Chasing Christmas Read online

  She nodded. He jogged out the door and across the yard. Convinced going with Chase was one of the worst plans in the world’s long history of stupid ideas, she sank down on a barstool at the counter and tried to come up with a plausible excuse to stay home.

  Plagued with doubts and fears, she retreated to the bathroom off the kitchen and splashed cold water on her cheeks then glared at her image in the mirror.

  “Stop being a coward and a ninny. You can do this. You will do this,” she commanded. Nerves jittered around in her stomach, making her nauseous. She swallowed hard and closed her eyes. “Suck it up, buttercup. Three weeks spent in the presence of your hunky he-man husband won’t kill you.”

  “Jessie?” Chase called. “Are you talking to someone?”

  “No. I’m coming,” she replied, taking one last look in the mirror then sending up a prayer for wisdom and strength. She opened the door and walked into the kitchen. Chase smiled at her as he stood at the mudroom door with his coffee in one hand and a red Christmas stocking in the other.

  Curious, she pointed to the stocking. “What’s that for?”

  “For you, my little holiday elf,” Chase teased as he handed her the stocking. “You’re about to embark on your very first Cowboy Christmas experience, so I thought this might help. You can look at it in the truck. Let’s get on the road.”

  Jessie hurried out the door he held open for her. He opened the pickup door and gave her a hand up. When he slid behind the wheel, his astonished expression made her smile.

  “Did you clean the truck?” he asked as he fastened his seatbelt and put the pickup in gear.

  “I did. The pigsty you had going on in here wasn’t going to work for me.” Jessie pointed behind her seat. “There’s a garbage bag. I hope you know how to use it.”

  Chase lifted an eyebrow and smirked. “With a little persuasion, I might be convinced to keep my messes to a minimum.”

  “What type of persuasion would it take?” Jessie enjoyed this playful, fun side of Chase. She’d seen it a few times, but usually he was serious and focused.

  “A kiss from my lovely bride.”

  She blushed, but leaned over and pressed a light kiss to his cheek, again breathing in his scent. Taut and smooth, his skin beckoned to her. She wanted to press dozens of kisses against his cheeks, but held herself in check. “Will that do?”

  The look he gave her made heat pool in her midsection and her head feel light. “For now.” He pointed to the fuzzy red Christmas sock on her lap. “Open your sock, Jess. Let’s see what Santa left for you.”

  She pulled out a bottle of sunscreen, a pack of her favorite cinnamon gum, a bag of trail mix, and a box of her favorite tea bags. When she held out a pair of foam earplugs and an eye mask, she gave Chase a questioning glance.

  “You’ll learn to sleep whenever you can in the next few weeks. The ear plugs and sleep mask might help.”

  “These are great, thank you.” She smiled at him and reached back in the stocking, pulling out a pair of sunglasses she’d admired but decided were too expensive to purchase. The only person she’d mentioned them to was Stacey. Thankful her best friend was a confirmed blabbermouth, she slid on the sunglasses and turned to Chase. “I love these. Thank you for such a thoughtful gift.”

  “Those glasses look great on you, and Santa said to tell you you’re welcome.”

  “Santa has great taste,” Jessie teased, relaxing for the first time in days.

  “Your husband is crazy,” Paige James said on a laugh as Chase waved a hand over his head and made his way out of the stands to get ready to ride at the St. Paul Rodeo.

  Chase had gone back and forth between the bleachers where Jessie sat with Paige and the area behind the chutes. When the event before the bull riding began, Chase whipped off his hat and used it as a screen while he kissed Jessie. A fiery shade of red colored her face as the people around them hooted and whistled.

  It didn’t seem to bother her husband, though. He bent close to her ear and dropped his voice. “As soon as I hit the ground after my ride, make a beeline for our pickup. If you get there before I do, drive it up behind the chutes.”

  Unable to speak after the unexpected kiss, she merely nodded. Chase kissed her on the nose then jogged down the bleacher steps. When he disappeared from view, she turned to Paige. “Which particular thing about Chase makes you say that?”

  Paige laughed. “I can’t believe he entered two rodeos today.”

  Jessie nodded. “He said he’s trying to make the most of the rodeo opportunities in the area.” In addition to the St. Paul Rodeo where Chase currently prepared to compete, he’d also entered in a rodeo in Molalla, a town about thirty miles away. With the rodeos having staggered start times, Chase was determined to ride a bull in St. Paul then race to Molalla in time to ride there.

  Barring any problems, he had a slim chance of making it work.

  Jessie agreed with Paige’s assessment. “He really is crazy, but then again, you’re married to Cooper.”

  The rodeo clown wore a hot pink zebra-striped shirt with an enormous hot pink foam cowboy hat while he danced on top of a water truck as it settled the dust in the arena.

  Paige shrugged and bumped her shoulder against Nick Charles, Cooper’s grandfather, as he sat beside her. “I think you made him that way.”

  Nick chuckled. “Nope. I’m pretty sure he hatched out of the cabbage patch just like that.”

  Jessie took pleasure in meeting Cooper’s grandfather, a sweet older man with kind eyes and a welcoming smile. From the moment Paige introduced them, he made her feel like part of his family.

  They visited as they waited for the next event to begin. Occasionally, the reporter from Rodeo At Home, who sat beside Jessie, would ask her a question. The photographer wandered around snapping a variety of photos. So far, it hadn’t been as bad as she’d imagined having them dog her every step, but then again, they’d only been in St. Paul for one day.

  “Oh, look, the bull riding is about to start,” Paige said, pointing to the chutes where cowboys prepared to climb onto the backs of bulls.

  Aware that Kash and Celia Kressley provided the rodeo stock, Jessie hoped Chase drew Kash’s even-tempered bull, the one named Wild Willie. At least then she wouldn’t worry as much about him getting hurt. She and Paige watched as Celia moved into the arena to capture images of the bull riding. It was hard to miss her bright red head against the backdrop of arena dirt.

  Cooper ditched his big hat and garish shirt before he climbed on top of his clown barrel, pumping up the crowd as he danced to a rock song with a thumping beat.

  “Cooper is awesome,” Jessie said to Paige as the music grew louder and the crowd clapped along.

  “He is good at what he does.” Paige’s voice held pride while she watched her husband with a hint of awe.

  The announcer introduced the first rider, a rookie who’d had a great first year on the circuit. He made it to four seconds before the bull tossed him off as though he weighed nothing. The young man scrambled to his feet and leaped onto the fence before the bull had a chance to hook him with a horn.

  “Our next cowboy is one who’s competed here several times. I’m excited to see how this young man rides today. His lovely wife is here watching him for the first time today. Let’s show her how it’s done, Chase Jarrett!” the announcer boomed.

  Jessie clenched her hands together and leaned forward, watching as Chase bobbed his head and the gate swung open.

  The big brindle bull he rode didn’t make staying on an easy task. Jessie felt like the ride lasted a lifetime instead of eight seconds as the bull turned and twisted, bucked and reared. She observed as though someone pushed a button and made the world move in slow motion.

  When the buzzer sounded and Chase leaped off the back of the bull onto his feet, Jessie watched, nearly stupefied. It had been one thing to see Chase compete in Las Vegas when she didn’t know him. It was something else entirely to sit on the sidelines and watch him ride a ton of fury w
hen she loved him.

  “You better get going if you don’t want to keep your husband waiting,” Paige said, giving Jessie a nudge.

  “Right. See you later, Paige, and thanks. It was so nice to meet you, Nick,” Jessie lifted her purse and smiled at Cooper’s grandfather. She stood, giving the reporter an encouraging look. “Shall we go?”

  The photographer had gone down to the arena to capture images of Chase riding and met them as Jessie and the reporter left the stands.

  “Chase hopes to make it to another rodeo tonight?” the reporter asked as she nearly ran to keep up with Jessie’s long, hurried strides.

  “That’s right. From what I understand, it will take about half an hour to get there. He’s hoping to make it just in time to ride.” Jessie clicked the key fob in her hand and the truck unlocked. The reporter and photographer climbed into the back while Jessie hastened in the driver’s side.

  With Chase nowhere in sight, she started the truck and maneuvered around horse trailers, pickups, and contestants to reach the area behind the chutes. Before the truck came to a complete stop, Chase opened the passenger door and hopped in, still wearing his protective vest, chaps, and spurs. He carried his bull rope in his hand along with his gear bag.

  “Don’t you want to drive?” Jessie asked, unfastening her seat belt.

  “Nope. Let’s go. We’ve got to hustle. I’ll tell you where to turn.” Chase grinned at her as he stuffed his rope into his bag and zipped it shut, dropping it near his feet. He reached down and untied the length of leather tightly laced above his ankles that keep his boots from coming off during his ride. “You might want to speed a little.”

  Jessie put the truck in gear and fastened her seat belt. When they hit the highway heading east of town, she was already exceeding the speed limit by five miles.

  Chase carried on a conversation with the reporter and photographer while she drove.

  “Left up here, darlin’,” he said absently then returned to discussing his ride and where he hoped it placed him in the ranking. “Right now, I’m number two in the world and that guarantees a spot at the finals rodeo in Las Vegas. Nevertheless, during the next few weeks, anything could happen.”

  Jessie knew how important it was to him to be among the select few who participated in the finals. He wanted to finish the year as the world champion. And that wouldn’t happen if he missed his next ride. She pressed her foot on the accelerator as they roared down the road and hoped they wouldn’t get pulled over. Her husband was fortunate she grew up on a farm driving a standard transmission in her father’s pickup, or he’d have been out of luck with her as a driver.

  Chase glanced at the clock on the truck’s dash and began drumming his fingers on the armrest between them.

  Jessie drove a little faster, keeping one eye on the road and the other on the clock.

  “Take a right up here, then keep straight,” he said, glancing behind them as Jessie made the turn.

  Miraculously, they made it to the Molalla Buckaroo Rodeo in twenty-five minutes flat.

  Chase couldn’t contain a smirk as he pointed out where to park. “Maybe you should look at an alternate career as a race car driver, Jessie. That was some driving.” He looked behind him at the two occupants of the back seat. Both the reporter and photographer appeared woozy from the fast pace and sharp curves Jessie had taken to get them there as quickly as humanly possible.

  “Hit the ground running if you want to keep up,” he said to the reporter and photographer.

  Jessie cut the engine, removed the keys, and popped her seat belt. Before she could reach for the door handle, Chase was there, opening it for her.

  She jumped out and he entwined their fingers, gave her a grin, and together they ran toward the booth where he needed to check in.

  The reporter and photographer lagged behind them, still looking a little ill and a lot winded.

  Chase discovered the barrel racing had just started, so he’d made it with time to spare.

  When he received his contestant number, Jessie removed the number he still wore from the St. Paul rodeo on the back of his vest and pinned the new one in place.

  “Thanks, Jess.” He handed her three passes. “You’ll be able to watch from right up there.” He pointed to a section of the bleachers near the chutes. “Wish me good luck?”

  “Of course.” She smiled and took a step closer to him. “I hope you get the top score of the night.”

  “Me, too.” Chase winked at her and kissed her cheek. Not caring who watched or what she got on her summery blouse, she hugged him tight then pulled back with her heart in her eyes.

  He wrapped the hand not holding his gear bag around her waist and pulled her against his chest, lavishing her with a kiss that drew whistles and cheers from the cowboys milling around them.

  Mortified, Jessie’s cheeks blazed with heat when Chase finally let her go. “See you in a bit, Jessie.” He playfully swatted her rear then strode off with some of his friends to get ready for his ride.

  The reporter grinned at Jessie as she and the photographer walked with her into the stands. “That was quite a kiss, Jessie. Do you think it will help him win?”

  With adrenaline still pumping through her from the wild drive to the arena and Chase’s unsettling yet completely amazing kiss, Jessie let down her guard and reserve. She grinned at the reporter. “It certainly can’t hurt.”

  The photographer laughed as they found their seats and waited for the bull riding to begin.

  Jessie kept her eyes glued to the chutes and saw Chase talking to a few cowboys she recognized. Although she was glad Chase had shaved off his beard, she couldn’t help but be glad he hadn’t had time to visit the barber. The way his golden hair looked, fanning the edges of his cowboy hat made her heart flip in her chest.

  She didn’t know how, but something about the longer hairstyle amped up his raw appeal. Not that it needed a boost.

  Women ogled him wherever they went, even at the gas station when they stopped to fuel up the truck. Jessie knew it was all part of Chase being a rodeo star, but she didn’t like it. Not one bit.

  It was much easier to ignore his admirers when she was at home and didn’t have to witness the attention they threw at him first hand. The fans flirting with him while she stood right beside him left her infuriated and stunned. It didn’t matter if she and Chase were married in name only. None of his ardent fans knew that. Regardless, the fact he was married didn’t seem to deter some women at all.

  Jessie had even caught the reporter sending Chase covert glances when she thought no one was watching. Annoyed as she was by the woman’s interest in her husband, she couldn’t blame the reporter, though.

  Chase was good-looking, muscularly built, and possessed enough charm to keep women entirely spellbound with his presence.

  As the announcer let them know the bull riding was about to start, Jessie sent up a prayer that Chase would be safe, regardless of how well he rode.

  So far, only three of Chase’s competition had managed to score and one of those was a seventy-point ride.

  If Chase could finish in the top three, he’d be in for the final round on Saturday.

  When she saw him ease down onto the back of a behemoth black bull, she leaned forward. She knew he’d transfer rosin from his bull rope onto his glove then rub into the handle on the rope encircling the bull’s massive girth before it was pulled tight.

  Intent on watching her husband, Jessie held her breath as Chase nodded and the bull charged out of the chute then shot up in the air. At one point, she thought the animal might attempt to do a handstand on his front legs, but Chase somehow managed to remain on the beast’s broad back.

  Upper body control and strong legs were two essential components to riding bulls and Chase had both. Unlike other roughstock events, bull riders didn’t have to spur to compete, but it added to a score if they could. When the bull returned his hind feet to the ground, Chase spurred with his left leg while keeping his free arm waving almos
t gracefully in the air.

  The moment the buzzer sounded, Jessie jumped to her feet and cheered.

  Chase jerked on the rope to loosen it then rolled off the side of the bull and hit the ground with a thud.

  Jessie pressed a hand to her mouth when the bull spun around and appeared to stomp all over Chase before the bullfighters jumped in to distract the bull. Chase scrambled to his feet and limped inside an open chute.

  Concerned, Jessie didn’t know if she should wait where she was or go find Chase. Unable to stay seated, she rushed back to the booth where he checked in and asked where she could find him.

  The reporter and photographer followed her as she made her way toward the chutes. Chase waved a hand at her as he walked out with some of his friends.

  “Did you see that, baby? I got the top score of the night. Bam!” Chase lifted her with one muscled arm and swung her around before setting her down and giving her a quick kiss.

  Surprised as much by his greeting as she was by the fact he’d been that night’s top rider, Jessie blushed and would have stepped away from him, but Chase kept a hand on her waist and introduced her to some of his friends and fellow bull riders.

  A group of cowboys asked Chase to join them in celebrating, but he told them he had a better offer and winked at Jessie.

  Heat climbed up her neck and blazed across her face at what he implied.

  “If I had such a sweet wife, I’d give us the cold shoulder, too,” one cowboy teased. “We’ll catch up with you later, Chase.”

  Chase kept his hand at the small of Jessie’s back as they walked to where she’d parked the truck. She handed him the keys and he unlocked it then gave her a hand inside. He helped the reporter into the back seat then jogged around to the driver’s side and slid behind the wheel.

  “Two down and a bunch more to go,” Chase said with a grin as he started the truck and they headed back toward the hotel where the reporter and photographer were staying.

  By the time they returned to Molalla Saturday evening for Chase to compete in the final round, Jessie was ready to surrender to complete exhaustion. They’d flown on a chartered plane to Montana, then Wyoming, and on to Eugene, Oregon. Chase had done well and only failed to ride one bull at the rodeo in Red Lodge. Jessie blamed it on the fact that Chase had a bruise on the back of his leg the size of a cantaloupe where the bull in Molalla had stomped on him. It was a wonder he could walk with as much pain as he should be feeling, but he acted as if it was nothing.