Lady Luck's Cowboy: A Contemporary Western Romance Read online

  Nodding, she stared as a stream of others followed out on horseback. They circled the dirt floor easily, bouncing up and down in their saddles. Several men and a few women, this shocked her. She had always assumed rodeos were a man’s sport – but the same could be said for turning wrenches, too. The cowboys tipped their hats charismatically towards the crowd and waved them, causing the flurry of noise to increase to an amazing roar that was sure to deafen them all.

  Rodeo clowns poured out of an entry just opposite where they sat, and she watched as their follies caused several to laugh, including herself. They were diving in and out of hollowed barrels, left and right. Several bumped into horses or pretended to tip their own hats, only to have confetti sprinkle to the ground. A few shirts were shot into the crowd with an air gun. While Charlie had never been to a rodeo before, she found herself itching to catch one as a souvenir.

  Just then, the clowns began to chase the horses back off of the arena floor. Several men swaggered out from the gate, raising their hands in salute. The announcer rattled off names of what must be cowboys, and what must be their bull’s names, too. She and others laughed aloud as one was called “Pudding” and another was “Gus”. There were fierce names, too, that had her wondering. Diablo, Reaper, Crusher, and Vamp. Vamp, according to the announcer, was sure to draw blood and cause quite a disturbance as he warned those with small children.

  “Seriously? This comes with a warning?” Charlie yelled towards Beth, who only nodded happily. Mystified, she watched as the cowboys slapped their hats back on their heads from where they had been waving and began to jog towards different points around the arena. Each stepped onto a platform by a large steel-tubed corral.

  A corral that happened to be directly in front of where Charlie and Beth sat.

  “Oh, hot-diggity! We are going to get a bird’s eye view!” Beth exclaimed, and Charlie just nodded absently as she stared, fascinated, at the handsome cowboy nearby. He was ruggedly beautiful with striking looks. Tanned skin, golden-brown hair, a hint of a five o’clock shadow and a set of sculpted lips that were smiling…at her!

  Pale eyes were locked on to hers. The cowboy had climbed onto his platform. And when he removed his hat to wave to the crowd, she was spellbound. Blinking, she quickly looked away and felt a flush creep up her neck. She wanted to melt into the floor in embarrassment and pretended to drop something. Kneeling down, just to get out of his view, she cursed the fact that she didn’t bother to really dress up nice. First impressions were everything but, then again, would she even see the guy again?

  She wished she had taken a moment to curl her hair or put it in any style other than the two French braids she currently wore. Her hair was split down the middle and braided tightly simply to keep it from being a mess. She never wore makeup, except lipstick. Cherry red lipstick was her weakness. She had tubes of the stuff everywhere: the empty ashtray of her car, the bolt bin of her tool box, a junk drawer in her apartment. And above all, she had a variety of tubes of retro red lipstick displayed on a small mirror on her dresser. She loved red and the classic look it gave. Thankfully, her coloring could pull it off.

  Hesitating, she heard Beth squealing and glanced up into the bluest set of eyes she had ever seen.

  “Hi,” she whispered, staring at him. She was struck by the lopsided grin he gave her. She was fascinated by the way his tanned skin crinkled at the corners of his eyes when he smiled. His sculpted lips looked like something an underwear model would have.

  “I’m Jack!” he hollered, holding out a hand. The other hand was holding on to the steel rail that surrounded the arena. His boots were perched on a rail and his eyes kept darting to the side as if he was expecting something.

  “I’m Charlie!” she yelled back and awkwardly shook his hand, chagrinned that she had almost as many calluses as he had. It was hard to keep a good manicure when you were constantly tearing up your fingers on engines.

  “Nice to meet you, Charlie!” His smile got even wider suddenly. “Got a little token of good luck for me?”

  At that moment, she pictured a medieval knight at a joust asking for a ribbon from his lady. She wasn’t his lady, nor was he in a suit of armor. Blinking, she stared at him as she continued to hold his hand. Token? Crap! She didn’t have anything on her! No ribbon, no belt, no handkerchief or flower. She had on her a bare minimum to keep her day easy! A dress, the boots, her wallet and beer mug.

  “No!” she yelled, completely chagrined and dismayed. Then it hit her. This was her win, this was her change of luck and her moment. “Wait! I have something!” Blushing, she took the hand she still held and left a perfect red kiss on the back of his knuckles.

  The crowd around them roared in approval. Jack must have been surprised as well, because he pulled her forward and pointed at his cheek. Beth, who was screaming hysterically in excitement the entire time beside her began chanting:

  Kiss him!

  Kiss him!

  Kiss him!

  Others began to chant it and the announcer even mentioned it. Charlie felt herself blushing at the attention and knew that she was put on the spot by him. He was extremely handsome. Would it be so bad to kiss a stranger? Leaning into it, she saw the exact moment that his smile increased.

  “Now, only good luck, Miss Charlie!” he encouraged loudly towards her.

  “Maybe someone else should kiss you then! I’m not exactly good luck!” she laughed and saw he did as well. The roar around them buzzed in her ears and her heartbeat pounded as she smelled his cologne. She had yet to smell horse sweat, but whatever he was wearing made her knees weak.

  Closing her eyes, she leaned forward and felt the heat of his cheek near her skin. Modestly pressing her lips on his cheek to leave a red mark, she heard him let out his breath in a whoosh the moment they connected. Like blowing out candles on a birthday cake, she made a wish for him not to get injured. It might not do any good, but it certainly wouldn’t hurt!

  Opening her eyes, she saw a glimmer of interest in his just seconds before he leapt away into action. She stood there, like a princess peering over a parapet of a castle at the scene. Jack had one boot straddling each side of the pen and the door had opened behind him. He raised two fingers up and tipped his hat towards her as one of the news anchors shoved a microphone towards him.

  “Jack Seguin! Jack! Tell the crowd what bull you are riding tonight!”

  “Tonight, I will be riding Vamp. And when they yank that gate, I’ll be on for eight.”

  Charlie watched, horrified, as the large, black, angry bull with the deadly name was led into the pen just within reach of Jack. He zipped up a thick, padded jacket that was emblazoned with all sorts of patches showing sponsorship and gave a cold look ahead, waiting. Jack lowered himself onto the bull slowly, clutching the sides of the chute. He adjusted the rope and she watched as the bull began to dance under him. Jack put in a mouthpiece and adjusted himself again, shaking a large bell down under the bull’s neck. A glove flexed as he placed his hand under the rope. He gave a nod as he rolled his hand under the rope again to get a tighter grip. The smile was gone, and icy resolve was reflected in his face.

  This was business.

  The gate was opened and that is when Charlie realized that there had been other riders already that she had missed. She had been fascinated with the cowboy and the experience. Her entire body clenched with tension as she saw him fly out of the corral towards the center of the arena.

  Massive lumbering kicks, twists and jumps were all used in an effort to toss the rider. Staring, she saw that he was on the bull…but barely so! He looked like a limp rag doll as he was tossed about. She was surprised to see his legs still locked around the bull and that his spine had not snapped by the force he was being thrown. She heard a buzzer faintly in the background and gasped as Jack jumped off the bull. He landed directly beneath it as its back legs were in mid-jump. Rolling, he was then taken to safety as he waved to the crowd.

  Charlie let out her breath she had been holding
for what seemed like forever.

  Turning, she vaguely saw Beth’s smiling face and barely heard any of the announcements. This was NOT for her. The danger, the anticipation, the fear? It was all too much. Her stomach was rolling in anxiety and nerves, all for a handsome stranger she didn’t know. Staring at the crowd, she was shocked to see so many smiling faces at the ride. Didn’t they realize that he was in danger and could have been hurt? Gesturing at her half-empty beer boot, she used it as an excuse to leave the arena.

  Once Charlie was in the hallway, she ran down the corridor for the nearest ladies’ room. Pushing open a stall, she promptly threw up the beer she had drank. Rinsing her mouth, she texted Beth shakily.

  C: Sick-going to walk around for a bit.

  B: You ok?

  C: Yeah-have fun.

  B: OMW girl! B there in 2

  Seeing Beth come around the corner in a panic, Charlie smiled wanly at her. “I’m glad the tickets were free, because this is not my cup of tea.”

  “Are you all right?”

  “Yes, it’s just…Beth! People can get killed doing that. I thought it was going to be horses running around, and some cows! Not a ‘fling the hottest guy I’ve ever met and try to beat him to a pulp’ kind of event. He must be insane to do this for a job!” she exclaimed, flabbergasted and horrified. “I love the shops, the food, the sight and smells – but in there?” she said tossing a thumb over her shoulder forcefully, “that is not for me!”

  Nodding, Beth wrapped a sympathetic arm around her shoulders. “C’mon, Miss Priss. This isn’t the end of the event or the world, you know? There is a dance, more shops to see and things that might actually appeal to you. Who knew you’d be so soft-hearted?”

  Allowing herself to be led away, Charlie glanced over her shoulder wistfully at the doorway. She hated to leave and felt like she was abandoning something necessary behind her. But the idea of seeing anyone get hurt bothered her. She understood why the announcer gave out the warnings of possible blood or injury. She was just thankful she had seen neither tonight.

  5

  Lady Luck had left him, Jack thought morosely as he tried to stop the ringing in his ears from being shaken so hard. Sitting on the metal bench, he held his head in his hands and pictured that wicked, red smile that enchanted him. The woman named Charlie that had caught his eye was no longer in the seats. In fact, there were two seats empty where she had once been standing.

  He had been certain tonight that he’d end up on a stretcher or in the hospital when they told him he was riding Vamp. That bull had gored and stepped on more men than he had ever seen. It was a vicious, scared creature and really needed to be put out to breed instead of competing. He thought that another cowboy, Scott McDaniels, had been killed two weeks ago when he took a direct kick to the ribs from Vamp. Jack’s whole body ached from trying to hang on and he was pretty sure that he’d split his palm under his glove and dreaded removing it. Even his teeth were rattled at this point.

  Jack had fully intended to go back to where Charlie had sat to see if he could get her phone number. He’d never been one to pick up women at a rodeo, yet he had seen several other cowboys do so. Taking a page from their books, he had used a pickup line in order to even get close to the goddess he had seen from the ground.

  The woman was stunning in a simple way. He had spotted her out of the crowd instantly when he had gone through the entrance. No elaborate makeup, no fancy dress. Just simple and feminine to the core. The way she smiled and looked at him was utterly charming. That red lipstick she wore complemented her skin tone so well, he didn’t even realize it was on her until she kissed his hand. She actually kissed his hand! Talk about role reversal! That surprised him and inspired him to have her give him another kiss! Even if it turned out to be a very modest one.

  That good luck peck on the cheek had worked wonders and felt the same way. When her lips pressed on his face, he felt a surge of joy. Grinning, he thought about how stupid the other guys would say that was. Stupid and poetic like some lovesick fool. Stretching his legs, he tried to work the muscles that were clenching in his body and glad he was considering hanging up his spurs. Tonight’s events would hurt and be felt tomorrow.

  After the rodeo, usually the guys would take off and have fun down at the local bar. This arena, however, sported a large barn-like building that was dedicated to catering events and such. So, this evening’s escapade would be held in the dance hall instead of a drunken watering hole. Most times, Jack avoided going out with the younger guys, instead opting for relieving some of the aches and pains he was susceptible to. Tonight, he considered heading home but part of him was curious if the enchanting and mysterious Charlie would be there.

  Crossing the field, he could hear the music from outside the dance hall and see that the entertainment was in full swing. Entering the room, he shook several hands that were extended towards him and moved through the crowd, searching for her, the woman that had preoccupied his mind all evening long. Couples swung around the wooden plank floor to the music and some gathered around a few barrels that were set off to the side to serve as tables. It wasn’t as rustic as it appeared. The barrels had glass tops, and everything was polished until it shined.

  Making his way through the crowd, he glided around hoping to catch a glimpse of her plaited hair. He thought, for one moment, he had spotted her in the throng of people but, thankfully, the woman turned just before he tapped on her shoulder revealing that it was someone else. Grabbing a beer from the bar, he turned around and stood there eyeing the room and feeling like the greatest optimistic fool ever.

  Until he saw her.

  The braids were gone and in their place was a cascading length of hair down past her shoulders. Each wavy lock looked to be sun-kissed by the dim lighting provided by the wagon wheel chandelier above her. He knew it was her by the way she turned just barely, and he saw the outline of her face and those lips.

  6

  Charlie wasn’t sure why she let Beth talk her into going to the dance hall. The boots were starting to pinch her toes and, honestly, after her bout of anxiety in the restroom, she wasn’t feeling so fresh. Chewing gum and rinsing her mouth after being sick wasn’t doing the trick. She wanted her floss and Listerine. Stat!

  The hall was gorgeous. Dim lightbulbs that flickered like candlelight were on each wagon wheel suspended from the ceiling. The wood plank floors appeared like they had been salvaged from a barn and sanded down, giving it a down home look. It was crowded, but not overly so. Beth was more interested in seeing what was going on and was hoping she could meet a guy. Charlie just wanted a Dr. Pepper. She was done with beer for the night.

  “You look like a kid with these!” Beth exclaimed, waving Charlie’s braids around. “A wittle-itty-bitty kiddo!”

  “Stop that, Beth. You know it’s a lot easier to keep it up than it is to run around with it down.”

  “Why? Because of tangles?”

  “Yes, that and it gets hot.”

  “Lop it off, my dear Watson!” She hollered back over the music and patted her own hair. Beth had a long braid with a wide swath of bleached hair that looked adorable on her but was never going to be attempted on her own hair. Beth called it her wild skunk streak. It was wild all right, just like her friend. Charlie liked having her hair a decent length and a decent color. It made her feel feminine, girly, and she needed that feeling on days when she was up to her elbows in oil and grease. She shook her head no with a smile.

  “Party pooper!!” Beth cried and pulled a rubber band off the bottom of the braid she was holding. Stretching it quickly between her fingers, she shot it over the heads of other dancers into the air.

  “What’d you do that for!”

  “Live a little and relax!”

  Sighing, Charlie unwound the braid and shook out the wavy hair. She unwound the other braid, intending to put it in a single braid when the rubber band snapped in her hand. Groaning in frustration, she saw Beth’s eyebrows wiggle in a silent taunt and sighed
. Beth had won this round. Running her fingers through her hair, she prayed that it looked halfway decent and got out her phone’s camera to check. This resulted in Beth darting around to join her in a selfie. She really adored Beth sometimes – she made the best out of every situation.

  “Oh yes! That’s my song!” Beth cried out, laughing. She put both her arms above her head, disappearing into the crowd to find a dance partner.

  Charlie stood there, alone, by one of the tables and flagged down a waiter to get a soda. Humming, she felt herself swaying to the loud beats as she waited patiently for him to return. Thankfully, he was quick. She was sipping on a cold Dr. Pepper, using it to get her stomach settled in no time.

  It was fascinating to see the people on the floor move slowly in motion. The loud music was drumming with each beat and she felt it in her teeth with the speakers positioned around the room. Some songs were fast, some slow, but it didn’t seem to matter. They moved in a distinct pattern that seemed to be created of its own. Like great waves, ebbing and flowing. Cowboy hats, frizzy hair, bald heads, etc…it created a rhythm that was easy to feel deep down. She felt a tap on her shoulder and turned around, thinking it was the waiter again.

  It was not.

  “Hey, Lady Luck,” Jack yelled with a smile. It was the handsome bull rider that she’d kissed for good luck. He was simply gorgeous. Tall, tanned, with a wicked smile that curled her toes in happiness. “It’s Charlie, right?”

  “It’s actually Charlotte, but you can call me Charlie if you want – and hey there, yourself!”

  “It’s nice and suits you.” His wide smile made his eyes crinkle at the corners from years in the sun. She liked that he had an easy tendency to grin. It made him seem to be approachable. If it wasn’t for the unveiled interest in his gaze, he might have been friend-zoned right away. There was no mistaking the man liked her in the way he watched her.

  “Thanks,” she mumbled, blushing and looking away. She took a big sip on the straw, embarrassed by the attention he was directing her way.