The Cowboy Way (9 page)

He leaned over the table. They were mere inches apart. “Darlin', if I didn't know better, I'd think you cared about me.”

He could see her struggling to find the right words. “I-I…don't like to see anyone hurt. What does your doctor say?”

He hesitated. “He said I should take more time off.” He rocked his chair back on its two rear legs and looked around. Wasn't anyone going to rescue him from this
conversation? No midriffs to sign? No autographs needed on cocktail napkins?

“Then why don't you do what the doctor says?”

“If I can ride the bounty bull, Wheelchair Rodeo will be set for a long time.”

“And if you can't?”

“Wheelchair Rodeo will continue to rely on contributions, and I'm going to ride in the Challenge because it's my event,” he said simply.

“Why?”

“I'm the organizer. My name's on it. It's called the Jake Dixon Gold Buckle Challenge for a reason. I'm going to ride. I
need
to ride. I ride bulls. That's what I do.”

“Oh, for heaven's sake! Do you want to end up in a wheelchair?” she shouted over the band. Her eyes widened with shock and she clamped her lips together.

He pushed his hat back with his thumb. That was just the question his doctor had asked him.

“I'm sorry,” Beth said. “It's none of my business.”

“That's right.”

“Just like when you say I'm overprotective of Kevin, it's none of your business.”

“Right again.”

She gathered up her purse. “Shall we go now?”

He'd upset her again. Wasn't this the perfect ending to one hell of a strange night?

She was quiet on the ride home. At one point she fell asleep, so he put his arm around her shoulder and tried to pull her closer to him, but he woke her instead.

She grunted. “What?”

“Lay your head on my shoulder if you want to sleep, so you don't bang it against the window.”

She rubbed her eyes and sat up straighter. “I'm fine.”

“Suit yourself.”

Ah, yes. The Jake Dixon charm. He'd been goaded into taking Beth out. Then he couldn't drink, couldn't dance and couldn't fight.

What kind of cowboy was he?

 

Jake walked Beth to the door of the Trail Boss Cabin. He couldn't remember when he'd been such a bonehead on a date. First, there was the Great Beer Mistake, then the Harvey Trumble Fiasco. Finally, he tells her to butt out of his life.

He was so tired, his eyes were burning from the smoke at the Last Chance and he could barely stand. But he wanted to set things right with her.

Yet at her cabin door, he was at a loss for words.

“It was a great night. Thanks,” he managed to mumble. He didn't understand it. He'd been interviewed by all the sports biggies, but he couldn't connect two worthwhile sentences in front of Beth Conroy right now.

But he couldn't stand the sadness in her eyes. He'd been too hard on her during the butt-out conversation.

So he did what he'd wanted to do all night. He pulled her to him and kissed her.

Her arms went around his neck, and he took it as a sign that she wanted more. He deepened the kiss. His hands itched to touch her, to discover her body, to feel her warmth. He inhaled her scent, which was like musky roses.

She broke away, took a deep breath. He could feel her wrists pulse where he held her. She was as affected
by their kiss as he. “Good night, Jake. Thanks for the evening out.” Beth hesitated for a moment. “I'd ask you in, but tomorrow is a big day. We both need to get some sleep.”

He knew a brush-off when he heard one.

“Good night, Beth. See you in the morning.”

He watched as she closed the door, then he hobbled back to the ranch house.

They just didn't mesh. She could be fun, and they'd had a few laughs, but when they crossed some invisible border, one of them got their hackles up.

He should just keep his distance.

 

Beth took a quick, hot shower to get the odor of cigarette smoke out of her hair. She was exhausted, but instead of sleeping, she thought about Jake Dixon.

It had been an unusual night, but there were a few things that had made a considerable impression on her. Jake had refrained from drinking because of her, and he'd handled Harvey Trumble with much more patience than she would have.

One thing she never thought about much was Jake's popularity—his celebrity, or whatever it was called. She remembered the group gathered around him at the airport, and the crowd that had supported him at the Last Chance Saloon. She remembered the woman, Trixie, who'd asked him to autograph her stomach, and how he didn't want to embarrass Beth by doing it. Interesting.

They lived such different lives. He was country; she was city. He was fairly rich; she rented apartments. He could have any woman he wanted; she was a widow coping with a lot of guilt and a son in a wheelchair….

Kevin!

She shot upright in bed. She hadn't thought of Kevin in hours. What kind of a mother was she?

She took a deep, calming breath and made herself relax. Kevin was fine. He was having fun. And so was she. There was nothing to worry about.

But after years of conditioning, how could she stop?

 

The next morning, after a fitful sleep, Beth shrugged into a sweatshirt and hurried out the door for the flag-raising ceremony. It was a foggy morning, but the sun would soon burn the fog away. It was going to be another lovely day at the Gold Buckle Ranch.

By the time the Pledge of Allegiance, Dex's prayer and the day's announcements were over, the fog was gone.

She scanned the crowd of kids for Kevin. He spotted her, grinned and waved. That little gesture made her decide that he was doing okay and wasn't missing her. He turned, and she followed the direction of his gaze. His smile went even wider and his wave stronger. Jake Dixon was walking toward him.

They exchanged manly handshakes. Jake ruffled his hair, and Kevin didn't seem to mind it in the least. The two of them clicked. No matter what, she was glad that Kevin had had the opportunity to meet Jake and get to know him.

And deep down, she was glad that she had had the same opportunity.

“Is everyone having a great time?” Dex Dixon shouted.

“Yeah!”

The cowboys tossed their hats in the air. Beth loved how they got the kids excited. Their deep voices mixed with the high-pitched cheers of the kids echoed across the grounds of the ranch.

“Today, we're going to get ready for the big trail ride tomorrow. There'll be more riding and roping practice and we're going to hear about how the pioneers settled the West. There's some other things planned, too, but first—” Dex pointed to several hay wagons coming down the lane “—first, we are going to take a hayride to breakfast. Cookie's fixing up something special by the river.”

The kids squealed.

“Everyone go with your volunteer and they'll take you to your assigned wagon. Of course, our other guests are welcome to join us. There's plenty of room and plenty of food.”

The cowboys and the volunteers began wheeling the kids away. Ramps were in place. Soon the wagons were loaded. Kevin was one of the first to get on.

“Mom! Mom! Aren't you coming?” Kevin yelled.

“I think I'll stay here today, sweetie.”

“C'mon, Mom!”

Jake appeared at her side. “What's stopping you?”

“I was giving Kevin some distance.”

Jake raised an eyebrow. “If I didn't know any better, I'd think that you're taking some of my unwanted advice.”

“Maybe.”

“Good, but forget it this time.” He took her arm. “Kevin wants you to go.”

Standing so close to him reminded her of the kiss
they had shared last night. A kiss that had curled her toes and kept her up tossing and turning and thinking of him.

“Scrambled eggs, country sausage, home fries and Cookie's special biscuits on a blanket alongside the Silver River. Later, Clint Scully's going to spin a story or two for the kids. What more could you ask for?” Jake asked.

“Less grease.” Beth laughed.

He laughed. “Never. Cookie wouldn't know how to cook without grease.”

“So I've discovered.”

“What do you say?”

“It sounds wonderful.”

He motioned with his hand. “Let's go, then.”

She walked with him to the wagon, where Kevin was already in position. Jake helped her up the ramp. She sat on a bale of hay beside Kevin, and Jake sat next to her.

“Are you having a good time?” Beth asked her son.

“Awesome! It's just so cool here, Mom. I wish we could stay forever.”

“I have a job. You have school. When our vacation is over, we have to go home. You know that.”

“But you can get a job here, and I can go to school here. I can have my own horse and…and…”

“Kevin…”
Let me worry about the future,
she thought. She was good at it, since she worried about it nearly every day of their lives.

“Hey, Kev, how's your roping coming?” Jake asked, and she was glad for the change of conversation. “I think you're a real contender for the Gold Buckle.”

“Really, Jake?”

“Really.” Jake nodded. “I think your competition is Haley Jo and maybe Alex, but I think you can win it with a little more practice.” He winked at Beth. “Besides, you have the
official
Jake Dixon rope.”

Beth winked back. “Well, that decides it. Haley Jo and Alex don't have a chance.”

Clint Scully pulled out a guitar and started singing “Home on the Range,” which seemed to be his anthem. Everyone joined in. More songs followed, along with good-natured joking among the cowboys and kids.

Beth laughed loudly and frequently, sang at the top of her lungs and clapped along with the kids. It was a beautiful day, made even better by Kevin and Jake's company.

When they arrived at the river, Kevin wheeled away to listen to Clint Scully's story.

Beth smiled at the cowboy next to her. “Jake, I'd like to thank you for changing the subject back there. Kevin gets so carried away.”

He looked out at the distant mountains. “I can't blame the boy. It's beautiful out here.”

“It's beautiful in Lizard Rock, too.”

“In an apartment building?”

“Well, no, but we can drive to one of the local parks.” Actually, lately she hadn't had the time to take Kevin anywhere except to doctors' visits and to the hospital for tests.

“It's not the same as all this, is it?”

“Not for a little boy with rodeo and horses and bulls on his mind, but it's the best I can do. Sometimes I feel
like it's just not enough, no matter what.” She sighed, then blurted, “And Kevin should be walking, but he's not. I have to take him to Boston.”

It shocked her that she had just divulged her big worry to Jake Dixon without a moment's hesitation.

“I'm sorry,” she said. “I'm babbling and whining and I can't stand myself about now. Maybe you should just go join the others while I walk this mood off.”

“You can tell me what's on your mind. Of course you're worried about Kevin not walking.”

He took her arm, steadying her as she stumbled on uneven ground. They continued walking.

“You know, there's something about this place that's making me crazy. I never tell anyone my business or my worries. What is it about you?”

“Maybe I'm a good listener.”

“Maybe I have too much time to think here. Back home, I never have this kind of time.”

“Let me get this straight—you don't like having too much time to think?”

“Correct.”

Jake picked up a small stone and skimmed it across the river. “It's bad to think?”

“It is for me. I start to obsess.”

“Just keep in mind that usually you can come to some kind of resolution when you have time to think about a problem. Then you can start to work on a plan. But obsessing doesn't do any good.”

“Do you get a lot of problems solved here, Jake?”

“Usually, but lately I haven't had time to think.”

She laughed. “You have time now.”

“Okay. I think that I'm starving and need some cof
fee. So let's go and visit Cookie.” Jake motioned for her to come with him. “There. Now, wasn't that easy?”

“That was a cop-out, Jake Dixon.”

J
ake took a seat in the picnic pavilion and stretched out his right leg. He enjoyed the sounds of laughter, good-natured teasing and shouting that drifted on the breeze. That's what he liked to hear at the Gold Buckle Ranch, the sound of children being children and having a good time.

He was the most content when the campers arrived at the ranch. All his work throughout the year, along with the help of his moth978-14592-2475-9
er and father who believed in Wheelchair Rodeo as much as he did, paid off whenever he looked at their happy faces.

“How's the leg, Jake?”

Shoot. He'd been hoping not to run into Trot, known officially as Dr. Michael Trotter at Casper General Hospital.

“It's doing better,” he lied.

“Doesn't seem much better the way you're favoring it. I want to check it and check your back. Stop in at the infirmary and let me take a touch and feel. I also want updated X rays. You can go to Casper Gen and get them done.”

“Sorry, Doc. No time.”

Trot took a gulp of coffee and raised a dark eyebrow. “
Make
time. I'll bet my diplomas that your fracture isn't healing right and your back is… Hell, we'll cross that bridge later.”

Jake opened his mouth to say something, but the doctor held up a hand. “Dammit, Jake. You're not invincible.”

“I'm doing okay.”

“Doesn't look it, and it's only going to get worse if you don't let me operate on you.”

“Are you nagging me, Trot?”

“Whatever it takes. Are you still planning on riding in the Challenge?”

“You know I am. Plus I'm riding a bounty bull before that.”

“You'd better buy a wheelchair of your own, then. I'm advising against it.” Trot drained his coffee. “Out of curiosity, who's the bounty bull?”

“Twister.”

“Great.” Trot raised his eyes to the sky. “While you're at Casper Gen, we'll have your head examined, too.”

 

Beth took a sip of coffee to wash down the fried potatoes that had caught in her throat. She hadn't meant to listen in, but they were sitting right behind her.

She knew how much riding the bounty bull and riding in his own event meant to Jake, but heavens, he cer
tainly didn't want to end up in a wheelchair himself. Beth didn't know if the doctor was talking about a permanent injury or a temporary condition if he rode. But either way, why would Jake want to take that chance?

Because it meant a million dollars to Wheelchair Rodeo.

And the Challenge had his name on it.

Those were pretty important reasons to Jake. Important enough for him to put his health and his life on the line.

It was none of her concern. Whatever Jake Dixon did was his business, not hers. He'd already told her as much.

Beth helped some of the kids get their breakfast. Special picnic tables had been made so they could wheel their chairs right up to the table. No doubt it was Jake's idea, and he and his friends had probably done the work. If he could make a drawing for her with the measurements, she could get one made for Kevin back in Lizard Rock and put it outside on her small patio.

A dull ache settled in her chest. Kevin should be walking, but since he wasn't, she really needed to take him to Boston so another specialist could evaluate him and figure out what was wrong. She'd do that the minute she got home.

Home.

She had to admit that she wouldn't mind moving to Wyoming, but what she could afford in Wyoming was pretty much what she could afford in Arizona. Nothing much. So far, the only business-type places she'd seen in Mountain Springs where she could get a job were the Last Chance Saloon and the gas station next to it. She'd
love a job at the Gold Buckle Ranch, but from what she could tell, it was entirely run by volunteers.

She'd have to get a job in a nearby city like Casper. That would defeat the purpose of Kevin moving here.

He also wanted a horse, and she'd love to give him one. She didn't know the first thing about horses, other than that she could saddle one—well, kind of. A horse was a major expense. So was the care and feeding of one.

While the kids ate and talked, Beth noticed they all had much more color in their cheeks than when they'd arrived. They were more animated, and they'd made new friends. It was good for them to get outside more, socialize with kids in the same situation, forget that they had problems—and be cowboys for a while.

She was glad that Kevin was participating in Wheelchair Rodeo. So far everything was going well. Any earlier fears about Jake's drinking had been banished to the back of her mind, but she was still going to be vigilant.

Emily Dixon called for the kids to make a circle around the campfire. Clint Scully was waiting for them. He announced that he was going to tell a story about “some pioneers who got stuck in a snowstorm in this very valley, back in 'bout 1880.”

I hope it's not the Donner party, Beth thought.

“You're not thinking again, are you?” Jake asked as he joined her at the picnic table.

“Yes and no. I'm listening to Clint, thinking about how much the kids are enjoying everything. You have a fabulous program. As the mother of a son who's just thrilled to be here, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

He shrugged. “No one loves Wheelchair Rodeo more than I do, except maybe my folks. The cowboys love it too. For some, it's the family they don't have. They love the kids, and more than one tough cowboy gets a little water in his eyes on occasion.” He nodded toward the circle. “Those kids are the ones who are really tough. I couldn't sit in a wheelchair the rest of my life.”

“If you had a choice, why would you?”

Jake looked down at the cup of coffee in his hands. He seemed a million miles away.

She left him to his thoughts for a while, then said, “You're not thinking again, are you?”

He looked up, chuckled, and returned to staring into his coffee.

She nudged his arm. “Even tough cowboys need to talk.” She hesitated, then jumped right in. “I couldn't help but hear what the doctor said to you.”

He nodded.

“I'll go with you to Casper if you'd like some company.”

He looked up and pushed his hat back with a thumb in that characteristic gesture that she'd forever associate with Jake. “That's not necessary, since I won't be going. I can't spare the time.”

“I'm sure there's nothing on the schedule today that someone else can't handle. Besides, I'll never come back here, and I'd love to see more of your beautiful state.”

He scratched his forehead. “You want to blow a whole day in Casper keeping me company? Why the hell would you want to do that?”

“Because your company's not all that bad. Because of all you've done for Kevin and the other kids. Because you found a horse with four white socks and taught me how to ride. But mostly because I don't want to see you end up in a wheelchair, either temporarily or permanently.”

“Sounds like you care.”

“Of course I care,” she snapped, then lowered her voice. She didn't want him to mistake her concern for interest, so she added, “I'd care about anyone in your situation.”

“Oh,” he said, raising an eyebrow, seeming disappointed.

“Say you'll do it, Jake. Go tell Dr. Trotter to make the arrangements,” she insisted.

“I'm going to ride in the Challenge even if they tell me I can't.”

“Then let's go find out how disabled you're going to be after you do so.” The sarcasm didn't become her, but maybe it would work on him. “So what do you say? They're only a few pictures. Think of it as your fan club wanting photos for your Web site.”

He chuckled, drained his coffee, thought a while. “I'll see if my folks can handle things. If so, then I'll have Trot make the call. You go tell Kevin. I'll borrow a couple of horses, and we can ride back to the ranch and hop in my pickup.”

“Okay.”

Beth watched as Jake walked away, his limp even more pronounced on the uneven terrain. She was amazed that he was doing what the doctor had suggested. And she was going with him. Why? Why did
she care so much about this man? Jake had asked her the same question, and at first she had answered him truthfully. But deep inside, she knew there was more.

She cared for him. She admired him. She loved how he handled the kids, especially Kevin, and how they adored him in return. He was a good man.

Looking around, she saw Emily Dixon walking toward her, smiling. “How can I thank you for convincing Jake to finally get those X rays?” She gave Beth a bear hug. “How did you do it?”

“I don't know. I just reasoned with him, I guess.”

Emily released Beth but reached for both of her hands and held them. “That can't be it. Jake doesn't listen to reason. It must be you, my dear. He seems quite fond of you.”

Beth's cheeks grew warm. “I-I like him too.”

Emily's smile grew wider. “You're good for him. He likes Kevin a lot too.”

They heard a
clip-clop
and looked to see Jake leading two horses. One was Thunder with his four recognizable white socks. The other horse was a chestnut color.

Emily dropped Beth's hands and turned to Jake. “Try and have some fun on the trip.”

“At the hospital? That seems unlikely.” Jake gave her a peck on the cheek.

“Take your time. Take Beth out for a nice supper, too. Hear?”

“Good idea,” Jake said, handing Thunder's reins to Beth.

“I have to tell Kevin that we're leaving,” she said.

“I told him. He said to have a good time,” Jake replied.

Beth chuckled. “That's it?”

“That's it. Kevin is mesmerized by Clint's stories. After they sing ‘Buffalo Gals,' which only Clint knows the words to, he'll be telling another story—something about a ghost in mine shaft twenty-nine.”

“Kids love their ghost stories, but I should go and remind Clint not to make it too scary,” Emily said. “Now, you two have a good time.”

“At the hospital?” Jake repeated.

“On the whole trip,” Emily said. “Drive carefully!”

“You sure you can handle things?” Jake asked.

Emily waved them away. “There are more than enough volunteers. You just think of yourself right now. You're hurting with every step you take.”

With five hops, Beth was up in the saddle. “I don't know why men don't listen to us women. Haven't they figured out that we're always right?”

Emily laughed. “True. So true.”

“Ha!” Jake said. “You've both mastered the art of nagging. I'm going just so I don't have to listen to you both anymore.”

“Whatever it takes,” said Emily.

 

The three-hour drive to the hospital seemed short. Jake pointed out mule deer and elk, but the highlight of the trip was a herd of pronghorns at full sprint across the flatlands.

They made small talk, and Beth sensed that Jake was a little nervous about what he might find out at the hospital.

“They probably won't tell you anything today,” she assured him. “The technicians will have to read the X rays and write up a report for Dr. Trotter. It'll be a few days.”

“You don't know Trot. It'll be a couple of hours.”

As they drove, she got to know him better. She loved to listen to him talk. He had just the right amount of country in his deep, rich voice. He was one sexy man, and she could understand why the buckle bunnies flocked around him.

She asked him questions about the terrain and cows and bulls, and he answered them with the utmost patience and a touch of humor.

When they arrived they parked in the garage adjacent to the hospital and walked into the main lobby. The candy striper blowing bubble gum behind the desk immediately recognized Jake.

“Jake Dixon!” She popped up out of her chair. “I just love you.”

“Thank you.” Jake's eyes glittered with humor.

“What are you doing here?” Her gum snapped. “You okay, Jake?”

“I'm fine. Just going to get some pictures taken. Can you point me towards the X-ray Department?”

She pointed. “Follow the blue line on the wall until it changes to the green line. Take the green line to the elevator. Take the elevator to the third floor. Then follow the purple line to red. Then you'll see it on the right. Yellow door.”

Beth raised an eyebrow. “Blue, green, elevator to three, red, purple, yellow door. Right?”

“No. Purple then red.” Her eyes never left Jake.

“What's the room number?”

She looked at Beth and rolled her eyes. “Three-twenty-two.”

Jake tweaked his hat to her. “Thank you.”

Beth felt Jake's hand at the small of her back as he walked her toward the blue line. She liked it.

His boots clicked against the polished marble floor. Her sneakers squawked like crows.

They found the X-ray Department, only having to ask four people to direct them. While Jake signed in, Beth found a rack of magazines and shuffled through them until she saw a pair of familiar blue eyes staring at her. She pulled out the magazine.

“Jake, your picture's on the cover,” she said, holding it up to show him.

He held out his hand and she gave it to him. “It's a rag. Why don't you read something else?”

“I'd like to read this one, since it's about you.”

He rolled it up and smacked it against his leg. “I'd really appreciate it if you read something else.”

“I presume they said something about you that you don't want me to see.” She shrugged. “Okay.”

They called his name and he took the magazine with him.

“Darn,” she mumbled.

With a shrug, Jake turned around and handed her back the magazine. “Go ahead, but remember, don't believe everything you read.”

Beth got comfortable in the chair and found the article.