Cowboy Charade: Rodeo Knights, A Western Romance Novel

by Barbara McMahon

  He pulled back and closed her door, going around the truck to the driver's door. He wanted the perpetrator caught, Kyle released, and to get back on track to make it to the nationals.

  And then he was going to lay his cards on the table with Susannah Davis. He wanted her in his life. He wanted her to be a part of his life now and in the future.

  Chapter Nine

  They had one more day for the rodeo in Colorado Springs. Then it was on to Loveland. When Susannah arrived at the rodeo grounds, she was ready to instigate her plan.

  Toby had fed his horses and was already working one out in the practice arena. Susannah fed Missy and groomed her. She wanted her to be on top form for their event today.

  When she thought about finding the person responsible she became even more determined.

  Then the thought of the charade they were playing would end made her wish to let it go on for just a little longer.

  She loved being with Toby. Being part of a couple. Sharing ideas and plans, enjoying each other’s company. Even when sitting by the horse trailers as night fell. They didn't have to do things all the time for her to like being with him.

  Yet she had to remember it was all for show. He'd never said anything to suggest he'd want to keep this relationship going. And what of her vow never to get involved again with a rodeo cowboy?

  Toby was different, she argued with herself.

  She'd thought Pete was faithful until she found out otherwise. She'd only known Toby for a few days.

  Not true, she'd seen him on the circuit last year and this year. She knew his reputation as a straight shooter. He showed loyalty to his friend Kyle, and had the same values of honesty and integrity she had..

  Sighing, she finished grooming the horse. She needed to concentrate on her event today. And their plan to see if talking about replacing the truck window spooked the culprit and had him try to retrieve the drugs tonight.

  When Toby joined her a few minutes later, she smiled, trying to keep her heart from pounding in anticipation of spending time with him.

  He dismounted and she went to help him brush the horse when the saddle was removed.

  “I'm ready to start project fool-the-bad guy,” she said softly so only he'd hear.

  “And how do you propose to do that?” he asked.

  “I thought all night and came up with a brilliant plan,” she said, grinning at him across the horse's back. “We'll walk around all the suspects while I'm fiddling with my phone. You'll ask me what I'm doing and I'll say trying to find an auto shop that will fix my window tomorrow before I head for Loveland. I'm sure that'd get someone's attention.”

  “Worth a shot. I haven't told Jesse yet.”

  “Time enough if we can get the word to all who are suspects. Then we watch the truck tonight and catch him in the act.”

  When they turned the horse into the make-shift corral, they started on the plan.

  Ambling along, when they were close to Devan's spot, Toby asked what she was doing. Giving her answer, Susannah glanced at Devan. He was soaping some leather to keep it supple. He glanced up as they walked by, so Susannah knew he'd heard. Was he the one?

  They walked up one side of the row of trucks and trailers and down the other.

  At the end of the second row, Toby stopped and glanced behind them.

  “You don't think it's odd that we're just walking up and down the rows?” he asked. “I'd find that suspicious.”

  “We'll say I'm trying for a good signal,” she replied “We only have a couple of more to go.”

  “Let's get it done. I'm not sure it's really going to work,” Toby said.

  She shrugged and headed for the third row. “Maybe not, but I still think it's worth a shot. And we're almost done. We'll finish soon so we can get something to eat and be ready for the afternoon events.”

  When they reached the concession stands a short time later, Susannah suggested, “One of us get a corn dog and the other the tri-tips so I can talk about the window at each one.”

  By the time the afternoon events were starting Susannah was satisfied they'd let everyone they suspected know the car was heading into the shop the next day.

  “The only problem I see,” Toby said as they saddled their horses, “Is that perp could be someone we never suspected. Then they still don't know of the possibility of the door being taken apart.”

  “Then we're no worse off than right now,” she said, disappointment flaring. She hoped one of the men who'd over heard her was the culprit.

  Only time would tell.

  “I want to keep watch tonight. You and Jesse don't get all the good stuff.”

  Toby laughed. “Yeah, right, good stuff—take down a drug dealer. It could be dangerous. There's a lot of money riding on those drugs.”

  “Maybe I should have Maggie take him to the motel tonight. Even with the possibility of losing the drugs if discovered, the guy might not try anything with Radar around.”

  “Or put him in the horse trailer early on so the guy can't see him, but ready to let him out if the guy takes the bait. He might not be in top form to still be on active duty, but I know he would know how to take the guy down if he runs.”

  She nodded, a feeling of anticipation building. They might have their answer before tomorrow morning. She looked at Toby.

  And she might have her answer on that front as well.

  “It'd be great if we get the guy before we leave here. Kyle's spent too much time in jail for something he didn't do,” Toby said.

  “I know. Let's hope tonight's the night.”

  When the rodeo began, Susannah focused on her riding, on sharp turns and pushing Missy for all she was worth at the last stretch. They finished with Susannah's personal best this season. And came in first place two seconds ahead of second place. She hoped the rest of the day went as well.

  As if being keyed up was the means to success, Toby and Jesse nailed first place in the team roping and Toby came in first in steer wrestling and a close second in the calf roping.

  The three of them went to dinner together at a family-style restaurant near the fairgrounds. There were plenty of people from the rodeo so they didn't discuss the situation, though Toby had brought Jesse up to speed on their plan.

  He shook his head. “I'll be amazed if that works.”

  “It's a long shot,” Susannah agreed. “But we had to do something. This waiting is stretching my nerves beyond my limit.”

  “Not to mention Kyle's,” Toby added.

  “Right. This has to end sometime, why not sooner rather than later?” Susannah said.

  “Yet you left your truck at the fairgrounds,” Jesse said when the waitress placed their orders on the table.

  “No one's going to do anything while it's daylight, do you think?” Toby asked, digging into his burger and fries. “We figured it would look more natural for us to take my truck.”

  Jesse shrugged. “Probably is. You realize you may not have given the clue where the real crook was. We only suspect some of these guys, without much else to go on, how can we narrow down to one?”

  “My money's on Nick,” Susannah said. She pushed a french fry into the ketchup and popped it into her mouth. The tantalizing milkshake was near to hand, but she wanted to eat something before losing herself in the delicious ice creamy delight.

  “Mine's on Devan,” Toby murmured. “He and Kyle don't get on and I bet he figured stashing the stuff there would be payback if it was discovered—which it was. I wish that guy had never run the red light. If not for the accident--” He stopped. “Actually, I guess that was a blessing in disguise. Now we know what's going on and can stop it.”

  Jesse nodded. “And I'm wondering if we should encourage a sweep of the parking area again during rodeos with a drug dog. Just to make sure there's not more of this going on. When you did it, the guy could have had his truck somewhere else.”

  “Or he's stashed more since then,” Toby said.

  “A dog will alert on a lot of pot smokers,
” Susannah said.

  “But we might find other stuff too,” he said. “First we need to get the guy who stuffed the dope in Kyle and Susannah's trucks,” Toby said. “Here's hoping tonight's the night.”

  They had the evening events to get through, then the plan could be put in place.

  Once again Susannah won her event. If she kept this up, she'd be a shoo-in for the Nationals.

  Toby did well, but neither seemed as concerned with their performance tonight at they were with their plan.

  Leaving the truck window part way down to bolster her false claim, Susannah and Radar got in Toby's truck making a big deal of fitting the dog in the narrow space behind the seats so anyone who was interested could see they were taking off, leaving Susannah's truck beside her trailer.

  They drove to the motel where they each had reservations. Checking in, Susannah was sharing again with Maggie and Peggy. Neither was in the room, so she left her duffel bag and slipped out to walk to the ice machine, Radar at her side. Not seeing anyone around, she continued on the outside hallway to Toby's room.

  He was waiting for her. Leaving Radar in his room, they walked to his truck and returned to the fairgrounds. Leaving his truck on the side of the road before the turn to the parking lot, they looked around. It was late enough most of the rodeo contestants who were camping by their trucks had turned in. There was a soft murmur of conversation from a couple of sites, but for the most part it was quiet.

  Slowly they circled the perimeter until they reached Jesse's outfit. He was sitting in the dark.

  “Ready to move?” Toby asked.

  Jesse rose. “I'm ready. Let's take it slow and watch for anyone who might still be moving around. I talked to my friend at DEA. They're going to be ready to move, but won't enter the parking area unless we call. They don't want to scare the guy away. Sometimes letting the merchandise go is safer than catching the guy. Especially since they have the tracking devices in the packets.”

  “He's already lost part of this merchandise,” Toby said. “I think he'll go for this and chance it.”

  “Let's hurry,” Susannah whispered.

  “No rush. If he's going to act tonight, he'll wait until he thinks everyone is sound asleep. I'd say after midnight.”

  They crept to Susannah's trailer and slipped inside. Earlier she'd stashed three camp chairs inside so they'd have something to sit on. With the tailgate up, there was only the small side door to give them a view of her truck. Sitting well away from the door made sure no one could see them.

  Time seemed to move slowly. Susannah shifted slightly in her chair. She was getting tired of doing nothing but sitting silently in the dark.

  Toby reached out and touched her, finding her hand in the dark and taking it in his.

  She liked his touch. She remembered the dancing they'd done. She'd much rather go back to that than be here.

  But she didn't feel like they were wasting time. Surely the drug dealer would want his supply before she took the truck to a repair shop.

  Checking her watch, it was barely midnight. How much longer?

  The minutes passed by slowly. Toby's thumb rubbed the back of her hand gently, absently. It sparked an awareness of the man that she hadn't expected. He was doing this for Kyle, she told herself again and again. But she was falling for the cowboy and wished things had been different. She couldn't forget she'd refused when he asked her out. If she'd accepted back then, would things be totally different now?

  To while away the time, she let herself think about what it would mean if by some miracle Toby wanted to continue their relationship after everything was over. Dare she trust a rodeo cowboy again? Not all men were like Pete. She recognized this and wondered if she was cutting herself off from possible happiness by holding to that vow made when she first discovered his perfidy.

  If Toby and Kyle made the nationals and won the prize money, they planned to buy a cattle ranch and leave the rodeo. That would account for the roots she was searching for. She knew something about a cattle ranch thanks to her upbringing on Bootstrap Ranch. She could even help out with the finances if she won prize money in her event. And she and Missy were well on their way to qualify for the finals.

  She could envision Toby coming into the house at the end of each day, tired, but satisfied with the way the ranch was going. They'd have dinner, spend time on a front porch gazing at the land and talking about plans and dreams.

  She wanted a home of her own. She wanted roots and ties and a lasting relationship with a man who loved her wholeheartedly. When she sighed, Toby squeezed her hand slightly as if encouraging her. Wouldn't he be surprised if he knew what she was fantasizing.

  There was movement. Susannah almost held her breath. Toby leaned closer. Jesse went on alert.

  The door of the truck opened, the overhead light coming on momentarily, then it went dark.

  Susannah gripped Toby's hand. They could barely make out a dark figure, silhouetted slightly by the pencil-thin flashlight focused on the door.

  They could scarcely see him or hear him. If they hadn't been watching, they would have missed it entirely. The guy was good. No wonder he almost got away with it.

  A few minutes passed and then the door slowly closed. The man rose and Jesse said, “Now!”

  He and Toby spilled out of the trailer and ran toward the man. Toby snatched up his rope hanging by the trailer door.

  Susannah only a step behind them.

  The man heard them and took off, running down the center of the drive.

  Toby stopped and swung his lariat overhead twice then let it fly. It landed squarely across the shoulders of the running man. Yanking hard, Toby pulled the man off his feet. Jesse reached him in seconds. The man struggled with the rope, but Toby kept it taut.

  “Now I know how my horse feels,” he said, pulling on the rope, hand over hand as he drew nearer the man on the ground.

  Susannah turned on her powerful flashlight and aimed it at the man's face. He stopped struggling and seemed to give up. Beside him on the dirt drive was a canvas bag, undoubtedly holding the packets he'd taken from the truck.

  It was the man who sold corn dogs.

  Chapter Ten

  The next morning, Susannah was so tired she could hardly see straight. Between the adrenaline rush the night before and not getting to bed until almost five in the morning and getting up at eight, she was dragging.

  None of that mattered to her horse and dog. She fed Radar at the motel and then they headed back to the fairgrounds. Once Missy was fed, Susannah would pack up and head for Loveland. The DEA agents had taken her statement last night. When she driven back to the motel by a uniformed policeman, she'd noted Jesse and Toby were still at the police station. What time did they make it to bed?

  While Missy ate, she leaned against the horse trailer and almost fell asleep on her feet. She wasn't sure she should drive to Loveland just yet. Maybe another nap would help. No sense risking life and limb on the highway.

  Radar was lying on the ground watching her. He turned his head when he heard the black pickup approach. Standing, he wagged his tail.

  Susannah smiled when she saw Toby. He stopped next to her rig and leaped out of the truck. Stopping to pet Radar he approached Susannah. When she stepped forward to meet him, he picked her up with hands at her waist and swung her around. She grabbed his shoulders as they twirled around and around.

  “Kyle's free! He was released this morning and is waiting to get his truck and then he'll pick up his horses and meet us in Loveland,” Toby said exuberantly. He set her back on her feet and grinned at her.

  Her hands still on her shoulders she grinned back. “That's great. I know both of you are relieved.”

  “We are.”

  The minutes ticked by as they gazed into each other’s eyes. Slowly Susannah let her hands slip from his shoulders and Toby dropped his own hands from her waist.

  “So did the DEA guys call that sheriff?” Susannah asked, feeling breathless.

 
“They did. They got a full confession from the corn dog guy as well.”

  “He has that huge food truck, why did he stash the drugs in other people's trucks?” she asked.

  “His food truck is subject to inspection by local health officers at any time. He was afraid they'd discover the drugs, so he's been planting them in other trucks for two years now.”

  “Wow, he got away with it for two years?”

  “On this schedule. Apparently a couple of years ago, he had a different rotation of rodeos and did it then, too. He supplies some guy in Loveland. He named the guy and the DEA was all over it. Jesse was fit to be tied that he used contestants in the WRA for two years.”

  “But he's been caught, that has to be satisfying for him,” Susannah said. She was beginning to feel self conscious standing so close to Toby, yearning to touch him again, to have him kiss her, to continue their charade.

  “Wait, you said Kyle was joining us in Loveland,” she said slowly. Was it a manner of speaking, or did Toby want to actually see if they could become a couple.

  Jesse pulled up next to them, his trailer already hooked behind his truck.

  “You two take it easy. And good luck at the Nationals. We'll be there rooting for you both,” he called from the truck.

  “Thanks for all your help,” Toby said going to the open window. Susannah joined him.

  “Hey, I'm glad you called me,” Jesse said. “None of us in the family wants this kind of trouble. Glad we caught the guy. He also admitted putting dope in another guy's truck. The cowboy who got injured in Pueblo, so his truck's still in Pueblo and after Kyle's arrest, our friendly dope dealer decided to let it go figuring the guy would be back in the rodeo next year.”

  “I hope they throw the book at him,” Susannah said.

  “Me, too,” Toby said.

  “I think they plan to. See you in Vegas,” Jesse said. With a wave he pulled out.

  Toby turned to Susannah. “Are you heading out now?”

  “No, I need to take a nap first. I'm too tired to drive without falling asleep at the wheel.”