Her Rodeo Rancher

by M. K. Stelmack

  His sister glared at him. He shrugged. “All I’m saying is why can’t we dance like normal?”

  “Because,” Will said to Keith warningly, “this isn’t your wedding.”

  Krista agreed with Will but the parts of her brain responsible for coordinating movement wanted to high-five Keith.

  Janet clapped her hands and gave the start-up count. “Vine to the right. Vine to the left. Right forward. Left forward. Turn clockwise. Clockwise, Krista. Left forward. Right forward. Turn counterclockwise. No, the other way, Krista.”

  Even with Will’s whispered instructions and his hand guiding her, she felt as if she’d crashed onto the stage of a dance troupe. Krista had watched the video of the dance a million times, but tonight Janet was throwing in variations that seemed to come straight out of Dancing with the Stars. It didn’t help that everyone else had been practicing for weeks and had probably been able to country dance the day after they started to walk.

  As the music segued into the bridal dance, Laura, in Ryan’s arms, peeked over his shoulder at Krista. Her worry lines had reappeared.

  “I’m stressing your sister,” Krista murmured to Will.

  “Don’t worry. The wedding’s not for a while yet.”

  “A week this Saturday, Will.”

  “Oh.”

  “Yeah, oh.”

  “Well then, you’re screwed.” He paused. “We’re screwed.”

  “I’m making you look bad, aren’t I?”

  “I’ll live.”

  She searched his face. Calm and composed. He really didn’t mind. “I don’t want to screw it up for Laura.”

  “She’ll forgive you. No one will care.”

  “I will care. My job is to make other people look good, but this is taking it a little too far. I’m the wonky wheel on the shopping cart. The loud drunk in the church. The—the—the—” She floundered to describe exactly how bad she was.

  “The ex-rodeo rancher in the spa.”

  He had her there. “Your feet recovered yet?”

  “My toes curl in horror every time I put my boots on. They’ve gone all soft and spoiled.”

  “Bring them back anytime and I’ll indulge their every wish.”

  “Because my toes want what my toes want?”

  Krista broke into laughter, surprising herself at its unintended flirty drift. She’d not dated since leaving Toronto. Her heart had needed a break. But if she could find someone like Will, someone laid-back—only less...country—she might try again.

  The rest of the party was drifting off. “If you want, we can practice now.”

  It would be a good idea, but she wasn’t sure if she should take him up on the offer. It might send mixed signals about their relationship to the others. And yet everyone could see she needed help, and she really didn’t want to mess things up for Laura.

  “If you’ve the time...”

  “Hey, Mom,” Will called. “Can you leave the music? Krista and I are staying to practice.”

  In unison, everyone turned to them. Laura grinned. Janet and Keith frowned. Two out of three Claverleys disapproved of her. She’d no idea how Dave weighed in. Hard man to figure out. Like Will.

  “Oh well, I suppose,” Janet said faintly.

  “See you all later,” Will said. He sounded like when he’d been guiding her movements earlier. Steady and a titch bossy. In short order, the entire group was filing out as neatly as travelers through a turnstile, leaving the entire floor to Will and Krista.

  * * *

  WILL WAS A natural teacher. He switched on the music. “Otherwise it’s just walking in all directions.”

  He sang to her, low and punching up the beats to signal the turns, humming through the instrumental riffs. He had a voice that could land him a stage in front of a crowd of buckle bunnies.

  Not that she would tell him that. He’d think she was coming on to him. He’d break off his fake arrangement and she’d lose her best opportunity to rustle up clients. Not to mention dealing with a second rejection.

  As it was, his every touch crackled through her. Her senses jumped at the push and pull of his fingertips as he coached her away and then closer to him.

  “I bet,” she said, “that if I stayed trained to your hand, I’ll be good.”

  “You’re really going to let me lead?”

  “Of course. I can’t be trusted on my own, that’s clear.”

  “Leading will be a new experience for me.”

  He must be referring to dancing with Alyssa whose type A personality prevented her from letting someone else lead. And if Will had let Alyssa dominate on the dance floor, he’d likely not taken charge in their personal relationship. She debated speaking to Will as he walked over to kill the music.

  In the sudden quiet, he strolled back, his boots on the plank floor beating out a slow rhythm. Her own heartbeat kicked up. No. She made up her mind. “I’m going to say something, okay?”

  He gestured to where wall panels reached waist-high, a series of uprights continuing to run up to the overhanging roof. The open-air spaces between the uprights allowed for a view of the rodeo grounds, barn and, to the west, the dipping sun. He leaned his elbow on the ledge of one opening, adjusting to take the weight off his bad shoulder. Before she could ask about his injury, he said, “Shoot.”

  Right. She was sticking her nose into his business enough without going into his medical history. “Has Laura told you much about her fight with Alyssa?” She was no-go territory among the bridal party. During the past week of preparations, the group texts were dead quiet on the sudden change in maids of honor. Whatever Laura wanted, the rest of them were more than happy to give.

  “Nope. And she said she doesn’t plan to. I guess she’s still invited to the wedding.”

  No-go territory among the Claverleys, too, it seemed. “And how do you feel about that?”

  “It doesn’t affect me. Are you going somewhere with this?”

  Krista had to tread carefully. She didn’t want to betray her friendship with Laura, but she also wanted to warn Will about Alyssa’s intentions.

  “The thing is, the fight between Laura and Alyssa was mostly about me, but your name came up.”

  Will winced as if she’d flicked dirt into his eyes. Poor Will. He really hated being the center of attention. She followed his gaze to the yard below. It was pretty. Deep shadows stretched from the barn, the fences, the trees, mellowing the edges of the day and softening harsh colors. Then there was the setting sun. She’d moved around a lot—first with her nomadic parents and then again as an adult—and seen sunsets around the world. This one might not be as majestic as one in Hawaii, but there was something to be said for its low-key splashiness. A free nighttime show for anyone to watch.

  Will shifted beside her, his shoulder skimming hers. “Looks like the sky got into your nail polish.”

  Changing the subject away from Alyssa and him. Then again, there was definite appeal to discussing a sunset with a handsome cowboy. What right-minded single girl wouldn’t? Only, she had a job to do. “Before things went south, Alyssa said that she’s been dropping hints that she’d like to date you.”

  Will rolled his shoulders. “Yeah. I got that impression. I tried to set her straight without hurting her but it backfired.”

  “You need to tell her straight-out. Otherwise this situation will blow up in your face.” There, it was finally out there.

  Will removed his hat and gave his thick hair a fierce scrubbing. What she’d love to do with that hair. By way of styling, of course. “But we haven’t even gone out. Won’t she get the hint after a while?”

  “How long has she been chasing you?”

  “Last few months for sure. She took me to the movies on Valentine’s Day. Some sort of singles celebration,” she said. “I didn’t get the hint until Keith explained it to me afterward.”
<
br />   Krista puckered her lips not to laugh, but his eyes drifted to her mouth. He squeezed his eyes shut, as if that flicked dirt was getting ground in. “Why can’t she say what she means?”

  “Why don’t you?” Krista said. “Man up and tell her you’re not interested. A little honesty now will save you a whole lot of pain later.”

  Some of her own bitterness edged into her voice. They both studied the sunset. The brilliant oranges were gone, faded to bands of purples and pinks.

  “Speaking from bitter experience?” he said softly.

  She could brush it off, but maybe if she shared her experience he would understand the urgency. “My ex from Toronto. Things between us weren’t going well. And when I decided to stay here, I broke things off between us. He got nasty.”

  “Laura said he slandered you on Facebook and Instagram.”

  “She told you about it?”

  “Not at first, but at the time she was moody and thumping around, checking her phone every half hour. This whole ranch shrinks right up when Laura clouds over. She explained what was going on. Not all, I’m thinking, but enough.”

  Will and his whole family knew about her humiliation. Had she really believed it would be otherwise? Had he seen the pics of her nightie on the blow-up doll? Phil’s innuendoes?

  “It’s finished now.”

  “I’ve got a head gate he could be fitted into. A whole lot of manure for him to get a close whiff of.”

  He’d given this some thought. And she was a—a not-quite friend. Imagine his fierceness if she was...someone closer. “There’s something about the breakup I haven’t told anyone. Something I’ve only now realized myself.

  “I always knew in my gut that Phil and I weren’t meant for each other. I tried to like what he liked, do what he did, because I had no idea what I wanted for myself. He’s a set designer and photographer in Toronto, and he used his connections to land me a sweet contract as a makeup artist. I felt I owed him, so I helped him with his work, even though I had zilch interest in locating napkin dispensers for a restaurant scene or artistically strewing garbage in a back alley.

  “We started struggling. I should’ve broken it off then. Instead I let him think I still cared. When we broke up, he was hurt. And I can understand why because I’d never been honest with him. And I don’t want you to make the same mistake I did.”

  He regarded her, his hair a mess from his hat and head scrubbing. “You think I’m a liar and a coward?”

  “I think,” she said, “you’d rather sit on a bucking horse for ten seconds than cause someone else the slightest discomfort for even one second.”

  “But that’s not how life works, is it?” Will rubbed his cheek and gave his hair another scrub. She couldn’t resist smoothing an especially spiky tuft, and he leaned into her touch. They froze. Their eyes connected. He straightened, and she quickly brought her hand down. Will slapped his hat back on. “You think she’ll come after me?”

  Krista blinked, getting her head and heart back in place. “Not the way Phillip did. I’m more worried about how it will affect the friendship between her and Laura. I’ve already driven a wedge between them.”

  “You’re not to blame for that, either. They both speak their minds.”

  “Yeah, but Laura admitted that when I’m around things get heated between them.”

  Will swept his hand over his face. Was that a smile he was hiding? “You have a way of riling people up.”

  Krista sighed. “And here I thought my talent was getting people to relax.”

  His voice softened. “Oh, I’d say you’re talented there, too.”

  For the second time tonight, Krista felt her heart rate jolt. “Yes, well, thank you. So, uh, you’ll consider what I said?”

  Will looked off to the fading sunset and opened his mouth. Clamped it shut. “I’ll talk to Alyssa. First opportunity I get.”

  Which would be Laura’s wedding. If Alyssa came. Will seemed to think along the same lines. “But maybe not the wedding. Last thing anybody needs is a scene on Laura’s day.”

  He could be stalling, but he did have a point. And really, she’d done her part. The rest was up to him. “Agreed. Besides, there’ll be enough of one when I take to the dance floor.”

  Will grinned, turning to retrieve the mini stereo. “Nah, I’ll make you look good.”

  Will, Krista resisted saying, you’d make any girl look good.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  LAURA’S WEDDING WAS at the unheard-of hour of 11:00 a.m., which meant Krista’s feet hit the floor at six to prepare the salon for the bridal party. They sailed in from their breakfast at Penny’s shortly before eight. Then she worked flat out on their hair and makeup. Three bridesmaids and the bride.

  “But what about you, Krista?” Laura said as Krista swiffed on a faint layer of blush to her cheek.

  Krista swung her ponytail. “This is it. Sleek yet fun.”

  Up popped a worry line. “Are you sure? It seems...plain.”

  “I am your maid,” Krista said. “I’m not supposed to outshine you.”

  “It’ll be practical around the horses,” Caris added. She was Dana’s sister, and her wedding was set for three weekends from now.

  Horses? Nobody had told her there’d be horses. Laura’s eyes, six inches from Krista’s, widened in alarm. “Oh no.”

  The bridesmaids—Caris, Raine and Jenna—turned as one to Laura. “You didn’t tell her?”

  “I forgot,” Laura moaned. “I’m so sorry, how stupid of me! I was thinking more about the dress and flowers and catering...and about all the other arrangements.”

  Krista took a deep breath. Then another. True, she was nervous around horses. Okay, she was petrified but her fear was groundless. Nothing bad had ever happened with them, and she’d recovered from bad things that really had happened, so why should this be any different? In this very salon, she had vowed to herself that she’d stick by Laura. Now was her opportunity to prove it.

  “Tell me the plan and we’ll work something out.”

  “We decided to ride our horses to the ceremony. The guys, too. Then the horses will be part of the photo shoot afterward. All of us know horses...before...” Laura’s voice trailed off.

  The bridesmaids, in various stages of undress, looked as uncomfortable as Laura. No. If anyone should feel awkward, it should be Krista.

  “Is there a horse I could possibly ride?”

  “Mom might be able to give you hers,” Laura said. “She’s quiet.”

  “The horse isn’t the problem,” Caris said quietly. “It’s the rider, Krista. Do you know how to even turn a horse?”

  Krista’s grimace was answer enough.

  “That would work,” Raine said, “if we were going straight on a trail, but we have to line them up. Get them in formation.”

  “And,” Jenna said, “we have to bring them around behind the guests, so you’ll have to keep the horse on the rein.”

  “So I won’t be part of it,” Krista said. “I’m fine with that.”

  “But Ryan and his guys will be there with their horses,” Laura said, her voice squeaky with panic. “If you’re not there, it won’t match up, or Will might have to sit out to make it match. And he’s part of the party. Plus the horses are already getting saddled up and decorated. We talked about rehearsing that part of the wedding, but that would’ve meant loading and unloading the horses from everybody’s stables. But at least then we would’ve remembered about Krista, or at least I would’ve—”

  Krista laid her hand on Laura’s shoulder. “We got this. How about someone else takes my reins?”

  The other four girls exchanged looks. “I mean, it would look a little funny, because well, most people can ride,” Laura said.

  “But I could go first,” Caris offered, “and lead her horse.”

  “What do I care if I look li
ke a two-year-old?” Krista said, “Better that than I try to do it myself and spook the horse.”

  Except it was Krista who felt spooked when she took in Janet’s gray mare, Silver. Why did they have to be so big?

  Laura got on her ride first. The bridesmaids arranged the skirt, the back mantling over the horse’s haunches. Krista held the bouquet while the other women fluttered about. By unspoken consent, they’d let Krista stay away from the hooves and shaking heads.

  But Silver was...nice. She stayed quiet, yielding to all the fussing, her dark eyes bright with interest. And her eyelashes...oh man, to die for. So when Laura was declared done but her skirt was bunched in one place, Krista felt brave enough to step forward and flick it straight. Laura’s horse stamped; Krista yelped and jumped back. Square into a stinking pile of horse crap. Her splurge—a pair of shoes she intended to have until she was eighty-two—were ruined.

  All four of the bridal party looked at the smelly mess of her shoe in horrified dismay.

  They’d wisely worn running shoes, and Caris even had an old denim shirt on to keep her upper half clean until the last minute.

  Their collective sympathy made her heart swell with gratefulness that people outside of her family cared when even little disasters came her way.

  “Listen,” she said, “tonight after a couple of drinks, we’re going to be laughing about this.” She slipped off her shoes, treating the soiled one like the toxic waste dump it was, and tossed them against a corral post.

  Will might soon wish he was opposite Alyssa again.

  “If you can ride a horse bareback, I guess you can ride it barefoot.”

  * * *

  WILL WATCHED THE arrival of the bridal party from his place beside the groom and the other guys. They stood along one side of the assembled guests with their backs to the hitching rails where their horses already waited. The guests, a good hundred or so, turned in their outdoor chairs to watch the main event—the arrival of the bride—camera phones rolling.