Blame It on the Rodeo (8 page)

* * *

T
HE
WEATHER
IN
Belle Fourche, South Dakota, was warm but still a far cry from the sweltering heat of Ramblewood. Although it was located in the heart of the country, Belle Fourche resembled most small Texas towns. Main Street wasn’t unlike Ramblewood’s own and soon there would be a cattle drive coming down this one to kick off the Black Hills Roundup festivities.

Downtown, the carnival silently awaited the setting sun, when lights would twinkle in the calliope-filled air, enticing tourists to partake in its magical charms. Cowboys and cowgirls from across the nation anxiously awaited the competition of one of the oldest outdoor rodeos. Shane could still picture his father with a foam cup of coffee in one hand and a camera in the other, photographing the entire scene. Despite the crowds, the streets seemed empty without Joe by his side.

Knowing the Black Hills Roundup was one of Tab’s favorite rodeos, Shane scanned the area for Dylan as he always did at this event. Even though Tab distanced himself from the rodeo shortly after gaining full custody, Shane figured he’d still bring his son around. Years had gone by and Shane hadn’t seen or heard a word about him. This event was a part of who Tab was and all fathers wanted their children to know where they came from, didn’t they?

A string of Miss Rodeo South Dakota contestants posed for photos around the large stone compass marking the geographical center of the country. It always bugged his father that the true center of the country was thirteen miles north of here. Another fond memory. Belle Fourche had been their father-and-son time and the pain of his loss was more raw than Shane imagined it would be.

After checking into his hotel, he called his agent.

“Keep in mind, these are the same people who produced
Malibu Beach
,” Brock said through the phone. “Yes, they took unknowns and made them millionaires, but they are also laughingstocks who no one will ever take seriously. That’s not what I want for one of my clients. Money shouldn’t be the driving force here. You have plenty of that. Fame, yes—go for the fame—but make sure it’s the type of fame you want. And I promise you, once you sign, there will be scripts involved and some little piss-ass director telling you to pick fights with your brothers just to raise the ratings. Reality shows are anything but real and I’m advising you not to accept this offer.”

Not the words Shane expected to hear from Brock, but he respected the man’s honesty. He knew some of the shows were scripted and he wasn’t about to let anyone treat him like a trained monkey.

“I’m not making any decisions tonight,” Shane said. “I understand the impact it will have on my family and maybe it should be filmed on the road and not at Bridle Dance.”

“I don’t mean to sound harsh,” Brock said. “But do you honestly think they’d still want you if the ranch, the school and the family weren’t involved?”

“Ryan said I was the anchor of the show.”

“Because you’re wealthy,” Brock said. “And they will find a way to use that against you. Your friends on the circuit will become your enemies when they
suddenly appear
at Ride ’em High! because the producers brought them there to create conflict. Without conflict, there’s no show.”

“Is there any good side to this?” Shane almost regretted asking. “If it was all bad, none of these shows would exist.”

“Only the money and the fame, if you can call it that. Keeping it Reel Pictures doesn’t produce quality. They’re all about quantity at the cheapest cost. They can make a mint off of you and the only money you’ll see is from people paying you to make appearances.”

“I’m already paid to make appearances.”

“And that right there is the reason they went directly to you instead of me. A show like this may not sit well with some of your sponsors and you’re pulling in a nice chunk of change with them. Your popularity increased tenfold with the boot company, and if you lose a sponsorship like that, you have to carry everything on yourself. Your money isn’t endless. I want the best for you, Shane, and trust me, this isn’t it. I’m assuming you’re still meeting with your sponsors for publicity shots tomorrow.”

Shane listened to his agent for a few more minutes before ending the conversation. He promised to discuss it with his family. He needed a clear head and he needed something other than airline almonds in his stomach.

He pulled in front the Belle Inn Restaurant. It didn’t look like much from the outside but the food was as close to home as he could get.

“What can I do you for, cowboy?” a waitress greeted him.

“Aw, shucks, I bet you say that to all the men around here.” Normally he would have been attracted to her more-than-generous curves but women who tried too hard to be sexy no longer held any appeal. He preferred Lexi’s “this is who I am, so deal with it” attitude. Hell, she’d look sexy wearing a feed bag.

“Yep, sure do,” she said. “Especially when I have hundreds of them coming through the door. Now come on, hon, tell me what you want to order.”

Shot down and I wasn’t even trying!

Shane ordered and wondered how things were going at the ranch.
What is wrong with you?
This was his time away from family and work and commitments—his time to be free and do whatever he damn well pleased.

Oh, my god! I’m homesick.

* * *

B
Y
EARLY
EVENING
, Lexi found herself back on the ranch, watching a black standard poodle puppy scamper across the porch.

“He’s definitely going to be a big one judging by the size of his feet.” Lexi tapped her fingers on the floorboards for Barney to chase. Running to Kay, he tested his strength by nibbling on her thumb. “Watch out for those needle teeth. They’ll—”

“Ouch!” Kay snatched her hand away from Barney’s clutches.

“—get you.” Lexi watched Kay’s expression light up when the puppy stretched for another go at her hands, forcing her to sit on them. “I think you two are going to be very happy together. Just don’t let him near the other animals until he gets the rest of his shots.”

“Can you do that?” Kay asked.

“I could, but I think you should establish a relationship with Dr. Cerf so Barney gets used to going to the vet and socializing. Plus he needs to get used to riding in the car and visiting with people off the ranch. It will be good for him.”

“I think it’s time for a potty break.” Kay rose, swooping the puppy up in her arms. “When Chinook was a puppy I made a point of taking her out every hour and we had very few accidents. Come to think of it, the boys had more accidents than the dog did.”

Lexi was sure of that. Why the woman didn’t have a head of solid white hair baffled Lexi. Then again, Nice ’n Easy did amazing things. She handed Kay the leash from the porch floor, and Kay snapped it on Barney’s collar and walked down the stairs. Lexi followed her into the side yard, away from the massive vegetable garden.

“Looks like we have company.” Kay nodded toward the pathway.

Chase and a few of the boys walked toward them.

“What do we have here?” Chase asked, crouching down in the grass. Barney bounced straight at them.

“Meet Barney, the newest member of our family.” Kay beamed.

“You got a dog?” Chase asked. “I think that’s great, Mom. And isn’t he a cutie. What is he?”

“He’s a standard poodle,” Kay replied.

Kay and Chase continued to talk but the words faded away. Hunter stood in front of Lexi, close enough for her to reach out and touch him, hug him, never let him—no! She purposely didn’t hold her baby after she gave birth, knowing it would be a pain too deep to bear. Hunter squatted next to Chase and ran his hand over the puppy’s head.

“I miss my dogs,” Hunter said.

Lexi was unable to draw herself away from him. “How many do you have?”

“Three.” Hunter’s gaze never left Barney. He continued to pet and play with the dog. “Mom has a Westie, Dad has a schnauzer and me and my brother and sister have a Jack Russell named Jack.” He laughed, meeting her eyes. “I know, real creative.”

The words
Mom
and
Dad
stung for a moment, then quickly passed when Lexi envisioned him with his family. Her son had siblings and pets.

“How old are your brother and sister?” Lexi knew that the couple who adopted her son didn’t have any other children at the time.

“My sister’s five and my brother’s eleven.”

They were younger—one more sign this was her child.

“We were just headed out to the store to get some s’mores fixings,” Chase said.

“Can I stay?” Hunter asked, seated cross-legged in the grass with the puppy in his lap.

Chase looked to his mother for approval.

“It’s fine.” Kay nodded. “We’ll be here when you get back.”

Silently Lexi screamed for joy and prayed Chase would make this the longest grocery-store trip in history. She watched the way Hunter’s hand stroked Barney’s chubby puppy belly. He talked softly to the dog, welcoming him to his new home and telling him how much he’d like living there.

“I can remember when Shane was younger, he wanted to be present for every foal born on this ranch, just like his father,” Kay began, reaching out and scratching Barney under the chin. “Shane and Joe sat in those stables all night long and watched the mares, not going to bed until each foal was able to stand on their own. You remind me a lot of Shane—you have that caring nature in you, too.”

Lexi mentally snapped a photo of grandmother and grandson, side by side—the way it should be. The way it couldn’t be.

* * *

A
FTER
A
SUCCESSFUL
ride, Shane made it to the hotel for a hot shower followed by a couple of interviews and a meeting with one of his sponsors. His back still ached thanks to the final unanticipated twist the bronc had thrown in at the last second. Regardless, he held on to his first-place standing. He had a full schedule of events throughout the summer, and he usually looked forward to each and every one of them. This was his life, this was in his blood...this was not where he wanted to be tonight.

Stepping out into the hallway, Shane almost collided with a room service waiter. When he made his way around the cart, he got a glimpse of a tall blond cowboy turning the corner toward the elevators.
Tab Fanning?

He ran to catch up with him before the doors closed, but by the time he reached the elevator, the cowboy was gone. As he raced down the adjacent stairwell, the leather soles of his boots almost slipped on the painted steps. At the bottom, with his heart in check, he took a deep breath before he turned the knob and walked into the lobby.

The elevator was on its way back up, meaning Tab—if it was Tab—had already gotten off. Not seeing him, Shane ran out on the sidewalk. Scanning the crowds of tourists and cowboys, he tried to spot the man he had seen only moments ago. Almost a head taller than most of the people around him, Shane spied him across the street.

“Hey, Shane, we have to meet with another sponsor.” One of his teammates grabbed his arm and tried to lead him inside. “We’re running behind, man, come on.”

After waiting all these years to find out how Dylan was doing, he wasn’t about to let the opportunity pass him by.

“Tell them I had an emergency and I’ll be there soon.” It was a stretch but not much of one. To Shane, this was a sanity emergency.

Down the street, the carnival was in full swing. Lights loosely hung in front of the games impossible to win. The carousel turned counterclockwise while horses and tigers slowly dipped and bobbed in time with the music. The scent of greasy funnel cakes and salty popcorn permeated the evening air. Shane once again searched the face of every man, hoping one of them was Tab. Finally he recognized the man he’d seen in the hotel. Shane ran to catch up to the cowboy and called out his name.

“Tab. Is that you?”

Time had weathered him some, but this was still the same man who had taken away the son he’d thought was his.

“Shane,” Tab said flatly. “I had a feeling I might run into you here.”

“The last I heard you retired.” Shane looked past Tab to see if Dylan was near. “Are you alone?”

“Dylan has expressed an interest in the rodeo, more than I wanted him to. I told him he could pick one rodeo this summer and of course he had to choose one of my favorites.”

“The rodeo’s in his blood. Where is he?” Shane asked, eager to see the young man he’d become. “I’d love to say hello.”

“Shane.” Tab removed his hat and moved off the sidewalk, allowing a group of people to pass. “Dylan doesn’t have any recollection of who you are. He was a baby when he left, and while I appreciate everything you did for
my son,
I think it’s best to leave the past alone.”

Shane knew the chances of Dylan remembering him were slim but there had always been hope. Until today.

“Honey.” A gorgeous brunette approached Tab and snaked an arm around his waist. “The kids and I are getting hungry.”

Behind her three kids playfully wrestled with each other as they made their way toward the adults.

“Come on, Dad.” The oldest boy stood next to the woman. “There’s a pizza stand over there.”

“Wendy, this is an old friend of mine, Shane Langtry.” Tab nodded to Shane. “Shane, this is my wife and kids, Dylan, Sandy and Will.”

“Did you know my dad when he was in the rodeo?” the oldest boy asked. Dylan had grown into a fine young man—a teenager this year. Shane wouldn’t have recognized him if he’d smacked into him. The chipmunk cheeks and baby pudge had been replaced by the long and lean form of his father.

“I did,” Shane choked out. “He was my toughest competition. I don’t want to keep you from your family. It was good seeing you, Tab...ma’am.” Shane tipped his hat to Wendy and turned toward the hotel. Forcing himself not to look back, he tried to will the tears from his eyes.

Focus, Shane. Meet with the sponsors, make your next ride and get the hell out of here.

Chapter Seven

Miranda and Jesse’s Fourth of July picnic should have been Lexi’s escape, considering the amount of help Miranda needed this year. Lexi knew how difficult it was to move about once you reached the end of your pregnancy, especially in the summer. And carrying twins didn’t make things any easier.

Jesse was adorable, waiting on his wife, hand and foot, making sure she didn’t do anything except “sit pretty and give orders.”
The ornery cowboy bowing to his wife’s every wish was a sight to behold. Fifty years from today, they’d probably sit on the same porch, watching their grandkids plan this picnic.

The Ride ’em High! kids and Dance of Hope hippotherapy families were some of the first people to arrive and immediately started to set up for one of their birthdays. It was nice to see the children from both facilities interact with each other. Joe would have been so proud of his boys.

Lexi hoped to spend more time around Hunter this afternoon. Yesterday had been an unexpected gift. She’d learned how much he loved his family and school, that he played football and was an Xbox addict. The more he spoke, the more she saw bits and pieces of her and Shane. Even without a DNA test, there was no doubt Hunter was her child.

She tried to convince herself not to come to the picnic. It would be best for her and Hunter if she stayed away. Clay had warned her and she should have heeded his advice. The harder she tried to keep away, the more she reasoned with herself why only one more day wouldn’t hurt. One more day meant a few more questions answered. One more day became two and Lexi didn’t know how she would be able to say goodbye.

Any remote possibility of telling Shane and Hunter’s adoptive parents the truth was out of the question after having spoken with Hunter yesterday. He and his parents had an amazing life together and she saw no reason to disrupt it. Why hurt Shane with the truth only to have his son leave for home in a few weeks? Lexi had lived this long not knowing a single thing about her son. Now that she did, she’d have to be satisfied and let Hunter go back to his own life. With his talent, she was sure to see him again...from a distance.

“Hang in there just another few days and we’ll know the truth,” Clay said over her shoulder.

“When did you get his sample?” Lexi looked up at him, the hint of a summer breeze swirling the humidity around her instead of relieving the heat.

“A few days ago when you were kissing Shane in the stables.”

“How did you know about that?” Lexi didn’t remember seeing his truck on the ranch that day.

“Because I was there getting strands from his hairbrush and on my way out I saw you. Luckily he’s still at an age where his mom—sorry, his adoptive mom—writes his name on everything. And don’t look at me that way. I can get in and out of places and you’d never have a clue I was there, which apparently was the case when I swung by the ranch yesterday to see Cole and saw you and Hunter together. Lexi, you need to keep your distance from him.”

“He came to me,” Lexi argued.

“And your legs were broken, forcing you to stay on the ground, next to him.”

“You don’t have the slightest clue how it feels to be inches away from your own child—a child perpetually on your mind.” The baby she ran from so many years ago had found her and there was no way in hell she was letting him go this time. It wasn’t healthy and she knew it, but it felt amazing to be near him. “Once I know for certain, I’ll be able to walk away.”

“You’re sure you’ll be able to?” Clay asked.

“I never expected to see him again.” Lexi watched Miranda’s almost full-grown bloodhounds, Rhett and Scarlett, chase Hunter and the other boys around the field of wildflowers.

Clay eyed her suspiciously. “I have an associate in the Denver area doing recon on the Rathbones’ house and so far they seem to be a normal family.”

Lexi continued to observe Hunter from a distance for the remainder of the day, choosing to stay close to her own family. Tradition dictated everyone bring a dish to share, but Mazie had brought, at last count, thirteen different offerings. When Lexi showed up empty-handed, her mother assured her she was covered.

“Okay, spill the beans.” Mazie slid in next to her on the picnic bench. “Rumor has it you spent the night with Clay Tanner.”

“What?”

“Don’t deny it.” Mazie waggled a finger at her. “Your car was there all night and into the morning.”

“You told me you had an emergency.” Her brother, Nash, jumped into the conversation. “You and the P.I.? Now I know what kind of undercover work he does.”

“It’s not what you think.” On the verge of a short circuit, Lexi’s brain tried to find an excuse. “I did have an emergency and then Clay called and asked me to check on Dream Catcher. We got to talking and drinking and it was just safer if I spent the night on his couch.”

It was half-true, at least. Lexi wondered how many other people at the picnic were having this same conversation with Clay. Acknowledging a rumor even existed was enough to fuel it further. But this one was different. She didn’t want Shane to think she’d sleep with his best friend. Lexi had had her cruel moments over the years, but crossing such a line was beneath her.

“How did his
investigation
go?” Mazie teased.

“Okay, more than I want to know.” Nash made a disgusted face and stood up from the table. “At least you chose a good guy this time instead of those lowlifes you usually end up with.”

“I didn’t choose anyone and, Mazie, please stop this rumor before it gets out of control. You have a big mouth, put it to good use.”

“That wasn’t very nice,” Mazie responded with a pout.

“I didn’t mean it in a bad way. But you are the gossip queen and you know it. I’m asking you to spread the word about how untrue the rumor is.”

Mazie contemplated her request for a minute. “There really isn’t anything going on between you two?”

Lexi shook her head. “No and there won’t be.”

Not wanting to be the topic of party conversation, Lexi thanked Jesse and Miranda and decided to call it a night. Elvis Watts and his band began to play another set when something caught her eye on stage.

“Hello, Ramblewood!” Elvis boomed over the microphone. “We have a young guest star up here who’s going to sing us some old-school Johnny Cash.”

Hunter made his way to the microphone, a Les Paul guitar in hand. Slipping the strap over his shoulder, he played the first few notes of “Folsom Prison Blues” and stopped. A crowd quickly gathered in front of the stage and cheered. Teasing them again, he played the same beginning riff.

“Who wants to hear a little Johnny tonight?” Hunter leaned into the microphone and grabbed it with one hand, angling the stand toward him. Looking to the band, he said, “Think we should give them what they want?”

Elvis laughed and nodded, obviously enjoying Hunter’s showmanship.

“Let’s do this.” Hunter counted the band down and they began to play.

Captivated by his voice and proud of his talent, Lexi watched Hunter play until her heart was about to burst. She needed to leave before she started shouting “That’s my incredible son up there!” She needed to get away and fast.

“Where are you going?” Mazie called after her.

“The fireworks are going to start soon and I want to get back home and make sure the horses aren’t spooked.” Many of the ranches piped music through the stables during Fourth of July celebrations to cover the cracking of the fireworks, which sounded like gunshots. Autumn wasn’t a fan of loud noises and Lexi wanted to make sure someone left a radio playing before the first blast. “Tell Mom and Dad I have everything covered at the farm. There’s no need for you all to miss the fireworks.”

Once she arrived on the Lawson farm, Lexi ran through the barn until she reached Autumn. Wrapping her arms around the horse’s neck, she wept against her mane.

“What have I done?” she asked the mare. “I gave away my child, my only child, and now I can’t even tell him how proud I am of him.”

* * *

W
ATCHING
THE
FIREWORKS
from the airplane was a new experience for Shane. Still in the lead, he’d decided to cut out of the roundup early and head home. By the time morning rolled around, Shane was certain his agent would have his hide for leaving before sponsor photos were taken, but he didn’t care.

He wanted to get home and tell his mom about Dylan. Despite their differences over the past year, Shane knew she’d be the one person who’d always be there for him. No matter how old he was, there were some days only a mother could make better.

When his plane touched down, there was a message from Chase telling him Crystal was beginning to foal. Shane retrieved his Jeep from the long term parking lot and sat in the holiday traffic for the next two hours before finally reaching the ranch. It was almost midnight when he pulled into the parking lot. The stables were aglow and the grounds bustled with activity in anticipation of Joe’s dream foal. Why was it that a foal arriving in the middle of the night seemed more the norm than during daylight hours?

Inside the stables, his family and the rodeo school students quietly gathered outside Crystal’s stall. Shane peered through the door and saw the mare lying on her side in the middle of a contraction. Ashleigh and Billy stood nearby but he didn’t see Lexi.

Expecting his question, Ashleigh said, “She’s on her way.”

The sound of fast footfalls caused them all to turn toward Lexi running down the hallway. Even in old jeans, a T-shirt and ratty sneakers she looked beautiful.

“How are we doing?” Lexi quickly tied her hair up in a bun while she listened to Ashleigh’s report. Turning to face everyone, Lexi motioned them all closer. “I need you all to join hands while we have a moment of silence to remember the man that put this foal’s life in motion. Joe, I know you’re watching over us.”

* * *

“W
HAT
ARE
YOU
doing home so early?” Kay hugged her son. “I thought you were staying until tomorrow.”

“Change in plans.” Shane caught Lexi watching him before she quickly returned her attention to the foal. Her eyes were puffy and her nose slightly red. He wondered if she’d been crying before she arrived.

After several contractions, Crystal expelled a gush of fluid. There were a few oohs and aahs, and one “wicked” that sounded like it came from Hunter. Straining to check her back end, the horse tried in vain to stand. Another contraction racked her body, and the beginnings of the sac appeared.

“I see something.” Hunter pointed to the mare’s raised tail.

“That’s the amniotic sac,” Lexi said. “It protects the foal inside the mother.”

What appeared to be a white hoof and leg emerged when Crystal once again attempted to stand. Breathing heavy, the horse met Shane’s eyes and held them. Lying back on her side, she grunted and pushed again, the room becoming quiet except for the mare’s ragged breaths.

Another leg appeared and Lexi entered the stall, bending down to see what she could of the foal. Tearing the sac open with her hands, she grabbed hold of the pure white legs. After several minutes, she looked to Shane for help.

He noiselessly entered the stall, not wanting to startle the mare. He firmly gripped the foal’s front legs and tugged while Crystal lay there motionless, letting him help her. The white head emerged and Lexi quickly cleared the sac from the foal’s mouth while Shane continued to pull. When the body was halfway out, Shane tugged again on the foal’s legs.

Lexi quickly checked the mare. “She’s showing signs of distress. We need to get this foal out now.”

“Is this a—”

“Don’t, Shane.” Lexi stopped him from saying the two words any breeder dreaded to hear. “On the count of three.” Lexi took one of the horse’s legs while Shane wrapped both hands around the other.

“One, two...” On three, the foal slid from the mare’s body. Lexi pulled it slightly to the side, wanting the umbilical cord to break naturally. Shane stripped away the rest of the sac while an exhausted Crystal lifted her head to watch.

Stepping aside, they looked down at the pure white foal while it lifted its head and struggled to roll onto its chest.

Gasps came from the hallway.

“Oh, heavens, no,” Kay said.

It was their greatest fear. A lethal white horse.

* * *

T
HE
BARN
WAS
in a panic. Not all pure white horses with blue eyes were afflicted with lethal white syndrome and Lexi hoped this was one of those cases. When breeding American paints, there was always the risk, one Lexi tried to eliminate by always performing a detailed lineage background check and genetic testing before she bred any horse.

Shane sat on the stall floor, cradling the foal’s head in his lap and wiping its nose and mouth.
Almost thirteen years ago to the day, he should have been cradling Hunter.
Lexi dressed the broken umbilical cord and they left mother and foal to bond while they cleaned themselves up. After an hour, Crystal began to show signs of rejecting her baby. Time was not in their favor. Lethal whites were born missing sections of their intestines and began to die within hours of birth. It was a painful death and one where euthanasia was the only humane option.

Thirty minutes later the foal still hadn’t stood and Lexi feared the first signs of colic were beginning to appear. Ignoring the crowd that still gathered in the hallway, she gently opened the stall door and went inside. Shane joined her, and when she crouched down next to the foal, he squeezed her hand, wordlessly begging her to save the newborn.

Lexi placed her stethoscope against the horse and listened for signs of distress. He appeared weak but not in any pain, and with Shane’s help, she was able to get the foal to stand. Lexi usually frowned upon most foal interference, fearing it would strain the foal’s tendons or impede the important bonding time. But after a wobbly half hour, he managed to stay upright on his own.

The foal passed the usual reflex tests and Lexi wanted to see if he would nurse on his own. When Crystal became agitated and started violently kicking her baby, Lexi knew she had to separate them and asked Billy to take Crystal into a neighboring stall. Lexi ran her hands over the animal’s coat and pink skin under the overhead lights. Uncertain if her eyes were playing tricks on her, Lexi swore she saw lighter patches of white within the coat. Two different shades of white would mean the horse was a dominant white, and not a lethal. Nothing would make her happier at the moment. Unless you counted reversing the hands of time and asking for a do-over.