Legal Page
Title Page
Book Description
Dedication
Trademarks Acknowledgement
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Epilogue
New Excerpt
About the Author
Publisher Page
Cowgirl Strong
ISBN # 978-1-78651-087-7
©Copyright Cheyenne Meadows 2016
Cover Art by Posh Gosh ©Copyright November 2016
Edited by Ann Leveille
Totally Bound Publishing
This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Totally Bound Publishing.
Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Totally Bound Publishing. Unauthorized or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.
The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.
Published in 2016 by Totally Bound Publishing, Newland House, The Point, Weaver Road, Lincoln, LN6 3QN
Totally Bound Publishing is a subsidiary of Totally Entwined Group Limited.
Warning:
This book contains sexually explicit content which is only suitable for mature readers. This story has a heat rating of Totally Sizzling and a Sexometer of 2.
COWGIRL STRONG
When life is full of lemons, a girl has to be cowgirl strong to make all her dreams come true.
Lacey Bright just finished the best barrel racing season of her life, only to find her world falling apart. The man she thought she loved is now engaged, her horse has just turned up lame and an old family secret comes out, leaving her reeling. With nowhere else to turn, Lacey throws herself into her new job, training horses for the local Humane Society farm.
After a terrifying bout with cancer, Jonas Marshall is hesitant to jump back into the dating ranks, or slide back into a roping saddle. His priorities have changed and his scars have caused him to avoid women in general. He’s content spending his days as head trainer at the Humane Society farm and living life on the sidelines, until he sees something in Lacey he’s not found before—hope, compassion and potential.
A similar goal brings these two together. Yet change is never easy, and difficult challenges await right around the corner. They have to face their fears or lose their chance at love. After all, life is hard, and a woman has to be cowgirl strong to get what she desires.
Dedication
For those who have a dream and pursue it, no matter how difficult the journey.
Also for all those who work with the Humane Society. Employees, volunteers and donors are all so special, and without each of you, needy and deserving animals wouldn’t have a chance at a forever home. Thank you.
And a special thank you to the Longmeadow Rescue Ranch in Union, Missouri. Not only do they receive abused and neglected farm animals, heal them and find them loving homes, but they also dedicate themselves to working with the public in an effort to continue saving every animal they can. Their remarkable response to a downed trailer of horses on their way to slaughter in 2006 showed their large hearts and caring nature in a particularly horrific crisis. I do believe this became one of their shining moments. I read about the accident and cried for the loss but also for the victories and successes that came out of such a tragedy. I wanted to tell a bit of their story in this book and share their amazing tale with my readers. I only hope that I did them justice enough for all that they do each and every day.
Trademarks Acknowledgement
The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:
Humane Society: Humane Society of the United States Non-Profit Corporation
Rodeo Association: United States Rodeo Association, LLC
Levi’s: Levi Strauss & Co. Corporation
Cheshire cat: Lewis Carroll
Super Glue: Woodhill Chemical Sales Corporation
Jaws of Life: Hurst Jaws of Life, Inc.
Wranglers: Wrangler Apparel Corp.
Jerry Springer: NBCUniversal Media, LLC
Chapter One
“Welcome home.”
Lacey smiled at her mother as she set her suitcase on the kitchen floor. She’d driven most of the night, stayed a few hours at another barrel racer’s house to sleep and let Candy, her mare, stretch her legs, before driving the rest of the way. After ten days in Vegas at the Finals Rodeo, she was worn out and extremely glad to be home. “Thanks, Mom.” She went to the fridge, pulled out the pitcher of sweet tea her mother always kept and filled the glass she’d plucked from the cabinet along the way.
“I’m sorry we couldn’t attend. But we watched it on TV. You did such a great job. We’re proud of you.” Her mother gave her a hug.
“Thanks. It’s okay. I know things are tough right now.”
Right now. Lacey wanted to snort at her own response. First had come the droughts. Then the floods. The family farm struggled as never before in her lifetime. Her mother, Helen, clung to her teaching job in order to provide some income along with all-important health insurance. Lacey’s father, Dan, worked the land full-time, running beef cattle, cutting hay and alternating corn and soybeans as a side venture. Tate, Lacey’s brother, helped in his free time from his job as an assistant football coach for the small local college. They all worked. Hard. Even she worked her ass off around the farm while picking up part-time hours at one of the large animal vet’s offices. Anything to make it one more week. One more month. One more year.
“Your father and brother are building fence over at Chester McLeary’s today. They should be back for supper.”
“Okay.” Lacey took a large drink and smiled at her mother. “I missed you.”
A momentary grin took away the lines of worry on her mother’s face. “No more than we missed you.” She pushed a lock of auburn hair out of her eyes and behind her ear. “I wish there was some way we could have been there for you.” Regret carried in Helen’s voice and her eyes.
“Really, it’s okay.” Lacey gave her a quick hug. “We do the best we can, remember? As long as we have one another, we’re doing mighty fine.” The words came out automatically. The same ones she’d recited for years. Lately, they had begun to fall flat.
“Always such a cheery soul.”
On the outside, maybe. Lacey kept her pasted-on smile. She’d spent a lifetime trying to earn her father’s love, to no avail. Worse, since she’d started barrel racing, he’d given her guff right and left. Happiness with her family had slipped away lately, leaving bare bones, and prodding her to consider some big-time changes. None of those thoughts had she aired to her parents. Yet.
Helen sighed. “I wish we could give you more.”
We? She knew her mother loved her. Never even questioned it. The other half of the parental unit, though, she couldn’t really say.
Lacey waved her hand. “I’d rather have you than the pot at the end of the rainbow.” She spoke the truth. Although, right now, that elusive pot looked damn good.
“I’m going to go pick up walnuts in the back pastures. Figured at fourteen dollars per hundredweight, it’s worth it.”
“Wait and I’ll help.” Lacey finished her drink then placed the empty glass in the sink. She’d attended to her mare before coming inside, so nothing pressing existed on her schedule for the rest of the day.
As they headed toward the old farm truck with the bed already filled with empty feed sacks and buckets, Lacey slowed her steps. Ransom Mathews pulled into the driveway in his shiny black truck. It wasn’t new but he kept it in as close to that condition as possible.
“Hey, Lacey. Helen,” he called out of the window as he eased up next to Lacey. “I promised to help Tate and Dan out today but can’t remember where they were working.”
“Chester McLeary’s farm. North pasture, I think,” Helen answered.
Ransom smiled. “Thanks. You don’t mind one more showing up for dinner, do you?”
Helen beamed. “Of course not. You know that! Lord, no matter that the college has put up a fancy apartment for you to use, you still have a bedroom here and always a place at the table,” Helen answered with loving enthusiasm.
Tate had dragged Ransom home in grade school. The rough-and-tumble little boy had worn clothes on their last leg, his unruly hair had needed a cut and the flatness of his eyes had told the family all they needed to know. The stray had needed a better home. They’d opened up their arms and taken him in. After some finagling with court system, they’d obtained legal guardianship as well. His mother, an alcoholic, hadn’t even fought. To hear Helen tell the story, the woman had appeared relieved to be rid of her burden.
Lacey could barely remember a time without Ransom around. A whole three months separated them in age, putting him in her class at school. Tate, being a year older, had resided in the one above them. As she’d grown up, she’d idolized Ransom, teased him, and had fallen deeply in love by the time she’d hit the ripe old age of fifteen. Not much had changed since then. She still possessed deep feelings for him but kept them to herself as she’d watched a few women parade through his life, praying none of them stuck.
She noticed his grin, the dimple in his cheek, and sighed to herself. Big, strong and too handsome for his own good, Ransom caught the eye of just about every woman in the county. His broad shoulders, flat abs and flirty nature didn’t hurt either. Neither did his full-time job at the same college as Tate, as a conditioning coach for the football team. He shared the apartment with Tate as well, though they tended to spend more time on the farm than in town. Pulling their own weight. Just the way they always had.
His short black hair looked freshly cut. Stylish and easy. Just shampoo, rinse and go. Quick, sexy and it fit him perfectly.
His blue eyes met hers. “Nice run at the finals, Lacey. Great job.”
She smiled slightly at his praise. “Thanks, Ransom. I didn’t win, though.”
He shook his head. “I don’t think anyone was going to beat that gray stallion.”
She recalled Trinity and Legacy’s final run. “It was their time. They deserved it.”
“So do you.”
Lacey shrugged. “Maybe next year.”
He flashed another smile. “I better get out there or Tate will kick my ass for being lazy.” He waved, circling the truck around, and left.
Lacey watched him go with a sense of excitement and loss. He’d be back for dinner, yes. But, more importantly, he’d treated her like a sister.
Just like he always has.
Her heart cracked a bit more.
‘Pretend he’s a goat and you’re participating in the goat-tying event.’ Trinity’s advice replayed through her mind. She pictured herself doing just that, roping Ransom, tying him up and sitting on him. More of Trinity’s advice replayed in her head. All along the lines of how keeping her feelings to herself wouldn’t grab Ransom’s attention, or getting him to see her as something more than family. Perhaps the time had come to spill the beans. The sooner she did, the less time she’d spend wishing and hoping for her dream to come true. Better to find out now than pine for him over the next few years. Just like she’d done for nearly a decade.
And look where that got me.
The time had come. Make or break. I’ll tell him. Tonight.
With that decision made, she crossed her fingers for good luck.
“Lacey? You coming or not?” her mother hollered.
With a wicked grin to herself, Lacey hurried to catch up. Work waited for no one, but at least she knew the evening meal promised to provide some entertainment. Afterward, she’d corner her cowboy and get some answers.
* * * *
Five hours later, stiff and sore, Lacey forced her feet to keep moving. She set the roast on the large kitchen table along with the potatoes. Her mother followed with a couple more pans of vegetables and warmed homemade bread. The men stared at the fare with hungry expressions and wide grins.
“Looks like a feast.” Her father winked at her mother.
Lacey rescued the apple pie from the oven. The afternoon had been a testament to stubborn determination. Fatigued from the rodeo and a long drive, all Lacey had wanted to do was find her bed and sleep. Instead she’d found herself spending much of the time bent over, picking up walnuts in order to sell them for a few extra bucks—a sign of their financial woes and the belief that nothing should go to waste.
Resisting the urge to rub her back, Lacey placed the pie on the counter to cool and took her seat beside her brother and opposite Ransom.
Ransom snagged the basket filled with bread and teased Tate by holding it just out of reach for a couple of beats before giving in. As soon as he handed over the goodies, he plucked the butter dish off the table, cut a generous piece and slathered it over the still-hot slice of bread.
Lacey watched the way he wrapped his fingers around his fork, and manipulated the knife with precision, before taking a large bite of meat.
“Lacey? Earth to Lacey.” Tate nudged her. “Potatoes?”
She blinked at Tate, accepted the dish, and placed it next to her plate. In all honesty, she didn’t really feel like eating. Butterflies danced in her stomach as she planned how to broach the subject with Ransom. The words she’d use to convince him that her love was true and that they’d make a wonderful couple. She’d had years to imagine that very moment when she confessed her love, heard Ransom echo her, promise undying commitment, wrap her into his strong arms and swing her around in a moment of joy.
Tonight she’d finally spill her heart and innermost secrets, and she prayed Ransom would find the same feelings inside himself.
“Tate tells me that you’re dating a lovely young lady,” Helen said.
Lacey added some food to her plate and dug in, knowing she had to eat or face concern from her mother. She cut the potato into bite-sized pieces, forked a piece and dropped it into her mouth. Her attention locked on Ransom while she eagerly waited to hear his response.
“Lizzie’s great. We’ve been seeing one another for the last month, but got exclusive a couple of weeks ago.”
Lacey stilled. Worry crept to the fore, especially as Ransom’s face and eyes lit up at the mention of the girl’s name.
“She’s as sweet as she is beautiful,” Ransom continued. He took a drink of tea. “I’ve been doing some thinking lately.”
Lacey held her breath. A sense of foreboding flooded her. She steeled herself.
“About?” Dan asked.
“About asking her to marry me.”
“That’s wonderful.” Helen beamed.
Tate fist-bumped Ransom.
“Bring her around. I want to meet this girl. Sounds like she’s going to be a big part of this family.” Dan smiled like a proud father.
“Congratulations.” Lacey forced an expression of happiness on her face, one she certainly didn’t feel. Her hopes and dreams for the past several years came crashing down at those words.
Ransom found a girl to marry. It isn’t me.
Her heart broke completely open. In the back of her mind, Lacey knew that Ransom would never be hers. Hope lives eternal. Until now.
She resumed eating, going through the motions, not really tasting the food. The others chatted about Ransom’s glorious news while she tried to tune them out and spare her tender feelings from another assault. She focused on biding her time until she could escape to wallow in self-pity alone.
“Lacey?”
The sound of her name grabbed her attention. “What?”
“I asked when you’ll be going back on the rodeo circuit.” Tate took a drink before forking another bite of food.
She glanced over at her father. Not soon enough. Her father never asked about her racing career. Hell, the only compliments he ever gave revolved around her cooking. The rest of the time she came up short when it came to attention from the head of the family. The two guys beat her out each and every time.
Water under the bridge. Let it go.
Her attention centered on Tate. “In a couple of weeks. I plan on hitting it hard this fall before the winter break.”
Her mother frowned. “But you just got home.”
“I know.” Lacey pushed a pea around her plate. “I need the points if I’m going to get back to the finals. I hope to do better next time.” She took a quick drink. “Speaking of, I need to check on Candy before I work on sending in those entry forms.” She slid her chair back, replaced it, and strode out of the kitchen.
Fifteen minutes later, she was grooming Candy like she’d done every evening since she’d purchased the mare five years ago. She’d used up all her savings at the time, but hadn’t been able to turn down the opportunity to buy such a top-of-the-line paint. Her pedigree shone, as did her athletic talent. Candy was her ticket to the future, she was sure of it.
“You didn’t eat.” Her mother’s quiet voice carried easily in the barn.
“Not really hungry,” Lacey answered automatically. It was the truth. Ransom’s words had killed her appetite as much as they’d slashed through her very soul.
Helen approached, pulling her sweater around her shoulders.
The chill didn’t bother Lacey. Numbness had set in before she ever left the house.
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?” Lacey spared her mother a glance over Candy’s back.
“I’ve known how you’ve felt about Ransom for a while now. He’s never thought of you as anything but a sister. That’s always been the case and always will be. I should have said something sooner.”
“It’s fine, Mom.” Lacey traded out a curry comb for a softer dandy brush. “I’m glad for him. He deserves to find someone to make him happy.”
“So do you.”
Lacey barely contained her snort. “I’ve got all I need. My horse and my family.” That’s more than some people have, supportive or not. She didn’t bother to take a detour about the way her father treated her like a non-person. That old argument never got anywhere, anyway. “A man isn’t in the picture. No biggie.” Those were the same words she’d told herself over and over again since collecting Candy and taking her inside for grooming. They sounded reasonable, almost flippant, but were only a cover. She hoped they carried sincerity. Judging by the regret and sadness in Helen’s eyes, Lacey knew she’d failed. “Don’t worry. I’m not going to say anything. Message received loud and clear.” She sighed. “I care enough for him to leave well enough alone.”
“You’ve never been interested in attending the fall circuit before.” Helen leaned against a stall door.
“We need the money.” Lacey spouted off one of the truths. Her parents never asked, but Lacey always gave them part of her winnings. Rent, she called it. Mostly it was to help them keep their heads above water and in the black. If Tate did the same, she didn’t know about it.
“And you need time away,” Helen finished for her.
“That too.” No sense in lying. Her mother could pick out a fib in a second.
“I’m not sure the road can cure a broken heart.” Helen pinned Lacey with her gaze.
Lacey shrugged. “No time like the present to find out.”
Chapter Two
Two weeks later
Lacey sat at the front desk at Dr. Moore’s vet clinic, tapped a pencil eraser against the appointment book and stared at the wall. Time was passing slowly that morning, with an empty office. Since Dr. Moore specialized in big animals, he didn’t spend much time in the office, as evidenced by the two small exam rooms and lack of steel cages in the back. Some people brought him their smaller animals, but most opted to visit the regular vet just down the street. She didn’t mind. Easy work and easy pay for holding down the fort.
He’d been out on a call all morning, leaving her to answer the phones. His regular receptionist had a doctor’s appointment as well, allowing Lacey a few hours of time to fill in. She’d taken it. Not just for the needed paycheck, but for the convenient excuse to be away from home and her mother’s worried looks.
The last thing she needed was for the rest of the family to pick up on the situation. No way would she ruin this for Ransom. Telling him how she felt would only be awkward, embarrassing and risky. He’d become an integral part of the family and she refused to cause a rift. Everyone loved him like he’d been born there. Considering the negligence and hunger he’d faced as a young child from an unconcerned and inattentive mother, Ransom didn’t need her to make him feel uncomfortable at the farmhouse. No. Bottling everything up and putting on a fake smile would just have to do. She loved him enough to cowgirl up and forge ahead.
“Lacey. Let’s go.” Dr. Moore swept through the front office.
Startled, she blinked at him. “Go? Go where?”
“The Humane Society farm. We’ve got to check on a couple of animals there and I’ll need your help to contain them. Especially those damn pigs.”
Lacey sighed as she stood up. She both loved and hated going to the rescue. Adored all the critters but grew sick at the sight of abused and starving animals. Anger coursed free as she added a new chapter of hate toward cruel mankind. The images of horses nearly transparent with skin pulled taut over their ribs never left her mind. She shuddered at the memory of the horrid conditions some of them arrived in. Thankfully, most survived and thrived. Some were too ill to continue. Those, especially, broke her heart.
She followed the middle-aged, salt-and-pepper-haired man to his truck complete with compartments full of veterinary items, from tools to medicine. “What about the clinic?”
“Sally will be in soon. It’ll be okay.” He shooed her to the passenger’s seat.
By the time she clicked her seat belt, he’d climbed in, slipped the key into the ignition and cranked the engine. “I know you only planned on working a half day, but I expect I’ll need all the help I can get.”
“No problem. The extra money will be nice.” She settled in for the thirty-minute drive to the farm.
He studied her for a long moment before pulling out onto the street. “Figured since you placed well in the finals, you’d received a decent payday.”
Yeah, it had been. The biggest check of her life. Though not enough to live on, to quit her job, or to move out on her own. First of all, she needed a backup mount. The situation Trinity had experienced this past season had taught her that. Too bad high-end barrel horses cost upward of five digits. “It was good. Just not enough to allow me to become lazy.”
He nodded slightly. “Ever thought about using your degree?”
She propped her elbow on the door. “Animal science. I’m pretty sure I’m using it now. Not really getting rich from it.” For as long as she could remember, she’d wanted to spend her life around animals in some capacity. Vet school gave her heart palpitations—the thought of all the difficult classes on top of the cost. She’d compromised with an animal science degree. Which had done little to enrich her life.
Barrel racing called her, drove her and promised success if she could just reach a little higher in the standings. Tough competition and Candy’s increasing age had held her back thus far. She prayed for a breakthrough year.
“You’re quiet today,” he noted.
She spared him a quick glance. “Jet lag. The finals wore me out.”
Dr. Moore pursed his lips. “Good enough explanation as any, though that was a couple weeks ago.”
His speculative tone led her to believe he considered other reasons. She didn’t elaborate further, preferring the silence over dredging up personal failures.
“You’re working too hard. Even I can see that.”
“Not much choice. Chores are always there.” Ain’t that the truth? If she didn’t spend time at the vet clinic, she helped with the cattle, the fall harvest of hay, apples and a kitchen garden. The past week had been filled with apple butter, cows giving birth and a pile of laundry compliments of a household of busy people. Downtime didn’t exist in her world, no matter how much she longed for a day to do nothing but laze around. At least walnut season had pretty much finished. Her back cheered that fact.
She watched the land pass by for a short while then opted to change the subject before he pried further. “What are we supposed to do today?”
“Look at a pig with a rash, a couple of horses and one llama they say bites,” he grumbled.
She smiled faintly. “An animal that bites. How unusual.” Sarcasm she could do and well.
He snorted. “That’s your job. Keep my hide intact and I might give you a raise.”
“Really?”
“Yep. You’ve earned it.” He pulled off the highway and onto a side road. “Truth be told, I’ve been thinking of taking on a vet tech. Someone to go with me on calls now and again. Sally is fine in the office but comes up short when dealing with irate stock.”
Growing up on a farm had taught Lacey to deal with all kinds of situations, including barnyard animals with attitude. Nothing fazed her in that department. Sally, on the other hand, lacked a farm life and tended to gravitate more toward dogs and cats. Anything bigger than a Great Dane made her nervous.
“I’d appreciate that, Dr. Moore.” Lacey soaked up the compliment. Any other time she’d have been smiling from ear to ear. Today she could barely muster a half-grin. “Every little bit helps.”
He found an empty spot next to the main barn, parked, and shut off the engine before peering at her. “For you or your parents?”
She met his gaze steadily. “For both.”
He shook his head. “It’s not your responsibility to keep that place going. You work your rear off around there when you should be out enjoying your own life.” His words hit home without coming across as sour.
Lacey had said the same thing dozens of times. The taproot of that land ran deep, though. Not to mention she couldn’t let the dreams of her parents perish when she could lend a helping hand. It was all she’d ever known. All of them worked to keep the farm producing. No exceptions. Without a jackpot win, she couldn’t fathom how they could retire, keep all of their possessions and start a new journey. They lived off the land more than anyone else she knew, even with outside jobs.
Which told her the state of their finances. Pretty damn depressing.
“I do what I can.” She offered up the truth.
He studied her for another second before opening his door. “Come on. The sooner we get this done, the sooner we call it a day.”
She hopped out, took a second to inspect the surrounding pastures, and smiled at the dozens of animals grazing in the fields. Such a beautiful sight, though most of their individual stories proved downright tragic. At least they had a chance at a happy ending. More so than others.
“Dr. Moore. Good to see you again.” Nila Cochran hurried out to meet him. She’d worked the rescue as long as Lacey could remember, climbing the ladder to manager a handful of years ago. Deservedly so. She turned to Lacey. “Congratulations on the finals. You did excellent. We were all cheering for you.”
Lacey smiled softly. “Thanks.”
“Where do we start?” Dr. Moore asked.
Nila chuckled. “Pigs, horses or one mean-tempered llama?”
“Decisions, decisions.” He followed her into the side door of the barn.
Lacey brought up the rear.
The scream of a horse drew her immediate attention. Lacey turned to locate the animal, found him in a stall, rearing and kicking as a couple of staff members tried to latch onto his halter without success. White showed around his eyes and a coating of sweat shone on his neck and shoulders despite the black hide.
Lacey hurried over, reading the body language of the big horse quickly. The volunteers were anxiously trying to jump out of the way and wrangle the horse with grabbing arms. Their frantic actions only added to the issue. “Get out. Both of you. You’re only making it worse.”
The two girls didn’t waste a second in following her orders.
Lacey slipped in behind them, speaking softly to the frightened animal. The stallion flattened his ears, lifted them marginally and trembled as she stood in front of him. He didn’t make to bite or kick, just rustled restlessly in the thick straw. Catching a glimpse of Nila out of the corner of her eye, Lacey asked her question in the same soothing tone. “What’s his story?”
“Came in yesterday. Stallion with his own little harem of mares. The owner moved out and left them behind. No one realized they’d been abandoned until several months later.” Sarcasm dripped from her words. “Who knows how much human interaction he’s had or if that was good or bad. It was all we could do to get a halter on him and drag him into this stall.”
Lacey thought about that for a second, ignoring the rise of anger at the audacity and cruelty of some people. “Was he wound in the trailer or when you led him to the barn?”
Nila’s eyebrows furrowed. “Come to think of it, no. He loaded pretty well considering he’d probably been on his own for a bit.”
“Didn’t try to run when unloaded?” Lacey kept her voice soft and soothing and never took her eyes off the stallion as she pondered the reasons for his behavior.
“Not that I noticed.” Nila looked over at her workers.
“He was fine until we came in the barn. Then he started getting all nervous. Took everything we had to get him in the stall. That’s when he started going berserk,” one of the girls who had been with the stallion chimed in.
“His mares?”
“Were in the trailer with him. We unloaded them first and put them in the smaller barn next door.”
The puzzle pieces clicked into place. “So you separated him from his harem and brought him inside alone, then confined him to his stall?”
“Yes.” The girl chewed her bottom lip. “I didn’t realize—”
Nila gave the girl a quick hug. “It’s okay. You didn’t do anything wrong. God knows you’re an angel with horses, Savannah.”
If the horse had always been outside and with his harem, the abrupt change would sure not only piss him off but scare him to death. She re-evaluated the tremors quaking his body with new insight. A light bulb clicked on. “Bring one of his mares over. One of them that’s quiet and laid-back.”
“None of them are. All are pretty high-strung and skittish,” Savannah answered.
“It’s okay, big boy. We’ll find you someone.” She thought for a second. “Any other female horse will do. Just one that’s calm and reassuring.”
Lacey kept talking to the stud, watching as his ears flicked back and forth. She noted the swath of white that covered most of his face. That along with the deep blue eyes and bold splashes of white on either side declared him a paint. The wide chest and powerful hindquarters she’d seen as she entered the stall told her a carefully bred paint at that. A shame they had to geld him as the Humane Society rules said. He’d have made a great herd stallion in the right hands.
“Such a pretty boy.” He seemed to settle marginally with her close by. Instead of approaching, she remained still, allowing him ample opportunity to get used to the idea of her presence. “Lead rope.”
A tall, dark-haired man passed one through the bars to her, slowly and carefully.
“Thanks.” She didn’t have time to study the guy but made a mental note to do so later. He smelled like horse, leather and pure country. The perfect combination.
“You should let me in there. He’s too dangerous,” the man whispered in a deep voice that stroked Lacey’s nerves in a calming caress.
“We’re doing just fine. Aren’t we, boy?” She edged closer, taking her own sweet time.
The sound of hoof beats came soon after. The stallion lifted his head and pricked his ears as he sensed the newcomer.
“That’s it, sweetheart. Want to meet your new friend? We can, but you have to let me put this on you.” Gradually, she stepped closer, her entire attention focused on the big black stallion occupying most of the space. If he got nasty, she had nowhere to go and knew it. Her gut told her that wouldn’t be an issue. She prayed she wasn’t wrong. “It’s okay. Just let me get this attached.” Lacey held out her hand and the lead.
He snuffled it for a second, then stepped closer to the door, as if eager to see the mare.
“Here we go.” She clipped on the lead rope, making sure to do so quietly and without jarring his halter in the least. Task done, she took hold of the rope right under his halter and turned to face the exit. “Open the door. We need to take him to a corral or round pen close by. It needs to be outside or at least have an open wall.”
Nila nodded as she held the other equine steady. “We have a pole barn enclosure with two sides closed and the other two open in the next barn over. We can take him there.”
Lacey walked the horse out of the stall, both feeling and watching every step he made. He shouldered her aside to get to the mare.
The man started to step in. Lacey shook her head. “Stay back. We’re fine. Just don’t get in the way.” She blew out a breath and praised the stallion.
They left the barn without incident. The moment the horse emerged into the sunshine he seemed to relax. Tension left his body, easily detected on his lead as he followed the dun mare through one fenced-in area and through the gate of another. He didn’t try to break free, to escape, or bite. Instead, he lifted his head, scented his surroundings, and whinnied to the other horses nearby.
“Social butterfly, huh?” Lacey grinned happily.
She led him into the paddock, then waited for Nila to release the mare and walk well out of the way. Taking a moment, she rubbed the stallion’s neck and up around his halter. He trembled a bit but didn’t make a fuss. “Such a good boy. You just needed to be outside, didn’t you?”
He ignored her in favor of watching the mare.
After unsnapping the lead, Lacey backed away, keeping her eyes on him just in case. He did nothing more than go snuffle the new horse and walk the perimeter with obvious interest.
“Damnedest thing I’ve ever seen.”
Lacey left the paddock, turned around, and stared up at the man who had tried to assist earlier.
Chocolate-brown eyes matched his hair, which appeared a bit unkempt, as if needing a cut two weeks past. High cheekbones told of his heritage while a square chin promised stubbornness. A button-down Western shirt was molded over wide shoulders full of thick muscles, as evidenced when the material tightened with movement. Dark blue denim flowed down to scuffed brown cowboy boots. She could only see the front of him, but judging by his prime physique, his ass would be just as perfect as the rest. She was a sucker for a great ass.
He raked her with one glance, an expression of awe covering his chiseled features.
“Seabiscuit.”
He blinked at her. “What?”
“Seabiscuit. He had the same separation anxiety issue.” She glanced over as the stallion lowered his head, flicked his tail at a fly and snorted. For all intents and purposes, he appeared more like an old plow pony than a high-strung beast. “Add in the fact that he’s probably not been inside a barn in forever and, viola, panic attack.”
The man shook his head and smiled. “You’ve got some talent. Impressive. Damn impressive. Not many women can handle a stud like that.”
She shrugged and ignored the double innuendo screaming in her head. The guy might be fine, and she’d definitely look. But that was it. Nothing more. She’d had her fill of lousy men.
“If you’re not working with horses, you’re wasting your life.” He wiped his forehead and stared down at her.
Her stomach flipped at the intensity in his eyes. She tried not to enjoy the sparkly sensation. Men weren’t on the docket. Now or later.
Still, she couldn’t help answering, “I barrel race when not assisting Dr. Moore.”
“Lacey. Lacey Bright.”
Surprised he knew her name, she tilted her head. “Yes. And you are?”
“Jonas. I’m the head trainer here at the farm.” He held out a hand.
She shook it with a firm grip. “Nice to meet you. Seems my reputation preceded me.”
Nila came closer and laughed. “I’m afraid so. We all watched your runs on the computer. Every night.”
“Nice paint mare you have.” Jonas hooked one hand on his belt.
“Thanks.” Lacey glanced over his shoulder to find a grinning Dr. Moore contentedly leaning against a fence rail as if he had all the time in the world. Tempted to roll her eyes, she resisted. Barely. The good vet might be around the same age as her father and he had a penchant for giving advice just like one as well. Or, in this case, encouraging her to take a moment to get to know a man. She’d worked for him long enough to read him like a proverbial book. His wish to hurry up had obviously evaporated under the influence of his matchmaker gene.
Yeah, he had one of those. She’d seen it rear its nosy head now and again. Namely in Sally’s life and now hers.
Not happening.
“Did you say we were starting with the biting llama?” She shot him a haughty look.
He stood up straight and nodded. “I think that’s as good a place as any.” His lips twitched.
Lacey sighed. She gave a quick nod to Jonas before walking away, already regretting the loss of those sexy eyes peering down into hers. He made her feel unique, interesting and pretty.
Qualities she’d longed to read in Ransom’s eyes for the past few years. To no avail. “Where’s the llama, Nila?” Lacey stiffened her spine and followed the director, refusing to dwell on the past.
* * * *
Jonas watched Lacey from afar as he worked with a pretty little mare called Bridget who’d been at the rescue for a few months. Healthy, up to weight and full of life, the horse offered him a chance to use his advanced skills. Normally he stuck to the basics, breaking horses or simply getting them to load into a trailer or stand quietly for the farrier. Bridget had proved smart and loved to try new things. He’d already taken her out on trails and now focused on prepping her for cutting or reining classes.
He tightened the cinch, automatically checking the snugness as his gaze returned to the lithe brunette with the amazing touch. The sight of her entering the stallion’s stall earlier had caused his heart to skip a beat. He’d raced to the area as soon as he’d heard the stallion’s frantic whinnies, only to be too late to stop Lacey from going in. Though he’d feared the worse, he’d ended up witnessing a small miracle as she’d not only calmed the upset stud, but figured out his issue and solved it on the spot. Never in his years of working with horses had he seen such a thing. Probably wouldn’t ever again.
She sidestepped, bent over, and held one of the hogs against a fence for the vet to check the animal’s hoof. Jonas noted the curve of her backside and almost grinned. She had sass, guts and sense. Add in a tough package in a mighty fine body and he couldn’t help but be amazed. Lacey carried her own beauty, and not the type skinny runway models did, either. Cowgirl strong. He didn’t doubt she could rope a calf, throw it down and tie it in record time with a smile on her face and maintain the freshness as if she’d just stepped out of the shower. He’d pay to see just that.
Holy hell. When did I turn into a mushy fool?
He shook his head to dislodge the sappy thoughts. No sense in thinking, wishing, or fantasizing. Those days were gone.
Since the surgery several months back, he hadn’t dated. Testicular cancer had left him with one nut and a complicated decision. He could get a prosthesis to look more normal, but those weren’t without their risks. No matter how many times he told himself that women didn’t care about a man’s balls, his ego disagreed. Odd, he’d never been that vain before. Luck had been with him in that the cancer had been detected in time, right after he’d taken a hard fall from his horse and ended up with a broken leg. The MRI had showed the small tumor before it could hardly be felt. All good as the doctors had concluded that surgery should be enough. He’d opted for radiation therapy as a precaution, though, needing to hedge his chances for the future as much as possible. Routine checkups and scans every six months for the next few years were a given. He’d even suffered the embarrassment of freezing up sperm in case he needed it for children one day, since his sperm count would dive with only half the equipment as before. It could have been worse. A hell of a lot worse.
Still, his confidence had taken a major hit. When it came to women, his courage had flown the coop. To put all his worries in a single basket and offer that up to a date made a lump form in his throat and his stomach clench with dread. Worries flooded his system along with the increased fear of performance.
No, I can’t take that chance. Not yet.
He glanced over his shoulder once again. No matter how good she might look.
As he watched, Lacey released the hog, stood up straight and rubbed at her back. Probably stiff from trying to hold the slippery animal in place. At one point in life he might have approached her and offered to rub the soreness out after a dinner date. Now he only watched from afar and cursed his rotten luck.
“You okay?” Nila eyed him with concern.
He turned his attention back to the mare. “Yeah.”
He’d heard Nila and the other girls mention Lacey’s name now and again. Even the men who worked at the farm spoke of her with fondness and a hint of wishing. They all seemed to follow her career, obviously proud of the local girl making it to the big leagues of the rodeo. He’d watched a few of her runs himself, but hadn’t given the events much thought until he saw the woman in person.
She didn’t seem to recognize him, either. Not surprising since he’d only been pro for a bit over a year, gradually making his way up the leader board in the Midwest Region of the Rodeo Association, when the accident had happened. The break had sidelined him for three months. The cancer twice that time.
He caught a flash of brunette hair and saw Lacey leave the pen, dutifully closing the gate behind her. Her trim body and sure steps spoke of fitness, stamina and natural grace.
Not much inspired or impressed him these days. She made for an unexpected exception.
“Are you angry about something?” Nila asked.
He shook his head. Nila had proved to be a godsend both as a boss and as a friend, but that didn’t mean he shared everything with her. Some secrets he refused to utter to another soul.
Nila turned around, paused, then faced him once more. “Are you worried about Lacey? I can vouch for her. She’s an old hand at this. Never seen the likes of her way with animals. She can get a pissed-off stud eating out of her hand in minutes.”
Jonas didn’t doubt that for an instant. Not after what he’d witnessed earlier.
“I wouldn’t have let just anyone else near that black stallion. But Lacey… She’s special.”
The sentiment clicked with Jonas. “I’ve never seen her around here before.” Curiosity got the better of him.
“She’s born and raised over in Goodman. Spends much of her time on the road going from one rodeo to the next. Works with Dr. Moore and helps around the family farm in her spare time.”
What spare time? To him that sounded like more than a plateful. “She’s spreading herself too thin.” He bit back the concern before it could slip into his voice.
Nila shrugged. “That’s Lacey. Never known anyone to work harder or be as sweet as the day is long. Always polite, offering a smile, or a helping hand if you need that as well.”
He sensed that in the lady. A selfish or hard person couldn’t have bonded with that stallion at all, let alone so quickly. He started to ask more, but stopped. Nila would probably pick up on his interest in a heartbeat—the last thing he wanted.
Besides, Lacey’s life story really didn’t matter to him. Or so he told himself. He had a full life with a job he loved, was surrounded by friends, and had plenty of horses to fill his days. What more do I need?
He dared not answer that question.
Climbing up on Bridget, he found his natural balance, gathered the reins and clicked to her. She responded eagerly, trotting around the outdoor corral with enthusiasm.
Breathing deeply, he savored the moment as he nudged her for a ground-eating lope. Nothing like the excitement of the mad dash of calf roping, but enough. For now. Horses were his life and no place was he happier than in the saddle.
He peered over at Lacey as she climbed into the truck and shut the door. The doctor did the same before quickly driving away.
A tiny prick of regret flickered.
Ignoring it, he focused on his mount and the lesson at hand.
Chapter Three
“He’s a great mover. Powerful hindquarters. Low-centered and fluid. Deep chest, too. He’d make one hell of a barrel horse.”
Jonas turned to find Lacey leaning on the paddock fence, one boot resting on the lowest rail. Her shoulder-length straight brown hair was pulled back into a ponytail, showing off her round face and big green eyes.
His breath caught at the pretty sight of her in a long-sleeved T-shirt and jeans. Definitely his favorite outfit on a girl. Beat prom dresses hands down every time.
Absently, he wondered what had brought her back. When she and the vet had left before, he’d not really expected to see her again so soon, especially since the farm only used Dr. Moore once in a great while, when their regular vet couldn’t squeeze them in. “I didn’t see Dr. Moore drive up.”
“He didn’t. I came by myself. Couldn’t forget this guy. Thought I’d swing by and check on him.”
He glanced at the black-spotted horse. “He’s got a lot to learn, but seems willing if a bit hesitant.” A few carrots had established a tentative friendship between him and the horse as he groomed the animal and assessed his knowledge of basic ground manners.
She nodded. “Too bad he had to be gelded. With that conformation, he’d have made some pretty babies.”
Jonas agreed. Yet there was already an overabundance of horses in the country. By not castrating one, the Humane Society allowed the potential for even more to be produced. A vicious circle indeed. Stallions were gelded. Period. Adopters of mares and fillies were forced to sign a no-breeding contract. Hopefully all followed through. “Yeah. Rules are rules for a reason.” He stroked the horse’s neck and whispered quiet praise.
He had a couple of dozen horses to work with each day, all demanding segments of his time. Yet something drew him back to Knight, as he called this one, day in and day out. Maybe because he understood the horse needed hours of training before he could be considered for adoption. Maybe because he saw huge potential in the mount and needed to do his part in allowing that to blossom. Maybe he looked at Knight and thought of Lacey, recalling her patience, her confidence, her gentle way of settling the big guy down.
“Think he’ll ever be ridable?”
“With time.” Jonas rubbed his hand lightly along Knight’s cheek. “He’s been worked with, doesn’t really fear people. Just leery of them. I’d bet in that time he was out in the field he’s forgotten some lessons. Those take a while to catch up on.”
“But he’s sound?”
“Yeah.” Their regular vet had performed the gelding surgery the day after Lacey had shown up. “Vet said he’s one tough son of a bitch. Hooves are great despite the fact he’s been barefoot probably most if not all his life. Strong legs, no injuries noted. Even though he’s likely four or five and been on his own a lot, he’s in great shape.” Jonas had been both relieved and thrilled with the news. He’d conceived some beginning plans for the animal and hoped they wouldn’t be railroaded by health concerns. So far, so good.
She flashed a smile. “Not surprising. He’s a survivor. Now he just needs a gentle hand to lead him the rest of the way.”
Jonas’ heart skipped a beat at her words. The sentiment hit home. Hard. And stuck.
Get off it, dumbass. Time to move on. He chastised himself while softly stroking Knight’s nose.
He spared her a glance, finding her in the same position, only her gaze raked him along with the magnificent horse. Interest flared in her eyes. Whether for him or Knight, he couldn’t say.