Cowgirl Up

by Cheyenne Meadows

  Sitting up, she found an all too familiar person staggering her direction. As she watched he tipped up a glass bottle, drank heavily, the wiped his sleeve across his mouth.

  Drunk. Gary was drunk as a coon who found the hops.

  A tendril of fear wrapped around her heart.

  She turned her head this way and that, found herself alone except for the horses, and swallowed with difficulty. If he pressed the issue, she was on her own.

  Tossing aside her blankets, she took to her feet, quickly slipping on her tennis shoes, thankful she wore sweats to bed. With the laces tied, she stood tall and glared at the man who intruded on her privacy.

  He strode closer, his gaze locked on her the entire time. “There’s you.”

  The slightly slurred words along with the scent of alcohol permeating his entire being reinforced her first inclination and jacked up her growing trepidation. Even a drunk man could pose a danger. Perhaps more so than a sober one.

  “Snob thinkin’ you don’t want what I’m offering.” He palmed his crotch through his jeans.

  “I don’t want anything you have to offer.” She clipped off every word, trying to beat them into his thick skull. “Go away. You’re drunk.”

  He smacked his lips and took another pull from the bottle before tossing it aside, empty. “No way, honey. You and me, we’re gonna have us a good ole time.”

  Trinity began to backpedal, keeping well out of his reach. She took a chance and glanced behind her, judging the distance to the back exit. Absently, she heard Legacy move around restlessly in his stall. Most likely picking up on her emotions and acting out. Nothing new for him.

  “I said no.” Trinity bumped into the gate of an empty stall. Just as she sidestepped, he reached out and latched onto her upper arms with a grip of steel, jerking her against his chest.

  “No one tells Gary no.” He spit the words out, then released one arm to yank hard on her hair, elevating her chin in the process. A split second later, he crushed his lips against hers.

  Trinity struggled, repulsed by the bitter taste of alcohol mixed with Gary’s unwelcome advance. She brought her knee up like before, only to find herself shoved backward, then thrown to the ground. Before she could roll out of the way, Gary jumped on her, grabbed her chin in one hand and snarled down at her.

  “Stop it!” She stared up into Gary’s face with growing horror. He might be inebriated but he was damn strong. Strong enough to flatten her body into the hard earth. Strong enough for his fingers to dig painfully into her cheeks. Strong enough to grab hold of her shirt and yank it up when it refused to rip.

  A hand on her breast along with the sound of Legacy’s scream and kicks to the stall walls propelled her into survival skill mode. She hit, she squirmed, she shoved and bit. Anything to gain her release. Nothing worked.

  Gary snared her wrists in an unbreakable vise and sneered down at her. “Gonna fuck you.”

  Out of breath and in full panic, Trinity fought with desperation, unable to believe this was happening. She struggled and bucked, incapable of unseating Gary from his position straddling her smaller body. His full weight began to take its toll, stealing her breath and wearing her down.

  He squeezed her breast painfully with his free hand. She’d removed her bra before bed and now wished it back. Anything to serve as a barrier and buy time. “No! Get off me!” She threw her body to the side and tugged to free her arms.

  Suddenly, Gary no longer held her down. She found herself free and the sounds of a fistfight nearby carried to her ears.

  Sitting up, she made out Cody as he first punched Gary in the jaw, then spun around and kicked her attacker so hard in the chest he fell back against the empty stalls, smacked his head, and crumpled into an unmoving heap.

  For a long moment, she simply stared at Cody, not sure what to say, her brain still too shaken to form coherent words. One thing was for certain—he’d rescued her.

  Cody spared Gary one more glance, then turned toward her, his lips thinning as concern flashed in his blue eyes. “Are you okay?”

  She nodded. “I…yes. Thank you.” Her dry mouth made speaking more difficult.

  A piercing whinny full of panic split the air, giving her the energy to move. “Legacy.”

  “Whoa there. Slow down.” He grasped her upper arms, then cussed when she flinched. “That bastard.” Wrapping an arm about her waist, he picked her up in a feat of sheer strength, then held on to steady her. “Got it?”

  “Yeah.” Turning, she hurried to her horse, slipped into his stall, and stroked his neck, talking in low, soothing tones. “It’s okay, boy. I’m here. Nothing to get all upset about.” Pain and fatigue began to sink it, but she ignored both as she focused on her stallion’s needs above her own.

  He nickered, sniffed, then rested his head against her sore chest as if in relief that she was indeed just fine. She scratched behind his ears and played with his long, gray forelock.

  She glanced over at Cody, found him watching her with unveiled interest, and nearly tripped over words. “How did you know?”

  “I was walking by and heard him screaming like a wild stallion challenging another. Since you’re always with him, I knew something was up.”

  She recalled the hard hoof strikes to the wooden door of the stall. Worry took precedence. “Can you look him over? Make sure he didn’t hurt himself? He was doing his best to kick the walls down and get to me. I just hope he didn’t injure himself in the process.” If he had, she didn’t know what she’d do. Forget the finals, her whole life revolved around Legacy.

  Cody stepped into the stall, freezing when Legacy’s head snapped around. “Relax, big guy. I’m just going to give you a once over. Nothing to get all steamed about.” Still muttering quietly, Cody reached out, ran his hand down Legacy’s side, then down to all his legs. After a few minutes, he finally stood, keeping one hand on the stallion’s rump. “Feels fine. No sign of tenderness.” His eyes met hers. “Up to taking him for a short walk?”

  Trinity nodded. Cody would have to see her horse move in order to solidify his findings. As shaky and weak as she felt, she refused to give in. Instead, she stepped to Legacy’s left side, grabbed a fist full of mane, and jumped.

  Whether she would have made it on her own, she didn’t know. But Cody caught her by the thigh and boosted her up with ease. She adjusted her balance and inclined her head toward Cody. “If you’ll open the door, I can walk and trot him up the aisle.”

  His eyebrows furrowed. “You don’t even have a bridle on him.”

  “Don’t need one.” She waited for him to do her biding, then lightly squeezed her legs and pressed on the right side of Legacy’s neck. “Come on, Legacy. Let’s go for a short walk.”

  He stepped onto the dirt floor of the makeshift barn, turned left, then plodded along, ignoring the horses in other stalls who stuck their head out in interest. Once she reached the end, she used the same technique to spin him around. Approaching Cody, she clicked to Legacy, urging him to a trot the rest of the way to the exit, then back.

  Stopping beside him, she waited with bated breath for his answer.

  “Feel anything off?”

  “No.”

  “He looks good to me. If he did any damage, I can’t see it.” Legacy arched his neck, snuffled Cody’s neck, then lipped at his shirt.

  Cody grinned and rubbed the stallion’s nose. “Finally decide that you like me, huh?”

  For the first time since Gary appeared, Trinity smiled genuinely. Legacy never took to strange men, but he and Cody bonded tonight. A small victory. Cody’s blue eyes caught hers. “I’m not leaving you alone.”

  She blew out a breath. “You were right. About the barns not being safe.”

  His jaw ticked. “Let me call security, get the police here and arrest that lowlife fucker.”

  Trinity shivered. Legacy sidestepped in edginess. She quickly seized control over her emotions and forced herself into sedate calmness. If not, Legacy would be jumping all over the place
and never get any rest.

  She bit her lip in indecision. “That will take a while. All the questions. The noise.”

  Cody’s eyes narrowed. “Trinity, you can’t let him get away with this.”

  “He’s drunk. Can’t we just have security toss him in a heap somewhere and let him sober up?”

  He growled, then pulled out his phone, punched in a number, then clicked off. “Fine. We’ll do it your way. This time.”

  She didn’t miss the anger directed toward her this time. Much like before. At the end of her rope, she slid off Legacy, returned him to his stall, snuck him a carrot from the cooler, then shut the door once more. Task done, she spun around to face Cody. “I don’t agree with letting anyone get away with that kind of crap, but here’s the deal. I’ve got a handful more nights of competition. Legacy has been upset enough and I’ll be damned lucky if he’s still completely sound. Bringing in the cops, the media, and all the lights and noise will only make matters worse, for not only him, but for the other animals.” She drew in a breath and kept her voice purposely just above a whisper. “I’ve got another few days, then I’m gone. For good.”

  He stared at her for a long moment before his eyebrows furrowed. “Gone for good?”

  She sighed. “I’m retiring after the finals.”

  Cody blinked. “Why? You’re at the top of the leader board and Legacy has just hit his stride in the rodeo business. Why would you quit now?”

  Trinity had asked herself the same question endless times before. She always came back to the same answer. “I’m tired.” Tired of all the drama, the endless miles. Tired of being alone. Tired of trying to live out a dream for two.

  He processed her words and studied her face, searching for validation. She spoke the bare truth, he read it in her sad eyes. His gut tightened once more, though this time with a hint of fear instead of outright rage.

  Before he could answer, the security detail arrived. He excused himself, met the lead man and offered up a short explanation of what happened. The man frowned, peeked over at Trinity, then nodded.

  Within a few minutes, the biggest man slung a still unconscious Gary over his shoulder and carried him off. Cody hoped they dumped him in the shit pile to sleep it off. More than what he deserved.

  As soon as they were gone, he returned to Trinity’s side, finding her standing tall with a frown plastered on her face. If he didn’t know better, he’d think her angry with him instead of Gary.

  “Thank you for the rescue. But, I know how you feel about me, so I won’t keep you any longer.” Her eyelids narrowed to slits.

  He stiffened at her defensiveness.

  A shudder racked her body. He saw vulnerability and then sheer guts and determination as she lifted her head, met his gaze steadily, and fed his words back to him. “I’m not worth your time, Cody. Sloppy seconds, I believe is what you said.”

  He flinched at his own cruelty. “I didn’t know.” The excuse sounded flimsy to his own ears. “I was pissed because we had something going, then I saw you and Gary kissing. I felt the knife of betrayal in my back and overreacted.”

  She simply stared at him like a puppy that had been kicked one too many times. Her gaze never wavered, but the fire seeped out of her, leaving a dullness to her normally bright eyes.

  “I’m sorry. So very sorry. I should have said something instead of just assuming.” He reached out to her only for her to turn her head. A sure sign he’d violated their trust. His heart stuttered. “I’m not leaving you alone, Trinity.”

  “I’m fine.”

  “No you’re not, but I’m going to make sure nothing else bothers you tonight.” He stared at her, unbending in this. No way could he walk away after what just happened. She might appear in control, but he noticed the tiny tremors now and again, in reaction to the attack and lingering adrenaline. She was rattled and rightly so. By morning, she’d carry some colorful bruises as a reminder of her ordeal. He’d check over every inch of her body if he didn’t think she would panic at the very thought.

  He might be the last person she wanted to hang around with tonight, but he didn’t give a damn. Trinity needed someone and he’d rather be stuck in another burning Humvee than leave her alone right now. He’d apologize and explain until the dark skies faded to golden hues as long as she settled down, stopped fighting him, and let him watch over her like he intended.

  “I can take care of myself.” Stubborn pride carried in her tone.

  He held out his hands in the age-old gesture of peace. “I know you can, but humor me. I just about lost my mind when I saw Gary first muscle you, then throw you to the ground. All I could think about was getting to you as fast as I could.” He studied her face carefully. “I care about you, Trinity. Let me watch over you tonight. For both our sanity’s sake.”

  She blew out a breath and seemed to wilt a bit without the fires of rage to hold her up. “I don’t want to be a bother.”

  He shook his head and ever so gently ran his knuckles down her cheek. “You could never be that.”

  Fear faded from her face, replaced by a more relaxed expression. Relief.

  “You’re always around. Do you ever sleep?”

  “Not so much.”

  Compassion flashed in her eyes.

  Hope returned in earnest as he spoke, softly, reassuringly. Showing her he offered no threat. He wanted to be her protector. Her hero.

  At least she seemed to be offering up an olive branch. He seized it and prayed she could find forgiveness for his stupidity.

  “You mentioned time with the SEALS. Is that why?”

  He slowly nodded his head. Always before he avoided the subject, but tonight, with Trinity, he didn’t mind talking nearly as much. The tender moment and small amount of intimacy ensnared him as well. He couldn’t deny her answers. Not now. “I was a Navy SEAL.” That explained everything to him and those in the military. Her eyes softened in appreciation and awe. He’d told her this before but appreciated her reaction just as much. A balm to his old war wounds. “Saw a lot of action until I was injured.”

  “You look fine to me. And the way you move. Beautiful, like living poetry.” She raked him with her soft gaze. His heart thudded against his ribs at the tender expression on her face. Much better than the fury he’d faced a minute ago. “It had to be bad. War. Injury. All that stuff. I’m sorry.”

  He tensed, then forced himself to chill. No sense getting all worked up over what can’t be changed. Old news. Besides, she didn’t need him getting all defensive tonight. Hell, he wanted to kick his own ass for his snide comments about catching her and Gary in an intimate moment. Speaking of…no time like the present to get things off his chest. “It is what it is.”

  A shudder shook her body.

  Reaching out, he lightly placed a hand on her shoulder. “Sit down before you fall down.” She shot him an annoyed look, but plopped down on her cot just the same.

  He followed suit, taking the space next to her, finding losing the touch of her body, even the innocent brush of her leg against his, unacceptable. Learning this morning that she hadn’t freely given herself to Gary solidly lodged his perspective back into place and washed away the accusations and ill temper along the way. Trinity hadn’t done anything wrong.

  But he had. “I’m sorry for snapping at you earlier. I thought you’d brushed me aside to be with Gary when I saw the two of you in that lip-lock. Lacey straightened me out. I meant to come by earlier and apologize, but I just couldn’t get away for ten minutes to do so.”

  She glanced up, then nodded. “I know. It’s okay. We all make mistakes, and I’m sure Gary made sure the embrace looked legit.”

  He cupped her chin and held her gaze with his. “You should have told me what he did.”

  Lifting her head, she pulled away from his touch. “Cody.” She blew out a puff of air. “We’re friends. Good ones. Heck, probably the person I like the most on the circuit except for possibly Lacey. However, you’re the vet, not my bodyguard, and have enough resp
onsibilities as it is.” She peered up into his eyes once more and rested a hand on his knee. “Besides, it’s not your place to police the horny young studs with ego issues.”

  He frowned even as her words and actions told him more of the story and billowed his flame of hope higher.

  “Thank you for coming to my rescue.” She treated him to a small smile, one of forgiveness and appreciation.

  His heart skipped a beat. “I’ve got a confession to make. I was coming to see you anyway.”

  Her face softened. “Really?”

  “Yep.”

  “Why?” She tilted her head.

  The motion spurred him into action. “To kiss you like I’ve wanted to all day long.” Lazily, he ran one hand through her hair and tenderly lifted and angled her head. Keeping an eye on her face to judge her reaction, he ever so slowly lowered his mouth until their lips met in a brief caress so slight, he wasn’t positive they’d even kissed. Hearing and feeling no complaints, he flicked his tongue along the seam of her lips, suckled the top one, then covered hers once more. With infinite patience, he moved his lips against hers, offering up a caress, loving affection, and an unspoken pledge.

  She returned the action with enthusiasm, both a little unexpected and a relief considering her ordeal.

  However long they sat there kissing, he didn’t know, but as soon as his heated body began to pound with demands, he leaned back, breaking the contact.

  Trinity opened her pretty eyes and peeked up at him in curiosity mixed with appreciation.

  He felt like a hero when she gazed at him like that. Sexy, smart, and capable of jumping this barn in a single bound. Something he could definitely get used to. Lightly, he stroked her cheek. “We should probably get you to bed. You’ve got another few races to go and need some shuteye.”

  She gave him a crooked smile. “You can go back to your RV. I’m fine.”

  “No way. I’m staying.”

  They both glanced at her cot. “No offense, but I’m not sure this old thing will hold us both.”