Cowgirl Up

by Cheyenne Meadows

  Just another tidbit that he carried back from war. The most benign one, perhaps.

  The squeaking door drew his attention.

  Trinity emerged dressed in her typical outfit, jeans and a long-sleeved T-shirt to keep the morning chill of fall away. Her hair resided in a ponytail, which swayed with each step. Despite being devoid of makeup, she exuded plenty of natural beauty, more than enough to keep his attention and make him come to attention like a bird dog on point.

  She rubbed at her eyes. “Let me get the feeding done, then I’ll work on breakfast.”

  “Actually, I thought I’d help you feed first, then take you out to breakfast.”

  She blinked up at him. “Are you sure? I don’t mind cooking something.”

  “Not at all. It’s on the way and that way you won’t have to be rushing around to get everything done before taking me back to the fairgrounds.” As much as he liked the idea of returning to her room and sharing a nice breakfast, he wanted to take care of her this morning, to pamper her a bit. She would be sore as hell and worn out. No sense in making her work anymore than absolutely necessary.

  He flipped the lock on the door and held it open. “Lead the way.”

  She paused next to him and rose up to press a soft kiss to his lips, pulling back before he had the chance to take over and kiss her with all the passion currently rolling through his veins. “You’re always taking care of me. Thank you.”

  He nodded, ushered her out, then closed the door behind him. “I want to take a look at Legacy this morning, first thing. See if he’s favoring that leg any.”

  “I was thinking the same thing.” She made a beeline for his stall, finding the area empty. She threw the bolt, entered the area, then called to her horse.

  Legacy lifted his head from grazing and eyed her with ears pricked.

  “Come on. Breakfast time.”

  He whinnied and came at a fast trot.

  Cody watched the movement with professional interest, finding no sign of a limp. Still, he wouldn’t know for sure until he could get his hands on the animal. “If you hold him, I can get a closer look.”

  “Okay.” She took hold of Legacy’s halter and led him into the aisle of the barn.

  “Let’s see.” Cody ran his hand down Legacy’s side, then on down the left leg. The stallion sidestepped and smacked him with his tail. Not to be deterred, he followed the animal’s every move, and finally convinced Legacy to lift his leg.

  No swelling. No tenderness when he gently pressed on the area. Nothing in the horse’s behavior indicated a problem. With a relieved sigh, he stood and patted Legacy on the rump. “As far as I can tell, he looks great.”

  “Thank goodness.”

  Legacy swung around, turned his head, and lipped at his shirt. Cody stood still, watching the large stud closely, not entirely sure Legacy wasn’t about to take a hunk out of his hide.

  “Legacy. You’re supposed to be nice to the good vet.” Trinity ran her hand over the stallion’s nose. “Biting gives you a bad reputation.”

  He snorted in response.

  Cody grinned at the horse’s antics and scratched his neck. “He’s a handful all right.”

  Trinity smiled at him. “I wouldn’t have him any other way.”

  Nor would I. His gaze found Trinity, saw the happiness on her face, and felt his heart thump against his ribs. They’d come a long way since the first rodeo of the season, through baby steps. He was ready to step up to the next level. If only she felt the same.

  Thus far, she responded to him well, both accepting and giving. Yet, her pretty blushes and signals of nervousness kept him in check.

  As much as he’d like to take her back inside, lay her down on the bed, cover her, and finally sink deep into her delightful body, he knew she’d balk. He had to stay the course and let things happen naturally. No impatient hunter brought home dinner, after all.

  Trinity led Legacy back into his stall where he rattled the holder for his feed bucket. An obvious summons for his meal.

  Cody shook his head. “He’s a character.”

  “Yep.” Trinity shut the stall door and strode toward the line of buckets.

  He beat her to them, picked up the first bag of feed, and filled them to her direction. Once they all contained the appropriate amount, he helped her carry them to the stalls, waiting in the aisle while she took each one inside and placed it in the holder.

  Soon, the sounds of crunching carried through the barn. Soothing. Relaxing. Something he could get used to.

  He glanced around the ritzy set up, complete with brick floors and wide stalls that opened into separate paddocks. A classy place with some big name thoroughbred stallions in residence. For the first time in a while, he felt at home. No restlessness. No feeling lost without direction. Whether Trinity’s home or the woman herself held responsibility, he didn’t know. But, he vowed to find out. After all, he’d struggled with re-entry into society since his injury and leaving the SEALs. To find a place that offered peace ranked up there as a small miracle and one he wouldn’t take lightly.

  “Are you ready?”

  Trinity’s voice broke into his thoughts. He glanced down at her and smiled. She was in her element. And the way she looked at him…

  He shifted weight from one boot to another in an effort to ease the tightness of his jeans. “I’m ready when you are.”

  “Then, let’s go before Carmen gives me pitchfork duty this morning.”

  “Why don’t I believe that is as much as a threat as you let on?”

  She shrugged. “Maybe because it’s not.” Grabbing his hand, she gave him a firm tug. “Let’s go. I’m hungry and I’m sure you have some clients waiting for you at the rodeo.”

  He walked beside her, lessening his strides to match hers. “Trying to get rid of me already?”

  She turned to stare up at him. Her lips twitched. “No way. Why would I want to throw away the only man who doesn’t snore in my bed?”

  “There is that.” He grinned.

  “And you are handy with horses and grain bags.”

  “Uh-huh.” Amusement washed over him. He enjoyed their light banter immensely, but couldn’t resist the urge to nudge her for further disclosure on her personal feelings toward him. Sure, he already had a good idea, but confirmation never hurt.

  Her gaze raked his body before returning to his face. “Lacey was right. You do have a great backside.”

  He arched an eyebrow. “So, you’re keeping me around because I’m eye candy?”

  She giggled. “Did I say that?”

  Well pleased with her admission and bubbly attitude this morning, he took her hand in his. “What about my kisses?”

  A pink hue covered her cheeks. “Those…are exceptional.”

  “Better than my ass?”

  She peeked around him once more. “Too close to call.”

  He chuckled and shook his head.

  “Lacey?”

  She spun around, spied Cody walking toward her, and met him halfway. She’d been worried after watching horse and rider fall last night and leave without a follow-up report. Trinity seemed fine, but Legacy in a cast sent shards of worry through her. If anything happened to that stallion, her friend would be devastated. “How’s Trin and Legacy?”

  “Trinity is bruised up pretty bad, but should be fine. The equine clinic checked Legacy out thoroughly, found him sound, but recommended he take a week or two off in order to make sure.”

  “A week or two?” Lacey did the math in her head. “Trinity’s on the bubble to make the top twenty-five. If some of the other girls earn points this weekend and next, she’ll be out.”

  Cody rubbed his forehead. “Which is why I’m here. Do you know anyone that might have a back-up barrel horse Trinity can ride?”

  Lacey tilted her head, already pondering the question. “Probably. Trinity is well liked and the girls would most likely chip in to help her out.”

  He stared down at her with a furrowed brow and worry in his eye
s. “She needs an exceptional barrel horse, not just a run of the mill one. The odds will be against her to begin with because she won’t know the horse and she’ll be in a new venue. So, she needs something that can place her high enough to get those points.”

  She thought for another moment. “I don’t think any of the horses in our circuit will work. Not fast enough, especially in going head-to-head with the big names in Cheyenne.”

  Cody grimaced. “She’s so close. I hate to think she’s come this far and will fall short at the last minute. If only she had another horse.”

  “I know. But, the truth is, she couldn’t afford another one, which is why she’s put all her hopes and dreams on Legacy. They win or lose together.”

  “Yeah, but that doesn’t help us right now. She just needs to borrow one for a couple of days, just to ride in the event, and place fairly high.” He shifted his weight from foot to foot. “I wouldn’t be asking, but she needs this.”

  Lacey read between the lines. Cody cared for Trinity. Big time. Sure, she’d picked up on it before, but his actions this morning solidified her thoughts on the matter. Not to mention, Cody hit the nail on the head. Trinity really earned and deserved this. With her mother’s passing, Trinity scraping by, and the endless road of rodeos, she needed every opportunity to make it to the finals. There, she could do her magic with Legacy and let the dice roll.

  The least she could do was help that dream along in any way she could. “I’ll ask the girls. We’re all friends and some might know racers in other circuits that could possibly help. I don’t have another horse or I’d offer it up in a heartbeat.”

  Cody nodded once. “Thanks. If you find someone who can help, either call me or call Trinity. She’s proud and hates to ask for help, but I think in this one instance, she’ll swallow that pride and accept what’s offered.”

  “Will do.”

  “Good.” He turned to leave.

  “Cody?”

  He paused and twisted to glance back at her. “Thanks for helping Trinity. For being there for her.”

  His mouth opened, then closed once more. He jerked his head her direction and strode off.

  So that’s the way the cookie crumbles.

  Lacey smiled wickedly as she dug her phone out of her pocket. Cody and Trinity were pairing up fast and she couldn’t be happier for them.

  However, Trinity’s dreams would soon derail unless she could give her a helping hand. She zipped through her contact list, then punched a button. “Hi. It’s Lacey.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  The ringing of her cell phone startled Trinity. Jumping in reaction, she nearly lost her grip on the pitchfork. As it was, she barely managed to keep the tool and herself upright, even as Legacy lifted his head to stare at her like she’d lost her mind. After finding her phone, she answered just before the call went to voicemail. “Hello?”

  “Trinity?”

  “Yes.”

  “It’s Shannon. Shannon Mason.”

  “Oh, hi. I’m sorry I didn’t recognize your voice. The barn makes calls sound like an echo half the time.”

  “That’s okay.” A short pause followed. “I heard about your fall and Legacy’s required rest.”

  Trinity sighed. She’d come up empty in trying to find a way to fulfill her dream. So close, yet so far away. “Yeah. It sucks. But at least he’s going to be okay. That’s all that really matters.” Depressed about the situation, she forced herself to look at the bright side. Things could have been a hell of a lot worse in that fall. More than one horse and rider were permanently disabled or even killed in such accidents.

  “We were looking forward to seeing you at the finals.”

  “I know. But I don’t have a back-up horse and not enough points to guarantee a spot.” Trinity rattled off the facts that kept marching through her mind like a stock exchange ticker tape.

  “I think I have a solution.”

  Hope flared. “You do?”

  “Yep. Come to Cheyenne and ride my back-up mare, Tinker, at the rodeo.”

  Trinity blinked, hardly believing her ears. “You’re offering up your mare for me to ride?”

  “Yep. We do it all the time. All part of the sorority, you know.” Shannon chuckled. “Come on. It’s the least I can do. You’ll have a great shot on her, be able to pick up some much needed points, then return home just in time to turn around and head to Vegas for the finals.”

  “Wow. Shannon, I don’t know what to say.” Amazed at such a generous, sweet offer, Trinity blinked back tears.

  “Just say yes.”

  For the first time since Legacy went down, hope surged. “Yes.”

  “Great! If you can arrive a day early, you can get some training runs in on her, learn her ins and outs.”

  “I’ll be there.”

  “Good. Keep my number and call when you get here so I can head on over with her.”

  “I will. Thank you so much.”

  “No problem. That’s what friends are for.” She clicked off.

  Trinity saved the phone number, then stored her phone back in her jacket pocket, her mind still whirling at this latest twist.

  One thing didn’t go unnoticed—at the beginning of the year, she felt alone, plodding through life by herself. Now, when the chips were down, people started cropping up all over to give her a boost.

  Maybe, just maybe, she had found a new lot in life. A happy one.

  Unwilling to dawdle and analyze the idea too much, she turned her attention back to her task, then paused. Cody. She’d bet her bottom dollar Cody and perhaps Lacey had something to do with this. How else would Shannon have gotten her phone number?

  Soothing warmth flowed through her at the generous actions of her friends.

  Legacy bumped her with his nose. She stroked the white blaze down his face. “With a little help, we might just make it after all, boy.”

  He snorted and lipped at her jacket.

  She laughed and dug out a peppermint, unwrapping it quickly. “Okay. Okay. Here you go.”

  He crunched with obvious enjoyment, then snuffled her ear.

  “It’s going to be okay. I just have to believe that.”

  Legacy rested his head against her chest.

  She soaked up the sign of affection and patted his neck. No matter what, she had her best friend and she wasn’t about to let him down.

  As soon as she finished cleaning stalls, she returned to her apartment, grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge, and plopped down for a short break. Sore and still worn out, she ignored the achiness in her body. Time healed all wounds. This would be no different.

  Taking her cell phone in hand, she found Lacey’s number and punched the button. Given the time, Lacey should be up, done with her morning chores, and free to talk for a bit.

  Trinity had some questions and needed answers before making her next call.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey Lacey.”

  “Trinity! How are you feeling? I hear Legacy is going to be good as new with just a bit of down time.”

  “I’m okay. Got lucky, so can’t really complain. And, yes, it’s a relief that Legacy didn’t suffer any injury. I don’t know what I would have done if it had been serious.” She answered truthfully, knowing her world revolved around the stallion.

  “I’m happy to hear on both counts.” She paused for a second. “Cody stuck by your side, I understand.”

  “Yeah.” Trinity had no doubt all of the competitors already knew that Cody went with her to the clinic and probably figured he spent the night as well. Gossip made the rounds at a rodeo faster than a world champion steer wrestler could throw a steer to the ground.

  “Spent the night, huh?”

  Trinity rolled her eyes. “Yes, but we didn’t do anything.” For some ridiculous reason, she needed to set Lacey straight on the facts right off the bat.

  “Whoa. I didn’t insinuate anything. Besides, you’re twenty-five. If you want to invite a man into your bed, more power to you. You’re p
lenty old enough to make that decision for yourself.” Lacey’s voice carried a bit of humor mixed in with defensiveness.

  “I know. Sorry.”

  “No problem. It’s a tough problem to have, dancing with Cody and waiting to see who’s gonna make the first move.”

  “It’s not like that.” Or is it?

  “Uh-huh. Slow and steady is fine, girl. Just remember that he’s primo and really interested right now. Don’t let him get bored and tired while you’re trying to figure out what to do with him.”

  Trinity frowned. Was she doing just that? Playing hard to get too much, leaving Cody not only guessing, but considering other options? She shook her head. No. They seemed to be on an identical path. She confessed her interest, her intention to help make the relationship work. So what if they moved at the pace of a caterpillar crossing a street. “I’m pretty sure we’re on the same page.”

  “I hope so because he’s one hot dude, and he’s obviously sticking to you like no one’s business. You don’t know how lucky you are.”

  Odd. She never really considered herself lucky before with all the struggles over the past few years. Certainly this year ranked down on the bottom of the totem pole for great experiences. However, when she considered the last few days, she could easily see Lacey’s point. Legacy and she were fine despite a hard fall. Cody had been a rock through the whole process and really through the entire season. He could have just about any girl he wanted, yet he hung out with her. Not a bad deal at all.

  She shunted the conversation away from her personal life and back to a more professional level. “Speaking of luck, guess who called me and offered her back-up horse for next weekend?”

  “Shannon Mason?”

  Trinity’s mouth fell open. She knew deep down that Lacey had something to do with this, but hearing the words completely humbled her. “You knew all along.”

  “Well, yes and no. All I did was get the ball rolling. I called a couple of the other barrel racers and word spread like wildfire about what happened. They all like you and wanted to help. From what I understand, one of them is friends with Shannon. Supposedly, when she heard about the fall, she immediately asked about you and Legacy, then offered up her mare when she learned that without the points you might not make it to the finals.”