Chapter Three
“Ladies and gentlemen, the team roping event will begin in five minutes,” the rodeo announcer called out over the loud speakers.
The afternoon sun felt hot on Caleb’s shoulders, and the smell leather, horses and roasted peanuts hovered thick in the air. Townspeople packed the stands around the oval dirt arena as they talked and laughed and made furtive private bets.
Caleb looked over at Jeb Mathis, who swung down on his chestnut mare waiting in the rider’s box. Between them a big dark steer in a reinforced chute used his bulk to test the gates separating him from the two riders.
“Don’t break the barrier early,” Caleb warned, nodding to the rope stretched across the riders’ boxes, designed to hold them back long enough to give the steer a decent head start. Since Jeb was riding as the header, he would be first out into the arena. “It’ll cost us ten points – and remember, turn him left once you got him by the horns.”
“I know.” The lanky wrangler smiled a little. “This ain’t my first rodeo, son.”
“Team roping, like many rodeo events, originated from ranch work,” the announcer said to the excited crowd. “While working cattle, two cowboys on horses are often needed to rope a large steer at the head and the hind legs. This partnership allows for swift control of the animal between two horses, where it can be branded or given medical treatment.”
Caleb looked out at the stands, hoping to catch a glimpse of Harper’s dark fiery hair. When he’d left her cottage early this morning, she’d promised to see him at the rodeo, but so far he hadn’t spotted her.
“Two minutes,” the chute operator warned.
Caleb checked his rope on final time, cinched his gloves and resettled his Stetson on his head before he gave Dancer’s strong neck a reassuring rub. The spotted gray quarter horse responded with a snort and a happy shake of his head.
A claxon sounded, and the crowd hushed as the timing clock reset to zero.
The chute operator counted down the last ten seconds, and then released the chute gate. The excited steer bolted out toward the center of the arena, followed by Jeb, who was already swinging a wide, flat loop with his rope. As Caleb came up from the rear with Dancer, Jeb caught the animal’s wide head and blunted horns neatly and dallied his rope while turning the steer.
Working as the heeler, Caleb had the more difficult tasking of roping both hind legs. He had to time the low toss of his stiffer, smaller loop to the precise moment when the steer’s back hooves were in the air. He caught them a split second later, immobilizing the cattle’s rear end as he guided Dancer into position. Once Caleb and Jeb’s horses faced each other, with the steer caught between them, the clock stopped.
“Five point two seconds,” the announcer called out over the crowd’s noisy applause. “That puts Boone-Mathis in first place.”
After clearing the arena and shaking hands with Jeb, Caleb rode back to the waiting area while the next team entered the box.
“And now the ladies will have a turn,” the announcer said. “We’re proud to welcome from the Northwestern professional rodeo circuit Lilah Jones as header, and Harper Mason as heeler.”
It had to be a mistake, Caleb thought as he stared at the female team. Only when the heeler revealed her garnet-red short hair as she tipped her hat to the crowd did he dismount and hand off Dancer’s reins to an attendant before he strode over to the heeler’s box.
“Harper?”
She glanced back over her shoulder. “Nice time, Cowboy.” She nodded at the clock and then winked. “Now we’re stomp it in the dirt.”
Caleb wanted to laugh, bellow, and drag her off the horse. The chute operator distracted him with the release count, and by the time he blinked the steer, Harper’s partner shot out.
He watched his lover give chase, her rope swinging and her horse’s legs churning in a blur. In three seconds she had the hind legs caught and pulled back as she dallied her rope to tighten the cinch.
The steer suddenly bucked free, and Harper was flung backward and lost her seating, causing her horse to wheel around in confusion.
Caleb vaulted over the gate and got to the horse before the rodeo clowns could, catching the reins and controlling the head. That gave Harper the chance to haul herself upright. Her partner led the steer to the far side of the arena and watched anxiously as they got the frightened horse calmed.
“Whoa, girl, it’s all right, you’re all right,” Caleb said in a calming voice to the horse as Harper dismounted and gave the crowd a wave and a thumbs-up.
They walked out of the arena together, Harper’s face pale as she limped beside Caleb.
“I’ll see to her,” Jeb said, taking the horse’s reins.
Caleb guided Harper over to the first-aid station to be checked out. The doctor blotted the blood from her nose and felt the bridge before taking off her boot and checking her swelling ankle.
“Looks like a bad sprain, Ms. Mason,” the older man said. “But at least you didn’t break that pretty nose.”
“There is that,” she said, sounding tired, and glanced at Caleb. “Hopefully no one else wants to take another shot at it.”
#
An hour later Harper hobbled from the arena to her truck with the last of her gear.
“You don’t have to drop out of the competition,” Brian Montlake said as he followed her. Her manager patted his comb-over with a nervous hand. “Rest the ankle tonight, and see how you feel in the morning.”
“It’s not the ankle, Bri,” she told him as she put her bag in the back seat. “This is the fourth competitive accident I’ve had in as many months. It’s time to take a break.” She grimaced. “Maybe I should hang it up for good.”
“No.” The older man grabbed her shoulders and gave her a shake. “You could go all the way to the Nationals this year, Harper. I’m not going to let you give up.”
“Hey,” Caleb said, pulling Brian away. “She’s hurt, remember?”
“Go screw yourself, cow-puncher,” the manager flared. “You know, if she hadn’t slipped, she would have beaten you today?”
“Damn right she would have. Keys,” Caleb said to Harper. When she handed them over, he helped her into the cab and then climbed in behind the wheel.
“Call me later,” Brian yelled as Caleb drove off.
Harper glanced at her grim-faced savior. “I appreciate you jumping into today when my rope snapped. If you hadn’t, I might have gotten trampled.”
“It didn’t snap.” Caleb reached into his jacket and handed her a bundle of stiff rope. “That’s your rope. Look at the split. See how the fibers look almost melted? They were exposed to a high heat.”
Harper eyed the broken ends. “Someone tampered with it?”
He nodded. “I checked your saddle, too. Two of the cinch straps were worn almost all the way through.”
She felt horrified. “I check that saddle myself last night, and they were fine. Wait, where are you taking me?” she added when she saw him turn onto a road leading away from town.
“Until we figure this out, you’re staying with me at the ranch.” He reached over and took her cold hand in his. “Why did you let me think you were a waitress?”
“Seemed like a good idea at the time.” She uttered a humorless laugh. “I’m sorry. I just hardly ever get to be a regular gal. Listen, you can take me back to the cottage. I don’t want to get you in trouble with your boss.”
“I am the boss. One of the bosses,” he said. “My brothers and I own Ghost Lake.”
Harper instantly recognized the name. “That’s one of the biggest cattle operations in this part of the state.” When he nodded, she shook her head. “Damn, you’re a landowner. And here I thought you were just some hot-looking ranch hand.”
“I am.” He cocked an eyebrow at her. “That ass of a manager you’ve got was right. You and Lilah would have beat me and Jeb by at least half a second.”
“Three-quarters,” she corrected. “We’ve been trying to get under four seco
nds all year. To be so close . . . .” she shook her head and sighed. “Your family know you’re bringing me home with you?”
“I called ahead. Buck, our cook, is already working on a big dinner for you.” He squeezed her hand. “I should warn you about my brothers. I have six of them. One’s about to get married, one’s about to have a baby, and the rest are working on one or the other.”
“Wow, that’s impressive.” Now she understood why he’d asked her that peculiar question last night. “I’ve got four older sisters. All married with kids, but then none of them went on the circuit.”
He took another turn onto an access road. “I’m the youngest in my family, too.”
The way he said that made her suppress a giggle. “Being the baby sucks, doesn’t it?”
Caleb chuckled. “Sometimes with teeth.”
He began pointing out their property boundaries and talking about their operation. By the time he pulled up in front of a sprawling ranch house Harper felt a little awe-struck at Ghost Lake’s size and scope. Before Caleb could help her out of the truck they were surrounded by a half-dozen older variations of him, including one giant-size brother named Chris who offered to carry her inside.
“Not happening,” Caleb told him as he scooped Harper up in his arms. “She’s mine.”
Harper linked her hands behind his neck. “I like how you say that,” she whispered, feeling mischievous. “When do I get my engagement ring?”
“When you get pregnant,” he muttered back, and then looked into her eyes. “’But we could practice later, if you want.”
Harper remembered how fast Caleb had gotten to her in the arena, and how scared she’d been until she’d seen him running flat out for her. He’d jumped in and saved her without a single thought for his own safety. Even Lilah had said she’d never seen a man move so fast.
She’d never thought of herself as the marrying or mothering type, but for the first time she could see another path in her future. One that didn’t end with her crippled and swapping tall tales in bars with her old rodeo pals. “I’d love that.”
Chapter Four
“You got yourself a little firecracker there, boy,” Buck Lloyd said as Caleb helped him wash up after the big family dinner. “Just as pert as she is pretty, and fast, too. I saw her daddy ride in the rodeo some years back, I think. Same smile.”
Caleb glanced over at the open doorway before he said, “Buck, somebody’s trying to hurt her. Messing with her gear and such. I know everyone who was competing against her, and none of them had a reason. Prizes are too small to tempt any fool wanting to cheat.”
“Then it’s something else.” The old trail cook handed him a washed plate to dry. “If she ain’t got a boyfriend, and she’s on good terms with her people, then it’s probably money.”
“Harper’s manager got pissed when she talked about taking a break from the circuit.” Caleb leaned against the counter. “He’d have access to all her gear. But why would he want her to compete if he meant to hurt her? If she doesn’t ride, he doesn’t earn anything.”
“Unless he found another way to profit,” Buck said, and nodded at Caleb’s shocked look. “He might have been paid off by someone hoping to take her spot, or knock her out of the running for Nationals. There’s big money at that level. You should ask her about it.”
Caleb heard his brothers and Harper laughing in the next room. “If I can ever get her away from the boys.”
“Take her with you when you ride out to check the herds in the south pasture,” Buck suggested. “That’s the prettiest part of the spread, and I’ll bet she’d like to see you in action.”
“Excuse me,” Harper said as she limped into the kitchen. “May I use the phone? I do need to let my manager know where I am.”
Caleb brought over the cordless extension. As he went to finish helping with the dishes Harper made her call, and he couldn’t resist listening in.
“I’ll be staying here at Ghost Lake for tonight, but I am dropping out of the competition.” She listened and then shook her head. “No, I’m sorry, Brian, but I can’t keep risking my life like this.” She scowled. “What? You can’t have me banned from the circuit. I was injured today. You know what, Brian? Let’s make this real simple. I quit, and you’re fired.” She hung up the phone.
Caleb went to her. “You okay, Red?”
“No. I’ve never had to fire someone.” She glanced at him. “How did I do?”
“You scared me,” Buck said, making them both laugh.
“We need to get out of here for a while. Want to take a ride with me?” When she nodded, he went back out into the dining room. Ethan, I’m going to take Harper with me for afternoon check. Can she borrow Rosie?”
“If she feels up to it, sure.” His oldest brother smiled at Harper. “My paint’s nothing fancy, but she’s gentle and sure-footed, and lopes like gliding rocker.”
“My first competition horse was a paint,” she told him. “I could do cartwheels on that mare’s back and she wouldn’t bat an eyelash.”
“You’re not too sore, are you?” Jessa asked. “I can tape that ankle for you.”
“My man Caleb already did.” Her dimples flashed as the other Boones eyed him. “Don’t look so surprised. He’s real handy. If he keeps rescuing me I might even marry him and have his babies.”
Jonah choked on his coffee, while Thomas smiled broadly as he whacked him on the back.
“Manners,” Liam, the steely-eyed brother, said.
Buck appeared in the doorway. “Ms. Mason, that jackass you just fired called back. I told him you were out riding herd check with Cal, and I might said for him to go jump in a lake. My memory’s not what it used to be.”
“Thank you so much, Mr. Lloyd.” Harper turned to Caleb. “Maybe I will marry you after all.”
“Come on, before they start picking out a church.” Caleb helped Harper up and let her lean on his arm as they headed out to the barn. “You’re a troublemaker, aren’t you?”
She tucked her arm around his waist. “Every blessed day of my life.”
Harper admired the Boones’ stock horses, and took a minute to sweet-talk Pete before she picked out a saddle for Rosie.
“I’ve seen that stallion before now,” she mentioned as Caleb helped her mount. “I think he belonged to a barrel-racer on the circuit.”
“That might explain why he rockets from his stall every time we turn him out.” Caleb eyed the fractious horse. “This barrel-racer, was she a woman?”
Harper nodded. “Amber Worth. She got divorced a couple years ago, and no one’s seen her since. I heard she had to sell off most of her competition stock. Shame, too. Tiny thing, like a jockey, but stronger than me. Putting her on a horse was like giving it wings.”
Riding across his family’s land with Harper made Caleb feel oddly complete, as if some unseen part of him he’d never known was missing had been put back. She seemed just as happy as she admired their Holsteins and discussed the merits of competition horse breeds.
Once he’d finished the herd check, Caleb tethered their horses at the edge of the pasture. Walking down with Harper to the bank of the creek, he spread out a blanket.
“I hope you’re not planning a picnic,” she warned as she stretched out on the plaid wool. “Buck stuffed me to the gills with dinner.”
“No picnic.” He took out the thermos of coffee and fried apple pies the cook had packed for them. “Dessert by the water, madam.”
They shared the thermos cup as they nibbled on the crispy pastries and watched the sun scatter diamond light over the creek’s rushing waters.
“You’re lucky,” Harper told him. “This is a beautiful place to live. You and your brothers have really accomplished a lot, too. Are you planning on staying?”
He shrugged. “Some days I never want to step foot off the place. Then there come times when I wish I could leave it behind, and see what else is out there.”
“You could do both,” she said as she stretched out on her si
de. “Work the ranch for a few months, then go traveling. I’m on the road six, eight months out of the year, so when I do get home I appreciate it more. Lately I’ve been thinking about what I’ll do when I stop competing.”
Caleb lay down beside her. “You could train rodeo horses. Maybe set up your own ranch and breed them.”
“Speaking of breeding.” She walked her fingers up his chest and brushed them against his lips. “You want to help me work off a little dinner?”
He glanced down as she unfastened his belt and lowered his zipper. “What did you have in mind, Red?”
“Just a little extra dessert.” She slipped her hand inside to curl her fingers around his rock-hard shaft.
“Hmmm. I don’t think I can wait for mine.” Caleb opened and worked her jeans down to her knees, giving him more access to her damp little pussy.
“Greedy man.” She straddled him in reverse, pushing his jeans down and stroking his cock as he gripped her hips and kissed the back of her thighs.
Caleb stroked her as she bent over to kiss his straining cockhead, and then brought her hips back to bury his mouth against her, licking his tongue from her clit to her rosebud and back again.
Harper let out a muffled sound of pleasure while she took him into her mouth, her head bobbing slowly. The feel of her wet, soft mouth and clever tongue sent jolts of sensation through his groin.
Caleb had never had sex out of doors. Feeling the sunlight pouring over them as she sucked his cock and he licked her pussy made everything take on a dreamy quality.
“Ah.” She released him to shudder through an orgasm, and then went down on him to his root, gently caressing his tightening balls.
“Here it is, baby,” he murmured, and then bowed under her as his seed fountained into her mouth.
Harper dropped onto him, letting him glide from her lips with a sigh. Caleb stroked her bottom and her lower back, his eyes closing as he drifted with the ebbing pleasure.
Harper climbed off him and sat up, looking all around them. “Did you hear that?”
MILITARY ROMANCE: The War Within Himself (Alpha Bad Boy Marine Army Seal) (Contemporary Military Suspense & Thriller Romance) Page 140
