The Celtic Cowboy: Bear Creek Rodeo

by Jessica Marin

  “She does look familiar. I bet she’s a buckle bunny.” Buckle bunny is code for groupie. Disappointment is written all over Rhett’s face and I actually start to feel bad for him. It’s his stupid rule, but I get why he has it. I look back over at the girls, who haven’t even looked our way once yet. If they were rodeo groupies, I would think by now they would’ve noticed us, especially Cody and the boys with their cowboy hats.

  “Ah, I remember now! She works at Bear Creek Rodeo. Her name is… Tessa! Tessa Mandel! She’s Caldwell George’s assistant,” Tate confirms and my brother’s face lights up like a Christmas tree. I stare at him, not seeing this reaction from my brother in a very long time.

  “I wouldn’t get your sights set on her, Kearney. She makes it crystal clear to any man who even comes near her that she isn’t interested.” Rhett smiles at Cody, the look in his eyes telling me he’s intrigued by the challenge.

  “Ryan, is Bear Creek Rodeo on our schedule?” he asks while his eyes are trained on the brunette.

  “Yes, it’s on our schedule,” I confirm, amused at seeing my brother this way. It makes him look like old Rhett - happy with a touch of softness to his handsome face.

  “I think it might be best if I go introduce myself to Miss Mandel ahead of time.” He looks over at us and actually winks, causing the boys to slap his back with encouragement.

  My brother just winked at us!

  Who is this man?

  “Want my hat?” Casey offers up his hat, which Rhett politely declines while putting his beer down on the bar.

  “I don’t need a cowboy hat to get a woman,” he declares and turns his back on the hooting and hollering that is coming from the boys. I stare at my big brother in awe and realize I don’t need these guys to distract my brother in order for me to meet the ladies.

  Rhett is leading me to the exact one I have my eyes set on. With him being interested in her friend, this should be an easy win.

  Game. Set. Match!

  Chapter Four

  ADELINE

  I had a feeling tonight was going to be special. That we were genuinely going to have a reason to celebrate something besides being badass babes.

  Tessa’s new book is a best seller.

  With these sales, she will now exceed her monthly salary that she brings in from the rodeo. Meaning, our dream of moving to Austin will soon become reality.

  I want to scream with excitement for her, for us!

  “How much money do you think you’re making right now?” I ask, not being able to contain my curiosity on the actual figure. Millions of books are sold on that website and her book is in the top 100.

  Mind blown.

  “I don’t know. Just because I’m #1 in a category doesn’t mean it’s bringing me sales.”

  “You’re ranked in the top 100 in the whole entire store. Do you understand that? Top 100 out of millions of books!” I scream with excitement, not caring about the looks we’re getting from people around us. She continues to stare at me as if I’m the crazy one, making me want to shake her until she realizes what a major accomplishment this is. I knew it was only a matter of time before this would happen. She’s been hustling hard, writing when she gets home from work at night, sometimes staying up until three in the morning to finish a story, and then gets up to go to her full-time job. This is her dream career and she deserves for it to finally happen.

  “That’s it, Tessa, we’re celebrating. We’re getting rip roaring drunk and eating whatever the hell we want. We deserve to celebrate!” I exclaim, waving at our waiter to get his attention. She laughs at me while I order us a bottle of champagne.

  “Did you take a screenshot of your rank yet?” When she shakes her head no, I stare at her in disbelief. “Tessa, get your phone out now and take a screenshot! You want to document this moment!” I’m always telling her to take a photo of the lowest rank she reaches since it changes hourly, but she usually waves me off as if it’s no big deal.

  It is a big, freaking deal!

  This might mean our dreams of getting out of Bear Creek will happen sooner rather than later. If my calculations are correct, we might be able to start looking for an apartment in Austin as soon as the rodeo is done. Which also means I will have to tell my parents. The realization sends a wave a nausea through me. My father has a car dealership in Austin that I’m praying he will let me work out of. He isn’t going to be happy and I’m dreading the conversation we need to have. Unfortunately, my graphic design services aren’t supplementing my income from work yet.

  But one day, they will.

  Until then, I need my job with my dad, but tonight, I don’t need to be worrying about my upcoming conversation with him. Tonight is all about Tessa. My thoughts become distracted when the waiter comes around with our champagne. He pours it into two flutes and leaves the rest of the bottle in a bucket of ice on our table. I raise my glass to for a toast.

  “To Tessa, my best friend, my inspiration, my sister from another mister! Congratulations to you on this huge accomplishment! You’re going to be an international best-selling badass author babe and I’m honored to be your forever assistant.” She laughs at me, because she knows it’s the truth. “Thank you for having me on this journey with you and never doubt your self-worth. You deserve all of this and more!”

  “I love you, Adeline Murphy,” she says, tears threatening to leak down her cheeks. “Thank you for always believing in me and we deserve this!” I salute her with my glass and take a long pull of champagne, enjoying the smoothness of the liquid as it cools down my throat. I put my glass down and watch Tessa, who looks like she’s about to lose it in the middle of the restaurant. I’m about to make fun of her for being a cry baby when her eyes go wide and her mouth opens slightly, her expression turning to a look of wonder as she’s captivated by something over my shoulder. I turn around to see a gorgeous man walking in our direction, his eyes locked with Tessa’s. He’s tall, with dark blond hair buzzed on the sides and spiked on the top, wearing a form-fitting black t-shirt that accentuates his muscular body. His dark denim jeans fit snugly and he’s wearing stylish black ankle boots. I look back at Tessa, who seems to have stopped breathing as her eyes drink him in.

  “Breathe, Tessa. I promise you he isn’t a figment of your imagination.” She doesn’t even look my way when I talk to her. I chuckle and sit back, thoroughly enjoying watching her reaction to him. The man oozes sex appeal and as I look around, I notice other women’s heads are turning to stare at him as well.

  I grab my phone, hoping I have time to take a photo of her face, but a text message from my brother distracts me from my purpose. Before I know it, the Adonis is at our table, standing right next to Tessa. He smiles politely at both of us, but his attention is drawn right back to her.

  “Excuse me ladies for interrupting your dinner, but I had to meet the woman who has the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen and a laugh that is music to my soul.”

  I slap my hand over my mouth to stifle my outburst of laughter. That has got to be one of the cheesiest pick up lines I have ever heard. It doesn’t make the top five worst list, but it’s pretty bad. The only thing saving him right now are his good looks and yummy foreign accent. Tessa doesn’t even seem to have noticed as she continues to stare at him with a deer in headlights expression. I can’t tell if she’s scared or in awe of him. Her eyes travel down to his lips and suddenly, her cheeks become very red. She gulps and brings her now dilated eyes back up to his.

  I can’t help the mischievous smile that spreads across my face as I look at her. Tessa is attracted to this guy — so much so that she seems visibly uncomfortable. I wish I can rub my hands together in glee as my plan to play matchmaker starts to form. I just hope this guy is worth it, because if he isn’t, she’ll chew him up and spit him out real quickly.

  Regardless, I’ll be entertained either way.

  “Tessa, aren’t you going to say thank you to this kind gentleman?” I chide, pretending to look at her as if she’s a crazy l
unatic when on the inside, I’m dying of laughter.

  “Right.” She clears her throat and gives her head a quick little shake to get control over herself. “I’m sorry… and um, thanks.”

  Um, thanks? Oh, she’s got it bad! I bite down on the inside of my cheek to contain my laughter. This is going to be so much fun!

  “No, I’m sorry, I sounded like a total creeper just now. What I meant to say is that your beauty and laughter caught my attention and I just had to come over to say hello. Also, I heard your friend say in excitement something about an orange flag and you’re reaction to it was priceless. So, what does an orange flag mean?” He cocks his head to the side, causing Tessa to bite her lip. I really wish I had a play-by-play of what’s going on inside that beautiful head of hers.

  She finally looks over at me and I raise my eyebrows at her, daring her to tell him the truth about what she does and what that orange flag means. Tessa keeps her author life very private and no one in Bear Creek even knows she writes as T.M. Jocelyn except for me. My parents know she’s an author, but they have no clue what her pen name is. She prefers to keep it that way and I would never betray her trust by telling anyone. She shifts uncomfortably in her seat and I can see the wheels turning behind those aquamarine eyes, grasping for an answer.

  “An orange flag is what the referees throw out at football games,” she responds, making me snort out loud from her pathetic response. Mr. Sexy Foreigner smiles at her, amusement lighting up his eyes while he gives her a wicked smirk. He starts to laugh and Tessa once again freezes up and stares at him, but this time her stare has a hint of lust to it.

  “If I’m not mistaken, it’s a yellow flag that they throw in American football games.” Clearly this guy has a sense of humor, but I wonder where he’s from if he’s calling it “American” football. His accent is deceiving, as I can’t tell if he’s from Britain or Australia. Both don’t seem quite right and I’m intrigued to find out more on this mystery man who has rendered my best friend speechless.

  “Oh for crying out loud, Tessa! He’s harmless!” I say, clucking my tongue at her for being rude and not answering his question truthfully. I give him my undivided attention, ignoring her when I feel her foot tapping my shin in warning to keep my mouth shut. “This amazing woman right here is an author and an orange flag means she’s a best-selling one to boot!”

  I gasp out loud at the sudden pain that explodes in my shin from her hard kick underneath the table. I can’t believe she just did that! I narrow my eyes at her, mentally sending her a warning that she will most certainly pay for that later. I’m not certain quite yet what payback will be, but I know for sure it will be good.

  “Wow, you’re an author? That’s remarkable. Congratulations!” he says in a husky voice, while he looks at her with even more interest. “What type of author are you?” He continues his line of questioning, not hiding the fact that he’s impressed by her.

  Hot damn, this guy wants Tessa and seems to have no problems dropping subtle hints about it.

  I am now on Team Sexy Foreigner.

  “What’s your name, Miss Best-Selling Author?” he asks in such an adorable way that even Tessa can’t stop herself from giggling like a giddy teenager meeting her celebrity crush. She places her hand in his and just seems to stare it. I roll my eyes and decide to answer for her, not giving her a chance to lie about her name either. Lots of times we’ll give out fake names to guys we aren’t interested in, but there’s no way in hell I’m letting her ruin it with this guy. Knowing her the way I do, bitter, angry-at-men Tessa will show up and she’ll completely shut this guy down and kick him to the curb. Tessa’s ex did a complete number on her, making her a bit of a man-hater these past couple of years, especially against cowboys since that’s what he was. Just another reason why she wants to leave Bear Creek Rodeo

  “Her name is Tessa. What’s your name, Mr. Sexy Foreigner?” I give him a wink to know that I’m on his side.

  “So wait, you are Tessa Mandel?” he asks, giving her a puzzled look. She immediately freezes and frowns at him. She looks at me and I’m just as shocked as she is at him knowing her last name.

  “How do you know my last name?” she questions, looking back and forth between him and I.

  “My buddies over there know you. Said you work for Bear Creek Rodeo. You are an author and work at the rodeo?” We look to see who he’s referring to and my stomach drops at seeing some guys from the rodeo. All of them wave at us and give Tessa a thumbs up.

  I have a sinking suspicion that the night just took an unfavorable turn for Mr. International Hottie.

  “Yes, I work at the rodeo,” she says hesitantly, looking at me with fear in her wide eyes. I know exactly what she’s thinking — this stranger now knows she’s an author and he’s friends with people associated with the rodeo. Her eyes turn a little desperate as she covers both of their hands with her free one. “Please, they don’t know I’m a writer. Please don’t say anything,” she pleads with him, her eyes begging for him to keep silent. I lean in closer to try to hear his response, but the scraping of a chair against the floor grabs my attention and before I know it, some strange guy is sitting right next to me.

  Some strange hot guy!

  “Hello gorgeous,” he purrs, giving me a smile that would rival the Cheshire cat because he looks like he’s ready to devour me. Normally I would be creeped out by such a smile, but on him, he can smile that way at me anytime he wants. I look around real quick to make sure I’m not mistaken that he’s talking to me and no one else. This man has got be one of the most magnificent looking men I’ve ever laid eyes upon. He’s super model worthy and from the way he’s ravishing me with his eyes and that smile on his face, he knows how good-looking he is.

  Ugh, why do I attract the cocky assholes?

  “My name’s Ryan, what’s your name?” He’s looking me straight in the eye with bright emerald green eyes and a sense of déjà vu flashes before me. I’ve seen these eyes before, but I can’t recall where. His eyes are so unusually bright that you can’t help but stare and get sucked into their abyss.

  Snap out of it, Adeline! Don’t fall into his trap!

  “I didn’t ask what your name is, nor did I give you permission to sit next to me.” I smile sweetly at him and silently count down the seconds to see how long it takes for him to scram. To my surprise, his smile only widens and I swear I can see the devil dancing in those eyes.

  “I don’t recall needing your permission, seeing as we’re in the land of the free and all.” My mouth drops open as he dished right back to me exactly the kind of sass I just gave him. I can’t even think of a quick comeback before I hear additional voices at our table.

  “Fancy seeing you here, ladies. Tessa, I see you’ve met our new friend,” Tate Reynolds says, throwing his arm around Mr. Sexy Foreigner’s shoulders. Casey Jennings and Cody Burr flank each side of him and tip their hats at me in greeting. “You boys sure do move quickly,” Tate laughs, looking between us and the two new guys. How does Tate know them?

  “Where did you two meet?” Tessa asks and as I glance at her man for his answer, I quickly do a double take when I take note of his clothing and see that it’s very similar to the clothing on the nice, hard, muscular body of the handsome stranger sitting next to me.

  What in the hell is going on here?

  “Tessa, do you not realize who you’re talking to?” Tate asks her, but Mr. Sexy Foreigner answers for her by shaking his head no.

  “Well, let’s not waste another minute longer. Tessa, this is Gerard Butler. Gerard, Tessa Mandel.” Everyone but Tessa and I laugh at his joke because Mr. Sexy Foreigner looks nothing like Gerard Butler. I don’t understand why they think it’s so funny.

  Why do guys think they’re funnier than they really are?

  “Personally, I think I should be the one called Gerard Butler as I have his coloring more than my brother does. I’m referring to the younger, buff Gerard Butler in the movie 300,” my hot stranger says with a wink a
nd it dawns on me that his accent is just like Mr. Sexy Foreigner’s. When Tessa’s man glances my way, I gasp when I notice the same emerald green eyes I just encountered with the fine specimen next to me.

  Brothers.

  “In all seriousness, Tessa, you’ve been talking to the Irish Cowboy this whole time! I know you know who I’m talking about now, right?” Tate asks her, but instead of responding to him, she looks over at me, disappointment blazing out of her eyes at the realization of who he is.

  Cowboys… from Ireland.

  These guys are the famed Kearney brothers who came all the way here to compete in the Pro Rodeo. Tessa told me that they’re all anyone can talk about right now, taking the tour by storm and selling out rodeos like hot cakes. They’re also a huge hit with the ladies, which just seems to make my blood boil.

  No wonder these guys ooze arrogance! People are kissing their asses left and right, catering to their every need. Women are probably throwing themselves at the feet. Well, they’re in for a rude awakening if they think Tessa and I will be so welcoming. These boys need to be put in their place and realize that they can’t just get anyone they want. Usually Tessa is right there with me when doling out the sass, but she’s having a hard time hiding her crestfallen face. She was really taken with this guy and the knowledge of who he is just annoys me even more.

  It’s time to show these boys from Ireland what a true Southern woman is made of and it’s not just of sweet tea and apple pie.

  They think they can come into this country and sweep us off our feet with their good looks and sexy accents?

  They have a rude awakening coming and it’s in the form of Adeline Murphy.

  Chapter Five