The Bull Rider's Collection (35 page)

Lizzie followed Barb out of the room and Kati chatted happily all the way down the stairs and out onto the lawn. But Barb didn’t hear a word the kid was saying. She felt like she was walking up the steps to an Old West hanging, or that she was one of Henry the Eighth’s unfortunate wives. When her gaze found Hunter on the lawn with his father, James, and another man, she froze.

He looked amazing. This was the wedding of her dreams. The man she’d always wanted. And a built in family she could love. Probably did love if she was being honest. And it was all fake.

The touch of Lizzie’s hand on her back eased her forward. Barb faked a smile and took a deep breath. She could do this. For her mom’s sake, she could do this. She glided forward to the group.

Hunter came to greet her and kissed her gently on the cheek. “You look amazing.” Then he leaned closer and whispered in her ear. “Thank you for doing this. Kati deserves a real family.”

Barb’s heart fell for the second time in twenty minutes. She’d forgotten he had an agenda too. An agenda that didn’t include loving her or promising anything outside their original arrangement. He was acting too. She closed her eyes for just a second, to settle, to get her bearings. To get the smell of Hunter’s cologne out of her head.

“You okay?” Hunter asked, his face so close she could kiss him if she just turned her head. Really kiss him, not just a peck on the cheek. A kiss that might have him questioning their arrangement the same way Barb was doing right now. A kiss that would reveal her to him, to be the fraud she felt. Because all she wanted right now was for all this to be real. Not a dog and pony show. She wanted to be Mrs. Hunter Martin for now and eternity.

She opened her eyes, abandoning the thought of the kiss, and smiled brightly at him. “I’m amazing. It’s a little overwhelming, you know.”

Hunter’s eyebrows rose. “Believe me, I know. I asked my dad not to go all crazy with this and as usual, he totally ignored my wishes. Welcome to the carnival.”

“Pictures,” John Carter called out. “You two love birds have the rest of your life to cuddle and talk. Right now, it’s picture time.”

Barb let Hunter lead her over to the group. She just hoped that the older Martin was right. That they did have the rest of their lives together and this acting job wouldn’t go the way of a bad sitcom series, canceled in the first two weeks.

Barb was just settling into her role of bride, smiling and nodding, her head resting on Hunter’s shoulder, when laughter broke out from the side of the house. Straining to see who was making the noise, she smiled when Jesse Sullivan rounded the corner with her other three bull riders. The men strutted across the yard in their cowboy finery — black hats, sponsor shirts, and new tight jeans. A hush came over the busy reception, and Barb saw more than one female head turn to follow the men’s path.

Barb stood to greet them.

“Jesse, guys, what are you doing here? I thought you were riding in Montana this weekend.” Barb hugged each man in turn.

Mike, the oldest rider, grinned. “We didn’t make the finals. So we thought we’d skip out early and come meet your new man.”

Barb glanced at the four, sheepish looks on their faces. “None of you made the finals?”

“Believe me, it looked like we tried. Jesse had a hell of a ride, taking it just up to the buzzer before he brought his hand down and disqualified himself.” Mike slapped Jesse on the back. “The rest of us took a tumble, but this guy didn’t want to take a chance of getting hurt. The puss.”

“You threw the competition just so you could be here?” Barb asked, focusing her attention on Jesse.

“Now don’t be getting all mad, we all agreed we should be here to support you. Especially because of your mom.” Jesse stood in front of the other three, looking like a momma bear in front of her cubs. “Everyone needs family at times like this. And we may not be much, but we’re your family.”

“I think it’s the sweetest thing you guys have ever done for me.” Barb kissed each man on the cheek. Then stepping back, she grinned. “Of course next weekend, I expect you all to place so we can recoup the loss we’re going to show for today.”

“Well, at least one of us will.” Mike poked Jesse in the side.

Barb felt Hunter’s hand on the small of her back. Protective, but not pushy. Like he was saying,
I’m here if you need me.
“Guys, meet Hunter Martin, my husband. Hunter, meet the guys who take up most of my summer with their problems.”

Jesse held out his hand. “Nice to see you again. You guys should have told me you just got hitched. I would have found another shower.”

“I’m sure you won’t make that mistake again,” Hunter responded, his voice cool.

Barb watched the interaction. For a guy who knew this arrangement was short lived, Hunter sure was claiming Barb as his territory. She shook her head. Maybe guys couldn’t help it. “Come on guys, play nice.”

“What are we playing?” Kati pushed in between Barb and Hunter. “Wow, are you guys real cowboys? I bet Claire would love to meet you.”

“Who’s Claire?” Jesse squatted to be face to face with Kati.

“She’s my riding instructor. She’s always saying it’s hard to find a real cowboy these days.” Kati looked up at Barb. “Claire says she dates a lot of wannabes.”

“Well, maybe I need to meet this Claire. She as pretty as you?” Jesse pinched Kati’s cheek.

Kati giggled.

The man could charm a rattlesnake, Barb thought. She pushed Kati’s hair back out of her eyes. “Kati, these are the bull riders I work with.”

“Miss Kati.” Jesse nodded to the little girl, then rose back to his 6’2" height. “You mind if we grab something to eat? We didn’t stop on the way, didn’t want to be late.”

“Of course. There’s an open bar over there too.” Hunter pointed to the left. “I’m sure you should be able to find a woman or two who would grant you a dance in this crowd.”

The men nodded, then tipped their hats to Barb. As she watched them walk away, she muttered to Hunter, “You realize you just released the wolves into the chicken coop. Those girls don’t have a chance.”

“As long as they stay away from my prize hen, I’m not concerned.” Hunter kissed the back of her hand then walked away with Kati to greet more newcomers.

The day was winding down. Barb watched as more of the guests dwindled out of the yard. One more hour and they’d be able to go home. Home. She thought of Hunter’s house as home. This play was getting a little too real for her tastes. Hunter was talking to his dad, Lizzie and James were slow dancing on the wood parquet floor, and Kati was showing off her dress to everyone. Barb’s bull riders were crowded around a table, each with a girl at their side. The guys didn’t waste time.

“Great party,” Angel’s voice broke into her thoughts.

Turning to greet the one person this entire show was developed for, she took in a sharp breath. Angel had a companion. Tall, dark, and good looking, the man stood in his jeans and button-down shirt, smirking.

“You look great, Barbie.” His Texas twang as thick as ever.

Barb’s stomach knotted. “What are you doing here?”

“I wanted to meet the new husband. I think it’s my right, don’t you?” Kevin Flavin put his fingers in his belt loops and looked around the party. Raising his voice to be heard over the music, he said, “So where is the newest victim?”

Barb felt Hunter’s hand before he even touched her shoulder. He stood over her. “I don’t think we’ve met.” Hunter’s voice was cool, commanding.

“Wild Barbie didn’t tell you about me?” Kevin shook his finger at Barb, who was still rooted in her chair. “I’m the love of her life, the man she married and dumped in less than a month. Once she got what she wanted from me, that is.”

Barb felt Hunter’s hand squeeze her shoulder. “Then maybe our wedding reception isn’t the most appropriate place for you to be right now.” Hunter’s words were calm, but his voice sounded threatening, almost a growl.

Angel laughed. “Hunter, I can’t believe you’re being so rude to your guest. I invited Kevin to be my date today. Since he knows the bride so much better than either you or I.”

“I think you should leave,” Jesse Sullivan’s voice broke through Barb’s silence. The words she’d wanted to say but couldn’t make her voice work. She felt trapped. She looked up at Jesse and realized all four of her guys were surrounding her and Hunter. A united front. Protecting her.

“Barbie owes me a dance. We never danced at our wedding, did we?” Kevin reached for her hand. “We had more important things to do. Right, honey?”

Barb pulled her hand out of Kevin’s grasp. His touch after all these years still made her feel dirty. Fear she hadn’t felt since she’d closed the door on this chapter of her life overwhelmed her. “Don’t touch me. I told you if you ever came back you’d regret it.”

“Now, honey, that sounds like a threat.” Kevin’s eyes gleamed and he took a step closer.

That was all Jesse and the boys needed. All of a sudden, Kevin was being dragged out of the yard, two men on his arms and two with his legs.

Angel smiled. “This isn’t over. I understand you are kind of a financial black widow. Marrying men just to get ahead in your career. What agreement do you have with Hunter, I wonder?”

“Get out, Angel. And don’t expect to see Kati until the hearing. You’re not going to win.” Hunter stepped between Angel and Barb. “And take the trash you brought with you. I think the guys have dropped him off at the curb, where he belongs.”

Angel looked around Hunter and caught Barb’s eyes. “Just remember, I get to present my side of the case too. And maybe you’re not the upstanding citizen you pretend to be. Believe me, missy, I can find enough people to testify that you’re just as bad as the trash you hang around with.”

“Leave now, or I’ll call the cops.”

“I’m going.” Angel smiled again. “For now.”

Barb watched the woman literally skip out of the yard. The music had died down, the band was packing up, and the remainder of the guests had been watching their little show. Probably why Angel had waited to arrive, for maximum impact. She looked up at Hunter. “Look, we need to talk.”

He turned toward her. His face hard, his eyes cold. “Not now. I don’t want to hear this now. Just make sure you’re at the hearing on Friday. You can stay at your mom’s, right?”

“Hunter, that’s not fair. Kevin’s a piece of crap. He’s the man who wants to be the quarterback throwing the fourth down pass, winning the game. No matter that the trick fails nine-point-seven-five times out of ten. He thought he was that point-two-five percent in bull riding. Another Jesse, but without the work. I was just a stepping stone in his path to glory.”

“None of that matters right now. I just need to do some damage control before the hearing.” Hunter asked his question again. “So you can stay at your mom’s?”

“I take it I’m not welcome at your house?” Barb’s voice came out steadier than she’d thought.

He glanced around at the crowd that still watched the bride and groom and lowered his voice to a whisper. “Seriously? You know I need you for the court hearing. And you give Angel the one thing that could blow up in my face. Without telling me there’s even a Kevin out there.” Hunter shook his head. “Kati can’t go live with that woman, no matter what I have to do to make sure I keep custody.”

“But … ” Barb started.

Hunter cut her off. “I mean it, Barb. Just make sure your story is solid for the judge. I don’t even want to know if it’s true or just another lie.”

“I’ll be at the hearing. But, Hunter, Kevin didn’t tell you the entire story.” Barb put her hand on her husband’s arm. Or her husband for now. The dream she’d been living had been destroyed by a past she couldn’t change.

“Don’t. Just don’t.” Hunter shook off her hand then headed toward the bar. Kati met him halfway and he scooped the little girl up into his arms as they walked away.

Barb sank into her chair as she watched her family disappear. She’d been a fool to think Hunter had any intention of continuing her tenure as Mrs. Martin past the hearing date. He’d been using her. Just like she’d used him to get her mom placed at Countryside. She felt a hand on her shoulder.

Brushing back the tears she didn’t realize were falling, she looked up. Jesse stood there, concern for her on his face. “Bad day?”

“The worst.” Barb glanced around the reception. “Where are James and Lizzie?”

“They left just as we were dumping that piece of shit Kevin out on the driveway.” Jesse grinned. “I’m in charge of you.”

“Excuse me?” Barb’s head was fuzzy from the champagne and the fight. She blew her nose on a napkin, patting her face dry. No more tears. Not now, not ever.

“Lizzie went into labor. The twins are coming. I’m driving you to the hospital.” Jesse looked at her dress. “You have something a little more casual?”

“Upstairs. Give me a second and I’ll be ready.” Barb let Jesse help her out of the chair and they walked together to the house. She turned for a second before she went through the door and saw Hunter watching her. Watching her leave with Jesse Sullivan. Hunter blinked first and turned back to the bar, a beer in his hand.

Hunter closed Kati’s bedroom door. Three bedtime stories later, and she was still questioning him about when Barb was coming home. He didn’t know how long the story Lizzie needed her help with the twins was going to hold water. He’d dropped off her suitcase at the hospital yesterday after receiving a call from Jesse.

He’d been prepared to apologize, to at least see where her head was, to talk, but he hadn’t had the chance. Jesse had been waiting in the lobby to meet him.

“Dude, she doesn’t want to see you.” Jesse’s tone was kind, and there was a touch of, what, sympathy, in the man’s eyes?

“I screwed up. I just reacted when Kevin showed up.” Hunter shook his head. “I don’t know what we’re supposed to be. Who we’re supposed to be.”

“Barb’s always been a hard nut to crack.” Jesse’s phone went off. “Look, I have to get back but this thing with Kevin wasn’t Barb’s fault. That lying sack of shit set her up to help his career. I wouldn’t doubt if he’d drugged her.”

“You’re kidding me.” Anger flooded into Hunter’s body, his hands clenching involuntarily.