by Marin Thomas
They pulled apart and Beau grinned. “I didn’t see that comin’.”
“You didn’t see…and here I thought I was the one who had vision issues.”
The announcer introduced the bull-riding event, and Beau said, “I’ve gotta head over to the chutes to watch the Thunder Ranch bulls compete.”
“Beau?”
“Yeah, babe?”
“Win.”
“I’m feeling pretty lucky right now.” He chuckled. “Think I’ll go on out there and do like you say…win.” Sierra’s impending blindness was all the motivation Beau needed to perform his best, not only today but next season when he went after the national title. Rodeo was a tough sport and there were no guarantees he’d remain injury-free and make it to the NFR, but it sure would be special if Sierra was able to see him ride in Vegas. He considered the grueling rodeo schedule, and being away from Sierra, and decided next year would definitely be his last run at a title.
“C’mon, I’ll walk you to the stands.”
Sierra’s feet remained planted. “If this is going to work between us then you have to let me do things on my own.”
Backing down was going to be difficult, but Beau was determined to do his best. “Okay, but I have a few conditions of my own.”
“Oh?”
“The next extreme activity you engage in had better be with me—” he lowered his voice “—in our bedroom.” He kissed her mouth then said, “Be careful.”
She walked off but stopped suddenly and looked over her shoulder. “Don’t stand there and watch me. Go on.”
Stubborn gal. Beau turned away and strolled several yards before checking over his shoulder. Sierra remained in the same spot staring at him. He couldn’t take his eyes off her as he kept walking…right into another cowboy.
After apologizing he glanced at Sierra, and sure enough she was laughing. She shook her head and left, making her way through the maze of cowboys and gear bags littering the ground.
Beau stopped outside Bushwhacker’s chute, glad to see the bull appeared his usual calm self. Bushwhacker’s good manners in the chute fooled most cowboys, leaving them unprepared when the gate opened.
“Folks, cowboy Leif Rimsky will kick off the bull-riding event. Rimsky’s from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and had a good year up until July when he busted his arm. The bone’s healed and Rimsky’s ready to ride Bushwhacker from the Thunder Ranch in Roundup, Montana. This bull’s makin’ a name for himself and odds are you’ll see him at the NFR in Vegas, if not this year then next.”
C’mon, Bushwhacker, go out there and show ’em what you’ve got.
Rimsky fussed with the bull rope, then a second later the chute door opened and Bushwhacker took off, his back legs kicking before he’d even cleared the chute. The bull’s muscles rippled and bunched with each powerful burst of energy. Rimsky managed to hang on until Bushwhacker twisted his hind quarters, the movement forcing Rimsky off balance. The cowboy made a futile attempt to regain his seat but in the end he went flying. The bullfighters closed in, distracting Bushwhacker who continued to entertain the crowd with his powerful kicks.
“Looks like Bushwhacker will remain undefeated this year!” The crowd cheered when the JumboTron replayed Rimsky’s ride.
Once Bushwhacker was led from the arena and safely returned to the bull pen, Beau located Back Bender. The bull appeared agitated, slamming his hoof against the chute. Beau moved closer and climbed the rails, checking to make sure the rigging was properly secured. Satisfied, Beau chalked up the bull’s testiness to an eagerness to rid himself of the cowboy on his back.
The gate opened and Back Bender jumped into action. He spun right then left, ending with a double kick that dislodged the rider. Back Bender continued to buck and it took the bullfighters a good thirty seconds to guide the animal out of the arena.
Happy that Midnight and the bulls had represented Thunder Ranch well, Beau put on his protective vest and headgear. He was next in the rotation and adrenaline was pumping hard through his veins.
“Ladies and gentlemen, it’s been a day of hits and misses for the cowboys here at the Bash. We got one ride left and it’s a doozy!”
Beau engaged in an all-out battle with his brain to remain focused and not think about how happy Sierra had made him. He’d drawn Blood Sucker, a bull from the Jeopardy Ranch in Idaho. Blood Sucker was a money bull and didn’t often allow a cowboy to ride him for eight seconds.
Right now, Blood Sucker appeared none too pleased to be confined to his chute. The bull threw his side against the rails, forcing one cowboy to jump for safety before he got his foot smashed. When Beau settled on Blood Sucker’s back, an image of Sierra flashed through his mind and he felt a sense of peace. Making sure his grip was secure, he relaxed his spine and leaned forward.
The gate burst open and the bull jumped into the arena with a fierce one-two kick that put a whole lotta daylight between Beau’s butt and the bull. He clenched his thigh muscles against the bull’s girth, which helped him regain his balance. His left arm burned with pain, the newly healed ligaments stretching and pulling against their will.
One more second, that’s all he needed. Just…one…more…
The buzzer sounded and the raucous cheering encouraged Beau to hang on through another series of vicious bucks. Satisfied he’d made an impression, Beau released the rope and dove for safety. He came to his feet and applause echoed through the stands.
“Well, folks, there you have it. Tonight’s winning bull ride! Beau Adams scored an eighty-six on Blood Sucker—the highest score to date on that bull. Congratulations, cowboy!”
An hour later, Beau, Duke, Ace, Colt and Austin had loaded the Thunder Ranch bulls into the stock trailer and were preparing to load Midnight when Kendall walked by and clanged his gear against the side of the trailer. The sharp noise startled Midnight and he reared. Ace moved in on one side and Colt on the other, grabbing the ropes attached to the halter. When Midnight came down, his left front leg missed the ramp and he stumbled.
“Whoa, Midnight, whoa,” Colt said.
By the time the stallion settled down, Kendall was nowhere in sight.
“Don’t load him.” Ace crouched next to Midnight and examined the knee joint then groaned.
“What is it?” Duke asked.
“He twisted his knee. It’s swelling already.”
“Here.” Colt handed the ropes to Duke then looked at Austin. “Post my bail if I end up in the slammer for killing Kendall.”
Beau blocked Colt’s path. “Leave him be. He can’t avoid us forever. He’ll meet up with me on the road sooner or later.”
“I want to put ice on Midnight’s knee before we load him.” Ace stood. “Be be right back.”
“Great. Just frickin’ great. Midnight makes a name for himself and now this.” Colt whipped off his hat and banged it against his thigh.
“Ace’ll fix Midnight,” Duke said.
Colt shook his head. “What if it’s more than a bruised knee?”
“One day at a time, cousin,” Beau stroked Midnight’s neck. “Right now let’s pamper this big guy and enjoy his victory.”
Thunder Ranch had come out the big winner today and the future looked promising, especially for Beau now that he’d be joining the rest of the men in the family and tying the knot with the woman of his dreams.
Epilogue
Thanksgiving at Thunder Ranch was a big production. The scents of rosemary, sage and roasting turkeys filled the house. Casserole dishes lined the kitchen countertops and cooling pies sat on the windowsill. Aunt Sarah, Angie, Leah and Austin’s sister, Cheyenne, hustled about the kitchen putting the finishing touches on the meal.
Beau hovered in the doorway, waiting for an opportunity to steal a piece of meat from the two birds Earl McKinley had been instructed to carve. A third bird cooked outside in the deep fryer.
“Don’t even think about it, Beau,” his aunt warned him. “When is Duke getting here?”
“Around three o’clock. H
e said to keep a plate warming in the oven.” Duke had volunteered to take the day shift after Aunt Sarah had invited Austin’s father, Buddy, and Cheyenne and her twin girls to join the family. Dinah, Austin and Buddy had just left the house to go visit Midnight.
Beau wandered down the hall to investigate the shouting coming from the family room. Sierra was playing a video game with Colt’s son, Evan, and by her excited voice Beau assumed she was beating the poor kid. Who would have believed his fiancée was a closet gamer?
While Leah’s kids, Davy and Jill, were sprawled on the floor with Cheyenne’s twins, Sadie and Sammie, engrossed in a board game, Flynn sat on the couch with her sock feet resting on the coffee table, listening to Luke read a book. Flynn’s baby was due in seven days and her pinched expression conveyed how miserable and uncomfortable she was.
“Uncle Beau?” Luke said.
“What, kid?”
“Look.” Luke propped the book on Flynn’s huge stomach. “It stays open all by itself.”
Flynn rolled her eyes.
“Hey, Flynn, where’s Ace and Colt?” Beau asked.
“In the barn with Midnight.”
Midnight’s bruised knee was healing, the swelling almost completely gone. Since the Badlands Bull Bash, Aunt Sarah had received several calls from ranchers interested in breeding their mares with Midnight, giving the family hope that things were finally turning around for the ranch. No one had wanted to jinx Midnight’s recovery by talking about the stallion competing for an NFR title next year, but Beau suspected it was on everyone’s mind.
“Hey! How’d you do that?” Evan grinned at Sierra. The kid was the spitting image of Colt but remained shy around the family.
“Watch and weep, kid.” Sierra pointed the controller at the large-screen TV mounted to the wall and captured three of Evan’s alien commandos. Before Sierra could gloat too much, the front door banged open and boots clomped down the hall. Colt entered the room and Jill and Davy practically tripped over themselves as they raced to their stepfather, scampering up his legs and into his arms.
“Hey, Evan, get one of these pesky bugs off me, will you?”
Evan grinned at his father’s predicament. “Sorry, you’re on your own. I’m about to take control of planet Zorcon.”
“You and what army?” Sierra said. “Bingo! You’re dead.”
“Ah, man!” Evan set aside his controller and approached Colt. Jill immediately held out her arms. “Take me, Evan! Take me!”
Watching how well Colt’s kids got along made Beau eager to have children with Sierra. She must have sensed his thoughts because her gaze connected with his from across the room. Each time Beau lost himself in her beautiful blue eyes, he was reminded of all the uncertainties they faced in the future. Even so, he wasn’t worried. Having Sierra in his life made him appreciate each day and the small blessings that came his way.
“Beau?” Aunt Sarah called from the kitchen.
“You summoned?” he said, when he entered the room.
“I told your father not to stand so close to the turkey fryer, but he refuses to listen.”
It wasn’t like Aunt Sarah to be short-tempered and Beau suspected her frazzled mood had to do with Tuf not being present on a day meant for family gatherings. She had to be hurting that her youngest son continued to keep his distance from the family.
“Please go out there and say something before your father knocks the fryer over and burns down the house.”
When Beau stepped onto the patio he found his father and Jordan bundled in their winter coats, hugging each other. “Hey, Dad.” The cozy couple broke apart. “Aunt Sarah says you’re standing too close to the fryer.”
“I’ve been the designated turkey fryer for the past ten years. I know what I’m doing.”
“She’s worried one of you might get burned.”
“My sister worries too much.”
Jordan moved away from the fryer, tugging Joshua’s coat sleeve until he followed. “Beau,” Jordan spoke. “Have you and Sierra set a wedding date?”
“Not yet.” If Beau had any say in the matter, they’d marry right now in a civil ceremony at Thunder Ranch, but Sierra wanted to remain engaged for a little while. He suspected she worried that he’d change his mind about marrying her, but he was a determined man and sooner or later she’d figure out he wasn’t going anywhere without her. “Are you in a hurry to see us married off?”
“We were hoping you’d wed sooner rather than later,” his father said.
“Why?” Beau grinned. “Do you two want to tie the knot?”
His father’s expression turned pensive.
Worried he’d overstepped his bounds, Beau mumbled, “Sorry. I didn’t mean to—”
Jordan held out her left hand, showing off a small diamond solitaire on her ring finger.
“You got engaged. Congratulations.”
“No,” his father said. “We got married.”
Shocked, Beau asked, “When?”
“On the way home from South Dakota. We stayed the night in Billings while the rest of you returned to Roundup.”
Jordan smiled up at Joshua. “We’d rather not tell anyone we’re married until after you and Sierra tie the knot.”
“Why?”
“I want all the excitement and focus to be on your wedding,” Jordan said.
That might be difficult when the Harts and the Adams were procreating like rabbits. Beau was betting a new baby would be born every year for the next decade.
“As soon as you and Sierra are married, Jordan’s moving into the house with me,” his father said.
“Joshua and I thought you wouldn’t mind living in the apartment above the diner until you and Sierra decide where you want to settle permanently.”
“Sure. I guess that would be okay.” Beau hadn’t given any thought to where he and Sierra would live. It made sense for them to stay in town since Sierra ran the diner.
Feeling chilled from standing outside without a coat, Beau pointed to the fryer. “Watch yourself. Aunt Sarah’s stressed out today.”
“Every holiday is hard on her without Tuf,” his father said.
When Beau entered the house all hell had broken loose. Aunt Sarah and Earl were racing around the kitchen covering the food dishes with aluminum foil.
“What happened?” Beau asked.
“It’s Flynn. Her water broke. We’re going to the hospital,” Aunt Sarah said.
Beau rushed to the family room where Colt was helping Flynn into her coat.
“Did anyone tell Ace?” Beau asked.
“The kids ran out to the barn to get him,” Colt said.
A moment later, the front door opened. “Where is she?” Ace yelled.
“I’m right here, Ace.” Flynn waddled into the hall.
“It’s too early,” Ace insisted, his eyes pleading with his wife.
“Calm down, honey.” Aunt Sarah grabbed her jacket from the hall closet. “Women have babies every day. Flynn will be fine.”
“Where’s my purse?” Flynn asked.
Earl retrieved the purse from the floor next to the couch in the family room and took it to his daughter.
“Thanks, Dad.” She kissed his cheek. “Don’t look so worried.”
“What about all the food?” Beau asked when everyone put on their coats. His question startled the group and all eyes turned to Aunt Sarah.
“Earl and I will go with Flynn and Ace. The rest of you stay here and eat. We’ll keep you posted from the hospital.”
Ace ushered Flynn out the door, and Earl and Aunt Sarah followed. The rest of the family stood in the hallway staring at one another. The back door opened and Beau’s father yelled, “The deep-fried turkey’s ready!”
The pronouncement set the women in motion and the kids raced back into the family room. The men retired to the living room to pour themselves a drink and wager whether or not Flynn would have a girl or a boy.
Beau and Sierra were left standing in the hallway alone. He gathered h
er in his arms. “Are you ready to join this family? There’s never a dull moment around here.”
“You and all the chaos your family brings is exactly what I need in my life.” Sierra caressed his cheek. “I love you, Beau.”
He kissed Sierra, trying to convey without words how much she meant to him. When they broke apart, he said, “I’m going to need a lot more practice doing that.”
“Doing what?”
“Showing you how much I love you.”
This time Sierra initiated the kiss, and when it ended, she whispered, “I don’t need to look into your eyes to see how much you love me. I feel it right here.” She pressed Beau’s hand to her heart, which pounded hard and steady.
“I know what I want for Christmas.”
“What’s that?” she asked.
“For you to set a wedding date.” He nuzzled her neck.
“I might even do better than that.”
“Oh?”
“If you play your cards right, Mr. Adams, you just might wake up Christmas morning in my bed.”
“Now that would be a Christmas present this cowboy would never forget.”
* * * * *
Be sure to look for TOMAS: COWBOY HOMECOMING by Linda Warren, the last book in the HARTS OF THE RODEO miniseries, available in December 2012!
Keep reading for an excerpt from The Cowboy Soldier’s Sons by Tina Leonard!
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