Barbara Dunlop - A Cowboy Comes Home

“You’re lucky. If I could do all my work in Chicago, I’d never travel at all.”

Mandy didn’t like the idea of Caleb not traveling. The only way she’d ever see him in the future is if he traveled to Colorado. “The jet seemed pretty comfortable,” she noted.

“So, you see my point.”

“Your point being, why fly commercial when you can take your own Gulf Stream?”

“Okay, now that was definitely sarcastic.”

“It was,” she admitted with a grin.

He sobered. “It’s funny. What looks like luxury and unbelievable convenience that ninety-nine percent of the population can’t access, is really just me trying to survive.” He set down his wineglass and shifted closer to her. “I don’t know if I’m saying this right. But money and success aren’t what you expect. The responsibility never goes away. You worry everyday. Literally thousands of people depend on your decisions, and you never know who’s your friend, who’s using you and who’s out to get you. The risks are high. The stakes are high. And you go weeks on end without an opportunity to catch your breath, never mind relax.”

Mandy thought she did understand. “Are you relaxed now?” she asked.

He nodded. “Amazingly, at this moment, yes.”

“That’s good.”

“It’s you.”

It was her turn to toast him, keeping it light. “Happy to help out.”

He tapped his fingers against his knee. “You know, I believe you’re serious about that. It’s one of the things I like best about you.”

“I’m relaxing?” She wasn’t sure whether to take that as a compliment or not. Relaxing could also be boring. And she couldn’t possibly be anywhere near as exciting as the women he usually dated.

Dated. She paused. Was this a date?

“You’re not thinking about what I can do for you,” said Caleb. “You’re sitting over there, looking off-the-charts gorgeous, enjoying a rather pedestrian wine, without a single complaint.”

She glanced at her glass. “Should I be complaining? Do I have poor taste in wine?”

“I’m definitely not saying this right. You care about how I feel, about what you can do for me. Do you know how rare that is?”

“Do I really have bad taste in wine?”

Caleb laughed, picked up his glass, toasted her and drank the remainder. “It tastes perfectly fine to me.” He stared softly at her for a long moment. “But I know you know what I mean.”

She fought an impish grin, going with the impulse to keep joking. “I figure it’s a toss up between you saying I’m boring and you saying I’m unsophisticated.”

He deliberately set down his empty glass. Moved so he was right next to her and lifted her glass from her fingers. “You, Mandy, are anything but boring.”

“But I am unsophisticated.”

He opened his mouth, but she kept talking before he could say something that was complimentary but patently untrue. “I’m a ranch girl, Caleb. I’ve barely left the state. I haven’t even seen my own sister at Liberty in New York.”

Caleb blinked in obvious surprise. “You haven’t seen Katrina dance?”

“Oh, I’ve seen her dance a few times, during the last years she was at college.” Mandy thought back to the experiences. “She is incredible. But I haven’t been to New York since she joined Liberty. I haven’t seen her perform at the Emperor’s Theatre as a principle dancer.”

“You need to do that,” he said decisively.

“I do. And maybe I should take in a wine-tasting class while I’m in the city. Clearly, my palate needs some work.”

“Your palate is perfect.” He kissed her. “Better than perfect.” He kissed her again.

She responded immediately, arms going around his neck, hugging him close, returning the kiss with fervor, reveling in the feel of his strong body pressing itself up against hers.

“I’m taking you to New York,” he whispered against her lips.

“Now?”

“Not now.” His warm hand covered her knee, sliding up her bare thigh, beneath the red dress. “Right now, I’m hoping to take you someplace else entirely.”

She smiled against his mouth. “I can hardly wait.”

He drew back to look at her. “But after this, Mandy. Whatever happens with…” He seemed to search for words. “Whatever happens with all the stuff that’s around us… Afterwards, I am taking you to New York. We’re going to watch your sister perform, drink ridiculously expensive wine and stay in a hotel suite overlooking Central Park.”

“Is that before or after you take me to Rio for a manicure?”

“Your choice.”

His fingertips found the silk of her panties, and she groaned his name.

“Oh, Mandy,” he breathed, kissing her deeply, lifting her into his arms.

He stood, striding toward the king-size bed, flicking the lights off as he passed each switch.

He set her on her feet next to the bed, threw back the covers, then gently urged her down, following her, stretching out, his gaze holding hers the entire time.

He gently stroked her cheek with the backs of his fingers, smoothed her hair, ran his fingertips along her collarbone, pushing down the straps of her dress. “I am so very glad you’re here.”

She kissed his mouth, ran her tongue over the seam of his lips, then opened wide and kissed him deeply and endlessly. “There’s nowhere else I want to be.”

He took it slow, gently and tenderly lingering over every inch of her skin with his kisses and caresses. Mandy had never felt so cherished. And when they were naked, and fused together, she curled her body around him, holding him tight, gasping as his slow deliberate strokes took her higher and higher.

Reality disappeared, and she clung almost desperately to lovemaking that went on and on. When she finally cried his name, they collapsed into each others arms. She was certain she’d ended up in Heaven.

Her heartbeat was deep and heavy. Her lungs worked overtime. And she inhaled Caleb’s musky scent, clinging tightly to him, fighting sleep and willing the rest of the world away for just as long as possible.

The next day, Caleb couldn’t seem to bring himself to let go of Mandy. He held her hand, occasionally pulled her sideways against him. She’d put up with it for a short time, but then she kept freeing herself, obviously not comfortable with the intimacy around her family. Caleb didn’t care who saw them, as they wandered through the grounds of the Lyndon Regional Rodeo. It was opening day, and everyone agreed it was worth staying to watch.

The rodeo had always been a fun, lighthearted, family affair, and Caleb was astonished to see how much it had grown since he’d last attended. He’d rode bucking broncs that year. He was seventeen and too young to realize he was mortal.

He hadn’t finished in the money. But Reed had won the trophy for steer wrestling. Cocky, reckless and in high spirits, they’d spent his five-hundred-dollar prize on beer and flashy new boots for both of them. Now, Caleb found himself wondering if those boots, barely worn, were still stored in his bedroom closet, and what Reed had done with his pair.

He and Mandy made their way through the midway, toward the main arena. The announcer was pumping up the crowd for the first event. Children ran from ride to ride, shrieking with excitement, sticky cotton candy in their hands and balloon hats on their heads.

One young boy cried as his helium balloon floated away. Seth was quick to snag a wandering vendor and replace the balloon. They boy’s mother was grateful, and Seth was sure to introduce himself by his full name.

“Hopefully, another vote,” Abigail said to Mandy and Caleb in an undertone.

“He’s very good at schmoozing,” Caleb agreed. He had to admit, he admired Seth’s easy manner with the crowds. He seemed to know everybody, and they seemed to respect him. Those he didn’t know, he quickly met.

“Are we here for the rodeo or a campaign stop?” Mandy asked her sister. Abigail just laughed in response.

Caleb was dressed in blue jeans, boots and a white Western-style dress shirt. But it was all new, and he felt like a dandy, more than a little out of place among the working cowboys. He wondered how may people assumed he was a tourist. Certainly, all the competitors would peg him right off. He wished there was time to scuff up the boots and fade his jeans.

“Hey, Mandy,” a woman called from behind them.

Mandy turned and so did Caleb, and her hand came loose from his.

The woman looked to be about thirty years old. She wore a pair of tight jeans, a battered Stetson hat and a wide, tooled leather belt. She was a bit thick around the middle, her hair was nondescript brown, and her red checked shirt was open to reveal a navy T-shirt beneath. She clearly belonged here at the rodeo.

“You riding today?” she asked Mandy.

Caleb looked at Mandy with curiosity. She competed in rodeo events?

“Not today,” Mandy answered. “We just happened to be in town and thought we’d take it in.”

“Heard about your dad,” the woman continued, her expression switching to one of sympathy. “I was real sorry about that.”

“Thank you,” Mandy acknowledged. “We appreciate it. But he’s doing very well, making more progress every day.”

“Good to hear. Good to hear.” Then the woman stuck out her hand to Caleb. “Lori Richland.”

“Used to be Lori Parker,” Mandy put in.

Caleb recognized the name. Lori had been a year behind him in high school. He didn’t remember very much about her.

He accepted her hand. “Caleb Terrell.”

“Woo hoo,” she sang. “Wait till I tell Harvey I got a look at you.” She gave Caleb’s hand a playful tug, looking him up and down. “We heard you were back in town. Sorry to hear about your dad, too.”

“Thank you,” Caleb said simply.

Lori turned her attention to Mandy. “I’ve got Star Dock over at the stables if you want to enter the barrels.”

“I hadn’t planned-”

“Go for it,” Lori insisted. “He loves competing.” She looked back at Caleb. “The crowds and the applause does something for that horse.”

“Hey, Abby,” Lori called over Mandy’s shoulder. “Steer undecorating?”

Abby approached them. “Yeah? If you’ve got a horse here, I’m game.”

“Pincher’s been doing really well lately. And tell your brothers to check with Clancy over at the pens. We need some good local competitors in team, steer roping.”

Caleb had a sudden flashback to him and Reed practicing roping out on the range. They’d had plans to someday compete together, but Reed’s big body made him a natural for steer wrestling, while Caleb had liked the adrenalin rush of the bucking horses.

Lori looked directly at Caleb. “What about you? What are you going to enter?”

Caleb held up his palms in mock surrender. “Not today.”

He was not getting anywhere near anything that bucked. And he was completely out of practice for all of the events.

Mandy leaned over to Lori and spoke in a mock whisper. “He’s been away in the big city. Riding a desk for a few years.”

Lori checked him out up and down. “Doesn’t look too soft.”

“Why does everybody keep being surprised about that?” Caleb asked Mandy.

“Because it’s true.” She patted his shoulder consolingly. “You don’t look too bad for a city slicker.”

“You’re too kind,” he drawled.

“You should take it as a compliment,” said Mandy.

“Maybe we’ll throw you in the greased pig chase,” Lori teased Caleb.

“Pass,” said Caleb. “But you go right ahead and have a good time with that.”

Lori tipped her head back and gave a throaty laugh.

“Barrels start in about an hour,” she said to Mandy. “Better check the schedule for the rest.” With a wave, she strode away into the crowd.

“You’re going to compete?” Caleb asked.

“Sure,” said Mandy. “I could win a thousand dollars.”

“Don’t want to pass up a chance like that.” He found his gaze drifting to Travis and Seth. Abigail had obviously given them the news about the chance to enter the rodeo, and they now had their heads together talking strategy.

For a sharp second, Caleb missed Reed so badly, it brought a pain to the centre of his chest.

Then Mandy slipped her hand into his. She leaned in, and her tone went sultry. “You want to be my stable hand?”

He tugged her tight against his side. “I’ll be anything you want me to be.”

She grinned. “I’m holding you to that.”

He kept her hand in his as they headed for the horse pens in the competitors area around back of the arena.

There, she quickly got down to business, signing up, paying the entry fee and checking out the horse and tack Lori had offered her.

When she was ready to go, Caleb crossed to the competitors grandstand, where he could get a better view. He caught sight of the other Jacobs siblings in the distance, getting ready for their own events, and he had to struggle not to feel like the odd man out.