“The fact is, I’m so deeply in love with you, I’m afraid it’s a lifetime condition. If that scares you silly, I’m not going to apologize for it. You’re the great love of my new life. Got that? See you at the Roundup!” With that she walked to her car and drove off.
Walker stood in the doorway of his trailer, his mouth hanging open and his heart pounding.
Chapter Twelve
July 4
Paula kissed Clay, who was still in his high chair eating. She turned to Katy. “Thanks for being willing to babysit tonight. I don’t know how soon Kip and I will be home from the Roundup, but we’ll try not to be late.”
“Hey, don’t worry. Angie phoned and told me this is the big night for Walker Cody.”
“It is.”
After baring her soul to Walker outside his trailer door, he’d let her drive away in the rental car without trying to detain her. Since flying back to Cody, another whole week had gone by without a word from him. The buildup to tonight had left her nerves in such a ragged state she could hardly function. Right now her brother was the glue holding her together.
“Stay out as late as you want, Paula. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for him.”
“Thanks, Katy.” She gave her a hug then flew out the door to join Kip, who was going to drive them to the arena in his car. He’d come on Thursday to watch the nightly competitions with her.
Every time Paula had heard Walker’s name and watched him enter the box, her stomach turned over as if she were seeing him compete for the first time. To her joy, he’d gotten a 3.6 and a 3.5. Those were better scores than the ones in Mesquite.
Together, she and Kip made their way from the parking area to the covered stand, which was packed to overflowing with the Fourth of July crowd. Once they were seated, the evening got underway.
“Ladies and gentlemen, please greet Miss Wyoming and the contestants for tonight’s events.”
While the crowd went crazy cheering, Paula’s throat swelled to see the Cody siblings ride five across. Talk about magnificent.
“Isn’t that a beautiful sight? Where else on God’s green earth will you see five champions from one family all together. Let’s give a big hand to our own Codys from the Cottonwood Ranch!”
Paula clapped harder than anyone else. After the invocation and national anthem, the field was cleared so the events could start. An hour later it was announced the steer wrestling would be coming up next.
Kip flung an arm around Paula’s shoulder. “Take it easy.”
“I can’t. This will be the last round for Walker. He’s going to have to get a really low score to win.”
“I’m betting on him. He’s been shaving off time since Mesquite. I do believe your unexpected visit brought him luck.”
If only that were true…
The crowd at the Cody arena pulsated with excitement. The Fourth was the big night in Wyoming for the rodeo fans because their own former legendary champion, Walker Cody, was in contention.
He’d brought fame to the state, not to mention to the towns of Markton and Cody. The whole region had turned out to see if he could pull off the impossible after being away from the sport for six years. Publicity for the Roundup had brought sportscasters and celebrities from all over the country.
“Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time for the final round in the steer-wrestling competition.”
Kip had brought his binoculars. “Here. Use these.”
“Thanks.” She put them to her eyes.
“You know when guys like Jimmy Hart are back in there, you can hear the silence down here. He’s done really good bulldogging this week, but he’s late tonight. Here’s where the horse pays off. Oh, no—”
Paula watched as the steer broke loose from his grasp. By the time he got him down again, he’d run up too many seconds on the clock to be in contention.
“Here comes reigning world champion Bobby Rich, getting down on a hard-running steer. Pulls him up and throws him nice. Excellent run by Rich. 3.6. It’ll be hard for anyone to beat that.
“Brad Ryder, national finalist last year from Oklahoma is out of the box next. Nice high horns. Got a 3.9 on him last night. Look at that steer. Almost threw itself down. Brad has equaled Rich’s time of 3.6.”
“When is it going to be Walker’s turn?”
“I don’t know,” Kip muttered, “but it can’t be too much longer now.”
“Last night steer wrestlers were dropping like flies out of the competition for the big dollars. Only three men have times on all eight of their steers and are under forty seconds for all of them.
“Here goes one of them. Wylie Hodges of Austin, Texas. Great speed. Uh-oh. That steer won’t go down. Uh-oh. He’s running him all over the place.”
Paula was getting so nervous, she was scarcely cognizant of the next two bulldoggers. All she knew was, the time to beat was still a 3.6.
“Wyoming’s own Walker Cody from the Cottonwood Ranch has entered the box.”
At the sound of his name, her heart thumped unmercifully. “I think I’m going to be sick.” Her admission prompted another hug from Kip. With trembling hands she studied Walker through the field glasses.
Beneath the black Stetson, his handsome facial features wore a resolute expression. To her mind his lean, powerful body looked relaxed in the saddle. He’d gained more weight. There was little resemblance to the war vet of two months ago. She saw his hand go to the charm for a second. Even from this distance she could feel his confidence.
Once the barriers opened, Peaches flew out of the box. The roar from the fans was deafening.
“Will you look at that, folks? He threw the same ornery steer that kept its head down last night. A bulldogger who knows that trick can use it to get more speed and that’s what he did. A 3.3! Ladies and gentlemen, you have tonight’s champion, Walker Cody, who has set a record in this arena slick as a whistle!”
The crowd went crazy and got to its feet, but no one was more hysterically happy than Paula. Tears of joy streamed down her cheeks. She hugged her brother. “He did it, Kip. He did it!”
Kip was equally dazed. “I saw it, and I still don’t believe that time. Come on. Let’s go find him behind the arena and congratulate him.”
She shook her head. Paula didn’t know what kind of a reception she would get and didn’t want to find out. “He’s going to be mobbed by family and friends, not to mention the media. You go. I’ll wait for you in the car.” She followed him to the aisle, and they slowly made their way to the outside of the grandstand. “Tell him we’re both very proud of him.”
He eyed her with compassion. “I will.”
Tears smarted her eyes as she got in the passenger seat of Kip’s car. With a time like that, Walker had to be convinced he could win a second world title in December if he stayed on the rodeo circuit. Six years away hadn’t taken the bulldogger out of him.
This had to be a healing night for Walker and his father. Though he would go through the rest of his life with his soldier’s wounds, he was back in the bosom of his family now, doing what he loved most.
She knew tonight’s victory was particularly sweet because of Walker’s ability to get past his troubles with his dad, not to mention Troy’s death. In a way she sensed the rodeo had brought redemption to his soul. He had to be more at peace now.
Paula had never been less at peace, but knew it was essential to happiness. After risking everything last weekend when she flew down to Dallas to see him, it was a waiting game for her now.
“Hi.” Kip slid behind the wheel. “Sorry I was so long. I couldn’t get near Walker, but he saw me and waved.” After starting the car, they made their way out of the parking area.
“Did he look happy?” Her voice throbbed.
“Oh yeah, but he was being interviewed by a couple of journalists. You know how that goes. I talked to Boyd for a minute. The Codys are having a big victory celebration at their ranch house. Only VIPs are invited.”
That excluded Paula. She felt her heart
die a second time.
When they reached the apartment, Katy’s face was wreathed in a smile. “It was on the ten o’clock news tonight about Walker Cody. They showed a clip of him flipping that steer. He’s one hot guy,” she whispered to Paula.
She nodded. That said it all. “How was Clay tonight?”
“Great!”
“That’s good.” Paula reached in her purse to pay her. “I’ve added a little bonus to thank you for helping me this week.”
“Thanks for the extra money. You don’t know how much I need it.” They hugged before she went out the door to her car.
After checking on Clay, she felt at loose ends and wandered into the dining room, where she’d left the finished watercolor on the table. It was a joyous memory of that day at the cabin with Walker.
Kip peered over her shoulder. “I think that’s the best thing you’ve ever done.”
“Really?”
“You’ve captured the glory of the scarlet paintbrush in the meadow outside his cabin. It’s exactly the way it looks when you’re sitting at the picnic table. I like the touch of the window in there. You must have been there on a perfect day for this painting to look so alive.”
Her throat closed up. “It was a perfect day.…” she whispered.
“Why didn’t you enter it in that Rendezvous Royale Arts competition here? You’d have won top prize.”
“Thank you for the compliment, brother dear. I considered it, but with Angie moving, a-and my life in turmoil,” she stuttered, “I just didn’t get around to it.”
He squeezed her shoulder. “I’m going to get ready for bed. I’ve got a big drive ahead of me in the morning.”
“I’m headed to bed myself.” She checked her answering machine before turning out the lights in the kitchen and dining room.
While her brother was in the bathroom, she made up the hide-a-bed in the living room. As she was getting him an extra pillow from the linen closet, she heard a rapping on the front door. Her heart leaped because it had Walker’s unmistakable cadence.
On shaky legs she opened it, then hugged the pillow to her chest to see him standing there bigger than life in his fancy Western attire and Stetson. The mysterious glimmer in those green eyes sent a current of electricity through her body.
“Walker…” She was so stunned to see him, she couldn’t articulate anything else.
“That’s my name,” he responded in his deep voice. “I’m glad you haven’t forgotten it.”
She struggled for words. “You were fabulous out there tonight. I’m so proud of you.”
He cocked his head. “As you can see, I’m still in one piece.”
“Oh, I can see that all right,” she blurted. “How did you do it? Where did you find that part inside you that made the difference?”
“It was hanging around my neck. My lucky piece. I pressed it and said to myself, I’m not in Iraq. I’m in Cody. Paula Olsen loves me, and I’m going to put that steer down faster than anyone else.”
In the next breath he slid his hands up her arms to her shoulders and pulled her close while unconsciously kneading them. The contact sent a river of warmth through her veins. “Did you really mean it?”
“How can you even ask me that?” she said in raw pain.
She heard his sharp intake of breath before he looked over her shoulder. “Hey, Kip. Mind if I steal your sister for a little while?”
“How long is a little while?”
“That all depends.”
“Sure. Clay and I will manage.”
“Thanks.” He tossed the pillow she was clutching on the couch. “Let’s go.” Walker grasped her hand and led her down the stairs.
“Wait—I don’t even have my purse.”
“You don’t need it.” He helped her in his truck, then started it up as if he were in a tremendous hurry.
“Where are we going?”
“To the house.”
“Kip told me your parents are having a party for you.”
“That’s right. I told them I’d be back after I picked you up.”
“You shouldn’t have left. This is a huge night for you.”
“That’s the reason I want you with me. I can’t very well announce that we’re getting married if you’re not there. They’ve already given you their seal of approval. It happened long before you came into my life like a miracle.”
The world reeled as he pulled over to the side of the street and drew her into his arms. “I’m so in love with you, I can’t live another second without you in my life permanently. You are going to marry me, aren’t you?”
She saw the tiniest hint of vulnerability lingering in his eyes. “What do you think?”
“I think I can’t make you my wife soon enough,” he said in a husky tone. “We’ll fly out to Reno tonight and say our vows, then come back tomorrow so Clay won’t miss us too much.”
“Tonight?” Her voice shook with joy.
He nodded. “After the party.” In astonishment she watched him pull a ring out of the pocket of his Western shirt. “It has to be tonight because I intend to make love to you and I refuse to do that until you’re Mrs. Walker Cody.”
In the next breath, he slid the diamond solitaire onto her ring finger. It was a perfect fit. “Kip helped me with the sizing, by the way.” When he lifted his dark head, she saw devilment in his eyes.
“What else did he do?”
The corner of his seductive mouth lifted. “That’s a secret between brothers-in-law. Just so you know, I’ve already asked for your parents’ permission to marry you, and by some miracle they said yes, provided you can put up with me. Kip vouched for me. He also packed a bag for you,” he admitted before pressing a deep kiss to her mouth. “Your purse will be inside it.”
“I can’t believe this is really happening.”
“Maybe by the time you’re my wife and we’re alone in bed tonight, you’ll start to believe it.”
She threw her arms around his neck. “I love you more than you’ll ever know.”
Paula couldn’t stop covering his face with kisses. “You’re life to me, darling.”
His mouth found hers and swept her away. When he finally relinquished her mouth, he whispered, “I guess you know I worship the ground you walk on. The selfish part of me hated it that you loved Brent before you loved me. I wanted to be the only one in your life. That’s why I left your apartment a couple of weeks ago.”
“I know.”
“But then you cleared it all up for me when you flew down to Dallas. It took me a few days to sort everything out. I just want you to know, I’m not jealous of Brent anymore.”
“Thank heaven. Kiss me again and never stop. Then I’ll believe it.”
“Can’t do that until we’re alone with no deadlines except to make each other deliriously happy.” In typical self-disciplined Walker Cody form, he moved away and started the truck.
“You already do that,” she said with her heart in her eyes.
He grasped her hand and twined his fingers through hers. “There are degrees of happiness. We haven’t begun to explore them.” He kissed her fingertips. “This is going to be forever, Paula.”
“I couldn’t go on living if it weren’t.”
“I love your son as if he were my own.”
“He loves you.”
“I promise to do everything in my power to make certain Brent stays alive in his heart.”
She studied her rodeo warrior as she thought of him. “I know you will.”
“I’d love to give you more children.”
“Maybe it will happen. When you’re ready, I’ll go with you for tests to see if there’s a chance.” She’d do whatever it took for him to have the experience of being a father to his own baby. “But we won’t worry about it. To have your baby would be a great blessing, but it’s enough that we’ve found each other.”
“Paula…” She heard tears in his voice.
“Clay’s a handful as it is. Being around the Codys will guarante
e his love of the rodeo. And since you’re his hero already, I can predict he’ll want to be a bulldogger.”
“You would approve?”
“Yes,” she answered honestly. “It will be the most natural thing in the world with a father like you.”
By now they’d reached the ranch. Once Walker had shut off the motor, they’d gotten so tangled in each other’s arms, they were oblivious to anything else. “I’ve needed to feel you like this for so long,” he whispered huskily.
“I love you,” she whispered.
“Hold me, Paula. Never let me go.”
“Never.”
“Okay, you two lovebirds. Time to break it up.”
Paula gasped in embarrassment because someone had opened the passenger door and could see what they’d been doing. While her face went scarlet, Walker broke into a wide smile that transformed him into the most handsome man she’d ever seen in her life.
“Dusty? Let me introduce you to Paula Olsen, the future Mrs. Cody in just a few hours.”
“Hey— What about me?” Dusty’s twin joined him.
“That one’s Dex,” Walker whispered in her ear. “And the one next to him is my big brother, Jesse.”
She cleared her throat and sat up, eyeing each of them in turn. “To borrow a phrase from one of your oldest fans in the region, I have to say you’re the best-looking set of brothers this side of the Continental Divide, not to mention the most talented men on the back of a horse I’ve ever seen.”
Walker squeezed her hip. He couldn’t seem to take his hands off her, and she didn’t want him to.
Dusty whistled. “Get a look at those bluebell eyes. Are there any more at home like you?”
“No,” Walker declared. “She’s one of a kind.” He buried his face in her silky blond hair.
“I’ll say.” Dex’s smile had turned into a grin. “You know what, bro? You’re a dark horse if I ever saw one.”
“We’re ecstatic for you and Walker, Paula.” Jesse leaned in to kiss her cheek.
Walker: The Rodeo Legend Page 19
