Her Rodeo Cowboy (4 page)

Montana didn't think very highly of him. Following her around certainly wouldn't help matters. Her opinion of him wasn't looking any brighter than Erica's. But
truth be told, Montana's opinion had him lying awake long after he'd fed his horses and Rover, his lab.

Yup, Montana Brown had him stumped, and he wasn't at all sure what he was going to do about it.

O
n Sunday, Montana let her hair hang loose, put on a red dress and went to church with Lacy. It was quite an experience as she entered the quaint, white wooden church with the tall steeple.

Chance Turner was the pastor of the Mule Hollow Church of Faith, and she'd met him briefly at the barbecue. He was around thirty, handsome and a total cowboy. Instead of a suit, he wore starched jeans, Western belt, starched shirt and cowboy boots. When he greeted her outside, he had on a cream-colored Stetson that he wore low over his eyes. It looked completely at home on his head, as did the rest of the Western attire he wore. She wondered what he would say if she told him about the anger that was rolling around in her gut. The anger toward her father that she couldn't seem to shake. He seemed like he would offer some good advice. As she was leaving the service, the need to talk to someone tugged at her.

She hesitated as she shook hands with him. “It was a great sermon,” was all she could bring herself to say.

“Yes, it was,” Lacy agreed. “Chance always has a way of looking into hearts and touching on things we need to hear. I'm going to run and get Tate from the nursery. I'll be right back.”

She saw a flicker in the pastor's eyes when he looked back at her, as if he knew something was going on in her head—or her heart. Did he realize that she was fighting a war inside?

“I'm glad you enjoyed the service,” he said, his smile fading to a more serious one. “Is there anything I can do for you, Montana?”

Her stomach went bottomless. “N…no. I'm fine.”
Liar, liar pants on fire
—the childhood chant rang in her ears.

His eyes narrowed slightly, digging, as if he'd heard through her denial. He smiled encouragingly. “I'm sure you are. But if you change your mind, I'm easy to find and I'm always ready to listen.”

“Thank you, Pastor Turner.”

“We're pretty laid-back here. Call me Chance. Did you get to meet my wife, Lynn?”

“I did, and your boys, too.”

He smiled. “You have to watch out for those two.”

“They're boys. It was nice to meet you.” She turned to leave.

“Remember, if you need to talk, the door is always open. Lynn helps out up here, too, and she's here if you wanted to talk to her.”

“I'll remember that. Bye.” She couldn't get away
quick enough. Her heart was reeling with the heaviness and confusion she was carrying inside of it. What to do?

She was almost running to find Lacy as she rounded the corner, getting away from Chance's knowing gaze. She very nearly ran over Luke in the process.

“Whoa! You running barrels without your horse?” he asked, dodging her, jumping off the sidewalk.

“Um, yes. I mean no.” There was nowhere for her to go, though she would have liked to avoid the cowboy. Small towns made avoiding a person hard. But it really didn't matter, she told herself. After all, she'd made her position on dating clear. She hadn't seen him during the service, though she'd been looking around for him—there was no denying that she'd been looking for his handsome face in the crowd.

“You look like you're in a hurry. Is everything all right?”

“Yes. I was going to look for Lacy and then head out. I'm planning on riding this afternoon.” Why was she explaining herself? What was it about the man that made her so defensive. Then again, maybe it was the entire morning that made her defensive. Attending church when she'd rather have stayed home and ridden Murdock around endless barrels.

“You have a good day, then,” he said, and headed for the parking lot.

She watched him go, startled that he hadn't tried to talk longer.

Startled more because she wished he had….

 

Luke went straight home after church. His younger brother, Jess, was arriving with a new load of cattle from Fort Worth. It was a good excuse to keep him from thinking about how pretty Montana had looked that morning. She'd had on a red dress that looked great on her—but he thought she'd look fantastic in anything. What was it about the woman that had his head spinning?

Jess pulled into the lot about the time it took Luke to change clothes and get to the stock pens. He watched his brother back the big bull wagon cattle trailer up to the chute—bumping the chute in one try. Luke smiled every time he watched Jess do it, remembering the first time his little brother had made it without having to pull forward and back the big trailer up to the chute a second or third time.

Taller and leaner than Luke, Jess stood at about six-four. Luke and Colt had always called him “the little big brother,” because he surpassed them in height before they'd reached high school. Colt was smaller, more compact at five-ten, and built like the bull rider he was. All three brothers were close because they'd banded together in defense of their drunken father's treatment. Watching Jess climb down from the truck, Luke felt a sense of brotherly pride. He was proud to call both Colt and Jess brother.

“Hey, honey, I'm home,” Jess teased, walking up and clapping him on the back. It was a joke they all passed between themselves since all three had issues with settling down.

Luke chuckled. “I missed you, too.”

“Yeah, that's a lie. From what I hear through the grapevine you've been fairly busy juggling women to have missed your ole brother.”

“I should have known you would hear about the tea. You probably almost had a wreck laughing about that one.”

Jess gave him a sly sideways glance and nodded. “That I did.”

They walked to the back of the hauler. No telling who Jess had heard the story from, but he was sure he'd learn the answer eventually, so he didn't bother to ask.

“You should have known that woman wouldn't take kindly to being dumped.”

“I didn't dump anyone. I took her to dinner twice. That's it.”

“I saw
marriage-hunter
written all over her the moment I saw her. Why do you think
I
didn't ask her out?”

Luke shook his head and grunted. “She seemed nice, and she told me she wasn't looking for anything but a date.”

Jess hiked a brow. “And I'm ready to settle down yesterday.”

“I know that's a lie.”

Jess chuckled as he slid back the trailer latch and they pulled the gate open.

“Erica's just aggravated her plans didn't work out. She tossed that tea on you because she thought she'd have you wrapped around her finger by the second
date, and y'all would be on your way to the altar by the third date.”

Surely she hadn't thought that.

“You gotta watch out for some of these gals. They can be conniving when it comes to getting what they want. At first they can put on a show, but down the line they start showing you who they really are. I'm just sayin' you need to watch a little closer, bro, or you might wake up married to—”

“Okay, okay, I get the picture, Jess.”

Jess propped a boot on the corral and gave him a skeptical glance.

There was one thing the Holden brothers understood loud and clear—marriage didn't always mean happy or better. Luke was beginning to worry if Jess had backed off completely from the idea of marriage.

“They look good,” Luke said, changing the subject back to the yearling heifers moving from the trailer.

“They should, for the price we paid.” Jess grinned. “But they're worth it.”

“How was Okeechobee?”

“Still deep in the heart of Florida, and one long drive home.”

Luke laughed. “You're the one who likes to drive.”

“Uh-huh. That I do. Gives a man breathing room. So tell me about this Montana Brown I've heard about.”

“Are you sure you've been gone? Not hiding out in the back of my truck?”

Jess cocked a brow and gave a dog-faced grin. “Hey, man, I've got my sources. Sooo? You like her?”

“She's interesting,” Luke said.

“I hear you've drawn the attention of the posse.” Jess stopped smiling. “You might be in trouble if you aren't careful.”

Luke closed the trailer and slapped the lock lever down with a clank. “I'm not worried about those three.”

“Maybe you should be. Maybe you need to back off before they latch on tighter.”

“They have this rodeo and festival to occupy their time. They won't be concentrating on me for about two weeks. There'll be so much going on then that they'll forget all about me.”

Jess laughed as he strode to the freight liner and climbed up into the seat. “Yeah, you go on and keep that lazy attitude. I figure you'll be married by fall.”

“Hardly.” Luke scowled as he headed toward his own truck. Montana intrigued him, it was true. But being pushed into marriage by the loveable matchmakers wasn't happening, and his brother good-and-well knew it.

L
uke dropped off some extra panels they'd need to hold the excess stock. Montana was in the barn racing like lightning when Luke went by the arena. Her braid slapped against her back as she and Murdock raced by. She wore a blue-green T-shirt that matched her eyes. Eyes that were completely focused on the barrels. It was not something that had to be done immediately, but it was a good excuse to stop.

She'd gotten her time up even better than it was and she looked more at ease in the saddle than she had the last time he'd watched her. She was concentrating so hard as she came around the last barrel, he figured she probably didn't see him sitting on the top rung of the arena fence. Which was a good thing. She had her mind on her barrels today. On the other hand, he hadn't been concentrating like he needed to. He'd had Montana on his mind much more than he'd wanted, but there didn't seem to be anything he could do about it.
Luke liked a challenge. And he wasn't used to being told no. So what was this all about?

He watched as she dismounted from Murdock before he'd fully stopped his gallop. She landed with boot heels planted in the soft dirt and ran a little with him.

“Are you thinking of competing in goat tying?” he drawled, startling her, because she hadn't known he was there. Seeing him, her chin whipped upward.

“Where did you come from? I didn't see you come in.” She was breathing a little hard from running alongside her horse.

“I think that's because you were obviously concentrating. That's a good thing, right?”

“Right. But I thought I was alone.”

“Sorry. You looked like you were going after a goat.”

She shook her head, her eyes flashing with irritation. “Can't do that after college.”

“You still looked like that's what you were doing.”

She bit the inside of her lip and looked embarrassed. “I used to do that, too. I was, well, I was seeing if I could still dismount like I used to.” She rubbed her palm down the front of her faded jeans.

He grinned. “And you didn't want anybody to see you.”

Her brows wrinkled above eyes that would have pinned him to the barn door if they'd gotten any sharper. “I
thought
I was alone.”

She was embarrassed—and mad. Her eyes flashed blue-green fire as she looked away from him.

He wondered about that suddenly. It hit him,
slammed into him with a force that knocked him back. What was she so mad about?

He stepped forward, drawn to her. Lifting his hand, he touched her cheek. She was breathing hard but didn't move. “What's digging at you?” he asked gently, his thumb tracing her cheek.

Something was there, under the surface eating at her. He sensed it with all of his heart. And he wanted to help. “Tell me what you're so mad about, Montana.”

 

Her heart had stopped beating at the look in Luke's eyes. At the tender touch of his hand and the concern in his voice. “Nothing,” she denied, when the turmoil raging inside of her pleaded to be heard. She'd been struggling all morning, having had a phone call from her dad earlier. She hadn't taken the call, but just seeing his name on the ID had upset her.

All the guilt and confused feelings she'd felt Sunday had resurged with a vengeance, and the anger at her dad for causing it all had sent her into a tailspin. Now the uncertainty clung to her once more. The uncertainty of whether she had any forgiveness in her heart. Was it her dad who needed to ask her forgiveness? Then why did she have such guilt hanging over her head about it? After all, wasn't it her dad who'd pretended to be the perfect father, provider, husband?

It was her father who was in the wrong. It was her father who'd made her respect him enough to give up her barrel racing dreams, dreams she'd wanted with all her heart…and it was her father whose lies about
who he really was and his betrayal that cut so deep that when she thought about it, the anger tore her up inside.

She didn't think anyone could understand what she was feeling, not even the pastor, not even Lacy—but Luke's questioning gaze blasted through the dark emotions swirling around inside her. It was as if he could see into the deepest corners of her heart, straight to the pain. The very idea set her into action. No, she didn't want him or anyone else seeing that deeply.

She didn't want him knowing how torn up she was. How weak it made her feel. It wasn't his business, and she didn't want to share.

Sharing meant letting him in and she wasn't ready to do that. It was dangerous.

“Nothing is wrong,” she repeated, her voice stronger. She stepped back, away from the touch of his hand.

The touch of his dark eyes remained, holding her. His shoulders seemed wide enough to hold her troubles. “I don't believe you,” he said. “Something tells me you need a friend. Someone to talk to. Talk to me, Montana.”

As if he knew he was onto something. The man was as solid as a redwood, and she wondered how it would feel to be sheltered in his arms. Able to trust again.

“No. It's none of your business,” she said. “Leave it be.”

“Why? So you can be eaten up by whatever is bothering you. So you can let it get between you and this dream?” He waved toward Murdock.

“Mind your own business,” she snapped at him, feeling suddenly ugly inside.

A sudden and devastating smile cracked across his tanned, handsome face. “Sorry, Montana. I've got a feeling that's one request I'm not going to be able to keep.”

Montana's heart practically swooned, dipping and tumbling. Shaken by the sincerity in his eyes she did the only thing she could—she spun around and stormed across the arena toward Murdock.

How dare the man try to penetrate the wall she'd built up to protect herself? How weak of her to be tempted to let her defenses down.

Grabbing Murdock's saddle horn, she swung easily onto his back. Feeling like an Indian warrior hitting the warpath, she grabbed the reins, wheeled the poor, startled horse around and galloped him back into the alley. If it hadn't been for the closed gate, she'd have been tempted to keep on riding out of the building.

The worst part about it was Luke knew she was hiding something.

How could a near-total stranger seem to see through her? How?

 

He'd hit a nerve. Luke watched the ticked-off cowgirl race out of the alley as though a pack of hungry coyotes were chasing her. She was most definitely stewing about something. Something that cut deep. Something still very raw.

As he watched, she and Murdock flew toward the
first barrel. Montana's eyes were zeroed-in on the barrel, but she wasn't in rhythm. They were too fast and she was too close as Murdock started around the barrel.

The sound of her knee connecting with the barrel rang out. The hard impact toppled her from the horse like she'd been shot, and she hit the ground with a thud. Dust flew up around her as she rolled and landed face-first in the soft dirt.

Luke started running the moment she fell. Skidding to a halt, he gently rolled her over. She blinked, gasped for air, then struggled to sit up. Pain etched her pretty, dirt-streaked face as she grabbed her knee.

“Are you all right?” He could barely hear his stupid question over the pounding of his heart. Of course she wasn't all right. What was he thinking? he wondered as she hugged her knee in pain.

She nodded, but didn't look up at him.

Hurting for her, Luke scooped her into his arms. “Let's get you over here and look at that.”

“Put me down,” she said, but the tremble in her voice gave away her pain.

“No,” he said, holding tight when she struggled against him. “Not till I make sure you're all right.” He had a feeling he should do as she demanded—for his own well-being, he should put her down and walk away.

That would be the smart thing to do on his part, but something about Montana Brown brought out the need to dig deeper and find out what had hurt her. Because
there was no doubt in his mind that she'd been hurt. And he wanted to help.

Jess would tell him to hit the road and not look back. But he couldn't. For the first time ever, he couldn't walk away.

 

Montana's knee was still stinging from the direct hit, but it was easing. Being in Luke's arms had sent her reeling. “Not till I make sure you're all right,” he'd drawled like John Wayne. Truth be told, if she hadn't been so distracted by being in his arms, she might have thought he was charming!

His arms tightened around her as she struggled to get free of his hold. It was useless, because the man was carrying her firmly toward the benches outside the arena. There was no getting free of him.

“I'm fine.” She crossed her arms and tried not to notice how strong he was.
Or
how nice he smelled, a combination of pine and something citrus that drew her to inhale a little deeper.
What was she doing?
A few seconds ago, she was trying to get away from him. Now, she was in his arms…and liking it!

“My knee doesn't hurt anymore.” She squirmed for good measure.

“Good. I'm still going to check it out. Be still,” he told her, almost harshly as he halted at the bench.

“Why are you here anyway?” she asked, relieved as he lowered her to the first row of the metal grandstand benches.

Sweeping his hat from his head, exposing his dark hair, he went down on one knee and looked her straight
in the eyes. Goodness—she was speechless. His dark eyes seemed to burn through her. “Because I wanted to come see what you were doing.”

Her pulse skittered at the straightforwardness of his answer. She gulped. “Why would you do that?”

“Because, despite everything, I like you. Does this hurt?” He looked at her knee and gently probed around on it.

Was he kidding?
She was feeling no pain at the moment! “It's tender but fine. It won't do you any good to like me. I've told you that.” She meant it, too—even if she
had
been tempted to spill her guts to the man only a few minutes ago.

He gave a disbelieving laugh. “Get over yourself, Montana. I thought you and I could be friends. That's all. Whatever it is that's eating at you, you might feel better if you talked about it.
Just
talk.”

She studied him, mad at herself because she was tempted. “Why are you so interested in what's eating me?”

“I was right. Something
is
eating at you.”

“I didn't say that—”

“Oh, yes, you did.”

“Did
not.
”

He dipped his chin, giving her a look that was just plain cute, even if it was a look of disbelief.

He was almost eye level with her, since he was still kneeling and his hand rested on her knee. Her knee that had long since stopped hurting, but was now very aware of his touch.

“Believe me, I know that some things can't be
changed.” His tone vibrated with sincerity. “But I can tell you that talking does help soften the sting.”

That did it, time to move away from the man! Standing abruptly, she took a step away from him, tested her knee and was thankful it felt halfway okay. If she stayed that close to him much longer, she would be in deep trouble.

He stood, too. “It's a wonder your knee didn't swell to the size of a watermelon. And how's your back? I'd give you a score of ten for the dive-and-roll you did when you got tossed.”

She laughed, easing the tension. “Amazingly, I'm feeling fine there, too. Of course, that might not be the story when I wake up tomorrow.”

“True.” He continued watching her as she worked her knee, pacing a little. “Now, do you want to talk about it?”

The man was impossible, she thought, as they stared at each other. She didn't want to tell him her life story. Lacy knew the ridiculous details of her parents' divorce, but she certainly wasn't sharing it with Luke.

Even if he had a way of looking at her as if he understood who she really, really was.