“He means your hat and boots,” Jayden said, jerking his chin. “They’re cool lookin’.”
Margaret’s smile reappeared and she hooked her thumbs in the pockets of her jeans. “Thanks.”
“We’re glad you’re gonna ride with us,” Kayden said. “But what about you, Ms. Jen? Where’s Diamond?”
“He’s out roaming in the pasture with his buddies,” she said, placing a palm on Margaret’s shoulder. “I’m just going to watch today and be on hand to help if Margaret needs me.”
Today. No mention of tomorrow.
Colt froze at the unease invading his gut. It was the same feeling that had taken hold of him in the diner earlier, when Jen had mentioned needing to train and return to competition soon. The nervous tension in her expression had unsettled him. And the possibility of her leaving Raintree earlier than they’d planned had made him reach out and touch her, with the urge to keep her at his side.
Jen had been right last night. He’d treated her exactly as he had other women by suggesting they return to the status quo and avoid a more serious relationship. But how could he make a commitment to Jen without sacrificing time that should be devoted to Margaret?
The sun broke free of a stray cloud, lighting up the field with a golden glow. Colt squinted against the glare and traced the graceful fall of Jen’s red hair with his eyes, remembering the pleasant glide of it across his chest and the feel of it between his fingertips.
He didn’t want to forget last night. Was damned foolish to think he could. He wanted another night. Needed more of her. More of the intense connection they’d shared. More of her soothing touch and tone. And, though he knew he shouldn’t, he wanted her to need him, too.
Jen tapped the brim of Margaret’s hat, held up a pink helmet and smiled. “Ready to swap out?”
Margaret nodded. They made swift work of removing the cowboy hat and securing the helmet, Margaret inching closer to Jen’s side and casting nervous glances at Destiny every few seconds.
“How ’bout we get you two introduced first?” Colt asked.
He took hold of Destiny’s reins and led her toward Margaret, stopping a few feet away. Flies followed them and buzzed around the mare’s back end, causing her to flick her tail in a wide arc.
Margaret jumped and moved closer to Jen.
Colt released the reins and walked over, lowering to his haunches in front of Margaret. “You sure you want to do this? There are a lot of other things we can do instead.”
Margaret glanced over his shoulder at the boys, then back at Destiny. “I—” Her voice broke, a thread of fear straining it, but she continued, “I want to try.”
Jen gathered Margaret’s long curls in her hands, sweeping them over the girl’s shoulders and bending to whisper in her ear, “We’ll be right here with you. Colt and I both. We won’t let anything happen to you.”
A gentle heat lit in Colt’s chest as he listened. The word we had never sounded so sweet.
“But what if...” Margaret’s voice faded and her face paled. “What if Destiny gets scared or something? She might...”
“Destiny’s done this a lot,” Jen said. “She’s calm. And she’s trained to be patient.”
“But what if I mess up?” Margaret’s eyes widened. “What if I can’t hold on?”
“Colt will be right there the whole time,” Jen said. “He won’t let you fall.”
“Have you ever fallen?” Margaret blinked up at Jen, breathing quickly.
“Twice.” A smile flitted across her lips. “But I was riding recklessly both times and lost my focus. Colt helped keep me safe.” She brushed Margaret’s bangs back, tucking them under the helmet. “It doesn’t happen as often as you might think. And I promise Colt won’t let that happen to you.”
Colt glanced up at Jen, chest swelling at the patient look in her brown eyes and the gentle reassurance in her touch. She had to be itching to put out barrels, saddle up Diamond and hit the dirt by now. But she’d put her needs on hold for Margaret. And for him.
He tore his gaze away from the sweet freckles sprinkling her cheeks and the cute dimple in her chin, focusing on Margaret’s wary frown as it dissolved.
“You ready to give it a try?” he asked.
The girl took a deep breath and nodded.
Colt stood and led the way over to Destiny, keeping track of Margaret’s hesitant steps behind him. When they reached the horse, he took the lead and rubbed the mare’s muscular neck.
“Destiny’s real friendly and loves attention.” Colt swept his hand over the horse’s back. “It always helps to introduce yourself before you ride. Wanna come over and let her get a good look at you?”
Margaret crept closer and Colt waited as her eyes roved over Destiny, starting with the horse’s broad nose, then trailing down her thick midsection to her slowly flicking tail.
“She’s big,” she mumbled.
“Yeah. But she’s safe.” Colt nodded toward Destiny’s muzzle. “Hold your hand up and let her get acquainted with your scent.”
His sister raised her hand, stepping closer hesitantly. Destiny dipped her head and nudged Margaret’s palm with her nose, nostrils working.
Margaret pulled back, cradled her hand to her chest and laughed. “That tickles.”
Colt smiled. “Come closer and pet her.”
She did, barely brushing her fingers against the horse’s hide. After a few minutes, Margaret grew bolder, touching Destiny with her whole palm and applying long strokes along her shoulder. Destiny made a sound of pleasure and nuzzled her nose against Margaret’s hair.
“She likes you, Margaret,” Kayden said, walking his horse in a wide circle around them.
“Does she?” Margaret asked, looking up at Colt.
He nodded and gestured toward the saddle. “Ready to mount?”
Margaret glanced over her shoulder at Jen.
“Go ahead.” Jen smiled and nodded. “We’re right here with you, Margaret.”
The girl inhaled and squared her shoulders. “Okay.”
Colt helped hook her left foot in the stirrup, gripped her waist and boosted her up. He kept his hands at her sides as she straightened.
“All right?” he asked.
Margaret nodded jerkily, her small hands grappling for the saddle horn and holding it tightly.
“We’ll just stand still a minute and let you get used to her,” he added, slowly removing his hands and reaching for Destiny’s lead.
His stomach churned as Margaret shifted slightly in the saddle. Her torso bent forward, her fingers scrambling for a death grip on the saddle horn. She looked so small up there on Destiny. So light and frail.
Colt shot a worried glance at Jen, his hands clenching on the reins. Dominic had assured him Destiny was the best choice for Margaret. But maybe he should’ve started with one of the small ponies no matter how big a blow to Margaret’s newfound pride that might’ve been. Or maybe he should never have agreed to this at all.
“You look great up there,” Jen said, issuing an encouraging smile. “Like a real cowgirl. Don’t you think so, Colt?”
“Yeah.” He cleared his throat. “You look great.”
Colt licked his lips, his mouth suddenly dry. A familiar anxiety ran through him. The same one he experienced every time Jen positioned Diamond in the alley, preparing to tear around barrels at top speed. It was an irrational fear but he couldn’t shake it.
“Wanna walk around with us, Margaret?” Kayden asked, continuing his slow circle around Destiny. “We’ll go slow.”
“Yeah,” Jayden said, joining his brother. “There ain’t nothing to it.”
“Wait, boys—”
Before Colt could finish, Destiny took a few steps across the grass, following in line with the other horses as she did routinely during her daily tra
il rides with guests.
Margaret gasped, a panicked cry escaping her. “C-Colt?”
Heart lurching to his throat, he tugged on the reins and brought Destiny to a halt. He reached up and wrapped one hand around both of Margaret’s on the saddle horn.
“Hey,” he said gently. “You just say the word and I’ll get you down. You’ve done a lot today already.”
Margaret’s wide, brown eyes moved over his face, then settled on his hand. Her breathing slowed and she tugged one hand free of the saddle horn to clutch his. Her small fingers twined with his larger ones and squeezed.
“Will you stay right here?” she asked.
“Of course.”
She sat up straighter and nodded, the sunlight gleaming off her pink helmet and golden strands of hair rippling over her back. “Then I’m okay. We can keep going.”
Colt’s chest swelled, a surge of pride rising in him at the brave light in his sister’s eyes. He nodded and tugged Destiny’s reins, guiding her forward slowly. The first few steps were rocky, but after a few minutes, the anxious set of Margaret’s mouth eased.
“Wonderful job, Margaret,” Jen called out as they moved farther out across the field.
They continued in silence for a while, listening to the birds chirp overhead and the ranch guests laugh softly as they strolled the grounds nearby. Margaret sat taller in the saddle with each of Destiny’s steps, causing Colt’s smile to widen.
“See, it ain’t so bad,” Kayden said. “You like it?”
“Yeah.” Margaret laughed. “We’re doing good, aren’t we, Colt?”
We. That word again. And just as sweet.
The rush of pleasure sweeping through Colt caught him by surprise. It bloomed in his chest and pooled in his eyes. He blinked rapidly, clearing his vision to absorb Margaret’s bright, adoring smile.
“We sure are,” he said.
Colt concentrated on the warm press of Margaret’s palm, the strong surge of peace enveloping him suddenly giving the word new meaning. One he had let go of long ago. Something he’d finally stopped begging for from his father seven years ago, when he’d left home.
Family.
His hand tightened around his sister’s, the rhythmic pulse in her wrist fluttering against his thumb.
Other than Tammy, Colt couldn’t remember the last time he’d touched someone with his blood running through their veins. And it’d been years since he’d laid eyes on a face with as strong a resemblance to his own. He’d never experienced a moment of solidarity as powerful and unconditional as this before with anyone...
Except Jen. For a brief while last night in that guest room bed. When he’d joined his body to hers and settled into her comforting embrace, her tender touch dissolving his grief and infusing him with strength.
Margaret’s head swiveled to the side, her shiny helmet flashing in the sunlight as she called out, “Colt and I are doing good, aren’t we, Ms. Jen?”
“Fantastic,” she shouted back, waving from the other side of the pasture.
Colt craned his neck, peering past Margaret. Jen had turned away to lean against the fence, her curvy profile highlighted by the low-hanging sun and her gaze focused on an adjacent field, where Diamond frolicked with the other horses.
Jen’s name hovered on Colt’s tongue, the need to bring her attention back to him strong. He wanted to call her over to share the moment. Ask her to join him. Take her hand in his and tug her close to his side.
But he couldn’t. Both his hands were already full. One gripped Destiny’s reins and the other still clasped Margaret’s hand tightly, supporting and urging her on. And at the moment, his sister’s needs were more important than his own.
Chapter Eight
Eight seconds of being thrown around by an angry bull had always taken a toll on Colt. But it was nothing compared to the four hours he’d spent waiting for Margaret to return safely from a neighbor’s mid-morning pool party.
“They’re late getting back,” Colt said, hopping off the lowered tailgate of his truck.
He walked to the middle of Raintree’s dirt driveway and peered down the winding lane, hoping to catch a glimpse of a truck emerging over the hill. A strong breeze swept across the grounds, spiraling up dust, then blowing through the long blades of grass in the fields.
“Kayden and Jayden have the ability to make anyone late,” Dominic said, leaning against the side of the truck. “They’ve perfected it into an art form.” He crunched into a large apple, chewed then swallowed before adding, “The Grangers may be our closest neighbors, but they’re miles from here and they’ve got five kids of their own, plus however many children they invited to this party. That’s enough to throw anyone’s time off. Logan would’ve called if anything serious had happened. The kids are fine.”
Colt nodded. Dominic’s brother, Logan, was the most responsible man on the planet and he’d offered to pick the kids up on the way back from town. Logically, Colt should have nothing to worry about. Emotionally, however, well...that was a different story.
After a full afternoon of riding Destiny yesterday, Margaret had played cards with the boys, then stayed up late to watch a movie. She’d settled in between Colt and Jen on the couch and laughed often. But the long day had caught up with her, causing her blond head to tip onto Colt’s chest and her snores to overpower the TV.
Colt rubbed a palm over the base of his throat, recalling the soft press of Margaret’s hair as she’d slept. “Even if you know they’re okay, don’t you still worry about the boys when you’re not with them?”
“Hell, yeah. Every day. Why else did you think Cissy and I took up residence out here a half hour ago?” Dominic asked, taking another bite of the apple. “Worrying is just part of being a parent. Part of wanting to keep your family safe. But wearing a hole in the driveway isn’t gonna get ’em here any faster. Work’s about the only thing that helps ease the stress while I’m waiting.” His smile was only half-joking. “You given any more thought to my offer? ’Cause that’d keep your mind busy.”
Colt ducked his head and looked away, focusing on the driveway again. It was nothing unusual for Dominic to reference his proposal that Colt partner up with him and Logan and invest in bulls. He’d mentioned it every time Colt visited over the past two years, and again when he’d arrived at Raintree with Margaret and Jen.
Dominic had given up bull riding years ago for Cissy and the boys, and had never looked back. But Colt knew Dominic still harbored a love for the sport. And Logan, shrewd businessman that he was, saw an investment in bulls and riding clinics as another opportunity for Raintree to grow.
“I’ve thought about it,” Colt murmured.
He had thought about it. Much more often during this visit than he had before.
He’d thought about what it’d be like to slow down. Take more than one week off from touring the circuit. Give his body time to rest and heal from all the damage he’d done grappling with bulls over the years.
He’d also thought about Margaret. How staying longer would give him more time with her. Delay their separation and strengthen the new connection he’d begun to establish with her.
“It feels good walking across the dirt instead of slamming into it,” Dominic said. “We’d be advising more than anything. Guiding newbies through the tricks of the trade. There’s nothing wrong with slowing down. It’s a hell of a lot more peaceful than dragging everything you own from one state to another every week.”
The thundering of hooves erupted from an adjacent field. Diamond’s white mane rippled along his back as Jen drove him around barrels.
Colt’s mouth twisted. Jen hadn’t slowed down. Despite their long day yesterday, she had saddled Diamond up at dawn and spent the entire day conditioning and bonding. Every time Colt sought her out she’d been either in the fields or in the stable with Diamond. And
the only time she’d offered more than a one-word response to him was when Margaret had come to hug her goodbye before leaving for the pool party.
Colt looked down and dragged his boot over the dirt. He’d hoped after Margaret left for the party that he’d have an opportunity to talk to Jen. To try to discuss the night they’d shared and explain that even though he knew he should focus on Margaret, he was finding it difficult to ignore how he felt about her. He needed to know if Jen felt as strongly for him.
But would he just be causing Jen more pain by restarting something he wasn’t sure he could finish?
Delighted babbles rang out, interrupting Colt’s thoughts. Dominic’s twin girls stood outside the fence with Cissy, watching Jen and Diamond. Gwen’s squeals of excitement cut across the peaceful spring air each time Diamond executed a turn, but Grace was oblivious to it. She was busy doing her best to climb the fence rails.
“No, Grace,” Cissy said, catching the toddler as she lost her grip on the second rail and toppled toward the ground. “You’ll fall and hurt yourself.”
Grace let loose a plaintive shriek, threw her arms up and writhed in Cissy’s hold, her ruffled shirt rising above her protruding belly as she slithered free to the ground.
Diamond balked at the piercing sound, jerking his head and skittering out of the barrel pattern to trot in the opposite direction.
“Whatcha giving your mama such a hard time for?” Dominic asked, tossing his apple core away and ambling over to scoop Grace up in his arms.
Cissy smiled, mouthing thank you as Dominic bent to kiss her cheek before returning to Colt’s truck with Grace in tow.
“All that hollerin’ isn’t going to get you anywhere.” Dominic gently tickled the tips of Grace’s toes, peeking out of her sandals.
The little girl’s screams ceased and a grin broke across her face. She kicked at Dominic’s fingers and laughed.
“There’s my good girl.” Dominic kissed her forehead and hugged her to his chest.
Grace laid her cheek on his shoulder as he rocked her from side to side, her blue eyes blinking up at Colt.
The Bull Rider's Cowgirl Page 11
