Cowboy, Cross My Heart

by Donna Grant

  “Agreed,” Jace said. “I don’t like the idea of anyone stalking, but it chaps my ass when someone attacks a woman.”

  “Even if it was just for her camera,” Cooper added.

  Brice slapped Jace on the back as the two walked away. Now, he needed to find Caleb.

  Chapter 7

  She was smiling. A true, couldn’t-wipe-it-away-if-she-tried smile. And Naomi knew it was because of Brice.

  The grin had begun when he complimented her work. She’d initially been afraid that he didn’t like the pictures of him and his brother. The way he’d stood so still staring at them had made her want to snatch them away and take better ones.

  She waved to Whitney when her friend shouted her name. Naomi adjusted her bag and walked through the line of chaperones guarding the girls.

  At least no one could get to Whitney here. Which meant that Naomi was safe, as well.

  When she passed Ms. Biermann, she met the woman’s cold gaze. Then again, if the man following Whitney were part of the pageant, her friend was right in the crosshairs. That shook Naomi enough that it wiped the smile from her lips.

  “Hey,” Whitney said as she met her halfway. “You okay?”

  Naomi shook off her reservations. “Fine.”

  “I’m sorry about lunch. Sharon won’t let me out of her sight after what happened last night.”

  “That’s good, I suppose.”

  Whitney hooked her arm with Naomi’s. “So, tonight, after the rodeo, I want you to come with me and the other girls. We’re going out. The chaperones will be there, of course, but they tend to give us room when we’re all together.”

  “Yeah, sure. Sounds good.” Naomi stopped walking and faced Whitney. “Will you please talk to me about last night?”

  Just like that, Whitney’s attitude changed. Her gaze darted to the chaperones while her face became tight with agitation. “Drop it, Naomi.”

  “Why? I don’t understand.”

  Whitney’s hand wrapped painfully around Naomi’s upper arm as her friend literally dragged her into a corner where there was only a horse that could hear them.

  “Why can’t you drop it?” Whitney demanded, arms crossed over her chest.

  Naomi looked at the crown atop Whitney’s hat. “Because the girl I grew up with wouldn’t step aside when something bad happened.”

  “You have no concept of what my life is.”

  “Then help me understand,” Naomi pleaded. She took a deep breath when Whitney remained silent. “I remember life in the rodeo. It’s all about being Christians, having family values, and showing patriotism. And it passes to the pageants. The chaperones are here to make sure nothing improper happens to any of you. Same with the judges. I understand rodeo values just as you do, so don’t tell me I don’t get it.”

  Whitney’s blue eyes cut to her. “I’m begging you to let it go. Please don’t say anything else. If you’re my friend, you won’t ask any more questions.”

  “You know who the guy is, don’t you?”

  Whitney dropped her arms and turned to walk away. Naomi followed her to the back fence where Whitney grabbed her chaps and buckled them on.

  Naomi saw her friend’s name stitched on the band of the chaps near her waist at the back. Whatever it was that Whitney wanted to keep hidden, it was serious. And she was going to extremes to keep Naomi from finding out what it was.

  “I’ll leave it,” Naomi said after a long, silent minute. “But only if you promise me that you haven’t been hurt.”

  “I haven’t,” Whitney replied without looking at her.

  “That’s no—”

  Whitney whirled around. “Who are you to come into the world that you left years ago—my world—and tell me how to do things? You know nothing about this life anymore. Nothing. You should never have come.”

  Naomi watched Whitney walk away. She was stunned by Whitney’s words, and it made her rethink everything. Maybe her friend was right. She had left the rodeo life and never looked back.

  It didn’t mean that she’d deserted Whitney but, apparently, her friend thought differently. Naomi drew in a deep breath and turned to see if anyone had witnessed the exchange. Thankfully, it appeared that no one had.

  She was walking out of the pageant area when a group of girls who were friends of the other contestants asked if she wanted to sit with them.

  Brice’s words of warning came back to her. Naomi accepted the invitation and followed them into the stands. There was a section roped off just for the group, who were obviously considered VIPs of some sort. The seats were the best in the arena and next to the railing to get an up-close view of everything.

  They had just taken their places when the rodeo began. Naomi was used to being on her own, but she liked the group of young women. They were chatty and easy to talk to. Soon, she was laughing along with them as they clapped and cheered.

  * * *

  Brice slapped the envelope against his leg as he looked for Caleb. He checked on their horses to make sure they were fine.

  After giving Jigsaw and Sullivan each a carrot, Brice turned and continued his search. He paused and watched Jace compete in the steer wrestling event. His friend came in second and easily moved on to the next round.

  Jace nodded to Brice as he rode past on his horse. “She’s in the arena.”

  Brice didn’t need to ask who Jace meant. Even during his event, Jace had managed to locate Naomi in the stands. Brice was glad he’d brought his friends in on things. Especially now, when he couldn’t find his brother.

  “Where are you, Caleb?” he murmured to himself.

  Brice decided to check the truck. His brother might be there just to avoid him. Brice moved away from the crowds of cowboys and cowgirls waiting for their events and walked amid the animal pens when a sudden pain exploded in his head.

  He hit the ground, his face smashing into the dirt as he fought to stay conscious. The envelope was yanked from his hand. He instinctively knew that this had something to do with Naomi. He needed to warn her.

  As the blackness claimed him, he felt the heel of a boot step onto his right hand.

  “Brice? Brice!”

  He woke to the sound of his name being called again and again.

  “Brice? Shit, man,” Cooper said with a sigh as he grabbed an arm. “There you are.”

  Jace grasped Brice’s other arm. “We got you. Easy does it now.”

  “What the fuck?” Caleb shouted as he rushed to them.

  Brice tried to push up, but his right hand erupted in agony as his brother came running over. His head felt as if it were being kicked between two horses over and over again. He was seeing double and was nauseous.

  “Naomi,” he muttered when his friends pulled him to his feet. He met Caleb’s gaze then.

  His brother gave a nod. “I saw her in the stands. I’ll get her.”

  Thank God Caleb hadn’t asked for an explanation. Brice tried to follow him, but the world began to spin. The nausea combined with the throbbing in his head and hand made it impossible for Brice to stand without leaning.

  “Did you not hear me tell you to take it easy?” Jace demanded and held him tighter.

  Cooper grunted. “Stubborn as a damn mule.”

  “We should get Karl and Marina,” Jace said. “Your head is bleeding bad.”

  Brice felt something warm and thick slide down the side of his face. He reached up to feel it with his injured hand and gasped at the pain.

  “Son of a bitch,” Cooper exclaimed.

  Brice blinked and finally looked at his hand, which was turning a sick shade of yellow and green even as he looked at it. His hand hadn’t been stepped on. It had been stomped.

  “Your roping hand,” Jace said.

  * * *

  Naomi jumped up and clapped loudly as she shouted her praise for the chuck wagon racing. It was a wild, crazy event that drove the crowd insane.

  She leaned forward to get a better look at the wagons as they drove away from her when she felt
something shove into her back. Her hands propelled wildly as she pitched forward.

  Naomi saw the old woman and tried to twist to miss her, which caused Naomi to slam awkwardly into the railing. There was nothing to grab onto, so she fell forward. Right over the barrier and into the arena.

  She landed hard on her back, right on her bag that she rarely took off. The unmistakable sound of equipment cracking filled her ears, but it was drowned out by the gasp of the crowd.

  And the approaching wagons.

  Naomi knew she had to get up and move. She tried to roll onto her side toward the fence, but something stopped her. The ground shook as the horses and wagons thundered toward her. The screams of the crowd told her that if she didn’t get out of the way, she was going to be trampled.

  She pushed up onto her hands and saw the horses. Her gaze briefly met the guy driving the wagon closest to her. The other two wagons prevented him from moving away from the barrier. It was all up to her.

  Gritting her teeth, she rolled toward the fence and felt the whoosh of wind as the wagons rushed past her. She clutched the bars of the barrier, her heart slamming against her ribs as she shook.

  Something hit the ground next to her, and then there was a body protecting her.

  “It’s gonna be okay,” he said. “The wagons have stopped, and the medics are on their way. Nod that you understand me, Naomi. Brice will kick my ass if you don’t.”

  Caleb. She knew he was joking, but she couldn’t form a smile. Instead, she did as he asked and nodded.

  “Good. You’re doing fine. The ambulance is pulling into the arena now. It’s over.”

  “It’s just beginning,” she whispered.

  He pulled her hair away from her face. “I gather you didn’t fall?”

  She swallowed and looked to where the ambulance approached. “Pushed.”

  “You and Brice attacked at nearly the same time? What the hell is going on?”

  That got her attention. She tried to turn to see him, but she couldn’t release the fence. “Is he hurt?”

  “He sent me to you. Naomi, the medics are here. They’re my friends. I need you to let go of the wall so they can help you.”

  His voice was relaxed and comforting as he attempted to calm her, but she had almost died. She heard the medics talking, mumbling something about being in shock.

  Caleb put an arm around her while his other hand lightly gripped her wrist. “If you want to see how Brice is, you’re going to have to let go.”

  He was right, of course. But someone had pushed her. Someone had wanted her to die.

  “No one is going to hurt you now,” Caleb said. “Trust me.”

  Naomi swallowed and loosened her fingers. Next thing she knew, she was on a stretcher and hastily put into the ambulance. Caleb climbed in with her and gave her a reassuring smile as the doors closed and they drove out of the arena.

  The ambulance didn’t go far, though. They stopped while the paramedic examined her for any injuries. She began to shake, and she was hastily wrapped in a blanket as they raised the bed so she could sit up.

  Caleb was talking, but she couldn’t hear him. She still felt the hand on her back. It was imprinted there, like a burn. Evil had touched her, and it terrified her.

  Then the ambulance doors were suddenly thrown open, and Brice stood there. She immediately spotted the blood running down the side of his face from his dark hair. He climbed into the truck without taking his eyes from her.

  “She’s unscathed other than a few bruises,” the paramedic said.

  Brice sighed and glanced at his brother. That’s when Naomi saw Brice’s hand, which was swollen and turning violent shades of green and purple.

  “Let me look at you,” the paramedic said to Brice.

  Immediately, the elder Harper shook his head. “You treat me, you have to report it.”

  “Brice, dammit,” the guy said. “I’ll keep this between us.”

  Naomi turned her head and read his nametag: Karl Vega.

  “Let Karl tend you, or I’ll do it,” said a woman who turned in the driver’s seat.

  Naomi then remembered that Caleb had said he knew the medics. And Brice needed to be looked at. “Let them see your injuries,” she urged.

  Brice’s lips flattened, but he nodded in agreement.

  Caleb slid over on the seat as his brother sat beside him. “Someone is going to tell me why the hell the two of you were attacked. And by someone, I mean you,” he informed Brice. “Now.”

  Naomi met Brice’s gaze for a long, silent minute, a look passing between them before he pulled in a breath and began the story.

  Chapter 8

  When Brice finished speaking, the silence in the ambulance was loud. He remained still while Karl cleaned the blood from his face.

  “Shit,” Caleb muttered as he took off his hat and ran a hand through his light brown hair.

  Brice jerked his head away from Karl when he pushed against sensitive flesh. “That hurts.”

  “This will go quicker if you stay still,” Karl said with a flat look.

  Brice stayed motionless and fought not to reach for Naomi’s hand. She was white as a sheet as she huddled beneath the foil blanket. Her brown eyes held fear for all to see.

  “Your hat may have saved you from stitches,” Karl said as he sat back. “But you’re going to have one whopper of a headache.”

  “Obviously,” Brice replied tersely.

  He didn’t know where his hat was, and frankly, he didn’t care. Even something as minor as breathing made his head pound to the point where he had a hard time focusing.

  Caleb blew out a breath. “Karl, check my brother’s hand. And Brice, if you tell me it doesn’t hurt, I may punch you. In the face. Think how that will feel with that headache of yours.”

  “Asshole,” Brice muttered while he held out his hand to Karl.

  Marina chuckled softly and fussed over Naomi. When Brice had heard the gasp from the arena and then the screams, he’d been terrified that Naomi was seriously injured.

  While Marina spoke with Naomi, Brice raised his brows in a silent question to his brother.

  Caleb glanced at Naomi and mouthed, “It was close.”

  “How is Naomi?” Brice asked.

  Karl glanced at him but remained focused on Brice’s hand. “She’s going to be bruised, but nothing is broken.”

  “My bag,” Naomi suddenly said and sat upright.

  Marina reached over and lifted it. “It’s right here.”

  Naomi held out her hand for the bag. “My equipment.”

  Brice pressed his lips together. She’d already had one camera ruined. He hoped the rest fared better, but he was doubtful.

  “Dammit,” he growled and glared when Karl prodded a knuckle.

  Karl raised a black brow. “You’re a terrible patient.”

  “You don’t know the half of it,” Caleb said with a grin.

  Brice turned his gaze back to Naomi to see her carefully pulling out each piece of equipment from her bag. The way her face furrowed with deep lines told him that there was damage. Hopefully, the pieces could be fixed.

  It felt like forever before Karl finished examining his hand. Caleb had joked with Marina, trying to keep the atmosphere light until Naomi put the cameras and lenses back into the bag and sighed.

  “How bad is it?” Brice asked.

  Her chestnut gaze swung to him. “Some cracked lenses, and a few hairline fissures in my cameras. I’ll take them to be looked at.”

  “Whoever hit me took the printed pictures.”

  No sooner had the last word left his mouth than Jace and Cooper walked up. Brice didn’t like the frowns his friends wore.

  “A vehicle was broken into,” Cooper said.

  Everyone looked at Naomi.

  She swallowed loudly. “A red Jeep Wrangler?”

  Jace nodded. “I take that to mean it’s yours?”

  “Yeah,” Naomi replied. “A rental.”

  Cooper put one hand on the
ambulance door and leaned on it. “They tore the Jeep up.”

  “The pictures weren’t enough,” Caleb said. “They’re looking for the film.”

  Son of a bitch. This was getting out of control. Brice had to get Naomi away from the rodeo.

  Naomi laughed then. He looked at her, worried that everything may have sent her over the edge.

  But her eyes were clear as she met his gaze. “I hid the film. It wasn’t in my Jeep.”

  “Which means you can reprint those pictures,” Jace said with a grin.

  Caleb took off his hat and hung it on his knee. “I’d sure like to see what was so important for someone to go to such trouble.”

  “Count me in,” Marina said.

  Karl finally released Brice’s hand. “Add me to the list. But based on what happened today, I think everyone needs to tread carefully. Brice, you won’t be able to use your hand for a day or two. After that, it’s going to be very sore.”

  “Your event,” Naomi exclaimed.

  Brice traded looks with his brother and grinned. “Don’t worry about that. I agree with Karl. If this guy was after the film, he’s going to keep looking until he finds it.”

  “The only way to stop him is for the guy to believe he’s gotten the roll,” Naomi said. A slow smile pulled at her lips. “That should be easy enough.”

  Caleb’s eyes looked from Brice to Naomi. “I suppose you have an idea?”

  Naomi reached into her bag and pulled out a roll of film. “I sure do.” She then tossed it to Caleb. “You need to be seen with that. It should draw the creep out.”

  “Gladly,” he replied.

  Jace nodded as he hooked his thumbs through his belt loops. “Cooper and I will be waiting for him.”

  “It’s about time we corner this jerk,” Brice added.

  Caleb replaced his hat and tucked the film into his pocket. “What about Whitney? Should we bring her in on this?”

  “No,” Naomi hurried to answer. “She made it clear earlier that she doesn’t want to talk about it.”

  Cooper turned his head and looked at something on the other side of the ambulance. “Speaking of. She’s on her way.”