Christmas At Love House: Bittersweet Interlude (Bull Rider #3)

by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel

  Christmas at Love House

  A Bittersweet Interlude

  Book Three in the Bull Rider Series

  Mary J. McCoy-Dressel

  Mailing List: http://eepurl.com/WyOcn

  http://www.maryjdresselbooks.com

  COPYRIGHT

  All Rights Reserved. This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. No part of this book may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, scanned, distributed, stored in, or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, either now known or in the future, is forbidden without the express written permission of the author, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages for review purposes.

  DISCLAIMER: The reader should regularly consult a physician in matters relating to his or her health and particularly with respect to any symptoms or accidents that may require diagnosis or medical attention.

  First Digital Edition, July 2016 United States of America

  Christmas at Love House: A Bittersweet Interlude © 2016 by Mary J. Dressel

  Publisher: Teel Blue Books

  Cover Design: DusktilDawn Designs

  Formatting: LK E-Book Formatting Service

  Edited By: Creative Manuscripts

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidences either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Table of Contents

  Books by this Author

  Dedication

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Note to Readers

  Acknowledgement

  Other Books by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel

  Works of Fiction Continued:

  Upcoming Books

  About the Author

  Glossary

  Books by this Author

  BULL RIDER SERIES

  Howdy, Ma’am

  Hey, Cowboy

  Christmas at Love House: A Bittersweet Interlude

  Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight

  Cowboy Boss and his Destiny

  Tristan’s Destiny, Bonus Book #1.5

  Heartbreak’s Reward

  Of the Cowboy’s Own Accord

  Lassoing the Last Dance (2016)

  Double Dutch Ranch Spin-off Series

  Canyon Junction, AZ: Hearts in Love Series

  Whispers of Forever: Mending Christmas (2016)

  Dedication

  This book is dedicated to you the reader.

  Thanks to those of you who asked for this third book.

  Author Note: Before you begin, I wanted to mention capitalizing or not capitalizing papa, mamma, madre, padre, zio, and zia in the Bull Rider Series books. I was told, in the Italian language, these words are not capitalized like they are in English. If you noticed this, it isn’t an error on my part, but I wanted to remain true to my characters use of their language. A Glossary can be found in the Table of Contents.

  Chapter One

  "Sometimes it's fate, and sometimes it's just two people who sought the same quiet corner in the same noisy room."

  —Robert Brault.

  October—World Finals: Las Vegas

  Crashing against the gate in the front section of the back pens, the burly bull snorted. The rattle of the gate jingled enough to sound like a stampeding bull could crash through any minute. Caulder peered at Velia and grinned. “He’s raring to go. I’m depending on him for the win. Wishful thinking, but tonight could be number three since I met you seven years ago, baby. Too bad I didn’t win last year.”

  “Don’t be greedy now, love.” Velia hooked her arm around his. He smelled no different than where they stood right now, but somewhere underneath sweat and dirt, his masculine scent seeped through. Come to think of it, she must’ve smelled like the arena as well. “Win or lose, you know I’m proud of you.”

  Caulder put his arm around her shoulder. “Come on, let’s see how your cousin is doing out there with Kase. I’m glad we brought our boy along, though this week has been grueling.”

  “He’ll not know exactly what’s going on, but he’ll see himself in the photos with us. Speaking of which, I’ll take one for a memory when we get back to the chutes.” She’d add this picture to the four-year-old section of his scrapbook, which grew bigger as the year progressed.

  As they rounded the corner, Natale Valente-Armano sat in the bleacher behind the bucket chutes. Kase stood in front of her, his blue eyes wide, watching every move around him. Caulder gave a quiet laugh. “Look at him. It’s in his genes.”

  “Of course it is, amore mio.” Velia smiled when Kase looked over at them and pointed their way. She held up her camera and clicked. “He’s so darn cute.” When they got closer, Velia asked Natale to pose with him. “That’s it. Give Natale a hug, sweetie.”

  “Okay, mamma.” He put his arms around her neck and squeezed tight.

  After two shots, Velia held her hand out. “Come over here, bambino, and have a picture with Daddy.”

  He ran over and Caulder picked him up. “Come on, little cowboy, give Dad a hug before I have to get on the bull.” Caulder held him close, and with his eyes closed, placed a kiss atop his head. Velia captured a wondrous moment of father and son. “Another keeper.”

  He handed Kase to Velia and gave her a kiss. “I have to get to the back to get ready. Focus.”

  “Good luck, honey,” said Velia, her eyes damp with emotion. “The confetti will fall for you tonight.”

  “I hope so. If confetti does fall, there’s a good chance I’ll earn that gold buckle.” Caulder nodded to Natale before disappearing around the corner.

  Velia released Kase to the bleacher and took a seat. She wasn’t here to take pictures tonight but would be sure to get his last ride. Her foot bounced against the bleacher. “Now that I know what it’s like to be a World Champion, and how it makes him feel, I get as nervous as him.” Velia blew out a breath and wrapped her arm around her cousin’s waist. “We wanted Kase with us this time, and we’re grateful you could come along. I hope it won’t interfere with your schoolwork.”

  “Not to worry, Velia. The work comes easy to me now but was hard when I first came to this country. I will graduate with honors.”

  “Oh, sweetie, your mamma would be so proud. We all are.”

  Natale nodded toward the gate.

  Caulder had walked around the corner wearing the normal black chaps with yellow fringe and a safety vest covered with sponsor patches. He removed his hat to shove fingers through his hair before he put the hat back on. Velia smiled inside. He looked as good today as he had when he walked into her photo studio, if not better. The love she had for him and vice versa, brought out the glow that burned from within. “I love him like crazy.”

  “Velia, is that Foley Wilson at the chute? It looks like him, kind of, um—”

  “Sì, it is him. That’s his bull getting ready to go out. Caulder will be riding one of Foley’s bulls for his last ride. The beast is wound up, meaning he’ll bring high points if Caulder makes the eight seconds.” No longer able to sit still and remain calm, she stood to re
lease some nervous energy. Though this wasn’t her first show, experience didn’t help at such an exciting time as this.

  Her little boy tugged at her shirttail. “Mommy, I want some popcorn. It smells good.”

  “Honey, not now.” She pointed to Caulder. “Look, there’s your daddy. His ride is coming up soon. We can’t miss it.” She sat and took his hands in hers. “Daddy might win World Champion again. At this moment, you have no idea what that means, but one day you will.”

  “My daddy is a World Champion, mamma.”

  He did understand. His words caused her eyes to mist. Velia steadied him on the bleacher so he could see Caulder at the chute. “He is a two-time champion, sweetie. If he wins tonight, how many will that make? One, two…”

  “Three!” He proudly held up three fingers.

  “Right!” Velia beamed. “Now, I want you to stay here with Natale while I go down closer. I need to take Daddy’s picture.”

  “Okay!” He turned around and grinned at Natale. “My daddy might win tonight.”

  Velia held the neck strap to prevent her camera from bouncing against her chest as she hurried down and to the right. Caulder had watched her all the way down. He gave her a wink and her heart sailed. His fingers wiggled at his sides, a sign of tension. Nodding across the way, she verbalized, “You can do it,” and mouthed the words, “I love you.”

  He gave a little smirk. It was his turn. He stood at the bucket chutes beside Foley, and one of Foley’s guys situated the flank strap on his bull—others surrounding Foley close at hand. Velia observed him. He seemed so perfect on the outside, but at times, the injuries from four years ago were obvious. Foley loved professional bull riding beyond explanation, and Velia was thrilled that he could experience it now, even if it was in a different capacity.

  He seemed happy enough to be around the bulls, the cowboys, and the whole bull riding environment. She and Caulder had gone to his ranch in Oklahoma a couple times to check out bulls, and to socialize with his family as he recuperated.

  Caulder eased over the rail and settled on the bull. “Come on, baby!”

  Over her shoulder, her son screeched in the background, “Go Daddy! Go Daddy, go!” She turned around to watch him in his happiness. What a sweet boy she and Caulder had made together. Again, she turned back to the chutes, and now stood as the rest of the crowd did the same. Excited spectators waited in awe. Caulder’s shoulders rose and fell as Foley double checked the flank strap. He rosined up his rope and glove. The bull reared up, but Trent, his teammate was there at his side with his hand against Caulder’s chest to protect him as the bull bucked. Velia shifted her weight from one foot to the other. She clasped her hands beneath her chin… Come on, baby. Come on, baby. Ride that maniac!

  ***

  Reece “Foley” Wilson stood by his top-ranked bull—Cantankerous Pete. A rowdy bull who lived up to his name—smart enough to read a riders moves and know when to dump him. The fact that Caulder McCutchen had the chance to win another World Championship on his bull, filled him with pride. “You can ride him, Caulder. Follow his lead and pay attention. The buckle’s yours.”

  “Gotcha.” A quick wink toward Velia, and in position, Caulder nodded to the gate man. The gate swung open. Out they went. The surly bull kicked up his hind legs, his body straightening out like a rod. “Hold on, Caulder. Ride him!” Caulder’s win would bring in big money and get Foley’s bull noticed by anyone who hadn’t noticed yet. Sure, his stock contracting company was only a couple years old, but he had made a name for himself early on, with Caulder’s help.

  “That’s it. Come on, come on, you’re almost there!”

  Cowboys congregated around the chute all hollering, most wanting to see him take another World Title. The buzzer rang at eight seconds… Moments later, confetti burst out and fell around them. Caulder had won his third career gold buckle. Over his shoulder Foley glimpsed Velia with tears falling over her cheeks. She jumped up and down. He glanced back at her son who clapped for his daddy.

  “Another one bites the dust.”

  Foley hobbled down the steps from the bucket chute area and out into the arena, making his way to Caulder. Caulder picked him up and could’ve thrown him over his shoulder like a sack of flour if he wanted to. “Damn, Caulder, put me down you crazy fool. Y’all did it,” Foley said when he lowered him to the ground. Trent, with Lance, the newest guy on the team, along with the others, came over too. They lifted Caulder to their shoulders and escorted him to the cameras and his gold buckle. Foley beamed with pride, both for his bull and his friend.

  Velia made her way down to the arena with her young cousin Natale holding Kase now. They came to stand beside Foley. Velia wrapped her arms around his shoulders. “Congratulations to you, too, Foley. I knew he could do it this year. Winning never gets old.” Her eyes filled with tears of joy. Velia peered at him, smiled, and he grinned back before she turned away. She made her way to her husband who waited with his hand out for her.

  Foley took in all the excitement as the season came to a close. Lights flashed around them as music boomed and announcers still bellowed over the loud speakers.

  Foley turned to Natale who waited beside him. He removed his hat and stuck it under his arm. “I don’t know if you remember me, but I used to be on Caulder’s team.” He pulled off his glove and held his hand out for a handshake.

  Natale turned toward him with a smile. “Sì, I do remember you.” She shifted Kase to her other hip and reached for Foley’s hand. “Nice to see you again.” Without releasing his hand, she said, “Congratulations on having the winning bull.” Her attention was drawn away when Caulder ran toward them, took his son from her arms, then ran back to accept his winnings with his family beside him.

  “I’m proud of him,” said Natale. “Dreams do come true for some people.”

  It had also been his dream a few years ago. Before his accident and not what he wanted to remember right now. At least he had a new dream to follow. At times, he still had to stop and think about what he was doing, or had to do. Some things were hard to remember—didn’t come as easy as they used to before his injuries.

  His closed head injury affected him in subtle ways. Yet, he was still able to do his job…his new job as a stock contractor. His leg hurt daily, but he did his best to accept the pain and cope. One day, he’d get on a bull again to prove he could ride—a pro bull that is, for he practiced on the older, tamer ones on his ranch when he could. That call to ride never stopped running through his veins. Never would, either.

  “I’m proud of him, too,” he said to her. Foley gave Natale a sideways glance. She sure changed from the last time he had seen her, back when she was a mere teen. “How old are you now, ma’am? I mean… Never mind.” Caulder might knock him on his ass, but this girl standing next to him had turned into a take-your-breath-away attractive near woman. Her hair was dark—like the night of a new moon. In her green eyes, a glimmer of amber danced in the light. Cherry colored lips quirked in a smile. Her eyelashes fluttered as if she were caught off guard with the question. Wow!

  “Oh, how old am I? Nearly eighteen. I graduate high school in June.” The sound of her voice was soothing—a pleasant tone to his ears. A bit of her Italian accent could still be detected, although it had smoothed out—her English barely broken. It wasn’t as intense as four years ago.

  “Awesome. Seems like I just graduated. Will you be joining us for dinner later? Well, it’ll be a lot later, but it’d be nice if y’all came along with Velia and Caulder.”

  Natale peered at him straight on with those gorgeous sparkling orbs. Their gaze magnetically connected. An Italian beauty without a doubt. Seventeen years old? But she was near eighteen. He wished she’d answer his question instead of staring at him—a penetrating look in her eyes he shouldn’t get lost in, but he wanted to.

  “Grazie. I might be babysitting Kase tonight. I’ll check, but I’d love to come.” She lowered her eyes to the hoof-beaten sand surrounding her boots before meeting hi
s gaze again. “I remember when you were injured, Foley. I watched on TV and it was so frightening. I prayed for you that night and the nights to come.”

  Foley pushed his light hair back, put his hat on, and eased a step closer, close enough to smell her faint perfume. “Well, I thank you for that, ma’am. I don’t remember anything after leaving the chute. Prayers must’ve worked because here I am.” He smiled, but his attention was taken away when Caulder called him over. “I hope to see y’all later. I-I, well, I gotta get goin’. Y’all take care now.” Halfway over to Caulder, he glanced back, her gaze still upon him. Pulling his attention away from her, Foley stood beside the others.

  Showing a frown, Caulder shoved his arm, nodding in Natale’s direction. “What the hell you looking at over there? She grew up pretty, but ain’t grown up yet. Remember that, dude.”

  Foley smirked, for she appeared doggone grown up to him whether Caulder wanted to believe it or not. “Aw, come on, Caulder—”

  “Just saying…”

  A sign to back off for sure. How close was she to eighteen? He glanced back—couldn’t help it. Maybe his head was a bit foggy after the excitement of the win, but he didn’t imagine she still watched him. His intentions were innocent.

  After the interviews, he went to the chutes to gather supplies then to the back pens. His bulls had to be settled for the night, and tomorrow he’d make the trip back home to Oklahoma. Again, his thoughts traveled back to Velia’s cousin. At Velia and Caulder’s wedding reception those years back, he did Velia a favor when she had asked him to dance with Natale. Life had been so different for both of them then, all of them. She was going back to Italy and he was involved in riding bulls professionally. She was a kid then. He was a boy, or nearly a man at nineteen. I’m not that much older than her.