His Country Heart

by Reggi Allder

  “Wyatt.”

  “I like Vanna. I’m only saying what I heard.”

  “Well, she hasn’t dated since she’s returned home.”

  “Daddy.” Bobby ran into the kitchen before he could respond.

  “Hey, big guy.” Wyatt swung the boy into his arms.

  She smiled seeing them together.

  “Daddy, you promised I could help you groom Sal and Spirit today.”

  “I did.” He put the boy down. “Let me finish my juice and we can go to the barn, if your mom doesn’t need me.”

  “Wyatt, I’ll always need you.” She winked. “Bobby, why don’t you find the brush? Daddy will be out in a minute.”

  “Okay.”

  “Did you have something you wanted to say to me?”

  “Honey, I have to leave early tomorrow morning. I’ll be gone on the circuit for a few days. I know it’s unexpected, but it’s a good opportunity to bring in some extra cash.”

  “Oh—I’ll miss you.”

  “Yeah, me too.” He held her hand, the rough skin of his fingers caressing hers. “And I have a favor.” He hesitated.

  “What?”

  “My dad called me. He needs help tomorrow and I won’t be here. I tried to get a hold of Wes, no luck.” He paused and glanced out the window. “I hate to ask, but could you go see Dad?”

  To avoid answering, she turned off the pot and stirred it, then checked the pies again even though she knew they weren’t ready yet.

  “Honey?”

  “Uh, yeah, of course I will.” With trepidation, she agreed to do what he asked.

  Bobby opened the backdoor and came in the kitchen. “Daddy, are you coming to the barn?”

  “On my way, big guy.”

  “Don’t be too long dinner is almost ready,” she shouted as they left.

  In the den after dinner they sat on the couch together and a watched a G-rated movie and ate popcorn. Like a real family. She grinned at the thought.

  Bobby fell asleep half way through the video. She cuddled closer to Wyatt resting her head on his shoulder and her hand on his thigh. Tomorrow he’d be on the circuit, but tonight he was hers.

  ***

  In the morning before he left he whispered in her ear, “I don’t like to leave you. Next time, you are coming on the circuit with me. I want you to see what I do.”

  On the

  trip to Mr. Cameron’s place, she tried to prepare for his gruffness. Promising herself she wouldn’t let him upset her.

  His features were grim, but she realized he wasn’t as elderly as he appeared the night of the accident. Though his hair was gray, now he was on his meds and not in so much pain, he didn’t look as ancient.

  Wyatt had turned thirty in December and his dad was eighteen when he was forced to marry his mother. He’d be about forty-eight now. She could imagine how appealing he’d been in his teens. The man walked slowly because of his leg injury, but now his broad shoulders were back, head was carried high. The resemblance to his handsome son was remarkable.

  He stood in the doorway of his home barring her access.

  “Hello. You called Wyatt, but he’s out of town. He asked me to come and help—if I can.” Even to her own ears her voice sounded tentative.

  The bland expression on his face remained, but he moved aside and let her enter. She stifled a cough when the cigarette smoke in the house surrounded her. “What can I do to help?” She smiled.

  Silent, he scanned her from her head to her feet. With a wrinkle of his nose he finished his evaluation and then grunted as if to say he wasn’t impressed.

  “The doctor wants to take a look at me. I have an appointment at two this afternoon. I’d drive but this damned knee is giving me trouble. It’s hard to manage the clutch.” The disgust in his voice told her asking a woman for help went against his better judgement.

  Heat burned her cheeks, awkwardness and embarrassment sent a wish to leave pounding in her chest, but she asked, “Have you had lunch? I brought homemade chicken soup, fresh baked bread and apple pie. It will only take me a minute to get it ready and then I can drive you to the doctors.”

  If he’d eaten since the accident it must not have been much. Like a hungry bear, he devoured everything she brought him. He didn’t thank her, but his disposition improved with the full stomach and he stopped frowning.

  Somehow, life had made it her mission to feed people. She laughed inwardly. Should she make food for him? If she asked no doubt he’d refuse, but what could he say when they were delivered into his fridge? An apple pie or two wouldn’t do any harm either.

  ***

  A few weeks later Wyatt kept his word and she found herself at her first rodeo. She’d never been to one. Though she’d pictured what it was like, most of the time she’d tried not to think about what Wyatt did when he was on the circuit. Too often she’d seen him come home with prize money in the bank, gold belt in hand, and a smile of satisfaction on his handsome face, but he grimaced in pain when he moved. What he did was dangerous. Even so, she’d been able to ignore that, until now.

  “Take your seats ladies and gentleman and hold onto your hats. The events are about to start. You don’t want to miss the best roping, branding, riding champions from around the country all here to entertain you,” an announcer shouted from loud speakers placed around the auditorium. “You’re about to see the toughest bucking broncos in the world and the champion cowpokes out to tame them. Remember the riders must stay in the saddle for eight seconds until the buzzer sounds. And they hold on with only one hand. Use two and you’re disqualified. Be seated and enjoy.”

  Out of breath, Manny slid into the seat next to Amy. “Wanted to be here before it started. Wyatt didn’t want you to be alone—hey, you’re shaking.”

  “Nerves—I guess.” She hid her hands, but continued to tremble as she waited for Wyatt to appear. She forced a poor excuse for a smile and dismissed any feelings of concern relating to his risky job.

  Once she’d seen a video of him, but until he’d asked her to go with him, she hadn’t considered attending in person. What if she hated it? She stopped that thought. It was his life and he made a good living. That income insured she’d keep Granny’s farm and she was grateful.

  “Excited?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Amy, you okay?”

  “Fine.” With all the self-discipline she could muster, she pushed down fears and doubts that plagued her, scared for Wyatt and excited to see him at the same moment.

  “Manny, are you riding today?”

  “Yeah. One event later this afternoon.”

  She didn’t notice the bronco event had started until Manny shouted, “Rider up.”

  Horse and rider came out of the shoot fast. In a couple of seconds, the young guy was tossed from the bucking bronco onto his keister. He scurried away from the vicious hoofs. Still one kick found its target and the cowpoke grunted and lay sprawled on the ground, not moving. Other cowpokes jumped in to wave the horse away from the man who’d been hit hard.

  Amy tensed, life could be over in seconds for a bronco rider.

  The crowd hushed as an ambulance drove to the man and he was lifted to a gurney and placed in the back of the vehicle. It left with lights flashing.

  “I hope he’s all right. That could be Wyatt.” Her heart raced.

  “No way, he knows what he’s doing. Relax.”

  “Okay.” Was he kidding? How could she be calm? In a matter of minutes Wyatt could be driven away in an ambulance too.

  They watched in silence while another kid fell, got up and ran. Then one by one, men were unceremoniously tossed on their rears. Unhurt, they scrambled out of the arena.

  “Ladies and gentleman, I just got word from the hospital, a bandage or two and our cowboy’s going to be fine. Let’s give him a big round of applause,” the announcer said with relief in his voice.

  The next rider took his place on a horse waiting to come out of the gate.

  “He looks so young.” Amy
said. “I’m in my twenties and he looks like a kid to me.”

  “Wyatt and I started in high school.”

  “Fearless teens.”

  “Yep,” he agreed.

  “Okay everybody, you’re in for a treat,” the announcer said. “Five-time all-around champion Wyatt Cameron is up next. He’s riding Whirlwind, an ornery cuss who’ll give even our best title holder the ride of his life.”

  The crowd cheered. Without realizing it, Amy clasped her hands together in a prayer and held her breath.

  Whirlwind came out angry with hoofs flying, bucking higher than she’d thought possible. Wyatt’s broad chest expanded as he held on, his strength apparent, his expression fierce as he rode the proud steed. Wyatt’s magnificent.

  When the eight second buzzer sounded she finally took a breath and relaxed—a little. When Wyatt dismounted, he grinned and waved to the people in the stands. They went wild, hooting and applauding until the announcer said “Calm down people. He’s coming back later.”

  “See you don’t have to worry about your man.” Manny stood. “I better go and get ready for my event.”

  “Good luck. Thanks for sitting with me.”

  “Glad to do it. Next time you see him on a bronco you won’t worry, right?”

  “You take care,” she said knowing worrying about the safety of her man was part of her nature.

  ***

  After Wyatt’s last ride of the day, Amy went with him to the press tent. She did her best to stay out of the way. Even so, she was shuffled aside by camera operators and reporters until she stood so far back she could barely see him.

  He talked about today’s rides and she was surprised to hear questions about his past injuries. He grinned, such a beguiling smile. “I think what I did today answers that.”

  The subject changed, but she knew sometimes his shoulder caused him trouble and he’d applied ice to the area and had to stop using it for days at a time.

  “Are saying you plan on a sixth all round championship?” a network reporter shouted.

  “Time will tell.” Wyatt grinned again. “I intend to give it my all.”

  The question turned to his future and he divulged he’d been asked to work on a sports network as a commentator. Instead of staying home, when he wasn’t riding he’d be traveling with the sports reporters not to mention readying the mill.

  She gasped, “Wyatt.” and camera and lights turned on her.

  She was ushered out of the tent and told not to return until the interview was over. Too far away to hear most of what was said, she wandered back and forth in front of the pavilion.

  “Hey, honey where did you go?” Wyatt embraced her and cameras flashed before she could answer. Surrounded by reporters shouting questions, she trembled and held on to Wyatt.

  He put out his hand. “Hey, guys, give her a break. She’s not used to this.”

  “Who is she? What makes her special?”

  “Back up and I’ll tell you.”

  To her surprise, the paparazzi hushed and did what he asked.

  “This is my fiancée Amy Long.”

  “I thought you were a confirmed bachelor.”

  “Just hadn’t met the right woman, until now.”

  “Amy, how did you meet him?”

  Stunned they’d ask her a question, she froze and the cameras continued to click. She covered her eyes as the lights flashed.

  “Cat got your tongue?” someone shouted.

  “He’s a friend of my family.” she said, annoyance showing in her voice.

  “Okay, that’s enough, guys.”

  “Just one more. When is the happy day? What network?” the questions continued.

  With her hand in his, he pushed through the crowd and ducked into a building. It turned out to be the men’s locker room. The smell of dirt, sweat, and man hit her, followed by the aroma of shampoo and men’s cologne floating in the air.

  “Should I be in here?”

  “It’s the one place the paparazzi are barred from entering.”

  “Heads-up, there’s a lady in here.” A well-built cowboy, wearing a smile and his towel wrapped at his slim waist, tipped his imaginary hat as he walked by. “Evening, darling.”

  Her eyes from slid from his tight muscled chest, then to his rear end, and for the first time she saw he wore boots too.

  “Whoa.” She smiled and knew Wyatt watched her scanning the cowboy.

  “You done good, Wyatt,” the man shouted over his shoulder as he sauntered away.

  “Thanks.” He took her arm. “We can go out the back.”

  When they got to the door, she laughed remembering the startled faces of the hunky men as she ran by the open showers on the way to the exit.

  “Well, honey, that was a little more than I meant to expose you to at the rodeo.”

  She laughed out loud. “I’d have to say it’s more than I ever expected to see.” She wanted to sound serious, but giggled noticing Wyatt’s pained expression.

  She jumped into his arms and kissed him hard. “I love you.”

  “You’re one of kind, Amy.” His hand ran down her backbone to her rear while he coaxed her mouth open with his tongue.

  She moaned with pleasure.

  “Get a room.” A man laughed as he exited the building.

  Wyatt pulled out of her arms. “This way.”

  Suddenly, he grabbed his smart phone. “I just got a text. Wes is here. I need to see him. Would you mind waiting in the pick-up?”

  “Okay.”

  “I won’t be long.”

  Chapter 10

  In Wyatt’s truck Amy took out her travel bag. Vanna had helped her pick out a dress for the party they would attend tonight. She wouldn’t be at a disadvantage when she met his friends. She headed for the woman’s bathroom at the stable. In a cubicle, she took off her jeans and plaid shirt, and slipped into a black chiffon cocktail dress with a sweetheart neckline, thankful she already had on a strapless bra. Alone in the room, she practiced walking in her new black satin high heels, pacing back and forth in the ladies’ room. She’d worn high heels every day to work in the bank, but not since returning to the farm. She grabbed her other clothes, shoved them in the sack, and returned to the truck.

  While she waited, she dialed Sophie’s home and talked to Bobby.

  “Did Wyatt win?”

  “You bet he did.”

  “That’s my Daddy,” he said proudly.

  She hadn’t told him to call Wyatt “Daddy.” Her son had initiated it on his own. It pleased her. She hoped Wyatt was delighted too.

  “Are you coming home?”

  “Not until after midnight. Too late to pick you up, you’ll be asleep. We’ll be there in the morning. Is everything okay?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Well, you listen to Sophie and remember to say thank you.”

  “Vanna is coming to play puzzles with me and read me a book before bed.”

  “That’s wonderful.”

  “Night, Mommy.”

  “Good night, I love you.”

  “Well, if it isn’t the Apple Lady,” a woman said as she knocked on the passenger side of Wyatt’s pick-up truck.

  Charlene. A chill ran down her spine remembering the day the woman had kissed Wyatt as he stood on Main Street in Sierra Creek. Charlene had called him “Sugar.” Though he’d been with her, the woman had taken Wyatt out of her hands, neatly separating them before Amy realized what she was doing. That wouldn’t happen again. She was wise to Charlene’s ways. And anyhow, Wyatt had no tolerance when it came to the woman.

  Even so, annoyance shattered Amy’s good mood. And realizing the brunette was more beautiful than the last time she’d seen her didn’t help. Her hair was a little shorter, but just as dark, silky, and straight as ever. Tall, slim, voluptuous, her lips were adorned with pink rather than the usual garish red.

  “Hello Charlene,” she acknowledged the woman, glad this time she’d worn her contact lens and a black knee length cocktail dress, rather
than the worn blue jeans and baggy t-shirt she’d been dressed in the last time she’d seen her. But no matter how high the pumps, she’d never reach the height of Charlene’s five feet eleven and when the woman wore four inch heels... Amy still had the upper hand. Wyatt loved her. She smiled. “Lovely evening.”

  “I’m not here to talk about the weather or pretend we’re friends, but we’re both female.” She paused as if waiting for Amy to debate the statement, then she said, “Don’t jump down my throat. He can’t be trusted. You may take him to the altar, but you’ll never put a ring on his finger.”

  “Are you talking about Wyatt?”

  “Who else?”

  “I don’t believe you. You’re lying.” She wanted to call her a “bitch.”

  “Hey, girl, don’t get huffy with me. I’m doing you a favor. That’s more than you deserve after the way you behaved.”

  “I didn’t do anything to you.” It was well known Charlene had chased Wyatt from one rodeo event to another. He did his best to ignore her after he started dating Amy.

  Charlene glared at her, “You’ll see, Bitch.”

  Amy gasped.

  The woman flicked her long black hair behind her back, blue jeans and a deep pink sweater hugging her female parts and displaying them at their best. Without another word, she turned and sauntered away, hips swaying like she moved to a sexy tune playing only in her own head.

  “Whoa,” Amy whispered. With those assets, Charlene shouldn’t have had trouble attracting and keeping a man. Yet, she did. Why? Was Wyatt the only man she wanted?

  ***

  Wyatt found his brother in the corral. The place was almost empty as the majority of the men were already at the birthday party being thrown for his boss. He and Amy should be there too.

  Wes’ blood shot eyes told him he’d been doing too much carousing and not enough sleeping.

  “What’s so gall dammed important you have to drive me crazy with calls and texts?”

  “Hello to you to, brother,” Wyatt said.

  Wes shrugged.

  “Have you seen Dad?”