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

by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel

  Velia glanced around at the restaurant choices, and pulled into a place with a breakfast buffet. “This’ll work.” She had made the right decision in getting a van for this trip. Adding three more people to his truck would not have worked. Last night he had insisted she take his new truck shopping today, but she had declined, instead driving her own car to the car rental agency, and leaving it there. She backed into a parking spot and they exited the van. The ladies talked about leaving the men at home.

  Her mother-in-law sighed. “Velia, I don’t care how old you all get, we will always worry over you all when we’re apart.” Dolly walked between Judy and Lidia, hooking her arms through theirs. “Right, ladies? They’ll always be our kids.”

  Velia walked behind them, understanding their words. Every time she had to leave Kase, she worried. Now at home, he had the best care he’d ever have with Daddy, grandpas, and cousins who all loved having him around. And he’ll be spoiled rotten by time I get home. Smiling, she didn’t even care. He was a good little boy and she’d keep him little for as long as she good.

  Once inside, Velia let the others be seated while she rushed to the bathroom, hoping the churning in her tummy was only from being hungry. The closer she got to the door, she knew it wasn’t and she picked up her pace else she vomit in the hallway. Morning sickness seemed to have come later in this pregnancy than with Kase.

  Afterward, she sat beside her mother until they went up to get their breakfast. No one noticed her pallor. As sick as she had been moments ago, now she had to eat something or get sick later from not eating. This seemed like a lose-lose situation. With their plates filled, everyone slid into the booth. Velia took a bite of scrambled eggs. It was all she could stomach at the moment.

  Judy set down her coffee cup to remove a small photo book from her purse. “I only wish my Bill could have been here to enjoy our dear grandbabies.”

  Dolly put her arm around her. “I know, honey. I miss my brother Bill so much. Even after all this time, it’s just not the same without him when we all get together. You’re the best sister-in-law I’ve ever had—the only one!”

  Lidia took hold of Velia’s hand. “I miss my sister Dafne every day, but we have to keep moving forward.”

  She hoped the subject didn’t fall on Caulder’s brother, Chase, for she’d lose it at the sound of his name. Caulder missed him so much. And, if they brought up his child Christy, she’d cry openly. Velia sucked in a breath. “Mom, you’re making me cry. I have pregnant hormones now. They’re already all out of whack. Can someone say something funny?”

  “Something funny?” Dolly exchanged knowing looks with the others. “We have to go home and explain why we don’t have bags full of groceries for our Christmas Eve smorgasbord! We have a big lie to explain to the men.”

  “Well,” said Judy, piping up. “I know one man who won’t need an explanation. Jase will be hollering a big damn it all to hell when he sees his family. I’m so glad the kids were cleared by the doctor to travel. No more chickenpox!”

  ***

  Leaving his office, downstairs Caulder put on a big pot of coffee, took some deep breaths to examine the soreness of his ribs, and slowly breathed out. This was the day. At the kitchen table while waiting for the hot brew, he checked his weather app before dialing his dad. Old buddy Dad would probably give a lecture. “Hey, Dad. I’m bringing the guys over to do some bull riding today.”

  Aiden must’ve dropped a cowbell or two used on bull ropes, for the jangle radiated through the phone. “Today? You aren’t supposed to be riding bulls, son.”

  “I’ll be all right. I can breathe nearly normal today. I’ll tape them up with an elastic bandage and wear a protective vest. Come on, don’t give me a hard time. The need is running a marathon inside my veins. Other than a couple rides at Foley’s, I’ve been away from the atmosphere for months.”

  Aiden laughed. “You’re not a kid anymore. Are you sure?”

  “Yup. Damn sure I’m ready. One hundred percent. Give me time to get the guys up and going.”

  Before disconnecting, his dad said his name. “What about Foley? He should sit this one out. And consider my insurance policy, please. They wouldn’t cover me if he got hurt.”

  “Let’s see what he says. He’s not a kid anymore, either, and he’s been taking his pills regularly the past days. I know he’ll want to kick some bull ass today. He’s got to prove something to himself.”

  “All right, but keep a close eye on him. I have a few bulls here that needs a bit of riding—probably give him the one from the other day. You want a PBR bull?”

  A smile said the obvious. That went without saying, bruises or not.

  “Well, silence says it all, son. I’m taking a new one with me the first week of the season to get approval to enter him in the next show. Let me know if you think he’s worthy.”

  “Talk to you later.” Caulder poured a cup of coffee, took a drink, and sauntered out to the front porch with it to welcome the brisk morn. He walked around to the east side, watching as the sun blasted bright rays through the pines. To see the sunrise like this was the exact reason he built the veranda size, wraparound porch. Sunrise in the morning and the sunset in the evening. Check.

  His breath rose in circles above his head and steam rose from the mug. He nodded, for everything was back to normal and his soul felt at ease again. For how long this time? Until the next lunatic comes along? As much as he hated the idea, once he went on the road alone when Velia got farther along in the pregnancy, he’d take Ric’s advice and hire someone to watch over them when he couldn’t be there. Chances were high that Ric would send Roy again, anyway. No way could he worry about his family home alone and concentrate on another title, too. He’d accept Roy with grace.

  He wrapped his cold hands around his warm cup. Retirement loomed overhead. Each morning getting out of bed reminded him. For once, he’d have to give it serious consideration. It wouldn’t be like he retired. From bull riding yes, but he’d still have his bulls in the PBR, so it would always be a part of his life. Bulls surrounded his environment, so there’d be a hellion to ride almost anywhere he went. A healed body wouldn’t be so bad.

  After the new year, maybe by summer, he’d break the news to Velia, that indeed, retirement was in the near future. This time, he felt good about it—at peace with the decision. It’d make a sweet birthday present for her in June to know it was closer into their future than she had imagined. For now, he’d set it aside to simmer.

  Stomping snow off his boots before entering, he removed them in the mudroom. Finishing his first cup, he poured another, then went upstairs to get the crew. In the middle of the hallway, he bellowed. “Cowboys, let’s ride!”

  Kase met him at the door before he went to wake him. “Me, too, Dad?”

  “You a cowboy?” Caulder knelt and smiled at his son. A cowboy he was, or would be one day. “We’ll find you a kindly beast to ride at Grandpa’s.”

  Kase’s growing, little-boy-body attempted to run right past Caulder, but he picked him up and carried him over his shoulder. At his bed, Caulder leaned over to deposit him on the still warm, rodeo-themed blankets. “You need to get dressed first.”

  Kase bounced up, running to the dresser to get jeans, and pulled his PBR sweatshirt on over his pajama shirt. “Ready!”

  “Get your socks and come on.” They rushed out of the room together. At the landing, Kase jumped up and down trying to latch his fingers onto the ledge of the window, so Caulder lifted him. “What are you trying to see?”

  “Snow. Are you riding in the snow, Dad?” He peeked over his shoulder, grinning. “Can I bust a mutton?”

  Caulder laughed. “Ah, it’s called mutton bust, Kase. I don’t think Grandpa has it set up for today. Those little muttons are keeping themselves warm huddling together in the pasture. Looks like they’ll be no eating snow for you today.”

  “I won’t eat snow. I’ll hold on real tight so I don’t fall off!” Wriggling back to the floor, he stomped and cl
enched his hands into fists like he was clenching lamb’s wool.

  “Probably not today.” Again, Caulder lifted him over his shoulder and carried him downstairs. If he could lift his kid, he could ride a bull. Foley, Jase, and Torre already had steaming mugs in their hands. None of them looked awake.

  “I wanna mutton bust, Foley!”

  “Good for you. I can’t wait to see it.” But as Foley got the words out, Caulder stood behind Kase, shaking his head. Foley crouched. “Maybe you should wait until we get to a rodeo this summer.”

  Accepting Foley’s answer, Kase rushed to the other side of the kitchen. “Can I have some hot chocolate, Daddy?” At the coffee maker, the little guy grabbed a pod from the drawer, and held it up. “With a whole candy cane?”

  “We’ll pass on the candy cane until after breakfast.” Glancing at the sleepy-eyed guys, messy hair, shirttails out, but dressed and ready, he grinned, pointing to the pantry. “Y’all grab a granola bar or something.”

  “A whole candy cane?” Kase persisted on the way to the pantry. “Mom lets me.”

  Caulder turned on the other coffee maker and dropped the hot chocolate pod into its place. “No she doesn’t, but Mom’s not here.” He winked at the little guy. Someone would be pissed if she came home to a hyper kid, but Dad was in control now and the sugar would be burned off soon. “I’ll be right back.” In the family room, he called his dad. “Hey, can you bring up a couple sheep? Your grandson wants to bust a mutton.”

  Aiden chuckled. “Like father, like son. I’ll see what I can do.”

  Caulder pulled his boots and jacket on while Torre fixed the hot chocolate for Kase. “Thanks, Torre. I need to run to the barn out back. Jase, can I borrow your keys a minute, or just pop your trunk for me?” In the tack room, Caulder grabbed Kase’s protective vest and helmet then tossed them into Jase’s trunk.

  ***

  “Dad! Dad! Look, sheep. Can I bust a mutton, I mean mutton bust?”

  “Aw, come on, all y’all, let the kid ride,” said Foley unable to hold back laughter. “Train him up right, Caulder.”

  Caulder gave a slow nod, opened the back door, and Kase crawled right over him to get out first. “He’s ridden at the shows, Foley. I’ll get your gear out of the trunk, Kase.”

  Kase ran to his grandpa as fast as he could. “Thanks, Grandpa Aiden!”

  Ric came out the door with a cup of coffee, and he wore a lined flannel shirt. Caulder eyed him, wondering if Armani made flannel. I’ve never seen Ric Armano in flannel. He pulled out his phone to take a picture for proof.

  “I have to see this.” He laughed like a merry Santa Claus. “My grandson is busting a mutton! Oh, sì!”

  Caulder burst out laughing and adjusted his hat to keep snowflakes from his face. Like grandpa like grandson. “Mutton busting, Ric.” Still a little concerned about Foley, he sought him out in the barn. Foley had walked into the tack room at the rear, so he followed. “Hey, you okay to ride today, cowboy?”

  Foley took a safety vest off the table and pulled it on. “Sure am. I wouldn’t embarrass myself again if I didn’t think I’d be okay. I’m good to go. I promise.”

  Caulder wasn’t sure how good of a promise he could make. “Ah, Natale and Alba will be here any second. I woke them—she’d want to see this.”

  “Damn, Caulder, why’d y’all do that?”

  Imitating the girls putting on makeup, he brushed his fingers over his cheeks. “First, they have to put on their makeup. Why bother when they’ll just shower afterward? She might as well get used to this. The way you look at each other all googly-eyed…well, she’d want to be here.”

  “Y’all should’ve asked me. A guy has to do what a guy has to do. She’ll see enough bull riding before it’s all said and done.” Foley gave a wink like he dared Caulder to stop the future.

  Surely, Foley had alluded to the coming years, but Caulder asked anyway, purposefully lifting an intimidating brow. “What’s that mean?”

  “You know what it means.”

  Yup. What else could he say? Foley wasn’t about to be intimidated where Natale was concerned. He planned on sticking around in Natale’s life. “Does that mean you’ll be my cousin one of these days?”

  Foley grabbed Caulder’s hand and gave him a strong handshake. Without saying a word, he zipped the vest and headed toward Aiden. He glanced over his shoulder with an affable grin. At the bull pen, he shivered like a pine tree in the wind, “Which one am I riding this chilly morning?”

  Aiden glanced at Caulder first. “Same one from the other day. He still needs to be ridden. Let’s go. You’re first.” He came to an abrupt stop before he got to the barn door. “You sure about this? I don’t need no accidents out there.”

  Foley gave a definitive nod, made steadfast eye contact, and then followed him out the door. “Look, I’m fine and I’m fixin’ to ride today. All y’all can relax.”

  Caulder acted as flank man today and adjusted the flank strap on the rear end of the same bull Foley attempted to ride the other day. Natale and Alba pulled up, and they rushed right over to the bucket chutes.

  “Ciao, everyone!” Natale gave a smile big enough to brighten the morn. “Foley, you look good this morning all decked out like that.”

  He winked at her and nodded to Alba who lifted her camera, focused, and clicked.

  “Natale, let me get your picture with Foley,” Alba demanded in a growling tone.

  “Both you girls, step back,” said Caulder. “Pictures later. You don’t just come up here to take pictures. Did you ever see a bull bucking in here for crying out loud? A horn could take you out in a minute. Ask Velia all about it.”

  Alba made a face and wrinkled her nose at Caulder. “Okay, bossy.”

  Teenagers! He’d give her bossy later. Aiden stood beside Caulder when Foley eased down on the bull’s back. Aiden held tight to the back of Foley’s vest. Torre came over to act as the front safety guy, ready to hold him back if the bull bucked in the chute while Foley rosined his rope.

  “Come on, Foley,” said Caulder. “Like you told me on my last ride of the season, ‘you can do this.’”

  “Got it.” Getting the bull rope rosined up, he wrapped it around his hand. “This feels damn good to be on a bull with all y’all around.” Once the rope was how he wanted it, he glanced at Natale, real quick, and nodded. “Go.”

  Caulder stepped back when the bull bucked out the gate. “Looking good!” This was like old times when Foley had been his teammate, but either way, he held his breath and said a silent prayer. “Come on, hold on, Foley. Hold on to that rage…” The buzzer rang. He loosened the rope on his hand. The crazy bull gave one last buck. Foley got hung up. He ended up running, or more like being dragged alongside the bull. Natale screamed from the sidelines. One of Aiden’s ranch hands followed with the horse and Jase rode another one.

  Foley got his hand free on his own and fell back on his ass. Sitting in the sand, he removed his helmet, got up slowly, and slapped his chest with pride. A flashing smile lit his face as he held his helmet above his head. The first thing he did was seek out Natale.

  “Yeah, baby, you did it!” She jumped up and down at the chute shoving her fists into the air.

  Baby? Caulder glanced back and forth from Foley to her. Their gaze stayed connected until he came out of the ring. She took two steps at a time and ran to him the second her foot hit the ground. Caulder shook his head, but cheered to himself. Those two reminded him of him and Velia back some years ago when this had all been new to her. Like Velia, Natale had it bad for a cowboy.

  He went down the steps and to where they stood to break them up. “All right, all right, let me in here you two. Damn, Foley that was a good ride.” Caulder embraced them both and when he parted, he took both of their shoulders to bring them back together. “Carry on.” He winked at Natale and mussed up Foley’s hair like he was a kid.

  At the bottom of the steps, he called Kase. Alba brought him over. “Come on, you can watch from the top, but
stay back and out of the way.”

  “I’ll watch him up there, Caulder.”

  “Thanks, Alba.”

  Caulder crouched in front of his son. “Jase told me he wants to give it a try after me, so after him and Torre bull ride, it’ll be your turn to ride a bucking bronc with me. Want to? He might buck hard.” Kase grinned, and he saw Velia’s smile in their boy. “That’a boy!” Caulder zipped his vest the rest of the way, took a deep breath, and hoped like hell he didn’t come out of this ring worse than he went in, but as Foley had said—A guy’s gotta do what a guy’s gotta do. “Ready, Dad?”

  Fastening his helmet, he settled down on the bull, and again, Torre held his hand across the front of Caulder’s body to protect him if the bull bucked. “Hey, Torre, we can always get you a job doing this if you change your mind about riding bulls.”

  “Bullshit. I’ll never give up wanting to ride. Eh? Best you remember. Capisco?”

  That’s what Caulder had figured.

  “But, so you know…I’ve decided to stay in college and to slowly work my way up. Who cares if I’m twenty-three or four when I make it to the PBR circuit? By then, you can be my trainer.”

  Caulder blinked. What had he just heard? Torre paid attention to someone who’d been there? Right on! He’d never been more proud of the kid. Just then the bull bucked, and Torre had been caught off guard, falling back on his ass when the bull’s head caught his shoulder. Caulder grabbed the rail to support himself, and Aiden tightened his grip on the back of his vest. Torre got right up and went back to his place. “Quit distracting me.”

  “Lesson learned.” Everybody laughed, and by then, Foley and Natale had made their way to the chute.

  “Come on, Caulder!” said Natale.

  Caulder smiled at her but went back to fitting his rope on his gloved hand. Wiggling his butt around on the bull, he wouldn’t nod until it felt right. Finally, it all fit together. Sweat trickled down his back. Adrenalin shifted his body into overdrive—he clenched the rope. It was time to ride this monster for eight seconds. “Go!”