Phoenix

by Linda Warren

  Dismounting, gulping for air, she saw a cowboy running toward her in full bull-riding gear, spurs, chaps, protective vest and a black shirt with his sponsors’ names on his sleeves.

  Phoenix.

  What was he doing here? Bull riding was next. Then she knew, and she started running toward him. This was what love was about: needing each other.

  He grabbed her and swung her around and around. “Congratulations! I know you said not to call or… I had to see you.”

  She touched a finger to his lips. “Shh.” And then she wrapped her arms around his neck and held him, loving the scent of leather, dirt and horses that lingered in the air and mingled with the touch of him.

  Everything was perfect when it was just the two of them.

  But it wasn’t just the two them. Two feuding families stood between them.

  He kissed the tip of her nose. “Gotta go.”

  As he ran toward the chutes, his spurs jangling, she whispered, “I love you.”

  But was love enough?

  Chapter Seventeen

  Phoenix hurried back to bull riding. Paxton met him.

  “Where have you been? I’ve been looking all over for you. Bull riding has already started.”

  “I had to see Rosie.”

  Paxton shook his head. “Man, you got it bad. So, are you getting back together?”

  “I don’t know.”

  They walked toward the cowboy deck. “Could I talk to you about something?”

  “Sure.”

  “Lisa’s been texting me.”

  Phoenix sighed. “Are you talking to her?” Lisa was Pax’s ex-fiancée. Last year she’d ruined the finals for Pax with her temperamental ways.

  “No. I’m just…”

  Phoenix slapped him on the back. “Focus on bull riding and forget about Lisa. The Rebel boys have to finish one and two. I don’t care who’s one. I just care that one of us wins this thing.”

  They high-fived. “You got it.”

  Phoenix stood on the cowboy’s deck and watched the first twelve cowboys ride. The highest score had been eighty-eight. It all came down to the last three riders, Dakota Janaway, Paxton and Phoenix. Dakota was up next on a bull called Fool’s Gold. The bull bucked and twisted but Dakota stayed on and scored eighty-nine. It was up to Paxton and Phoenix to beat that or settle for second and third place.

  Phoenix looked up and saw Rosie on the big-screen TV, talking to a reporter. As he watched her smiling face, he knew the biggest prize was yet to come: winning Rosie’s heart.

  Paxton was up next. Phoenix helped him with his bull rope, and then he slapped him on the shoulder. “Good luck, brother. We worked all year for this. Do your best.”

  Paxton nodded his head, completely in the mode of riding, shutting out everything else. He’d drawn a bull called Widow Maker.

  Paxton raised his hand and the bull leaped from the chute with jumps, bucks and turns. Paxton rode his best and when the eight-second buzzer went off, he jumped from the bull and stood with both arms in the air. The ride was good and everyone kept their eyes on the scoreboard. When the score came up, the Rebel family stood and cheered. Ninety was the highest score of the night.

  Phoenix could see Jake on Rico’s shoulders, clapping. His boy was waiting for his dad. Phoenix climbed the chute, sliding onto a bull named Pearly Gates, one of the meanest bulls on the circuit and bucking bull of the year. He was known for twisting until he dislodged the cowboy. Phoenix had ridden him only twice before, and both times he’d been bucked off. But tonight he would give it his all.

  The announcer’s voice echoed over Phoenix’s head: “Next up we have the younger Rebel brother, Phoenix. He’s got his work cut out for him to beat his brother Paxton. These brothers hail from Horseshoe, Texas, and all the Rebel family is here to cheer them on. He won the title last year. Let’s see what he can do on Pearly Gates, a bull known for his mean disposition.”

  Phoenix worked the bull rope with his gloved hand until he had it just right between his fingers. The bull stank and had a bad case of diarrhea that clogged Phoenix’s senses. Good thing he’d learned to control his weak stomach or he’d be barfing right about now. Thank you, Jake.

  This is for you, Dad.

  And Rosie.

  As he raised his left hand, the gate swung open and Pearly Gates jumped into the arena with fire-andbrimstone momentum. He bucked and kicked out with his back legs and then went into a spin. Phoenix held on, trying to maintain his posture and rhythm and to spur when he needed to. Just when he thought he had it, the bull turned and spun in the other direction. Phoenix grew dizzy and wondered just how long eight seconds was. He surely had been on the bull for over a minute.

  The buzzer sounded like a bomb. Phoenix leaped from the bull, but the bull turned and caught Phoenix with his head, catapulting him into the dirt. The bullfighters kept the bull away and rushed him back into the chute. The dizziness intensified and Phoenix lay for moment, unable to move. A hush came over the crowd. He faded in and out of consciousness. The first face he saw was his Dad’s. The last was Rosie’s.

  “Phoenix!”

  He blinked and saw Paxton’s worried face. Several other rodeo people gathered round. He had to get up.

  “Are you okay?” Paxton asked.

  “Yeah.” Phoenix managed to stand. A roar erupted from the crowd. Bordered by Paxton and their friend Cole, he walked out of the arena and waited for the score.

  “Phoenix!” He turned to see Rosie running toward him. “Are you okay?”

  He caught her. “I’m better now.”

  She wrapped her arms around him and he held on as they waited for the score. When ninety-one popped up, he squeezed her so tight she laughed.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, Phoenix Rebel has repeated as bull-riding champion. Congratulations! I believe that’s Rosemary Wilcott, the barrel-racing champion, down there with him. Do we have a behind-the-scenes romance going on? Come on out and y’all take a bow for the crowd.”

  “Ready?” He smiled into her eyes.

  She took his hand, and they walked out into the arena to the roar of the crowd. Suddenly Jake was there. Rico had brought him down. Phoenix held him, and Jake waved along with them.

  “A new generation of Rebels. Congratulations to the Rebel family.”

  The last ride was the easiest of all because it came with the biggest prize: Rosie and Jake.

  Now he had to make it happen.

  *

  WHEN THEY WALKED out of the arena, his whole family was waiting for them. His mother hugged him.

  “I’m so glad you’re okay.”

  “I’m fine, Mom.”

  He turned to his family. “While I was here before Thanksgiving, I found a little church about five blocks away. Not a sleazy one on the strip. It’s small. Country-looking.” He gave the address. “You can’t miss it. I’m going to marry Rosemary McCray Wilcott there just as soon as we finish here, and we would love your presence.”

  “Phoenix—” Rosie began.

  He put a finger over her lips. “We love each other and we should be together. Please meet me there after the awards ceremony. I talked to the minister and he will wait for us.”

  “We can do it later.”

  “No. If you love me, you’ll be there.” He knew he was being pushy, but he was fighting for their love.

  “Phoenix…” She wrapped her arms around him and Jake, and Phoenix felt her love all the way to his soul. But he felt something else, too. She was pulling away. Those damn doubts.

  She rested her face against his for a moment and then walked into the crowd.

  “Momma,” Jake called, but Rosie didn’t stop.

  Phoenix looked at his family. “I’m going to that church to wait for Rosie. I’ll wait there forever if I have to. That’s how much I love her. If you want to join me, you’re welcome. Jake and I know what we want.”

  He handed Jake to Rico. “I have to get my stuff out of the locker room and then I have the awards ceremony. I’ll meet
you back at the hotel.”

  “Sure thing.”

  “Son, it’s clear this girl doesn’t want to marry you,” his mom said. “Please, let’s go to the hotel and have a nice meal to celebrate.”

  His mother kept beating that same old drum. So he did the only thing he could. He hugged her. “I’m sorry this is so difficult for you. The last thing I wanted was to hurt you. I’m asking you again to give Rosie a chance.”

  He kissed her cheek and strolled away with a heavy heart, but his spirits were high because he believed in his and Rosie’s love.

  *

  ROSIE WAS ALL nerves and couldn’t seem to keep her thoughts straight. Phoenix wanted to get married. Tonight. In Vegas. With his whole family present. But his mother still hated her.

  “Rosie?”

  She became aware someone was calling her name and turned to Haley.

  “What?”

  “You were in another time zone.”

  “Phoenix wants to get married. Right now.” She blurted out the words, unable to keep them inside. She had to talk to someone.

  Haley lifted an eyebrow. “Is that a problem?”

  “His mother. I don’t want to cause a rift between him and his mother.”

  “So you’ll give up Phoenix to please his mother.”

  Rosie considered that for a moment. Would she give up Phoenix to please his mother?

  “No.” She wasn’t willing to do that.

  “Well, I think you have your answer.”

  “It’s not that simple. Phoenix loves his family and I don’t want to be the one to take him away from them.”

  “Oh, Rosie. It is simple. Forget family. You either love Phoenix or you don’t.”

  “Haley, it’s—”

  “—life,” Haley finished for her. “And you have to grab it with both hands while you can.”

  Rosie hesitated. So much turmoil waited, yet so much love waited for her, too.

  She had to make a choice.

  *

  PHOENIX HAD TRIED to catch Rosie at the awards ceremony, but she’d left quickly. He hurried back to the hotel. Jake was running around the room in his diaper, wide awake.

  “He slept during the rodeo,” Rico explained.

  “He’s up for the night.”

  “Yeah.”

  “I’ll take a quick shower and then we’re headed for the church.”

  Afterward he texted Rosie:

  Jake and I are going to the church. We’re staying there until you come. Love, Phoenix and Jake

  Before Thanksgiving, while killing time in Vegas, Phoenix had bought them black jackets just in case. It was the only way to stay positive. He dressed Jake in a white shirt because Phoenix had a white one on. Then he put star bolo ties on both of them. Placing his Stetson on his head, he walked out of the room, holding Jake’s hand.

  “Pax and I will catch up with you,” Rico called.

  Phoenix hailed a cab. It was almost midnight. The stars were almost as bright as the lights back on the Strip. The church had a scent of candles and old wood that was inviting. He sat on the front row with Jake on his lap. The plaque outside said the church had been built in 1905. The oak pews had stood the test of time.

  Jake pointed to the cross that hung above the altar. “Jesus,” he said. “Ma Ma.”

  It had been a long time since Jake had mentioned his greatgrandmother, and Phoenix wondered what was going on in his little brain. He was amazed that Jake remembered their talk about heaven. He held him a bit tighter against him.

  The minister came from the altar area and walked toward them. “Mr. Rebel, I was wondering if you’d changed your mind.”

  “No, we’re waiting for the bride, and it might be a while.”

  “That’s okay. This is Vegas, I’m used to late night weddings.” He handed him a card. “I live next door. Just call my cell when you’re ready.”

  “Thank you.”

  Phoenix sat there, his heart heavy. He loved Rosie, and she had to understand that with love they could overcome all obstacles. He firmly believed that, so he was settling in for a long, long night.

  Jake grew bored and scooted down to dig in the diaper bag. He found his horses and held one up. “Horse.”

  Phoenix let him play with the horse on the floor, just to keep him occupied. As he watched Jake on his knees, he was grateful once again that he had full custody. He wouldn’t have to fight that battle again. The biggest battle was yet to be won.

  The church door opened and he turned to see Paxton, Rico, Elias and Grandpa walk in. They sat in the pew behind him, and Grandpa patted his back.

  “How you doing, son?”

  “I don’t know, Grandpa. I feel kind of dumb right now.”

  “She’ll come.” Grandpa scooted back in the pew and looked around at the church. “Did I ever tell you boys about that day I married your grandma? It was in a church just like this. She and her sister worked weeks on her wedding dress. My truck broke down and I was late getting to the church. She glared at me all through the service, and my goal was to make her smile by the end of that night. I sure made her smile.”

  “I thought Grandma bought her dress from a J.C. Penney catalog,” Paxton said.

  “Who’s telling this story? That was for our twenty-fifth wedding anniversary.”

  “I get confused, Grandpa, with all your stories.”

  “If you paid attention, you wouldn’t.”

  The door opened again. Falcon, Leah, Eden and baby John, Egan and Rachel with sleeping baby Justin, and Jude, Paige and Zane came in. They took the pews across from Phoenix. He stared at the door, hoping his mother would come. It was a long shot, but he kept hoping.

  As if reading his mind, Falcon said, “Quincy’s talking to her. Keep your fingers crossed.”

  He glanced at his brothers. “Thanks for being here.”

  They settled in to wait. Jake and John played with the horses on the floor and Phoenix kept glancing at his watch. The door opened again and he turned to look, hoping with all his heart it was Rosie. It wasn’t. It was Quincy, Jenny and his mother. They sat next to Phoenix, his mother beside him.

  “Quincy said if I didn’t come, I would regret it and I…I want to be here for you, but I have so many mixed feelings.”

  “It’s okay, Mom. It’s enough that you’re here. All I ask is that you give Rosie a chance. Give us a chance.”

  The minutes slowly ticked by. Paxton, Elias and Grandpa went outside to stretch their legs, as everyone else did at one time or another. But Phoenix kept sitting, waiting.

  After two hours, Egan said they were taking the baby back to the hotel. The family trailed out one by one, but Paxton lingered.

  “C’mon on, man, face it. She’s not coming.”

  “Go back to the hotel. I’ll deal with this myself.”

  “I know it hurts…”

  “She’ll come.”

  Paxton threw up his hands and sat by Phoenix. “Elias and Rico are taking Grandpa to the hotel, but I’m staying. I hope they don’t mind if I sleep on these pews.”

  Jake crawled onto Phoenix’s lap, and he held his son a little tighter than he usually did. He had to hold on to something to stay positive. But as long as he believed, he would be fine.

  He just had to keep believing.

  *

  ROSIE SAT IN her trailer, in turmoil as she reread Phoenix’s text. He was waiting. With Jake. Doubts warred with the love inside her. All she ever wanted was to fall deeply in love and have a home and a family. She could have that with Phoenix. She could have it all, but could they be happy? Would the animosity between their two families eventually destroy their love?

  She stood and screamed, the frustrated sound echoing in the trailer. She hated she had doubts. She hated her doubts were keeping them apart. She… Her eye caught something beneath the sofa. She bent down and fished it out. It was one of Jake’s toy horses.

  Clutching it to her chest she sank into the cushions, remembering that early morning when she had un
expectedly run into Phoenix. With his trigger-finger smile and confidence, he’d charmed his way into her heart.

  She ran a finger over the horse and remembered Phoenix’s confidence that Jake would love horses. He’d been right. Jake loved horses, and he loved his daddy. Suddenly staring down at the horse she knew, beyond any doubt, she loved both of them.

  It didn’t matter if Mrs. Rebel hated Rosie or that Rosie’s father had threatened Phoenix. It only mattered that they loved each other. That love made them strong enough to face whatever obstacles they had to. It was simple, just as Haley had said.

  Rosie jumped to her feet and almost stepped on Dixie. “Sorry…” A knock at the door interrupted her.

  “Open up, Rosie. It’s Haley.”

  Haley had a key. Why was she…?

  “Open the door.”

  “Okay.” As she swung the door wide, she saw Haley holding something white draped over her arms.

  “Look at this.” Haley marched in, bubbling with excitement as she held up a dress. It was white lace with feathers around the strapless top and the edge of the skirt, which came to mid-calf and was long in the back. It was beautiful, except for the white feathers. “It’s a perfect wedding dress.” Haley hiccupped on the last word.

  “Have you been drinking?”

  “I had a couple of beers with Cole. Just concentrate on the dress.”

  “Where did you get it?”

  “Cole and I met this dancer at the bar in the hotel, and to make a long story short, Cole charmed her right out of her dress.”

  “Haley…”

  “Focus on the dress, Rosie.”

  “It has feathers,” she pointed out.

  “But it’s white lace and beautiful.”

  “Did y’all buy it?”

  Haley threw an arm around Rosie’s shoulders. “Here’s the deal. You wear this dress to marry Phoenix and it’s a wedding gift. If you don’t, you owe me big time.”

  “Haley…” She reached out and touched the luxurious lace. This was a dress a princess would wear in a fairy tale.

  Or a wedding.

  *

  “ARE YOU READY to pack it in?” Paxton asked, sitting next to Phoenix and staring at his phone.