Her Rodeo Cowboy

“Well, what did you think of him? I happen to think he’s a real cutie pie and a real fine man, too.”

Surely she wasn’t thinking … “Lacy, I told you I’m not interested. I’m here to win a rodeo, not a man.”

Lacy stuffed a fist to her hip, her eyes dancing. “Yep, yep, yep,” she sang. “You thought he was cute. I knew it!”

Montana gasped. “I didn’t say that.”

“Didn’t have to. Your refusal to answer my question said it all.”

“Okay, he isn’t hard on the eyes. But don’t go getting any ideas.” The fact that Lacy might be having ideas about her and Luke had Montana’s nerves rattling a bit.

“Oh, I’m not promising anything. I was just checking your pulse.” Lacy smiled mischieviously.

Montana lifted Tate into the air and looked up at his cherub face. “Tell your momma that my pulse is just fine, and you’re the only man I’m gonna be interested in for a good long while.” She shot Lacy a teasing but serious glare. “And I mean that. Got it, cuz?”

“You seen her?”

Luke was sitting at the counter in Sam’s diner, waiting on his breakfast. It was 6:00 a.m. and the crowd hadn’t bombarded the tiny diner yet—but they’d be in at any moment. Applegate Thornton and his buddy Stanley Orr were already glued to the chairs at the window table. It was their usual morning spot to spit sunflower seeds at their spittoon, play checkers and get in on the happenings and business of everyone in town. Today they were starting with him.

Applegate spit two sunflower seed shells into the old brass spittoon then repeated his question again loudly, as if Luke was the one who was hard of hearing instead of he and Stanley.

“Did you see her yet? Montana Brown. Lacy’s cousin.”

Oh, he’d seen her all right. And he’d been thinking about her since. “Yes, sir, I saw her yesterday. She was practicing the barrels out in the arena when I was there going over the stock list. Why?”

App shrugged nonchalantly, looking about as convincing as a little kid trying to sneak a cookie. “I was jest wonderin’. She’s a cute little thang. And a real good rider. We saw her the other day, too. She knows her way around a horse.”

“That’s fer shor.” Stanley paused, coughing as he studied the checkerboard. Not as chipper as usual, he scratched his balding head. The two men were in their seventies and about as hard of hearing as a tree stump. Though it was questionable whether they just had selective hearing, because they kept tabs on everyone’s business.

“Yup,” he continued. “She rode that horse of hers out into that arena like greased lighting. I ain’t never seen a gal ride—” He suddenly paused and jumped his red checker over App’s. “Gotcha, ya old coot.”

App’s frown deepened, making his thin face droop into a ripple of expanding wrinkles. “I was wonderin’ when you was gonna make that move. I wasn’t payin’ attention when I made that thar mistake.”

“Ha, you’re jest gettin’ whupped. As usual.”

App snorted, “I don’t always lose, and you know it.” Ignoring his turn to move, he kept his attention on Luke. “I heard Lacy was throwing a barbecue this weekend in honor of her cousin. You goin’?”

Lacy had called him last night and invited him and any of his brothers who might happen to be in town. She’d sounded excited about the party. He had to admit that he was looking forward to it himself. “Yeah, I’m going. It’ll be nice to help her get to know all of us.”

“You oughtta ask her out,” App continued. “You know, make her feel welcomed and all.”

“That’d shor be nice of ya.” Stanley coughed again, glaring at App. “Times a wastin’, I’m gonna be dead before you start playin’ this here game.”

Taking that as his clue to close the conversation, Luke spun his stool back toward the counter. Sam came out of the back in that moment. His short bowlegs were moving as he hustled through the swinging café doors from the kitchen. He slapped Luke’s plate in front of him. “Eat up, Luke. Yor gonna need yor strength.”

“Why’s that?” he asked, hoping App and Stanley had decided to play checkers instead of delve further into his love life. He’d already been thinking about asking Montana out, but he didn’t need anybody’s help where that was concerned.

Sam gave him a weathered grin. “‘Cause my Adela and the gals are countin’ on them animals of yours to be in tip-top shape. They want them bull riders comin’ in droves fer all the rodeos.” It went unsaid that bull riders and bull riding drew women. That was what “the gals” wanted. The gals being the matchmakers of Mule Hollow, Esther Mae Wilcox, Norma Sue Jenkins and Sam’s wife, Adela Ledbetter Green.

There was no need for them to worry. “I’ve got Thunderclap entered, and his reputation attracts riders. They always do wherever he happens to be.”

“That’s good. Norma Sue and Esther Mae are about ta drive me pure crazy with their planning and carrying on. Adela’s even having trouble keepin’ them corralled. Why, they’re strategizin’ about every kin folk they can think of who might be comin’ fer the rodeos. I’m telling y’all, that little gal Montana Brown’s got a number on her back—and it ain’t her barrel racin’ number, either. So, jest a word of warnin’, in case you ain’t figured that out already. If you ask that one out, you might have a big ole bull’s-eye show up on yor back, too.”

The back of Luke’s neck began to itch. “They’ve tried that a time or two with me, and realized I’m not interested in anything long-term… . You know I’m honest with everyone I go out with about that.”

Not saying anything, Sam poured him another cup of coffee and started to go tend to his other customers. Mornings were busy, and he usually worked them alone, till his help came in around eight. But as busy as he was, he held his position, his eyes narrowing as he looked at Luke.

“It’s true. Ever’body knows you’re a straight shooter on that topic. But—” he grimaced “—from what I hear, that ain’t makin’ at least one person too all-fired happy.”

Luke had a bad feeling he knew where Sam was heading. “What do you mean?”

Sam leaned in close. “I heard tell that thar artist you went out with a time or two ain’t happy at all.”

Erica. He’d been honest with her from the beginning, and had only gone out with her twice. On their second date, she’d started talking about looking for Mr. Right. He shook his head. “Sam, I broke it off with her the instant I realized she was looking for Mr. Right. I don’t do forever. I’d told her I wasn’t looking to be anybody’s Mr. Right. She got all upset anyway, and I didn’t know what to do.” The woman had actually thrown dishes at him for “dropping her,” as she put it. He’d tried to keep his mouth shut, but that hadn’t stopped her from giving him the stink eye whenever she saw him. To keep peace, he’d been trying to steer clear of her, and hoped that soon her anger would blow over.

One thing was certain, they weren’t compatible, and he was more than glad of it. He didn’t like all the drama that came with a woman like that. He’d just missed the signs.

“If you were honest, then you ain’t got nothin’ ta hold yor head down about. Some women are jest plain high-strung. Now, women like my Adela, well, that’s a prize. You jest keep bein’ honest. It’d be a shame fer you ta miss out on love. The posse might jest have ta fix that fer you.”

“Sorry, Sam. Like I said, I know my own mind and if I decide to ask Montana out, everything will be just fine. Don’t you worry about me. Or her. She’ll know right off the bat that I’m not looking for anything serious.”

Sam’s eyes crinkled at the edges. “One of these days, one of them dates is going ta wrap her finger around yor heart, and then you won’t be so cocky about how good you are at walkin’ away.”

Luke took a bite of biscuits and gravy. He wasn’t being cocky. He was being honest. He had plans. Goals. Nothing was getting in his way.

Sam hiked a busy brow. “Yup, that cockiness is gonna be yor downfall. Mark my words, son. Yor time’s a comin’.”

Chapter Three

“Well, well, hello, Luke Holden. How’s life treatin’ ya?”

Luke grinned at Montana’s perky, playful greeting. They were standing near a fragrant rose bush at Lacy’s. The shadows from the oil lantern cast a soft glow on Montana’s skin—she looked beautiful. “I’m fine, Montana. Life’s fine. I can’t complain. How about you? Enjoying the party?” He’d arrived at the barbecue at the Matlocks’ a little while earlier, and mingled while Montana made the rounds talking with groups of people Lacy had introduced her to. He’d caught her looking at him a few times across the crowd. Something about her drew him, and he got the feeling she was just as curious about him.

She took a sip of sweet tea, watching him with steady blue-green eyes. “The party—it’s good.”

“I agree.” He caught that she didn’t say anything about how life was treating her and he wondered about that. “How’s your riding going?”

“Okay. Murdock’s a little happier with me today. He wants to win, and he knows the problem is me.” “You always this hard on yourself?” “Always.”

Thoughtful eyes held his. He smiled at her. “Seriously, you need to relax.” Man, did she ever. “I saw you laughing a few minutes ago, so I know you can do it.”

She laughed then. “Hey, I do laugh now and then, but I’m dead serious when I say I’m always hard on myself. I expect a lot of me.” She paused and her eyes drilled into him. “I bet you expect a lot of yourself, too.”

“And what gives you that idea?” He liked the way she seemed sure of herself. Sure of her impression of him. He wondered if she was that sure of everything in her life.

“Well, you just do. From what I understand, you have a ranch and cattle and livestock. Plus, you have Thunderclap, your prized rodeo bull. You, Mr. Holden, are a busy man who reeks of expectations.”

Had she been asking about him? “I like to keep busy and yes, you’re right, I expect a lot of myself. If I don’t, then who will?”

“Right. Then again, if your dad was anything like mine, he expected plenty from you.”

He gave a derisive grunt. “I can tell you our dads were nothing alike. Mine expected little of me.”

Her eyes widened. “What do you mean?”

Luke didn’t talk about his dad much, and he wasn’t sure why he’d done so now. He’d given her a glimpse into his past that he didn’t like thinking about, much less discussing. “Little, as in nothing. My dad didn’t push me to be anything but a failure.”

“I’m so sorry,” she said sympathetically.

“Hey, low expectations drive some harder than high expectations.” He gave her a teasing smile to throw off the seriousness of his words. “So, what about you? Your dad expect you to be the best barrel racer in the country?”

“Hardly. He expected me to be valuable to the human race, and that had nothing to do with racing around barrels on a horse.”

He grimaced. “Rough. From watching you ride, all I can say is you must have been one rebellious child.”

That made her choke on her tea. He moved toward her and patted her on the back. “Didn’t mean to choke you up.”

“I’m fine,” she said after a second. “But let’s just say neither one of us is doing very well on reading each other’s background.”

“So you weren’t rebellious? I’m shocked.”

That made her eyes twinkle. “I wish. Hardheaded, but not rebellious.” She frowned, crinkling her eyebrows in a cute way. “I can’t say there haven’t been many days that I have deeply regretted my lack of rebelliousness.”

He wasn’t sure if she was teasing or serious.

She winked at him. “But I’m making up for it now.”

That had him even more curious than ever about what was going on behind her pretty eyes. Before he could dig a little deeper, Esther Mae came walking over. The redhead wore a bright green shirt and matching pants that ended just above her ankles.

“Yoo-hoo! I’m so glad y’all are getting to visit. I told Norma Sue and Adela y’all looked so cute standing over here together that I hated to disturb y’all, but one of the kids said the horses in the stall barn were making all kinds of noise. I thought you might want to go check on your horse, Montana.”

Montana was instantly alert. “I appreciate the heads-up.” She dropped her paper cup in a trash can and was walking down the steps before Luke had time to react.

“Well, don’t just stand there, Luke. Go help her.”

Luke’s eyes narrowed, and he caught the flash of mischief in Esther Mae’s spunky green eyes. Instantly, he shot her friends a glance where they were all huddled up on the lawn. Oh, brother, they were all watching, Lacy included. She grinned and waved, then laughed in delight. So much for subtlety.

He gave Esther Mae a look that said he knew exactly what she was up to, then hurried after Montana. She was already halfway across the yard that separated the main house from the arena and horse stalls. Clint didn’t keep all of his horses in the arena; instead, he kept them in the barn that was on the back side.

The cowgirl obviously didn’t have a clue that she’d just been hoodwinked. Her boots scraped on the gravel as she quickstepped toward the barn. He wondered what her reaction would be to know she’d just been set up. He’d already decided, before the matchmaking effort, that he was going to see if she’d like to go to dinner. Now would be a good time to ask.

The barn was quiet. No sounds of restless horses or anything else for that matter. The arena was a huge covered building with stadium seating on both sides, and a concession stand area and an announcer’s box at the front. There were stock pens both front and back, and an area on the outside connecting them. Murdock was stabled at the front, behind the stock pens and announcer’s box. The huge building was quiet and lonesome in the late evening. Ahead of him, Montana reached Murdock, put her hand to her hip, looking left then right. Murdock gave her a contented snort as she slowly turned on her heel and stared at Luke. Her eyes flashed like glass in the muted overhead lighting. Her eyes narrowed.

“First of all, this area is way too off the beaten path for the kids to have heard any ruckus—unless they’d been back here causing it. Second, I don’t see any signs that Murdock’s been the least bit distressed recently.”

He couldn’t help the grin that tugged at his mouth.

“I’d—”

“I’d say,” she broke in before he could begin, “that there’s something fishy in the air.”

“And I’d say you catch on slow,” he drawled, teasing, “but at least you catch on.”

“Oh, so you’ve had it figured out all along, have you?”

“Pretty much. Of course, you were already halfway across the lawn before Esther Mae stopped talking. I got the benefit of spotting Lacy, Adela and Norma Sue along with the little crowd gathered around them, watching us like we were the drive-in movie of the week.”

“That is so not good. I’m going to get my cousin! I love her, but I’m gonna get her good.”

He got the feeling she wouldn’t like it, but the woman was cute, all hot as a firecracker. Looking near to blowing up, she turned in her frustration and began petting the star between Murdock’s eyes—as if the action would calm her nerves.

“Actually, I’d planned on seeing if you’d like to go to dinner Saturday night.” The moment the words were out of his mouth, it hit him that it might not be the best time to ask her out.

Montana’s hand stilled and her gaze shot to his. “No, thanks. It’s nothing personal, but I’m not dating right now.”

She was turning him down. So his timing hadn’t been good, but he knew when a woman was interested. He’d felt the chemistry between them. “It’s not dating. It’s just one date—dinner.”

Montana studied him with unsympathetic eyes. “I’ll tell it to you straight. You and I both know that one date will stir up those ladies out there. I’m not up for that. I’m here to get my head on straight, win a rodeo and help with the baby. Nothing more. I don’t need a bunch of sweet, matchmaking ladies fixing me up with a cowboy … who just happens to be you. Sorry. But no.”

He felt slightly insulted. “They know I’m not looking for anything long-term. I’ve made that clear to them. And every woman I go out with,” he clarified, thinking she’d like that better.

Her eyebrows rose slightly. “Lots of them, huh?”

That eyebrow didn’t bode well. “What?” he asked warily. “Oh, lots of dates?”

“Lots of women.”

“Um, a few.”

She crossed her arms and tilted her head slightly, silently assessing him. He felt like a science project.

“I’m sure that knowledge helps you get lots of dates.”

He was confused with where she was going with this conversation. “It doesn’t hurt. I mean, for someone like you I’m not a risk. I’m just a date. Conversation, company. You know, no strings attached.” That didn’t sound good, even to him. What was wrong with him? He scrubbed his jaw, thinking suddenly that crawling under a hay bale might be in order, judging from the appalled expression on her face.

“And it works out well for you? All these different women who don’t want any strings attached.”

Was she teasing him—or was she really irritated by the whole idea? He wasn’t sure anymore. “Yeah, it works out great.”

She grinned sarcastically. “Good for you,” she gushed. “I’ll stick to not jumping into that.” She gave him a pat on the arm, rolled her eyes and headed toward the exit.

He stood there, not sure about what had just happened. “Hey, whoa. Wait up.”

She rounded the corner out of sight, her voice rang out singsong, “I don’t think so.”

The sound echoed in the hall, drawing him. He chuckled and jogged to catch up to her. She was already out in the open and heading up the hill toward the house. Laughter could be heard drifting on the barbecue-scented night air. As if in a hurry to get away from him, she strode with purpose, her boots crunching the gravel as she went, her braid swinging in time to the fast pace.

“What’s your hurry?” he asked, skidding on the gravel, coming up beside her.

She slid him a glance. “I don’t want to give anyone the idea that you and I lingered in the barn for romantic reasons. That wouldn’t be good.”

He grinned. The woman tickled him. She was so blunt about things. “No, I guess that wouldn’t be good. Might get rumors started, and boy, we wouldn’t want that, now, would we?”

“No way.” She didn’t smile, but he thought she was teasing. “I certainly wouldn’t want anyone thinking I was joining your string of random dates.”

What did women expect from a guy these days? Just because he wasn’t interested in marriage didn’t mean he wasn’t interested in women. “There’s nothing wrong with not settling down. Not being ready for forever.” He shifted from one boot to the other.

She hiked a brow. “It’s random and cheap.”

Her attitude irritated him suddenly. He wasn’t doing anything wrong. Hadn’t done anything wrong, he reiterated to himself strongly, as she started walking off again.

He followed her, not real happy about the situation but not certain what he wanted to do about it.

The party was in full swing when they reached the backyard. Montana clomped up the deck steps. Distracted by his irritation, he was intent on following her just as he caught movement out of the corner of his eye.

“Luke,” Erica said, nothing nice dripping from her words.

“Erica. Um, hi.” She didn’t look happy. Nope, matter of fact, she looked really unhappy—throw things unhappy. He hadn’t expected to see her. But he should have known Lacy wouldn’t have left her out of the party.

Montana turned back toward him and met his gaze before connecting with Erica’s.

“What are you looking at?” Erica snapped at Montana, right before throwing her soda at him!

Yup, throw things unhappy was about right. One minute he was standing there irritated and confused by Montana’s attitude. Now, he was drenched with the contents from Erica’s tall glass of Texas sweet tea!

“What?” he gasped, blinking through the tea dripping from his eyelashes.

“You two-timing jerk!” Erica huffed, then strode past him, shooting a glare over her shoulder—as if he hadn’t already gotten the message.

“Two-timing …” he stuttered. He was well aware that everyone within earshot had heard and witnessed the scene. “We just went on two dates. Just dates,” he said, looking at Montana.

A twitch of her lips told him she was fighting off laughter. “Yeah,” she managed. “Looks like all that dating is working out well for you, huh?” She winked at him, then strode into the house, leaving him dripping on the deck.

“Everybody’s a comedian,” he muttered. It was time to have a serious—and he meant serious—talk with Erica. He was not the marrying type. Never was and most likely never would be.

Chapter Four

Norma Sue Jenkins efficiently blocked Luke’s way when he headed toward Erica. A robust ranch woman, Norma Sue was hard to avoid when she wanted your attention. She handed him a dishtowel. “I tried telling Erica you and her wouldn’t match up.” She looked worried. “This isn’t good, Luke.”

He glanced past Norma Sue and saw Erica tear out in her small compact car. Wiping the sticky tea from his face he shook his head. “No, Norma Sue, it isn’t. I wasn’t trying to hurt anyone. I told her straight up that I was just dating. I wasn’t looking for forever, and she seemed okay with that. Until the second date, and then she started in on all that Mr. Right stuff.”

She patted him on the back. “I know. I know. I told her you weren’t looking for love, just companionship. I knew she had her sights set on forever, and I told her you weren’t the one to count on for that—”

“I think I’m supposed to say thanks to that.”

“It doesn’t sound good to me, either, but we both know, up till now, that’s where you stand. Erica thought she could change your mind and lied to you about her intentions.” Norma Sue frowned, her pink cheeks drooping. “All I’ve got to say is, you may be in for it. I don’t know if you noticed, but Erica is a bit high-strung. She doesn’t take rejection too kindly.”

The woman had just tossed tea on him. He was standing there drenched. “Yeah, Norma Sue, I get the picture loud and clear.”

“I figured you did. Why don’t you give her some time to cool off, then I suggest you go see her and try real hard to smooth this out. We aren’t used to this kind of trouble going on in Mule Hollow.”

“Tell me about it. I’m not used to this kind of trouble, either.”

He spent the next hour getting ribbed and teased about the incident. Cowboys loved teasing and giving each other a hard time, so, thanks to Erica, he was probably going to be the brunt of jokes for the rest of the year. The talk at the diner alone was going to drive him crazy. And if Erica thought her actions were going to help her find “Mr. Right” anytime soon in Mule Hollow, she was about to be up a creek without a paddle. Getting a date might have just gotten a whole lot harder for her.

Then he thought about Montana—getting a date might have just gotten harder for him, too. The idea didn’t sit well. As he drove home, he figured he had some digging out to do. He didn’t like having Erica so angry at him, so he was going to have to smooth that out somehow. Didn’t change his feelings though.

Norma Sue had been right on the money about them not being compatible—there were just some things that couldn’t be changed. He didn’t figure you could fall in love with someone you weren’t attracted to, but he’d seen plenty of times when people who were in love fell out of love. Or one of the two killed the love that had been shared. Luke had seen that plenty. He’d seen it up close and personal where his parents were concerned—yeah, love could be killed. But there was no way it could be forced. Erica was barking up the wrong tree if she figured he was the one for her. He’d get that straight and he’d get it soon. Surely she would understand where he was coming from.

He wasn’t going to feel bad about the situation. He had done nothing but be honest in all of this. Montana might hold it all against him, especially after witnessing the sweet tea scene, but in all honesty, he couldn’t figure out why.