No Ordinary Cowboy (Mills & Boon American Romance) (Rodeo Rebels - Book 6) (14 page)

“Yes, sir.” Damn Durango and his meddling.

“And I’ll help you keep your promise, Bravo.”

“That won’t be—”

“I’m assigning you to the station five watchtower.”

Manning that particular watchtower was boring as hell and his boss used the duty as punishment for agents who didn’t listen to orders.

“For how long, sir?”

“Until the cartel makes their move, then you can rejoin the team.”

“When should I report to duty?”

“Tonight. Hernandez is out there now. I’ll radio him that he’s got some R & R coming.”

“Anything else, sir?”

“Yes. Just so we’re clear—” Romero cleared his throat “—I’m putting you in the tower because I don’t want you screwing up your career.”

Tony understood his boss had his best interests at heart. “Yes, sir.”

“You’re welcome. Now get the hell out of my office.”

Ten minutes later Tony had cleared off his desk and stopped outside the officer’s lounge where Maddie was sleeping on the couch. The dog had made herself at home in the department. Tony had been bringing her to work ever since the morning after he and Lucy had made love at his mother’s trailer. If Lucy would return his calls, he’d tell her to come get the dog.

Tony grabbed her bowls and the dog-food bag, then snapped his fingers. “Let’s go for a ride, girl.” The dog leaped off the sofa and trotted after Tony.

If Tony was going to be stuck in a watchtower for days on end, he might as well take Maddie. The dog was a good listener and kept everything Tony said confidential. Maybe the boxer would help him figure out how to make his heart immune to Lucy.

* * *

H
E
’
S
NOT
COMING
.

Lucy stood among the cowboys behind the chutes at the Cibola Rodeo and Horse Show an hour and a half north of Yuma along the California border. Even though she’d told Tony that their lovemaking had meant nothing, she had hoped he’d show up at the rodeo to offer his support. She’d done as he’d suggested and had not practiced on Curly this past week. She’d told those who’d inquired about the wrap on her arm that it was a minor sprain, but moving her wrist still stung like heck.

To say she was nervous about executing her dismount was an understatement. She suspected the landing today would be rough and painful.

“Hey, Durango!” Shannon Douglas wore a big grin as she walked toward Lucy. “You’ve got a regular army of helpers out there in the parking lot asking for boot donations.”

Lucy’s heart swelled with gratitude. Word about her fundraiser had spread through the circuit and money was pouring into her website from all over the state. She had her brother to thank for people’s generosity. Michael had been a favorite among rodeo fans. He’d given autographs and had always taken the time to speak with the kids who worshipped him.

“I’m getting closer to my goal,” she said. Lucy hoped to reach the twenty-thousand-dollar mark once Wrangler matched today’s earnings.

“Did you take a look at your bull yet?” Shannon asked.

“Yes.” She’d drawn Trickster. Maybe it was her imagination, but the black bull appeared larger and more menacing than Migraine.

“Trickster’s only four years old. He’s new on the circuit and he’s sloppy.”

“What do you mean, sloppy?”

“He doesn’t have much of a rhythm to his kicks or spins. My advice is to stick like glue to his back, but if you lose your balance, take the first opening and dismount. Trickster’s not known to turn on his riders but he also doesn’t run for the gate right away. When you hit the ground, get to your feet as fast as you can.”

“Got it,” Lucy said, watching the crowd.

“Tony’s not coming today?” Shannon asked.

“I don’t think so.” Lucy sensed Shannon wanted to ask why. Instead, the cowgirl changed the subject.

“Same drill as last time. You and Trickster will kick off the bull-riding event this afternoon after they play the video of Michael’s final ride.” Shannon’s sympathetic smile made Lucy’s eyes sting. She shoved aside the melancholy—she couldn’t afford to lose sight of her goal before she straddled two thousand pounds of pissed-off bull.

“I’ll be back before you ride.” Shannon strolled away.

Lucy owed much of her fundraising success to Shannon—the lady bull rider had gone above and beyond to help raise money for the Pony Express. Left alone to wait, Lucy put on her protective gear and stood in the shadows, keeping her eyes averted from the JumboTron.

Once the announcer said her name, she stepped forward and waved to the crowd while rodeo helpers loaded Trickster into the chute and fished the rope beneath the bull. After the hoopla died down, Lucy closed her eyes and envisioned Tony’s face. She wanted to make him proud of her.

After she counted to five, her nerves settled down and she climbed the chute rails and eased onto Trickster. The heat radiating off the bull’s back warmed her muscles and her adrenaline kicked into gear. She lined up her pinky finger with the middle of his back then Shannon appeared at her side.

“Tell me when it feels right.” Shannon wrapped the rope around Lucy’s hand, sparing Lucy from having to use her injured wrist to pull the rope tight.

“That’s good, thanks.” Once Shannon moved away, Lucy mentally checked off Tony’s list of bull-riding dos and don’ts.

“Remember to locate the bull as soon as you hit the ground.” Shannon’s voice interrupted Lucy’s concentration.

Lucy dipped her head—a rookie mistake. The gateman had been watching for her signal and mistook the movement as
ready to ride.
The gate swung open before Lucy had leaned forward over the bull’s shoulder and she almost lost her seat when Trickster cleared the chute. Once inside the arena, she fought with every ounce of strength she possessed to remain on the bull. Her bottom smacked up and down, jarring her spine and forcing the air from her lungs. Then Trickster twisted his back end, launching Lucy into the air.

Unprepared for the dismount, she instinctively stretched out her arms toward the ground instead of tucking her right arm against her body and absorbing the impact with her shoulder. Her hands and arms bore the full weight of her body when she hit the dirt. For an instant, she thought she’d escaped injury, then she spotted the bull’s hindquarters spinning toward her and she dove sideways to avoid his hooves.

The sudden movement twisted her right arm and she felt the snap of her wrist. Pain raced along her arm, across her shoulder, straight up her neck and into her skull. Her arm gave out beneath her and her face mask slammed into the dirt.

Get up! Get up!

Tony’s voice echoed inside her head, spurring her into action. She rolled to her feet and checked over her shoulder—Trickster continued to buck and spin. Lucy ran for the rails then attempted to climb to safety using only her left hand. Her boot slipped on the metal rung and a rodeo helper sprang into action, grabbing her by the waist and hoisting her to safety.

Lucy gasped for breath.

“That was five seconds.” Shannon patted Lucy’s back. “Next time you’ll make it to eight.”

There might not be a next time. Lucy fumbled with the chin strap on her face mask and Shannon frowned. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I’m fine.” Lucy managed to remove the headgear and awkwardly stuffed it into her bag. She grasped the handles with her left hand. “I’d stay and watch you, Shannon, but I have to get back to the ranch.”

“No worries. See you next week in Cowlic.”

Gritting her teeth, Lucy headed to the parking lot still wearing her Kevlar vest. When she reached the truck, she rummaged through the center console and found the bottle of ibuprofen she kept there. She swallowed three tablets, using her spit to wash them down. With one hand, she carefully maneuvered the pickup out of her spot and drove south to Yuma, where she planned to stop at the E.R. and have her wrist x-rayed.

An hour and a half later, Lucy’s arm and shoulder were numb. Her wrist had swelled up and she was forced to loosen the elastic wrap on her arm. Once she arrived at the hospital a nurse helped her fill out the paperwork then escorted her to a cubical and took her vitals. While Lucy waited to be taken for X-rays she checked her phone messages—nothing from Tony. Would he call tonight to find out how she did?

The orthopedic surgeon diagnosed a clean break and put a hot pink cast on Lucy’s arm. He advised her to see her own doctor before sending her on her way with a prescription for pain pills and a warning to steer clear of bulls for at least six weeks.

Fat chance.
Lucy had to compete in Cowlic seven days from now. Otherwise Wrangler wouldn’t match her donations. Once she completed her final rodeo, she would gladly leave bull riding to the professionals like Shannon Douglas.

After stopping at a drugstore to fill the prescription, Lucy swung into the drive-through of a fast-food restaurant then continued on to Stagecoach. She wanted nothing more than to return home so she could take a big-girl pain pill and fall asleep.

By the time she parked in front of the ranch house it was dark outside. She wasn’t looking forward to her mother’s reaction when she learned Lucy had broken her wrist. If she was lucky, she’d be able to sneak up to her room and put off the meeting until tomorrow morning. When her boot hit the bottom porch step, the outside light went on, blinding her. Her father’s silhouette filled the screen door.

“Hey, Dad.”

The door creaked open and he stepped outside. “What happened?” He nodded to the cast on her arm.

“It’s not a big deal.”

“What’s not a big deal?” Her mother joined them, a gin and tonic in her hand. A twinge of empathy shot through Lucy. No doubt her mother had paced the hallway for hours, worried over her.

“It appears our daughter has a broken arm.”

Lucy’s mother gasped then shoved her drink at her husband and rushed down the steps.

“I’m fine, Mom. It was a clean break. The doctor said the bone will heal in no time.” Lucy allowed her mother to usher her into the house.

“What happened?” she asked.

Lucy resisted the temptation to say that she’d fallen in the parking lot. “I landed wrong after I got bucked today.”

“This foolishness has to stop, Lucy.”

“Not now, Dad.” She was in no mood to go toe-to-toe with her father. “Let me get cleaned up then I’ll tell you all about the rodeo.” She climbed the stairs to the second floor and her bedroom, where she took a pain pill then checked her cell phone again.

Still no text from Tony.

He hadn’t wanted her to ride today, but didn’t he care how she did? Mentally, emotionally and physically exhausted, she collapsed on the bed. She’d rest for a few minutes then take a shower.

Chapter Fourteen

Lucy woke to voices in the
hallway outside her room. She sat up on the bed and waited for the walls to stop spinning. Her father’s voice grew louder and her mother shushed him. Lucy crossed the room and stood behind the door, listening through the crack.

“You can’t let her ride in Cowlic, Cal.”

“This is all Bravo’s fault.”

“Then make him stop.”

“I thought I had.”

Lucy’s scalp tingled.

“What do you mean?” her mother asked.

“I paid him a visit at the border patrol station and told him that if he wanted a job transfer to San Diego he’d better keep his distance from Lucy.”

Her father had threatened Tony?

“She’s going to get herself killed.” Her mother’s voice quivered. “Stop her, Cal. I can’t lose both my children.”

Tears welled in Lucy’s eyes.

“I’ll phone the rodeo producers in Cowlic and make it clear that our daughter is to be banned from riding any animal on four legs.”

Lucy had no doubt her father would carry through with his threat. Whether she was ready or not, it was time to come clean with her parents.

Did you think you could avoid the truth forever?

In no shape to go nine rounds with her father, she opened the door and stepped into the hallway.

“You’re up,” her father said.

“I need to talk to you and Mom.” Lucy headed for the stairs.

“Damn straight we’re going to talk, young lady.”

“For goodness’ sake, Cal, settle down.” Her mother grabbed Lucy’s uninjured arm and descended the steps with her, then walked her into the living room at the front of the house. “Do you want something to drink, dear?”

“Water, please.” Her mother hurried from the room, leaving Lucy and her father to square off.

“Was Bravo at the rodeo?”

“No.” Now she knew why. “Is it true? You told Tony to stay away from me?”

“I don’t know what’s gotten into you, Lucy.” Her father shoved a hand through his hair. “Ever since your brother passed away you haven’t been able to…”

“Go ahead and say it.”

“Let him go.” He glared, defying her to contradict him.

“Let who go?” Her mother returned with Lucy’s water.

“Tony has nothing to do with my rodeo fundraiser. I asked him to teach me how to last a few seconds on a bull. At first he refused, but I blackmailed him.”

Her mother gasped. “Lucinda Durango.”

“I told Tony that if he’d give me a few pointers on bull riding, I’d convince Dad to give him access to the gold mine for his investigation.”

“Then it is his fault!” her father shouted.

“Tony tried to talk me out of it,” Lucy said. “But when he realized I intended to compete with or without his help, he insisted on teaching me how to remain as safe as possible.”

“A lot of good his advice did.” Her father motioned to her cast.

“Tony wasn’t at the rodeo today.” Lucy swallowed the lump in her throat. Even though she understood why he hadn’t shown up in Cibola, she was disappointed that he’d picked his job over her.

You’re the one who told him making love didn’t matter. That it wasn’t a big deal.

“I don’t understand what’s going on between you and Bravo, but damn it, Lucy, he’s responsible for Michael’s—”

“No, he’s not.”

“If he’d stayed at the bar and given Michael a ride home, your brother would be alive today.”

“No, Dad.” Lucy shook her head. “I was the one who turned my back on Michael the night he died.”

Her parents stared in shock.

The words crowded her throat, but forcing them from her mouth was the toughest thing Lucy had ever done. “After Tony left the bar, Michael called me. He said he’d had too much to drink, and he asked me to come get him.”

Her mother pressed her fingertips to her mouth and tears slid down her cheeks.

“I told Michael to call Dad for a ride.” Lucy dropped her gaze to the Persian rug.

“Why?” her father choked out.

“I didn’t want to help Michael because I was jealous of his relationship with you, Dad.” Where was the relief she thought she’d feel at finally confessing her guilt? Swiping angrily at a tear, she said, “You believed Michael walked on water because he was good at rodeo. I—” her voice cracked “—wanted you to see that he wasn’t as perfect as you made him out to be.”

Her father stared dumbstruck.

Lucy looked beseechingly at her mother. “Dad never had time for me. He was too busy grooming Michael to be a rodeo superstar.” She swallowed hard. “Had I known that Michael would risk driving himself home to avoid disappointing Dad, I would have driven out to the bar that night and picked him up.” Lucy chanced a look at her father, but he’d turned his back to her.

“I know there’s nothing I can do to save Michael now, but I’ve been trying to make it up to you.” Her voice broke on a sob. “I started the Pony Express because I wanted to honor Michael’s memory and I’d hoped that you’d be proud of me for doing that.” Tears poured down her face. “Please stop blaming Tony, Dad. I’m the reason Michael’s dead.” Lucy fled the room, her heart shattering into a million pieces when neither parent stopped her.

Back in her room she paced the floor, anxiety and sadness suffocating her. She had to get out of the house. Grabbing her cell phone and truck keys, she returned downstairs and passed by the living room, where her parents remained immobilized by her confession.

Once in her truck, she sped toward the highway. She glanced in her rearview mirror, hoping to spot her father or mother signaling her to return.

The porch remained as dark and empty as Lucy’s heart.

* * *

L
UCY
PULLED
OFF
the road near the west entrance to the Durango ranch and checked the dashboard clock. Midnight. Up until now she’d been successful in ignoring thoughts of Michael and her parents, but she suspected her subconscious had been hard at work the entire time she’d been driving.

She stared at the chain on the gate, anger and despair warring inside her. What lay in the desert beyond that gate—the Durango Gold Mine—was the root of all evil, or so she wanted to believe. Easier to blame a tangible object for the pain in her life, instead of her own actions.

What would her life have been like if there had been no gold mine? No wealth or power connected to the Durango name? She gripped the steering wheel with her uninjured hand until pain shot up her forearm.

Her mother’s horrified expression flashed through her mind and tears welled in her eyes. Lucy couldn’t possibly understand the depth of her mother’s pain. Both her parents must have felt a devastating sense of helplessness at not having been able to prevent their son’s death. Even so, Lucy was positive their pain couldn’t compare to the agony ripping her insides to shreds. Jealousy over her brother’s relationship with their father had been no reason to leave Michael sitting at the bar. Her own stupidity and immaturity had robbed her parents of a son, her of a brother, Tony a best friend and Maddie a loving master.

In the end, Lucy accepted that no matter how awful she felt, how much she regretted her actions, how hard she worked to make amends for her past, there was no way to fix this. Nothing would bring Michael back.

She could ride a million bulls and it would still never be enough to earn her parents’ forgiveness or allow her to forgive herself. As she sat in the truck, the reality of her situation hit home. Now that her parents knew the truth they’d want nothing to do with her, and she couldn’t blame them. Lucy’s throat tightened. Any hope of a relationship with her father had died when he’d turned his back on her in the living room, but maybe her mother wouldn’t abandon her. A mother’s love was unconditional. With time maybe she would forgive Lucy, but even if she did, every time she looked at Lucy she’d know her daughter had been the one responsible for her son’s death.

Driven by an invisible force, Lucy left the truck to unlock the chain and open the gate. A reckless feeling took hold inside her as she returned to her vehicle and drove on. A voice inside her head demanded she stop, but Lucy pressed the accelerator to the floor.

Whatever fate awaited her in the dark desert was well deserved.

* * *

T
ONY
SCANNED
THE
desert with a night-vision camera, Maddie resting on the floor by his boots. Nothing but darkness lurked outside the watchtower. “Looks like the bad guys have taken a break for a while.” He set aside the camera. “Where’s Lucy, Maddie?” The dog’s ears perked.

Tony had waited all afternoon and evening for a text from Lucy, telling him how she’d done at the rodeo, but she hadn’t reached out to him. The longer he went without hearing from her, the greater his anxiety grew, but he refused to consider something bad might have happened.

Damn it, he hated being stuck in the middle of this dried-up wasteland. He’d been banished to the post five days ago and the only thing he’d encountered was a herd of javelinas.

He had one more day left before he and Maddie could return home. Tony’s boss had radioed him earlier with the news that they’d received a tip from a chat room, suggesting members of the drug cartel planned to smuggle a group of girls across the border on Tuesday or Wednesday night. Tony and the other agents were heading to the Durango Gold Mine on Monday evening in the event the cartel arrived a day early.

His cell vibrated and he glanced at the display screen. “It’s Lucy, Maddie. Let’s see how she did at the rodeo.”

SOS. Gold mine.

Fear swept through Tony before instinct kicked in and he shifted into border patrol mode. “Maddie, come.” He descended the watchtower stairs and jogged to his truck, the dog running ahead of him. Once he was on the road driving toward the Durango ranch, he phoned his boss.

“What’s wrong?” Romero said as soon as he answered Tony’s call.

“I just got a text from Lucy Durango. She’s out at the Durango Mine and she’s in trouble.” A nagging uneasiness had plagued Tony all day but he’d attributed it to his worry that Lucy would get injured at the rodeo.

“What kind of trouble, Bravo?”

“I don’t know.”

Romero swore. “It’s possible our chat-room snitch tried to mislead us and the girls were brought across the border tonight.”

“I’m headed there now,” Tony said.

“We’re right behind you,” Romero said. “And Tony, don’t do anything stupid.”

“Roger.” Tony disconnected the call and pressed the gas pedal to the floor.
What the hell were you thinking, Lucy?
Why the heck had she gone out to the mine at this time of night? He gripped the steering wheel until the bones in his fingers ached. If he thought about what the cartel might do to Lucy if they caught her, he’d go insane.

When he arrived at the west entrance to the ranch, the gate stood wide open. He switched on the parking lights and drove through. A mile from the mine he flipped off the truck lights and parked. Using night-vision binoculars, he scanned the area. Lucy’s truck sat parked in front of the mine where several boards had been removed from the entrance. Nina had described the van her kidnappers had used to transport the girls but it was nowhere in sight. Tony could only hope that Lucy’s call for help had nothing to do with her stumbling upon the cartel.

“Stay here, Maddie.” Tony lowered the windows partway to allow air into the truck. “No barking.” He shut the door quietly then headed toward the mine, gun drawn.

Senses on high alert, he cut a trail through the desert. He froze fifty yards out when angry Spanish-speaking voices echoed through the dark. The worst possible scenario—the cartel had captured Lucy.

Heart thumping hard, Tony inched closer and hid behind the rear bumper of Lucy’s truck. The men continued to argue and Tony shivered as his sweat-soaked shirt turned icy against his skin. The Sinaloa Cartel was known to torture witnesses and snitches—no way would they allow Lucy to walk free tonight. He removed his iPhone from his pocket and sent a short text, alerting his boss to the situation. As he slipped the phone into his back pocket, two men armed with semiautomatic weapons and dressed from head to toe in black emerged from behind a cluster of rocks.

One of the men lit a cigarette while the other entered the mine. A moment later, Lucy stumbled out. Relief that she appeared unharmed left Tony light-headed and he breathed deeply through his nose, forcing himself to remain focused. Lucy’s life depended on him keeping a level head.

He’d made a huge mistake leaving Michael at the bar two years ago. Getting Lucy out of this predicament alive was his chance to make amends to Cal and Sonja Durango. And if that wasn’t motivation to do things right, then needing to save Lucy because he loved her was reason enough not to screw up. The thought of losing her terrified him.

While the men argued, Tony watched Lucy. Her hands were tied behind her back and a gag had been placed in her mouth. Thank God she didn’t understand Spanish or she’d probably faint if she knew her captors were discussing how to dispose of her.

Forcing his fears aside, he assessed the situation. Two against one—not bad odds. He could fire off two rounds before they sprayed bullets in his direction.

Without warning, the taller of the two men turned toward Lucy’s truck and fired at the front tires. Amazed he hadn’t been hit by a stray bullet, Tony watched in horror as the man backhanded Lucy across the face. She dropped to her knees.

Tony’s blood boiled.
Don’t be stubborn, baby. Just do as he says.
Romero and the other agents would arrive at any moment—but that moment could mean the difference between life and death for Lucy. The tall man disappeared behind the rocks while the other man went into the mine and led out eight girls with their hands tied behind their backs.

Evil bastards.

Lucy slowly got to her feet and the girls huddled around her. The sound of an engine rumbled in the air and a black cargo van drove into sight. The tall man got out and told the girls to get in. Lucy remained behind and Tony could only imagine the terror she was experiencing.

It was now or never. Tony had to make a move. The girls were safe inside the van so he inched toward the front of Lucy’s truck, stepping over her smashed cell phone.