Cowgirl Up (3 page)

Odd, he
hadn’t thought much about her before, when as a freshman in high school, she
attended a handful of the same events as he. He noticed her, saw a child, and
turned his attention elsewhere. In truth, he’d spoken perhaps a dozen sentences
to her in the past, a fact he now regretted.

Now, it
seems fate deemed him worthy of another chance.

He’d
been surprised to see her back in competition after such a long absence. He
thought she’d exchanged her boots for chasing men, and had long since gotten
married and popped out a couple of kids like most of the girls who barrel raced
as kids. Not that he put them down. No way. Everyone deserved the chance to do
what they thought best, even if the phase lasted a short time. Besides, he’d
essentially followed a similar path. Well, the part about leaving the rodeo and
moving on to other things, anyway. The marriage and kids part, no.

A
trickle of longing meandered through his system. Absently, he shoved the morose
thoughts aside. He’d come to terms with everything that had happened and moved
on.

Yeah, right.

The
mocking voice in his head refused to allow him to live in a fantasy. In all
honesty a good thing, but now and again he wished things could be different.

If only…

Shaking
the useless phrase aside, he turned his attention back to the little
unforeseen, yet intriguing contestant by the name of Trinity. After noticing
her name on the docket and double-checking, he decided he had to have a peek
for himself. And glad he did.

Their
short conversation ran through his mind. He recalled her facial expressions,
the surprise at his approach, and when he called her by name. Also the spark of
interest in those baby blues before they clouded over with sadness once more.

Curiosity
piqued. He’d wager his next paycheck she grappled with emotional turmoil and
discomfort instead of anything physical. After all, she appeared healthy as a
horse with her trim build and slight rose hue to her cheeks. For all intents
and purposes, she looked to be in tip-top shape, which pointed him back to his
original assumption. Something must be bothering her.

Wracking
his brain, he tried to remember any hint of rumor including her, to no avail.
Not surprising since he’d been out of the loop for a while, first in the SEALs,
then busy in vet school before graduating a few months back and struggling to
establish his practice. Now that he’d been hired by the rodeo association to
help oversee the health and care of the livestock through the long season, he’d
no doubt hear a few tidbits. Always did. After all, with pretty much the same
group each weekend and ample opportunity for trysts and gossip, word would get
around soon enough. He’d just have to either be patient or ask a few subtle
questions here and there to appease his inquisitiveness.

On the
other hand, that gray stallion of hers proved a hot topic. Understandably so.
Best damn horse he’d ever laid eyes on, and he’d seen a lot over the years both
on the rodeo circuit and on his father’s ranch. Despite being only half quarter
horse, he had been put together just right. Muscles to his ears and a
conformation judges would drool over in the halter class at shows. That horse
could get the job done, whatever the task from show jumping to racing to cross
country at the Olympics. While he had yet to see Legacy in action, he didn’t
doubt the stud could perform. Hell, she wouldn’t be at this event if he ranked
in the mediocre range. No, Legacy earned Trinity’s place here and, if
speculation held true, would carry her all the way to the finals.

Anticipation
washed over him at the thought of watching their first run tonight. Odd since not
much had captured his interest and brought excitement to his life lately.
Barring a few one-night stands over the past few months, he’d been too busy
working and plodding along through daily life to feel any sort of rush.
Compared to active duty with the SEALs, jet setting all over the world,
battling the worst of the worst, his life tamed to a dull beige. He enjoyed his
profession, reveled in the slower pace of life, but still knew his life lacked
something important.

Something
told him Trinity and Legacy might just change that. At least for now.

“Time
to get ready, buddy.” Trinity grabbed the lead rope, entered Legacy’s stall,
then snapped it securely to his halter. He playfully nipped at her sleeve
before dutifully following her outside into the evening breeze.

Long
ago, Trinity learned to leave all the tack hidden and locked away inside the
storage area of the trailer. Too much to lug around and a temptation just
sitting by his stall for anyone walking through. Most of the other girls did
the same, not willing to take a chance on losing valuable and necessary
equipment. Besides, Legacy preferred to be outside most of the time and this
allowed him some fresh air before warm-ups.

They
had almost exited the barn when a man turned the corner and nearly plowed into
her. Legacy startled and sidestepped, preparing to lash out with teeth first
and hooves second.

Trinity
shoved against his side, blocking him from the man who stared at her with
furrowed brows. “Trinity?”

She
raked the man with her gaze. “Gary.” She’d recognize him anywhere. Tall, dark,
and handsome on a large scale. Most cowboys tended toward lean and light,
except for the steer wrestlers and some of the ropers. They resembled football
players in build, height, and sheer bulk. Gary James fit the bill exactly as a
typical steer wrestler. Perhaps not as big or powerful as Cody appeared, but
certainly more than the shorter, leaner bull riders.

They’d
run into one another now and again over the years, including this one. She couldn’t
say each time made an impression. While the other girls cooed and awed at him,
she never understood why. Sure, he happened to be built like a professional
athlete with sculpted arms, a wide chest, and a face too handsome for his own
good. His brown hair matched chocolate eyes and full lips, kissable according
to some of the girls. Personally, she found Gary lacking. His eyes didn’t
convey warmth nor did his carriage of extreme self-worth make her stomach flip
over with desire. One of the most popular men on the circuit, he lapped up the
attention, flirted with all the girls, and, if rumor held true, had screwed
just about all of them at one time or another. Trailer. Chutes. His truck.
Anywhere, anytime he could get his hands on a pretty lady, he’d go at it.

Just
another reason she didn’t care for the man. Too much like her father in his
younger years.

“So
this is the stud everyone’s been talking about.” His attention turned to
Legacy.

“I
suppose so.” She sighed, hating the polite manners pressed into her from an
early age. “If you don’t mind, I’ve to go get ready.”

He
didn’t budge, simply stood there and blocked her path. “What do you say we get
together after the rodeo tonight?”

She
blinked, hardly believing his blunt offer. They had never been friends and she
couldn’t recall a single time where he’d actually shown even a remote sincere
interest in her. Sure, he’d stared at her with lust in his eyes at the first
rodeo of the season when she walked into the arena to collect her ribbon, but
she didn’t think much of it. Most likely Gary flirted with any girl. Either he
was hard up for a lay tonight or he thought she’d bite with such a weak pick-up
line. Neither made a difference as she had no intention of spending the evening
with anyone except her horse. “No thanks. Now, if you’ll excuse me.” Starting
forward, she kept her body between Gary’s and Legacy, hurrying past before the
stallion got antsy and kicked the snot out of him.

Thankfully,
no one else impeded their progress and she soon slipped into the saddle, headed
toward the warm-up corral, and started loosening Legacy up for his seconds of
fame. They had the pen to themselves, which allowed her to move at her own
pace, and let her thoughts wander for a brief time.

So much
had changed, yet stayed the same. While time passed since she first attended
this rodeo as a kid, she could have taken a picture back then, compared it to
now, and still easily recognize the landscape, the vendors, the stands, and
some of the competitors.

They
had grown up together, but headed separate ways long ago. A few couldn’t stay
away, but most followed an entirely different path these days. A trail she
might follow after this season.

Legacy
snorted, bringing her attention back to the present. She signaled him with the
pressure of one boot and rode with the gliding motion that followed.

The
intricate steps of dressage came almost naturally after seven years of
practice. She’d studied and learned the sport while attending college from one
of the English riding instructors. While no expert and far from top notch, she
found the movements calming for both her and Legacy, efficient in warming his
muscles, and preparing them both for the few seconds of flat out speed. She
signaled him for a trot, changing leads every other step, making a decided
rocking motion in the process, before allowing him into a slow, controlled
canter.

He
snorted and chewed at the bit, but didn’t protest. In fact, he tossed his head
now and again, nearly brimming with energy.

“Soon
enough, boy. Soon enough.” She patted his neck, finished a few more circles in
the small corral, and exited the area to head straight for the arena.

Her
first run of two began tonight, then stretched over the next twenty-four hours.
Long and drawn out. Not as much as other events, but still more than enough in
her opinion. Ideally, she could show up, race, then leave right away. Not an
option in some cases, namely the big name shows which drew in thousands of
fans.

“Hey,
Trinity. Legacy’s looking full of vim and vinegar tonight.”

“Yeah.”
She pulled him in beside Candy so she could speak to Lacey. Legacy eagerly
obliged so he could nuzzle the paint mare’s neck. Trinity rolled her eyes.
“He’s infatuated.”

Lacey
laughed. “That he is.”

Together
they rode toward the long chute in the back entrance which allowed the girls to
not only get a running start but to charge out of the arena still at full
speed, and finally stop within a one-hundred yard span of barren dirt. The last
thing barrel racers wanted to do was sit on their haunches trying to stop
immediately—hard on both horse and rider. Much like thoroughbred racing, they
slowed first before coming to a halt.

The
loudspeaker broadcast the barrel racing competition. As this was the first
night the girls had to wait between runs to allow the announcer enough time to
introduce each rider and their horse. Typical, but a bit frustrating since
Trinity would rather just dash in, zip around the barrels, and sprint back out.

Legacy
busily snuffled Candy, who patiently tolerated the fuss, but basically ignored
the lovesick stallion. Trinity could only shake her head at his antics. Poor
guy. Found a girl he wanted and she pretended he didn’t exist. The story of
many romances, both equine and human.

They
called Lacey’s name. She lined up the mare, then shot ahead for her turn. In a
few seconds, she zipped past on the exit side.

“Next
up is Trinity Crocket. Trinity is following in her mother, Lora’s, footsteps.
Some of you might recognize the big gray stallion she’s riding, Victory’s
Legacy. That’s right. A colt by the great thoroughbred stud and Kentucky Derby
winner, Another Victory Gallop, and her mother’s champion barrel racing mare,
Twilight Star.”

Trinity
drew in a breath but forced herself to nudge Legacy toward the center of the
lane and focus straight ahead on the course.

She
ignored the cheers, the booming voice, the blinking lights of camera flashes.
Her world narrowed down to three barrels.

Then
she squeezed her thighs and hung on as Legacy surged ahead. The distance flew
by in a blur as she checked his turn, ensured the barrels stayed up in order to
avoid a time penalty, before turning for home. She called to him, saw the
stands blur by, then found herself outside blinking at the sunset.

Slowing
him down, she finally took him to a walk, then pivoted around. She needed to
hear her time and stick around in case she claimed first prize as all winners
were expected to take a lap around the arena in celebration. A victory lap,
after each and every round. Something she planned to do often.

Cody
watched Trinity streak by and exit the building, a low whistle slipping out.
Her stallion might be considered too big for a barrel racer and many believed a
thoroughbred, even a cross, didn’t stand a chance. She just proved them all
wrong with a perfect run.

“Sixteen-fifty-two.”

Holy shit.

She
just missed the arena record by two hundredths of a second. On her first night
out. Not a bad start at all.

The
crowd murmured all around him, whispered compliments filled with awe. More than
one voice marveled at Legacy and wondered how in the world Trinity ended up
with a son of one of the most famous racehorses of their time.

He did
too.

“That’s
one hell of a horse.”

Cody
peered to his left, recognized the man, and gave a quick nod. “Yeah.”

His uncle
drew abreast and folded his arms over the top rung of the pen, in a mirror
image of Cody. Jared, his father’s brother, lived and breathed rodeo for as
long as Cody could remember. After participating for years as a roper, he
graduated to director of the rodeo association, a position he still held.

Three
months ago, Cody hit the doldrums with discouragement and restlessness. Unsure
where to go or what direction to turn, Jared approached him about a position
with the rodeo association. With nothing to lose and spurred by good memories
of his past days as a steer wrestler, Cody immediately accepted. He hadn’t
regretted a single day since.

His
attention returned to the arena where Trinity reappeared to take her victory
lap. Her stud fanned his tail, loped around the enclosure with long, sure
strides, and held the crowd’s attention. He found himself staring as well.
Seeing but not quite believing the grand equine specimen parading in front of
him.

“Damn
fine. One of the best I’ve ever seen.”

Cody
concurred. “Dad would give just about anything to get a few colts from him.”

Jared
grinned. “He’d be standing here drooling like a baby right now.”

The
image caught Cody as funny. He smiled and nodded his head. His father and Jared
loved one another, but like typical brothers, couldn’t let a little elbowing
opportunity pass without saying something.

Trinity
glided out of the area, her long braid bouncing on her back, piquing his
curiosity once more.

“What
do you know about Trinity? I barely remember her in high school rodeo. Never
thought she’d return to the circuit, especially after so many years.”

His
uncle turned to meet his gaze. “Her mother was Lora Crocket, great barrel racer
of her time.”

“Was?”

“Yeah.
Heard she passed away a few months ago. Breast cancer.”

Cody’s
gut clenched for Trinity’s loss. “What about her father?”

Jared
shrugged. “Rumor has it, Trinity is Buck Troutman’s illegitimate daughter
compliments of a one-night stand with Lora. He’s never publically recognized
Trinity or addressed the gossip, so who knows.”

Anger
flared. What kind of man would father a child, even in the heat of passion,
then turn his back on his responsibility? Pretty chicken shit way to be.

“Trinity
quit riding when her mother got sick. Guess since she’s alone now, she decided
to give racing another try.” Jared paused, then continued. “Don’t know the
story behind that stud of hers, but it’s got to be a good one.”

“I
imagine.”

He
didn’t doubt Jared’s information. The man knew anything and everything about
the rodeo, the stock, the competitors, and all the juicy gossip. Not that he
circulated the hearsay around, but he always kept one ear to the ground and
never forgot a single tidbit. Would have made a damn good CIA agent if his
interests leaned that direction. Instead, he focused on his baby, the Midwest
circuit, and made a point to ferret out tiny details along the way.

Armed
with new information, Cody made a mental note to stop by and check on Trinity
later on. Sounded like the girl could use another friend about now.

“She caught
your attention, huh?” Jared grinned knowingly.

Cody
barely refrained from rolling his eyes. Both his father and Jared tended to
forget he passed the age of eighteen eons ago. Still, they meant well. In the
way of all nosey old male relatives. “Not any more than the others.”

Jared
met his gaze and chuckled. “Been there myself, boy. And I’m not too old to
forget what it’s like.” He stepped back and slapped Cody on the shoulder. “Just
call me if you plan on bunking elsewhere besides the RV tonight. Would hate to
mistake you for a thief should you come crawling in pre-dawn and shoot you in
the knee.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Remember
to load up some condoms too.”

Cody
stared at him drolly. At thirty-three years old, he’d long since bypassed the
need for such reminders. Hell, he’d gotten around. More times than he could
remember. All part of his wild playboy days. Just because his sex life came to
a screeching halt recently didn’t mean he’d forgotten everything learned over
the past fifteen years.