The Bull Rider's Cowgirl

by April Arrington

  “Can I go, too?” Margaret pushed off the dresser and straightened. “I won’t get in the way, I promise. And I don’t get tired very easily, so you don’t have to worry about getting me back in time for bed.”

  Jen hesitated. “Well, that’s really up to Colt. He’ll know what’s best.”

  “But if it were up to you, would you let me go?”

  Pleasure swept through Jen at the thought of seeking out Margaret’s affectionate smile—so similar to Colt’s—at the start of the race. And the thought of disappointing Margaret made it impossible for Jen to refuse.

  “If it were up to me, I think I would.” She held out a hand, avoiding Margaret’s eyes and flinching at how much pain she’d cause the little girl when she had to leave for good. “Now, are you ready to head to the party?”

  Margaret took her hand and hopped to her side. “Yep.”

  They each grabbed a brightly wrapped present from the bed and made their way outside, following the luminarias lining the winding path to the old barn. It was an ideal evening for an outdoor movie. A warm breeze whispered across Raintree’s grounds, carrying the cheerful songs of frogs and crickets. The moon and stars were out in full force and even if the luminarias hadn’t been in place, the two of them could’ve easily found their way by following the laughter hanging in the air.

  “Wow.”

  Jen’s heart tripped in her chest at the low comment, and she glanced up to find Colt standing at the end of the path, his eyes traveling slowly over her, his expression lifting with masculine approval.

  Vegas. Remember Vegas. Jen held her breath and mentally ran through the barrel pattern.

  “Doesn’t she look great?” Margaret asked, skipping up to his side. “I picked out the lipstick.”

  Colt blinked, glanced down at his sister, then cupped his palm to her cheek. “You did a good job. You both look beautiful.”

  “You clean up pretty well yourself,” Jen said then cringed at the flirtatious, almost seductive note in her voice. She’d strived for flippancy but had failed miserably.

  “Clean up” was an extreme understatement. She couldn’t tear her eyes away from Colt. They clung to his broad shoulders and chest stretching a blue button-down shirt. They traveled over his slim-fitting jeans, the faded material hugging his hips and muscled thighs and creasing in the most enticing places.

  “Thanks.”

  Her eyes shot back up to his face, and his sexy, lopsided grin made her cheeks heat right along with her blood.

  His grin widened.

  “Ms. Jen said I could go with y’all tomorrow if it’s okay with you,” Margaret said, tugging at her brother’s arm.

  “Oh, she did, did she?” Colt asked, surprised eyes darting back to Jen.

  “Yep.” His sister pulled at him harder. “So can I go, Colt? I’ve never been to a race before.”

  He nodded, a pleased smile appearing as he examined Jen’s face. “Yeah. It’d be nice to have you with us.” He took Margaret’s free hand, then turned to the side, bending his arm and gesturing with his elbow to Jen. “May I?”

  Jen hesitated, the gentlemanly move one she’d never seen Colt make. One that matched his clean-shaven look and suited him far more than it should. She tried her best to refuse, but the tingling in her blood made her limbs move forward, anyway.

  “You may,” she whispered, shifting the birthday present to her other hand and slipping her arm through his.

  His spicy male scent enveloped her and she pressed closer to his side as he escorted them across the open field toward the old barn. With each step, his strong leg brushed against her and his biceps flexed beneath her palm.

  That tingling in her blood morphed into searing heat. It rushed through her veins and danced beneath her skin, making her long to slide her arms around him and press as close as possible. It tempted her to forget the race, stay at Raintree tomorrow and take him up on his offer to talk.

  Jen pried her attention away from Colt and focused on the field ahead, admiring the setup. The doors of the old barn were shut and a large white sheet was tacked to it. A popular kids’ cartoon projected onto the sheet from a machine propped on the lowered tailgate of a truck, and large speakers amplified the sound. Several hay bales were stacked into makeshift seating, draped with plaid blankets and arranged in a big semicircle in front of the barn. The balloons she and Colt had blown up were tied to each one and danced in the night breeze.

  Guests had spread out blankets several feet in front of the hay bales and were propped up on pillows or seated on lawn chairs. A row of pickup trucks were parked at the back, tailgates down and pointed at the screen. Blankets and pillows were stacked in each and a red-and-white popcorn machine stood nearby, a steady stream of puffed kernels bouncing out of the silver cooking pot and piling high.

  “Hey, Margaret.”

  Jen smiled as Kayden and Jayden bounded over, their blond hair tousled and lips stained punch red. They skipped to a breathless stop and gestured over their shoulders.

  “Ain’t it cool?” Kayden asked. “Uncle Logan set up the movie and Uncle Dominic fixed all the hay bales and—”

  “Aunt Amy did the popcorn,” Jayden added.

  “And there’s punch and cake and—”

  “All right, boys.” Colt laughed. “Slow down or your motor is gonna run down halfway through the movie.”

  “Thanks for fixing up the trucks with the pillows, Mr. Colt,” Jayden said.

  “Yeah, thanks,” Kayden added. “Can we sit in your truck, Mr. Colt? Aunt Cissy said we could as long as it was all right with you.”

  Colt smiled and nodded. “Sure. There should be enough room.”

  “Oh, we’ll fit,” Jayden said. “Hey...” His blue eyes drifted over the gifts in Jen’s and Margaret’s hands. “Are those for us, Ms. Jen?”

  She laughed and nodded. “Sure are,” she said, handing hers over. “Happy birthday, boys.”

  Margaret smiled, blushing as she placed her gift in Kayden’s hands. “Happy birthday.”

  The boys said thanks and shook the boxes before putting them on a nearby table stacked high with presents.

  “So, how old are you two now?” Colt asked when they returned, squinting and tilting his head. “About six or seven?”

  Kayden pursed his lips, amusement lighting his eyes as he clucked his tongue. “We ain’t been six or seven for years, Mr. Colt.”

  Jayden shared a glance with his brother. They stuck out their chests, adopted deep voices and stated in unison, “We’re nine.”

  They all laughed, then weaved their way through the scattered guests to Colt’s truck, stopping along the way for popcorn and punch.

  “All right,” Colt said, setting all the snacks safely in the truck bed. “Ms. Jen and I’ll hop up first and y’all can have the tailgate.”

  Colt climbed into the truck bed then leaned over, extending a strong hand. She slipped her hand in his, her palm tingling in his warm hold, and stepped up. She bit her lip as he grabbed her waist to steady her, his fingers tightening around her for a moment.

  “You good?” he asked, trailing his hands away slowly.

  “Yeah,” she said, trying to ignore the flutters in her belly and taking a seat against the pillows at the back.

  He nodded, then reached down and assisted Margaret up. The boys clambered onto the tailgate beside her. Once they were settled, Colt made sure the kids had their snacks before easing down beside Jen with a grunt.

  “It’s a chore keeping up with them, isn’t it?” Jen teased, studying the three children’s backs, their blond hair ruffling in the breeze.

  Colt laughed. “I guess, but—”

  Kids groaned and booed all over the field, drowning out the cheerful chatter of the adults, as the cartoon was cut off and the feature film was loaded. Children on the hay b
ales threw popcorn at the sheet until a new image flashed and the movie started, the booing quickly transforming into excited cheers as the opening music swelled.

  Margaret and the boys joined in, whooping with the others. Kayden and Jayden tucked their popcorn bags at their sides and pumped the air with a fist. They whistled around their fingers, attention fixed on the movie and backs jerking with each of their movements.

  “It might be a chore,” Colt answered, raising his voice above the happy cries of the children and easing closer, “but it sure is a fun one.”

  A delicious shiver swept through Jen at the boyish tilt of his smile. No matter how much she tried to fight it, the magic of the moment slipped beneath her skin and lit her up inside. She closed her eyes, listening to the happy sounds of the children, and inhaled the rich scent of popcorn and butter lingering in the spring air.

  “It is fun,” she agreed, hugging her knees to her chest. “Kind of makes you feel like a kid again.” She smiled and glanced at Colt, stilling as his blue eyes darkened.

  “I wish I’d known you back then,” he whispered.

  Her breath caught and she cleared her throat before asking, “Why? So we could’ve raced our bikes? Or so you could’ve seen my skinned knees and buckteeth?”

  Colt smiled. His hand lifted, halted in the air briefly, then drifted through her hair. “So I could’ve been the first boy to kiss you.”

  Something shifted in Jen’s chest and settled firmly inside her heart. The phrase was softer and sweeter than any she’d ever imagined Colt would say to her. And she realized she finally knew the real Colt. An honest, honorable man she understood, had forgiven and trusted more than ever.

  She melted beneath his touch, closing her eyes again and savoring the intoxicating feel of his presence surrounding her.

  His lips brushed her ear and his gentle breaths tickled her skin. “May I?”

  She tilted up her face and whispered back, “You may.”

  Her lips trembled, anticipating his kiss, but the soft heat of his mouth touched her neck instead, drifting slowly upward and brushing gently over her chin and the curves of each cheek.

  His palms cradled her face, his thumbs gliding over her temples. “Jen.”

  The low syllable was coaxing and tinged with wonder. She opened her eyes to find him looking down at her, something new and different moving through his expression.

  His mouth parted on a swift breath and he lowered his forehead to hers, eyes clinging to hers, his broad chest pressing warmly against her. “I—”

  “Mr. Colt and Ms. Jen sitting in a tree...” Kayden’s singsong voice faltered. “No, not a tree...”

  Jen glanced to the side to find Margaret and the boys watching them. The twins sported goofy expressions and Margaret’s smile was dreamy.

  Kayden tried again, keeping time with his fist on the tailgate. “Sitting in a...”

  Jen faced Colt again, her cheeks heating as she watched his eyes slide shut in dismay.

  “Truck,” Jayden hollered.

  A smack sounded. “No, Jayden. That don’t rhyme with g.”

  “Well, you can’t say tree because they’re not in one,” Margaret said, giggling.

  Colt shook his head and groaned, his chest vibrating against Jen’s.

  “I got it,” Kayden declared, scrambling to his feet. He propped his hands on his hips and shouted, “Mr. Colt and Ms. Jen sitting at a moo-vee. K-i-s-s-i-n-g!”

  Margaret and Jayden cackled and applauded. Kayden took a bow, then doubled over with laughter, attracting amused looks from the adults nearby.

  “Oh, Lord,” Jen murmured, covering her face.

  Colt chuckled and tugged gently at her hands, removing them from her face and threading his fingers through hers. “Well,” he said, “that certainly ruined the mood.”

  Thank goodness. One more moment and she would no longer have cared if she returned to the circuit. Her palms grew clammy, her fingers shaking between his. She tugged them free and shifted away, staring at the movie and avoiding Colt’s eyes.

  It wouldn’t do to linger over the way he’d slipped into her blood, his gentle words and warm touch streaming through her veins and nourishing new feelings within her. Feelings that fought to dive deep inside her heart and take root, planting her feet and slowing her down. She needed every bit of speed she had to make her way to Vegas, and she’d worked too hard to throw it all away. But just for tonight, maybe she could enjoy these moments with Margaret and Colt.

  * * *

  COLT COULDN’T FIND the words for it. There was no phrase that fit the way Jen’s arm had nestled so perfectly in the crook of his elbow or the way Margaret’s hand settled so sweetly inside his own. But he felt it. It’d hummed within him the entire time they’d sat in the back of his truck, Meg giggling at the movie and Jen pretending to watch it. And that feeling stayed with him now as he escorted them back to the main house for the night.

  Colt maneuvered them around a deep dip in the path, adjusting his grip around Margaret’s hand and tugging Jen closer to his side. It was almost eleven, and the farther they walked from the brightly lit field, the darker and more silent it became.

  He glanced at Jen, his chest aching at the sight of her furrowed brow and solemn expression. No doubt she was replaying the moment they’d shared hours earlier. When he’d asked to kiss her and had every intention of doing it properly. And thoroughly.

  Only, he’d been too overcome by the surge of emotion welling inside him to continue. Had become focused on her eyes instead, peering deep and trying his damnedest to see if what he’d felt was reflected there. The need to know had overtaken him and the questions still hovered on the tip of his tongue.

  Jen glanced up, locking eyes with him briefly before looking away.

  Colt took a deep breath. He might not know which word fit these unfamiliar emotions coursing through him, but he knew for a fact which one didn’t. Friend was no longer an accurate representation of his feelings toward Jen.

  Hearing Margaret yawn, Colt looked down, smiling gently as his sister scrubbed the back of her free hand over her eyes. She’d argued hard against leaving the party.

  “Yep,” he said. “That’s exactly why I suggested we call it a night.”

  Margaret blinked up at him and grinned. “All right,” she grumbled good-naturedly. “I might be a little bit tired, but I’m not too tired to go to the race tomorrow.”

  He slowed as they reached the front porch, reluctantly releasing Margaret’s hand and nudging her toward the door. “You will be if you don’t get a good night’s sleep, which is why you’re gonna go straight to your room, brush your teeth and crawl in the bed.”

  “Okay.” She bounded up the steps, but stopped at the door and turned. “Will you come up and say good-night?”

  Colt nodded, relaxing at the thought of his new nightly routine. Tucking Margaret safely in bed and whispering good-night had become the highlight of the last two evenings. “Of course.”

  “G’night, Ms. Jen,” Margaret called out, spinning around and opening the door.

  “Good night, Meg.”

  Jen’s gentle tone sent a fresh wave of longing through Colt, but he waited until Margaret made it inside before facing her.

  “We need to talk, Jen.” He tensed as she slid her arm from his and took a step back.

  “About earlier?” she asked, shoving her hands in her pockets and studying the ground.

  “Yeah. That and—” he glanced over his shoulder at the soft light emanating from inside the house, where Margaret was preparing for bed “—other things.”

  Jen rocked on her heels and lifted her head. Her brown eyes lingered on his mouth and sparked a sense of urgency within him.

  “I still want to kiss you,” he rasped. “And more than that. I want to—”

 
“Please don’t,” she said, rushing the words out, her fingers fumbling over his lips, stilling them. Her whisper was strained with the same desperation that filled her eyes. “Whatever it is you’re about to say, once you say it, it’ll always be there. It could change everything between us.”

  He took her hands in his and kissed her fingertips. “Things have already changed. They changed that night in that bed, and I was a fool to think we could just forget it.” His gut roiled as a new possibility formed, and he pressed closer. “Have you been able to forget?”

  She shook her head, then turned her hands over in his, squeezing his palms. “No. But I just... I can’t do this right now, Colt.” Her chest lifted on a deep inhalalation and she gestured over her shoulder toward the stables. “There’s so much riding on tomorrow’s race. I need to focus. And Margaret’s looking forward to the trip.” She bit her lip, eyes pleading with his. “Please. Can we put this on hold for now? I’ve got to keep my head in the game.”

  Dread surged through him at the thought of her losing focus in the alley or while tearing around the dirt at top speed. “Okay.” He forced himself to release her and move back. “It can wait.”

  Jen straightened, a heavy breath leaving her. “Thank you.” Her slight smile vanished as soon as it appeared. “I’m going to spend some time with Diamond before turning in. We’re still pulling out at seven tomorrow morning, aren’t we?”

  “Yeah. That’ll give you plenty of time to check the place out and prepare.” The tense lines beside her mouth reminded him how anxious she always became the night before a competition. “Take your time with Diamond. I’ll get all the gear loaded early so you can squeeze in some extra sleep.”

  She nodded, eyes moving slowly over Raintree’s grounds for a few moments. “It’s nice here. But it’s time for me to get back into the routine again.” She stared ahead blankly, chin trembling. “I need this win tomorrow, Colt. It could make or break me.”

  His throat ached at the fear in her expression. “You’re gonna do great, Red,” he whispered.

  Jen nodded and strolled down the winding path toward the stables. Colt watched until she disappeared from sight. He forced himself to turn on his heel and make his way inside to knock on Margaret’s door.