The Bull Rider's Collection (6 page)

Lizzie had popped her head into River’s End to let her dad know she had JR. He’d invited her in for a quick drink. Though she’d wanted to yell at him about leaving JR on his own, she’d simply waved and left. If the pattern he’d developed over the last year held true, he wouldn’t be home until Sunday night or Monday morning. Lizzie would cut her girls’ weekend short and head home after today’s rodeo.

JR finished the ice cream bar provided by the local dairy farm at the end of the parade each year. James had turned his down and Lizzie had scarfed down hers. What could she say, emotional eating queen.

She took a deep breath, glanced at James for support then said, “JR, I need to tell you something.”

JR watched a dog playing Frisbee with his owner. “Okay, but can I have a dog like that one?”

“Maybe. Listen, you know how I told you your dad loved you but he was traveling and couldn’t be here?”

“Yeah.” JR’s tone turned low. “Sandy says that’s code for he didn’t want me.”

“Well, Sandy’s wrong.” Unable to stop himself, James jumped into the conversation. “Who is Sandy, anyway?”

“Sandy’s my best friend from Sunday School. He says — ”

“Nothing you need to listen to.” Lizzie forcibly took back the reins of the conversation before it went way off track. “Because James is right, Sandy doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”

As usual.

Sandy was a thorn in her side, always getting JR in trouble. The last stunt had cost Lizzie a new toilet for the church when the two had torn apart the insides of one during service to see how it worked.

“Jeez, Mom, you don’t have to be mad about it.”

“I’m not mad. Can you stop talking for a second while I tell you something?”

JR slumped and crossed his arms. “O … k … a … y.”

This wasn’t going well. She’d thought about this day for five years, but now it was here, she was messing it up. Totally.

“Your dad does travel a lot. But he’s here today.”

“He is?” JR sat up and inspected the entire park, before focusing back on his mom. “Where?”

“Right here, buddy,” James said carefully. “I’m your dad.”

JR looked at Lizzie for confirmation.

“It’s true.” Heart pounding, she nodded. Breath held, she watched JR’s face for some kind of reaction.

“So why haven’t you been here? Don’t you like kids?” JR examined James. “Were you in prison?”

“What? No, I wasn’t in prison.” James raised his eyebrows at Lizzie for guidance.

“Why would you ask about prison?” Lizzie, too, was surprised at the question. She’d never said anything to lead JR into thinking James was a felon. Had she?

“Sandy said if my dad didn’t show up it would be one of two reasons. He was dead or in prison,” JR responded.

“You really need to stop hanging around Sandy.” Lizzie sighed. “James wasn’t around when you were little because — ”

“Because I was helping your uncle win his bull riding championships,” James broke in. “Your mom and I had a misunderstanding and I didn’t realize how important it would be to you and her for me to be here.” He glanced up at Lizzie. “But now I’ve met you, so I’ll be here a lot more often.”

JR considered James’s explanation. “So you’ll take me fishing? And teach me to play baseball?”

James laughed. “I guess I can do that. I haven’t fished for a while, though. You might already know more than I do.”

“I’m a pretty good fisherman. Maybe I can help you.” JR swung his legs back and forth.

“I’m sure your dad would love that,” Lizzie assured him. She eyed James. “Before it happens James and I will need to talk and make some decisions on when you’ll see each other and stuff like that.”

JR regarded his mom, confusion on his face. “I thought he’d move in with us and I’d see him all the time.”

Lizzie blanched. This was the one thing that hadn’t occurred to her to imagine JR would want. What could she say? “Where would he sleep? I’m sure James has his own house. And you know he travels with Uncle Jesse and the rodeo. He can’t be around Shawnee all the time.”

“So you aren’t coming back for five more years?” Forlornly JR stuck his chin out.

James reached over and put his hand on JR’s back. “I promise I’ll be around a lot sooner than that. There are things I have to take care of like your Uncle Jesse’s rodeo schedule. Maybe one weekend you and your mom could meet us at a rodeo. Would you like that?”

JR twisted his lips, clearly thinking. “I would like that. You have to promise me something.”

Lizzie’s stomach tightened. What could her son want of the father he’d just met?

“Anything,” James promised before he even heard the request.

This didn’t bode well. Fear gripped Lizzie as she prayed her son wouldn’t be disappointed.

“You have to watch me ride tonight. I want to know if I’m as good as Uncle Jesse.” JR waved at someone over on the other side of the park. “Mom, there’s Sandy. Can I tell him about my dad? And how he’s not in prison?”

Lizzie winced then sighed. What could it hurt after the whole town had seen the three of them together today. Church tomorrow morning would be gossip heaven. “Fine,” she said. “But stay away from the river and come right back here as soon as I yell.”

“Thanks, Mom.” JR jumped up, took five steps then stopped and turned around. “Bye, Dad.”

James waved back with a choked, “Bye.”

Lizzie saw him wipe his eyes. “Yeah, big man. Dad.” She wasn’t sure how she felt about the quickness with which JR had accepted him.

“I can’t believe he’s mine.” James grinned over at Lizzie. “Although I’m still mad as hell you kept this from me.”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m sorry.” Lizzie saw disbelief on his craggy face. “No, really, I am. Sorry. There were lots of nights I wanted to call, but … .” She looked away. If she’d tried hard enough she could have gotten his number from someone. Barb, maybe.

“I would have been there for you, Liz.” His voice was husky.

“But you weren’t. You were there for Jesse.” She held her hand up when James started to respond. “Don’t. We don’t need to fight this fight again. I want one thing from you now.”

“Anything.”

Lizzie shook her head. There he went, promising the moon again before he knew if he could deliver.

“You make a promise to JR, you better keep your word. I won’t have you breaking his heart.”

“Lizzie, I’m not going to be an absentee dad. Not anymore. I’ll keep my promises.” James’s cell rang and he glanced at her, a nonverbal request.

“Go ahead. Make sure you’re there for this mutton busting thing tonight. I could kill my dad for signing him up this year.”

James grinned. “I’ll be there. And he’ll be the best cowboy out there. I know it.” He stood, taking the call, as he walked. “This is James.”

Uneasily, Lizzie watched him walk around talking to whoever was on the other end of the phone. What had she done? She hadn’t seen James in five years. Was he still the upstanding, honest, caring man she’d fallen for in high school? For JR’s sake, she hoped so.

James came back toward the table and sat beside her. “Listen, I hate to leave, but Jesse hasn’t shown up for the pre-ride meeting. They’re threatening to disqualify him if I can’t get him there in an hour.”

Typical Jesse, the only man who never thought the rules meant him. “Go ahead. We’re going to check on dad then we’ll be heading to the rodeo grounds.”

He rubbed her cheek. “Thanks, Lizzie. He’s a great kid.”

“You’re welcome. Mutton busting is the first thing on the schedule. Make sure you’re there by five. He’ll be looking for you.”

“Come hell or high water,” James affirmed.

Torn between a sense of hope and one of impending disaster, Lizzie looked after him.
Hurricane Jesse better not cause flooding tonight, mister.

• • •

The hotel room was empty. Jesse’s truck sat parked outside the room in the same spot where they’d left it after lunch at Daisy’s café. When James left for the parade, Jesse stayed on the bed, watching the sports channel. James should have known something was up by his brother’s casual response.

“I’ll meet you there bro. I want to relax for a few minutes.”

Relax, my butt. Jesse’d probably hooked up with some chick and blown off the rodeo. It wouldn’t be the first time, James thought bitterly. Jesse didn’t have a reputation for consistency in the industry. Lately it was affecting the venues that would accept his application to ride. Rodeo sponsors couldn’t highlight riders who didn’t show for their rides even if they were two time champions. James had been able to calm Jesse’s major sponsors, but it meant putting Jesse on a tight leash — one set to choke him if he started this crap up again.

The rodeo world was too small for Jesse to even blow off a local competition without causing ripples. His sponsors paid for the trips, the clothes, and a salary for both brothers. Not showing up would be a breach of contract, which could mean having to claw their way to Vegas for the championships without sponsorships or money.

James had to find his brother. He only hoped he could find Jesse sober within the hour.

James headed to the lobby. After an exchange of pleasantries with the young, blonde receptionist, he asked about Jesse only to be told he’d left an hour ago.

James grimaced. “Did he say where he was going? Was he with anyone?”

The girl shook her head. “He didn’t say where he was going, but he was with this older lady looked like she thought she was still a rodeo queen. Wore a pink hat with a tiara on the front.”

James ground his teeth. Damn it. “Angie.”

“Yeah, that was her name. She had it plastered on her butt in rhinestones. Do you want to leave a message for him?”

Yeah, just not one I can say in polite company.

“Only if he shows up in the next hour. Tell him he’s missing the rider’s meeting.” James slapped the counter. “Thanks.”

The girl nodded. “I hope you find your brother in time.”

“Me too,” James said as he walked out the door.

So, he took off with Angie.

James jumped into the truck and cranked the engine. He’d need to cover ground fast to check all the bars and restaurants and get back to the rodeo grounds with his wayward brother in time.

Fifty-five minutes later, after walking through the entire town, including the quilt show at the high school and the grocery store, James gave up. He drove to the rodeo grounds and stood at the bull pen, no Jesse in sight. Wherever his brother had gone, he’d hidden his tracks well. And from what the hotel receptionist said, Angie should be easy to spot in that outfit. He took off his hat, running his fingers through his hair.

“Damn it, Jesse.” James threw his hat on the ground. He was done. If Jesse wanted to play these games, he could manage his own career. James had other people to worry about.

A pair of booted feet appeared in James’s range of sight and Jesse picked up James’s hat and brushed it off. “You shouldn’t throw around your hat like that. You’ll break the brim.”

James grabbed the hat. “Where have you been? They’ve disqualified you from riding. All your fees are forfeit and you might as well forget about the country store endorsement. Those sponsors didn’t drive all the way up here from Salt Lake to see the other riders. They came to see you.”

“Calm down. I’ve already made nice with the committee. I’m scheduled to ride tomorrow at two. And yes, I’ll be there.” Jesse slapped his brother on the back. “You worry too much.”

“Jesse, sometimes, you … .”

Jesse held out his hand. “Hold up, they’re announcing your competition.”

“What are you talking about?”

“It’s mutton busting time. Aren’t you riding?” Jesse deadpanned.

“It started already? I’ve got to go.” His first promise as a father and he’d already messed up. James took off toward the staging area.

“Hey, I was joshing. I don’t think they’ll let you ride,” Jesse called after him.

James pushed through the milling cowboys waiting for the team roping competition. He got to the corral as the sheep and their riders were released. He searched the crowd of kids and sheep for JR. There, there was the straw hat. He was still on the sucker.

“Hold on, JR. You can do this,” he yelled, even though he knew JR would never hear him over the roar of the crowd. He’d been in the middle of that madhouse. But he yelled just the same.

The flock had already lost most of their riders; still three young boys and a girl were going strong. One by one, the other kids were thrown or slipped off their sheep, leaving JR and the girl. One more spin around the corral. James saw JR’s face, wearing a look of determination and a smile. The girl was slipping. All of a sudden JR was the last man standing. A rodeo clown stepped in front of JR and his sheep and pulled him off, swinging him up to his shoulder.

“We have a winner. JR Hudson, a local boy, is the mutton bustin’ champion. This kid held on with determination. His folks might have an up and coming bull rider on their hands. Now we’ve got all the sheep penned up, let’s get the team roping started.”

James took off at a run to find JR and Lizzie. He found them as they were leaving the staging area, a small trophy gripped in the little boy’s hands. JR saw him first.

“James! I mean, Dad. Did you see me ride? I held on like Gramps said. And they gave me this.” He shoved the trophy into James hands.

“I saw you, buddy. Did you hear me cheering for you?” James crouched in front of JR. Emotions swept him. How could he be so attached already? He grinned at Lizzie, surprised to see dark clouds on her face.

What had he done now?

“ — and the announcer said I could be a bull rider,” JR continued excitedly. “Do you think Uncle Jesse would teach me? Maybe tomorrow after he rides?” JR looked up at James, his face alight with happiness.

“Maybe. First we have to introduce you to your uncle. He’s going to be surprised. This is nice. You’ll have to take it for show and tell for school.” James handed the trophy back. Standing up he nodded to Lizzie. “You okay?”

“Fine. I wish you would have been here like you said.” Accusation filled her voice.

Confused, James shot back, “I am here.”