The Cowboy's Secret (Cowboys After Dark: Book 3) (18 page)

“How many times do I have to tell you!” he’d barked as his hand landed against her full, fleshy cheeks.

He grinned at the memory, but the sound of the approaching aircraft snapped him back. Never having met the young woman who had disrupted the harmony that had fallen upon Train and Trail Farm, he wasn’t sure what to expect, but from what Clint had told him she wasn’t going to be easy. Rich, spoiled beyond reason, angry about her parents pending divorce, and not a particularly good rider.

Amelia’s hard work with Jiminy had resulted in a muscled, fit horse, highly tuned to Amelia’s hands and leg. Sam shook his head; he had a feeling the reunion between Caitlin and the big gelding was not going to be pretty.

The door to the plane opened and a short young woman impeccably dressed in britches, boots and a hunt coat, moved down the few steps on to the tarmac. Sam waited a minute before stepping from the car and introducing himself. He wanted to take stock, and his first impressions weren’t good ones.

Caitlin was far too small for the 17.3 hand gelding, and he couldn’t understand why a diminutive young woman would want to sit on such a big horse. She was dressed for the show ring, not a casual ride at a friend’s ranch, and moments later a young man looking worried and harassed followed her out carrying a large leather bag.

As the girl stood, staring around the airfield looking for her ride, Sam could see an unpleasant scowl cross her face. She turned, said something to her escort, and the young man immediately dug into the side pocket of the bag and handed her a phone.

“Oh man, she’s a doozy,” Sam mumbled, and climbing from the car ambled slowly towards her.

“Hey, Caitlin, I’m Sam Monroe. I’m here to take you to-”

“About time,” she said tersely. “Where’s the car?”

“Right over there, in the parking lot, where the cars are parked,” he replied with a wry grin.

Without responding she turned around and handed her phone back to the young man.

“Let’s go, I want to get this over with,” she declared.

“Sure enough,” Sam said calmly,
and man, wouldn’t I love to get you over my knee.

She marched past him, the young man scurrying after her, but Sam meandered, taking his time.

“Must you take all day?” she called. “Which car is it?”

He pointed to the black Range Rover, and watched, shaking his head, as the young man opened the back door for her, then walked around the car and climbed into the front passenger seat.

I guess I’m gonna be a chauffeur,
Sam thought as he dawdled to the car.
This is gonna be an interesting afternoon.

At the ranch Amelia was in the house, agitated and anxious, unable to decide whether she wanted to be in the ring when Caitlin was riding. For two days Clint had done his best to reassure her, and while she’d had some moments of calm, for the most part she’d been walking around distressed and distracted.

“You might be better off staying up here,” Clint said softly. “It’s cold and a bit blustery, and Jiminy will pick up on your vibe. It might make him edgy and that-”

“That would be good,” Amelia interrupted. “Maybe if he’s nervous she’ll get scared and leave us in peace.”

“You’ve got him so finely tuned I doubt she’ll be able to ride him. I really think this is going to work itself out,” he said reassuringly, repeating what he’d said to her countless times over the previous forty-eight hours.

“I know you think I’m overreacting, but it’s been a long time since I’ve had this connection. Not since my first horse when I was fourteen. Jiminy and I, we’re…we’re…” but unable to continue she dropped her head into her hands. “I’m sorry,” she sobbed. “I can’t help it. He’s such an incredible horse. I can’t stand to think of him being stuck in a stall in a show barn with some horrible trainer. I can’t stand it, Clint.”

Wrapping her up in his arms he managed to settle her down, but when he saw the Range Rover approach the barn he took a deep breath.

“They’re here,” he said gently.

“Shit,” she barked, “we have to do something. Fuck, I can’t stand this. I don’t want her anywhere near him.”

“You stay here, and please, darlin’, try not to worry,” he murmured. Knowing it was a futile request, he squeezed her tightly, then breaking his hug he placed his finger under her chin and stared at her intently.

“Hey, look at me,” he said gently.

Lifting her tear-filled eyes she gazed back at him.

“Do you trust me?”

“Uh-huh,” she managed.

“One way or another, I’ll find a way to make sure you get to keep him,” he promised.

“H-how?” she stammered, a puzzled frown crinkling her brow.

“You leave the how up to me,”
I love you to bits, and if it’s the last damn thing I do, I’ll make sure of it.

“R-really?” she muttered, a huge droplet running down her cheek. “Y-you r-really th-think you can?”

“You know I keep my promises,” he smiled,
though how the hell I’ll keep this one I have no idea,
“just be brave and keep the faith.”

“Okay, I’ll try,” she nodded, “thank you so much. I know you don’t have a plan, but I, uh, really appreciate you saying all that,”
and I love you so much, Clint Hogan, and no matter what happens, when this is over I’m going to tell you so.

Silently grimacing he kissed her on the forehead, then turned away and headed out the kitchen door.

Not knowing what to do with herself, she wandered into the kitchen and stared out the window. Sam was leading Jiminy from his corral, and heart breaking, she watched as he placed the horse in the cross-ties. A moment later Clint arrived in the golf cart, but she couldn’t see the girl anywhere. Clint talked to Sam for a minute, then walked across to the Range Rover and climbed inside.

Shit, she’s sitting in the Range Rover while they’re getting Jiminy ready? She didn’t even get out and say hello to him. What a fucking cow! No, this is NOT going to happen. There is no fucking way she’s getting that horse. Sorry, Clint, I know you’re going to try and keep him for me but I can’t just sit here. I can’t. I’ll go fucking crazy.

Impulsively she grabbed her jacket and hurried out the kitchen door towards the guest house. Racing around the back, she moved quickly down the track to the side of the barn.

No-one will see me but I’ll be watching, and if that cow hurt’s a hair on Jiminy’s head, if she’s mean or can’t ride, I’ll be close enough to do something.

Like what?

I don’t know, but I’ll do something, I’ll pull her out of the saddle by her hair if I have to.

She’ll be wearing a helmet.

Oh, shut the fuck up.

Driven by her love and determination, she reached the side of the barn, ran around the back, then dashed across an open area to hide behind a tractor parked near the ring. Peering out from behind the large wheel she could see and hear everything, and her timing was perfect; Clint was leading Jiminy, and a short young woman dressed to the nines was marching ahead of him.

That can’t be Caitlin. Surely not. She can’t ride Jiminy. She’s way too small. What an idiot.

“Where’s the mounting block?” Caitlin demanded looking around the ring. “Why are these jumps set so high? I’ll need them lowered. Jiminy’s a three-foot horse, maybe three-six if I want to go big, which I don’t.”

Amelia stared in disbelief, shocked at what she was hearing.

What? A three-foot horse? She’s totally out of her mind.

“We don’t have a mounting block out here, but I’ll give you a leg up,” Clint offered.

“A leg up? Are you serious? How can you give me a leg up on to this giraffe?” Caitlin quipped. “Never mind, I’ll stand on that wall.”

“I’m not sure that’s the safest-”

“I said, I’ll stand on the wall. Have one your men lower it so I can use it,” she demanded.

“If you insist,” Clint replied,
but what I’d really like to do is bend you over it and whip your precious ass.

Amelia watched the girl stride forward to the brick wall, then stand impatiently while Sam ambled over to take off the top layers.

“Must you take so long to do everything?” Caitlin scowled.

Amelia knew Sam; there was no question he was taking his sweet time just to piss off the arrogant, rude young woman, and in spite of the circumstances Amelia broke into a smile.

“Don’t lose your head to save a minute, you need your head, your brain is in it,” Sam grinned.

Caitlin stared at him, not sure how to respond, and finally showed her annoyance by stamping her foot. The childish gesture hit Sam’s funny bone, and it took all his self-control not to laugh out loud.

Glancing across at Clint, Amelia could see his lips were pursed; he wasn’t happy, not happy at all.

With the top bricks removed, Clint walked Jiminy up and held him while Caitlin threw her leg over the saddle and settled in.

“These stirrups are too long. Way too long,” she announced.

Without a word Clint pulled the stirrup leathers out, adjusted their length, and placing Caitlin’s feet in the irons stood back to make sure they were even.

“That should do it,” he smiled.

“My crop, I need my crop,” she declared. “It’s in the Rover.”

Hearing the words, Amelia’s smile instantly transformed into a frown, and she grit her teeth.

A crop? Why the hell do you need a crop? The last thing you need is a crop, you stupid cow!

“Nope, drawin’ the line there, Caitlin. This horse doesn’t need a crop. Now go have your ride.”

“I always ride with a crop,” she protested.

“Not here,” Clint said firmly, “and this is my ranch, so there’s no debate.”

“Why are you being so difficult?” she yelled, but Clint was already walking away, turning a deaf ear to Caitlin’s demand.

Amelia sighed with relief and gratitude as she watched Clint stride away, ignoring the young woman and the ridiculous request.

I should be more like you, Clint. You always manage to keep your cool.

Turning her attention back to Jiminy she started to giggle. Caitlin’s legs barely touched the horse’s sides, and she was having difficulty getting him to move forward.

“This is why I carry a crop,” Caitlin bellowed furiously. “Now go and get me my crop!”

Sam and Clint were the only ones there, the young man having chosen to stay in the warmth of the Range Rover, and they stared back at her, unmoving.

“Fine,” she yelled, and taking the excess of the reins in one hand, she flicked them across Jiminy’s neck. He began to move forward, and Caitlin smiled triumphantly.

Amelia knew her horse wasn’t happy. His ears were pinned back, and Caitlin was holding the reins tightly, pulling on his mouth. For months Jiminy had spent the first ten minutes of every ride on a long loose rein, his head down so he could stretch out, then Amelia would lightly ask him to lift his head as she gently squeezed him into the trot.

It had only been a minute or two before Caitlin began clucking and flailing her short legs at his side in an attempt to get him to trot. The big horse began to do what his rider wanted, but not having ridden for several months Caitlin was bouncing around, and decided to pull even more tightly on the reins to help her find her balance. Jiminy, now sensitive to the aids because of Amelia’s training, immediately came to a screeching halt sending Caitlin tumbling over his shoulder.

Amelia wanted to leap for joy, but opted for a silent prayer of thanks, and broke into a huge grin.

Clint was right, that’s it. There’s no way she’ll want him after that. Oh, Jiminy, don’t you worry, you’ll have a forever home with me now, my big, beautiful boy.

“FUCK! What have you done to my horse?” Caitlin shrieked as she jumped up and grabbed his reins.

Clint and Sam were jogging towards her, but studying his face, Amelia could see Clint was running out of patience.

“You were trying to keep your balance off his mouth,” Clint declared tersely. “You pulled, he stopped. He did exactly what he was supposed to do. This horse is too big and too bouncy for you, Caitlin. It’ll never work.”

“Bullshit. You don’t know what you’re talking about. Take him back to the wall. I want to jump over a cross-rail.”

“That’s a very bad idea,” Clint said sternly. “I can’t let you do that.”

“Fine, I’ll take him myself, but if I fall off the wall trying to hold him and get on at the same time you’ll have hell to pay,” she snapped.

“Who are you?” Clint frowned. “The Caitlin I met was spoiled, but damn, girl, there are a number of names that fit you about now.”

“I don’t care what you think,” she spat. “Just hold my fucking horse so I can get back on.”

“Okay, but if you come off again that’s it,” he said sternly, “and if you continue to be so nasty…”

“What? What are you going to do about it?” she retorted.

“Keep it up and you’ll find out,” he glowered.

Staring up at him, Caitlin caught her breath. There was something in his eyes she didn’t recognize, and something she certainly didn’t like. Dropping her gaze she walked to the wall, and climbed on as Clint held the horse still.

Amelia was beside herself.

What the hell? This is insanity. What is wrong with her?

She’s an arrogant, egotistical brat who thinks she can ride better than she can, that’s what’s wrong with her.

Better than she can? Shit, she can’t ride at all.

She wants him just because she does. You need to do something. She wants the horse.

Like what? What can I do?

Then it hit her. She knew exactly how to teach Caitlin the lesson of her life.

D
ashing from behind the tractor to the cover of the shadows alongside the barn, Amelia stared back into the ring. Caitlin was bouncing up and down on Jiminy’s back, a death grip on the reins, trotting towards a small cross rail. For Jiminy it wasn’t a fence to jump at all, and he simply continued to trot as he went over it, merely lifting his feet a little higher.

“What the hell is wrong with him?” Caitlin yelled. “Why isn’t he jumping?”

Heart pumping, Amelia lifted her head, and hoping it wasn’t loud enough for Clint or Sam to hear, she softly trilled, summoning Jiminy to her side.