Rodeo Sweetheart (15 page)

T
he arena buzzed with the sound of excited chatter, stomping hooves, and cracking lariats. Horses snorted and bulls pawed the ground, cloaking the worn bleachers and fence rails with a fine layer of dust. Sam clapped her hands against her leather chaps, more of a nervous release than an attempt to rid them of dirt.

“Don’t worry, Sam, you look great.” Kate smiled. “And you’re going to do great.”

“Thanks.” Sam tried to return it but the effort made her nauseous. Too bad her appearance couldn’t be her top concern of the moment. She shook out her hands, wishing the adrenaline had a release from her tense body.

“You okay, kid?” Cole gripped Sam’s shoulder with one hand, his eyes boring into hers. “You don’t have to do this.”

“If you know me at all, then you already know my response to that.” Sam adjusted the white paper number on the front of her vest. Seven—her dad’s number. Hopefully the number would apply to her father’s successful career instead of his tragic last ride. She gulped. No point in thinking of that right now. She had a job to do—distractions would only get her hurt.

Or worse.

“All right, then.” Cole squeezed Sam’s arm and turned her toward the chutes. “Go line up. They’ll be calling your number in a bit.”

“I’m going to get some lemonade. You want a drink before you ride?” Kate gestured toward the snack booth set up on the far side of the bleachers.

Sam shook her head. “No, thanks. My stomach can’t handle it.” She managed a slight wave at Kate before turning to join the line of riders—all male. She straightened to her full height, refusing to let them intimidate her. Sam was competing against them, yes, but more than that—she was competing against herself. Her throbbing left shoulder testified to that, as did her sore back and tight quad muscles. She resisted the urge to rub the cramp forming in her calf. Maybe practicing the majority of the night on Lucy wasn’t the best idea. Then again, a full night’s sleep wasn’t much ammo against the thousand-plus pound animal in the chute, either.

The bull nearest Sam huffed, and the fluorescent arena lights glinted off the giant ring in his nose. Sudden panic gripped Sam in a vise and she clutched Cole’s sleeve with both hands. “Am I crazy?”

Cole pried his shirt from her grip. “You just said you made your decision. So quit acting like a greenhorn.”

“I know.” Sam swallowed. “But it’s a crazy decision.”

“An inexperienced female bull rider competing in the same rodeo her father used to? Nothing but crazy.” Cole’s voice softened. “But you can do it. You’re ready.”

“I practiced on a steer, Cole. A
steer.
” Sam’s voice trembled and she couldn’t tear her gaze away from the bulls waiting their turn—for revenge. She shook her head to clear it. “4-H
kids ride steers. Those giant animals in those chutes are the real deal. I might as well have been practicing on a dairy cow.”

“That’s not true, and you know it. Quit spurring on your fear.” Cole shoved his cowboy hat away from his eyes and held Sam’s gaze. “The same concepts apply to both steer and bull riding. Grip with your legs, keep your upper body loose, and counterbalance by leaning the opposite direction of the buck.” He tapped the top of Sam’s hat. “The rest is up here.”

Sam nodded slowly. She could do this. She
would
do this—for her dad. Her mother might not believe in her, but Sam would prove her wrong. She’d avoided Angie the majority of the week, throwing herself into her chores and her training. Sam couldn’t look at her mom without the fury of the secret sale boiling in her stomach—right beside the guilt of her own kept secrets she tried to ignore.

She’d prove Ethan wrong, too. Just remembering his betrayal sent a spark of anger trailing Sam’s spine. It also made her heart pound painfully in her chest, but she wouldn’t think about that right now. The love still residing within would catch up to her mind’s resolve soon enough. In the meantime, there were bigger issues to conquer. Her eyes narrowed. “I’m ready.”

She had to win. Losing would only earn Sam a permanent job at the dude ranch and the title of laughingstock among the male competitors—not to mention a likely ride in an ambulance. She forced back a shudder.
Focus, focus.

“Up next, number thirteen, George Daniels.” The announcer’s drawl boomed over the loudspeaker with a burst of static. “On deck, contestants number four and seven.”

“That’s you.” Cole nudged Sam toward the chutes. “Eyes on the target, kid. You can do it. I’ll be there in a few to help you mount.”

Sam’s boots—and previous burst of self confidence—felt
connected to someone else as she shuffled her way toward the line of riders.
God, help me. I don’t want to make the same mistake Dad did.

Ethan thrust a handful of bills into the taxi driver’s hand and jumped from the cab. There’d been no time to arrange a car rental from the airport. He slammed the door and raced up the walk to the main house.
Please let them be inside, please let them be inside.
The prayer echoed in rhythm to his pounding heart as he banged on the front door. He waited, then knocked again.

Clara opened the door, a spatula in one hand and a firm wrinkle nestled between her drawn eyebrows. “Can I help you?” Attitude radiated from her apron-covered body and Ethan took a step back.

“I’m looking for Samantha—I mean, Sam, and Angie. Are they here?” He craned his head to look over Clara’s shoulder, but she pulled the door halfway shut.

“I believe that’s none of your concern.” Her arms crossed over her chest and Ethan took another step away.

“It’s important. Please.” He heard the panic in his voice and cleared his throat. “I can’t let her—It’s urgent. Trust me.”

“Can’t let her what?” Clara’s hand holding the spatula lowered and the frown on her face eased.

Ethan ran a hand over his hair and huffed an impatient breath. “I can’t let her sell the ranch to my father’s company.”

“Your father’s company? I thought it was yours, too.”

“Not since I left a few hours ago to come warn Angie and Sam about his intentions.”

Clara’s lips twitched to the side. “Well, why didn’t you say so in the first place? You better stop her quick. Angie signed the papers and just left for the post office to mail them. Never seen a body so discouraged. But she was taking ’em anyway.”

“She’s already gone? Where’s the post office?” Ethan’s hands balled into fists. He couldn’t have come this far to be too late. Maybe he could fly back to the office in New York and catch the letters in the mail before they reached his father—assuming he would even be allowed back on the premises after this move he pulled.

“You can still catch Ms. Jenson. The post office is only a mile or two away. Take one of the horses.” Clara pointed to the barn. “Looks like Wildfire is still saddled from the afternoon ride. I know Cole won’t mind if you borrow him, he’s not here anyway.”

Ethan stopped on his trek down the stairs. “Where is he?” Cole never left the ranch except for supplies, not even when he was sick last weekend.

Clara glanced over her shoulder, then back down at Ethan. “You didn’t hear this from me, but Cole and Sam are at some rodeo in town. I don’t know what they’re up to, but I know they have secrets. Big ones.”

Ethan’s heart jumpstarted with a jerk. The rodeo. That was tonight? His head swam and he gripped the staircase railing. Sam was going to ride—and he wouldn’t be there. What if she got hurt? He squeezed his eyes shut as panic racked his senses.

He couldn’t be in two places at once. Stop Angie from mailing the contract, or stop Sam from making a huge—and potentially deadly—mistake?

Sam’s breath came in tight gasps. The cowboy on her right nudged her with his shoulder. “You okay there?”

She forced a smile and squeezed the rail with both hands. The dirt ground under her feet felt as sure as quicksand. “Fine.”
Just perfect. I’m about to die the same way my father
did.
Terror gripped her with two hands and she struggled against the panic clawing at her lungs.

“Good luck.” The cowboy, number four, tipped his hat to her and moved up in line to take his turn.

Sam couldn’t help but stare as he easily scaled the chute and settled on the bull’s broad back. He made it look so easy. She squeezed her eyes shut.
You can do this, you can do this. Oh, no I can’t!
Was the farm worth it? Worth her life? If she died, there would be no breeding business to enjoy again. No more horseback riding. No more campfires and trail rides and long talks with Kate.

No more kisses with Ethan.

Her heart skipped a beat and Sam opened her eyes. Dust flew as a bell dinged and cowboy number four charged into the arena. She stared unseeing as a dozen memories with Ethan flickered before her. His taut arm muscles as he lifted bale after bale of hay into the bed of her truck. The expression of content he wore while ambling beside her on a trail ride. His dark chocolate gaze daring her to hate him. Oh, how she’d tried. But Ethan’s true character overcame the prejudiced, city-slicker label she’d stuck on him at his arrival, and he quickly became a real cowboy in her eyes.

If he hadn’t betrayed her, she’d have easily entertained ideas of him being the one.

A buzzer sounded and jerked Sam from her thoughts. She swallowed as contestant number four slipped from the bull and jogged to the chute. The horned beast galloped toward the clown attendants waiting for him, and they quickly corralled the animal at the other end of the arena.

She was next. It would take several minutes to ready the next bull, so she had five, eight minutes tops to stall.

Or escape.

Sam rubbed slick palms down her jeans.
Just breathe.
She inhaled deeply but the anxiety refused to let go.
God, if I’m making a mistake, stop me!

“Sam!”

Sam’s eyes widened at the familiar voice calling to her from the stands. She turned just in time to see Ethan and her mother running to her through the crowd, pushing past a man in a black hat and nearly knocking over a young girl with braided pigtails.

Ethan reached Sam first, grabbing her shoulders with both hands. He panted, trying to catch his breath. “You can’t—please don’t—” He squeezed her arms and tried again. “Don’t hate me.”

Tears crowded Sam’s eyes and she blinked rapidly against the threatening torrent. “Why not?” Her heart screamed a thousand reasons why not and she begged them to shut up. Ethan had betrayed her, had kissed her as if he meant it and pretended to like her. To love her. All for the sake of a real estate sale.

But could he really have pretended that realistically?

“Why not?” Ethan’s voice pleaded over the sudden applause from the stands behind them. “Because I’m here.” His eyes searched hers and Sam turned away. But her hands shook for reasons completely outside her pending bull ride, and she couldn’t deny it another minute. She opened her mouth, still unsure what to say, but her mom interrupted.

“Sam, don’t do this.” Angie brushed messy hair from her eyes and futilely tried to push the loose strands into her ponytail. “I should have told you about Jeffrey’s offer. But I wanted to make the best decision for us, and knew that you would influence me toward keeping the property. Sometimes you’re too strong for your own good. I wanted you to be able to get on with your life.” She let out her breath. “But I had no idea
how much the breeding farm really meant to you until Ethan talked to me on the way here.”

“What choice do we have? If I don’t ride, you’re going to sell.” Sam’s voice caught in her throat and a few of the tears pressing against her lids slipped free. “You might still sell anyway.”

“No, she’s not. Or rather, she shouldn’t.” Ethan reached toward Sam, then let his hand fall to his side. Her fingers burned just imagining the contact and she squeezed her hand into a protective fist. Ethan continued, turning to Angie. “My dad can’t be trusted. The highway is being relocated near your ranch. If he buys your property, it’s being turned into a strip mall. He lied about his intentions in order to offer a lower price. I’ve known that, but thought if I could just play his game long enough, I could escape it all. But there’s no escaping his level of lying and manipulation.” He exhaled slowly. “I just thought if I held in there a little longer and stayed on the inside, I could protect you, Sam. I’m sorry for deceiving you. I never meant to.”

“I know.” The words left her lips before she could fully process and Sam blinked in surprise.

“You do?” Ethan’s head dipped toward hers.

She nodded and wiped at her eyes. “I do.” The truth filled her heart in sweet relief. She knew Ethan couldn’t hurt her that badly, not after all they’d been through together. The doubts scratched the surface but deep down, Sam knew better. The overheard conversation and anger at Angie over selling the ranch had pushed Sam over the edge. If she’d just thought long enough about Ethan’s true character, the man he’d been slowly revealing himself to be these past couple weeks, she would have seen it was a mistake.

Ethan reached again for Sam’s hand. And slowly, carefully, she threaded her fingers through his.

E
than’s heart raced at the gentle contact with Sam. He swallowed against the knot rising in his throat. “Do you forgive me? I did lie to you—at first because I was doing my job. But then to protect you. But I’m done, Sam. No more manipulation. No more false pretenses. It’s just me.” His hands shook and he squeezed her fingers, hoping she couldn’t feel the desperation in his touch. “Hopefully that’s enough.”

“Oh, I think it’s plenty.” Sam smiled up at him and his stomach pitched like he was riding a roller coaster—or maybe a bull. Her lips parted slightly and he automatically leaned closer.

Angie cleared her throat. Sam winced. “Sorry, Mom.”

“You don’t have to apologize.” Angie gestured toward the arena. “But I believe they just called your number. Your dad’s number.” Her eyes darkened with emotion.

Sam shook her head at Angie’s drawn expression. “I can’t do this to you, Mom. I thought I could, but I can’t. It’s not worth it. Even if we lose the farm.”

Angie crossed her arms. “I don’t want to accept Mr. Ames’s
offer, especially if he’s turning our beloved property into a mall. But with this termite issue, I’m not sure how the ranch will survive otherwise.”

“Unless I ride.” Sam’s eyes shut briefly and she sighed.

“I have an alternative plan.” Ethan tugged at Sam’s hand to get her attention. His next statement would either seal their relationship or ruin it for good. But he had to try. He couldn’t stand by and let the Jenson farm go to ruins when he had the means to stop it. “Look, I’m buying Noble Star for your ranch, and that’s that. You can think of it as a business investment or pay me back however and whenever you want, but I’m doing it.”
Or maybe you’ll marry me in the next six months and the stallion will become mine along with your heart.
He smiled, hoping Sam couldn’t read his eyes. Too soon for the M word—but not for long.

Sam’s mouth opened and Ethan gently tapped her chin to close it. “And that’s that.”

“Ethan, I can’t let you do this.” Angie touched Ethan’s shoulder, stepping closer as a family carrying popcorn shouldered past them toward the stadium seats. “It’s too much.”

“You don’t realize all you two have done for me.” Ethan slipped his arm around Sam’s waist, glad the pressing crowd gave him reason to lean closer to speak. “You Jenson women showed me how a family is supposed to operate. Without that inspiration, I might never have gotten the guts to quit my father’s business and try life on my own. So consider this my gift back to you.” The purchase would negatively affect his savings account, but at the moment, he could think of no worthier cause. He’d figure it out—get a real job or even two. Whatever it took.

Angie’s eyes filled with tears and she nodded slowly. “I can do that. Sam, can you?”

Ethan tucked a lock of Sam’s hair behind her ear and she studied his expression before nodding slowly. “I think so. But we
will
pay you back.”

His heart swelled with the reality of what she was entrusting him with, and he smiled in relief. But there was a catch. “I wasn’t finished.” He cupped Sam’s chin in his hand and held her gaze. “I want you to ride.”

“What?” Sam’s eyes widened. “I thought that was the whole point of your offer—to keep me from riding. It’s all you’ve wanted since you got here—for various reasons.” She rolled her eyes.

“The main reason was because I was worried about you.” Ethan drew his hand from her face. “But I know you, Sam. If you don’t do everything in your power to meet your goals, you’ll never be happy—and you’ll end up resenting me for buying Noble Star, even if you pay me back. You’ll always wonder what if.”

“And what if I win?” Her eyebrows quirked into a question mark.

“Then the prize money will go to the ranch and the cost of repairs for the termites and whatever else you need.” Ethan gestured toward the arena and the bulls waiting in the chutes. “It’s your choice. I support you regardless.”

“But, Mom…” Sam’s voice trailed off and she cast an anxious expression at Angie. “I can’t. You’d never forgive me.”

“If it’s important to you, then do it.” Angie’s voice, soft and firm, barely rose about the noise of the spectators and announcer.

“Are you sure?” Sam’s cheeks flushed.

“Make your father proud, honey. He’d want this.” Angie turned Sam toward the chutes. “You’ve worked so hard to get here. If you want to do this, we’ll be in the stands cheering you on.”

Sam stumbled toward the pen, looking over her shoulder only once before giving a determined nod. Her gaze lingered on Ethan, then with shoulders shoved back, she marched toward the bulls.

Angie gripped Ethan’s arm with white knuckles. “I hope I’m not making a mistake.”

Sam really hoped she wasn’t making a mistake. She quickly made her way toward the pen, half hoping she was too late and her call was over. But the other cowboys by the pen motioned for her to hurry.

“Just in time.” Cole appeared to her right and guided her to the chute. He hoisted her onto the fence. “Where’ve you been?”

She swung one leg over the rail. “Ethan and Mom are here.”

Cole’s lips twisted. “Good. But don’t get distracted.” He gave her a final boost.

Sam gasped as she settled on the bull’s wide, leathery haunches.
Too fast, too fast.
She couldn’t catch her breath, couldn’t think. Couldn’t process. Her legs gripped both sides of the bull automatically and Cole helped her wind her hand around the rope.

“Hang on tight.” He cinched the cord tighter. “How’s that feel?”

Sam wiggled her gloved fingers beneath the rope. “Secure.” Right. Like there was anything secure about what she was going to do.

A cowboy hanging on the fence nearby squinted at Sam beneath his hat. “You ever done this before?”

Sam managed to shake her head once before two other riders to her left laughed. “Good luck, darlin’.” One nudged his friend with his elbow and shook his head.

“Shut it or beat it.” Cole gave the group a menacing glare
and they quickly snapped their mouths closed and looked the other direction.

“And now, contestant number seven, Samantha Jenson.” The announcer’s drawl rang through the arena and a hush blanketed the crowd. Sam sucked in her breath. She must have accidentally scrawled her full name on the sign-up form. Now the entire arena knew she was the only female contestant of the night. Could she really pull this off?

“Focus.” Cole’s voice brought her back to the present, away from memories of her dad and away from Ethan and Angie sitting exactly six rows up in the bleachers.

“Looks like we’ve got a potential Rodeo Sweetheart here tonight.” The announcer chuckled. “Good luck, honey!”

“Why does everyone keep saying that?” Sam gritted her teeth.

Cole flashed a white smile and dropped backward off the fence. “Good luck.” He tipped his hat at her and nodded to the chute attendants.

The buzzer sounded, the gate opened, and Sam bit back a scream. She squeezed with both legs until her leg muscles felt numb. The bull rocked forward, wild and out of control. Sam struggled to keep her eyes open. She tried to focus on the giant beast’s head, so she could predict which way to lean.
Just like on Lucy.
No, who she was kidding? This bull was bigger, meaner, and faster—not to mention more likely to chase her when she fell off. Sam forced the thought from her mind.
Hang on, hang on.

The seconds ticked by but felt like months. Dirt stirred by the bull’s hooves slapped her face. Her body ached but adrenaline drowned out the cry of her muscles. Somewhere behind her, Cole’s voice rang through the noise and cries of the spectators, and she focused on his encouragement. Then Ethan’s
cry rose above the crowd. “You can do it, Sam!” She clung to his words as she twisted left, then right.

“Two seconds left!”

Sam wasn’t sure who yelled those inspiring words but she clenched her teeth and found a deeper level of strength. Two seconds. She could do this. Not for her dad, not for the ranch, but for herself.

The bull gave a final buck just as the buzzer sounded. Sam’s arm dropped like a limp noodle from her death grip on the rope and she slipped from the animal’s broad back.
Run, run!
But she collapsed to the ground, her legs unable to support her, as the bull pounded the earth. Dirt crowded her vision and she coughed, curling into a protective ball. A flash of red and yellow to her left proved the rodeo clowns were doing their job, and within seconds the bull was at the other end of the arena.

Sam struggled to her knees.
It’s over, it’s over.
The chant echoed in her mind but all she could hear was the roar of the spectators, on their feet and applauding. Cole jogged to her side and helped her stand. “Samantha! Samantha!” The crowd cheered and stamped in rhythm.

Tears pressed Sam’s eyes as she smiled at Ethan, who was clapping so hard she thought he might sprain his arm. Tears poured down her mom’s face, and matching ones slipped down Sam’s cheeks as Ethan, Kate and Angie began making their way down the bleachers toward the arena. She’d done it. But there was one last thing to do.

She tugged off her dusty cowboy hat and threw it high above her head. It spiraled into the air in a blurry, tan arch.
This one’s for you, Dad.

Ethan met her at the side of the pen. Sam scooped up her
discarded hat before climbing over to join him. She dropped into his arms. He squeezed her in a tight embrace and then stepped back to meet her gaze. “You were amazing.”

“I was terrified.” Sam laughed and her throat felt raw. She’d done it. Now it was a matter of waiting for her score. But she was already a winner—even if it felt at the moment she had spaghetti noodles for arms.

Ethan’s hands rested on her waist and she forgot the ache in her muscles. “By the way, did I tell you I was leaving the real estate business?”

Sam shrugged. “I sort of figured that when you said you left your father’s company to come warn us about him.”

“Well, I forgot to mention there’s one more sale I still have to make.”

Sam frowned. “What do you mean?”

“You know that vacant property down the street from Kate? One hundred acres, small catfish pond, three-bedroom ranch house?”

Sam nodded. “It’s been for sale for months.”

“Not for very much longer.” Ethan grinned.

Sam’s eyes widened. “You mean—”

Ethan cut her off with a kiss, which she gladly returned. She wound her arms around his neck and breathed in his spicy cologne.

Angie and Kate joined them by the pen, and Sam reluctantly ended the kiss. Angie looped her arm around Sam’s shoulders and squeezed. “They’re about to announce the winners.” The relief dripping from her voice nestled in Sam’s heart and she hugged her mother back. It was over. No matter what happened from here, they were going to be okay.

“You did so good!” Kate squealed and joined the group hug around Sam. “Just don’t do that again anytime soon,
okay? I think I was just as nervous as you were.” She clutched her stomach.

Cole stepped up beside them, and elbowed Sam’s ribs. “It’s in the bag, kid. That bull was mean.”

“Now you tell me.” But even sarcasm couldn’t dampen the joy bubbling in Sam’s heart. The farm still needed the money, but even if Sam didn’t place, she’d found what she was looking for. Peace. Contentment. Happiness.

And Ethan. She looked up at him and smiled, then realized she’d been tuning out the announcer.

“Contestant number thirteen, George Daniels, eighty-nine out of a possible one hundred points.”

Sam winced. That was a great score. Her nails dug into Ethan’s shirtsleeve and Angie’s arm tightened around Sam.

“Dennis Montgomery, contestant four, seventy-two!”

Cole sucked in his breath. “You should be next.”

The announcer paused as papers shuffled over the loudspeaker. “And finally, contestant number seven, Samantha Jenson, with a score of eighty-eight. Congratulations to our winner, George!”

“Second place!” Cole ruffled Sam’s hair. “Not bad, kid. There’s a cash prize for that.”

“Sam, I can’t believe it.” Angie grabbed her into a hug. “Your father would be so proud! I’m so proud.”

Sam hugged her, then pulled back. “I want the farm to have all the money.” She reached over and took Ethan’s hand. “Use it for whatever we need the most, Mom. If we need to keep running the dude ranch, it’s fine by me.”

“Are you sure?” A puzzled frown tightened Angie’s brows. “But the breeding business—”

“Sam, it’s your dream.” Kate’s head tilted to one side. “It’s what you’ve worked for this whole time.”

“I’m sure. If it hadn’t been for our family’s new venture into dude ranching, I’ve have never met Ethan.” Sam grinned at Cole. “But if you do keep the dude ranch, you have to hire Cole some extra help.” She winked and Cole laughed.

Angie nodded. “We’ll figure out all the details later. With your prize winnings, we have options now.” She brushed a tear from Sam’s cheek. “Go get your check, baby. We’ll meet you at the truck.” She motioned for Cole and Kate to follow her, leaving Sam alone with Ethan—or as alone as they could be in a crowded arena.

“I’m so proud of you, Samantha.” He winced. “I’m sorry, I’ve got to quit calling you that.”

“No, I want you to.” She reached up and touched his cheek. “At first I was riding for money. Then for my dad. But I realized something while I was out there on that bull. Mainly, that I was crazy.” She shuddered and laughed. “But secondly, that this was for me all along. I needed to make peace with the past. Mom finally moved on from Dad’s death. But I couldn’t do that without proving to myself what I was capable of.”

He smoothed her hair. “You’re the strongest woman I know.”

“I realize now that being strong outwardly wasn’t being strong emotionally. Like my mom said, sometimes I’m so strong that I live in denial. I had to accept my dad’s death—not drive myself crazy trying to prove myself to him or to his memory. I finally feel like I’ve made him proud. Not because I rode a bull, but because I realized it’s okay to move on, to live like he would have wanted me to.” She smiled. “So call me Samantha. I think my dad would like that.”

“I can do that.” Ethan wrapped his arms around Sam and she snuggled against him with a sigh. “Exhausting day.”