by Donna Grant
Naomi lifted her gaze and looked out across the cemetery. She should’ve come as soon as she arrived in town, but it was always such a difficult stop to make.
“I miss you,” she said and kissed her fingers before putting them against the granite of the gravestone.
She walked back to her car and drove straight to a coffee shop and ordered the largest they had. Naomi sat in her vehicle with her hands around the cup and watched the people driving and walking past.
She finished her coffee before heading to meet up with Whitney. Unfortunately, her friend wasn’t alone. Ms. Biermann was with her.
The restaurant was one that Naomi, Whitney, and Suellen had visited often. And she was irrationally irritated that Ms. Biermann was there.
“Goodness, I’m already tired,” Whitney said once they took their seats in the booth.
Ms. Biermann smiled and raised her menu to cover her face. Naomi used that chance to hold out her hands, raise her eyebrows, and shake her head. Whitney’s gaze darted to the side where her chaperone sat before she issued a little half shrug.
“Mom wants to know if you want to come by for dinner while I’m in town,” Naomi said.
Whitney smiled. “I’ve been salivating for your mom’s chicken and dumplings.”
“She said she’d make whatever you want.”
Whitney laughed and moved aside the menu. “She should be cooking for you.”
“Oh, she is, believe me,” Naomi said with a roll of her eyes. “An army wouldn’t be able to eat everything she’s made. And I’m not sure when she has time between volunteering at the nursing home, the library, and the theatre. Then there are her painting classes, and the regimen her personal trainer has her on.”
Whitney laughed loudly. “Your mom was always like that, though.”
“No. It’s worse. Soooooo much worse.”
They shared a smile, and for a moment, Naomi forgot that they weren’t alone. Then the waitress arrived, and the three placed their orders.
Before Naomi could get back to their conversation, Ms. Biermann turned to her. “Whitney told me you used to be part of the rodeo circuit with her.”
“That’s right,” Naomi replied stiffly. She didn’t know what it was about the older woman that she didn’t like, and try as she might not to let it show, it was a losing battle.
“Were you any good?”
Whitney gawked at the woman. “Surely you’ve seen the unbeatable score for barrel racing for the entire county. Naomi holds that record.”
When Ms. Biermann’s gray gaze slid back to Naomi, there was respect there. “Interesting.”
Naomi stopped short of rolling her eyes. Instead, she focused on Whitney. “I’ve had some requests for countryside pictures, so I’m going to take an extra day or two and drive around to get those. Want to come?”
“She can’t,” Ms. Biermann stated before Whitney could reply. “She has engagements to attend.”
Whitney smiled ruefully. “Sorry.”
“No worries. I’ll take Mom.”
As soon as the words were out of her mouth, Naomi knew that wouldn’t happen. She loved her mother dearly, but Diana Pierce couldn’t even sit still long enough to watch a movie. Driving around and looking for the perfect setting for pictures would be agonizing for her.
And Naomi.
So, she would save herself and her mother the headache and go on her own. Perhaps she might run into Brice in the process.
What should have been a fun lunch catching up seemed stilted and strained. Naomi was grateful when it was finally over—and more than a happy to place the blame on Ms. Biermann. She picked up the tab when the chaperone hurried Whitney to finish eating so they could leave.
Naomi remained and finished her burger and fries after the two had left to get ready for the rodeo. Then she headed to the arena. She parked and got out, her eyes immediately scanning for any sign of Brice.
It was silly, really. She barely knew him, but he was the only one she could talk to about the attack. It was why Naomi hadn’t brought it up at lunch with Ms. Biermann there. Had it just been her and Whitney, she’d planned to show her friend the pictures.
Naomi held the envelope close to her chest as she adjusted her bag. She rose up on her tiptoes and looked toward the area where the contestants were gathered. Two burly cowboys blocked the entrance, eyeing her as if she might attempt to dart past them.
No doubt some women tried to get to the men.
“Looking for someone?”
At the sound of the deep voice, Naomi whirled around and looked into dark brown eyes. She recognized him immediately from his charming smile and the pictures she’d taken the day before. “Actually, I am.”
He touched the brim of his hat. “I’m Caleb Harper. Please say I’m the one you’re searching for.”
She laughed. She couldn’t help it. There was something so easy-going and likable about him that she was immediately drawn in. She held out her hand. “Naomi Pierce.”
“Naomi,” he repeated and looked deep into her eyes, giving her hand a firm squeeze before releasing her. “A beautiful name.”
She shook her head, the smile still in place. “How many hearts have you broken?”
He twisted his lips, shrugging. “I’ve no idea what you mean.”
“Oh, sure you do.” She laughed again. “No doubt the number is in the triple digits.”
He put his hand over his heart and gave her a surprised look that was ruined by a wink. “I’m innocent, ma’am.”
“Naomi?”
Her head swung to the side at the sound of Brice’s voice. Her heart sped up as he strode over to her.
“Ah. I see,” Caleb murmured.
Naomi looked at him, but the smile was gone. He nodded his head at her and walked off before his brother reached them. She turned to Brice before glancing over her shoulder at Caleb.
“Is everything all right between you two?” she asked Brice.
He looked at his brother’s retreating back. “I messed up. Normally, he’s over his anger by now.” Blue eyes slid to her. “How are you?”
“Fine,” she assured him. “I developed the pictures this morning. I tried to lighten the area to see the attacker’s face, but it was just too dark. I was hoping you might look at them and find something I might have missed when I looked.”
One side of his lips lifted in a grin. “I’d love to. I’ve been thinking about the incident all night. Come with me.”
Now that she was with Brice, the two men at the gate smiled and waved her through. The sounds of the rodeo in progress were loud and overwhelming. From the crowd cheering to the bulls stamping their hooves and blowing out air to cowboys laughing in groups while others drifted off by themselves, readying for their events.
Brice put a hand on her lower back and guided her into an area where the sounds were dimmed enough that they could talk normally.
He checked the vicinity to make sure they were alone before he turned to her. “I don’t think you should be walking around alone. Especially here.”
“You think he’d try something in the middle of a crowd?”
“I’d rather not find out.”
She bit her bottom lip. “My mom is busy today, so I’m alone until Whitney is finished. I’m here to take some more pictures and be with Whitney.”
“Stick close to the pageant officials as much as you can.”
“And if I can’t?”
His chest expanded as he took a breath. “Then stick with me.”
She looked into his eyes and smiled. Spending the day with him sounded nice.
Chapter 6
Danger. It hung in the air like an invisible menace. Brice couldn’t put his finger on it, but it was there. Somewhere in the vast area of the arena.
And it involved someone associated with the rodeo.
Again, he had no definitive person to blame. All he had was the feeling inside him.
He looked into Naomi’s brown eyes and felt an overwhelming need to
protect her. She had become involved, simply by her association with Whitney. It made him wonder what would have happened that night had Naomi not been with Whitney.
But he knew that Naomi shouldn’t be alone. It was why he made the offer.
“You compete today,” Naomi said.
Brice shrugged. “We can work around that.”
She rocked back on her heels and turned the envelope in her hands. “If anyone was coming after me, they had all night and this morning to do it. I was by myself until I met Whitney for lunch.”
“I gather you developed the film earlier today?”
She nodded her head, tucking a strand of wheat-colored hair behind her ear.
He glimpsed a pair of black and white stud earrings that looked like a dog’s face. “Did you notice if anyone was following you?”
Her lips parted as she frowned. “Uh … I can’t say that I did.”
“It may be nothing. The guy might have given up, but I’d rather be safe than sorry.”
She wrinkled her nose and bit her bottom lip. “I would, as well.”
“Want to show me those?” he said and jerked his chin to the envelope.
“Oh.” She issued a small laugh and handed him the packet.
Brice glanced at her before he opened the envelope and pulled out several 8×10 pictures. He spent a while studying each one, noting where Whitney was, as well as how her head was turned toward the shadows.
Naomi caught the attacker coming out of the dark and shoving Whitney aside before he reached for the camera. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much to see of the man.
“I gave the exposure as much extra light as I could, hoping to catch something of the guy,” Naomi explained as she stood in front of him and adjusted the strap of her bag.
“The angle of his hat makes seeing his face nearly impossible.”
“Yeah, I tried to see him,” Naomi said.
He met her gaze and said, “It’s not your fault.”
Brice moved that photo behind the others and looked over the next. He noted Whitney staring right at the guy as he pushed her down. Why had she been so adamant that it was nothing?
Odds were that Whitney knew the man. And for some reason, she didn’t want his identity confirmed.
Perhaps Brice should talk to her privately. If she wouldn’t tell her friend the truth, she probably wouldn’t tell him either, but he was going to try.
He studied the next couple of photos, but when he flipped one more, he stilled. It was one of him and Caleb from yesterday’s team roping. His eyes were on the steer, his arm up, and the lasso overhead right before he threw it. Caleb’s rope was also out, but while his brother had a grin on his face, Brice didn’t.
“I didn’t know if you ever had anyone take such pictures of you two. I’m sure you have,” she hurried to say. “It’s my gift to you. But you don’t have to take it if you don’t want it.”
“You captured the moment perfectly,” he said.
She rocked back on her heels again and beamed. “I’ve always found life easier behind the camera. I see things others don’t.”
“And you bring it out in them. It’s a great picture.” He lifted his gaze to her. “Thank you.”
Her smile widened as she lifted her shoulders in a shrug. “There’s a few more.”
Brice moved to the following photo. This one was a close-up of Caleb in the chute. He was leaned over his horse, whispering something to Sullivan.
The next one was of Brice. His face took up nearly the entire photo. His gaze was straight ahead, intense and thoroughly focused. Brice knew exactly when this had been taken. It was right before the steer had been loose. He always envisioned how he would rope the cattle, going through the motions in his head over and over.
“I can’t remember the last time someone took my picture,” he said. “Not like this. The pics my sister takes at family functions don’t count.”
“The camera loves you,” Naomi said.
That wasn’t something he’d heard before. It was an odd feeling to see yourself through someone else’s eyes. Naomi had captured a specific moment in time during an event that he not only loved but also excelled at with his brother.
“Thank you for these. I can’t wait to show Caleb.”
Naomi pulled her hands from her pockets. “If he doesn’t like those, I’ve got others. And I plan on taking more pictures over the next few days while the rodeo is ongoing. That is if neither of you mind.”
He tucked the pictures back into the envelope. “Not at all. So, this is what you do?”
“Not often. Mostly, I take pictures of things and sell them to companies or individuals to use for advertising.”
“Really?” he asked, surprised.
She laughed softly. “I promise you won’t see your face up on my site for sale. I have to get permission from people before that can happen. The pictures I’m taking now are for a scrapbook for Whitney.”
“You’re very talented.”
She briefly looked at the ground. “It’s nice to be good at what you love. And to be able to make a living doing it.”
“I agree.”
Naomi then pointed at his belt buckle, which was from the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. “You’re obviously good at what you do.”
He glanced down at the silver and gold buckle that pronounced him and Caleb winners. “My brother and I are blessed.”
They stared at each other in silence for a moment. Brice searched his mind for something to say to continue the conversation. He wasn’t ready for Naomi to leave.
“Um,” she said, motioning to the envelope. “Keep the pictures of the attacker. I can make more.”
“I have a couple of friends I’d like to show them to. Maybe they’ll recognize something I missed.”
She nodded eagerly. “Sure. I want to know who this guy is and why he was following Whitney. And why he was so upset about me finding out who he is.”
Brice heard his name called behind him. He looked over his shoulder and waved to Jace and Cooper.
“I guess you need to go,” Naomi said.
He looked back at her. “You can stay.”
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea. You have things you need to do. I don’t want to be in the way.”
Brice turned to the side next to Naomi and motioned his friends over. “If you won’t stay with me, then promise you’ll go find Whitney. I’m going to introduce you to two of my closest friends. They’ll keep an eye on you, as well.”
“I wish I could say I don’t need them, but I appreciate it.”
He didn’t have a chance to say more as his friends arrived, both grinning knowingly. Brice wanted to punch them, but it would have to wait until later.
“Hey,” Jace said to Brice and tipped his black Stetson at Naomi. “Everything all right?”
Brice looked from Jace to Cooper and pulled out the photos of the attacker. “Not really. We need your help. Jace Wilder and Cooper Owens let me introduce Naomi Pierce. Naomi, this is Jace and Cooper. They may be able to charm the scales off a snake, but I trust them.”
“Then so shall I,” she replied with a smile.
Cooper narrowed his dark green eyes. “The same Naomi Pierce who holds the barrel racing record?”
Brice’s head jerked to Naomi to find her smiling proudly. How had he not made the connection?
“It was a long time ago,” she said. “And I had an amazing horse.”
Brice definitely wanted to know more about Naomi because there was much to discover. He’d never figured her as someone part of the rodeo circuit. Apparently, he’d been dead wrong.
He cleared his throat and quickly filled in his friends on what had happened the night before. They looked at the pictures, but neither recognized anything about the man.
“You shouldn’t be alone,” Jace told Naomi.
She cut her gaze to Brice. “He’s already mentioned that, and I agree with him. I hope we’re all overreacting—”
“It’s better t
o be careful,” Cooper stated.
Jace tipped his hat to her again. “Let us know if you need anything. We’ll keep an eye out for you.”
“We’ll be here the rest of the day,” Cooper said. “Don’t hesitate to find us.”
Naomi smiled at them. “Thank you both. I appreciate it.”
When she turned to him, Brice knew she was leaving. He wanted her to remain, but he couldn’t force her.
“I’m going to go look for Whitney,” Naomi said. “I’ll be with her or someone else. Or,” she spoke over him when he parted his lips, “I’ll come find you.”
Brice shot her a grin. “And don’t leave by yourself.”
“Yes, sir,” she replied with a smile.
After one more look, she waved to Cooper and Jace and walked away. Brice watched her, an uneasy feeling falling over him.
“You should’ve made her stay with us,” Cooper said.
Brice swung his head to his friends. “I plan on ensuring she isn’t alone.”
“You can’t be with her everywhere,” Jace pointed out.
“That’s why I have you two,” Brice said with a grin.
Jace raised a blond brow. “And Caleb, right?”
“Yeah.” Brice needed to fill his brother in. If Caleb would even listen to him.
Cooper held out his hand. “Can I see the photos again?”
“Did you recognize something?” Brice asked as he handed them over.
“No, but I heard a rumor a few years back about someone stalking the girls in the pageant.”
Jace frowned as he crossed his arms over his chest. “It was just the once.” He looked at Brice. “It came from the momma of a girl who didn’t win.”
“So everyone chalked it up to her being sore about losing,” Brice said.
Cooper tilted his head to the side in a shrug. “Especially since the woman didn’t repeat anything about it, and there hasn’t been that kind of rumor since.”
“Until last night,” Brice said.
Jace elbowed Cooper. “Hey, what happened to that girl? What was her name?”
“Jamie Adcock,” Cooper said. “And I have no idea. She and her mother moved away.”
Brice put the name to memory. He was going to do some digging. “Let me know if either of you remember any more about Jamie. Let’s keep this to ourselves for now.”
