Cowboy Dad Read online

  Oh, well. Better luck next time.

  Resting his boot on the bottom fence rung, Aaron waited for the next competitor to come out of the chute. He’d arrived at the rodeo several hours earlier. In that time, he’d watched half the bull-riding event, all of the calf-roping event, met up with a number of old friends and spent forty-five minutes in the KRDS booth doing a live broadcast with Quick Draw McGraw. He was scheduled for a second broadcast thirty minutes from now and a final one later in the afternoon.

  The morning after the opening-day celebration, an assistant producer from the station contacted Aaron. He’d wondered if Quick Draw was all talk and no action when they discussed the rodeo over dinner the previous night. But as his name implied, Quick Draw wasted no time.

  In return for the favor, Aaron asked permission to promote the Hailey Reyes Foundation during the broadcasts and to have brochures on the foundation’s equestrian-safety program on hand to pass out. The assistant producer was very accommodating and eager to help Aaron with his cause.

  “’Scuse me, mister.” A small hand tugged on his shirtsleeve. “Can I have your autograph?” A kid no more than seven or eight held out a program and a pen.

  “Sure.” Aaron had heard this same request a dozen times already today. Two years ago, during the height of his rodeo career, he’d have signed a hundred autographs, a few of them on T-shirts, baseball caps, bald heads and bare bellies.

  “What’s your name, buddy?”

  “Brandon.”

  The kid wasn’t old enough to remember Aaron in his heyday. More likely, his parents, who were standing over to the side, wanted the autograph but were too embarrassed to ask.

  “Here you go, Brandon.” Aaron returned the signed program and pen and then ruffled the kid’s already messy hair.

  “Thanks!” He bolted off, the program clutched to his chest, then showed it excitedly to his parents.

  Aaron smiled and tipped his hat at them before turning back to watch the saddle bronc riding.

  This and bareback bronc riding had been his events, the ones that made him a national champion as well as a celebrity, at least in the world of rodeo. It had also made him plenty of money. Not from competing. Only the best of the best earned enough to live on, and even then not in the lap of luxury.

  Aaron received the bulk of his generous income from product endorsements and hosting the cable rodeo show. He took home more money from a single ad in Western Horseman magazine than he had his first year on the professional circuit.

  Along with rodeoing, he gave up the public limelight when Hailey died. Half of his money still sat in a bank account, collecting interest. He didn’t need it, not for the simple lifestyle he preferred. Hailey had been like him in that respect. She was just as content living in his motor home as in the five-bedroom, four-bathroom house he bought her for a wedding present.

  He never set foot in the house or motor home again after her accident. Taking his accountant’s advice, he sold both last year and used the proceeds to fund the foundation.

  Though he didn’t know Natalie well, she impressed him as someone who also embraced the simple lifestyle and valued family above all else. Jake may have innumerable personality flaws, but he, too, was a dedicated family man, and Aaron admired and respected him for it.

  Jake had clearly pictured someone very different for his sister than a two-bit rodeo bum, as he’d called Aaron, five years younger than her. He accused Aaron of marrying Hailey for her money, having no idea Aaron’s annual income was triple what she earned from the trust. Jake still didn’t know the true extent of Aaron’s finances, and he intended to keep it that way. He would be judged for himself, not his bank-account balance.

  Was Natalie someone who put a lot of stock in a person’s annual earnings? He doubted it. Thinking of her triggered memories of their kiss last night. He’d taken advantage of her in a weak moment, which was wrong. But everything about their kiss had felt incredibly right, and he’d do it again in a heartbeat.

  Explosive applause jarred Aaron from his thoughts and returned him to the present. The saddle bronc riding had come to an end, and the winners’ names were being announced over the loudspeaker. Calf roping would start after a fifteen-minute break. Half the people in the stands vacated their seats and piled into the aisles, only to wait in line at the concession stands and restrooms. Aaron figured he should probably grab a bite to eat, too, before returning to the KRDS booth. In a minute or two. After the rush.

  “Hey, Aaron! Aaron Reyes. Is that really you?” A tall, lanky man, impeccably dressed in designer western clothes, zigzagged through the crowd toward him. “Well, I’ll be dipped in shallow water. It is you.”

  He was dogged by a sloppily dressed, shaggy-haired camera operator who looked completely out of place at a rodeo. In the two years since Aaron had seen his old cronies, neither had changed one lick.

  “Garth. Lonnie.” He pushed the brim of his cowboy hat back to get a better look at them. “I should’ve figured you’d be here.”

  “How long has it been?” Garth pulled him into a backslapping hug. “And how in the Sam Hill are you?”

  “Two years, and I’m doing all right.”

  “Glad to hear that.” He gripped Aaron’s shoulder hard before letting him go. “We’ve missed you, partner. Kenny Jay ain’t got near your talent or good looks.”

  “It’s good to see you, too.” Aaron reached over and patted the side of Lonnie’s face. “I see you’re still hanging around this loser. What? No better offer from one of the big networks?”

  Lonnie grinned sheepishly and moved the camera from one arm to the other. “Guess I’m gonna be stuck with him for another year.”

  “Oh, yeah?”

  Garth flashed the winning smile that had helped land him the lead anchor on Rodeo Week in Review. “We just got renewed for another season.”

  “That’s great. I’m really happy for you.”

  “Shoot. I’m doubly happy.” Garth’s impossibly wide smile actually managed to increase in size. “Kenny Jay won’t be coming back. The producers think a new coanchor is in order, and I tend to agree.” He made a face and pointed his thumb toward the ground.

  “Really?” Aaron watched the show every now and again. He wasn’t particularly impressed with his replacement, but neither did he think him completely inept. “So, I take it Kenny Jay’s not here?”

  “Naw. I’m flying solo for a couple of shows. Until we find a replacement.” His eyebrows bobbed so high they disappeared beneath the brim of his very fine, very expensive Stetson. “You aren’t by chance looking for a job?”

  Lonnie’s perpetually hangdog face lit up. “Hey, that’s a great idea. Why don’t you come back? We could really use you.”

  Spectators returning to their seats filed past in a noisy stream, many watching them with unguarded interest. More than once, Aaron heard his name and Garth’s mentioned. For a moment, he was thrown back in time. Aaron had competed at this same rodeo for seven straight years. The last two years of his career, he’d sat in front of the camera beside Garth, providing color commentary when he wasn’t participating in an event.

  “I’m not in the market for a job right now.” The words were harder to say than he expected them to be.

  “What are you doing that keeps you so busy?” Garth asked, his expression curious.

  He’d been a real friend to Aaron during the years they worked together and especially after Hailey’s death. It was Aaron who’d lost touch with Garth, not the other way around.

  “I’m a wrangler at Bear Creek Ranch.”

  “The resort that belongs to your late wife’s family?” Garth and Lonnie exchanged glances.

  “Yeah.” Aaron could understand their reaction. Both had heard him complain endlessly about the Tuckers and their treatment of him.

  Lonnie found his voice first. “Well, that’s cool, I guess.”

  “It’s only temporary. In order for me to continue receiving the income from Hailey’s share of the family t
rust, I have to spend eight weeks every year on the ranch.”

  “Ah. I see.”

  Aaron didn’t much like the tone in Garth’s voice. “I’m not doing it for the money. Well, I am, but not for myself. The income from the trust funds the foundation I established in Hailey’s name.”

  “What kind of foundation?” Garth listened intently while Aaron explained.

  “That’s the reason I’m here today. KRDS invited me to do a live broadcast from their booth. In exchange, I get to promote the foundation and the programs we offer.”

  Garth’s lead-anchor smile emerged in full force. “That’s a damn fine thing you’re doing. For the kids, and for Hailey. She’d be right pleased.”

  “I hope so.”

  “What do you say?” Garth nodded at Lonnie’s camera. “Got enough film in that contraption for an interview with Aaron?”

  “You bet.” Lonnie checked the controls on the camera then hoisted it onto his shoulder. “Light’s better on the east side of the arena.”

  “Let’s get a move on.” Garth slung an arm around Aaron’s shoulders and dragged him along.

  “You don’t have to do this. But I really appreciate it.”

  “Why wouldn’t we? It’s for a good cause. And I’m sure the producers will jump all over the chance to help.”

  “Thanks.” Aaron was suddenly very sorry he’d let two such good friends slip away. He promised himself after today he’d stay in touch.

  “Besides,” Garth said as they walked, “we ain’t about to let some crackerjack local radio station get an exclusive with Aaron Reyes now that you’ve decided to come out of retirement.”

  Aaron laughed. His former coanchor always did get excited and jump to conclusions. “I’m not coming out of retirement.”

  Garth elbowed Aaron jokingly in the ribs. “You sure about that?”

  He started to disagree then shut his mouth. The truth was, it did seem a little like he’d come out of retirement. And the feeling fit like a pair of custom-made boots.

  “THAT’S A BEAUTIFUL horse you’re riding.” The woman was referring to Dollar. Her attention, however, was riveted on Aaron. Mostly on his face. Once or twice her gaze wandered to the rest of him, particularly the lower half.

  “Thanks.”

  “Is he yours or does he belong to the ranch?”

  “He’s mine.” For the moment, they were riding side by side. In the places where the trail narrowed, he would drop into line behind her. With any luck, another such spot would appear soon.

  “Have you owned him long?”

  Her enraptured expression was beginning to make him uncomfortable. “Ten years.”

  “What color do you call that?”

  “Bay.” Aaron purposefully kept his answers short so as not to encourage her attempts at flirtation, and his manner friendly so as not to offend or anger her. She was an attractive woman and obviously conscientious about her appearance. Also, a better rider than she let on. Lack of confidence maybe. More likely she wanted an excuse to stick close to the wranglers.

  A week in the company of paying guests, and Aaron had already started lumping them into categories. When he mentioned this to his bunkmates, Randy just laughed and congratulated him on becoming a true member of the hospitality industry.

  “Have you worked here long?” the woman asked.

  “About a month.”

  “Is that all?” She lifted her sunglasses off her face to give Aaron a peek at her eyes. They were a nice shade of blue. Not nearly as vivid as Natalie’s.

  Aaron must have inadvertently pulled back on the reins, because Dollar came to an abrupt halt. He gave the horse a nudge. “Walk on, boy.”

  Dollar shook his head as if confused.

  He wasn’t the only one. There had been a time when Aaron compared every woman he encountered to Hailey. How soon after he arrived at Bear Creek Ranch had that changed? When he met Natalie? Hugged her at the awards ceremony? Kissed her later that same night?

  “Hey. Did you nod off on me?” The woman’s jest bordered on accusing.

  “Sorry.” He touched the brim of his hat. “If you’ll excuse me. One of the other riders has a saddle slipping.”

  He trotted alongside the string of ranch horses and caught up with a guest he picked at random from the group. He instructed the guy on how to shift his weight and straighten a saddle that really wasn’t slipping. All so he could escape the attention of a woman whose blue eyes didn’t captivate him like Natalie’s did.

  “Thanks, pal,” the guy said, happy to be out of a danger he was never in to begin with.

  The day was especially gorgeous and warm for mid-March. It had also been a long day for Aaron. This trail ride was his third in a row. He’d gotten up early, too, after arriving home late from the rodeo.

  No, not the rodeo. A country-western bar. Garth, Lonnie and a whole bunch of his old friends talked him into going with them to the Ponderosa Palace. Not since before he met Hailey had Aaron done anything like that. His lack of energy this morning let him know just how out of practice he was at kicking back and stirring it up with his buddies.

  The trail ride progressed smoothly for about another ten minutes. They passed the halfway point, and Aaron was looking forward to the remaining half hour being equally uneventful. With the exception of the woman who’d tried to engage him in untitillating conversation, all the riders were relatively inexperienced. The horses, on the other hand, were a dependable lot and could be trusted to get their charges home safely.

  “Aaron! Take a gander at that.” His fellow wrangler, Little Jose, a nineteen-year-old college dropout with a surplus of charm and almost no ambition, hollered from his place at the head of the string. “There on the ridge.”

  Aaron squinted in the direction Little Jose pointed. Three small, dark-headed figures were picking their way slowly down the slope. Lost guests? They appeared awfully young to be hiking alone in the mountains.

  “Hold up, everyone.” Little Jose raised his hand in the air. All the riders obediently stopped. “You wanna ride up after them or should I?” he shouted to Aaron.

  It was never a question of should they go but who would go. Though the trail was worn and clearly marked, night fell quickly this time of year. It was easy to lose one’s bearings. And these three didn’t appear to have so much as a water bottle with them, much less a warm blanket.

  “I’ll go,” Aaron said. “You stay here with the guests.”

  He spurred Dollar into a lope. Excited after doing nothing but walking sedately for the better part of a week, the horse climbed the rugged and steep slope as if it were a backyard dirt pile.

  The children—Aaron was soon close enough to see that much about them—stopped and waited, almost as if they were expecting him. They certainly weren’t frightened by a big horse and strange man riding full speed toward them.

  But then, Aaron was no stranger, he quickly realized. These three girls knew him. Were he on better terms with their father, they might have called him uncle.

  Aaron pulled Dollar to a stop a few feet below where Briana stood holding the hands of her two younger sisters. They stared unwaveringly at him, their small faces difficult to read.

  “Afternoon.” His friendly greeting was met with silence. He tried again. “You kids lost?”

  “No,” Briana said stiffly. “We know where the ranch is.” As if to prove it, she inclined her head to the right. “Over there.”

  “Two miles over there,” Aaron said.

  “We can make it.”

  “Mind telling me what you’re doing out here?”

  “We were hiking with Mommy and Tr—”

  “We were bird-watching,” Briana said, cutting off her sister. “On a nature walk. For…school. Right?” Her glance flitted from one girl to the other, challenging them to disagree.

  “Ow! You’re hurting me.” The middle girl tried to pry her fingers loose from Briana’s killer grip.

  “Kind of a rough trail to take for a nature walk.”
Aaron observed the mussed and tangled condition of their hair, the rips in their shirts and the scratches on their cheeks and arms.

  “We’ve hiked worse trails than this one.” Briana stuck her chin into the air.

  Aaron almost laughed. The young teen was the spitting image of her father. A Tucker through and through. She and her sisters were obviously exhausted and ready to go home, but she refused to admit it. Not to him, anyway. The two younger girls, heartbreakers in the making, gazed at him with large, pleading eyes that would melt titanium.

  “How ’bout it?” Aaron asked. “You want to ride home with us?”

  “No, thanks.” Briana spoke for the group.

  “Your dad’ll have my hide if I don’t bring you back safely.” No matter their differences, Aaron wouldn’t leave Jake’s daughters to fend for themselves.

  “Please, sis. Can’t we ride with them?” the middle one asked. “My legs hurt, and I’m thirsty.”

  “Yeah, we wanna ride home,” the youngest one chimed in. Dried streaks on her face showed she’d been crying.

  Aaron wondered what had happened with their mother and her boyfriend. The hiking trails were over on the opposite side of the ridge, separate from the horse trails. Not close, but not so far away the girls couldn’t walk it.

  “Where are your parents?”

  “Mommy’s with Travis,” the youngest one blurted before Briana could stop her. “Daddy’s at work.”

  Travis. The mother’s boyfriend. The reason, according to Natalie, that Jake was in a perpetual bad mood. Evidently, so were his daughters. If they ran away from an afternoon hike, they must really dislike him.

  “Come on.”

  Aaron dismounted and reached for the nearest girl, which happened to be the middle one. She came to him with no hesitation and clung to his neck with her thin arms while he boosted her into the saddle. He experienced a brief moment of nostalgia. Back when he was in high school, before he left home to rodeo full-time, he’d given his nieces and nephews rides all the time.

  Next, he picked up the youngest girl. She was five, possibly six years old. The feeling of nostalgia grew stronger when she hugged him briefly, yet fiercely. He plopped her onto Dollar’s back behind her sister and gave the horse’s rump a pat.