Rodeo Queen

by Shannon Taylor Vannatter

  Caitlyn hung up. “I guess you knew your mom planned to invite me for Thanksgiving?”

  “She never mentioned it. Want to drive down with me? I’m leaving Wednesday morning.”

  Five hours stuck in a truck with Mitch. Her heart did a traitorous two-step. She shouldn’t. Start weaning herself now. But she didn’t want to wean herself at all.

  “I have to be back by Friday night.”

  “Me, too.” He grinned. “I have a certain rodeo queen I have to follow at a safe distance.”

  Her face heated. “You’re coming back early for that?”

  “A ranger keeps his promises. And I want to get some rest before I go back on duty. Since our schedules match, I don’t see why I shouldn’t escort a certain rodeo queen to Medina, too.”

  The word no simply wouldn’t form. “Sounds like a plan.”

  “Great.” His eyes lit up.

  Eyes she could drown in. Arms she could happily die in.

  Why was she prolonging the agony?

  * * *

  Mitch spotted the exit. “I know it’s not on your bucket list, but do you mind if we stop at Bass Pro?”

  “Fine by me.” Caitlyn yawned.

  “I won’t take long, I promise. I just want to see if they have anything new. For someone who doesn’t fish or hunt, I can’t seem to drive by without stopping.”

  “Shopping for your man cave?”

  “My cabin.” He grinned and took the exit.

  “It’s a man cave.”

  “I’ve actually been thinking about feminizing it. You know, in case I ever get married. Maybe you can make suggestions.”

  She clammed up at that. He glanced over in time to see pink rise in her cheeks.

  Knowing it frustrated her to waste time circling the parking lot looking for a close space, he parked in the first open spot he found.

  “Great. A chance to stretch my legs.” She got out and lifted her arms in the air, stretching right then left.

  Mitch had to look away. “Most women hate this place. There’s a huge aquarium filled with gigantic catfish with a bench facing it. That’s where the women usually go.”

  They strolled across the parking lot. “I might find something interesting.”

  “They have women’s clothing, but that may not excite you since you own a whole storeful. And there’s lots of dead animals on the walls.”

  “Can’t wait.” She chuckled.

  It didn’t interest her in the slightest. But it was one of the things he’d always loved about her. She wasn’t one of those high-maintenance women always insisting on her own way and what she wanted to do. Caitlyn went along with the flow.

  Except when it came to his job.

  They reached the door and she noticed the animal tracks imprinted in the walkway. “That’s cool. Deer?”

  “And turkey.” He pointed to the smaller set of tracks.

  Her head tipped back as she took in the tangle of antlers above the entryway.

  Mitch managed to open the door for her before she smacked into it. “You might want to watch where you’re going. It’s usually pretty crowded.”

  “I’ve never seen anything like it.” Her gaze scanned the fireplace inside the entryway, the deer heads and fish mounted on the walls, the coyotes and raccoons perched on rocky outcrops. “So many dead animals.”

  “I can come back another time if you don’t like it. I know you’re not overly fond of hunting.”

  “No. It’s fascinating—in a terrible sort of way.”

  He frowned. “You sure you’re okay?”

  “Fine.”

  “You might like this section.” He pointed to housewares. “This is where I got almost everything for the cabin. Here and Cabela’s.”

  “This would be a great place to find guy gifts.” She checked out the light-switch covers decorated with antlers and fishing lures.

  “My whole family shops here for me. See anything to feminize my cabin?”

  “The lavender camo pillows would do it.” Caitlyn blushed and kept her gaze averted from his. “If your future wife likes camo, that is.”

  “Do you like camo?” He stepped directly in front of her.

  Chapter 11

  “Depends on the man.” Caitlyn swallowed hard and held Mitch’s gaze. “And what he does for a living.”

  Before he could respond, she turned her back on him and stared at the wind chimes.

  Mitch blew out a big breath. Would he never get anywhere with this stubborn woman? He rounded a display of deer-antler lamps, clocks and art. Counting to ten, he took several deep breaths and chose a clock. Frustration tamped down, he headed for the wind chimes.

  But Caitlyn was gone.

  Why had he left her? She was probably frightened in this huge store full of guns and people, and she didn’t know her way around.

  “Caitlyn?”

  No answer. No sign of her. He rounded several more displays like a frantic parent searching for a lost child, then dug his cell out of his pocket and punched in her number. It rang and rang and rang.

  With country music over the speakers, numerous conversations amongst the shoppers and the splash of several waterfalls, she’d never hear her phone.

  Mitch scanned the checkout area and service desk. No Caitlyn. Where would she go? She wouldn’t be interested in the clothing. Surely she wouldn’t have gone downstairs by herself. He neared the railing and looked down.

  There she was. In front of the aquarium as if she didn’t have a care in the world. Mitch’s breathing steadied. He’d imagined her alone, having a panic attack. Instead, she stood there mesmerized by the fish—oblivious to his presence or anyone else’s. Progress.

  As if she felt him watching, her gaze met his. He smiled and she smiled back. But her smile melted and she focused on the aquarium.

  Mitch descended the curving wooden stairway and stopped at her side. “Do you realize what just happened here?”

  “What?”

  “You wandered off in a crowded store. A store you don’t know your way around in.”

  “I thought I’d check out the aquarium, so I asked a man where it was.”

  “You spoke to a man you don’t know. And you weren’t afraid.”

  “I wasn’t.” She smiled, but again it melted. “But we’re in San Antonio. I probably haven’t been here enough for some nut to fixate on me yet.”

  “Yes, the Stockyards is where you feel threatened. But this is a step. Would you have spoken to a stranger or wandered off the last time we were in San Antonio?”

  “No.” Her smile stuck this time.

  “That’s good.” He cupped her face in his hands. “I think you’re on your way to a worry-free life.”

  “I hope so.” She took a step back from him.

  His hands fell to his sides.

  “I’ve never seen such enormous catfish. What kind of bear is that?” She pointed to a faded brown stuffed bear standing at its full height, claws and teeth bared.

  “It’s a Kodiak. My folks used to take pictures of us kids with it every time we went to see Grandpa to measure how much we’d grown each year.”

  “Take my picture with it. Natalie will flip.” She dug her camera out of her purse and handed it to him, then scurried over to the bear like a kid with no worries. The Caitlyn she used to be.

  “Make me a copy?”

  “Why?” She stood beside the bear as he adjusted the digital lens and captured the image.

  “I want to remember the first day I saw you with no fear in your eyes.”

  She smiled. “Okay.”

  “Get between its claws, like it’s attacking you.”

  Striking a terrified pose, Caitlyn acted out the scenario for the camera. But it was on
ly for the picture. She was coming back.

  If only she’d come back to him.

  * * *

  Daylight pricked at Caitlyn’s consciousness. She snuggled deeper into the covers. Woodsy cologne. Mitch’s cabin. Mitch’s bed. She sat up straight.

  She’d managed to escape Mitch, but had ended up spending the night in his cabin. In his bed.

  With all his family home, including his aunt, uncle and cousin Clay, along with Rayna and their preschooler, Caitlyn had volunteered to stay in a hotel.

  But everyone had laughed, then informed her the nearest rentable cabins were in the next town, twenty minutes away. And so she’d ended up in Mitch’s cabin—in his bed, while Clay’s family was in the cabin guest room.

  Even after a hot shower last night, she’d been unable to relax and hadn’t fallen asleep until the wee hours of the morning. With Mitch a good mile away at his grandfather’s house, he was still too close.

  The cabin was quiet. She crept out of bed and dressed quickly. Coffee. Coffee would work wonders. Hopefully. She needed a strong cup of courage to face Mitch again. Why, oh, why, oh, why had she come?

  Because she loved him. And her traitorous heart couldn’t pass up a chance to be with him. Even though they could never really be together.

  She quietly opened the bedroom door and tiptoed toward the kitchen.

  “Hey, want a cup?” Rayna sat at the table, coffee in hand.

  “Exactly what I came for.” Caitlyn poured a steaming cup and doctored it to a nice creamy tan shade, then settled across from Rayna.

  “I’m so glad we have this chance to get better acquainted. I can’t believe we both live in tiny Aubrey and had never met until the publicity campaign.”

  “Proof that it’s a myth everyone in a small town knows everyone.” Caitlyn sipped her coffee.

  “Well, I’m a bit of a newcomer still, but you knew Clay and Mitch in school?”

  “Yep.”

  “How long have you loved Mitch?”

  Caitlyn gasped. “I—”

  “Don’t try to deny it.” Rayna shot her a knowing grin. “Tara told me the whole story.”

  “Oh.” What whole story? Their high school years, their recent forced reunion or all of it?

  * * *

  Despite his twisted position on the too-short couch, Mitch lay still, straining, waiting, hanging on Caitlyn’s next words.

  Nothing. She’d tried to deny she loved him, but the ever-astute Rayna had called her on it. But what did oh mean?

  He’d snuck in last night after everyone was asleep. He knew Caitlyn wouldn’t want him there, but he wanted to be near in case she needed a safety net.

  But now he should make a noise, sit up, let them know he was there. Instead, he listened like some gossipmonger. He had to know how Caitlyn felt. And she certainly wouldn’t tell him.

  “You know—” Rayna’s voice again “—when I met Clay, I was city through and through. Grew up in Dallas. Never even visited Fort Worth and I’d certainly never been to Aubrey.”

  “What about now?”

  Come on Rayna, work with me here, take the subject back to me. I need to know how she feels about me.

  “I don’t know what I ever saw in the city.”

  “Funny how life changes up on you sometimes.”

  “Or how the right man can change everything.” Rayna whistled. “I took one look at Clay and I was a goner.”

  “Y’all are probably one of those couples who met and got married within a matter of weeks.”

  “Hardly.” Rayna chuckled. “I fought loving him with everything in me.”

  “Why?”

  “One word. Bulls.” Rayna’s voice trembled.

  Mitch grinned. He knew exactly where Rayna was going with this. Thank You, Lord, for letting my cousin marry such a brilliant woman.

  “So Clay was still riding then?”

  “Yes. Do you have any idea how dangerous that can be?”

  “Actually, I do. But I’ve never known any of the wives.”

  “Well, number one, I’m terrified of bulls and, number two, I just knew one would kill Clay, and then where would I be?”

  “So what did you do?” Caitlyn’s question came out barely a whisper.

  “I broke up with him and didn’t see him for a while.”

  “But something brought you back together.”

  The furnace kicked on, making it harder to hear.

  “His friend died in a rodeo accident.”

  “Mel Gentry?”

  “Yes. And even though Mel died during a bronc ride, it proved in a very painful way I was right about rodeo being dangerous. But I couldn’t stay away from Clay. I knew he was hurting and I wanted to be there for him.”

  Rayna paused. Probably sipping her coffee. “I only planned to get him through the funeral. Until a very wise soul—in the form of Clay’s pastor—reminded me that God’s got this. He’s in control of life and death. Not some bull.”

  The women fell silent. Mitch’s heart raced as he listened for footsteps. What if they came over to the living room area and discovered him eavesdropping?

  “I finally realized that if Clay was a telephone operator and it was his time, the ceiling could fall in on him. And I came to the conclusion that, even apart, I worried about him.”

  The furnace turned off, allowing him to hear better, and Mitch relaxed.

  “So I decided I’d rather worry about Clay up close and personal. If anything happened to him, I didn’t want to look back and regret the time I could have spent with him.”

  Are you listening, Caitlyn? Do you regret our years apart?

  “But Clay ended up quitting the rodeo for you. And you’re living happily ever after.”

  “He didn’t quit for me. By then, he was beginning to feel the bumps and bruises more and Mel’s death kind of took the fire for rodeo out of him.”

  A chair scraped against the floor and something clattered in the sink. Probably finishing with their coffee. They’d discover him soon.

  “But Clay continued to compete for several months after we married. I sat through countless more bull rides with frayed nerves before he managed to retire still in one piece.”

  “Has he ever regretted quitting?”

  “No. He’s content with the dude ranch and our family. We just found out we’ve got another baby coming, and Clay’s getting inducted into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame Museum in January.”

  “That’s wonderful. Congratulations on both counts.” Silence for a few seconds. “But Mitch will never quit.”

  “Probably not, but just because he has a job in law enforcement doesn’t mean he’ll die on duty. He might outlive all of us. Look at Grandpa—he retired from ranger duty in perfect health. And besides, don’t you want to spend whatever time you have with the man you love for whatever time he has?”

  Say it, Caitlyn. Say yes. Say you love me and want to be with me.

  Something hit the floor in the guest room, hard and fast. The door burst open and hurried footfalls headed straight for the couch. Mitch closed his eyes.

  “Uncle Mitch is sweeping on the couch?” Kayla giggled. “And he looks like a pretzel.”

  Caitlyn gasped. Another chair scraped the kitchen floor and more footfalls coming his way.

  He squinted his eyes open and stretched, then sat up and reached for his niece. “Morning, punkin’.”

  With a cute giggle, Kayla flung herself at him.

  “Sorry she woke you.” Rayna flashed a conspiratorial grin.

  Not fooled for a minute. Was Caitlyn?

  Shock and distress showed clearly in the strained lines of her beautiful face. She was obviously wondering if he’d been asleep or heard the conversation.

  Though she had
n’t come out and said it, enough had been said for him to know she still loved him. He could work with that.

  “What are you doing here?” Her voice cracked.

  “I thought you might feel frightened. I wanted to be here, just in case.”

  “Kayla, will you go wake your sleepyhead daddy up?” Rayna scooped her squirming daughter out of Mitch’s arms and set the little girl on the floor. “Mitch, why don’t you get your kinked muscles stretched out with a little walk? And take Caitlyn with you.”

  “I don’t need a walk.” Caitlyn’s protest came too fast.

  “Nonsense. The day’s about to go into high gear. We’ll all gather at the ranch for breakfast, and then the men are on deep-fried-turkey duty while the other ladies there tackle the vegetable dishes. Caitlyn and I are in charge of desserts here at the cabin. Get some fresh air while you can.”

  Caitlyn didn’t answer. Her gaze landed on the lavender camo throw pillows he’d had Cody pick up at Bass Pro. She looked at him, then back at the pillows, and at him again.

  “I think I’ll freshen up a bit before we go for breakfast.” She scurried to his room and shut the door behind her.

  Mental note—buy a longer couch. He stretched and stood, feeling every kink. “Rayna, you’re a gem.”

  She shot him a good-natured wink. “You two belong together. I’ll help it along any way I can.”

  “Thanks. I need all the help I can get with that one.”

  But would Caitlyn listen? Had Rayna’s advice sunk in? Dear Lord, if we’re meant to be—help her to see it.

  * * *

  Why did she have to be in love with his entire family? Caitlyn scanned the faces at the Thanksgiving table that evening. Grandpa, Mitch’s parents, Cody, Tara and Jared, plus Rayna, Clay, their adorable Kayla and Clay’s parents.

  Church the night before and breakfast this morning had been like coming home.

  But this wasn’t her home. This wasn’t her family. She was here to say goodbye. To all of them.

  Her gaze caught on Mitch’s. And stuck. Her heart yearned for him.

  Just not his job. Her gaze dropped to her plate. “The turkey’s great. I’ve never had deep-fried turkey before.”

  “Must have been a woman who came up with it.” Audra grinned. “Makes the men feel manly and saves the women a lot of fuss so we can concentrate on the rest of the meal.”