Rodeo Reunion

by Shannon Taylor Vannatter

  * * *

  Hunter sprinted toward home plate, but the ball was back on the field. Raquel’s heart sped faster than his feet.

  “You know what to do, Hunter,” Slade shouted.

  The back catcher rushed the plate and Hunter slid home.

  “Safe,” the ump shouted, and the home crowd went wild.

  “Game,” the ump shouted and the home crowd went wilder.

  “We won!” Raquel jumped to her feet.

  “Awesome.” Tori clapped. “But why did they call the game?”

  “Because there are six innings.”

  “I’ll never learn all of this.” Tori rocked Lorraine from side to side.

  “Yes, you will.” Brant handed her a pacifier. “Did you get a chance to talk to Slade before the game?”

  “Not really. Hunter was with us. Why?”

  “I was just wondering how he’s feeling today.”

  “I’m so proud of you for caring.” Raquel’s eyes grew misty.

  Brant turned five shades of red.

  “My hero.” Tori leaned her head against Brant’s shoulder. “I talked to Slade on the phone. He said he still had a little headache and his leg’s bruised but okay if he doesn’t touch it.”

  A cheer went up from the dugout.

  “Everybody meet up at Moms on Main,” Slade shouted. “And this time, we get sundaes, too.”

  Another cheer went up and the boys scattered, darting for their parents.

  “Are y’all coming to Moms?” Raquel asked.

  “Wouldn’t miss it.” Brant hung the diaper bag on the stroller handles.

  Slade picked up his gear bag and headed in their direction. Looking way too handsome, as usual. Way too kind. Way too Christian. Way too perfect.

  “Did Slade tell you about his meeting with Garrett Steele after church this coming Sunday?” Tori strapped Lorraine into her stroller.

  “No.” Raquel frowned.

  “They’re talking about starting a cowboy church in Aubrey.”

  “Really?”

  “It makes me wonder if Slade’s thinking about staying in town.”

  Slade staying in Aubrey?

  “Mom, can I ride with Max?”

  Sure. Abandon me. Leave me alone with the cutest baseball coach ever. “Sure, sweetie. Just be good.”

  “I will.”

  Slade caught up with her. “Ready.”

  “Yep. How’s your head?”

  “A little headache never kept me out of the dugout.” He fell in stride beside her.

  “I guess it went okay with Brant yesterday?”

  “Amazingly well. I slept and he didn’t smother me. When I woke up, he helped me home without injuring me, and we had a civilized conversation.” Slade shrugged. “We even watched a baseball game together.”

  “Leave it to sports for male bonding.”

  “I don’t know about bonding. But the tension’s gone, at least.”

  “I think the pod people took my brother and replaced him.”

  “He’s not usually civilized?”

  “Well, yeah, but I never really thought he would be toward you.”

  “We made Tori cry. That got to both of us.” Slade’s voice broke.

  Why did he have to be so sweet?

  “And he told me all about Russ Dawson and everything that lunatic did to Tori.” Slade closed his eyes. “I understand why Brant is on high alert now. And I respect him for that. He’d do anything to protect my sister. And Lorraine, even though he’s not her biological father. I’m glad Lorraine and Tori have Brant to watch out for them.”

  Even her brother was warming to Slade now and he might consider settling in Aubrey for good. Raquel was running thin on reasons to steer clear of him. And now they’d go to Moms together, since she’d driven because of his concussion. They’d probably sit together, eat together, laugh together. And then drive home. Together.

  But he’s a stupid bronc rider. She had to keep telling herself that. Her last defense against Slade Walker.

  “I’ve been meaning to ask you, how is bronc riding good for your shoulder?”

  “It’s not.” Slade chuckled. “If I land wrong, I could do a number on it. But riding uses different muscles than pitching and I always land on my feet when I dismount.”

  “It doesn’t sound like you landed on your feet Saturday night.”

  “I did, but I jumped back to avoid the horse and crashed with the fence, so I fell.”

  They reached her car, she opened the trunk, and he stashed his gear.

  “So even if you always land on your feet on the dismount, you could have hurt your shoulder if you’d twisted and crashed it into the fence instead of your head. And what happens if someday you don’t land on your feet on the dismount?”

  “Look, Raquel. I can’t spend my life worrying about what might happen to my shoulder. I witness to cowboys. Bronc riding gets me in their circle. It’s not an every-weekend thing, just when I hit a new arena.”

  “We better get going.” She shut the trunk harder than she needed to.

  Great. A stupid, honorable bronc rider.

  * * *

  “Watch for cars,” Raquel cautioned Hunter as they trekked across the church parking lot.

  But the charcoal-gray truck parked a few spaces away stopped her in her tracks.

  Slade’s truck. And the man himself stood just outside the door.

  “You came.” Hunter barreled toward Slade.

  “Careful.” Raquel cringed. “Remember Slade has a sore leg.”

  “And head.” He rubbed the crown of his head. “But of course I came. You invited me and I planned to come last week, but I wasn’t quite up to it.”

  “Come on, Mom.” Hunter held the door for her.

  One foot in front of the other. Calm heart. He probably wouldn’t sit with them or anything. He’d sit with Tori or Garrett. But then again, he might, since she and Hunter always sat with Brant and Tori.

  “You wanna sit with us?”

  Raquel closed her eyes.

  “Sure, sport.”

  Hunter led Slade into the sanctuary with Raquel trailing behind. Halfway up the aisle, Slade stopped, his gaze glued on Garrett Steele.

  “He’s a member here,” Raquel whispered. “We usually do sit in the same pew since Tori is friends with Garrett’s wife, Jenna. But we try not to make a big deal over him so he can enjoy church.”

  “I like his style, but trust me, I won’t go all fan guy on him. I’m just interested in the cowboy church.”

  “I’d introduce you, but it might open the door for somebody else to go all fan girl or guy. One person approaches him and others tend to freak out.”

  “It’s fine. I’m meeting with him today about the cowboy church.”

  She took her usual seat next to Brant and Tori and exchanged pleasantries. At least Hunter sat between her and Slade.

  “Can you eat lunch with us after church?” Hunter asked.

  Raquel closed her eyes. She had plenty of food. But she needed to distance herself from this stupid bronc rider. That was the way she had to think of him to keep her heart from revving.

  “Sorry, I can’t, sport. I have a meeting after church.”

  Thank goodness. At least she’d have to spend only an hour with Slade and her palpitating heart.

  Focus on the music. “Sweet Hour of Prayer.” She needed a lot of prayer to keep her safe from Slade’s charms.

  “Slade Walker.” One of the deacons clapped Slade on the back. “Remember me? I used to ride bulls on the circuit.”

  “Don’t tell me.” Slade tapped his chin with his finger. “Buck Anderson. Right?”

  “Right. You led me to the Lord. I don’t know where I’d be now if not for you.”

  “The Lord drew you to Him. He just used me as a tool.”

  “It’s great seeing you. Are you still on the circuit?”

  “I’m taking a little break right now.”

  “Remember Wyatt Marshall?”

  “I d
o. In fact, I’ve seen him lately at the Stockyards rodeo.”

  “He goes to a church down the street. Both in church thanks to you.”

  Color crept up Slade’s neck to his face. “God orchestrated it all.”

  For the first time, Raquel saw the results of Slade’s calling. He’d borne fruit and she had no right to hope Slade would stay in Aubrey. Obviously, the road was right where he needed to be.

  * * *

  It was a good service. It would have been better if Slade could’ve sat beside Raquel without Hunter between them. But if she’d been beside him, her cute brown dress with turquoise stitching paired with cowgirl boots would have distracted him from the sermon.

  While he lingered in the lobby unsure of where the meeting was, Raquel headed for the door.

  “Raquel, can you stick around for the meeting and take care of Lorraine if she gets fussy? Poor baby girl’s teething.” Brant held Lorraine against his chest, patting her back.

  “Sure.” Raquel’s eyes widened, as if it was the last thing she wanted. Not that she had a problem spending time with her niece. Just with Slade.

  But at least she’d agreed.

  “Where’s the meeting?”

  “In the fellowship hall.” Brant watched the parking lot. “Garrett and Jenna are already there. Lane and Natalie are coming over from their church.”

  “Lane and Natalie?” The names sounded familiar, but Slade couldn’t remember who they were.

  “Lane’s the associate pastor at the church you visited a few weeks ago and a pickup man at the Cowtown rodeo.” Tori dug Lorraine’s bottle out of the diaper bag. “He’s the one who asked about using one of Garrett’s barns for the church. Natalie is his wife and Jenna’s cousin.”

  Slade’s heart sank. Maybe this wasn’t the answer. “Does Lane want to pastor the cowboy church?”

  “I don’t think so. Not from what Jenna said. He’s happy being an associate.”

  Or maybe it was.

  “Do you want to pastor a cowboy church?” Raquel’s voice quivered.

  Chapter 10

  “I’d have to talk it over with God, but remember I told you I’m kind of tired of the road.”

  He tried to read her expression, but her gaze darted away.

  Was she glad he might stay in Aubrey? Could they have a future? Was she interested at all?

  She’d been a staunch supporter in his quest to spend time with Tori. But since he and Brant had settled things, Raquel seemed to be pulling away from him. Except for the Monday-night game when she was still worried about his injuries, he’d driven himself to the practices and games.

  They hadn’t even had supper together the rest of the week. And Hunter had said enough to let Slade know her excuses were just that. Excuses.

  “Y’all can go on back.” Brant rocked Lorraine in his arms. “I’ll get Hunter set up with something to draw on and wait for Lane and Natalie.”

  “I’ll show you the way.” Tori linked her hand through the crook of Slade’s arm and he offered his other elbow to Raquel.

  She hesitated but took his offer. Her hand trembled against him as they walked down the hallway to the fellowship hall.

  Was she nervous about the meeting? Nervous about him? Or maybe she was nervous about Garrett Steele. She obviously knew him, but music stars often sent women trembling.

  “Right through here.” Tori pointed to the double doors.

  Slade pulled free of the women to open the door for them. Garrett and the pretty woman he’d been with during church were seated at a long white table. Slade’s nerves zinged. Over Raquel’s tremble or the meeting? Both.

  “Slade Walker, it’s nice to meet you.” Garrett stood and shook his hand. “I followed your baseball career.”

  “Really? I like your music. I’ve even used a few of your songs for altar calls in my chaplain work. It’s nice to meet you.”

  “Who’d have ever thought a Garrett Steele song would factor in an altar call. God is truly amazing.” Garrett gestured to the seat across from him. “This is my wife, Jenna.”

  “Nice meeting you, ma’am.” Slade started to tip his hat but remembered it wasn’t there.

  “You too.”

  “I’d like to thank y’all for the meals for our baseball team. It’s very generous. Last Monday we won our first game and got to take y’all up on those sundaes. The boys really enjoyed them.”

  “I’m so glad.” Jenna smiled.

  “I played Little League.” Garrett shrugged. “I wasn’t ever any good, but I remember going to eat out after the few times we won. Some of the kids didn’t get to go, because their parents couldn’t afford it. I always wished somebody would pay for the whole team so all my friends could go. I’m able to do that now, so I do.”

  “That’s the sweetest thing I ever heard.” A pregnant brunette stepped into the room. “Who knew Garrett Steele was such a benevolent soul.”

  The woman hurried over and hugged Garrett as a man settled at the table with Brant.

  “Enough of that. You’re just emotional because of the baby.” Garrett grinned. “This is Jenna’s cousin, Natalie, and her husband, Lane Grey. Meet Slade Walker. Now that everybody’s here, let’s talk cowboy church.”

  Slade turned to Lane. “I heard you asked about starting a cowboy church in Garrett’s barn.”

  “In my work as a pickup man at the Stockyards Championship Rodeo, I’ve come across several Christians who work or ride there and we often witness to the nonbelievers.” Lane steepled his hands. “A few months back, I invited one of the bull riders to church. He said, ‘Too fancy for me.’”

  Countless times Slade had heard the same from cowboys on the circuit.

  “That got me thinking—there are a whole host of nonbelievers who will never step in the doors of a regular church. Because they don’t feel like they belong, or a list of other excuses. But the cowboy churches are breaking down those excuses.”

  “People can wear what they’ve got, come to a barn and get baptized in a feed trough.” Slade nodded. “Similar to my rodeo chaplain ministry.”

  “There are two cowboy churches in Fort Worth and one in Denton.” Garrett ran his finger across his iPhone screen. “To tell you the truth, when Lane first came to me, I thought, Aubrey has plenty of churches and our church doesn’t need any more competition. But like Lane said, some folks will never go near a typical church. I think Aubrey is ripe for a cowboy church.”

  “If we can find a building, would you be interested in pastoring?” Lane asked.

  Slade’s gut tensed. “You wouldn’t be?”

  “No.” Lane shook his head. “I prayed about it and God convicted me, I’m an associate pastor. Period. But there is a newly called preacher at our church. Our pastor talked to him and he’s willing to take my place, so I could be associate for the cowboy church.”

  “Would you be interested in pastoring, Slade?” Garrett sipped his coffee.

  “I’d have to pray about it.” Slade folded his hands on the textured surface of the table. “I’ve been a rodeo chaplain for several years, but I’m currently on sabbatical because I had some family concerns to take care of.”

  “Are your family concerns settled now?”

  Slade looked at Tori, then Brant. “I think so.”

  “Well, I’ve already prayed about the matter. I’m all for a cowboy church, but not in my barn.” Garrett leaned back in his chair. “Unfortunately, I have to be very careful about security and I’m very private about where I live.”

  “All of our property was enclosed in one fence with access from one gate. And we had a breach.” Jenna patted Tori’s hand.

  Tori shivered and Brant put his arm around her.

  The muscle in Slade’s jaw flexed.

  “For the last year,” Garrett continued, “I’ve had the fences redone and added a gate so that the entrance to two of the barns are separate. They’ll both open soon—one will be a bull-riding school and the other a practice arena. The only other barns on the pr
operty are too close to my residence.”

  “I see.” Slade’s heart sank.

  “But Jenna and I have talked about it. We’re willing to put up the money for a building or barn that could be used. Or even buy land and build.”

  “Really?” Slade’s mouth went dry. “I actually have some funds available. I’ll donate whether I pastor the church or not.”

  “I could make a donation,” Tori offered.

  “So could I,” Natalie chimed in.

  “Well, then, I’ll contact Star Marshall and see what she can find.” Garrett leaned his elbows on the table. “Once we have a building, I’ll contact Slade and we’ll talk funds, then see what God says about a pastor. Since we’re backing the ministry, I’m sure we’ll want a pastor of like doctrine. Maybe the cowboy church could join our association of churches.”

  Lorraine let out a whimper. Raquel took her from Brant, stood up and bounced her niece around.

  “Do you plan to attend the church?” Slade directed his question to Garrett.

  “No.” Garrett shook his head. “I might do a concert at the arena we’ll put behind the church to jump-start the congregation, but we’re happy in our church.”

  “This is so exciting.” Natalie twiddled her thumbs. “Lane’s done research and these churches don’t seem to pull from other congregations—they truly draw people who don’t go anywhere.”

  “Let’s hope. Thanks for setting up the meeting, Tori.” Garrett scooted his chair back and stood. “It was nice meeting you, Slade. I’ll be in touch.”

  “I’ll look forward to hearing from you.”

  Raquel danced Lorraine around in the corner. And her flowery scent ambushed him, drawing him like a bee to honey. Especially beautiful holding a baby.

  If this worked out, if God was for him pastoring the cowboy church, he could stay in Aubrey and get to know Tori better. He could be near Raquel. If she’d let him get near.

  But he had to keep her out of the equation. If the cowboy church came together, he needed to pray about it. And he couldn’t let Raquel influence his decision.

  She handed Lorraine back to Brant as everyone said their goodbyes and hurried out the exit.