The Christmas Cowboy: (Sweet Western Holiday Romance) (Rodeo Romance Book 1) Read online

  Due to the heat, she removed her suit jacket and draped it over the back of her seat. The slight breeze blowing across her bare arms brought welcome relief. Her sleeveless silk blouse wasn’t the coolest thing she could wear on a hot summer evening, but it was all she had to wear.

  “I came here right from work so I wouldn’t miss Tate’s ride,” Kenzie said, watching as Tate’s friend Cort successfully wrestled a steer.

  “Do you know what Tate rides?” Katie asked, sitting on her knees in her seat.

  “He rides saddle broncs.” Kenzie watched as team ropers raced into the arena.

  “Yep. That’s almost as good as bulls,” Katie declared with a nod of her head.

  “Almost,” Kenzie repeated, trying to hide her smile. The precocious child next to her was really something. She was about to ask Katie more of her thoughts on the rodeo when the girl’s little brother almost took a head dive off his seat. Kenzie grabbed his arms in time to keep him from falling and his mother looked at her in gratitude. Hunter began to cry, but the woman had her hands full with the baby.

  Kenzie stretched over, offering to take the chubby toddler while Mara consoled Hunter.

  The baby eyed her warily but when Katie patted Bree’s hand and told her the pretty lady was a friend, she smiled and jabbered at Kenzie, bouncing on her lap. The little one was soon squealing with delight, as Kenzie made funny faces and talked nonsense. When Kenzie took her tiny hand and blew on her fingers, Bree kicked her feet and giggled, making Katie laugh.

  She was still holding the baby when Katie stood on her seat. “Here comes Daddy.”

  A wiry cowboy with a cardboard box full of food made his way up the steps to their row. He tipped his head at Kenzie, surprised to see a stranger holding his daughter, as he sat in Hunter’s vacated seat.

  “Daddy, this is Kenzie.” Katie jumped down as she waited for her father to pass out the food. “She’s Tate’s girlfriend, sorta.”

  “Tate, huh?” The cowboy offered Kenzie a friendly smile. “Isn’t that an interesting development?”

  Suddenly, Katie’s last name registered in Kenzie’s brain and she realized she sat with the family of a world champion bull rider. No wonder Katie thought riding bulls was superior to broncs.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Powell.” Kenzie shifted the baby to stick out a free hand.

  “Call me Huck,” the cowboy said, taking his sniffling son in one arm while passing the box of food to his wife so he could shake Kenzie’s hand. “It’s nice to meet the woman who finally turned ol’ Tater’s head.”

  Blushing, Kenzie wasn’t quite sure what to make of Huck’s statement. She didn’t have time to give it more thought as the saddle bronc riding began.

  While the Powell family ate hotdogs and slurped cold pop, Huck pointed to the third chute and told Kenzie to keep her eye on the gate if she wanted to see Tate ride.

  Tate nodded his head, the gate swung open, and his horse ran out in a burst of motion that lifted all four feet in the air.

  The horse twisted and turned as he bucked, giving as great a performance as the man on his back.

  Awestruck, Kenzie stared at Tate. Graceful and limber, he executed each move with a smooth finesse that made what he was doing seem like a form of art.

  Holding her breath as he rode, she realized Tate was not only a well-trained athlete and very good at what he did, he was also magnificent to watch. Time seemed to slow as she took in every movement he made from his hand in the air, his legs spurring front to back, to his body as it rocked in rhythm to the animal beneath him.

  When the buzzer announced Tate made it for the eight-second ride, Kenzie finally exhaled with relief as he swung behind the pickup man and slid off the far side of the horse, waving his hat at the crowd. Turning, he executed a quick bow and pointed his index finger her direction before disappearing behind the chutes.

  “Are you sure he’s not your boyfriend?” Katie asked with a hotdog-filled grin, followed by a sweet childish giggle.

  Chapter Five

  The knowledge that Kenzie sat in the stands gave Tate a certain peace of mind while simultaneously sending his blood zinging through his veins. Pumped up on adrenaline, he was ready to ride for all he was worth.

  The bronc he drew didn’t get the name Twister because he was an easy ride. Tate somehow managed to center his thoughts on the horse and visualize himself on the back of the animal, taking each twist and turn in stride.

  Slowly easing into his saddle on the back of Twister, Tate adjusted his seat and tightened the bronc rein in his left hand.

  Tugging down his hat, he nodded his head and Twister exploded out of the chute like he’d been shot from a cannon.

  While all four hooves were still in the air, the horse lived up to his name as he writhed and turned with a swiftness intended to unseat Tate.

  Focused on maintaining his center, he blocked out everything but the horse beneath him. His heartbeat thumped loudly, the sound echoing in his ears, as he anticipated Twister’s next move then the next. Rapidly moving with the horse, Tate kept his free hand high in the air with the rein held tightly in the other.

  When the buzzer sounded, he left his free arm up for just a second longer then dropped it to the rein, hanging on while catching sight of a pickup man in his peripheral vision. He leaned over, caught the guy’s arm and swung across the back of his horse, landing on the ground on the far side.

  Triumphantly waving his hat, he turned to the crowd. All he could see was Kenzie sitting in the stands, smiling at him with a baby on her lap. His legs grew rubbery as the adrenaline from his ride ebbed, replaced by a sense of something waiting for him in the future. Tate took a deep breath and hurried out of the arena behind the chutes.

  “Ladies and gentleman, that is what I’m talking about!” the announcer boomed into his microphone. “That cowboy knows how to get ‘er done. I’ve never seen a ride quite like that before. What do you say to a ninety-one point ride for Tate Morgan!”

  Tate couldn’t believe he scored that high. The sound of the crowd erupting in cheers propelled his feet forward as he gathered his gear and stuffed it into his bag.

  Slapped good-naturedly so many times by guys he’d known the past few years since he entered the rodeo circuit, he thought he might have permanent handprints embedded in his back.

  “Man, that was something. You rocked it.” Cort gave Tate a victorious fist bump. “Maybe you need to bring your good luck charm with you to every rodeo.”

  Tate grinned as he removed his protective vest and stowed it with the rest of his gear. “I would if she’d cooperate, but that isn’t going to happen. Not even a chance. And I’m pretty sure she’d pitch a fit at being tied up and thrown in the back of your truck if we decided to kidnap her.”

  “You have to admit since you met her, you’ve had consistently high scores and haven’t messed up on a single ride.” Cort walked with Tate toward his pickup to store their gear. They planned to leave that night and drive straight through to the next rodeo in Texas.

  “I know, but this is just a fluke. The odds of us ending up in the same city at the same time again are slim to none,” Tate said as they walked back to the arena. “Want to meet her?”

  “Sure.” Cort adjusted his hat and grinned. “You better be careful, though. She might be so taken with my good looks and charm, she’ll forget all about ol’ Tater.”

  “I’m not overly concerned.” Tate frowned at Cort as they made their way up the steps to where Kenzie sat visiting with Mara, Huck, and their kids. Caught up in conversation, she didn’t see him approach.

  Tate bent down and kissed Kenzie’s cheek while she talked to Mara. She turned and smiled at him. Sparks flickering in her eyes lit a flame in his.

  Huck got to his feet and pumped Tate’s hand. “That was a kick-…”

  A not-so-gentle nudge from his wife prompted Huck to alter his choice of words. “That was an awesome ride, man. Congratulations.”

  “Thanks.” Tate stepped b
ack as Huck scooted past Kenzie and stood on the step next to Cort. “I’ve got to get ready for my ride. See you guys later.”

  “Ride good, Daddy,” Katie hollered at her father’s retreating back. Huck lifted a hand in acknowledgement then hurried out of sight.

  Kenzie stood, still holding the baby, and looked from Tate to Cort, waiting for an introduction. Cort finally elbowed Tate. He appeared to have forgotten there was anyone else around beyond the brown-eyed beauty standing beside him.

  “Sorry, Kenzie, this is my buddy, Cort,” Tate said, placing his hand on Kenzie’s back as she shook hands with his longtime friend. “Cort McGraw, meet Kenzie Beckett.”

  Cort grinned and took off his hat. “Ma’am, it’s a bona fide pleasure to meet you. This guy has done nothing but sing your praises for the last several weeks. Despite that, he didn’t properly convey what a gorgeous girl he’s been chasing around the airport.”

  Kenzie blushed and sat down, adjusting the baby on her lap. She’d been around enough cowboys to know they were full of meaningless flattery, although Cort seemed nice.

  “I’m gonna go wait with the guys.” Cort tipped his hat to Kenzie then Mara. “It was really nice to meet you, Kenzie.”

  “You as well.” Kenzie smiled as Cort turned and jogged down the steps. Tate picked up Katie and tickled her sides before setting her in the seat her father vacated, leaving the seat next to Kenzie open for him.

  “Tate, you took my seat. I want to sit by Kenzie.” Katie gazed at him with big blue eyes.

  “I want to sit by her, too, and you’ve had her all to yourself since the rodeo started,” Tate reasoned with the child.

  Katie thought about what he said for a minute and finally nodded her head. “Okay. But you have to behave. Kenzie said she’s not sure if you’re her boyfriend or not, so you better be extra nice to her.”

  “I will,” Tate said with a serious expression on his face. He turned to Kenzie and winked as he took her hand in his.

  They were watching the barrel racers when Tate recognized some of his die-hard fans strolling by, trying to find him among the crowd. One in particular had recently moved from fan to stalker status.

  Sliding down in the seat, he pulled the brim of his hat low then swept Katie onto his lap, placing her so she sat blocking his face.

  “What are you doing?” Kenzie asked, intrigued by his odd behavior. If she didn’t know better, she’d think Tate tried to stay out of sight.

  “He’s hiding.” Katie clapped her hands as the announcer pumped up the crowd for the bull riding to begin. Apparently, she was used to the routine because it didn’t seem out of the ordinary to the little girl.

  “Hiding? From what?” Kenzie asked, confused as she looked from Tate to Mara to Katie.

  “From them.” Katie pointed to a group of scantily clad women wandering along, appearing to search for someone. “My daddy has to hide from them sometimes, too. Mama says they are just a bunch of tr-…”

  “Katie Jo! That is enough.” Mara reached over and placed a hand over her daughter’s mouth.

  Katie giggled and swung her feet on Tate’s lap. “But Mama, I heard you tell Daddy…”

  “You just never mind, young lady.” Mara rolled her eyes. Leaning around Tate, she shrugged at Kenzie with a resigned look on her face. “They come with the territory, whether the guys want them around or not. Some of them, like Tate and Huck, have gotten quite skillful at outmaneuvering their fan club.”

  “Really?” Kenzie asked, feeling her neck muscles tense. Isn’t that why she’d been avoiding a relationship with Tate all along? Because there would be an endless supply of women chasing him, pelting him with propositions and proposals. Because she was certain at some point he’d leave her brokenhearted while he turned his attention elsewhere.

  “Huck said Tate is particularly masterful at getting away unscathed,” Mara said, handing Kenzie a cloth to wipe the baby’s chin while giving Hunter a look that made him settle down. “That’s why we’re all excited to hear about you. He never gives any female the chance to get too close to him.”

  Tate glanced at Kenzie, sensing her reluctance to believe he really was a good guy who avoided involvement with women looking for something he wasn’t willing to give. He was certain nothing he could say would convince her and decided his actions would have to speak louder than his words.

  Katie squealed as the bull riding started and they all turned their attention to the arena. When Huck rode, both Hunter and Katie jumped up and down shouting, “Go, Daddy!” Huck made the ride, earning an eighty-seven score.

  “That’s awesome.” Tate grinned at Mara as she and the kids cheered and clapped.

  “He’s hoping to hold onto the title this year,” Mara said as the kids settled down.

  “He’ll do it.” Tate stood and pulled Kenzie up with him. “Cort and I have got to hit the road, but we can drop you off at your hotel.”

  “Oh, okay.” Surprised by his plans for an abrupt departure, she wished she could spend more time with Tate. She should have realized he and Cort would be heading out to the next rodeo.

  Kenzie turned to the Powell family and told Mara how nice it was to meet her. She kissed the baby on her downy head and passed her back to her mother. After ruffling Hunter’s hair, she hugged Katie and thanked the little girl for the privilege of sitting next to her.

  Tate held her suit jacket while she slipped her arms in the sleeves then placed a hand at the small of her back as Kenzie carefully made her way down the steps of the stands in her heels. He tucked her hand in the crook of his arm as they strode out of the bleachers and toward the back parking area where Cort waited.

  On their way to the pickup, they ran into several people Tate knew. The men took one look at Kenzie and insisted on introductions. Tate wanted to punch more than a few of his so-called friends when they settled their roving eyes on the lovely woman holding onto his arm.

  Finally, they made it away from the arena and started toward the area where trucks and trailers parked. Kenzie carefully picked her way through the gravel and dirt in her heels, trying to keep her balance and not ruin her shoes.

  “Sorry,” she said, looking at Tate with humor in her eyes. He had an arm around her waist and held her hand in his, offering his support. “These shoes are definitely not regulation rodeo gear.”

  Tate laughed. Before Kenzie could take another teetering step, he swung her into his arms and carried her toward Cort’s pickup.

  “Tate, put me down,” Kenzie ordered. Her protest was halfhearted at best as she draped her arms around his neck. “You’ll break your back and then how will you ride?”

  “Dewdrop, you don’t weigh as much as a bale of hay, so just never mind,” Tate said, trying to remember how to walk with Kenzie’s face so close to his. He could see a warm glow in her beautiful brown eyes and her rosy lips taunted him. The deep breath he inhaled filled his nose and flooded his senses with her enticing summery fragrance. Tate bit back the groan working its way up his throat.

  Before he lost his head and gave in to the urge to kiss her until they were both breathless, he arrived at the pickup.

  Cort swept off his hat with an elegant bow. “Your chariot awaits, milady.”

  Kenzie smiled as Tate set her down and helped her into the pickup. He was particularly appreciative of the view provided as Kenzie climbed into the truck in her slim skirt.

  “You two are something else,” she said, sitting between them on the front seat. “I appreciate the ride, but if it’s too far out of your way, I can call a cab.”

  “Nope. You’re stuck with us,” Tate said, looking at Cort, who nodded in agreement. “We’ll drop you off then be on our way.”

  The three of them discussed how many stops Cort and Tate would make in the next few weeks. Tate would fly home the first part of July then head off for a round of west coast rodeos before meeting Cort in Wyoming for a few weeks of travel. He planned to be home at the end of August to participate in the Big 4 Rodeos, running c
onsecutive weeks beginning in Kennewick and ending with the Pendleton Round-Up.

  Cort pulled the pickup to a stop in front of Kenzie’s hotel and parked, but didn’t move to get out of his seat. He tipped his hat to Kenzie and gave her a smile that had a reputation of bending women to his will.

  “It was a real pleasure to meet you, Miss Kenzie Beckett. Hope to see you around again soon.” Cort gave her a flirtatious wink.

  She offered him a warm smile and stuck out her hand to shake his.

  “It was very nice to meet someone I’ve heard so much about,” Kenzie said, her eyes twinkling with a mischievous gleam. “Everything Tate said about you is completely untrue. You seem intelligent enough, haven’t drooled at all, and I’m glad to see you not only have all of your teeth, but they would make any dentist proud.”

  Tate snorted with laughter at Kenzie’s teasing while Cort shot a narrowed glare his direction.

  “I should have known he would fill your head full of stories,” Cort said, waving at Kenzie as she slid out of the cab. “Have a safe flight home.”

  “Thanks for the ride, Cort. I really appreciate it.”

  Tate took her hand and walked with her inside the hotel. Not wanting to say goodbye in a lobby full of strangers, he escorted Kenzie to her room. Since there were a few teens loitering in the hallway, she opened her door and held it as Tate followed her inside.

  “I hope you know I never, ever let rodeo cowboys, or any men for that matter, come to my room,” Kenzie said, the corners of her lips quirking up in a grin.

  “The only reason you did right now is because you know Cort will honk the horn or pound on the door if I’m not back down there in five minutes.” Tate removed his hat and tossed it on the bed.

  Kenzie watched his hat land on the white duvet and decided she should have called a cab to pick her up after the rodeo instead of riding with Tate and Cort.

  The handsome cowboy staring at her with fire in his blue eyes was about to obliterate her resolve to never again get involved with a man, especially one so incredibly attractive.