Her Rodeo Cowboy (13 page)

No, what she needed was to focus. And stay fo
cused, if she wanted to have any chance of making her dream a reality.

“Lacy,” she said, taking action. “I'm going for it.”

Serious blue eyes met hers. “It's time.”

Luke's words of encouragement came to mind. He'd told her God had given her a special talent. He'd been so confident in her all along.

“Yes. It's something I have to do.” She thought about it for a moment, then decided to say it. “I believe God gave me this talent and He has a purpose for me in doing it.” Luke's words echoed again. “I can't let it go to waste another day.”

“You know you can help out with Tate as long as you want.”

“I know, and I love it. But I think I'm going to need something else on the side to help with all the expenses. Unless I start out winning money, I won't be able to last long.”

“The old saying, ‘where there's a will, there's a way,' comes to mind. You've got the will, and if it's in God's plan, He'll make the way.”

Montana knew in order for her to reach the National Final Rodeo Championship, it would take a miracle and thousands of miles hauling and racing time. It would take money and commitment and it would be harder for her than most because she would be doing it on her own.

Montana wondered if she was biting off more than she could handle. She sighed as her gaze settled on Luke, leaning on the fence, talking with a group of cowboys and watching the bull riding. Her heart
clutched inside her chest and again his words encouraged her. She knew he'd tell her she could do this, and even more, she knew he'd tell her to go for it.

M
ontana couldn't sleep. She finally got out of bed around five, after staring at the ceiling for hours. She took a shower, got dressed, then quietly padded through the house with her boots in her hand. Outside, she sat down on the deck steps and tugged her boots on. The sun was just coming up and she wanted to be riding before others were stirring.

She needed space. Time to think and be totally alone.

Time to pray. She closed her eyes and let the calm of the early morning seep in around her. The air had the scent of fresh hay. She inhaled and asked God to guide her because she needed him desperately.

She needed help getting her life figured out. She needed some peace in her heart and in her head, and she wasn't getting it. Even the rodeo win hadn't helped. The satisfaction that she'd hoped to find with the win wasn't coming. Yes, she'd been excited—she'd shown that when she threw her arms around Luke—but peace? Nope, there had only been more confusion.

She'd thought when she talked to Lacy about starting her quest by hitting the rodeo trail that she'd feel some kind of satisfaction, but she didn't. All she felt was a heavy heart. All her life she'd wanted to be a cowgirl, and now here was her shot. Why couldn't she be happy?

Across the pasture she could see the shadow of where the festival trailers and booths were set up. But other than the soft bark of a dog in the distance, all was quiet. It was different from the way it had been last night, or would be later that day. One thing was certain, the first night of the rodeo had been a big success.

She was walking toward the arena when she heard Samantha let out a lonesome
hee-haw,
as if the little donkey had heard her approaching and was begging for some company. Instead of going to the arena where Murdock's stall was, she walked across the gravel to the barn. The smell of fresh hay filled the air as she entered. Immediately, Samantha hee-hawed again.

“Hold your horses,” Montana said, striding toward the back of the stalls. The low lights illuminated the area well and Montana had no trouble seeing that the little donkey had been busy. The wooden bar they'd used to secure the gate better had been worked halfway out of its slot. Batting her big brown eyes at Montana, Samantha curled her plump lips back and gave a grin.

Montana was tickled at the sight. “Are you proud of yourself?” she asked through her chuckles. “If I'd have been out here a little later, you would have been free, and then where would we be?”

“From what I hear, she'd have let all the livestock out and enjoyed it,” Luke said from behind her.

Montana whirled around. “What are you doing here?”

He shrugged. “I couldn't sleep. And I've been a little bit worried about Samantha getting loose and causing problems. So I decided to head over here and make sure things were secure.”

Montana stuffed her hands in her pockets. “This donkey must really be good to have y'all so worried.”

“I had visions of driving up and seeing my livestock running free while everyone was asleep.”

Montana grimaced. “That wouldn't be good.” She was so glad to see him. It was all she could do not to go over and hug him…but that wasn't what she needed to do. She didn't want to get involved.
You
are
involved.

She knew she was on the verge of falling hard for the cowboy if she didn't watch herself extremely carefully. That meant not throwing herself at him.

Instead, she glanced down at the donkey who still had her head stuck through the bars of the gate. She batted her eyes and curled her lips back, exposing her big-toothed grin again. “Is this donkey human or what? She smiles like she knows what I'm thinking.”

Luke chuckled and moved to stand beside her. “Maybe she does. A donkey is a very perceptive animal.”

Luke stood close to her, his arm almost touching hers. It was like torture. Why did he have to stand right there? Didn't he know she was having trouble controlling herself? Probably not.

“I'm going to say that she was probably thinking you have a lot on your mind,” he said quietly as he reached out and rubbed Samantha's nose. The little burro closed her eyes and breathed heavily—like a sigh.

Montana was almost jealous.

“How would she know this?” she asked, realizing what he'd said.

“She could tell, because you came to the barn so early. She would also think you're thinking about all the things you're going to have to do to get ready to hit the road for qualifying.”

So the man had her figured out. “Think you're pretty smart, don't you?” she asked, sliding a look his way.

“Me? Nah, I'm just saying what Samantha is thinking. But if I was the one who was perceptive, I'd say you had a certain cowboy on your mind, too. And you were probably beating yourself up about kissing him last night.”

Her heart was thumping like a rabbit running for its life. In a way that's how Montana felt, too. Looking at Luke, she saw how easily she could forgo her dreams and settle for a life right here with him. Be content like Lacy was with her home and family. She could love Luke.

“You have a high opinion of yourself, don't you?” she teased, but it wasn't easy to do.

He leaned against the gate so that he was looking at her. “You know me and Samantha are right about everything about you.”

She laughed. “And just how are y'all so sure?”

“For starters, it is five in the morning. That's awful early for you to be out. I'd say that spells sleeplessness.”

“What about the kiss?”

“Ahh, the kiss,” he drawled, giving her a slow, toe-curling smile. “That was actually wishful thinking on my part.” He lifted a hand to touch a strand of hair that was hanging over her shoulder. He slowly wound it around his finger, staring at it before lifting his beautiful brown eyes to hers. “I've been thinking about that kiss ever since it happened. I tried to distract myself from it all night, during the rest of the rodeo, but it didn't help. You—and that kiss—were on my mind the whole time. And then I couldn't sleep. I guess a tiny part of me was hoping you hadn't just kissed me because of the win.”

She was toast!

Done. Stick a fork in her.

The sigh came out, despite all efforts to keep her head.

The guy was just plain irresistible. She took a step toward him. He opened his arms, and the next thing she knew, his arms were around her and they were kissing. The feel of his lips was firm yet tender as he kissed her. Pulling away slightly, he searched her stunned and confused eyes before lowering his lips to hers again. It was as if she'd been waiting all of her life for this moment. For the feel of this man's lips to connect with hers, for his heart to connect with hers.

He broke the kiss and laid his forehead against hers.
Everything faded away in that instant. Her head was quiet. Her heart was calm.

Montana could have stayed like that forever.

“I can't get you off of my mind, Montana. I'm sorry.” He sighed. “I know I've been trying to keep this simple. But it's complicated.”

“Boy, don't I know it,” she said, nodding her head against his. His arms tightened around her and at some point hers had wrapped around his neck.

He looked about as serious as a man in a face-off with a rattlesnake. “Montana, I came here to ask you to go to dinner with me. It's time for you to go out with me. Yes, I know it will cause rumors—but with that kiss last night getting full coverage by one and all, everyone knows there's a little something going on between the two of us.”

“Yes, I think you're right.”

“I know I am. You can just—wait, you said yes, I was right? Does that mean you're saying yes to dinner?”

Her lip twitched with a smile she couldn't contain. It was adorable. He was flustered. “I meant yes on both counts. Dinner would be wonderful. And long overdue.”

“Did you hear that, Samantha? You're my witness,” Luke said, looking at the little burro. She laid her bulbous nose against Luke's hip and snorted.

Montana and Luke laughed, and as if knowing she'd done something good, Samantha snorted again, pulled her head from between the rails and let out a long
hee-haw.

“Tell me about it, Samantha. We should have come to you a long time ago so you could set us straight.” Luke gave Montana a nod and tugged her close again. “Yup. We might all be getting on the same page, finally.”

Samantha pranced around her stall, her tail lifted out and her head held high. She looked as if she was about to bust out in dance as she batted her eyes at them.

“That is one funny donkey.” Montana chuckled.

Luke looked down at her and cocked a brow. “That is one smart little gal, is what she is.”

“I wonder.” Montana sighed, leaning her head against Luke's shoulder. “What her advice would be on something else I have going on in my life?”

“I don't know, darlin', but you hang with me and I promise you we'll get whatever's bothering you all figured out.” He kissed her forehead and rubbed her shoulder. “I promise, I'll help you, and so will God.”

Montana breathed in slowly. There was a mixture of excitement and comfort in his arms. Of anticipation for the step they were taking. And worry of what it could bring.

Worry and joy, too, but for now, there was comfort and peace.

And the gentle touch of a very special man's hand.

“Y
oo-hoo! Montana.” Esther Mae waved from her position at the top of the Ferris wheel.

“Stop waving, Esther Mae,” Norma Sue barked. From where Montana and Luke stood, waiting in line to get on the ride, it was clear that Norma Sue was white as a sheet. Her hands were glued to the protective bar. “Can't you see this thing is moving every time you do that?”

“Norma Sue, are you afraid of heights?” Luke called, tipping his Stetson back so he could see her better.

“Yes, she is,” Esther Mae called for all to hear. “I practically had to drag her on here with me. Look, Norma Sue, it rocks.” The redhead moved side to side, living dangerously when Norma Sue elbowed her in the ribs.

“You just wait till I get my boots back on the ground. I'm going to get you.”

“She better have her running shoes on,” Montana said.

“I wouldn't want to tangle with Norma Sue when she's out for payback,” Luke said.

“Esther!” Norma Sue squealed, and Esther Mae hooted with laughter.

Luke laughed. “You sure you want to get on this thing? It does wobble a lot!”

“Are you afraid of heights, too?”

“Even if I am, I'd risk it to get to ride it with you. I was just worried about your safety.”

She patted his arm. “I'll be fine. And don't you worry, big guy, I'll take good care of you up there.”

He hugged her and she slipped her arm around his waist. Standing arm in arm with him, they watched the buggy with Esther Mae and Norma Sue lower a little more, as each car between them and the ground emptied out. Montana was living dangerously, knowing they'd spotted Luke's arm across her shoulders. But she didn't care.

“Glad that's over with,” Norma Sue said, relief surging in her voice. “Y'all sure you want to go up in that bag of nuts and bolts?”

“We're going,” Luke assured her.

“That's a good place for y'all to go. Have a good time,” Esther Mae said. “And just don't pay Norma Sue no mind. She had fun. She's just too stubborn to admit it.”

Luke leaned close and whispered in her ear as they were leaving. “Did you catch how sly they were being about my arm being around you?”

“Yes, they don't want to mess up a good thing.”

He helped her into the buggy and then sat down
beside her, immediately placing his arm across the seat behind her. “I don't want to mess anything up, either.”

Montana breathed the cotton candy-scented air and let herself enjoy the ride. “It would be wonderful if life could be as carefree as this feels,” she said, as they reached the top of the wheel and were looking down on all the people milling around below.

“Yeah, from up here it feels removed from all that down there.”

She smiled, her thoughts traveling to all that she'd pressed to the back of her mind. “The problem is, it's an illusion. All my problems are still waiting for me when I get back down.” Why was she going there, when everything had been so perfect? She was with the perfect guy, on a perfect day, and she was opening her big mouth.

“True, but I can tell you, anything can be overcome.”

She looked at him as the wheel swept them under before sending them back up to the top again. Anything can be overcome. Montana wasn't so sure.

 

The first of three Mule Hollow Homecoming Rodeos was a success. On both nights, they'd introduced all former residents who'd come home for the event. There had been several families who'd moved away, children all grown-up, some single and some with families of their own, coming back to show their kids where they'd once lived.

They all enjoyed remembering the town when it was a thriving oil town. They'd been sad when their par
ents had moved away to find work after the oil boom busted and all the work had dried up in Mule Hollow.

Sunday morning, the church lawn was filled with talk of the weekend. It was a roaring success.

Esther Mae and Norma Sue looked like they could fly they were so happy. Esther Mae especially, since the summer hat that she wore was covered in feathers. Feathers that fluttered with every bob her head made as she talked nonstop about the festival.

Everyone was in an exceptionally good mood. Montana listened and took all the congratulations on her win. Everyone wanted to know what she was going to do next, and she told them she was going to hit the road for more rodeos the following week.

It seemed strange to her that she would actually be starting her lifelong dream. She was going to find another part-time job in addition to her helping out with Tate, and then she would just pray that she'd start winning. The money would help pay her way, or she wouldn't be able to make it. There was a lot of wear and tear that went along with hauling. There would be travel expenses, and then upkeep expenses on the truck and trailer, which Clint was lending her, and of course vet bills and entry fees. The list went on and on. It wasn't cheap shooting for the National Rodeo Finals in Las Vegas. Being one of the top fifteen in money and points was no easy feat. It was one thing to dream about it and another to take it on.

But that was exactly what Montana planned to do.

And if she was committing, she was committing one hundred percent.

She and Luke had talked a little about it the day before. After they'd gotten off the Ferris wheel, they'd hung out together some and talked about her riding. She'd told him of her decision to find another part-time job, and he'd told her he thought that was a good idea—until she started winning the big money and went full-time. She still smiled at the conviction in his voice. He hadn't been saying that to make her feel better; he'd been saying it because he really did think she would do well. The very idea had her waiting anxiously to see his smiling face come striding across the parking lot.

He didn't make it until the last song was being sung, just before Chance got up to preach. When the door opened, Montana glanced over her shoulder and her heart did the now familiar happy thump. As if their eyes were connected by a beacon, he zeroed in on her instantly, and strode straight up the aisle and scooted into the seat beside her.

Adela's piano playing seemed to pick up the pace, drawing Montana's gaze to find the delicate lady's blue eyes beaming from around the corner of the music sheet. And up in the choir loft, Esther Mae's and Norma Sue's smiles seemed to merge together, they were so huge.

Whether she wanted it or not, there was no denying that they had a successful match on the mind. Montana tried not to think about it. She tried to think only of enjoying his company. No strings attached. There had been nothing said, no indication that things were any different with her than with any of the other women he'd dated.

And she was fine with it. They were going out to dinner that evening and she'd teased him. Funny, she wondered if these butterflies and sick stomach were what all the others had felt.

As they sat beside each other, he closed the hymnal and placed it in the holder on the back of the pew in front of them. “You doing good this morning?” he asked as he leaned back beside her.

“Good,” she said, listening to Pastor Chance's opening statement about the rodeo and festival. “How about you?”

He grinned. “I'm great. I've got a date tonight with a beautiful woman. What's not to be happy about?” His smile was as dazzling as his words, and it felt crazy wonderful, knowing he was talking about her.

Looking at him, Montana was very aware that Luke made her feel like a woman…and she loved it. It caused her to long for things she hadn't thought about in a long time.

 

Whistling a happy tune, Luke jogged down the steps and over to his truck. Tossing the keys into the air, he caught them on a flip and grinned. He was feeling good. He had a date with Montana Brown.

He had a surprise for her tonight, and he hoped she'd take him up on it. He had thought all afternoon about it, and felt like this was the perfect solution to her problem. Dinner was the perfect place to tell her, but he was a little worried about how she'd handle it.

He couldn't get to her house quick enough. He felt like a schoolboy on his first date. He'd been smiling
all afternoon and was still smiling when he knocked on her door.

“Come in, come in,” Lacy said, opening the door wide when she saw him. She was holding Tate as she beckoned him in. “I've been pacing the floors, waiting for the clock to hit six and for you to drive up. Yep, it's true, I think I may be more excited about you two going out than y'all.”

“I hope not. I was kind of hoping Montana was excited. I know I am.”

Lacy chuckled. “That's exactly the answer I wanted to hear. If you weren't excited, I'd think something was wrong with you. Clint had a call from one of his ranch hands that a cow was down so he had to go check on it, or he'd be here to see y'all off.”

“Hey,” Montana said, coming into the room. Her glistening dark hair was down around her shoulders tempting him to touch it. She wore a frilly white blouse with dressy jeans, and with the sparkle in her eye, she took his breath away. “Has Lacy given you the third degree? Has she made sure you understand that my curfew is ten sharp, and I must be home then or I'll be grounded for life, and never ever get to go out with you again?”

“Ha!” Lacy said. “I was just about to.”

Luke chuckled. “I'm game for whatever Lacy throws at me. Whatever it takes to get this dinner date, I'll do.”

Montana smiled. Her big eyes were bright with what he hoped was excitement about him being there. His heart was pounding in his chest, looking at her. And it
was like nothing he'd ever experienced before. Everything had faded away and all he saw was her.

“I don't have any questions. You two crazy kids need to just get on out of here.” Lacy's teasing words broke the moment, reminding Luke that he'd spoken to her before he'd gotten caught up in the unchartered feelings Montana evoked inside of him.

He'd had his hat in his hand ever since he'd rung the doorbell, and now tapped it lightly to his hip. “Then are you ready?” he asked.

“Yes she is,” Lacy said, giving Montana a little nudge.

A few minutes later they were trucking down the road toward Ranger. He couldn't explain how happy he was as they drove the seventy miles to the closest large town near Mule Hollow. On the way they talked about various aspects of the festival and rodeo. He'd made reservations at a restaurant that overlooked a lake. He'd never been there before, but had heard it was nice, and he'd decided that he wanted to take Montana somewhere he'd never been before. He thought Montana was special, and he wanted this date to be special, too. He wanted Montana not to feel like just one of many women he took to dinner.

“This is beautiful,” she said as the hostess led them to a table on the deck beside the water. A swan was floating in the water as Luke held Montana's chair out for her. She looked over her shoulder at him and smiled. Luke froze. He could live forever with that smile directed at him.

The idea was a sobering one.

“Luke, are you all right?” she asked, when he didn't scoot the chair up for her to sit in.

“Yeah,” he said, jolted by the thoughts racing through his mind and the sudden longing tugging at his heart. What was happening with him? “Yeah, I'm good. Just thinking—Montana, you have the most beautiful smile I've ever seen.”

She laughed as she sat down. “I'm sure you say that to all the girls.”

He shook his head. “No, Montana, I don't. I'm telling you that your smile is the most beautiful I've ever seen.” It was important for her to understand he was serious, and not just saying the words.

Her smile was genuine as he sat down across from her. “Thank you. I like that,” she said quietly. “Whew, I'm a little nervous.”

He reached across the table and laid his hand over hers, where she was picking at the edge of her napkin. “I'm nervous too.” He held her unconvinced gaze. “Why don't we both take a breath and relax.”

She nodded and breathed in. “Sounds like a good idea. I wasn't expecting to feel like a girl on her first date.”

“I like the idea of that. I feel like a boy on his first date.”

Their confessions made them laugh as the waitress came. By the time she left to fill their order, they'd both relaxed somewhat. Luke knew in his heart that this was a life-changing experience. Looking across the candlelit table at her, he knew he was feeling happy. And
he liked it. Three weeks ago he wouldn't have believed it was possible. But that was before Montana Brown had ridden into his life.