Cowgirl Up

by Cheyenne Meadows

  Cody lifted an eyebrow. “Don’t play poker, Trin. You’d lose big time.”

  She grinned impishly. “What kind of poker are you suggesting?” Flirting had never been her strong suit, yet with Cody, she couldn’t seem to resist. Teasing words simply slipped out before she could check them.

  His eyes sparked. Leaning in, he brushed his lips over hers. A brief caress so quick and light, she wasn’t quite sure their bodies actually touched. “That would be telling, honey. But, I’ll say this. Anytime you want to take up the game, give me a call. I’m all in.”

  Hope flared. “I just might take you up on that offer.”

  A slow, sexy grin gradually covered his face, making him all the more handsome and appealing to her. She might have had a crush on him as a fourteen-year-old, but those feelings paled considerably in comparison to right now. He pinned her gaze, then lazily lowered his head, found her lips, and plied them with expert precision.

  She returned the affection with enthusiasm, careful to keep the caress light as passion leaped to the fore.

  The ringing of a phone broke them apart.

  Cody grumbled, jerked the phone out of its holder on his belt, and answered. “Yeah? Okay. Be right there.” He punched a button and returned the item. “I’ve got to go.”

  She nodded. Considering the large number of high priced animals hanging out in Las Vegas for the big event, the vet staff was sure to keep busy. “No rest for the wicked.”

  He winked and chuckled. “Oh, honey, you have no idea.”

  She had no words in return.

  He chuckled and pressed a quick kiss to the tip of her nose. “I’ll be back when I get a break. If not before your run tonight, then after.”

  “Okay.” She couldn’t wait.

  With one more glance, he turned around, long strides carrying him down the aisle and out of the barn.

  Trinity blew out a breath, watching him until he disappeared from sight. Always before she couldn’t wait to saddle up and run for a few seconds of fame. Tonight, she eagerly anticipated afterward, when Cody returned.

  The last few of nights he’d stayed with her, making her feel special, protected, and cared for. Addictive, definitely. They’d moved their cots together, giving them a semblance of cuddling through the night, with a couple of hard, metal bars maintaining a few inches of distance between them. She’d tried to nudge closer, but the ungiving edge dug into her side each and every time. They’d made due with his long arms crossing the distance to drape over her body. Not quite what they had at her apartment, but far better than sleeping across the aisle from one another. She still fell asleep in his arms, felt his breath on her neck, and soaked up his body heat, which helped keep the night chill at bay.

  Sleeping with him like this only lent more ammunition to her daydreams—to wake up, open her eyes and see the love shining in his along with a bright smile of satisfaction first thing in the early morning.

  “How’s our boy tonight?”

  The familiar woman’s voice drew Trinity from her daydream. “Madeleine! I didn’t know you were coming.”

  The silver-haired woman chuckled. “I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”

  “I hope I don’t let you down.” Trinity hugged the woman who made all this possible.

  “You won’t.” Madeleine stepped back and held Trinity at arm’s length. “You get prettier every time I see you.”

  Trinity blushed. She never knew how to handle such compliments.

  “I can still see you standing there with your mother demanding a breeding to Victory. Smart. Strong. And a young lady who knew what she wanted.”

  Trinity tilted her head. To this day, she never knew the reason Madeleine gave in to her outlandish request. “You never told me why you agreed to the breeding.”

  A proud smile cropped up on Madeleine’s face. “Because I saw some part of me inside you, dear. I, too, was raised pretty poor. Had to work my way through life until I married Richard. By then, I knew how to fight and struggle, how to plan and dream.” She brushed her hand over Trinity’s cheek before dropping her hands. “I saw determination and a young lady with guts, morals, and fortitude.” She drew in a breath. “If I ever had a daughter, I’d like to think she would have turned out just like you.”

  The words touched Trinity’s heart. Madeleine had proven to be as caring as she was tough. Too bad she hadn’t been granted children. She would have made a great mother. Just like Trinity’s own had been.

  Madeleine twisted around and stepped up to the stall door. “And there’s our baby.”

  Legacy saw her and walked over, immediately snuffing her hand in search of a treat.

  She laughed, dug a peppermint from her pocket and let him take the candy. “It shocks me each time I see him how much he resembles his father.”

  “The spitting image,” Trinity answered, seeing little in the big stallion that she could attribute to Star, including his crankiness.

  Madeleine spared her a glance, then turned back to the animal. “You were right you know. There’s something very special about this guy.”

  Trinity smiled. “Don’t let him hear you say that. His ego’s big enough already.”

  They shared a laugh.

  “Gonna spill the beans about the guy chatting you up? He’s a prime specimen if I ever saw one.”

  Heat blasted across Trinity’s face. “That’s Cody. He’s one of the rodeo vets contracted for the circuit. His father’s a stock contractor too.”

  “That tells me little to nothing, girl. He’s handsome as sin and his eyes hardly left you. That says something. He must be the one you mentioned back at the farm.”

  “Yeah. That’s him.”

  “I see you’re giving him a chance. So, how’s that panning out?”

  “We’re…taking one step at a time.”

  Madeleine appraised her, then nodded.

  “Think my outfit is too flashy?” Trinity glanced down at her black shirt and jeans. Nothing fancy in the least.

  “Quit circling the bush already. He’s smitten, that’s a fact. So, why haven’t you jumped on his bandwagon and gone for a ride?” Madeleine pinned her with her gaze.

  Trinity sighed. “Because there’s nothing to jump on. He’s friendly, checks on me now and again at the competitions. That’s about it.”

  “Uh-huh.” Madeleine tapped her lips. “A guy like that is worth taking a chance on.”

  She’s not telling me anything I don’t know already. Still, Cody remained out of her league, just like when they were kids, and she knew it. “I’m not about to fall for a quick smile and even quicker…you know. Consequences happen and they change your life forever for the worse.”

  For the longest time, Madeleine stood there quietly before finally patting Trinity on the forearm. “First of all, that man’s looking for more than a good time otherwise he’d have given up weeks ago. Secondly, he’s a man with promise. So, don’t throw away the chance until you know what you’ve got.” Her lips softened into a smile as she gazed off in remembrance. “He looks at you like Richard used to look at me. Like the sun rose and set with a wave of my hand and he counted the minutes until he could drag me off for some fine loving.”

  She sighed wistfully, then started again, her eyes meeting Trinity’s. “Lora never once regretted having you. Sure, the situation wasn’t ideal, but when is it? Trust me, she thanked the good Lord every day that you were in her life. Never doubt her love, her support, or her happiness to make you the center of her world.”

  Trinity looked away, busily blinking back tears. She knew and understood what Madeleine said, but that didn’t remove the guilt from her shoulders. “Because of me, Mom gave up on her dream.” The admission eked out.

  Madeleine shook her head. “No, sweetheart. She didn’t give up. Her dream simply changed. You think she couldn’t have continued riding, claimed the finals title after having you?” She waved her hand. “Lora could have done that just as easily with you as before you came along. But, the fact i
s, she didn’t want the road life for you. She wanted more.”

  The soothing ointment of Madeleine’s disclosure left a warm, healing sensation on Trinity’s broken heart. She wiped at a single tear, then searched her friend’s face for the truth. Finding exactly what she sought, Trinity blew out a breath. “She never told me.”

  Madeleine wrapped her in a hug. “She might not have said the words, honey, but she showed it with her actions every day.”

  “Thank you.” Trinity hugged her tight in return, almost as good as getting to embrace her mother one more time. Peace hovered, giving Trinity a glimpse of what would come. With a little more time.

  Madeleine released her. “Well, I better get to my seats before the barrel racing event gets close to starting. I don’t want to miss a single run.”

  “Thanks for coming, Madeleine.”

  “Anytime, honey. Just climb on our boy and have the ride of a lifetime.” Madeleine waved and strode off.

  Almost immediately Trinity missed her, the only person she truly counted as family since her mother passed.

  Her mother. Oh, how she missed her. Especially now that Trinity finally sat on the verge of fulfilling a long time dream.

  If only things had been different.

  She wanted to kick herself for using the dumb statement once more, a carryover from hearing her mother utter the same words one too many times. ‘If only’ never provided a stable family life, happiness, or money. And, just like her sperm donor of a father, fell damn short in the scheme of things.

  Buck had made an appearance at the funeral, surprisingly enough, but left before saying a single word to Trinity. The story of their relationship. Better from afar. He’d all but shoved fatherhood away like a dreaded disease and hadn’t the gumption to do more than stare at her now and again when they happened to attend the same event. He’d retired years ago, but worked for the rodeo association as a bull-riding judge. A role designed for him. Unlike parenthood, at least with her. She couldn’t speak for his new family.

  Now he reappeared for a few minutes with an apology and offer to step up to the plate.

  Unfortunately, probably too little, too late. She’d needed him years ago and most certainly when Lora was at her worst. He wasn’t there. And, now, she couldn’t trust that he would ever be again.

  Better to be realistic and happily surprised than disappointed when he fell back into the habits of his old life. Without her.

  On that morose, but honest thought, she stuffed the remainder of her bottled water back in the cooler, stood, and folded up her chair. Time to quit bellyaching about the past and feeling sorry for herself. She had a competition to do and Legacy had to warm up sufficiently first.

  Grabbing the lead rope, she walked into his stall, snapped the clip on his halter, and led him outside and back to her trailer. No sense in dragging the tack inside when he much preferred to stand outside and look around while she saddled him.

  She went about the routine of getting him ready while checking him over at the same time. He lifted each hoof dutifully to allow her to ensure no stones were lodged under the shoe, which could affect his performance or cause even the slightest injury. When he stood ready, she petted his soft nose. “This is it, boy. The day we’ve been waiting for.”

  He chewed on the bit, his ears flicking this way and that.

  She rubbed his forehead and scratched under the leather crossing his cheek. “We’re going to go in there and have the run of our lives. For Mom.”

  He nudged her chest as if in agreement.

  Patting him once more, she gathered the reins and climbed into the saddle.

  Our destiny awaits.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  My swan song.

  The oddly sad phrase popped into her mind as she waited patiently for her turn to run the cloverleaf pattern one last time on the last day of the finals. How many years had she envisioned this particular scenario? How many miles had she driven to just get this chance to shine?

  Now that she stood at the brink of fulfilling her dream, she wasn’t sure what to feel. Nerves had long since vanished along with fear. Instead, an odd sort of surrealism surrounded her.

  Ride like the wind, Trin.

  Trinity heard her mother’s voice as clear as day. Despite the rowdy crowd, the announcer’s booming voice, and the mumbled voices of the other barrel racers lined up with her, she easily made out the words.

  A feeling of peace descended over her. For finally, she understood one thing—she’d been born for this moment. She would meet her destiny tonight after a lifetime of struggles and heartache. Nothing else would intervene. Not with her mother riding with her.

  The judge lifted his green flag, the signal for her to start when ready.

  Legacy danced for a few steps before she gave him free rein and squeezed him with her heels. He went from standing to a gallop in a single stride, making a beeline for the first barrel.

  The race had always been a blur to her in the past. Not tonight. Tonight everything moved in slow motion. To give her a chance to savor the once in a lifetime experience? To allow her mother to watch her from above? Trinity didn’t have a clue, but she didn’t worry or question. She simply accepted.

  She was carrying both their dreams, after all.

  Legacy ran like the hounds of hell nipped at his heels. He ran with the hot blood of thousands of years of his ancestors before him. He ran just like his sire as he thundered down the stretch of the Kentucky Derby leaving all others in his wake.

  Trinity tapped into her stallion’s energy, leaned forward and called to him as they surged around the final barrel.

  He responded with great, long strides, tearing into the earth, and eating up the ground. He leveled out and took flight. She didn’t guide him. Didn’t need to. After so many rounds, he knew the drill. Besides, this was his day as much as hers.

  The roar of the crowd faded as she focused on the finish line straight ahead. The sound of Legacy’s heavy breathing and his hooves meeting the dirt were the only noise around. Until the melodic voice of her mother spoke again.

  I love you, Trin.

  Tears pooled in Trinity’s eyes. I love you more, Mom.

  She exited the arena at full speed and gradually slowed before turning Legacy around. Voices intermingled, but she couldn’t make out anything specific. Her time had surely been announced, but she missed that as well. It really didn’t matter, anyway. She had the ride of her life under her mother’s watchful eye. That, in itself, made her the luckiest woman on the face of the earth.

  “Great run.” Shannon edged her bay mount closer.

  “Thanks,” Trinity answered automatically, still a bit distracted by the unusual moment she just experienced.

  Candy zoomed past, spun, then trotted to join them, Lacey guiding her along. “Lord, Trinity. That was the most beautiful run ever. Absolutely perfect.” She tilted her head. “I’ve watched you do so many races, but this one…” She shrugged. “There was just something different, something special.”

  Trinity nodded, a lump still lodged in her throat.

  Shannon agreed. “It was like watching his sire all over again as he dashed for the finish line.” Her voice held awe.

  Legacy danced in place, seemingly discontent with standing. Trinity reached down to pat his neck. “He’s got the heart of a champion.” She smiled with pride.

  “Then you better head back toward the arena. I think it’s about time for your champion’s victory gallop.” Shannon gestured toward the waving man standing at the large exit.

  Glancing up, Trinity saw the judge waving at her. “I guess so.” Lifting the reins, she nudged Legacy forward and stopped by the man. “Are you needing me?”

  He smiled up at her. “Yep. Soon as they finish their announcements, you get to make that celebratory circle.”

  “Okay.” She pursed her lips. “Are you sure I won? I didn’t hear my time.”

  The middle-aged man in the cowboy hat bobbed his head. “No question
about it. Not when you smashed the arena record.”

  Her eyes widened.

  He chuckled. “I have a feeling that mark might never be broken.” He motioned her forward.

  She paused for a long moment, just staring at the crowd. Roaring applause met her, as did a thousand happy faces. The accolades were nice, but she had her reward earlier. Now, she just needed to finish what she started, collect her goodies, and take the first step in the rest of her life.

  After she gave the crowd one more look at Legacy.

  “All right, boy. One more time.”

  He snorted and stamped, signs of his eagerness to get the show on the road.

  She grinned and clucked to him. He shot into a controlled gallop, his ears pricked forward, his tail streaming behind. Totally in his element, he ran for the joy of running. Trinity sat back and let him have his moment in the spotlight. He’d certainly earned it.

  Leaving the large arena, she directed Legacy to the smaller paddock area to let him trot around for a bit before slipping off and walking him. He didn’t glisten with sweat, but she still went through the usual routine, ensuring he cooled down properly and completely. Finally satisfied, he was ready for some stall time, she changed direction. She stopped by her trailer long enough to unsaddle her horse and stow the gear in the locked equipment storage area, before starting for the barn, leading Legacy by a rope attached to his halter.

  Madeleine stood at the stall waiting for her, a wide smile on her face. “There you are.”

  Trinity grinned in return, happy that not only Madeleine had been there to watch, but had stuck around afterward. “Yep. Sorry to keep you waiting. He needed to walk.”

  She waved her hand dismissively. “You aren’t telling me anything I didn’t already know.” Hurrying over, she wrapped Trinity in a hug, then stepped back. “I’m so proud of you. You two had my heart pounding. Just like watching Victory again.” She patted her chest.

  Trinity nodded, opened the stall door and released Legacy inside. “It felt like that. I don’t know how to explain. Different somehow, but very special at the same time.” She gathered up the rope, exited the stall, and shut the door securely behind her. “All I know is that things are going to be okay.”