THE COWBOY'S RULES: 3: THE SURPRISE (Cowboys After Dark Book 6)

by Maggie Carpenter

  “Hey, hon, is it ready?” he asked.

  “Yes, it’s steaming hot and waiting for you,” she replied.

  “Like you,” he chuckled.

  “Yes,” she giggled, “like me.”

  “Sounds like somethin’ that shouldn’t be kept waitin’. I’ll be right there.”

  She ended the call, and as she placed two dishes and knives on the table, another thought crossed her mind.

  I need to do something really special for him, something big, something stupendous. Something that will show him just how much I love him.

  “Damn, that smells good,” he declared as he ambled in “and I’ve got good news. Eddie wasn’t crazy about bein’ on the force and quit after just a couple of weeks. He’s been lookin’ for a ranch job.”

  “That’s not good news, that’s great news,” Cassie declared. “I had a feeling about him. He was really enamored with this place, and absolutely loved the horses.”

  “He can start tomorrow, which is a blessin’ in itself. I guess we’ll find out how much he knows real quick, but at least it’ll give Jeb a break. Feel real bad about that hand of his.”

  “I was watching him from the window a minute ago, and he’s having trouble just pulling a girth tight.”

  “Like I said, I’ve just gotta get a handle on things, and gettin’ Eddie out here, that’s a start. Man this looks good,” he said, taking a large piece of the cornbread. “What a great surprise. Thanks, hon.”

  Sitting opposite him, and buttering a piece of the cornbread for herself, she smiled across the table at him.

  “It’s the least I can do,” she said softly, and you don’t know it, but I’m going to find a way to do a whole lot more.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  After Chad had finished his beer and devoured the last piece of cornbread left on the plate, he headed back down to help Jeb and Marty, and to give them the news about Eddie, the new, probably inexperienced cowhand that would be joining the team.

  “Is Dan Michaels sticking around?” she asked innocently as he was leaving.

  “Yep, I told him I expected him to. He’s not here near as much as he should be, and I’ve caught some mistakes up there. That was the other reason I was so ticked off,” he declared. “Why?”

  “Oh, because I haven’t seen his truck in ages,” she said quickly, “and l just wondered if that was going to change now.”

  “It had better,” Chad said soberly, then calling Mickey to join him he hurried away.

  Cassie washed some carrots, celery, and an orange bell pepper, peeled an onion, then placed them all on a cutting board, but as she chopped her mind was racing.

  Still preoccupied she opened the package of chicken tenders and set them in a casserole dish, then poured in a large can of chicken broth. With the dish sitting in front of her, she paused to stare out the window; pieces of a large puzzle were falling into place. A few minutes passed and she broke into a smile.

  Yes, that will work, yes, yes, yes.

  Focusing back on the recipe she dropped the vegetables in with the chicken, added some rosemary and a few bay leaves, then covering it with the lid, she placed it in the oven to cook.

  Hannah’s recipe called for forty-five minutes, but she’d told Cassie to check it in thirty, “because,” she’d said earnestly, “not all ovens are created equal.”

  With dinner in the oven she cleared up the mess, then taking a deep breath she reached for the phone to call Randy Rutherford.

  Randy had been Cassie’s riding trainer for years, and their relationship had developed into a close friendship. She needed him, and as she’d hoped he would, Randy enthusiastically agreed to help.

  “Hey, for you and Chad, you bet,” he said warmly.

  “Thanks, Randy, I knew I could count on you.”

  Hanging up the phone she took a deep breath, then hurried out to the gator: she was headed to the construction site.

  Since the frightening encounter with the laborer who had turned out to be a dangerous psychopath, Chad had forbidden Cassie to go near the construction site, a rule Cassie had agreed to without protest.

  “I don’t care what safety measures we have in place,” he’d said firmly, “you’re not to go up there. You’re beautiful, and those men don’t need to see you. If you want to check how things are moving along we’ll go there together after everyone has left. I’m real serious about this, Cassie. You understand me?”

  “Yes, Sir,” she’d nodded, “I totally get it,” and she did. She had no desire to have the workers see her more than they had to, and though her barn and riding ring was close by, she made sure she showed no interest in the construction site when she was driving back and forth. The fight between Dan Michaels and Chad had been the first time she’d stopped and stared since Chad’s rule had been in place, and as she drove the Gator slowly away from the house, she made a silent request.

  Please don’t let Chad see me, please. He’ll wallop my butt for sure if he does.

  Is that such a bad thing?

  Right now it is, I’m still sore from this morning.

  If things weren’t so serious, and if what she was about to do wasn’t so daunting, she would have giggled at the short conversation she’d just had with herself, but a small smile still crossed her lips.

  Heading up the road she glanced down at Chad’s barn to see if she could spot him. He was standing by the cross-ties, deep in conversation with Jeb.

  Good, he’s busy, hopefully he’ll stay busy for a while, and pressing down on the accelerator she drove quickly forward.

  Had she not gunned the engine Chad wouldn’t have looked up, but he did, and he wasn’t pleased with what he saw.

  “I’ve told that girl a hundred times not to speed around in that thing,” he frowned, seeing the vehicle zip up the road.

  “She doesn’t usually,” Jeb remarked. “I wonder why she’s in such a hurry.”

  “I’ll have to have words with her tonight,” Chad declared. “She can be real willful when she’s got a mind to be.”

  “All women can be,” Jeb chuckled.

  “Yep,” Chad chuckled along with him, “you’re right about that.”

  “She’s not usually up at her barn this time of day,” Jeb remarked. “It’s too early to bring in the horses, and she can’t be thinkin’ of ridin’ in this heat.”

  “Huh,” Chad frowned. “You’re right. I might go up there and make sure nothin’s wrong. Way things have been goin’ around here, her barn could be burnin’ down.”

  He continued his chat with Jeb, determining how Eddie could take some of the pressure off Jeb with his injured hand.

  “Great to hear he’s comin’ on board, boss, thanks for gettin’ in some help,” Jeb said gratefully.

  “If there’s a silver linin’ to your injury, it’s that it pushed me to hire someone. I should’ve done it a while back,” Chad admitted. “I’m gonna check on Cassie now. Do me a favor and bring Marty up to speed. I didn’t wanna interrupt the work he’s doin’ with that new colt.”

  “Sure will,” Jeb nodded.

  Climbing into his Range Rover, Chad started driving up the road to Cassie’s barn, but as he passed the construction site he saw the gator; it was parked and Cassie was nowhere in sight.

  Feeling his pulse quicken he drove forward, pulled to a sharp stop and jumped out. He was marching forward when he saw Cassie leaving the house, and as she turned in his direction he could see the angst cross her face; he stood his ground, waiting for her to reach him.

  “This had better be good,” he said sternly.

  “Sorry, Chad, I just needed to put my own two cents in.”

  “You had words with Dan?” he asked, shocked at the admission.

  “I did,” she nodded. “It’s our house, and I care about it, and I can’t stand that he tried to pull one over on you. I needed to tell him so.”

  “I don’t know whether to spank you or admire you,” he said gazing down at her. “You’re such a…a…”

>   “A what?” she pressed.

  “You’re sassy Cassie,” he smiled.

  “You’re not mad?”

  “Of course I am, I don’t want you around these guys, and you don’t need to be fightin’ my battles, but I have to respect you for stickin’ up your dukes.”

  “I’m really glad to hear that. I thought you’d be furious. I broke the rule.”

  “Yep, and I might just have to give you a swat or two for that.”

  “I can handle a swat or two,” she smiled.

  “It might be three or four,” he said raising his eyebrows. “Maybe even five or six.”

  “Sorry,” she apologized. “It was something I had to do.”

  “Now you’ve done it, so scoot,” he said firmly. “Since I’m here I think I’ll just check in with him before he leaves, see if he’s reconfigured those numbers.”

  “Okay, I’ll see you back at the house, and Chad, do you think you could give me a hand with the horses tonight? Hannah’s still overwhelmed with her preparations for that party. She didn’t even ride today.”

  “Sure, I’d enjoy that,” he grinned.

  “Fantastic, thanks,” she grinned back, and giving him a wink she continued on to the gator, but as she climbed in she noticed Dan welcoming Chad with a big smile, and very pleased with herself she sighed happily.

  “Step one, complete,” she muttered, and starting up the gator she headed down to Chad’s barn.

  As she neared she said a silent prayer of thanks; Jeb was still standing near the cross ties, and Marty was just leaving the round pen.

  “Hey, Marty, can I have a quick word?” she called.

  “Sure, Cassie,” he smiled, and began to stride quickly towards her.

  “You must be so proud of Hannah,” she said as he approached.

  “I am, and I get to taste test all her new recipes,” he chuckled. “I’m dyin’ to try this new chocolate cake she’s been workin’ on.”

  “The clinic that starts this weekend, it’s the last one, right, and the easiest?” she asked.

  “Yep, it’s advanced. It’s more like a reunion. Lots of trail ridin’, and usually some showin’ off.”

  “That’s what I thought. There’s something I want to talk to you about, can we have a private word?”

  “I don’t see anyone else in earshot,” he assured her. “Jeb can’t hear us from over there.”

  “Thanks, Marty. As Chad would say, this here’s the deal.”

  Marty listened closely, didn’t interrupt, and finally nodded his head.

  “That’s quite a plan, Cassie. You sure?”

  “No, but I’m going to do it anyway,” she replied. “I have to. Can you fill Hannah in for me? I’m afraid to step foot in that cabin again.”

  “Hey, I get it,” he chuckled. “You can count on me. I’ll do everythin’ I can to help you. I’ll have to tell Jeb at some point though, I mean, you can’t keep a thing like that a secret once it starts up.”

  “True,” Cassie giggled.

  “Chad might fire me for it,” he joked, “but hey, I think you’re right, and I think it’s a helluva thing to do for him. You’ve got me one-thousand percent.”

  “You’re the best, Marty,” she grinned.

  “Nope, I think I’m lookin’ at the best,” he said sincerely. “Chad’s mighty lucky to have you in his corner.”

  As she started up the gator she saw Mickey trotting out of the barn.

  “Hey, Mickey, come on home with me.”

  Seeing her the dog broke into a run and leapt into the passenger seat.

  “I think Mickey’s gonna be real happy as well,” Marty remarked.

  “I think you’re right,” Cassie agreed as she rubbed the dog’s head. “Talk to you soon.”

  Driving up the lane to the house she glanced at Mickey sitting happily next to her.

  “That’s step two, a couple more and then we’re home free, then I think you will be one happy puppy.”

  Mickey cocked his head, and Cassie burst out laughing.

  “Sorry, I keep forgetting you speak english. When we get home I’ll fill you in.”

  CHAPTER FIVE

  To Cassie’s delight and Chad’s surprise, the chicken dish was delicious, and they had just finished eating when the house line rang.

  “You stay put,” Cassie insisted, “I’ll get it, and if it’s Peter with some drama, or-”

  “You’ll give me the phone,” he said firmly.

  “Nope, not tonight, you’ve had enough for one day.”

  Chad grinned. He hated to admit it, but she was right; he was tired, and it had been a long day, a very long day. He watched as she picked up the phone, and then saw her forehead crease into a worried frown.

  “It’s Mandy,” she said. “I think you’d better take it,” and carrying the phone to the table, she handed him the receiver as she sat back down.

  Chad had contracted Mandy Parsons, a trick rider that Chad had known for years, to take over his show and do the summer tour. He’d had too much on his plate, and at the time he’d felt ready to hand over the reins to someone else.

  “Hey, Mandy, what’s up?”

  “I need you,” she declared. “Is there any chance you could pinch hit for these last three shows?”

  “What? When, and why?”

  “This weekend. I’ve hurt my back, and-”

  “How did you hurt your back?”

  “Believe it or not, I fell off rehearsing a new stunt. I can’t ride, I can’t do anything. You’re probably so busy you’ve forgotten, but we only have this weekend and that’s the end of the tour. I’m only a couple of hours away. Please say you’ll come, otherwise I’ll have to cancel.”

  “Mandy, I have the clinic, and the house is behind schedule, and…well…there’s just so much is going on here.”

  “It’s just the weekend, and today’s only Monday. You’ll have all week to get ready and arrange things. Can’t Marty start the clinic without you?”

  “I guess he could.”

  “Please say yes. I’d hate to cancel but if I have to I need to do it right away.”

  “Let me think about it. I’ll get back to you back soon,” he promised.

  “I take it she wants you to fill in?” Cassie asked, watching him hang up the phone, a worried frown on his face.

  “Yep. She says she fell off and hurt her back, says she can’t do the show.”

  “Chad, you should do it,” she said earnestly. “I think it would be great for us to get away for the weekend.”

  “How can I leave with so much is going on here?”

  “What’s the worst that could happen? The construction stops on the weekend anyway, and this clinic is the easy one, right?”

  “Yep…”

  “It’s up to you, but I’d love to bail for a couple of days. Hannah will have Eddie to help her with the horses. Please, we really need a break, please,” she begged.

  “It would be kinda nice to be back in the ring with Bailey and Captain and Mickey, doin’ our thing,” he muttered.

  “You miss it, don’t you?” she said softly.

  “Yeah, I do,” he admitted, dropping his eyes to his coffee cup.

  “Peter can handle anything that comes up with the expansion, and besides, what’s going to happen with that on a weekend?”

  “I just don’t think I can spare the time, not with-”

  “Of course you can,” she insisted, then quietly added, “if you don’t go, all those people will be so disappointed, especially the kids.”

  At the mention of the fans he lifted his gaze, staring across the table at her, and she saw it in his eyes; the memory of the fans, being in the ring making so many people laugh and clap. She let the moment linger for a minute before pushing back her chair to clear the table.

  “Maybe you’re right,” he mumbled. “Maybe I should do it.”

  “You kind of owe to them, don’t you think?” she remarked. “I mean, isn’t that how your whole thing got started? Doin
g small demonstrations, and they just got bigger and bigger, until you started performing at the fairs? It was the fans that created all your success, isn’t that what you told me?”

  “Yeah, that’s exactly what I told you, that’s how it began. Damn, you’re right,” he declared. “Of course I have to do it. I’ll have to get Bailey and Captain up to speed, but I can do that. The minute we enter the show ring it’ll all come back anyway.”

  “Then we’re going?” she asked enthusiastically.

  “You bet,” he exclaimed slapping his palm on the table, then breaking into a grin he declared, “this’ll be fun, thanks, Cassie, thanks for helpin’ me see the light.”

  As he called Mandy back, Cassie placed the remaining dishes on the counter, walked up behind him, wrapped her arms around his shoulders and hugged him.

  “I’m really glad,” she whispered kissing his neck.

  “Me too,” he said, “hey, Mandy, yep, of course I’ll come up.”

  As he began discussing the details, including a conversation with Rick and Alan, the sound and lighting crew who had been standing by to talk with him, Cassie loaded the dishwasher and placed the leftover chicken casserole in some plastic containers.

  Whew, I thought for a minute you were going to be stupid and say no. This is going to be so fabulous.

  Chad was on the phone for some time, and after he’d ended his call with Mandy, his next call was to Peter, and taking Cassie’s advice he ordered him to deal with the flawed shirts that had been delivered, and anything else that might arise.

  “I have a very busy week,” Chad said firmly, “and I can’t deal with the day to day problems of this expansion, not right now. You’ll have to do the job I hired you to do.”

  The next call was to Marty, discussing the clinic and how Eddie needed to help Hannah during Cassie’s absence.

  “Hey, Chad, you’ll only be gone the weekend, I think we’ll survive,” Marty chuckled. “Hannah isn’t exactly a novice.”

  “Well, yeah, I know that, but that’s a lotta work, gettin’ the horses out, muckin’ the stalls, makin’ sure-”

  “It’s not that much,” Marty interrupted, “no more than she did when she was workin’ for you, and what Cassie’s been doin’ all week.”