Second Chance Ranch: a Hope Springs novel (Entangled Bliss)

by Cindi Madsen

  “Be careful as you take the rope off, then. Don’t get kicked. You know, the whole reason we do this for competition is because it keeps us sharp when we need to give the cows their shots or check their hooves. Or if we’ve got one that needs something, like—” He pointed to the ear tag.

  “Earrings?” she said in her best ditzy voice, slipping the rope off the calf’s head.

  The corners of Royce’s mouth twitched. “Yes, most cattlemen are concerned their cows aren’t fashionable enough.”

  The calf mooed and took off running in the other direction. A whistle cut through, and the teens by the fence were cheering, so Sadie gave a dramatic curtsy. When she straightened, she expected Royce to sigh or shake his head at her.

  Instead, he shot her a smile and ran his fingers down her arm until their hands were linked. “As far as rodeos are concerned, I think you’d better stick to singing and looking pretty.”

  She leaned in and whispered, “How about the part where I congratulate the rodeo winner in private?”

  Royce’s grip on her tightened. “Woman, I’m pretty sure you’re going to be the death of me.”

  …

  Royce had no doubt Sadie thought she was being covert, but he’d seen her eyeing the horse stalls since lunch, and he knew it was only a matter of time before she went to check on Eli and Addison. Which was fine if that was all she was going to do. He had a sneaking suspicion, though, that those extra cookies she’d taken during their snack break weren’t for her.

  Balance had always been a problem with him and Sadie, and she’d always had too much power over him. He was never letting another woman do that to him, least of all the one who’d screwed him up in the first place.

  When he opened the door to the barn, Sadie was next to Eli, and they were both smiling. Addison was eating a cookie, talking to the two of them with wide, animated eyes, and it looked like Sadie had just handed over an extra-large cookie to Eli. Royce looked at Cory, who shrugged. He’d taken over the afternoon babysitting shift. They’d made the kids start at opposite ends, and not only clean out the pens but do all fresh straw. It was a hard five-person job. As a two-person job, it was the kind of awful that made seconds stretch to hours. In fact, if you looked up “most horrible job” on the internet, mucking stalls was on top.

  Both Eli and Addison were dirt covered, clearly exhausted. As they should be. Tonight they’d crash instead of sneaking out.

  “Cory, take Eli and Addison to the cabins.” He addressed the kids. “Ten minutes to shower and change, and then you need to report to Mrs. Dixon for kitchen duty.” He eyed the woman who was currently driving him crazy. “Sadie and I need to have a chat.”

  They put away their tools and practically ran outside.

  Once they were alone, Royce turned to Sadie.

  She twisted a strand of hair around her finger. “It was just a cookie. I was careful not to say anything that’d undermine you.”

  “You coming to see them and smuggling them dessert does undermine me.”

  “I heard you earlier, okay?” She walked toward him and put her hand on his arm. “You have to be strict, and I get that, I do. But it was their first offense, and I was just thinking that if they got a little cheering up, then—”

  “This isn’t like in high school, where you can just smile and bat your eyes and get your way.”

  “I didn’t do that.”

  “All the time.” He’d constantly caved because she was damn cute when she batted her eyes or pouted to get her way. But after they broke up, he’d realized she’d had all the control, all the time. “I was a pushover then, but I’m not anymore. And our…arrangement aside, I’m the boss, and I know what I’m doing.”

  Her jaw clenched. “Being the boss doesn’t mean you ignore your employees’ opinions.”

  “If you’d like an official meeting, we can set up a time to discuss it. You don’t go behind my back, and you don’t argue with me in front of everyone, the way you did earlier today. We can have fun, but we need to maintain a professional working relationship. I won’t be pushed around or persuaded by your over-the-top flirting or even sex.”

  She dropped her hand from his arm. “Yeah, I don’t think sex will be part of the equation.”

  “Well, you do what you’ve gotta do. But when it comes to giving in on this subject, it’s not gonna be me.”

  Sadie made a pffht noise. “We’ll see about that.” The challenge in her voice made it clear she didn’t think he could hold out.

  He advanced on her until her back was against the wall. “Yes, we will.” He ground his hips against hers and she bit her lip. Then he was thinking that he should be the one biting it.

  Desire flooded his veins, but he took a deep breath and tempted his resolve by leaning against her and gently biting the lobe of her ear. “Make sure to let me know when you’ve changed your mind.”

  Her sharp intake of breath sent satisfaction through him. He took a moment to soak in her half-closed lids, flushed cheeks, and how her body felt against his. Then, even though it meant his night would be going in the opposite direction he wanted it to, he spun around and left.

  Chapter Twelve

  Sadie crawled underneath the covers and tried to fall asleep. Only sleep wouldn’t come, and she couldn’t get comfortable, and just ugh!

  This whole sex-off thing she and Royce were having was ridiculous. It’d been two days of him brushing his hand across her skin every time he passed. Of tipping his hat at her and winking. Today he’d even resorted to whispering dirty things in her ear.

  How can he lecture me about maintaining a professional work environment when he’s the one feeling me up every day?

  She’d wanted to have an actual meeting to talk about Eli and Addison having at least the hope of going to the rodeo, but she wasn’t sure she could be alone with Royce without throwing herself at him, and if he said no to her suggestion about the rodeo…

  Well, she wanted to say she could hold out until he could be reasonable, but she was seconds from caving as it was.

  Sadie had thought a lot about what he’d said, though, and although she hated to admit it, even to herself, there were times in high school when she’d used the way he felt about her to get her way. But it was always more of a constant push and pull between them, if you asked her. They’d still argued plenty, and the last thing she’d call him was a pushover.

  Flipping onto her side, she fluffed her pillow and tried to shut off her brain so she could actually get some sleep. But then she was thinking about the time they’d broken up for a week when they were teenagers. One of their arguments had gotten out of control, they’d said things they didn’t mean, and they were both too stubborn to admit it. He certainly hadn’t let her bat her eyes to get out of that fight.

  How did we get over that one?

  After a moment, she recalled the night at the Dairy Freeze—where all the great high school drama went down. Quinn had convinced her to go to the ball game, and they were there, along with the team, celebrating their win. Quite a few guys from Green River’s team were there, too, and Quinn was telling her that if she wasn’t going to call Royce and make up with him, she should go find a rebound guy among the football players so she’d stop being “so sappy sad all the time.”

  Sadie had just started talking to one of the Green River boys when he’d yanked her to him, gripped her butt with both of his hands, and tried to kiss her. She’d shoved him hard in the chest and said, “Get off me.”

  He reached for her again, but then Royce was there between them. She wasn’t sure when he’d walked in, but he was more pissed than she’d ever seen him. The muscles in his entire body were coiled as if he were ready to pounce, and an angry vein throbbed in his forehead. “Touch her one more time, and you’ll never use that hand again.”

  She grabbed Royce’s elbow. “I have it under control.”

  “That’s not what it looked like to me.”

  Anger flared up in her, and she went from holding his
elbow to smacking his biceps. “I’m fine. And you can’t keep all guys from talking to me forever.” Earlier at school she’d been laughing with a few of the football players, and at one look from Royce, they’d backed away.

  Royce turned to face her. “Sure I can. I plan on it, too.” He stepped closer and lowered his voice. “Come on, Sadie. Stop being so damn stubborn already.”

  “Your apologies need serious work, Royce Dixon.” She turned to storm away, planning on telling Quinn she wanted to go. Now.

  Royce’s arms came around her waist. She knew it was him instantly, the way her body reacted to him, his woodsy cologne mixed with the sweet smell of hay.

  “Everyone’s staring,” she said, hating that her shaky voice gave away her crumbling resolve so easily.

  Royce’s breath hit her ear, and a shiver ran down her spine. “I’m sure they are. I’m also sure I don’t care.” Her pulse quickened, and she was having trouble remembering why they’d broken up. Some fight over…something stupid. She let herself lean back, into his warmth.

  That was all it took for him to haul her out of the shop. He deposited her inside his truck, climbed in after her, and cupped her cheek. “I love you, Sadie. I’m sorry that I implied you’re not as physically strong as me, okay? This week has been awful, and I miss you like crazy, and I just want us to be good again.” His eyes locked onto hers, and the passion in them sent fire through her entire body. “Is that a good enough apology?”

  She licked her dry lips. “I miss you, too. And you know I love you. It’s always gonna be you.”

  Relief flooded his features, then he was pulling her onto his lap, wrapping his arms around her, kissing her like he intended to make up for all the kisses they’d missed that week.

  See, she thought as her body sank deeper into her mattress. I didn’t always get my way. And pushover guys don’t go around carrying girls out of ice-cream shops.

  Tomorrow, she was going to make sure to bring that up to get her way.

  …

  When Sadie awoke, she struggled to get a grasp of the time and place. Everything seemed off, and it took her a moment to realize her cell was buzzing on the side table and must be what woke her up, considering it was still pitch-black outside her crooked red curtains.

  She picked up her phone and smiled when she saw Royce’s name on the display, along with the fact that it was nearly one thirty in the morning. She connected the call and said, “Booty calls at this time are definitely admitting defeat.”

  “It’s Chevy. She’s having her foal, but something’s wrong, and I can’t get ahold of the vet.”

  Sadie flung off her covers and grabbed a pair of jeans.

  “I don’t know what to do,” Royce said, and she could hear the worry in his voice. “She won’t stand still, and she’s obviously struggling, and—”

  “Hang tight. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

  …

  Royce heard the door of the barn open, then Sadie was rushing over, and the tight knot in his chest loosened a little.

  “Sorry to call so late,” he said as she slipped into the stall where Chevy was alternating rolling on her side and stomach, her breath coming out in heavy bursts. “I’ve seen dozens of foals be born, and even helped, but…”

  Sadie put her hand on his arm. “But this is Chevy. I get it.” She gave his arm a quick squeeze and carefully approached the horse. “Hey, baby. How you doing?”

  Chevy rolled onto her side again and grunted. Sadie dropped down in the straw and ran her hand over the horse’s neck and side.

  For the first time since Royce had found Chevy dancing around—before she’d been getting up and down and rolling around—she calmed a bit, her legs no longer kicking out. Getting Sadie over here had definitely been the right call. He knew her presence would help settle the horse down and that she’d know what to do, just like he was sure having her by his side would keep him from panicking.

  He’d repeatedly told himself to remain calm, that horses gave birth all the time, but this was his horse. The first horse he and Dad had trained from birth. He’d ridden her for years, and they’d done countless rodeos together. They were a team, and he needed her to be okay.

  His throat tightened as he watched the translucent white sac appear and disappear. The horse was pushing, but there wasn’t any progress. Chevy trembled, her heaving breaths and grunts loud in the quiet night. His gut told him it’d been too long. Something was wrong.

  “I think its feet are hung up,” Royce said. “I might have to pull it.”

  Sadie glanced over the horse’s body at him. “I’ll try to keep her calm.” She ran her hand over Chevy, telling her she was a good girl and praising her efforts.

  With the horse’s next push, Royce caught the feet. Nope, not feet. Just one foot. The other must be stuck. Keeping hold of the one, he searched for the other. Everything was slippery, and it was dark, and then the one hoof he’d had hold of was sucked back in again.

  “Can you come grab the flashlight?” he asked. “I can’t see a damn thing.”

  Sadie slowly made her way over, running her hand across Chevy the entire way as she continued to coo at her. She squatted next to Royce and shined the flashlight on the tail. The next time the hoof broke free, he reached in again. This time, he found the other one and guided them out.

  He gave Chevy a few minutes to rest, and when she pushed again, he pulled. The foal’s nose appeared, and he tugged again, using every ounce of strength he had to get the front half of the horse out.

  Just as he was about to tell Sadie to get the sac off the baby’s face, she reached forward and tore it, peeling it from the horse’s nose. The little thing clambered into her before settling onto the straw, ribs rising and falling with its breaths, its back half not quite free.

  Royce released a long exhale, his tension leaking out with it. “I think they’re out of trouble now.” He scooted back to the corner to give Chevy space, and Sadie came and sat beside him.

  Over the next few minutes, they watched as Chevy finished pushing. The baby horse stuck out its front legs, tried to stand, and wobbled back down. Sadie made a little aww noise and he smiled at her.

  Her gaze met his, and he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and curled her to him. He hugged her tightly, and she kissed his cheek. “Pretty impressive, cowboy,” she whispered, and happiness and affection warmed him from the inside out.

  They stayed until Chevy stood and broke the umbilical cord, and the baby—a good-sized filly that looked just like her dad—took a few wobbly steps.

  Sadie yawned and shook her head as though she was trying to keep herself awake.

  Royce ran his hand down her back. “It’s too late for you to drive home, especially as tired as you are. Why don’t you stay at my place tonight?”

  She sleepily bobbed her head as another yawn took over. “Okay.” She glanced down at her clothes. “I could use a shower, too.”

  “I’ve got one of those,” he said with a smile. Then he stood and held out his hand, a lightness filling him when she took it.

  …

  The shower had taken the edge off her sleepiness, and Sadie suddenly found herself in severe need of a glass of chocolate milk. She rolled up the sleeves of the flannel shirt Royce had given her and padded to the kitchen.

  “If I were a can of Nesquik, where would I be?” She opened cupboards and found plates and cups. The next one revealed soup and canned fruit and vegetables, but no chocolate powder.

  He might not have any.

  She decided to try one more cupboard, but it was the high one, and she had to stretch onto her toes. Yes! she thought when she spied the yellow container with the bunny on the front. She stretched farther, trying to get purchase on it. Almost…

  “Need help?”

  The canister tipped and she ducked her head as it fell. It crashed against the counter and chocolate powder exploded everywhere. She coughed, waving away the brown cloud in the air. “Sorry,” she said, glancing over he
r shoulder at Royce. “I didn’t know you were there.”

  Her heart stuttered when she took in his damp hair and the sheen of water on his bare skin. He had on low-slung drawstring pants and nothing else. The temperature steadily rose and she had to force her attention back to the task at hand. Using the side of her palm, she swept the spilled powder into a pile.

  “It’s okay. Just leave it.” Royce’s hand came down on her shoulder. “I see you still have a chocolate milk habit.”

  Her tongue suddenly felt too big for her mouth. “Yeah, when I was on stupid diets all the time, it was the one thing I could never cut, no matter how hard I tried.”

  “It’s stupid you were ever even on a diet. You were perfect the way you were.” He spun her around, and then his gaze dipped down to his too-big shirt on her. “The way you are now.” He reached up and slowly undid the top button, and then the next one. Her heart beat wildly in her chest, and her skin tingled every time his fingers brushed it.

  Light-headedness was taking over, and addictive shivers of energy were traveling down her core. “Is this where you demand I admit defeat?”

  His eyebrows drew together, then understanding dawned on his features and his forehead smoothed. “No. This is where I thank you for helping me tonight.” Everything inside her unraveled as he undid the button at her navel.

  “Besides saying it with your mouth?” Her voice came out as shaky as she felt.

  “My mouth will definitely be involved.” He dipped his head and licked at the chocolate powder dusting her collarbone. Then his tongue dipped lower, and a moan escaped her lips. She grabbed his hips and pulled him closer. His mouth captured hers, and he boosted her onto the counter, sending the open container of Nesquik to the floor.

  She wrapped her legs around his waist until he was firmly against her, and then deepened the kiss, tangling her tongue with his. Heat built between them as she ran her hands over the muscles in his arms, across his shoulders, down his back.

  He slid her shirt the rest of the way off, leaning back for a moment to study her. “Definitely perfect,” he said, then he was lifting her into his arms and walking through the house. He kicked the door of his bedroom closed behind them and gently lowered her to the bed.