Cowgirl Up

by Cheyenne Meadows

  “I don’t mind a little dirt.” Madeleine gave her a quick squeeze, then stepped back to study her horse.

  Victory’s ears pricked forward, then he stretched his neck and nickered softly to his owner.

  “Kissing up again?” Madeleine raised an eyebrow.

  He shook his mane and stamped a foot.

  Madeleine laughed and rubbed his face. “Such a ham.”

  Trinity giggled at his antics, thrilled to see her mentor once more.

  Without missing a beat, Madeleine rolled up her sleeves, grabbed a spare sponge, dipped it the bucket, then started scrubbing on the opposite side from Trinity. “I hear you’re leading the Midwest standings.”

  “Yeah, but it’s really early yet.” Trinity didn’t dare let her present achievements go to her head. Too many variables existed that could send her tumbling from first place.

  “Still, better than last.” Madeline grinned at her over Victory’s back.

  “True.”

  “And that record setting run in Denver…that was amazing. You sure got the tongues to wagging up there.”

  Trinity smiled. “Yeah. It was great to come in as the newbie and leave them all with their mouths hanging open. But, along with fame comes unwanted attention.” She frowned recalling how the reporters chased after her and pressured her to let them take tons of pictures and video of Legacy. She put her foot down and shooed them all away. While Legacy didn’t seem to mind the attention too much, she didn’t want him upset. The last thing she needed was one of them threatening to sue her because he got horse bit.

  “All part of the game. I think you handled yourself very well, though. Didn’t let them bully you into anything.”

  “Thanks. After that small experience, I can’t imagine what you went through with Another Victory Gallop through the Triple Crown run. The world must have been beating on your door.”

  “It’s not for the timid or meek, I’ll say that.” Madeleine shrugged. “Just hold your ground, and don’t let them rile you. That’s the best advice I can offer on that.”

  “Okay.”

  They worked in companionable silence for a while, both grinning when Victory groaned in happiness and relaxation as they shifted from washing to brushing. His ears were at half-mast, his head down, and one foot cocked, resembling an old, loved pony, just lazing his days away. At the most expensive horse hotel around.

  “Have you thought about what you’re going to do when the rodeo season is finished?”

  Trinity shook her head, then clarified, “I’ve been thinking, but nothing sounds good right now.”

  “Carmen brags about you all the time. She’d keep you on forever. Says you’re the hardest worker and the boys love you.” Madeleine grabbed a comb and went to work on Victory’s mane.

  “I really like it here, but…” Trinity paused and swallowed around the lump suddenly in her throat. “Sometimes I just want to go elsewhere. See what the world has to offer.” In reality, everyone had welcomed her with open arms. Carmen went so far as to present her an open invitation to dinner any time at the main house, which she called home. Trinity showed up now and again, but mainly hung out in her one room apartment at the end of stallion barn A. It had all the amenities of home, but in a small package. Just right for her and her needs. Besides, she stayed close to Legacy, just down the aisle, in fact. A comfort to her when the sorrows threatened to engulf her at night.

  “Fine aspirations. I did that myself. Long ago.”

  “And see how well that turned out.” Trinity didn’t know a whole lot about Madeleine’s life, but she’d ended up on top of the world, which said something. She hadn’t married into money like other women. She’d made it herself. The hard way. Earning her way up the ladder one rung at a time.

  “Uh-huh. Truth be told, I learned a lot on the road. Namely, the highways are long, it’s damn lonely, and there’s no place like home.”

  Trinity absorbed the words, tossed them around, and analyzed. “Maybe. But, perhaps you have to take a leap of faith in order to find something besides what you had. To spread your wings and start anew.” There, she’d vocalized her latest ponderings, even if they sounded a bit hollow to her own ears.

  Madeleine reached up and grabbed Trinity’s hand as she ran the currycomb down the center of the horse’s back. When Trinity met her gaze, she offered up a soft smile. “Don’t you know pain is portable?”

  The statement hit Trinity in the gut. She drew in a deep breath, then resumed her work, in dire need of a distraction before she fell apart and started sobbing once more. She’d shed an ocean of tears already and crying did little more than make her eyes puffy, her nose run, and leave her wrung out. Over the past several months nothing good came of her pity parties. Thus, she’d vowed to lift her chin and cowgirl up.

  One small question remained. “What do you do when there’s no home left?” The whispered words came straight from her soul.

  “Oh, honey.” Madeleine walked around to Trinity’s side and wrapped her in a strong hug.

  Trinity soaked up the support and fought her emotions, finally stepping back in order to wipe at her eyes. She had blubbered like a child before and refused to drop to that level again. As a grown woman, she needed to get a grip. Now.

  Madeleine kept hold of her upper arms and studied her with an understanding gaze. “You know there’s a lot of people that care about you. You’ll always have a home here. With Carmen. With me in California.” She smiled down at her in a true motherly expression. “No matter where you go, we’ll always be here.”

  Trinity nodded and collected herself with an iron will. “Thank you.” Madeleine, Carmen, and the rest of the staff at the farm had been totally supportive since she arrived. They’d shared their lives and always invited her along for the ride. Trinity didn’t always accept, enjoying a good deal of alone time, but they never put her down. In truth, they’d become a surrogate family. An odd one, but highly appreciated.

  Madeleine patted her shoulder and gave her a nudge. “We better get back to work. I see another client for the spa treatment already lining up.”

  Trinity followed her gaze only to find Legacy standing in his stall, a replica of Victory an hour ago, covered entirely in mud. She groaned loudly.

  “Like father, like son.” Madeleine chuckled, traded brush for cloth, then earnestly returned to her task.

  Legacy had patiently waited his turn as they finished Victory. Trinity crosstied him then collected the hose once more. After showering him off, she grabbed the sponge and went to work once again. Madeleine took the opposite side to move the chore along faster.

  “Have you found a man who interests you, yet?”

  The offhanded question surprised Trinity. Madeleine, in many ways, stepped into a surrogate mother role when her own mother passed. But, they’d never really discussed her personal life before. Not that she had anything to hide. When she dropped in bed early every night and hadn’t had a date in years, there wasn’t much to tell.

  She considered the query before answering, “Not really.”

  “Hmm. Sounds like there might be a guy who has caught your attention.” Madeleine waggled her eyebrows at Trinity over Legacy’s back.

  Trinity shook her head. “Okay. Okay. There might be one. He’s a vet on the circuit. Nice guy. I had a crush on him as a high school kid.”

  “And?”

  “And nothing. We chat at the rodeos in between my racing and his checking on the livestock. That’s about it. We’re sort of friends, I guess.”

  “But you’d like more?” Madeleine exchanged her sponge for the hose once more.

  “I don’t know. I guess a part of me would like to step into that light, but the timing isn’t right.”

  Madeleine smiled knowingly. “Honey, the timing is never right. But, I’ll say this. My life would have been so much different without Richard. He made the days golden, showed me a different way of looking at things, and always made sure I felt loved. In the sack…oh, man could he deliver
.”

  Trinity’s face heated at Madeleine’s frankness. She’d read enough romance to understand the glorious happenings when a man and woman matched up well and strove to bestow pleasure on one another. Reading was one thing. Hearing about it from a close friend, another. “TMI, Madeleine. TMI.”

  The older woman chuckled. “Just wait, Trin. One of these days, you’ll fall head over heels and find yourself craving the touch of a certain man. He’ll open the gates and you’ll find yourself wanton in his arms. You won’t give a damn what anyone else thinks about how much time you spend in bed and what you do when there.”

  Trinity shook her head. The thought didn’t stick. Not for her. Perhaps others with more openness to sex. Maybe even those more experienced and randy. Certainly, she’d seen enough evidence this year, and prior years, of such happenings. Some things never changed at the rodeo circuit. Hot lust and hook ups seemed to be one of them.

  “Just don’t give up on men until you’ve given them a try. The world can be a mighty dull place without them.” Madeleine smiled knowingly and returned to her task.

  “How much do you charge for horse bathing?” Carmen’s voice carried across the area, filled with welcome and humor. “I’m not sure I have enough in the budget to cover a professional washer.”

  Madeleine glanced up and grinned ruefully at the newcomer. “Hmmm. How about you take it out of this month’s rent for Victory’s stay?”

  “That should work.” Carmen approached, careful to stay out of the spray of the hose and soapy water. “It’s good to see you again. Been too long since your last visit.”

  “Yeah, I know. I love it here. Just hard to get away sometimes.”

  Trinity picked up on a hint of loneliness in Madeleine’s voice. Odd considering the older woman had always been strong and adamant that she was happy in California. Madeleine could travel the world constantly if she wanted, her vast wealth would allow it and then some.

  “You could sell that mansion you call a home on the coast and move closer,” Carmen voiced Trinity’s unspoken thought.

  Madeleine paused for a second to rinse her muddy sponge. “Don’t think I haven’t thought about it.”

  “Then why haven’t you?” Trinity jumped in. “You can call anywhere your home base. Besides, that way you’d be closer to your horses.” And me. Trinity didn’t add that part. Ever since her mother passed, Trinity saw Madeleine as a maternal figure, someone with wisdom to depart and an ear to listen. She hated to bug Madeleine and never wanted to be a pest, but the honest truth was she needed another woman to talk to now and again. Carmen worked fine in a pinch, but Madeleine possessed something special. More matronly, maybe—a way of gently guiding and nudging without lectures and criticism.

  She didn’t think at twenty-five she would need another mother. Turns out she did. Not a replacement, just a good friend to lean on now and again.

  Guess I’m never too old to be alone.

  The thought spurred her back into the topic at hand—getting Madeleine to consider moving to Kentucky.

  “I don’t know. Moving is always such a pain. Too much stuff to pack up. Have to find a new home, sell the old one, pay movers to take it all across several states.” She blew out a breath. “Besides Richard is buried there. I would miss him.”

  “You miss him anyway, dear.” Carmen’s soft voice pointed out the obvious.

  Trinity knew from where Madeleine spoke. She longed for her mother, but reality was a frozen tundra without the ability to thaw at times. She’d never see her mother again and a cold slab of granite didn’t make for good company. One of the lessons learned over the past few months. The past couldn’t be changed, only the present and future allowed for tweaking. As hard as it was to pick up and move on, no other option existed. She could wallow in grief or notch out a new life for herself.

  “It’s easier to be around people that care about you,” Trinity whispered the words, finding the situation ironic. A few minutes earlier, Madeleine had provided comfort and reminded her of all the possible homes she could choose. Now, Trinity returned the favor.

  Carmen grinned. “I could always use another stable attendant.”

  Madeleine chuckled. “I hear the hours are long, the pay marginal, and getting covered in mud, muck, and horse flies are a given.”

  “Well…”

  “Victory would love the extra attention.” Trinity tossed in her ace in the hole.

  Madeleine turned her way. “He’s always been my favorite. And, I love to visit in the spring and see all his babies running around the paddocks with their mothers.” While Madeleine no longer raced her horses, she still followed Victory’s offspring, both on and off the track. The handful of mares she owned produced foals as well. Most were sold as yearlings at the annual sale, but she’d held onto a couple of fillies from last year’s crop.

  “Will you at least think about it?” Trinity asked before tossing her dirty sponge back into the sudsy bucket.

  “Please?” Carmen chimed in.

  Madeleine’s gaze flicked between the two before she smiled softly. “I’ll think about it.”

  “Yes!” Trinity pumped her fist.

  “That’s no promise, young lady. It’s just an if.”

  “It’s a start.” Feeling a huge weight lifted from her shoulders, Trinity smiled happily at her mentor.

  Maybe, just maybe things were looking up.

  “Anyone up to give me a lesson in pie baking?”

  Both of the older ladies blinked down at her, wry grins cropping up on their faces.

  “I’m sure we can manage.” Carmen chuckled and walked toward the exit.

  Chapter Nine

  Cody watched in envy as Trinity ran a finishing cloth over Legacy’s sleek hide. To have those same hands caressing him, teasing, leaving fires in their wake until she opted for mercy, found his aching cock, and stroked. Then she’d drop to her knees, and lick the end of his dick, lapping up the juices leaking from the slit. He’d thrust inside her mouth, feel her swallow every inch, then shoot his load straight down her throat. Or, spin her around, bend her over, and mount up like a randy stallion taking a filly in heat. Maybe both.

  His erection twitched with the image, then swelled in record time. Biting back a groan, he grasped for a distraction, anything to ease the hard-on he presently sported.

  Shit, I need to get laid.

  Shifting his weight, he subtly adjusted himself while Trinity had her back to him. Just what he needed right now, red hot horniness. Not just for anyone, either. Only the blonde currently grooming her horse just a few steps away would do.

  “What do you think?”

  He startled for a second, thinking she’d somehow eavesdropped on his heavily sexually laden thoughts. Looking up, he found her staring at him with a bemused expression on her face.

  Which only turned up the burner on his already rampant libido.

  “Pretty.” The form fitting jeans, her slim build, and youthful face all rolled into a beautiful package. One he seemed unable to banish from his mind from week to week. Hell, she’d started invading his dreams a couple days back. Wet dreams for sure.

  She giggled. “I meant Legacy, silly.”

  He joined in the fun. “I meant you both.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  Exiting the stall, she tossed the cloth in a bucket filled with grooming tools, secured the door, and plopped down in one of the two waiting lawn chairs. She grabbed a bottled water and tossed it Cody’s direction. “Catch.”

  He easily snared the plastic bottle out of the air, then sat down in the chair facing Trinity, automatically opening the cap and taking a long drink. “Thanks.”

  “Welcome.” She took a sip, then her gaze met his. “Busy day?”

  “Yeah. Pretty much anything that could go wrong, did. I ran non-stop and these new boots sure didn’t help.” He ran a hand through his hair, worn out from constant calls since last night. He might have managed two hours sleep during the night before a contractor called abou
t yet another injured animal. On top of it all, his feet hurt from breaking in new footwear the hard way. At least his shift ended at noon, giving him time to chill for a while.

  When did I turn into such a whiny wimp? He berated himself for complaining.

  Pain was a given in the life of a SEAL. Sore feet didn’t even register compared to what he’d been through.

  “Wonder why?”

  He shrugged and focused back on the topic at hand. “Full moon? Murphy’s Law? Luck of the draw? Who knows?”

  Trinity appraised him with such a soft expression, his breath hitched. Pride broadcast loudly in her eyes along with a healthy dose of mischief. She set her drink aside, stood, and grabbed onto one of his boots.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Taking off your boots, silly. Your feet won’t feel better until they get some air.”

  He waved her hands aside and performed the act himself. Sitting there in bare socks seemed odd, but sure felt a hell of a lot better.

  Trinity scooted her seat closer, latched onto his ankle, and lifted one of his feet into her lap.

  He arched an eyebrow her direction. “Now what are you doing?”

  “Foot rub.” Using both hands, she caressed his aching foot and sent sparks of delight rushing through his body. Oddly enough, her actions only whetted his desire all the more. He slouched a bit in his seat, hoping to hide the bulge in his jeans.

  “Mmmm.” He already felt better. “That’s wonderful.”

  He’d missed her last weekend since she chose to skip the circuit and head straight to Denver. The event had proven mundane without her to visit with. He worked, ate, and slept. Nothing more exciting than that. His restlessness returned as well as a healthy dose of discontent.

  The realization struck him hard. Trinity soothed him with her gentle presence. Without her, he fell back into the all too familiar pit of uneasiness, the same feeling that followed him since his injury and refused to relent until he started hanging out with the pretty blonde barrel racer. He wasn’t about to let such a precious gift fall from his grasp. Thus, this week he decided to step up the pursuit a notch and see where the road led.