Rodeo Queen

by Shannon Taylor Vannatter

  “The youngest. Mama never stopped missing you. She’ll be thrilled, ecstatic, overwhelmed.” All the years of Mama searching and longing and now Millie had shown up at their door. Through misty vision, Caitlyn ushered them toward the dining room. “Mama, there’s someone here to see you.”

  Millie put a cautioning hand on Caitlyn’s shoulder. “Don’t you think we should prepare her first?”

  “Trust me, she’s been preparing for this moment for thirty years.” She stepped into the dining room. All eyes turned her way. She motioned for Millie to enter.

  Her aunt took a deep breath and stepped through the doorway.

  Gasps echoed around the table, but Caitlyn focused on Mama.

  “Millie?” Mama stood and banged into the food-laden table.

  With tears steadily flowing, all Millie could do was nod.

  “You’re home.” Mama pushed her chair back and launched herself at her sister.

  The two sisters clung to each other as if they wanted to make up for thirty years of hugs. Through her own tears, Caitlyn scanned the faces around the table. Not a dry eye.

  Thanks to Mitch.

  * * *

  The phone rang. Mitch sighed and let it ring. If it were duty related, it would be his cell, and there wasn’t anyone he wanted to hear from. Except Caitlyn.

  The machine clicked on. Silence while his muted greeting played, then the beep. “Mitch, it’s Caitlyn.”

  Had she changed her mind? About letting him take her to the rodeo? About their future?

  He vaulted toward the phone, whacking his shin on the coffee table. “Ouch. Hello.”

  “Ouch?”

  “I bumped the coffee table.” He rubbed his throbbing shin. “I’m glad you called.”

  Silence. “Um, I’m only calling because I wanted to tell you Aunt Millie is home.”

  His heart plummeted. She hadn’t changed her mind. But at least her aunt was alive. “How is she?”

  “Fine. She and Mama had a tearful reunion. Actually, we pretty much all did. Even Lane was blubbering. But don’t tell him I told you that.”

  Mitch chuckled. “I won’t. Did she say where she’s been?”

  “Texarkana—the Arkansas side. She saw his obituary, and that’s what brought her home.”

  “Well, I’ll be.”

  “Thank you. For bringing her home.”

  “I’m glad it worked.” He settled on the couch. “Did she explain why she left?”

  “She loved him.” Caitlyn’s tone echoed disbelief. “Initially. But she was only sixteen. After a few months, she got a glimpse of his dark side when he slapped her for talking to another guy. She tried to break up with him, but he threatened to kill her entire family if she didn’t run away with him.”

  “Where did they run to?”

  “Oklahoma. He got her a fake ID, made her go by Cammie and forced her to marry him.”

  Happy conversation echoed in the background. Apparently, the reunion was still going on.

  “After Trent was born, Stuart became more aggressive. She didn’t want Trent witnessing the violence as he got older, so she tried to leave—taking Trent with her.” Caitlyn’s voice cracked. “But Stuart caught up with her. He told her he’d always find her and if she ever tried to take Trent away from him again, he’d kill them both.”

  “So she left without him.” He cleared his throat. “Probably hoping the violence would stop with her gone.”

  “Exactly. She decided she’d rather he kill her than live the way she and Trent were living, so she left. But that time, he didn’t catch up with her. She’d watched him make fake IDs, so she tried her hand at it and started over in Texarkana.”

  “I guess she didn’t see it in the newspaper when Stuart went to jail for beating Trent?”

  “No. She missed it. But she always scanned the obits, hoping to see his name there so she could come home.”

  “I can understand why she wanted him dead.” He closed his eyes, savoring the sound of the joy in her voice.

  “Yeah. Anyway, once she saw the obit, she headed home, but it took her a few more days to get her courage up to try to find Trent. Hang on a second.”

  A child’s voice sounded in the background, but he couldn’t understand the words.

  “I’ll be back in a minute, sweet pea.” Caitlyn paused.

  He imagined her with their children.

  “Sorry, Hannah’s wondering where I got off to. Anyway, Millie was afraid Trent would hate her for leaving. And initially he was angry, but they talked it out and showed up at my parents’ as we started our Thanksgiving dessert.”

  “That’s awesome.”

  “Yeah, it really is.” Her voice filled with wonder. “A Thanksgiving blessing.”

  If only there could be a blessing for him and Caitlyn.

  “I told Millie about my ordeal and you reopening the case. We’re all very grateful.”

  “I love happily ever afters.” I’d especially love one with you. He cleared his throat. “I’ll need to talk to her at some point. To wrap up the case. Maybe you could bring her to my office in Garland one day next week.”

  Silence echoed, until he wondered if she’d hung up. “Caitlyn?”

  “I’ll tell her. Mama and Daddy will probably bring her. Anyway, I wanted to fill you in. And thank you.”

  “Glad to be of service, ma’am.”

  “Um, goodbye, then.”

  Goodbye? Not so long or see ya later. But goodbye.

  He swallowed the knot lodged in his throat. “Goodbye, Caitlyn.”

  Despite all his efforts, all his dreams, all his longing, he had to let her go. Again.

  * * *

  As soft strains of “Just as I Am” filled the sanctuary, Caitlyn knelt at the altar. Life hurt. Everything hurt, including attending church. Even though Millie and Trent had come for services.

  Home. Her church home. Her aunt was home. She had a new cousin. Her spirits should lift.

  But all she’d thought about during Sunday-school class and service was Mitch. And never seeing him again.

  Oh, Lord, why did he have to come back into my life?

  To keep her safe. But now he was gone. Back on weekend duty. Risking his life to keep other people safe.

  Her hose-clad knees ached from kneeling at the unyielding wooden altar. Help me forget him and concentrate on returning to normal.

  Normal. What is that, Lord? I can’t even park behind my store anymore without almost having a panic attack.

  Lord, give me strength to forget Mitch. Help me not to love him. Help me to feel safe without him. And happy.

  Happy? Had she ever been happy since he’d walked away ten years ago?

  “‘But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.’ Psalm 5:11,” the pastor quoted. “Are you burdened? Come lay your burdens at the feet of Jesus. Leave this place shouting for joy.”

  She didn’t need Mitch to be happy. She needed to find her happiness in the Lord.

  How long had it been since she’d shouted for joy? Thou defendest them. Thou defendest me.

  A lightness filled her chest.

  You’ve got this, God. You’ll never forsake me. When Stuart Stevens attacked me, You were there giving me strength to fight. To escape.

  And if I’d been tortured, You’d have been there to give me strength to endure. If it had been my time to die, You’d have been there to carry me home.

  The heavy burden slipped off her shoulders. She had no reason to fear. “You’ve got this, Lord,” she whispered. “Thanks for the reminder.”

  As she stood and walked back to her seat, she couldn’t stop smiling. For the first time in mon
ths.

  * * *

  A sense of accomplishment lightened Caitlyn’s spirit even more as she parked behind her store. Head held high, she strolled to the back door and unlocked it without running or looking over her shoulder.

  Inside, she leaned against the wall. “Thank You, Lord.”

  She buzzed through opening chores—turned all the lights on, emptied the trash and stocked the register.

  The Christmas decorations were up, but it needed something more. A quick scan of the closet and she found two strands of multicolored bulbs. She grabbed a pair of her bestselling men’s boots out of the stockroom.

  The supple black shaft with white-stitched wings surrounding a cross reminded her of Mitch’s recommitment to Christ. She propped the boots in the window, wrapped a strand of lights all around them and plugged the lights in. Then stood back, tilting her head to the side. Cute.

  Cute enough that she grabbed a women’s pair, repeated the process and set them in the opposite window. Satisfied, she took the empty boxes out to the back Dumpster and returned to the stockroom. She pulled out a box containing his size, opened the lid and the scent of leather filled her senses. Probably a little flashy for everyday, but perfect for church.

  Maybe she’d ship them to him for Christmas.

  She stashed the boots in the closet and dug new trash bags out. The broom in the closet caught her eye. She grabbed it, unlocked the front door and took a deep breath. One foot over the threshold. Then two.

  The brick-lined streets never filled this early. Truth be told, it was too early for her. But she had to fight her night-owl tendencies daily to run a business.

  Birds chirped from the trees. A brisk wind whipped down the streets with only a few workers and tourists strolling along. She didn’t scan the faces, didn’t zone in on the men. Instead, she swept the sidewalk. With each swipe, she relaxed more, and she even swept the walk in front of the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame Museum next to her store and the gift shop on the other side of hers. Her broom met up with a cowboy boot.

  “Oh, I’m sorry.” She looked up.

  Keith, a clerk from the gift shop next door. Please don’t ask me out again.

  “Hey, Caitlyn.” He adjusted his cowboy hat. “Long time, no see.”

  “I’ve been really busy.”

  “I noticed. I’ve only seen you scurrying back and forth across the street. With your sister. Or that guy.” The unspoken question rang clear in his tone.

  “Well, I’ve decided to get out more.” She propped her chin on the broom handle.

  “Is he your boyfriend?”

  It was tempting to say yes to head him off. “No,” she croaked.

  “Good.” He smiled. “In that case, how about having dinner with me Friday night?”

  He was a nice guy, a good-looking guy, even. She’d never really noticed—light brown eyes and hair. It was tempting to go out to dinner and get on with her life. But she wasn’t interested in him. In anyone other than Mitch. And she couldn’t use this nice guy to try to forget Mitch.

  “I work Friday nights.”

  “Oh, yeah, I knew that. It could be a weeknight.”

  “It’s a nice offer, Keith, and you’re a really nice guy—”

  “But... I hear a but coming.”

  “It’s not a good time for me.”

  A disappointed sigh escaped him. “Well, if you find a good time, let me know.”

  “You should probably ask somebody else. I’m sort of nursing a broken heart.” For the past ten years. But he didn’t need to know that.

  “Well, whoever it was that let you get away must be crazy.”

  “Thanks.” Her heart warmed at the compliment. “Um, I’d better get back inside and finish up.”

  “Caitlyn,” Natalie called from in front of the museum. “What are you doing outside—flirting with a cute cowboy?”

  Caitlyn’s face heated. “Keith, this is my sister, Natalie. She’s happily married, thinks everyone else should be and is known for saying whatever she thinks—even when she thinks wrong.”

  “Nice meeting you, Natalie. Trust me, she wasn’t flirting, but I was.” With a parting wink, Keith turned and went inside the gift shop.

  “Why are you outside? And why weren’t you flirting with him?”

  “I’m outside because I had a good talk with God at church yesterday and He reminded me He’s in control. Not some stalker. I even parked in the back lot today.”

  “Wow. You seem...”

  “Free.”

  “I’m so glad. Mitch wanted me to check on you this morning, so I’ll have good news to report.”

  Her heart twisted. “Why is he checking on me?”

  “He’s worried about you. Like we’ve all been.”

  “You can officially tell him and everyone else I’m fine. I’m no longer cringing at the sight of my own shadow.”

  “It looks good on you.” Natalie hugged her. “You look and sound like your old self. And so, since you’re feeling better and you’re determined Mitch isn’t the one, why not cowboy Keith?”

  “I’m not interested. In anyone right now. I just want to enjoy my life again. Without you, or anybody else, trying to fix it for me. I’m fine.”

  “We want you to be happy.”

  “I know. And I love you for it. But I don’t have to have a man to be happy. I am happy.”

  But her words held a hollow ring. As hollow as her heart.

  “All right, I’ll see you tomorrow, probably. And Lane and I will be here Friday to walk you over to the rodeo.”

  “Tomorrow I’m going to check on the Dallas store. And Friday—thanks, but I’ll walk myself to the rodeo.”

  Natalie smiled and gave her another squeeze. “Glad to have you back.”

  Now if she could just move on. Without Mitch.

  * * *

  “I don’t understand.” Raquel squinted up at Mitch in the dim lighting as they made slow progress around the Galleria ice rink. “If she loves you and you love her, why aren’t you together?”

  “It’s not that simple.” He watched Hunter glide across the ice. If only Dylan could be here to watch his son grow.

  “Did you tell her about your transfer?”

  “No.”

  “Because?” Her left eyebrow lifted.

  “I don’t know that I’ll be a forensic artist for the rest of my life. What if I stink at it? What if I get bored with it? If Caitlyn can’t accept me with whatever job I have, we don’t have a future.”

  “It’s a lot to accept. Trust me.” Raquel pulled her jacket tighter.

  Offering comfort, he took her hand in his. “You know more than anybody.”

  “I miss him so much. Sometimes Hunter is a comfort—I mean, he looks exactly like Dylan. Acts just like Dylan. But sometimes looking at him hurts. He’s so much like his father that I miss Dylan even more.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t go blaming yourself again.” She elbowed him in the ribs. “I like this new right-with-God-and-myself Mitch.”

  “I’m not blaming myself. I miss him, too. And I’m sorry he’s gone. For you, for Hunter and for me.”

  A small boy careened toward Hunter. Mitch winced, expecting a crash, but the child righted himself and skated away.

  “You need to stop spending so much time with us. You’re off duty today and you’re skating with us. You should be pursuing Caitlyn. Or someone else.”

  “I love my time with y’all. But what you said goes both ways, you know. How long’s it been since you’ve been on a date?”

  “It’s different.” She looked away. “And you know it.”

  “But I also know Dylan would want you to be happy.”

  “Maybe I can’t be happy with anyone but Dylan.”
>
  “You’ll never know if you don’t at least consider letting someone else into that empty heart of yours.”

  “My heart is quite full, thank you very much. So full there’s no room for romance.”

  Maybe she could only be happy with Dylan. A car accident had ripped that happiness away. Maybe Mitch could only be happy with Caitlyn. And his choice of career had ripped away his only chance of happiness.

  No. They’d both trust in the Lord for happiness, no matter what happened in the future.

  * * *

  Freedom. Caitlyn had forgotten what it was like to go wherever she wanted. Without fear. Thank You, Lord.

  Garlic, deep-fried batter and onions. The Galleria food court teemed with people. She stopped at the rail and looked down on the skaters. One of these days, she needed to take time to do that. It had been years since she’d ice-skated.

  A teenage girl sailed across the ice and spun up in the air like an Olympian. Caitlyn held her breath until the girl landed. Still upright.

  Children barely big enough to walk clambered around the rink holding their parents’ hands. Couples held hands as they glided around and around.

  Back when she and Mitch were dating, they’d come here several times. She closed her eyes—lost in memories. The warmth of his hand on hers. His strong arms around her when she stumbled. In fact, she’d stumbled a few times on purpose. Their first date, their first kiss, the first time he’d said he loved her.

  Stop it, Caitlyn. It’s over.

  She opened her eyes and focused on a couple. The man’s muscular build, height and dark hair reminded her of Mitch. She turned her attention to the slender blonde at his side instead. The woman stumbled, her lips parted in a gasp. The man caught her in his arms and dipped her dramatically. They laughed as he helped her up, and a little boy came running to join them.

  The man picked the little boy up and spun him round and round. The child giggled and the man’s head tilted back as he chuckled.

  And for the first time, Caitlyn got a good look at his face.

  Mitch.

  Her heart crashed.

  Chapter 13

  Caitlyn spun away from the rink and bolted for her store. Be happy for him. He was moving on. And he had every right to be happy. Without her.