Learning the Ropes

by T. J. Kline

  She hated to admit it but she missed the teasing note of his voice, the companionable silence, and the heated looks he gave her when he thought she wasn’t paying attention. She wanted to slip her hand into his and curl against his side by the fire. In spite of everything, regardless of the pain in her heart, she still loved him. She knew she always would.

  The sounds of tires crunching over gravel turned several heads and Sydney rose awkwardly from the chair. “Sounds like Chris is back.”

  Alicia wasn’t sure whether she should follow Sydney as Derek and Scott did or stay with the other two women. Every part of her body wanted to be near him, to touch him, but her mind warred with her physical need, reminding her of the painful ache of his betrayal. She should have just stayed away from him, never given in, but regrets and what-ifs would get her nowhere now. They were like wishes made on stars—worthless.

  She barely listened as Angela and Jen talked over her. They both lived on the property, sharing daily events of their married lives and she was nothing more than an outsider, eavesdropping. It was the same thing she’d been through all her life—never fitting in, never being good enough, never measuring up. She turned as Sydney and Scott returned.

  “Look who the cat dragged in!” Sydney announced.

  Behind her, Alicia saw David. A broad smile curved her lips at the sight of his friendly face. A wave of relief washed over her, filling her eyes with tears, and she wondered why she was being so emotional. Maybe she just needed to get home and move to the ranch, get the new chapter of her life started. As long as David was able to convince Chris to sell.

  “Hey, Ali.” His voice was soft as he bent and gave her a warm hug. “I got here as soon as I could.” His eyes were sympathetic when they met hers. “Do you need to go talk?”

  He kept his voice low enough that she was the only one who heard him but she shook her head and patted the end of the chaise for him to take a seat.

  He took the beer Scott held out to him and sat at the foot of the chair, laying his hand on her knee. Alicia latched onto his support and comfort, feeling his quiet strength pour into her. When they heard another vehicle driving up, Sydney rose again.

  “Finally, I’m starving.”

  “Nothing new there,” Scott teased his wife and was met with hoots from the other men.

  “Feeling feisty with your boys around, huh?” Sydney pushed his shoulder playfully. “Why don’t you go fire up the grill, O brave one?”

  As the other men headed for the grill, David turned to Alicia. “Dad is off the property. I know escrow doesn’t close for a little longer but if you want, you can start moving things in when we get back.”

  “Have you talked to Chris yet?”

  His eyes clouded over. “He won’t sell. I tried but he’s refusing.”

  She knew it had been a long shot. He had no intent on selling to her at the end of the year and this proved it. He’d lied about so many things and she’d been too naive to see through any of it. Why would the ranch be any different?

  “At least the two of you are speaking again.” She gave him a sad smile.

  She would just have to sell her share to David. It was the only solution she had. It would mean letting go of her dream and staying with her parents. She might as well give up any hope of barrel racing in the Finals because she’d be starting over from square one again—no ranch, no clients and, now, no hope for anything more than a position at the Diamond Bar because her father didn’t want to leave. Her shoulders sagged in defeat.

  “Ali,” David broke into her thoughts. “I ran into Delilah before I left. She lied.”

  Alicia looked up at him through her lashes. “What else is new? She lies about everything, David.”

  “Chris didn’t sleep with her.”

  Her heart stopped in her chest, lurching against her ribs, and she wondered if it had just burst. “What?” Her voice was barely a whisper of sound.

  “I don’t even want to talk about how I got her to confess but she did. It was all to hurt you, to shake your confidence and get you off your game. She wanted Chris to get you to quit and she wanted to punish him.”

  She wanted to believe David but a nagging doubt ate at the edges of her thoughts. He was Chris’s best friend. Sure, they might argue but what if David was lying for Chris? But what could either of them hope to gain from lying to her? Chris already had everything she had to offer.

  “David, don’t do this.” Tears burned her eyes, threatening to fall and shatter the wall of indifference she was trying to keep around her heart. “Please.”

  David pulled his phone out of his pocket. “Ali, you know I wouldn’t hurt you.” He punched a button and she heard Delilah’s voice.

  “I didn’t sleep with him.”

  Followed by David’s voice. “Everyone knows you did, Delilah.”

  “No, I didn’t. I just let people think that to get back at him. He . . . passed out and snored all night. I didn’t get any sleep at all. So what do you say?”

  There was rustling in the background, like the phone was being moved or bumped.

  “Not many women would lie and say they slept with a guy they didn’t. And, I’ve never known Chris to just pass out, no matter how much he drinks.” She heard David laugh quietly before Delilah’s voice whined.

  “I know you still trust Alicia but I can’t stand her. And Chris has always been mean to me so I might have given him a little help. So I got even with both of them at once.”

  Her eyes shot up to meet David’s. “Chris wasn’t lying to you.”

  “Hey, Ali, you might want to come here.” She looked at the group of men gathering at the gate where Sydney waited.

  Alicia rose and hurried to her friend, fear spiraling down her spine. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine.”

  She opened the gate as Alicia walked up to reveal Chris standing in the driveway looking incredibly sexy, wearing a tuxedo shirt and jacket, black hat, and boots, holding a lead rope attached to a gorgeous gray colt. Around the animal’s neck was a circle of pink carnations, Alicia’s favorite flower. Sydney pushed her forward while the group of their friends crowded behind her.

  Chris walked toward her as her trembling hand covered her mouth.

  “Ali, please hear me out.” He took her shaking hand and pulled her toward him. “I want you to know that I never lied to you but I did lie to myself. I convinced myself that I never wanted to be in love, that it was settling for half a life. But seeing you with anyone else is killing me. I want you, Ali.”

  She could only stare at him in dumbfounded shock. He was beyond magnificent; he was every woman’s dream. The earnest appeal she saw in his eyes chipped at her resolve to keep her distance from him.

  “Ali, I don’t want you for a day, or a week, or a month. I want you forever. I told you I love you and I’ve never said those words to anyone else, ever. I don’t deserve you. I’m irresponsible, brash, and unreliable.”

  “Don’t forget self-indulgent,” David called from behind her, laughing.

  “And reckless,” Derek joined in the ribbing.

  Chris’s eyes flicked toward the group at the fence. “Not helping.” He looked back at Alicia, his eyes growing tender. “I want to prove to you that, for the first time in my life, I mean it when I say forever. This stud is one of Valentino’s. He’s going to be a great foundation for our plans for the ranch and the rodeo school. He’s my commitment to you in our business partnership. And this,” he reached into his pocket, “is my commitment to you.”

  Chris dropped to a knee as he opened the small box in his hand. “Marry me, Ali. I’ve spent far too long trying not to see what was in front of me all along. I need you, the way I need air.”

  She looked down at the diamond solitaire glinting against the velvet, the dying light of the sun reflecting from it but not nearly as brightly as the love she could see in Chris’s eyes. She wanted to melt into the blue depths.

  “Please, Ali,” he whispered. “I know you deserve
so much better than me. I’ve hurt you.”

  The agony she heard in his choked voice shot straight to her heart. She was nothing more than a poor kid whose father cleaned stalls for a living. He was a rancher’s son, a rodeo celebrity. How could he think he wasn’t enough for her?

  A nervous grin touched the corners of his mouth. “Say something, Ali, because my knee is starting to get sore.”

  She looked back at the group crowded around the fence, waiting expectantly for her answer. She could read the excitement in their eyes and the pressure weighed on her shoulders. The young stallion pawed at the ground, as if he wanted to escape. She understood the feeling.

  “I can’t,” she whispered, her heart breaking as his face fell in defeat. She closed her eyes to the pain she saw in his blue eyes, swiping at the tears that hung on her lashes.

  Suddenly, his arm was around her waist, his mouth slanted over hers, drawing her yearning for him to the surface with a touch. She leaned into him, her body craving his. He drew back only until his lips feathered over hers.

  “Why?”

  Her brain couldn’t function enough to think of a lie and the truth spilled out. “I’m not enough for you. You’ll get bored and want someone new, someone who isn’t a poor imitation. I can’t piece my heart back together after that.”

  He smiled against her lips. “Oh, Ali. It’s always been you. Every other woman has been me trying to find my way back to you. I once told you I could only be with a woman who could outride and out rope me. Honey, you’re the only woman who’s ever done that,” he teased.

  She shook her head, denying them both. The colt jerked his head up and down with impatience and Chris laughed. “See, he’s even trying to tell you to say yes.”

  She couldn’t help the laughter that tumbled past her lips and dropped her forehead against his shoulder. He put his finger under her chin and forced her to look into his eyes, to see every emotion there—need, desire, love, hope, and fear.

  “I can’t lose you, Ali. I want to marry you and start our family on our ranch. You are my forever. Marry me?”

  “Are you sure this is what you want?”

  He chuckled and quirked a brow. “Do I need to get a preacher out here right now to prove it?” The stallion nipped at his jacket sleeve and he tugged his arm away. “If you don’t hurry up and say yes, this boy is going to climb into our laps.”

  “Yes,” she whispered.

  “Yes?”

  She nodded, joy flooding her, making her feel like she’d just grown wings. “Yes,” she repeated.

  “She said ‘Yes!’” He wrapped his arm around her waist and lifted her against him, causing the colt to jump backward.

  “Finally,” Derek teased, coming forward to take the colt back to the barn.

  “Wait a second,” Alicia said, taking the lead rope from his hands. “I want to check this boy out myself.”

  Derek shrugged and handed it over as Chris laughed. “That’s my Ali. It’s all about the horseflesh.”

  She ran a hand over the neck of the stallion, admiring his sleek lines and well-muscled frame. “I was hoping you might walk him back to the barn with me.” She couldn’t help but think of the times they’d been in other barns alone together. Warmth spread through her limbs, coiling in her core, waiting to be ignited by his touch.

  Chris’s eyes sparked with raw desire and she knew he’d caught her innuendo. “Don’t bother waiting dinner on us,” he warned Derek. “But first . . .” Chris pulled the ring out of the box and slipped it on her finger. “I want this official.” He cupped his hand at the back of her neck and pulled her forward for a kiss when the colt nipped at him again. “Damn, horse!” he yelped, jumping backward.

  “Don’t listen to him,” Alicia cooed at the massive beast. “He’ll love you more when you’ve given him lots of babies that make him money.” She started walking toward the barn as their friends headed back to the patio as if this was an everyday occurrence.

  “Oh, Ali,” Sydney called. “Welcome to the family.”

  Epilogue

  * * *

  ALI POURED THREE cups of coffee and waited on the porch for David and Chris to return from feeding the animals. The ranch was coming together nicely after the hard work they’d put in since January. In the distance, she could see the small cabins that would have the first inhabitants arriving later today. She glanced at the clouds in the sky and prayed that the rain would hold off for another week. It was their first camp and they were completely booked with several groups of team ropers wanting one-on-one lessons from NFR champion team ropers. She even had six upcoming barrel racers vying for her mentorship. She’d known winning the titles would help their business but she hadn’t expected it to boom the way it had since December. It was a good thing David and Chris had insisted on putting in the covered arena, allowing them to give lessons year-round.

  She saw the pair walking toward her from the barn, laughing as Chris slapped David on the shoulder. It was surprising how quickly they’d fallen back into an easy friendship, especially considering how David’s father had practically disowned him for joining their partnership and refusing to allow him back onto the ranch. She could still see a loneliness in David’s eyes and felt a twinge of guilt when he watched her and Chris together. She’d catch him at times but she knew it wasn’t jealousy. There was something else in his eyes, something sad and troubled. She knew he didn’t still carry a torch for her but she couldn’t get him to open up about it.

  Chris sauntered up the stairs and curled an arm around her waist, welcoming her with a kiss that practically melted the silver buckle at her waist. She couldn’t help but cling to him, wishing they had time to head inside before their guests arrived. When he pulled away, Chris pressed his forehead against hers and sighed.

  “I’ve missed you.”

  She laughed. “In the thirty minutes it took you to feed?”

  “Trust me, all I hear is Ali this and Ali that. It’s kinda sickening,” David joked, taking the coffee from the railing and heading toward his house. “I’ll be back in a bit. I want to shower before our first group gets here.”

  “Don’t be too long,” Ali called after him. “I’ll make you both breakfast.” He waved back, letting her know he’d heard.

  Chris circled his arms around her waist and pulled her against him, nuzzling the hollow behind her ear, brushing her long sable hair back. “What if breakfast isn’t what’s on my mind? I’m hungry for something else.”

  Alicia slid her hands into the back pockets of his jeans. “I don’t think we have time for that, cowboy.”

  “I need a shower, too.” His eyes glittered with desire. “Don’t you?”

  She tried to hold back her grin. “Maybe.” The sound of a truck coming up the driveway drew her attention. “Mom and Dad are here.”

  Chris growled at the interruption and slid his thumb over her breast, causing a shiver to break over her. “That was so you’ll remember what you’re missing while you’re visiting,” he teased, turning to greet her parents.

  “Cristobel,” her mother called, hurrying forward to give both of them a hug. “Baby.” She turned to Ali. “We need to get these wedding invitations addressed today and mailed out or no one will be at the wedding next month. I still think you’re rushing things.”

  “Mom, rodeo season is starting. If we wait any longer, no one will be here but us,” she reminded her.

  “And you still want to do it here?”

  Alicia smiled at her mother. “This is our home. It’s the perfect place.”

  “Ali’i,” her father stepped forward and gave her a hug. “Thank you.”

  “For what, Daddy?”

  “For making me realize this really is my dream. I was afraid to take the first step but between you and this guy,” he reached out and squeezed Chris’s shoulder. “You made me see it was more important to go after what I wanted.” She saw his eyes well up. “I’d better get some horses saddled before your guests arrive.” He hurried tow
ard the barn as her mother headed into the house.

  Chris moved behind her, circling his arms around her waist, leaning his chin on the top of her head. She felt herself relax against him. Nothing made her happier than the day Chris had asked her father to be their head trainer and convinced him to build a house on the property. A proper, wood frame house built to her mother’s specifications. It allowed her father to head up their training and breeding program and freed them up for clinics and lessons. She leaned her head back against his shoulder, watching her father head toward the barn.

  “He’s pretty happy, isn’t he?”

  “Yes,” she agreed, looking up at his jaw. “Thank you.”

  “For what?”

  “Everything. Being there when I needed a friend, helping me get this place.” She laughed quietly. “Refusing to let me buy you out.”

  Chris laughed. “I still can’t believe you thought I’d take your NFR winnings.”

  “I didn’t think you would.” She gave him a saucy grin. “It was a test, cowboy.”

  “Good thing I passed.” He brushed his lips against her temple and desire curled around her heart, swirling ribbons of need through her veins. “I’d hate to think you might have left me.”

  “Never,” she whispered, turning in his arms. She cupped his jaw, noticing he needed a shave before everyone arrived, even though she preferred him a little scruffy. “Thank you for helping Dad to see what he really wanted. That he could do so much more than he thought he could.”

  “Now I see where you got it from.” He smiled down at her.

  “What’s that?”

  “You’re so much more than you give yourself credit for. Ali, you’re such an amazing woman, so much more than I deserve. Do you have any idea how much I love you, how lucky I am that you picked me?”