A Rancher for Their Mom (Rodeo Heroes) (10 page)

BOOK: A Rancher for Their Mom (Rodeo Heroes)
9.91Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

“I’ll look forward to seeing your family on Friday. Bring them early. I think Spice, Sadie and Helo might enjoy seeing the boys and Cora again.”

“We’ll do that.”

He nodded and stepped away.

April didn’t doubt her little exchange with Joel would be broadcast all over the school, generating more calls.

The school grapevine should be funny. It wasn’t.

* * *

Kelly drove back from the elementary school to her mother-in-law’s house, where April had left her car.

“It’s truly amazing that of all the cowboys that could’ve come to your ranch and picked up those horses, it was Joel that showed up. You’ve been praying for help, haven’t you?” Kelly asked.

“Of course I’ve been praying for help.”

“And did you ask for a tall, good-looking cowboy?”

April rolled her eyes. “Pastor would set you straight on how to pray. God knows your needs. I prayed for help out of my situation.” Suddenly, April heard the words that came out of her mouth. She clamped her mouth shut.

Kelly’s glance nailed April. After a moment of silence, Kelly started talking about her husband’s reaction to her pregnancy. “You’d think this was my first.”

April’s mind drifted to seeing Joel. Her heart certainly rebelled against any logic, no matter how her head knew a rodeo cowboy was a man with an itch to wander, but that was not what her heart was saying.

How could that be?

“Dave’s been great to bring me home romaine lettuce and Caesar dressing. I think I just may have him bring me home the anchovies and eat them straight out of the can.”

April shivered. “Ick.”

“Didn’t you have any cravings when you were pregnant?”

A dart of sadness struck her heart. She wouldn’t have any more babies. She shook it off. “Food, but anchovies—you’ll probably have to eat them yourself. I don’t see your rancher husband loving them.”

“He’s okay with them on the pizza.”

“Yeah, he’s okay with them ’cause he has to be, but if he went out with other ranchers to Fort Worth to look for stock, I doubt he’d order them.”

“True.”

“You know, you’ve got a keeper there. Not too many of the ranchers around here would go for anchovies. You don’t want him drummed out of the cowboy club.”

Throwing her head back, Kelly laughed. “For sure. I don’t think David told his parents, either.”

Parking in the driveway of her mother-in-law’s house, Kelly turned off the engine. “I have your word you’ll keep my husband’s secret?”

“It’s safe with me.”

After picking Cora up, April drove home. She couldn’t help but smile at the thought of David Baker having to hide his love of a certain kind of pizza. Whoever would’ve thought a rancher like David loved anchovies? Maybe sausage or pepperoni—but then again, who would’ve thought her own husband would refuse to go near a steer or heifer after he grew up?

She wondered what Joel liked on his pizza.

Stop. Don’t go there. Only trouble lies in that direction.

Still, she couldn’t help herself.

* * *

There were still a few cowboys sitting at the table after the evening meal.

“I’ll be glad when the rodeo starts tomorrow. I’m looking forward to competing,” Shortie McGraw said. “Are you going to be able to stay on that horse tomorrow, Joel, to win some more points?” The rest of the guys at the table went quiet.

“That’s the idea.”

“Those old bones of yours goin’ to hold up?” The teasing tone of Shortie’s words let the others know the younger man simply was pressing Joel’s buttons.

“It seems to me I wasn’t the one who dislocated his shoulder when I got tossed off Rumble,” Joel drawled.

“He’s got you there, Shortie. ’Course, Rumble has managed to get most of the guys on the circuit,” Ty added. “When he threw me, I couldn’t sit for a couple of days.”

“That horse broke Adam’s ribs.”

Rumble’s name had been well earned.

“You didn’t answer my question,” Shortie pressed.

“If I didn’t plan on staying on a bucking horse, I wouldn’t be here.”

The other cowboys grinned and chuckled. After another couple of rounds of comments and laughs, the group broke up, and Joel walked over to the corral housing Spice. The horse whinnied and nodded her head in greeting.

“You ready to get to work tomorrow, girl?”

Spice nosed Joel’s hand, wanting to be petted.

“Along with working, you’ll see a couple of boys who think you’re extra special—not that you’re not.”

Spice wandered off, leaving Joel standing at the fence.

“Don’t let Shortie’s mouth bother you.” Jack came to a stop beside Joel.

“It didn’t. Just youthful boasts.”

“So you’re out here talking to the horses ’cause talking to your fellow cowboys is worse?” Jack’s brow arched.

“I hadn’t thought of it that way. Sounds kinda bad.”

“Well, there are moments I’m tempted to agree with you.”

“When my parents and grandmother died, I found myself talking a lot to my horse. If anyone would’ve heard me, they’d have thought me a nutcase, but lots of problems got worked out. Lately, folks are finding out how healing riding and caring for horses can be. Brenda rode to build up her strength after her time in the hospital.” He sighed. “I’m not interested in shooting the breeze and playing mind games with my fellow contestants.” That made him feel old. Oddly, working all day on the ranch didn’t.

“I hear you. Guess that’s part of growing up, being confident about your talent. But if you keep winning and gaining points, you can show those younger cowboys how wrong they are. I’m going to be cheering for you. Those youngsters need to know that older cowboys have class and finesse and technique, which compensates for brute strength.”

“How old were you when you won your buckle?”

“The first one, twenty-six. The second at thirty-two.”

“So there’s hope for me.” Jack’s answer gave Joel something to hold on to.

“Yeah, but I will own up to it being harder the second time.”

As Joel walked back to his trailer, he felt less like a crotchety old man. Once settled under the sheets in bed, he realized what he actually missed was the unpredictable questions he got from two little boys.

He shook his head. What was going on?

Chapter Ten

T
he boys vibrated with excitement when they got off the bus on Friday afternoon. April hadn’t ever seen them sprint up the drive that fast before. Both boys were out of breath when they ran inside.

“We’re here, Mom,” Wes called out. “I want to change into my boots before we go, but I’ll be fast.”

Todd didn’t say anything but pulled off his running shoes as he made his way to his room.

“Don’t leave your shoes in the hall.”

Todd didn’t object but simply picked up his shoes and ran into his room.

By the time April had Cora’s stroller in the truck and her buckled into her car seat, the boys had appeared. Each one had his lasso with him. It took only moments to buckle everyone in.

“Hurry up, Mom, and get in. We want to go,” Wes encouraged her.

Talk about the shoe being on the other foot. They were focused on leaving for the rodeo and nothing else.

“How was your day?” she asked as she drove.

“Lots of kids are coming tonight. They asked about Mr. Joel and if he was going to compete,” Todd answered. “I told them yes.”

“Dale told me his brother is in the steer wrestling and his big sister will do barrel racing tonight.”

As the boys talked, April smiled at the animation and excitement in their voices. It seemed the Lord had dropped Joel into their lives to restore their youthful enthusiasm. Last year when their grandfather took them to the rodeo, it had been shortly after their grandmother’s death. They’d enjoyed themselves, but it was nothing compared to this year.

Much to her embarrassment, she shared her children’s excitement. She was a grown woman, but her tingly spine and dancing stomach didn’t think she was too old for such silliness. Next they would do a jig.

Turning off the road at the auditorium drive, the truck bounced with the boys’ excitement. Their attitude rubbed off on Cora. “Yeah, we here.”

Only a few trucks dotted the parking lot, giving April her choice. Pulling close to the front door, she parked and hurriedly unbuckled Cora and Todd. Wes stood by the front of the truck waiting for them, like a horse being held back from a race. Once she locked the truck, Wes rushed ahead of them to the glass doors and managed to open one. He waved them forward.

One of the women behind the glass ticket counter signaled them to come inside.

“Mr. Joel said we should come early,” Todd announced. “Mom—” he pointed over his shoulder “—has the tickets.”

Before April could scold her son, the woman nodded. “I know. Go back to the concession area and Hank will find Joel for you.”

At least they were known.

As they walked to the concession area, other cowboys saw them and waved. Both boys returned the greetings, reveling in the attention.

“Hey, Ty,” Wes called out.

He returned the greeting. “Are you going to show us how you’ve been practicing with your lariats?” Ty finished his cookie.

“I am,” Wes answered.

“Mr. Hank,” Todd called out, “we’re here. I can’t wait to see all the cowboys compete.”

“The lady at the front said you’d find Mr. Joel for us,” Wes said.

Cora climbed up onto the picnic bench. She looked at Hank and smiled. The older man smiled back.

Todd scanned the area. “Are you going to get Mr. Joel?”

“He’s been told you’re here.”

Todd didn’t look convinced until Joel walked into the area several moments later. April’s stomach started dancing again.

“Mr. Joel,” the boys cried, racing toward him, each grabbing a leg.

After greeting Todd and Wes, Joel squatted in front of Cora. “How’s my girl today?”

“’Cited.” She raised her arms.

Without any hesitation, Joel scooped her up. He turned to April. “I’m glad you’re here.” The tone of his voice changed, softening and making her think it was more than just a greeting. Something more intimate.

She swallowed. “Wild horses wouldn’t have kept the boys away.”

“And you?”

He’d nailed her. She felt heat run up her neck. Her feelings were all over the map, bringing lots of complications, but they were there. “Me, too,” she whispered.

He leaned closer to hear her, bringing his face inches from hers.

She wanted to ask if he’d missed them, but the boys tugged on his shirt.

“Can we see Spice?”

“Well, I hoped you’d get here early enough to help me with getting Spice brushed and saddled before she starts working. Spice likes a little attention before the night’s competition. And we have to brush her after, too.”

Wes frowned. “That’s a lot.”

“It’s part of taking care of your mount. Spice works hard for me out there in the arena. I have to take care of her.”

A good lesson Wes and Todd needed to learn and see put into action. How could she ever repay Joel for the lessons he’d taught so naturally to the kids?

“Besides,” he added, “just like every other woman, Spice likes to look nice.”

April arched her brow. “Because she’s a woman?”

Joel simply grinned.

She wanted to laugh, again. This past week she’d felt free enough to throw her head back and laugh, and what a joy it had been.

They followed Joel to the section of the auditorium set up for grooming the horses. Called greetings followed the boys, and Wes and Todd acted like stars, with their chests puffed out, striding across the floor with purpose.

“They’re looking like the genuine thing,” Millie commented, laughter in her voice.

“As much as I try to raise them right, it takes a stranger to bring that spring to their steps.” April glanced at Millie.

“Naw, it isn’t a stranger—it’s a cowboy thing. Something they want to be.”

Was that it? Was it just the cowboy thing or was it
this
particular cowboy who spent time with her boys, taught them and made them laugh? Was it this particular cowboy that made her smile and laugh?

The question stuck with April as she watched the boys and Cora help groom Spice and saddle her. By the time they finished, the auditorium began to fill with spectators.

“I hungry,” Cora announced, her voice carrying over the entire grooming area.

April wanted to melt into the floor.

“Me, too,” Todd seconded.

“Well, we can’t have hungry little cowboys and cowgirls. Let’s go see Hank. You think hot dogs would help?” Joel grinned at the children.

Nods and yeses answered Joel’s question.

Not having a choice, they went back to the concession area.

After ordering for the boys and Cora, Joel turned to her. “Want anything?”

“Well, if I’m going to be at the rodeo, might as well have a hot dog, too.”

The twinkle in his eyes and the crook at the corner of his mouth made April feel as though she was living the dream of every high-school girl in this part of Texas—a handsome cowboy buying her dinner at the rodeo. Never mind it was a hot dog.

But this wasn’t a date, she reminded herself, and she needed to buy her children their dinner.

April settled the kids at a table while Joel waited in line for their food.

“You stay here while I help Mr. Joel,” April instructed the kids.

Joining Joel at the counter, she pulled out her wallet. “Here’s money for the hot dogs.”

He stared down at the money in her hand as if it was a snake. “Are we going back to square one? I thought we were friends. This is something I want to do for you and your children.” His expression told her how ungracious she sounded.

“Thank you.”

He nodded at her acceptance.

“You need any help carrying things?”

“That I could use.” He handed her a couple of drinks while Hank piled the tray with the rest of the order.

Walking beside Joel to the table, she experienced again that feeling—that they were a real family with a mom, dad and kids. What was wrong with her? She knew better than to spin daydreams, because that was what they were—dreams. Not real, and when the dream evaporated, she’d have nothing left but sadness.

Looking at the table where the kids were, she saw Ty Newsome seated next to Wes.

“I’ve practiced,” Wes told Ty, “and I can twirl.”

“One time.” Todd held up his index finger.

“One more time than you,” Wes shot back.

“Keep working at it, boys.” Ty looked up. “So you’ve taken up being a waiter, Joel?”

“Nope. Just a polite cowboy helping a fine lady carry her meal.” Joel set the tray down. “Ty had a good idea, boys. If you practice twirling your lassoes, keeping them over your head, and help each other, you could be known as the twirling Landers Boys.”

“Great idea,” Ty added. “Next year you could come and show the audience what you can do.”

Todd and Wes stilled, looked at each other and smiled.

Joel passed out hot dogs. When he handed April hers, he said, “I think your boys will come up with a plan.”

When she turned her head, her lips nearly brushed his. His eyes darkened.

Someone cleared his throat, breaking the atmosphere.

Ty stood. “See you later, boys. Hope y’all will cheer for me in the saddle-bronc riding.” He dipped his hat and walked away.

Joel finished passing out chips and drinks to the kids. April grabbed Cora’s milk carton and opened it, focusing on the spout, trying to get control of her pounding heart.

Joel reached around her and pilfered the bag of chips in front of the little girl and opened them, then returned the chips.

April could smell Joel’s scent—a mixture of sweat and horse—and feel the heat of his body. She swallowed and looked at the area before him on the table.

“Didn’t you get yourself anything to eat?” April asked.

“I don’t eat before competing. After I finish, I’ll chow down.”

Wes frowned. “Chow down?”

“That means I’ll eat a lot of food.”

“Oh.”

April stared down at her hot dog, struggling with all her conflicting emotions. She heard Cora giggle, then a crash. All conversation in the snack area stopped. When April looked up, Todd stood by the condiment barrel holding the spoon that had been in the relish crock. At his feet lay broken pottery. His eyes were huge.

“I wanted some more relish, Mama.” His voice quivered. “I didn’t mean to break it.”

April stood and hurried toward Todd.

“I didn’t mean to break it,” he repeated.

“Oh, honey, I know you didn’t.”

Pottery and relish dotted the floor. Hank appeared with a broom. “Hey, partner, it’s okay.”

Joel stepped to Todd’s side, lifted him out of the gooey mess and put him a safe distance away.

Relish covered the right shoulder of Todd’s Western shirt, his face and hair. Relish had also dotted his jeans and boots. Todd looked at himself and then at his mom. Tears filled his eyes.

April cupped Todd’s cheek. “It’s all wash-and-wear. C’mon, let’s go get you cleaned up.”

Todd’s shoulders eased.

April turned to Joel. “Would you watch Wes and Cora?”

“Sure. Go get Todd cleaned up and ready to watch the rodeo.”

In the ladies’ bathroom, April helped Todd unsnap his Western shirt and place it on the sink, then turned on the faucet and rinsed out his shirt. “Now let’s get the stuff out of your hair.”

Todd wasn’t tall enough to accomplish the task, so April picked him up and held him around his waist.

Millie walked into the restroom with a new Western shirt and some fancy jeans. “Here, let me help.” She put the new clothes down on the counter several sinks away and supported Todd’s feet. “I have some things here for the young man to change into.”

Todd had his head under the faucet for round two. April turned off the water and wrung out his hair.

The older woman stepped back, waiting and watching.

“Thank you for the help, Millie. Let’s see if the clothes will fit.”

Millie handed April a plastic bag. “This is for the clothes that need washing.”

“You’ve faced this situation before?”

“Sure have. I’ve got kids and grandkids. I know you’re always facing something unexpected. Even my granddaughters are now providing me with challenges. A skunk was the latest adventure with my youngest granddaughter.”

April turned to Todd. “You see, it could’ve been worse.”

Todd eyed the two women, obviously not convinced.

Millie left.

Over the next ten minutes Todd’s hair was dried under the hand dryer and he changed into the new Western shirt and jeans.

All of the joy and excitement of the rodeo seemed to have drained out of her son. She didn’t want him to lose the delight of the night.

“Accidents happen, but next time, ask for help.”

“I will.”

When they walked out of the bathroom, the first thing April saw was Joel holding Cora and talking to Wes. It didn’t take much imagination to see him as their father. The thought stopped her cold and made her palms sweat.

The concessions area now teemed with fans here to see the rodeo.

“You’re looking mighty good, young man.” Hank stood there smiling at Todd.

The words snapped her out of her daydreaming.

“I’m better. I’m sorry, Mr. Hank.”

“Don’t worry. Are you still hungry?”

Todd shook his head.

After joining the others at the table, Joel asked Todd, “Everything good?”

“I’m okay,” Todd answered.

“April,” Kelly called and dragged her family to where April sat. The children greeted each other.

Kelly’s daughter studied Todd. “I like your clothes. Where did you get them?”

A tense silence followed.

Finally Todd said, “You can get a girl’s shirt from Ms. Millie over at the souvenir stand.”

The announcer came on the PA system. “Welcome, ladies and gentlemen. The cowboys are itching to go and the bulls and horses are ready to test these cowboys. Get to your seats, ’cause we’re fixin’ to get this here rodeo started.”

“That’s my cue,” Joel said. “My event, saddle-bronc riding, is the second on the list of events, and I need to get ready. You’ll need to hurry to your seats. You’ll want to see how they open the rodeo.”

“We’ll be watching,” Wes said.

“I’ll cheer, Mr. Joel,” Todd called out.

Joel nodded to each boy. He picked Cora up. “Are you going to be rooting for me, too?”

BOOK: A Rancher for Their Mom (Rodeo Heroes)
9.91Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

Other books

Destined for Power by Kathleen Brooks
Absolute Poison by Evans, Geraldine
The Unmaking of Israel by Gershom Gorenberg
Roadside Service by B. L. Wilde, Jo Matthews
BUTTERFLIES FLY AWAY by Mullen, Carol
Red Country by Joe Abercrombie
Searching for Silverheels by Jeannie Mobley
Hybrid: Savannah by Ruth D. Kerce
Finnish Wood by Kojo Black