Cowgirl Up (33 page)

She
leaned into his touch. “I was alone after Mom died. Didn’t know where to go.
Figured I’d just find a job, do a season on the barrel racing circuit, then
call it done. Heritage allowed me to do that, provided boarding for Legacy, and
all the amenities.” She paused for a second. “The more I thought about leaving,
the deeper the tap root grew.”

“I
know. I saw it when we were back at your place. To leave there would tear a
chunk out of your heart.”

“Possibly.”
Her lips thinned as her eyes clouded with worry.

The
change in emotion prodded him to put happiness back on her face. “I always
thought I’d return to Oklahoma and start where I left off. Only nothing here
suited. Still doesn’t. Sure, it’s great to visit, but this isn’t home for me
anymore.”

Hope
surged in her eyes. “Where do you call home then?”

“With
you. In Kentucky.”

She lit
up like a Christmas tree. “You want to come back to Kentucky with me? Live with
me?”

He
reached into his jacket pocket, pulled out the box, and dropped to one knee.
“I’d like to do more than just live with you. I want to marry you. Trinity,
will you be my wife?”

She
teared up immediately, using one hand to wipe at the overflowing drops. “Yes.
Cody, yes!” Leaping down, she rushed into his arms. He managed to stand before
she bowled him over in her enthusiasm.

She
squeezed him tight and pressed kisses to his neck and chin.

His
heart soared. Unable to keep his hands off her, he held her close and swooped
down to capture her lips in joy.

All
that he’d been through now was worth it as he held Trinity in his arms, his
bride. No longer did he worry about the future. The present, filled with
Trinity, was enough to brighten his days and give him steadfast knowledge that
things would work out right.

I’ll make damn sure of it.

Trinity
sighed, glanced at her sparkling new wedding ring, and then looked for her
husband. Cody walked her way, a dimple in his cheek, an expression she’d come
to recognize as mischievous in their time together. Her stomach somersaulted as
she considered what Cody might have in store for her. “What are you up to now?”

He only
grinned. “Come on. I’ve got something to show you.” He reached out.

She
took his offered hand and allowed him to lead her out the back door of their
new home and onto the covered back porch. He paused for a moment and stared out
over the countryside.

Trinity
did the same.

As much
as she loved living in the stallion barn, Cody pointed out a few drawbacks,
namely the lack of space and room to spread out as their family one day grew.
She balked at first, then readily agreed once she saw the small ten acre spread
located five minutes away from Heritage. The single story, three bedroom home
fit their needs. Not too big or too small. Just right. Combined with the horse
barn and large field, the place called to her and lined up with her
expectations of a home for a lifetime.

Already
they’d upgraded the barn, made some adjustments to the house, and found some
reasonably priced furniture and decorations. The king sized bed had been the
first addition, well worth the expense and effort to drag all the parts into
the master bedroom. They worked hard to make the modest house their home.

“How’s
Legacy today?”

Trinity
grinned. Her horse still claimed his typical stall at the farm, but now enjoyed
a reasonable breeding schedule. Quarter horse owners lined up their mares for a
chance to produce the next champion, a foal out of Legacy to follow in his
footsteps. She’d even had a couple of event jumpers sign their mares up.
Obviously, Legacy’s accomplishments and accolades spread far and wide.

All deserved.

“Frisky
as ever. He’s liking his new role in life, I think.”

She’d
fretted about retiring him, but knew it was time. Barrel racing took its toll
on a horse and after the scare of his fall, she didn’t want to push her luck.
Besides, at nearly ten years old, he could retire at his peak and still have a
few good years in the breeding shed.

Cody
snorted. “Every need catered to and he gets to breed mares now and again. Rough
life all right.”

She
chuckled. “Jealous?”

“Of
staying busy in the breeding shed?” Cody arched an eyebrow and grinned wickedly.

Trinity
rolled her eyes. Cody didn’t need any ego boost in the sex department. He
turned her into a puddle of mush with just a touch, a look, and then sent her
rocketing to the heavens. She’d never guessed how addicting erotic pleasure
could be until Cody. Now, she couldn’t wait for him to take her into his arms
and make her absolutely wild.

Later. I’ll push him down on the
bed and climb on board like a true cowgirl rides her man.

The
thought jacked up her arousal and added heat to her veins.

Time for
a topic change before she did just that. If he stuck with the teasing, she
would be too tempted to drag him back inside, and have to wait all that much
longer to see her surprise.

“You
didn’t say. How was work today? Any interesting cases?”

“Not
really. A relatively slow day.” No sooner had he moved in with her months ago,
he started beating the bushes for a job. Luckily, he caught up with Dr. Hayward
at the Lexington Equine Clinic, found they had an opening, and immediately
applied. With the help of Dr. Hayward’s recommendation and Carmen’s two cents,
he landed the position. They were even kind enough to give him flexible hours
during the summer months, in case he opted for another tour of the rodeo
circuit. Thus far, Trinity hadn’t heard him commit one way or another to that
particular offer.

The
sound of voices drew her attention. Perplexed, she picked up the pace as she
and Cody headed toward the barn. They turned the corner and she put on the
brakes before she barreled into Cody’s parents. Madeleine and Carmen stood
farther back in the aisle.

Trinity
glanced at Cody, then at their guests. “Hi. I’m sorry, I wasn’t expecting
company today.”

Madeleine
waved her hand. “Of course you weren’t. Cody swore everyone to secrecy.”

“Under
threat of a butt kicking if they blabbed,” Roger added with a bit of a snort.

More
confused than ever, Trinity peered up at her husband. “I don’t understand.”

Cody
nodded his head toward the end of the barn. “I know you’ve been beating
yourself up over retiring from barrel racing after putting Legacy up for stud.
It’s in your blood and whether you admit it or not, you can’t just walk away
from the sport, yet.”

She
blinked. They had discussed her further rodeo participation now and again.
Always, she him-hawed, unsure what to do. Truth be told, she caught the bug
again after such a tremendous season last year and winning the finals only
fanned the flame. But, with Legacy retired, she would have to find another
horse, train it, and start from the ground up. All that took time and money.
Both items in short supply in her life.

The
sound of hoof beats caught her attention. Turning, she found a tall,
thickly-muscled mare standing in the aisle. Her shiny golden hide contrasted
perfectly with the three white stockings and the star on her forehead. A white
mane and tail completed the package, making for one gorgeous looking horse,
both in attention grabbing color and build.

Trinity’s
mouth fell open. “She’s gorgeous.” A lump formed in her throat as she
approached the horse. Reaching out a hand, she rubbed the mare’s neck. Her eyes
began to well up. For a long moment she appraised the horse, then kissed the
horse’s nose when she snuffled her shirt. “Where…”

“I’ve
been on the lookout for a barrel horse since you told us you were retiring Legacy,”
Roger answered. “Thanks to Shannon, who saw her run, and called to let us know
that she might have found what we’ve been looking for. Sparkle here, came
available. She’s quick and smart. Lots of potential. She just needed an owner
who could put the finishing touches on her barrel racing abilities.”

“We
didn’t know what to get you for a wedding present. Roger came up with the idea
and Cody ran with it.” Elise wrapped her hand around Roger’s arm. “Everyone
chipped in.”

Trinity
blinked back tears. “She’s perfect.” Turning, she smiled happily at each of
them. “I don’t know how to thank you all. I didn’t think I’d be able to race
again, but now…” She choked up.

Madeleine,
still holding the mare’s halter, grinned at Trinity. “There’s more.”

“There
is?”

“Yep.
She comes with a free breeding to Victory. It worked before. Maybe it’ll do so
again.”

Trinity
beamed and threw her arms around Madeleine, hugging her tight. “Thank you for
everything.” She stepped back and wiped at the tears trickling down her face,
before turning to face the others. “Thank you all. I don’t know what to say.”
Touched and humbled, she grappled with tender emotions.

“Say
you’ll go on the rodeo circuit with me this season.” Cody grinned at her, his
eyes shining with love and happiness.

She
closed the distance between them, her heart near bursting with joy and love for
everyone there, especially Cody. “Since you seem to have been gifted with the
best rear around, I suppose I have to tag along to all the events, just to make
sure the girls only look and not touch.”

He
arched an eyebrow. “Don’t trust me, huh?”

“Oh, I
trust you. That’s a given.” She ran her hands up his chest. “But, I’ve gotten
pretty darn used to having a snuggle buddy.”

Cody
gave her a lopsided smile. “Does that mean you’re going to race again?”

“Yep.”
She brushed her lips over his. “Where you go, I go. Although,” she tapped her
chin, “we might need to retire my old lumpy cot and invest in a double bed.”

“For
the barns?”

“Uh-huh.
I’m not about to leave my horse unattended, after all.”

His
eyes flashed mischief. “You expect me to trade in a perfectly good couch in the
RV and sack out on a plain, rickety cot. In the aisle of a horse barn during
all kinds of weather?”

“Yep.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and lifted up on her tiptoes. “Because you
adore me, can’t keep your hands off me, and worry about me spending the nights
alone. And, oh yeah, happen to love me to pieces.”

He
laughed and pulled her snug against his body. “Guilty to all of the above.” He
swooped down and covered her mouth with his.

Applause
broke out.

Trinity
broke the contact in order to rest her head against Cody’s chest. She couldn’t
stop smiling as she gazed upon the faces of the people standing close by.

Almost a year ago, she thought her world had
ended with the loss of her mother. Alone and unsure, she followed the one dream
left, intent to complete the task, then walk away only to start over somewhere
else. Far away from the pain of a broken heart. Yet, somewhere along the way,
she’d learned a few things and picked up a few friends.

Now,
she stood in her husband’s arms, surrounded by people who loved her, and stared
at the beautiful palomino mare who held the reins to Trinity’s barrel racing
future.

Sometimes the past repeats
itself. In a good way.

“Trin?”

She
peered up at Cody. “Hmmm?”

“What
are you thinking?

She
sighed in contentment. “That for a girl who once considered herself alone, I’ve
got an awful lot of family and am pretty damn lucky.”

“I’m
the lucky one.” He smiled down at her.

“Not
even close. And let me tell you why.” She nuzzled his chin, then pulled away
just enough to study his face. “I’ve got the best husband in the land. Smart,
sexy, caring, and generous.”

“Don’t
forget his great ass,” Madeleine added, tongue-in-cheek.

“Or his
talent for rubbing feet,” Roger said.

Cody
rolled his eyes. “What are we going to do with them?” he stage whispered.

Trinity
glanced around, then turned her focus back to Cody. “I guess there’s always
some goofy ones in every family.”

He
laughed and bracketed her face. “Don’t ever change, Trin. I love you just the
way you are.”

Her
heart melted. “And I still love you more.”

They
both carried scars, but in the end, that brought them together. And allowed
them to open their hearts to the love of their life.

He bent
down slightly and meshed their lips, pouring passion into the act. Trinity gave
back with enthusiasm, happier at this moment than she could ever remember
being. Cody completed her life, filled her days, and made her feel like a
beloved princess.

Not bad
for a poor cowgirl from Kentucky who rode in on a dream and a prayer at the
beginning of the season, muddled through some hard times, having to cowgirl up
more than her fair share. But, in the end, she wound up with a national
championship, the horse of the year award, and a knight in shining armor named
Cody.

She
poured her love and passion into the kiss, a promise of what was to come. For
the rest of their lives.

The End