Blame It on the Rodeo (11 page)

* * *

“I
SN
’
T
THAT
HER
car?” Hunter asked when they parked in front of the Magpie. “I thought horse vets drove trucks.”

“She has a Ram 3500 Dually she uses for trailering horses,” Shane said. “But it’s easier and cheaper to use her car for typical ranch calls.”

Lexi’s mud-covered Mustang sat in front of the luncheonette, in desperate need of a wash and wax. Clay had told him to surprise her if he wanted to win her back, and he knew Lexi definitely wasn’t the traditional-gift type. Shane tried to think of a way he could get her car detailed without her knowledge. In high school, she’d stolen his filthy white pickup and detailed it when he was away at a weekend rodeo. When he returned he didn’t even recognize the truck was his. It was a sweet gesture he’d never had the chance to return.

“How are you at stealing cars?” Shane asked.

Hunter’s head shot up. “We’re going to steal her car?”

“In a manner of speaking and I need your help.”

Shane told Hunter his plan, but they needed a way to see it through. Figuring she’d be at the ranch later, they decided that if Hunter kept her occupied, Shane would have a golden opportunity, with a limited amount of time.

Bells above the door jingled as they entered the cozy luncheonette. The handful of Formica-and-chrome tables were already filled to capacity but one booth was still empty—right behind Lexi’s spot at the counter. Nerves began to hitch a ride to his palms and he wiped the sweat on his jeans. A seasoned pro at women, Shane knew his typical charm was out of the question.

Hunter nudged him. “Just say hi,” he whispered. “Keep it simple.”

Shane looked down at the kid in annoyance. “Oh, okay, coach.” His sarcasm was thick.

“It’s better than standing here,” Hunter retorted. “Just sayin’.”

Shane tapped Lexi on the shoulder. “Hi.” The word came out slow, mumbled like he had a mouthful of marbles. Hunter rolled his eyes and squeezed in on the other side of Lexi, almost causing her to fly off the stool.

Great team we make, kid.

“What are you two doing here?” Lexi’s eyes darted from one to the other. “Don’t the students eat at the ranch?”

The harshness of her tone made Hunter retreat toward the booth. He sat down and removed a menu from behind the napkin holder, ignoring them. Either he was giving them a moment to talk or she’d hurt his feelings. Shane was pissed.

“Attitude check?” Shane said to Lexi. “You want to be mad at me for a kiss? Fine, but don’t take it out on him.”

Lexi looked around the luncheonette, checking to see if the other customers had overheard. Their immediate downward glances confirmed they had and Lexi laid her fork on her empty plate and stood. Leaving a twenty on the counter, she walked out the door, leaving him to stand in the middle of the Magpie with his hat in his hand.

Clay strode from the bathroom and motioned toward the counter. “Hey, man, where’d she run off to?”

“She just left,” Shane said. “Did you two come together?”

He knew there was a rumor going around town about Clay and Lexi, and naturally he blew it off. But seeing them together in the morning made him wonder.

“We did but it’s not what you think. Nash is taking a look at my truck and Lexi and I decided to grab a bite to eat while I waited. I’d better catch up to her before she leaves me here. I’ll call you later.”

Shane slid into the booth across from Hunter. “I’m sorry she treated you that way. She was out of line.”

“Forget about it. What the hell was that
hhhiii
business?” Hunter set his menu on the table and stared at him. “Did someone set your mouth on hot and it ran?”

“Watch your tone, and that’s what you told me to say.” The little man had a set. Shane opened his menu, although he knew the thing by heart. “What do you want to order?”

“I didn’t tell you to say it like that.” Hunter reached across the table and pulled Shane’s menu down. “It sounded like you had a mouthful of molasses.”

“You’re going to give me advice on women?” Shane laughed.

“Yeah, I think I should,” Hunter asserted. “I do pretty well myself at home.”

“Oh, you do?”

“Running off my customers so early in the morning?” Bridgett stood at their table with her short pink uniform and white apron. “What can I get you two?”

Hunter mouthed “watch this”
to Shane and turned his body toward the waitress.

“Your hair reminds me of a warm summer day at sunset.”

Oh, no, he didn’t.
Bridgett smiled, color rising to her cheeks. “Aren’t you just the sweetest thing. Do you like pancakes, because we make the best chocolate chip pancakes in the world.”

“I’d love some.” Hunter beamed, clearly proud of himself.

“And you?” Bridgett asked Shane with far less enthusiasm, almost bordering on disdain. “Your typical—I mean your usual?”

Shane nodded and Hunter almost fell out of the booth laughing at him. “She likes me better than you,” he mocked.

“I have to admit, that was a good pickup line.” Shane laughed. “I guess I did ruffle a few feathers this morning.”

“We only talked to two women this morning and they’re both mad at you.” Hunter looked toward Bridgett and waved. “What’s the deal with the redhead? Why does she hate you?”

“Bridgett happens to be Lexi’s best friend. So if Lexi is ticked at me, so’s Bridgett.”

“Nah, I’ll soften her up for you,” Hunter said. “Are you going to let me have a cup of coffee or are you going to tell me it will stunt my growth like my parents do?”

“Go right ahead.” Shane couldn’t remember ever not drinking coffee. “You’ll need it today.”

“I hear we have a little heartbreaker in our midst.” Maggie Dalton turned their cups over and filled them both with coffee.

“Maggie...” Shane began before Hunter could work his charms on the woman. “This is Hunter Rathbone, one of my students. Hunter, this is Cole’s wife Tess’s mother, Maggie.”

“It’s a real pleasure to meet you, ma’am.” Hunter grinned innocently. “I can see why Tess is so beautiful.”

Not again.

“Aren’t you cuter than a kitten in pajamas!” Maggie turned to Shane. “He reminds me of you when you were that age.”

“Thanks.” Shane smiled.
At least someone noticed me.

“Listen.” Maggie leaned into Hunter. “Don’t take any advice about women from this one here, trust me.”

She winked and walked away.

“You must be some dog.” Hunter tugged a napkin out of the dispenser. “The things you can learn from me.”

“Oh, that will be the day.” Shane smirked.

“What did you do to her anyway? You said something about getting married the other day.”

“I was supposed to marry Lexi and ended up marrying someone else.”

“Knocked a chick up, huh?”

Shane almost choked on his coffee. “Precocious, aren’t you? And yes and no. The kid turned out not to be mine.”

“Gold digger or just a tramp?” Hunter said so matter-of-factly Shane didn’t believe he was talking to a kid.

“Both, and you ask too many questions.”

“Do you want my help with Lexi or not?” Hunter asked. “At the rate you’re going, every female in town will be throwing eggs at you by sundown.”

“Here you go, honey.” Bridgett set Hunter’s pancakes down in front of him, complete with a giant whipped cream heart on top of them. She gave Shane his order without a word and walked away.

“All right, you win. I need your help.”

Chapter Nine

“Where are you off to in a hurry?” Clay tried to stop Lexi from leaving without him

“Hop in and I’ll drop you off at your truck.” Lexi stepped on the gas before Clay even closed the door. “I appreciate your help, but it’s over with now. I’m taking your advice and steering clear of them. While they’re eating it gives me a chance to check in at the ranch and head out before they return.”

“My advice was
before
you found out, not after.” Clay held on to the dashboard while Lexi turned off Main Street. “Follow your heart, Lexi, but try not to kill us in the process.”

“No, absolutely not.” Following her heart was selfish. “This isn’t about what I want. I take that back...yes, it is. I want Hunter to be healthy and happy and he is. He doesn’t need to know I’m his biological mother.”

Minutes later they were in her driveway, behind his truck. Clay stepped from the Mustang and before he could say another word, Lexi threw the car in Reverse and left Clay with no other option than to close the door and let her leave. Her feelings weren’t important and she’d known that the day she decided to bring a child into this world. Giving him up for adoption was painful, but the more Lexi thought about it, it wasn’t the most painful thing in the world. Seeing hurt and distrust on Hunter’s face would be, and she wouldn’t be able to live with that.

At the ranch, Apollo and Crystal both checked out perfectly. Ashleigh had tried unsuccessfully once again to introduce mother and baby without any luck. Not willing to push the matter any further, Lexi resolved that Delilah would be Apollo’s new mother since they appeared to be forming a bond. The animal world and human world weren’t that different after all.

By the time she finished on the ranch, Shane and Hunter were driving in, passing her on the main road. She didn’t wave and she didn’t even look in their direction. Keeping her eyes straight ahead, Lexi gripped the wheel and headed home.

It was later than usual for Autumn’s morning ride, but Lexi would rather go out late than miss their alone time. Opting to ride bareback today, she directed Autumn to the trail behind the crops. Nowhere near the size of Bridle Dance, the Lawson farm had a modest amount of acreage and enough land to ride multiple trails and not get bored.

The reins loose in her hand, Lexi allowed Autumn to choose their destination. Figuring the horse would pick her favorite spot near the small fishing pond, they instead made their way toward the north end of Cooter Creek, where it first entered Ramblewood. Autumn languidly walked along the water’s edge and Lexi knew her horse sensed her tension and was allowing her the time to unwind.

Horses amazed her the way they noticed your every emotion. It was one of the reasons she loved to ride without a saddle. She felt more connected with the animal and she trusted Autumn completely.

Taking longer than expected, she called from the trail to check in with Ashleigh. The Lawsons’ market and gift shop had a separate back area with its own outside entrance that Lexi had converted into her office. She needed to send out some invoices and check her patient vaccination schedules. They would have to get a start on the next round of West Nile within the coming week.

“Hello?” Ashleigh said.

“It’s me. Are you in the office yet?”

“I’m here with Billy and Michelle starting the West Nile and influenza schedule.”

Michelle was one of their summer techs home from college. She was two years away from her bachelor’s then she was off to veterinary school. Once again, Lexi’s techs were one step ahead of her.

“Well, that takes care of the reason I was calling.” Lexi lifted her face toward the sun. “I’m out on Autumn but I’ll be in before my next appointment.”

She had a follow-up with a show jumper in the afternoon, leaving her with the rest of the morning for herself. Lexi hopped off and led Autumn to the water to drink. When she was finished, Lexi wound her arms around the mare’s neck, and Autumn lifted her front leg and wrapped it around Lexi’s waist. It was a trick Jesse trained his horses to do, and one she taught Autumn when she was a yearling.

Thinking about Jesse made her wonder about Miranda. When she’d left the picnic the poor woman looked like she was about to pop. She wasn’t due for another three weeks but the doctor told her it could be sooner, especially when carrying twins.

There it was...once again she was thinking about Hunter. Placing both hands on Autumn’s back, she hopped and swung her leg over.

Maybe it’s time I moved on from Ramblewood.

* * *

S
HANE
HADN
’
T
SEEN
Lexi in three days and there was no doubt in his mind she was avoiding him. She came in early the first day, so he thought he’d catch her on the second. That morning she sent Ashleigh instead and showed up when he was teaching class. Thinking he’d outsmart her, today he held class outside since a slight cool front had come through, but she didn’t show at all.

He called Clay before the afternoon class began and asked if he’d heard from her.

“I haven’t seen her, either,” Clay said. “Have you tried her office or her house?”

“Every time I step foot on their land one of her kin threatens to shoot me,” Shane groaned. “I’m not exactly the Lawsons’ favorite person.”

“Give her some time, she’ll come around.”

“Time for what?” Shane pinched the bridge of his nose. “Do you know something you’re not telling me?”

“You’ve been a little pushy lately,” Clay laughed. “You went from patiently waiting for her to let you back in to shoving your tongue down her throat in the middle of the stables.”

“I’ll have you know she kissed me,” Shane said indignantly.

“I’m talking about last week, not the other day.”

“How the hell do you know about that?” Shane demanded.

“You kissed her in a public place,” Clay said. “Do you realize how many employees you have working for you? People talk, man.”

“Will you call her for me?” Shane hated to ask his friend to get in the middle of things, but Lexi wasn’t making the situation easy and he wasn’t going to give up on her.

“I can try. Any particular message you want me to tell her? Maybe three little words?”

“Don’t you dare,” Shane threatened. “Just, I don’t know, have her call me and mention Hunter’s birthday party. She knows about it, but she may have forgotten.”

Shane pocketed his phone and headed toward the arena.

“Any luck?” Chase called out when he opened the gate.

“Clay’s going to try to reach her.” Shane double-checked some of the rigging hanging on the rails. “I’m supposed to ride in Tennessee this week.”

“You going to go?” Chase removed one of the hack reins for a closer inspection.

“I should.” Shane exhaled slowly. “I hate leaving this all on you.”

“No bother.” Chase smiled, placed the rein back on the fence and continued on to the saddle rigging. “I’m not going to think twice when I do it to you next month. Don’t blame not going on the rodeo school, Shane. If you want to stay because of whatever is going on between you and Lexi, then stay and tell her why you’re staying.”

“I would if she’d talk to me.” Shane adjusted his chaps and the class started to file in.

“If it were me, I’d go to Tennessee for a chance to clear your head,” Chase said. “It’s two days, it’s not like she’s going anywhere. All right, class, let’s—”

“Shane! Chase!” His mother screamed across the parking lot. “They’re coming!”

Hopping the fence, Shane grabbed his mother before she fainted. “Calm down. Who’s coming?”

“The babies!” She fanned her face. “We have to go.”

“You’re not driving anywhere.” Chase ushered his mom toward the door. “Are Miranda and Jesse at the hospital?”

“On their way.” Kay’s voice was ragged. “You drive then.”

“You coming?” Chase called over his shoulder.

“Kyle, you got this?” Shane asked.

“I’m good. Just go.” Kyle waved him out. “Give them my best.”

“I’m not going in that doorless thing,” Kay said as she pointed at Shane’s Jeep.

“We’re taking your car, Mom.” Chase held the door open for her before she pushed it closed.

“Not like that you aren’t. You’re not getting my Mercedes dirty—go get changed.”

“I thought you wanted to leave now?” Shane asked.

“No sons of mine are going to the hospital with dirt on their faces and heaven only knows what under their nails.”

“We’ve certainly gone looking worse.” Shane nudged Chase.

“I meant the maternity ward. Oh, shit.” Kay fumbled for her phone. “I forgot to call Tess. Where’s Cole?”

Shane and Chase laughed at their mother’s infrequent swearword and scrambled into the house to make themselves more hospital presentable. By the time they arrived, the rest of the family was in the waiting room along with Mable and Lexi.

“I’m just glad we got her here before she birthed those babies on my clean floor,” Mable said.

Animated as usual, the woman filled in everyone who entered the immediate vicinity. Strangers and all. “Can you imagine the handful these young’uns are going to be with those two as parents? Stubborn, I’ll tell you that much. I just wish I knew what they were.”

“We all do,” Kay said. “I’m so tired of knitting yellow or green. Leave it to them to make it difficult on us and wait until they’re born to find out the sex.”

Shane wrinkled his nose at the antiseptic smell of the hospital. He crossed the room toward Lexi, and she squared her shoulders as he drew near. He wondered if she’d bolt at any second.

“I get the distinct impression you’ve been avoiding me.” Shane sat in the chair next to her.

Lexi loudly sighed and slumped in the chair. “I’ve had quarterly West Nile vaccines to administer around the county, plus six-month influenza for all the yearlings.” She rose to leave and Shane grabbed her hand. Her fingers were cold and stiff, like icicles.

“Please don’t go,” Shane implored. “How did you hear about Miranda so fast?”

“I was the driver,” Lexi grumbled, lowering herself back down into the chair.

“What?” Shane chuckled. “How did that happen?”

“I was vaccinating Jesse’s horses when Miranda went into labor. Can you imagine Mable or Jesse driving here?”

“Please tell me you didn’t squeeze them all in your Mustang.” Shane didn’t even want to imagine it.

“Didn’t I?” Lexi’s brows rose. “I had no choice. Mable’s car is a scary-ass bucket of bolts and there was no way Miranda was getting her baby belly up and into a truck. They seriously need to rethink the vehicle situation over there. So, Miranda rode up front with me and I squeezed Mable and Jesse in the back.”

Shane laughed. “Was the top up, at least?”

“Heavens, no.” Lexi started to laugh. “There is no way Jesse would fit in that backseat if it was.”

“Mable must have loved that.”

“That woman screamed the entire way here like a damn police siren.” Tears trailed down Lexi’s face. “Believe me when I tell you, they heard us coming.”

Shane howled. “My poor brother.”

“My poor ears! Miranda was the easiest one of the bunch and she was in labor.”

Shane swiped his eyes with the back of his hand. “I think you deserve a medal.”

“Screw that,” Lexi said. “I want a trophy.”

It felt good to laugh, especially with Lexi. The tension was gone, at least for a few moments while they waited for the next Langtry generation to arrive.

“There’s something I’ve wanted to tell you for a few days now,” Shane began.

“Should I be worried?” Lexi said. “You’re not pregnant, are you?”

Shane bit his bottom lip, not sure how to respond. “At least we can joke about it.”

“It’s either laugh or cry and I prefer laughter.”

“Well, this will really make you laugh.” Shane’s excitement rose at the idea of his television show. “I was approached at the ribbon cutting to do a reality show centering on me and the school.”

“Someone wants you as their reality?” Lexi giggled. “Now that’s funny.”

Feeling a bit wounded, Shane didn’t respond.

“You’re serious?” Lexi asked. “I heard rumblings about it but I thought it was a story one of the local news stations was running on the school. I’m sorry—continue.”

“They’re choosing a few rodeo cowboys and shooting the segments all over the country. Of course, they want us to meet up at the same rodeo events so we can have on-screen time together, but they want me and Ride ’em High! as the show’s anchor.”

“What about Chase?” Lexi asked. “The school is half his.”

“It’s all still up in the air and we haven’t had a chance to sit down with anyone from the show yet.” Even though he and Chase hadn’t agreed to do the show, they still wanted to send a production crew out to look around. “They want to take some test shots this week, but if we do go through with it, they’ll probably ask you to sign a waiver of some sort.”

“Me?” Lexi asked. “How do I fit into all of this?”

“Everyone does. They’ll film in and around the ranch, plus in town. I’ll have a camera crew following me.”

“Count me out, cowboy.” Lexi shook her head. “I don’t want any part of that.”

“Now you sound like my mom and Cole.”

“Keep them the hell away from me, Shane.” Lexi stood and walked outside before he could stop her.

* * *

“P
LEASE
ANSWER
,
PLEASE
answer, please answer.” Lexi spoke into the phone while she paced in front of the hospital.

“You’ve reached CT Investigations. I’m unavailable at this time. Please leave a message and I’ll return your call shortly.”

“It’s Lexi. I need to talk to you right away. It’s urgent.”

“So start talking.” Clay appeared between two parked cars.

“Don’t do that!”

“I told you I can get in and out undetected,” Clay joked. “Is everything okay with the babies?”

“Everything’s fine.” Lexi dragged him away from the hospital entrance. “Did you know someone asked Shane to do a reality show here in Ramblewood?”

“He told me the other day, I tried to talk to you about it but you haven’t returned any of my calls.” Clay relaxed on a brick parking lot break wall. “You can’t be anywhere near that show.”