Cowboy Charade: Rodeo Knights, A Western Romance Novel

by Barbara McMahon

  She studied their linked hands for a moment, then met his gaze.

  “I’m glad if I’m in this situation, you’re here to help,” she said slowly.

  Toby gave her a slow grin. “Me, too.”

  Gently his thumb began tracing patterns on the back of her hand. “So, Susannah Davis, tell me all about you. If we’re involved, I should know more about you than you're a terrific barrel racer and have a dog and red is your favorite color.”

  “I’m from Bootstrap Ranch in Cody. Do you know it?”

  He shook his head.

  “It’s a place for foster kids. My mother died when I was ten. I never knew my father--he took off before I was born. Bootstrap's a working cattle ranch open to a bunch of foster kids. We were like a big family–rules and regulations, chores to learn, but we also learned to ride. Walt and Sherry are the owners and they encourage kids to be all we can be.”

  “Did they stake you to that sweet mare you have?” he asked.

  She shook her head. “I saved up and Walt helped me pick her out. Unlike other places for foster kids, once I turned eighteen, I wasn’t kicked out. And then they started paying me for the work I did. Once I had enough money saved, I bought Missy. Walt helped me train her. I still spend most holidays there.”

  “They sound like really great folks.”

  “They're amazing. What about you? Where did you grow up?” she asked.

  “On a ranch near Lubbock. My dad’s the foreman there. He started working on the ranch way back before I was born.”

  “So you grew up on a cattle ranch, too.”

  “Yes, and worked with him as a kid. He taught me all he knows, which is a lot.”

  “Did he ever rodeo?”

  “No, he says it’s too dangerous. Bucking bronc and bull riding are, that’s for certain. But not what I do.”

  She laughed.

  Toby watched, entranced by how pretty she was when she laughed.

  “Like wrestling a steer isn’t dangerous? Just leaping off a running horse is crazy.” She shook her head and met his gaze, her eyes sparkling. “Cowboys are crazy,” she said.

  He shrugged. “It’s something to do for now.”

  “For now?”

  “It’s a young man’s sport. I might have a couple of more years, but after that, there will be others coming up that'll do better.”

  “But fun while it lasts,” she said slowly.

  “I think so. You must too. Isn’t this your second year on the circuit?”

  “Third, but I didn’t compete that much the first year I tried out. It’s expensive and I have to fund everything myself.”

  “Yeah, I hear that. My dad would help if he could, but money’s always tight. I have four brothers and sisters who are younger. He’s putting two of them through college now.”

  Their server arrived with dinner and Toby reluctantly released her hand.

  He dated. He and Kyle often took out local girls who came on to them at the rodeos. But he didn’t hold hands. And didn’t spend much time wondering about them. An evening out dancing or dinner and he was back getting ready for the next event.

  If someone had told him a couple of days ago that he’d be holding hands with a pretty girl today, he’d have thought him loco. But it had felt good, connected.

  Conversation turned back to their experiences with the rodeo. He’d been riding longer than Susannah, still it was fun to hear her take. A bit different, and less wild, than his version.

  When they finished eating, he asked if she wanted to head back or walk around for a bit.

  “I’d like a walk. After sitting in the truck for the drive here, I’d relish some exercise,” she said.

  It seemed natural when they left the diner for him to reach for her hand again. When she looked at him with a question in her expression.

  “Got to play the part, right?” he said with a grin.

  “Right, like the hug when you arrived.”

  “Should I have given you a kiss?” he asked whimsically.

  “A hug was just fine.”

  He wondered what it would be like to kiss her? To hold her close to him, feel her warmth, touch that silky hair, kiss her until they were both breathless.

  He suspected she’d deck him if he tried. Unless he convinced her it was part of their cover.

  “Not a problem with Radar—your being gone longer?” he asked.

  “He’s in the horse trailer. I left the side door open, but closed the ramp. He’ll be fine there and go with me when I go to the motel.”

  “You staying at the Starlight?” Toby asked, naming the nearest motel to the rodeo grounds.

  “Yes, you?”

  “I have reservations, but I’m thinking now I might hang out in my truck. Depends on what Jesse says when he gets here.”

  “Oh, I forgot he was coming in tonight. Should we head back? What if he’s already there waiting for us?” she said, stopping.

  “He’ll call if he gets there and we haven't arrived. It wouldn’t hurt to return, though. What would your dog do if someone messed with your truck?”

  “Probably attack. I hadn’t thought about that. So that narrows the time when someone could have put the drugs in. When I’m competing, I lock him in the trailer. It doesn’t get hot like the truck, and he won’t be wandering around looking for me. That had to be the time they put the drugs in.”

  It was almost midnight when Jesse Knight pulled into the grounds. He recognized Toby’s rig from the description Toby had given him and stopped behind the trailer.

  Toby and Susannah were sitting in lawn chairs between their two trucks.

  “Hey, man. You made good time,” Toby said, quickly crossing the short distance to greet Jesse.

  “Not much traffic the later it got.”

  “You brought your horse?” Toby asked.

  “Part of the cover. I thought I'd sub for Kyle. Best way to keep suspicions at bay.”

  “Good idea. You want to park and come back or we’ll follow you.”

  “Follow me. I want a spot near the perimeter if I can find one. Less foot traffic or the possibility of people overhearing.”

  “We’ll be along.”

  Jesse continued to the far end of the field.

  “Let's go tell him all we know,” Toby said returning to Susannah.

  She rose and called Radar. They walked toward the perimeter, passing horse trailers and trucks. Horses were hitched to makeshift rails or back of trailers. Some were hobbled but stayed by their owners. For those in the money, stalls were available or a large corral.

  Susannah stumbled on the uneven ground and Toby quickly put his arm around her waist, steadying her.

  “You okay?”

  “It’s hard to see now that it’s so dark.”

  “Hold on to me and we’ll be there in no time,” he said, glad of the excuse to hold her.

  She slowed a bit and took her steps more carefully, but didn’t step away.

  By the time they reached Jesse's spot he’d unloaded two horses and hitched them to the back of the trailer. Already on top of the trailer he was forking hay for them to eat. Toby introduced Susannah and then asked,

  “Need any help?”

  “I’ll need water. Where’s the nearest spigot?”

  “About four trailers back. I’ll get it,” Toby said.

  When the horses were taken care of, Jesse motioned them on the far side of the trailer. He pulled three folding chairs from the storage compartment of the trailer and set them on the ground.

  Radar had not made a sound, but watched constantly.

  “Nice dog. Friendly?”

  “He can be,” Susannah said.

  She reached for Jesse’s hand and looked at Radar. “Friend,” she said.

  The dog wagged his tail and then went to sit beside Toby.

  She looked at Toby. “That’s a first. He usually waits for me to sit so he can sit beside me.”

  “Hey, animals like me.”

  “Umm.” She took the
seat next to Toby.

  Jesse took the third.

  “Will he warn us if anyone comes close?” he asked.

  “Probably,” she said.

  “Tell me what you know,” Jesse said.

  The next few minutes were spent discussing all the information Toby had. Jesse asked questions a few times to clarify things, but mostly listened.

  “And no idea of who could be involved?” he asked at the end.

  Toby and Susannah shook their heads.

  “I can give you a list of men I wouldn’t mind it being, but we don’t have a shred of proof for anyone,” Toby said.

  “You never know. Something's telling you these men are off a bit. Call it instinct. Who are they?”

  Toby gave him the list of cowboys he’d thought about on the drive.

  “I’ll have the office check them out. Interesting about that Nick guy. It’s not cheap to follow the circuit–especially if there're no winnings.”

  “His trailer and truck are fairly new,” Susannah said. “I hadn’t thought about the expense. Good catch,” she told Toby.

  Jesse watched them for a minute. “You two involved?”

  Toby and Susannah looked at each other then at Jesse.

  “We’re using that as our cover,” Toby explained.

  Jesse laughed. “Good. First thing in the morning, you and I’ll head for the office to get me in as a substitute for Kyle. By then I might have some more information on the names you gave me.”

  He rose. “I’m bushed after the drive here. See you around seven?”

  Toby and Susannah rose, too. Radar came to his feet and walked to Susannah.

  “See you then,” Toby said. “I appreciate your coming.”

  “Hey, our family has a strong vested interest in the rodeo. I’m like you, I don’t want the image tarnished by drugs. It’s a clean competitive sport and I’ll do all I can to keep it that way.”

  Chapter Five

  Toby walked with Susannah back to her truck. “You heading out now?” he asked.

  “Yeah. Should I be back here at seven?”

  “No need. I’ll fill you in when you get here. Have a good night.”

  “You, too,” she said, opening her truck door and giving Radar the command to load up. The dog gave a sniff at the door and jumped right in afterward.

  “He doesn’t understand why I’m not doing something when he alerts. I hope I’m not ruining him,” she said.

  “Naw, I think he knows something's going on. And he's alerted you, so that part’s good.”

  “Well, good night,” she said.

  “Aren’t you forgetting something?” Toby asked, stepping closer. It was dark, many of the others had already gone to wherever they were staying. Others were dossed down in their rigs.

  “What?”

  Playing a charade had it’s advantages, he thought, taking her into his arms and kissing her.

  He took his time, loving the feel of her in his arms just as he’d imagined.

  She responded quickly and heated his blood. He wasn’t sure how long the kiss would have lasted if Radar hadn’t whined.

  “Playing a part?” she whispered when they ended the kiss.

  “You never know who’s watching,” he whispered back.

  “Like they could see anything in the dark,” she murmured, her arms still around his neck, his still around her waist.

  “That was for show. This isn’t,” he said, pulling her closer and kissing her again.

  Susannah felt the kiss to her toes. When he pulled back, she leaned against her truck afraid her knees wouldn’t hold her.

  “Well, goodnight, then,” she said. Was that breathy voice hers? She cleared her throat. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  She gave a wave as she pulled away. Her heart was pounding and all she could think about was that kiss. She needed to watch herself around Toby. He was attractive, fun to be with, and wow—could he kiss!

  Driving the short distance to the motel her mind replayed his words–This isn’t for show. What exactly did he mean?

  She avoided dating anyone on the rodeo circuit after Pete. She had her list of wants for her perfect mate and footloose and fancy free cowboys didn't even make the list.

  Not that stopped her heart from pounding from the kiss. It had been unlike any other she’d ever had. For a moment she wanted to forget the rodeo, forget her stupid vow and see where being with Toby would lead.

  Don’t go there, she admonished herself. No fantasies about Toby Palmer. He was fun, good looking and a star athlete, but not for her.

  It was for show.

  Mostly.

  When Susannah pulled into the parking lot, it was half full. Her room was at the far end of the building around the corner. That part of the parking lot was virtually empty. She was rooming with two other barrel racers. It was late. She had her room key. She hoped she wouldn't wake them—or find herself being questioned as to why she was so late.

  She locked up her truck, took Radar for one last walk and went to the room. She was the last to arrive. Her roommates were both sound asleep.

  Quietly she took a quick shower glad for the down time. Fearful she’d give something away if she relaxed her guard, she liked being alone for however long she had.

  “Hey, you're coming in late,” Maggie Potter said sleepily when Susannah left the bathroom, leaving the door ajar so she had some light in the bedroom.

  “It’s not that late,” she said, hoping Maggie didn't look at the clock.

  No such luck.

  “It's after midnight. You out with that hot Toby Palmer?” She pushed herself into a sitting position.

  “We went to dinner–”

  “Anything going on we should know about?” Maggie whispered with a teasing grin.

  Before Susannah could reply, Maggie grinned. “If that blush is anything to go by, there’s lots I should know about.”

  “We had a nice dinner,” Susannah said primly.

  Maggie laughed quietly. “So spill. Toby Palmer doesn’t usually mingle with other competitors on the rodeo–preferring to share his favors with buckle bunnies from what I hear. So I definitely want the deets.”

  Susannah didn’t usually share confidences with the other women on the circuit. Yet, would it enhance their cover to make up something to convince them they were a couple and not question why they spent time together? Not that she expected the drug dealer to be one of the women she knew. But then, she didn’t expect it to be any of the cowboys she knew either.

  Peggy sat up and switched on the light. “What's going on?”

  Maggie grinned at her. “Sorry if we woke you. Susannah's been out carousing with Toby Palmer.”

  “Dinner,” Susannah protested. “To celebrate our winning today,” she improvised quickly.

  “Congratulations on winning today. You rocked,” Peggy said.

  “Thanks. It’s mostly because of my horse.”

  “I don’t know, I have a great horse and I didn’t even finish in the top five.”

  “Practice helps,” Susannah said.

  She’d watched Peggy ride and sensed a hesitation on the turns. “If you need any coaching, I’d be glad to spot you at practice one day to see if I can give you any pointers.”

  Peggy smiled. “That’d be great. This is my first time away from my home-town rodeo and it’s a lot tougher than I expected.”

  Susannah nodded. Only the top contenders stayed with the circuit. Expenses were usually the reason people dropped out before the end.

  But the lure of Las Vegas for the granddaddy of rodeos was the strongest draw there was. She finished fifth in the nationals last year. This year she was higher in the ranking heading toward Vegas. Maybe she had a shot at finishing in the top third. Of course the dream was finishing first--in the big money.

  Maggie looked at Susannah with a teasing grin. “Still waiting to hear about your dinner with Toby. No going to bed until we hear everything!”

  Susannah turned off the bathroom
light and went to the bed that was hers. She sat on the edge and looked at them. “There isn’t much to tell. We went to dinner, came back to the parking area, met up with an old friend of his, then I came here.”

  “Who’s his old friend?”

  “Jesse Knight.”

  “The famous bull rider?” Maggie asked.

  Susannah nodded. “He and Toby go way back.” Actually she had the idea Toby knew of Jesse only because of his relation to the rodeo and his investigative services.

  “Wow, what’s he doing here?”

  “He’s going to sub for Kyle until that situation gets cleared up,” Susannah said.

  Maggie’s expression became solemn. “Do you think Kyle was really smuggling drugs?”

  “No, I don’t.” Susannah was definite.

  “Some people are saying Toby’s in on it, too. I don’t want to think that, he’s so hot. But how could he not know his partner was smuggling drugs?” Peggy asked.

  “Kyle wasn’t smuggling drugs, someone planted it in his truck.”

  Maggie shrugged. “I’m sure that’s what he’s saying.”

  Susannah hadn't expected others to believe Kyle was guilty. She knew he wasn't, but couldn't explain why. Would that be the reaction discovery of the drugs in her truck brought? People would think she was smuggling? The sooner she got rid of the packets, the better she'd feel.

  “Anyway the cops took Toby’s truck apart and there was no indication of drugs anywhere,” Susannah defended. “I believe him that Kyle's innocent.”

  Maggie looked at Radar, lying beside the bed.

  “Does your police dog track drugs?”

  Susannah nodded.

  “Maybe he should check out all the cowboys, see if any have it on their hands or something. He could tell right?” Maggie asked.

  “He could.” She didn’t want to give any indication that she’d already done that. They walked by every truck on the grounds and the only one Radar alerted on was hers. And two cowboys she'd encountered. But that could be from smoking pot, legal in Colorado.

  The guilty party would have been careful in handling drugs. It probably wasn’t out of the plastic the entire time he had it. Would there be any trace on a cowboy for Radar to alert?