by Debra Kayn
“She was only four at the time, but somehow she’d managed to push out the screen of her room. Then she took all her pillows, stuffed animals, and blankets, and she tossed them out her window.” He inhaled. “Of course, we didn’t figure out all this until she showed up at the stock trailer over a mile away from the house. The little troublemaker had used all that stuff to pad her fall when she jumped out the window, and she ran the whole way.”
He gazed down at Florentine. She no longer struggled for air but stared up at him. He didn’t dare move. The only thing that seemed to calm her down was when he talked. If he had to keep telling her nonsense until he ran out of oxygen, he would.
“You know how dangerous it is when you’re loading wild horses. It’s nowhere a little child should be, so when I turned and saw her bouncing between the dancing hooves without a care in the world, I thought my heart would stop. One wrong step, and…” He cleared his throat. “After I scooped her up onto the horse with me, all I could do was hold her tight and thank my lucky stars she wasn’t hurt. I came real close to losing her that day.”
“I can’t imagine how awful that was for you.” She sat up.
He shrugged his shoulder. “She scared ten years off my life, but you know what she said to me? She said, ‘Daddy, I was lonely without you. I wanna help put them sonsabitches in the trailer today.’”
Florentine laughed, a small, surprised ha!
Cole grinned. “That afternoon, I installed childproof locks on all the windows and set an empty mason jar on the table for me to use every time I cussed in front of my daughter. It’s going toward her college fund. I figure by the time she’s eighteen, she’ll probably be able to skip school altogether and retire.”
She scraped her teeth over her bottom lip. “Did she ever sneak away again?”
He missed the heat and softness of holding her. He nodded. “She’s always after some adventure. I’m hoping she grows out of it before she hits her teen years.”
“She will. Then you’ll have boys to contend with.”
He glowered. “Not if I have anything to say about it. Are you doing okay now?”
“I’ll be fine. Really. It was just being back home, the ride, and then I got to thinking about my dad. I miss him. I guess everything hit me at once.”
“I’m getting tired of hearing your version of fine.” He stared her down, but she didn’t look away. “Are you sure you’re going to be okay?”
She flushed red. “Of course I am. I’m perfectly capable of riding a sound ranch horse that I trust. It’s safer than driving a car. You go way overboard with your concerns over my safety, cowboy. You need to chill.”
“You’re gonna end up killing yourself.”
She stood. “I’m sure you’d like that. At least you’d have an excuse not to sponsor me.”
“The hell I would.” He pushed off the ground and stood. “Dammit. Can’t you think before you go off and do something stupid?”
All the fear and apprehension he’d held inside coiled into anger at the stupidity of her riding willy-nilly with no thought of the harm she could’ve caused herself. He spun around before he said something he regretted.
“Cole?” She softly laid her hand on his back. “Thanks for—”
He rounded on her, shooting down her gratitude. He wanted to tell her how much she scared him. He wanted her to know what he felt thinking she had fallen off the horse and injured herself again. He wanted her to feel all his pent up frustration. The words stuck in his throat, and what he wanted transformed to need at the look of innocent surprise she wore.
He slipped his arm around her waist and dragged her tight against him.
“Cole?”
His mouth covered hers. His tongue moved against hers, to taste, to express, to stop the insanity. His body quivered from the distress and desperation bombarding him. Would he never have this moment with her in his arms again? If he held her long enough, would she breathe life back into him?
He kissed her harder, and she stretched, grabbing the front of his shirt in her hand. Emotionally raw, he sought her strength, her drive, and pushed away every doubt of his own rationality. He only wanted to remember this exact moment when they kissed.
When she melted against him, rational thought intervened, and he grabbed it before it could flit away. He dragged himself back. “You broke the contract.”
Chapter Eleven
“Florentine? Are you gonna stare out the window all day? Or do you think you can peel yourself away long enough to carry this stack of tablecloths out to the picnic table?” Bisette squeezed in beside Florentine where she watched the front yard of the ranch house.
She dropped the curtain back in place and faced her sister. “Sorry.”
“What’s caught your attention?” Bisette pulled back the drape and took a better look. “Hm, maybe I should’ve asked why he catches your attention?”
“Maybe you should lasso someone else with all your questions.” Florentine reached for the pile Bisette held.
Bisette grabbed at a cloth that threatened to topple when she handed off the stack. “Don’t trip going outside, or I’ll regret letting you carry anything. So, what’s the deal? Chantilly seems to think you’ve got a thing going on with Cole.”
“He’s my sponsor. Chantilly butted into my life again, and now I’m stuck with having him here for the week. Now shut up about Cole. I’m tired of hearing about him.” Florentine made a wild grab for the pile when the top two cloths slid off the tower of fabric.
“Ah, there’s the Florentine we know and love. I was wondering when you’d show up. You’ve been too easygoing since you came home. I thought maybe those rodeo cowboys had finally sucked away all your personality.” Bisette helped her tidy and balance the pile. “Want to talk about it?”
“No, I don’t. Have you ever thought that I don’t want to be a bitch, but…oh, never mind.”
Bisette held her hands up. “Whoa, back off. You’re no more a bitch than any of us. What’s got into you?”
“Sorry.” She shrugged. “It’s just weird to have him here, and I didn’t sleep very well last night. I’m stressed about the next event. It feels like I’m eighty years old, and I hate everyone asking questions.”
“I’m your sister. I’m allowed to be nosy,” Bisette whispered.
“I know. I’m sorry.” She wrinkled her nose. “I’ll take these outside now.” She walked out to the porch, shoved her feet in her boots, and took the steps slowly.
She couldn’t tell Bisette how she screwed up yesterday and might not even have a sponsor. After Cole’s kiss, it dawned on her what the consequences of her ride did to her, how she may have destroyed his trust in her good judgment. He had every right to walk away and leave her without a sponsor. She had to talk to Cole, but with everyone around and the wedding tomorrow, she didn’t want to cause a scene.
Not wanting to, but unable to deny herself, she gazed over at Cole and Sarah working on one of the freshly painted picnic tables. He held a nail, while Sarah gingerly tapped the hammer. He’d kissed her. She still couldn’t believe it had happened. Granted, it was a heck of a kiss, but it didn’t change how angry he was at her. He’d made her want and need him, but the words he spoke before he walked away left her feeling guilt that even now tightened her stomach.
Cole glanced up, found her checking him out, and she stumbled. Warmth crept up her neck. An odd tightening in her stomach sent her scurrying around the corner of the house.
“Whoa, Nelly.” Margot grabbed Florentine’s arms. “If you run around like a blind horse, you’re bound to start a stampede.”
“Sorry.” Florentine sighed. “I-I was…”
“Are you okay?” Margot laid her hand on the back of Florentine’s neck. “You’re tense. Have you been loosening up before your rides? I bet you’ve stressed out your body, and now that you have some time off, you’re feeling uptight. Maybe you should go for a ride or put Dusty through his paces.”
She squirmed out of Margot’s
reach and set the linens on the table. “You doctor animals, not people.”
Margot waved her hand. “They’re the same thing, except you’re more stubborn than most animals.”
“Flattery will get you anything.” Florentine kissed her cheek. “I love you. You’re going to have the perfect wedding tomorrow.”
“Speaking of perfect…things aren’t right around here. What’s going on with you and Cole?” She smacked her lips, watching Cole stroll by with Sarah. “I could gobble her up. She’s adorable.”
“Me, too.” She stared at the way Cole’s Levi’s pulled against his thighs with every step.
“We’re not talking about the same one, are we?” Margot snapped her fingers in front of Florentine’s face. “You do have something going on with him, don’t you?”
“I’m trying to ignore him. I really am.” Florentine glanced at Margot. “I did something, and I’m not sure I can fix it.”
“Do you want to talk about it?” Margot clasped her hand and pulled her closer. “I wish Roy Lee and I would’ve planned this wedding better. I should’ve been there for this last ride, but we had so many things to do to prepare for tomorrow. With Val about ready to give birth and the rest of the girls unable to get away, I feel like I failed you in the sister department.”
“You have not.” Florentine pulled Margot into a hug, ignoring the discomfort in her shoulder. “Thank you, but I need to work this out myself.”
“I’m here if you need me.” Margot rubbed her back. “I better go in and make sure Chantilly isn’t trying to do everything.”
“Dad! Dad!”
Florentine turned around and watched Sarah tug on Cole’s hand. The dynamics between Cole and Sarah fascinated her. The obvious love between them made her envy what they shared. To love a child must be the most wonderful gift a person would ever receive. She’d recognized the same emotion come over Val every time she rubbed her belly or talked about preparing the baby’s room. She pretended to straighten the pile of linens so it wouldn’t appear as if she were eavesdropping.
“Dad, I heard about the party! It’s gonna be in the barn…for the sheriff’s bangelor party. Can I go? Huh, can I?” Sarah tugged on the front of Cole’s shirt.
“It’s called a bachelor party, and absolutely not. Little girls are not allowed.” Cole reached out and tapped Sarah’s chin.
Sarah stomped her foot in the grass. “But—”
“Sarah, stop begging. It’s for grownups, and you have to be a man to attend. You’ll have to wait until tomorrow. I hear the party after the wedding will be a lot of fun. You’ll need to rest up.” Cole kneeled beside Sarah. He waited for her to pay attention to him. “Don’t forget that next Friday when we’re back in Wyoming, you and I are going to have a night out on the town before heading to the ranch. We’ll catch a movie and stuff ourselves silly with junk food.”
“Yeah, but I want to do something special now.” Sarah slipped her arms around Cole’s neck. “I miss Gramps.”
“I know you do.” Cole hugged Sarah.
Florentine walked toward them. “Cole…can I speak with you for a minute?”
He untangled himself from Sarah and nodded.
His dark blue T-shirt stretched across his chest, leaving nothing to her imagination. She stared at the top of his head to avoid ogling him. Without his hat, and in something other than black, he seemed more approachable, except for the intent way he watched her, waiting. She slid her hands into the back pockets of her shorts.
She couldn’t remember seeing him this resolved before. Hostility, anger, concern, and even desire for a moment yesterday, but never the hard attitude he gave her today.
“I know what I did yesterday.” She stared into his eyes. “I wasn’t thinking, and I want to apologize. You trusted me, and I let you down.”
He clamped his mouth tight and gazed out over the lawn. “You broke the contract, Florentine.”
The laughter and conversation from the yard blurred in the background. She sucked in her breath and dropped her gaze to the ground at her feet. Damn it all. Why did she have to go on that stupid ride yesterday?
She had prepared herself for the final. Not only had she worked her way to the top, but she’d also matched every other rider in sponsorships, followings, and publicity. She’d done everything right to give herself the best advantage. Until Cole came along. She glanced up at him and knew her one weak moment yesterday had changed everything.
“I need to know if you’re going to walk away from sponsoring me.”
Cole inhaled and stepped closer. “No, but so help me, if you even think of moving faster than a walk for the rest of your time off, I will, without any guilt. Whatever you think about me, I’m not an asshole, and I don’t shirk my responsibilities. I should’ve been watching you better, instead of giving you time alone with your family.”
“I—”
He held up a hand. “Don’t get me wrong. I’d prefer that you let me out of the contract and keep our business dealings fair.”
“And I want you to honor the contract.” She straightened her shoulders. “Although, I will promise you I won’t go against the doctor’s orders again.”
“No riding horses or any other animal.”
“Yes.”
“Good.” He nodded.
“Thank you.” She stepped back.
He dipped his chin. “Just take care of yourself. If you can’t do that for yourself, do it for your family.” For me, his eyes said.
She pressed her hand to her stomach and dropped her chin. Relief flooded her, and a wave of desire followed. “I will. You’ll see.”
She glanced up at Cole and caught him studying her. She would not do anything to upset him again. In fact, she was going to forget about their kiss and put all her energy into getting back in shape. From now on, she would devote every single moment to getting better and reaching her goals. No more mistakes. No distractions.
She had a championship to win.
“Dad?” Sarah called from the picnic table. “Why can’t I go?”
Florentine turned to Cole. Kids she could understand. She had a way to make everyone happy.
“I couldn’t help overhearing Sarah wanting to go to Roy Lee’s bachelor party, and I thought I’d mention that my sisters and I are staying in the ranch house tonight to keep him from seeing Margot before the wedding. Why don’t you let Sarah sleep over? She can feel like she’s included, and you can go have fun with the guys.”
His eyebrows pinched together. “I wasn’t planning on going. I can’t leave Sarah.”
She nudged him with her arm. “You’re a guest here, Cole. You should go, have a beer, and take the edge off all the stress I’ve caused you.”
Cole’s rubbed the back of his neck without commenting.
She lifted her chin. “Doesn’t that sound fun?”
“Yeah, but…” The familiar twitch along his jawline appeared.
“What’s wrong?”
“You said your sisters will be in the house tonight, too?” he asked.
“Yes.” She frowned. “Why?”
He stared her straight in the eyes. “Because I want to make sure she’s going to be safe.”
Of all the things he could accuse her of being, an irresponsible babysitter wasn’t one she expected. “Low blow, cowboy. She’s in no more danger with me than she is with you.”
He tipped his head back and peered down at her. “Says the woman who swore she’d tell her family she was injured and follow doctor’s orders. Give me a reason to believe you’ll keep her away from anything dangerous and keep your promise to not discuss bull riding with her.”
“I would never do anything to endanger a child.”
“No, you’ll just do anything to endanger yourself.”
Though she could understand where he was coming from—to a point—his bull-headedness made her want to shout. She cupped her elbows in her hands. The only way she would ever regain his trust was to prove to him that she was responsible.
>
“Cole. I swear, it’s a sleepover. That’s all. No bull riding. No talk of bull riding. What could go wrong?”
Chapter Twelve
Hours after Cole delivered Sarah to the ranch house for the sleep-over, Florentine stood in the living room waiting to wash the makeup off Sarah’s face. She hadn’t taken her eyes off the little girl for one minute. Sarah’s boundless energy, questions, and childlike curiosity delighted Florentine. The child simply entertained her.
“What’s that?” Sarah pointed at Bisette’s new ear monitor. She’d worn it all night to get used to the feel before her next concert.
Bisette pulled the wire out and patted the couch. “Hop up, and I’ll show you.”
Florentine had spent an hour letting Sarah discover all the makeup in the upstairs bathroom. To Sarah’s delight, she’d tried on everything from mascara to red lipstick. Florentine folded the wet washcloth in her hand and waited for Bisette to finish showing Sarah part of what she loved to do. Sometime tonight though, she’d have to convince Sarah she needed to wash her face. The last thing she needed was for Cole to see his daughter and decide Florentine was the bad influence he suspected she was.
“Do you know how to sing?” Bisette pushed Sarah’s long hair out of the way and slipped the ear monitor into place.
Sarah touched the side of her head. “Yeah, I know lots of–-” Her brows rose, and she giggled. “I can hear myself think. It’s doing it right now. Do you hear me?”
Florentine grinned and sat down on the floor, while Bisette explained how the piece of equipment helped her hear her own voice. Sarah belted out the beginning of “Oh, Susanna” at ear-deafening levels. Florentine clapped and tried not to laugh.
After Sarah tested out a few more songs, she returned the earpiece to Bisette. “Why do you hafta hear yourself sing?”
“Well, I sing for a living. Just like your dad raises cattle, I do something a little different and sing in front of a lot of people.” Bisette wound up the cord.
