“Sure. I might even win the All-Around!” Sixkiller drawled.
Savage warned, “Watch your step, Luke—and Dani’s, too. This bird hasn’t killed anybody yet, but I think he might be the type. So you two watch yourselves.”
Dani regarded him carefully, then said, “Ben Savage, you planned all this. I have a feeling that you did. Is that right?”
Ben looked at her with an innocent gaze, then said blandly, “Well, Boss, if you say you’ve got such a feeling, I guess you do.” Then he smiled and said, “I’ll mind the store while you catch the crook.”
4
Under Cover
* * *
Ben improved dramatically, so much so that two days after he had regained consciousness, Dr. Rogers said, “No sense keeping you heah. You can go home anytime.”
Luke had driven the Cougar back to New Orleans, so Dani rented an LTD from an agency, to make Ben more comfortable on the long trip. While the nurses were getting Ben ready to check out, Dr. Rogers had a word with her. “He’s doin’ fine, but keep him still foah at least a week.” He regarded her, his shock of white hair and youthful gray eyes making a striking contrast. “Maybe I’ll call you when I get anothah patient who needs moah help than I can offah.”
Dani took his hand and smiled at him, suggesting, “It would be much better if you’d get yourself on praying ground, Dr. Rogers. And I think you’re headed that way.” She had spoken with him several times and knew that God was working in him. But one thing she had learned about sharing her faith, and that was to give God time to work. A seed needed time for growth. So she merely invited, “Call me sometime, Doctor Rogers. I promise not to preach at you too much.”
“I don’t reckon that would hurt me too bad,” he commented slowly. Then the nurse wheeled Ben into the hall where they stood, and he ordered sternly, “Now you stay put, boy! You heah me? Just let the womenfolk pamper you for a while.”
Savage put his hand out, smiling. “Yeah, I’ll do that, Doc, and thanks.”
“Bettuh thank the good Lord.”
“Sure.” Ben watched the doctor disappear at his usual rapid pace, then looked up at Dani. “I don’t guess you’d consider letting me walk to the car?”
“I would not!” Dani moved beside the wheelchair as the nurse stepped into the hall and began to push it. “I’ll get the car,” Dani told them and headed at once for the huge parking lot. Pulling up under the canopy marked DISCHARGED PATIENTS, she waited until Ben got inside. He moved slowly.
“Hurts pretty bad?” she empathized.
He settled himself carefully on the passenger’s side and took a deep breath. “I feel as if a herd of elephants walked all over me.” Then he shrugged and came up with a grin. “Stripes are for the back of fools, the Book says.”
She pulled away from the hospital, then concentrated on getting out of Dallas. An hour later they were coasting down Interstate 20. Neither of them said much, and it was not until they passed Shreveport that Ben admitted, “I’m glad to be out of that place. Always hated hospitals.” He looked out at the countryside flying by. “That apartment of mine’s not much, but it’s better than the best hospital room in the world.”
Dani didn’t take her eyes off the road as she commanded, “You’re not going to your apartment. You’re going to stay with my parents for at least a week, maybe longer. And I don’t want any argument.”
Savage turned slightly to look at her, the movement sending pain through his chest. She was wearing a pair of khaki shorts and a pale blue shirt with a small grinning bear over the left breast, and the morning sun touched her auburn hair with glints of gold. He thought, not for the first time, She’ll never be a beauty contest winner, and was glad of it. Those who did win such things seemed to him like large Barbie dolls, every one like every other one, turned out and processed by the dozens.
He admired the strength of the jaw, the firm pressure of the wide mouth, and the air of competence in the gray-green eyes Just a little bit more, and she’d be mannish, he thought, continuing his examination. But there was no danger of that. There was nothing at all masculine in the full sweep of her breast or in the fine bones and delicate fingers that rested lightly on the wheel. Even the directness of her manner was not the driving hardness that one sees in aggressive males, but a firmness not unmixed with gentleness.
“Go on,” she ordered suddenly, turning her gaze on him, her lips turned up slightly in a smile. “I know you’re going to argue.”
Savage had intended to protest, but seeing that she expected that he settled down in the seat more comfortably, saying lazily, “Me? Why should I argue about that? I think it’ll be great! Your mother’s the greatest cook in the Western world.” He was aware that she was staring at him, and went on “The problem with you, Boss, is that you just don’t understand men. We love to be babied and cuddled. You ought to read some of these new books on how to keep your man. I’ll pick one up for you at the supermarket next time I’m there. It’ll do wonders for your personality.”
Dani was speechless but knew that he was teasing her He took a perverse delight in doing so. Therefore, she replied coolly, “Fine. I’m glad you’re showing some sense for once.”
They pulled into the front drive just as the shadows were beginning to grow long. The entire family, including Rob, who was in his freshman year at Tulane, came out to greet them. They all swarmed over Ben, especially Allison, who had an awesome crush on him, until Ellen sharply directed, “Well, don’t crowd the poor man, or he’ll be back in the hospital!” Shooing them away like chickens, she went to Ben with a smile. “Come along. I’m going to feed you and put you to bed.”
Savage looked embarrassed—a phenomenon that Dani had never seen and that amused her. He glanced at Ellen and confided, “I see where your daughter gets her bossy ways.” But he did look haggard, and Ellen hustled around during the meal, hovering over him, then leading him firmly to the spare bedroom.
“He looks as if he got run over by a semi, Dani,” Rod observed. He was a tall, gangly young man and could never seem to get enough to eat. “Must have been a pretty tough cookie to take Ben down. How’d it happen?”
Dani told them the bare facts of the case, then glanced at her father. “Did you tell them?”
“Just your mother,” he replied. Then he leaned back and listened while Dani filled Rob and Allison in on the plan.
“I may not be gone too long,” she ended, shaking her head. “It’s a long shot, and if the crook is smart, he can cover his tracks.”
“Gosh!” Allison exclaimed woefully. “You have all the fun, Dani!”
Dani stared at Allison, then shook her head. “It won’t be a vacation. I had a friend who rode the barrels professionally, and I saw enough to find out it’s work!”
“And dangerous, too,” her father remarked later, after the meal. He and Dani were washing the dishes. “From what you’ve told me, this fellow can play rough. A horse maimed and two men badly beaten—both of them pretty tough fellows, too.” He put the dishcloth on the rack, then turned and suddenly put his arm around her, looking down at her. “I can’t spare you, Dani.”
She leaned against his chest, holding him tightly. She had been through a terrible time when he’d had his heart attack. Just the thought of losing him made her panic, for they were very close. Now she murmured, with her faced pressed against his chest, “That goes for me, too. You be careful. Let the work pile up until Ben gets back to the office.” She held on to him for a moment, then pulled back and kissed him. “You have a time with me, don’t you, Dad?”
“Terrible!” he agreed with a smile. “Takes up all my prayer time, just keeping you in order.” Then he stepped back, got a cup of coffee from the pot, and wanted to know, “What’s next?”
“Get ready for the Astrodome,” she said. “Luke and I will start there. Everyone will be there—including the Creep, as Clint Thomas has decided to call him. I’ve got to get set up—trailer, truck, and so on.”
“Use my Silv
erado,” he offered. “That’s the biggest expense. It’ll do the job, and I won’t be using it.”
“That would be a help, Dad. Thanks a lot. Think I can pick up a good used trailer, and then Luke and I are on our way.”
“Glad he’s going with you.” Daniel nodded. “He’s a tough one. You know, I think the Lord may have gotten him suspended just so he could go along and protect you.”
Dani laughed and gave him a quick hug. “You’re an incorrigible hyper-Calvinist!” she exclaimed as she left the room.
“Why, no,” he called after her. “I just think what is to be will be—even if it never happens!”
Sixkiller had followed Dani from New Orleans in Ben’s battered ‘83 Ford. The policeman had not thought it would be a good idea to drive the gleaming new Porsche, so he had swapped with Savage. The upholstery had a broken spring on the driver’s side, which punctured him constantly. Just outside the Houston city limits he passed Dani, waving her into a Dairy Queen.
“Looks like Ben could get a decent car!” he complained, snapping hungrily at a greasy cheeseburger.
When he finished eating, he pulled a stick of gum out of his pocket, peeled it, then stopped to stare at it. “Guess I better start using Skoal.”
“Don’t you dare!” Dani sputtered. “That snuff dipping is the nastiest habit in the world.”
“Better get used to it, sweetheart.” Sixkiller grinned. “Most of the riders are tobacco worms. You’ll just have to snuggle up to them, snuff or no snuff.”
Dani sniffed, saying tartly, “I have no plans for snuggling up to anyone!”
“No?” Sixkiller asked, arching his heavy eyebrows. “That kind of throws a monkey wrench into my plans. But I better warn you, morals aren’t all that high on the rodeo circuit.” He put the gum in his mouth, chewed it slowly, then added philosophically, “No, most of them have the morals of minks—so keep your guard up. You go on in. Wouldn’t be too smart for us to get there at the same time.”
Dani agreed and got into the Silverado. Moving into the traffic stream, she thought of the job ahead of her. Having Luke around might make the job safer—but she had no illusions about her chances of success. She had regretted taking the job, knowing that if the Creep (she and Sixkiller had both picked up on Clint’s name for the criminal) had any sense at all, it would be like trying to find one particular fish in the Mississippi River!
An hour later she pulled into the Astrodome parking lot, finding the section that was filled with the contestants’ vehicles. Horse trailers of all makes and conditions, from battered one-horse trailers with peeling paint to elaborate four-horse rigs, gleaming and ornate, were packed closely together. She found a place for her rig, parked it expertly, then got out and backed Biscuit out. “Here we are, Biscuit,” she murmured as he stamped the ground, glad to be free from his confines. “And I never felt so out of place in my life!”
She looked around for the corral where the horses were kept, but paused in confusion. A tall, well-built cowboy turned suddenly out from a line of trailers, leading a beautiful bay horse. “Looking for the corral?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“I’m headed that way,” he said with a smile. “Come along.” As she fell into step with him, he wanted to know, “First time in the Dome?”
Dani answered at once, having already planned her background story. “First time anywhere.” She laughed at the surprise that flickered across his face. “I mean, it’s my first time at a professional rodeo. I’m green as grass.”
“That right?” he drawled. “I’m Bake Dempsey. Welcome aboard. Maybe I can give you a hand.”
Dani looked at him quickly, for she recognized the name. Ruth had said that was Clint’s closest rival. He was a handsome fellow with curly red hair and dark blue eyes. “I’m Dani Ross,” she introduced herself, then added quickly, “Well, I may be green, but I’m pretty good at getting in with the top riders. You’re having a good year, aren’t you? Going to beat Clint Thomas out for All-Around this year?”
He shot a sudden glance at her, and she saw that she had touched a nerve. He shook his head and mourned, “Clint’s a hard man to beat.” Then he changed the subject. “You ride the barrels?”
“Just an amateur.” She nodded. “I competed in high school and then in college. Now that I’m getting to be an old woman, I wanted to find out what the big-time was like. Silly, isn’t it?”
Bake Dempsey gave her a frank look, taking in the clear eyes, the fine complexion, and the smooth lines of her figure. “Well, now, Grandma.” He grinned. “Better do it before that ol’ wheelchair gets you! I can see you’re ready for the nursing home.” His eyes were bold, filled with frank admiration, but he shook his head and answered her question, “No, Dani, it’s not silly.” He thought about it for a moment, then admitted, “Most of us are here for the same reason, I guess. We like horses, sure, but few of us would risk our necks and travel like crazy if the arenas were empty.”
He led her out of the lot, and as they moved toward what seemed to be a small corral, he added, “Show biz, that’s what it is. We’d all break our necks just to hear that crowd holler.”
“Well, I’m not likely to hear much of that,” Dani remarked. “But I knew I’d never be satisfied until I tried it.”
“Sure.” Dempsey nodded. “Looks like you got a good horse for it. That’s half the battle won. Come on, we can leave our mounts here while we go pay our entry fees.”
Leaving their horses in the small corral provided for the horses of contestants, they passed through the Dome, a gigantic stadium seating over 60,000 people. It had five chute gates at each end. At each line of chutes a tall tower rose, which accommodated the timing judges, the rodeo announcer, and other officials. The arena itself had been plowed and replowed until the dirt had turned to powder; if this were not done in an indoor arena, the sod would become packed, hard as concrete. The chutes were newly painted white, so that the big red numbers on each stood out clearly.
Bake Dempsey led her past the open area behind the chutes, where the pens for the cattle and horses were, then into a large room where several officials were taking entry fees from a line of contestants.
“Looks like everybody had the same idea,” Bake declared as they took their place in line. “Wait until the last minute to sign up.” It was a busy place, and everyone knew Dempsey, it seemed. Nearly every cowboy who passed after getting his fee paid spoke to him, and those who came in made it a point to speak to him. Most of them gave Dani a careful study, and more than one grinned and made a remark about her to Dempsey.
“Hey, Bake,” a small wiry cowboy, an older man with a wrinkled brown face and faded blue eyes greeted him. “This pretty little filly your main squeeze now?”
Dani’s face reddened, but Dempsey was amused. “Well, not yet, Tom, but give me a little time. Want you to meet Tom Leathers, Dani. This is Dani Ross, Tom.” He gave the older man a friendly slap on the back, adding, “Tom was All-Around a few years back. You want to know anything about horses, you go to him, Dani.”
“Well, I can tell you one thing,” Leathers said, taking off his hat, “and it ain’t about hosses. You watch yourself with this here cowboy, Dani. He thinks he’s the big bad wolf, and pretty little girls is all Red Riding Hood!”
“Aw, come on, Tom!” Dempsey protested. “I’m just a little ol’ lamb!”
Leathers shook his head and grinned, then moved out of the room. “Great guy,” Bake commented. “Been around forever.”
“Does he still compete?” Dani asked.
“Not so much. Does pickup work mostly. Guess he’s like I’ll be when I get too old to ride. Like an old fire horse who hears the bell. But I’ll have my brains scrambled before then. Tom was so good he never got hurt bad. He was—”
“Bake, where’ve you been?” A shapely blond woman in her mid-twenties appeared and possessively took the cowboy by the arm. “We held the party for you last night.”
“Got held up in Oklahoma City. Burned out a
wheel bearing.” Bake nodded at Dani. “Hey, this is Dani Ross, Ruby. Going to give you some competition. Ruby Costner, Dani.”
Dani felt the pressure of the girl’s light blue eyes and knew that she was being stripped, analyzed, weighed, and computed. But Dani smiled and put out her hand. “Worry about somebody else, Ruby. I’m a rank amateur. This is my first professional shot. I’ll probably fall off my horse.”
“I doubt it,” Ruby said but she relaxed slightly. “Glad to see you.” She hesitated, then asked, “You two known each other long?”
“Almost fifteen minutes.” Bake grinned. “We just met in the lot.”
“I won’t give you any unasked-for advice about barrel racing or horses, Dani,” Ruby confided in a friendly manner. “But don’t let yourself get caught in the chute with this cowboy.”
Dempsey gave Dani a worried glance. “Hey, that’s two bad marks I got in two tries. Don’t listen to ‘em, Dani.”
Ruby laughed and patted his arm. “She won’t find you in church, Bake, but he’s really fairly respectable—among this bunch, I mean.” She was a forthright girl, and Dani suspected that she was not overly respectable herself. There was too much makeup on her face, too much aggression in the way she put her hand on Dempsey, and something too sensuous in her full-figured body. “Clint talked the management into giving all the contestants a big bash at the Corral club tonight. You be there, Bake, and you come, too, Dani.” She gave a slight smile, which made her hps voluptuous, then added, “You may change your mind about going into this business, after one of Clint’s parties!”
“Sounds like a real orgy instead of a party,” Dani observed. She watched Ruby leave, noting that almost every man watched her pass. Then she asked innocently, “Are you going?”
Bake Dempsey hesitated slightly before nodding. “I guess so.” Then he perked up and offered, “If you’ll go with me, I could introduce you to everyone.”
Dani grabbed at the chance to enter his world. “I’d like to go, Bake.”
Revenge at the Rodeo Page 6
