Page 23 of Unforgettable Cowboy (Montana’s Rodeo Cowboys #1)

“T his situation is going sideways fast,” Bailey muttered after Hayes helped her carry her silver into the trailer. She closed the door and double-checked the handle.

“What exactly did he say?”

Bailey pushed her hair over her shoulder and gave him a weary look. “The usual threatening stuff.”

Hayes took her by the hand and drew her to the sofa, which she had said was plenty big enough. It was not.

“A little more detail?”

She let out a soft breath as she settled beside him.

“I can’t remember exact words but it was something along the lines of if Jenna didn’t cooperate, then things would not end well for the horse.

” Bailey dropped her hands into her lap.

“I don’t know if this guy has never not gotten his way in life. ”

“I’d say he grew up privileged.” Hayes spoke in a neutral voice that belied the dark direction of his thoughts.

“Do you think he’d actually hurt the mare? Or is he blowing smoke? He said that she was insured and that worries me.”

“I don’t want to test those waters,” Hayes said, recalling Dylan’s certainty that yes, Chance would hurt the horse. He tipped his head back to rest on the paneled wall behind him. Closed his eyes.

“You should get some sleep if you’re going to ride tomorrow.”

He turned his head to meet her gaze. “I’m not sleeping on this sofa.” He was about to ask about the pull-out, when Bailey said, “I didn’t expect you to.”

She gave him a slow, albeit weary, smile as she took his hand and laced her fingers through his, drawing her knees up to snuggle position. “I have a better place for you to spend the night.”

“So much for getting sleep before the big ride.”

“You’re too old to be doing this anyway.”

He laughed and pulled her onto his lap.

She sighed against his chest. “You said you weren’t a danger to me.”

“I did,” he agreed.

“Liar.”

He didn’t ask for clarification, being distracted by the way her mouth met his in a soft, sensual caress. She nipped his lower lip and whispered, “I want to forget about things I can’t do anything about for a little while.”

“How do you feel about all night?”

“You have a ride in the morning, cowboy.”

“I’ll take my chances.”

*

Early the next morning, Hayes texted Trev to bring him a fresh shirt and a clean pair of jeans for after his ride. He had his gear stowed in the back seat of his truck as always and could compete in what he wore the day before, but he didn’t want to attend the steak dinner in dusty rodeo clothes.

After the text he closed his eyes and willed himself to sleep, but instead started thinking about his ride. It was time.

He’d been more complacent than usual and told himself that was because he was semi-retired and only riding for the love of it. That said, broncs sensed a lack of mental preparation and tended to make use of it, so he was going to have to focus. No easy task with Bailey in his arms.

She’d slept soundly all night long, stirring only when he moved to find a more comfortable position, before nodding off again. She felt safe with him physically. But did she feel safe enough to overcome her knee-jerk fears about commitment? Not that he was ready to dive into anything super serious.

Really?

Really. He just wanted a chance to see how things played out.

Uh huh.

Shut up.

He finally fell asleep, waking when he heard a noise outside that may or may not be his brother dropping off the clothing. He eased his arm out from under Bailey and pushed himself upright, stunned to see that it was going on eight o’clock.

“Going somewhere?” Bailey murmured sleepily.

“For a minute,” he said, leaning over to kiss her temple. She smiled and snuggled deeper into the blankets. Then she suddenly sat upright and pushed her hair back. “What time is it?”

There were sounds of movement outside, people talking and doors opening and closing. Even after a night of dancing, cowboys and vendors got up early.

“Eight.”

“I need to get going.” She started pushing the covers back, but Hayes stopped her by leaning in for a kiss.

“Coffee?”

“Yes.” She climbed out of bed and headed to the tiny bathroom.

Hayes made his way to a trailer selling coffee and donuts, keeping an eye out for Chance. He had a distinctive outfit, and it was easy to spot the red truck with the expensive live-in trailer parked at the end of the lot closest to the road. Should he pay a visit?

He should not. Not without a plan anyway. A brother or two would be good, too.

After returning to the trailer, he found Bailey was not only up and about, she was also putting the finishing touches on a concho, dressed in only a tank top and underwear. She looked up as he entered, her expression a touch apprehensive, as if she’d thought it might be Chance.

“You probably need to work,” he said as he set down the coffee and pastry.

She smiled up at him, and it struck him that the wary edge was missing from her expression. “I do.”

“I won’t slow you down.”

There was just enough room on the floor for him to do his stretching exercises, which he did, every now and again sensing that Bailey was watching him. When he finally caught her, he said, “Focus on your work.”

“Don’t make it so hard to do that.”

He made a dismissive gesture and went back to it.

“I have enough water in my tank for you to take a shower,” she said when he was done.

“Join me?”

“It’d be faster if I don’t.” She laughed at the face he made. “Only so much water you know.”

So it was that Hayes showered alone, soaping up and rinsing in a matter of minutes so that Bailey had water left. He assumed that his brothers were probably already in town and certain of it when he stepped outside the trailer and found one of his good shirts in a crumpled heap on the doorstep.

He picked up the shirt and shook it out, scooped up the boxers and socks that were under it, then looked around for his jeans. No jeans. He was going to have a word with his brother, which he did a little less than an hour later, when Jordan, Trev and Dylan returned from watching the parade.

“Honest,” Trev said, pushing his hat back. “I left your shirt and jeans on the doorstep of Bailey’s trailer because I didn’t want to disturb you guys.”

Hayes appreciated that, but… “Someone stole my jeans.”

Trev shot him a bemused look. “Chance?”

“I can see him setting fire to them, but that seems petty even for him.”

His brother shrugged. “I have no answers. But unless you land in a pile of shit, you can dust off after your ride. You’ll be fine.”

“Thanks.”

“Just being helpful.” He looked over at the warm-up arena where contestants were circling their horses, some walking, some loping. “I need to get Betty warmed up.” He brought his gaze back to Hayes. “Any trouble last night?”

“Nope, but there’s always tonight.”

Trev gave a slow philosophical nod. “Guess you won’t be going home?”

“Guess not.” No way was he leaving his woman—who’d slap him upside the head if she knew that he thought of her that way—alone with a predatory cowboy in the area.

*

“Great news, Jenna.”

The final step of Operation Dakota Sunshine was being implemented, and Bailey would soon get her freedom back.

Not that she wouldn’t do it all over again, but the situation had snowballed in ways she hadn’t expected, thanks to her underestimating Jenna’s vindictive ex.

The plan was to meet Jenna with the mare the day after the rodeo at a campground near Livingston.

They would then load the mare into Jenna’s trailer, and she would be transported to parts unknown.

“So, no problem meeting me on Monday?” Jenna asked for the second time, as if Bailey wasn’t glad to finally get the palomino off the Tree Fork Ranch.

“None at all.” And shortly after meeting Jenna, she’d head south.

If she truly focused, she’d have enough stuff finished to make her table presentable.

What she wouldn’t have was the backup stock she’d worked so hard to make so that she could enjoy her time on the road instead of working day and night to keep up with Christmas demand.

“I wish there was a way to be certain that Chance is really on the road to Texas when we meet,” Jenna murmured. “You know, with the Marietta job interview and all.”

“He isn’t going to miss the rodeo of the year in his hometown.” He’d once left Jenna in the hospital recovering from a serious fall to fly home and rope.

“You’re right.”

Bailey ended the call feeling like the proverbial weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

Soon the Matthews family would no longer be guilty of aiding and abetting and she would be free to go about her life without worrying about Chance finding the mare.

She still had to get through the rodeo weekend where she’d no doubt see Jenna’s jerky ex again, but Hayes was there. Hayes had her back.

And how do you feel about that?

Conflicted.

Which was why she would think about it later.

“Bailey?”

She looked up to see Estelle standing in front of her, wearing pressed jeans and a crisply ironed short-sleeved plaid shirt, a navy cotton scarf knotted at her neck. She looked adorable.

“Hi, Estelle. Glad you made it. Where’d you park Wade?”

Estelle’s mouth twitched. “Wade saw reason and decided that it was too difficult for him to attend the rodeo this year.”

“Did the boys tie him to his chair?”

Estelle laughed—the first time Bailey had seen her let loose a little. “Close to it. But he honestly did see the sense of things. He insisted that I come. He’s getting around a little better, so even though I have a few misgivings…well, it’s nice to be here.”

“Would you like to sit with me until the rodeo starts?”

Estelle nodded and made her way around the table to settle herself in the folding chair next to Bailey’s. A customer came by and inspected all three buckles that Bailey had set out, carefully examining the engraving.

“Nice and deep,” he said.

Bailey smiled. “I learned from an old-school silversmith. He only worked by hand.”

“It shows.” He put the buckle down. “Nice work,” he said with a wink.