarah had said earlier, Duke was tempted to shut his eyes and not watch. He saw Angie had scooted to the edge of her seat.

  At first the boys’ pony got his head and Luke’s short legs weren’t gaining ground. Team four who had won the previous year began to act cocky. One of their rope-holders fell and lost his grip. Their runner dived for the pony but missed, so that team lost. Then, wonder of wonders, Tommy dug his boots into the mud, and so did Bobby, who actually sat down. It held their pony back long enough for Luke who, after two tries, scrambled on. Another boy on team two fell off the other side. Luke remained on longest, and so they won.

  Duke delighted in watching Angie jump up and down. He pumped a fist in the air as the boys went to collect their trophies to a standing ovation.

  To his profound surprise, while Bobby and Tommy raced straight to their parents to show off their trophies, Luke collected his and galloped up to Duke, throwing his muddy body into Duke’s arms. Best of all, he didn’t stutter a bit even in his full-blown excitement. Hugging Duke’s neck, he said, “Thank you for my bestest day ever.”

  Duke carried Luke over to where Angie stood at the rail, her eyes aglow with pride. She kissed her son, then after Duke transferred Luke into her arms, she leaned over and gave Duke a big kiss, too. He was struck by the rightness of their little enclave. He felt like he supposed Colt did with his new family.

  “Dylan, I wouldn’t have believed those three boys could win.” She bounced on her toes, putting Duke in mind of Lucas.

  He’d like to linger and vie for another kiss, but catcalls from Austin and Beau, who stood off to one side, had Duke feeling self-conscious. Anyway, Pam, Gary and their boys worked their way to where he stood with Angie, and they lavished praise on him, too. A bit embarrassed by the attention, he bowed out.

  “I’ve gotta get going. Angie, you and Luke have tickets for tomorrow, too. Same seating. You’ll have a close-up view of the opening parade and for all following events, including mine.”

  She hesitated, but Luke, still basking in his win, exclaimed, “I can’t wait to come see all the real cowboys. You, too, huh, Mom?”

  Though plainly Angie would opt out if she could, Sarah, Flynn and Leah arranged to meet her. The women made a big deal of the boys’ win and Jill’s accomplishment. And since they all included Angie in Saturday’s plans, she finally said she’d be there.

  Whistling happily, Duke sauntered off to find Dinah.

  She left some friends, and added her kudos. “I have to admit, Duke, I thought you were wasting your time teaching that trio. We’ve probably never had a more crowd-pleasing kids’ venue. The Mutton Bustin’ was a hit. The rodeo committee asked me if the sheriff’s office will sponsor it and the Wild Pony Races again next year. I should have asked you first, but I think a rodeo should offer something for a whole family, don’t you?”

  Duke thought about Angie’s objections to the use of animals for rodeo entertainment, and he supposed the more animals they added the more she’d object. Unless he could convince her otherwise. “I’m sure the committee had to start early. If we accept, does it mean the rodeo committee will help you get reelected?”

  Dina frowned. “I am so not looking forward to this campaign. I hate to think about all of the glad-handing that goes with running for reelection. I’d win automatically if we found those blasted thieves. Oh, by the way, I’m leaving before daylight Sunday. A guy in Bighorn thinks his wife bought him one of Beau’s saddles on the black market. He’s familiar with Beau’s work. She bought the saddle from a friend of a friend, who picked it up cheap at a truck stop. If I can question the man who originally bought the saddle, I may finally get a description of a seller.”

  “Great. But we have enough family in town to watch for mischief makers. I don’t expect our family to scatter until the rodeo closes.”

  “Beau told me he goes to Greeley next. He griped about you holding off until Casper. Is serving as my part-time deputy holding you back from what you’d rather be doing?”

  “Absolutely not. I’m riding in all the events I need to make the finals. Beau’s not as much of a homebody as I am.”

  “Your dad wants him to take over care of Thunder Ranch bulls. But Mom and Ace are debating giving up all cattle if Uncle Josh retires. Ace’s practice has gotten busier and of course he has a baby due he hopes to spend more time with.”

  Duke knew part of the reason he hadn’t signed up for Greeley was because he wanted to help Angie with her business. He’d never admit that to Dinah. “I can’t imagine Dad lolling around doing nothing,” he said instead.

  “Well, he’s getting older. So is Mom.”

  “A lot is changing with the family,” Duke said, staring into the distance.

  “Yeah. Thunder Ranch will soon be run by the next generation.”

  Dinah left Duke pondering that as she went off to see that rodeo goers left the parking lot in an orderly fashion.

  * * *

  AT SIX DUKE JOINED BEAU and the other bull riders for the drawing of bulls. Beau’s number came up first. He drew Nitroglycerin, one of the new bulls.

  Duke picked next and got Tabasco.

  “Man,” Beau sympathized. “I don’t envy you. Tabasco’s a corker. Have you seen him buck?”

  “Not that I recall,” Duke said, listening to groans from other riders who weren’t any happier with their draws.

  “He’s known for twisting one way then the other in quick succession, then kicking high with his hind legs to unseat his rider. I’ve seen him buck right out of the chute.”

  “Thanks for the warning. Shall we go have a look?”

  Beau led the way to the pens. “This Nitro sucker is part Brahma.” Beau’s bull charged the fence, forcing the brothers to jump back.

  “He’s half-wild. Did you see his red eyes?” Duke said. The bull’s coat was a creamy-tan. Duke’s bull had a reddish coat fitting of his name. Tabasco bellowed and pawed the ground the minute they got near his pen.

  “Let’s go eat at the diner,” Beau said. “Eat hearty, it could be our last supper. Those bulls look as if they could bring us both down.”

  “Pessimistic thought.” Duke frowned. He wanted to perform well—for the kids on his wild-pony team, he told himself. Really he hoped Angie would see he rode clean. But if Tabasco was a twister, handlers would badger him to strap on spurs for control.

  It was a rare occurrence for the twins to get to eat a real meal together. Almost the minute they sat down, Beau zeroed in on Sierra Byrne and attempted to flirt with her. The diner owner, who often filled in as a waitress, didn’t flirt back. Probably because the place was superbusy. Although, she appeared to not recognize them.

  “What’s with her?” Beau asked. “Is she trying to discourage cowboy trade?”

  “She’s probabl
y run ragged. I imagine the diner’s been swamped all day.”

  “Yeah.” Beau sliced his chopped steak smothered in onions and approved with a happy sigh.

  Duke noticed Beau tracked Sierra’s movements as she delivered food to other tables. “She’s not your usual type, Beau.”

  Beau jerked back to stare at his brother. “She has the most startling eyes is all. And what is my type?”

  “Flashy. Sexy. Skinny.” Duke cut his own steak and savored a bite.

  “Huh. You have a skewed idea of what I like. Sierra is plenty curvy, though. Forget me and Sierra, that was quite a display you put on with Angie after the pony race. You’d better forget her, Duke. Haven’t you heard guys on the circuit talk about her? She’s a ballbuster, especially when it comes to rodeo jocks.”

  “I’m not a jock, and I don’t want to hear disparaging comments about Angie. As a matter of fact, I need to get a to-go box and get back to work.”

  Standing, Duke peeled off bills for his half of the check and added another five in tip. He helped himself to a travel box that sat on the counter. “I’ve got the duty until midnight. Unless some huge mess comes up, I’ll do my best to get to the arena to support Colt’s and Austin’s morning events.”

  “There’s a party at the Open Range Saloon tonight starting at nine.”

  “It’ll probably get pretty rowdy. Sure you want to go?”

  “Not really. I told Dad I’d crash at the house tonight. He wants me to evaluate a bull he’s thinking of selling. I should go straight to the ranch and skip the party.”

  Duke let his gaze roam the restaurant. “I’m surprised Pop’s not here. Sierra told Dinah and me that he’s been eating lunch or supper here almost every day.”