by Lynn Cahoon
“You were a rodeo queen? So what, you rode in parades?”
“There’s more to being named queen than looking pretty on a horse, I’ll have you know.” Barb fake punched Kati, making her giggle. “Lizzie and I barrel raced.”
Kati’s eyes widened. “Wow. Can you teach me?”
“Not with the boots you have. I can’t believe your instructor is letting you ride in those.”
Kati glanced around the crowded dining room. “Don’t tell, but she has a pair at the stables I change into when I get there. She said Aunt Angel must not know diddly about horses.”
“I think I agree with your trainer. Can I take you to your lesson Saturday?” Barb had already cleared her schedule for the weekend. Cassie was bringing her mom down from Shawnee on Friday and Barb would be focused on getting her settled.
The bull riders she managed were going to have to attend the Montana Rapids Rodeo alone this weekend. She was sure some of them were glad not to have her watchful eye for a few days. She’d warned the guys if she got a call from the jail, they would have to cool their heels there until either she or James could get a flight in.
“I don’t know, Claire says she likes it when Uncle Hunter comes with me.” Kati studied her. “Are you his new girlfriend?”
And the plan turned sour right there. Neither Hunter nor Barb had thought about Kati. She couldn’t just pop into her life like an interchangeable Lego person. Maybe this wasn’t the best idea. But then a vision of her mom in the hospital bed flooded her mind. This had to work. She needed Hunter’s financial backing to keep her mom safe, no matter what the consequences. And if she had to stay fake married to Hunter longer for Kati’s sake, she guessed she could do that.
“In a way.” Barb didn’t look up from her fish and chips. This might not be the perfect time to tell Kati, but she was boxed into a corner. “Your uncle and I got married in Vegas last weekend.”
When no response came from the other side of the table, Barb finally looked up. Kati grinned at her. “I knew it. I asked in my prayers for Uncle Hunter to find a wife. Grampa says all you have to do is ask for what you want, and it worked.”
“I don’t know if it’s that simple,” Barb backpedaled. The waters were getting deep. Now they were talking about religion and Barb didn’t even know what church Hunter took Kati to or if they even attended. She hadn’t been in a church for years, not since she’d left Shawnee.
“So you’re my aunt too?” Kati wasn’t slowing down.
“I guess I am.”
“Good, cuz Aunt Angel scares me sometimes. I don’t know, Mommy said she was a gold digger, but when I asked Aunt Angel if she’d found any gold lately, she didn’t know what I was talking about. Besides, I don’t think she could be digging for gold, her nails are too pretty.” Kati swung her legs back and forth.
Barb suppressed a smile. Leave it to a kid to break things down to what matters. “Your mommy was probably being funny.”
Kati shook her head. “I don’t think so. She was mad and yelling at Aunt Angel when she came to visit. I was supposed to be in my room, but I needed a drink. Then Mommy told her to leave and not come back.”
“That must have been scary.” Barb knew she’d hated it when her mom and her latest boyfriend would argue, their heated words waking her up in the middle of the night. She hadn’t understood the words, but she’d understood the tone. And then the man would disappear out of their lives. Maybe not the next day, but eventually.
“A little. But I went right back into my room and told Bella it would be all right.” Kati cocked her head to the left. “I think she was more scared than me because she was shaking all over.”
Finally, a lifeline to change the conversation. Barb grabbed at it. “So you’ve had Bella a while.”
Kati nodded. “She’s ten. That’s old for a dog. She was mommy’s baby before I was born.”
“She seems like a good dog.”
“Do you have a dog?”
“No.” Barb sipped her iced tea. “Why?”
“When you move in, your dog might not like Bella. I was worried.” Kati frowned. “Do you like dogs? Are you going to make Bella go to the pound?”
“God, no. Why would I do that?”
Kati shook her head. “Tony said Aunt Angel told Uncle Fred that as soon as I moved in with them, Bella was going to the pound. That she wasn’t going to have me and a dirty little dog in her house.”
Anger bubbled up in Barb’s stomach and she pushed the rest of the fish and chips to the side. “Who’s Tony?”
“He’s my cousin.” Kati looked around the restaurant, lowering her voice. “He says he can drink all the beer he wants to as long as he doesn’t tell anyone. Kids in grade school aren’t supposed to drink beer. That’s a law.”
No way Kati was even ever going to visit this crazy aunt and her messed-up family. Not if Barb had anything to say about the decision. She nodded to Kati’s almost empty plate. “You ready for some more shopping?”
“Can I get a hat?” Kati’s eyes gleamed.
“Of course. What kind of a cowgirl would you be without a good hat?”
As they gathered up their packages, Barb took the bill up to the cashier.
“Your little girl is so cute. And she looks just like you.” The man beamed at Kati. “Did you enjoy your lunch?”
“Yes, sir.” Kati took the sucker the man offered and smiled up at Barb.
Neither one corrected the man on their tenuous relationship. And for once, Barb didn’t want to.
So this was what it felt like to have a daughter. To have a family.
The bull rider crew would be laughing their butts off if they saw her right now. Playing the part of a mother and a wife.
But that’s all it was, Barb reminded herself. This wasn’t real, it was pretend. Maybe her heart couldn’t tell the difference.
Chapter 9
“Got a call from Angel Monnet yesterday afternoon.” Chase Aaron sat in the leather visitor chair in Hunter’s office. The power office gleamed with leather and chrome — the trappings made Hunter nervous, like he was playing in someone else’s world.
When Hunter had been in the field, he’d run his business stuff out of his truck and a room in his old house he’d called the study. Now, he’d moved into a big shiny office, bought a house to match his new title, and was raising a seven-year-old. In less than a year.
“She mad?” Hunter chuckled. Angel had left skid marks on the road outside his house she’d taken off so fast.
“Let’s say concerned. So I take it this wife of yours is the one you left a message about getting an annulment from? You’ve changed your mind?” Chase crossed his leg over his knee, his tailored black suit and peach shirt making him look less like a lawyer and more like a fashion designer.
“We’ve come to an understanding.” Hunter shrugged. “Eventually, we’ll divorce but for right now, we’re a happy home. At least where Angel’s concerned.”
Chase shook his head. “I think you’re playing with fire here. What do you know about this woman? If you were going to pick a wife off the street, you should have gone shopping at the church. There’re lots of desperate women there with no baggage who would have jumped at the chance to be Mrs. Hunter Martin.”
“Barb gets it. She knows this is for Kati, not us. Besides, I didn’t plan on marrying her — or anyone. That kind of just happened.” Hunter tapped his pen on the desk. “We’ll sort the marriage thing out when I know Kati’s safe.”
“And what if she just happens to get pregnant? Have you thought about that? Then you’ll be stuck with alimony and child support until the kid turns eighteen. Not all women are honest about using protection.”
“We’re not having sex. And if we were, I know how to protect myself just fine. You haven’t had to bail me out of any child support issues before, why are you worried now?” Hunter stood and walked to the bank of windows overlooking the Boise River and the foothills. Yes, the prior manager knew his stuff when it came to appe
arances.
“Did you know she was married before?”
Chase’s words jerked him away from the peaceful scene outside the window. “What are you talking about?”
“According to legal records, Barb Carico married Kevin Flavin two years ago. They were divorced six months later.” Chase was watching Hunter’s face. “I called the guy. He was pretty bitter. Said Barb dropped him after he hurt his back and couldn’t ride anymore.”
“A bull rider?” Hunter sat in one of the leather chairs next to Chase.
“An ex-bull rider. Apparently, Barb was his manager. He was her first client. Then they got married in Vegas after he placed in the championship that year. Apparently, on his last ride, he jerked something and couldn’t go back the next season, so she divorced him.”
“Doesn’t sound like Barb. Maybe he was just venting steam.” Hunter couldn’t wrap his head around what he was hearing.
“I checked with a few people I know in the rodeo business. When this all happened, rumors were that Barb was very good at keeping her riders at her beck and call. No matter what the cost.”
Hunter didn’t respond. All he could think about was finding Jesse in Barb’s room that morning, still wet from the shower. Maybe the Florence Nightingale version of the woman he’d seen this week was the act. Hell, maybe all of it was.
“I know what I’m doing,” Hunter finally said. “Angel isn’t getting Kati or the trust fund.”
“You may want to be prepared for an ugly court hearing. If I found this ex-husband in less than twenty-four hours, I’m sure Angel knows your new wife’s history as well.” Chase stood and patted Hunter’s shoulder. “I’m due in court at nine. I’ll have Sandy call your bride in the office next week for testimony prep. I’ll find out what she’s playing at.”
“You know, she could just be doing me a favor. She asked me to put up the deposit on her mom’s assisted living facility. That could be all she’s looking for.” Hunter watched his friend and legal counsel walk toward the door.
“For your sake, I hope so.” Chase paused, his hand on the door. “For Kati’s sake, I hope so.”
As Chase left the office, Hunter put his head in his hands. Frying pan versus fire … either way, he was screwed.
No. He hadn’t changed his life for Kati just to have her snatched away from him now. That kid was getting a good life, one his brother would have wanted for her, even if he had to sleep with the devil to assure she’d be safe. And now, he realized, he might have just made that bargain with Barb. How could he have been so wrong about her?
His intercom buzzed as the door flew open, his secretary’s announcement a second too late. “Mr. Martin is here to see you.”
“Never did like waiting,” John Carter Martin announced. “When were you going to tell me?”
Hunter stood and hugged his dad. “Tell you what?”
“That you lasso’d that filly?”
“What?”
The two men sat back in the leather chairs. Hunter glanced at the stack of proofs sitting on his desk. Nothing was getting done today apparently.
“I had to hear from my secretary that you and Miss Carico tied the knot in Vegas.” His dad grinned from ear to ear. “No wonder you wanted to take this sponsor trip. You dog.”
“How did your secretary find out?”
John Carter waved his hand. “That Angel woman called, all hot and bothered yesterday. I’ve told Marsha to screen all my calls especially from that woman. She’s crazy. And you just took away her one card for court. Now you don’t look like some sort of Three Men and a Baby crap. Genius.”
Hunter winced. “I didn’t marry Barb because I wanted to keep Kati. I mean, I want to win this custody battle, but honestly, I didn’t know Angel was going to pull this crap.”
“No matter. The deed is done. And I couldn’t be happier for the two of you. I’ve got Marsha planning up a big shindig at the ranch for Sunday. A reception.” Hunter’s dad stood.
“Well, I’ve got work to do. You have that little lady call Marsha so she can invite her side of the family. I’m so happy for you, son.”
Hunter felt like he’d been hit by a tidal wave. But this was part of the pretending. He’d been stupid to think he and Barb could keep this thing just between them. That the court would take one look at her and sign off on the custody papers. This was turning into a nightmare.
His dad was still talking. Hunter tried to focus. “And you tell her that I’d already signed off on our sponsorship of Jesse Sullivan before I found out about your wedding. Although it’s not a bad thing to keep business in the family. You can trust family.”
Hunter muttered something, words that either his father didn’t hear or were the right ones for the situation, because John Carter didn’t react. Hunter couldn’t even remember what he said — all he thought about were his dad’s parting words.
You can trust family.
• • •
“Great job on signing up the new sponsor.” James pulled Barb aside as they walked toward the car. James and Cassie had driven Lorraine down from Shawnee that morning. Barb had waited for Kati to catch the school bus, then sped to her mom’s to meet them.
“Thanks,” Barb tried to brush away the compliment. Hunter had dropped the envelope with her copy of the sponsorship contract on the table in front of her when he’d arrived home last night. Home, that was a strange word for Barb to use. Well, it was Hunter and Kati’s home at least, but Barb shouldn’t think of the sprawling ranch house as her home. Not now, not ever. “How’s she been?”
James watched her, obviously deciding not to push the issue. “She had a hard night. Cassie said she’s pretty drugged up now. She slept most of the way here.”
“I’m doing the right thing, aren’t I?”
James put his hand on Barb’s arm. “Look at me. You didn’t cause this. You can’t fix her condition, and you deserve to have a life.”
“I was so totally with you until you got to the last point. Maybe having my own life is overrated.”
“Stop it. Where’s the crazy, smart business-savvy woman who knows exactly what the next step should be?”
“That’s only with making decisions for other people’s lives, their careers. Not with my mom’s life.” Tears filled her eyes. “I don’t want to lose her.”
James pulled her into a hug. “She needs to live somewhere safe. Where she can’t hurt herself or others. You aren’t losing her by making sure she’s safe.”
“Keep telling me that and maybe after a few hundred years, I’ll believe you.” Barb leaned her head on James’s chest. The man was a rock. Lizzie was one lucky woman. But feeling his arms around her, all she could think about was that James wasn’t the one she wanted to hold her. She needed Hunter. And the depth of that need, that want, scared her almost as much as putting her mother into an assisted living facility.
James patted her back then pushed her away. He wiped her tears with his handkerchief. “You ready to get this over with?”
“Always the sensitive one.” Barb laughed. “I need Lizzie, I get her too-busy husband.”
“Liz wanted to come. I just didn’t want her to spend four hours in the car today. She’s wearing down a bit carrying those boys.”
Barb felt a tang of guilt. She knew Lizzie would have been here for her if she could have. “I’m a selfish bitch sometimes.”
“Nah, just Barb.” James put his arm around her shoulder and they walked to his new SUV. JR’s booster seat was thrown in the back. Barb’s mom and Cassie were in the back seat. Lorraine’s face brightened when Barb climbed in the passenger seat.
“Hi, Mom.” Barb reached back and patted her mother’s hand. A hand still young.
“Shawnee was beautiful this week. You should have stayed with me.” Lorraine squeezed Barb’s hand. “Maybe the next trip you can stay longer.”
“Maybe.” Barb turned her head toward the window; catching her reflection, she wiped away a stray tear.
The ride to the facil
ity was quiet except for the sound of Cassie reading a story quietly to Lorraine. Reading seemed to soothe her and today, Lorraine needed to be soothed.
When they walked into the facility and to Lorraine’s new room, Barb was surprised to see how much they’d been able to replicate the room to look like the one her mom had at home.
Lorraine crossed over to the bed. “I’m so glad to be home. You and James run back to your lives. I’m sure there’s a rodeo somewhere you have to be getting to.”
“You sure you’ll be okay?” Barb handed her a call button that sat on the nightstand. “If you need anything, just press this and someone will come in and help you.”
“I’m not stupid. I know how to push a call button.” Lorraine’s voice was low and slow. “I know you need to do this, honey. I’ll be fine here.”
Lorraine’s words shocked Barb. Her mother hadn’t been coherent most of the week, but right now, she was as clear headed as she’d ever been. “Mom?”
Lorraine smiled. “You go on home and come visit me tomorrow if you’re still in town. I’d like to have you visit.”
Barb leaned down and kissed her mother’s feather soft cheek. “I love you.”
“I know, baby. I know.” Lorraine lay on the bed, turning her body away from Barb, James, and Cassie.
Cassie walked them to the door. “I’ll stay and read to her until she falls asleep.”
James took Barb’s arm and walked her through the hallway. She stopped at the office.
“I need to check in with the administrator.” She nodded to the door. “Go call Lizzie and I’ll meet you at the car.”
James’s mouth turned into a small grin. “You sure? Liz can wait a few minutes to grill me about how you’re doing.”
“Positive. You might want to check on that brother of yours to see if he’s decided to go to the Montana Roundup this weekend or not. I’ve heard from everyone but him. The boys decided they could handle one rodeo without me.” Barb stepped toward the office door.
