The Bull Rider's Brother Read online

  The Bull Rider’s Brother

  A Cowboy Crush Novel

  Lynn Collins

  Contents

  Untitled

  Acknowledgments

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Epilogue

  A note from the author

  Untitled

  The Bull Rider’s Brother

  A cowboy crush romance

  Book 1 of the Shawnee Valley Romance Series

  Lynn Collins

  To my own cowboy. Thanks for teaching me that my dreams are important too.

  Acknowledgments

  Big thanks to Jennifer Lawler (Crimson Romance) for buying The Bull Rider’s Brother in spring of 2012. I was at the day job when I read your email. I turned to my cube mate and said, “I think I just sold my book.” Thanks for starting me on this journey.

  1

  Cowboys aren’t easy to love—but they sure are easy on the eyes.

  Lizzie Hudson gazed appreciatively at the abundance of lanky male bodies line dancing along the planked hardwood and knew accepting Barb’s invitation for a night out had been a bad idea. Her logical side said she was too old to be out with the crowd celebrating the night before the rodeo. After consuming a few longnecks and taking a couple of spins on the dance floor, she felt like a teenager. It had a long time since she experienced a night free of responsibility. Maybe she should call in one more time.

  “If you dial that phone, I’m going to take it away from you.” Barb held out a longneck to Lizzie. “You called before dinner. He was fine then, he’s fine now—and if he wasn’t your dad would call. C’mon. Mom time is over. You and I are having fun if it kills us.”

  Lizzie laughed, slipping the cell back into her jacket pocket. Even though the calendar marked it as the first weekend of May, being outside in Shawnee, Idaho still felt chilly. Once the sun disappeared behind crested the mountains surrounding the town, temperatures in the narrow valley would drop close to freezing.

  Lizzie let her gaze wander over the dance floor. River’s End was only one of ten bars in the small town. Ten bars, ten churches and one school. With its proximity to mountains, rivers, and hot springs, Shawnee’s residents made a year-round living from outdoor enthusiasts, hunters, and fisherman. Still, the bar that had been built for crowds of twenty had three times that tonight. Tourists, townies, and rodeo crew were crammed into the small room and spilling out into the street. The jukebox blared an old Patsy Cline tune, but even Patsy’s strong, mournful voice had trouble being heard over the chatter and laughter of the crowd.

  “Let’s step outside where we can talk. I’ve two-stepped my toes raw already.” Lizzie weaved her way through the crowd, ignoring offers of drinks, and playful slaps on the butt. Rodeo weekend and every man thought he was a cowboy.

  A cowboy looking for a horizontal ride was more like it.

  They walked over to the side of the building where parade stands had been erected in the bar’s parking lot. With the down-home party atmosphere, the influx of tourists, and the chance to have a few too many after a long winter, no one drove anywhere during rodeo days. The out of town visitors’ cars, trucks and rigs were parked at the rodeo grounds or a nearby motel. Lizzie’s old compact sat in front of the condo Barb had rented for the weekend.

  Upon reaching the metal risers that tomorrow would be parade stands, Lizzie and Barb climbed to the top and sat to take in the world. Besides the muffled sounds coming from the bar next to them, the town seemed quiet. The night sky loomed over them. Lizzie could feel the damp chill from the river, cooling the valley.

  “I can’t believe you agreed to come for the entire weekend.” Barb clinked Lizzie’s bottle. “Who were you dancing with? Tall, dark and all that!”

  “Justin something. He’s out of Colorado. A bull rider.” The cowboy had told Lizzie a lot about his life, how he competed in different venues and traveled the country as they circled around the small dance floor. Conversation designed to impress a small-town girl. He’d asked her to dinner tomorrow but she’d turned him down. Tomorrow night was too late. Tomorrow afternoon she turned back into a mom. Once that happened, she couldn’t plan any further ahead.

  “We’re going to have a blast this weekend. First thing tomorrow we’ll get saloon girl costumes for the parade. Then we’ll head over to the rodeo grounds.” Barb shot Lizzie an evil grin. “Maybe we’ll get lucky.”

  “Tomorrow I’ll be back in mom mode for a while when JR and Dad come in for the parade.” Lizzie watched the revelers walk from one bar to the next as though they were looking for something. But looking for what? Someone special? A missing lover? Or just a better time than the one they were having? Once she’d been part of that crowd. A cowgirl out for fun, rocking the uniform of boots, tight jeans and a tighter tee shirt. She and Barb had been among the party crowd, the rodeo revelers, for a year after they’d graduated high school. Then Lizzie’s life had changed. Twice.

  Now she focused on other things. Like JR. And making ends meet while she found hand-me-down clothing and bought sufficient groceries to feed her constantly growing five-year-old.

  “Stop thinking and play with me. It’s been too long since we’ve been out trolling the bars.” Barb reached over and pulled Lizzie into a hug. “I’ve missed my friend.”

  Lizzie looked at her trying to hold back the envy she felt. Barb lived at least a portion of the life Lizzie had planned for herself. Building a career that she loved. The Blackberry back at the condo had buzzed so often while they were eating dinner that Barb had finally tossed it from the table announcing she was off the clock.

  Barb Carico had been her best friend since they shared finger paints in first grade. Barb’s long red curly hair had been the exact opposite of Lizzie’s dark straight pixie. The girls were night and day opposites, except for one thing. They both loved horses. In high school, Barb had been rodeo queen one year, Lizzie the next. They’d traded the title back and forth right up to the year they both left town, Barb heading off to Boise and Lizzie for school in Portland.

  “I’ve missed you too. But I’m not the one running around the country managing all these rodeos.” Lizzie leaned back. Despite a few what if twinges now and then, she loved her life with JR. Still, she couldn’t help asking, “What’s it like making cowboys do your bidding?”

  “Like wrangling cats. I swear some of these guys still think they are in Mrs. Stewart’s homeroom, throwing spitballs. Seriously, do guys ever grow up?”

  “Sounds like you have some stories to tell.” Lizzie laughed. “Do you see any of our old crew?”

  Barb’s face froze. “Liz, I thought you knew. Oh, crap. I would have told you, but seriously, I thought you’d know.”

  “Stop. Breathe. Now tell me what you thought I knew.” She felt her heart in her throat and hoped Barb would say anything but the words she knew would come out of her mouth.

  “Jesse’s riding tomorrow,” Barb blurted out.

  “So, I hope he wins. I knew he still competed. What’s the big deal?” Lizzie hoped her voice sounded as calm as she was acting. Inside, she wanted to squeak or run or scream. Something.

  “James manages his career. He’s here, Liz. James is in Shawnee this weekend.”

  James Sullivan couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Lizzie—sitting in the stands next to her best friend. Exactly like the last time he’d seen her six years ago. Rodeo weekend might as well be the Shaw
nee High School reunion. Everyone came back for the event. He’d told Jesse the rodeo prize money wasn’t worth the trip down memory lane. Hell, they were missing Cheyenne Gold to be here. Even if Jesse won, the pot wouldn’t cover their expenses.

  Being in town meant he had to deal with running into people who’d known him when. People like Lizzie. He thought he’d put Shawnee in the past when he and Jesse hitched up that old Dodge Ram truck to the double horse trailer that summer and left. But the first weekend in May was a rodeo tradition here in Shawnee. And now, he stood on the street, staring at his worst fear.

  Lizzie.

  James swallowed hard and his heart started to thud in his chest. A shiver ran through him. Even after six years and, thousands of miles, and more emotions than he could ever count, she still got to him. Just seeing her and he felt like his old teenage self, a puppy dog carrying her books to class. Remembering how they’d stand in the hallway, wanting one more minute together. He guessed he must have somehow known even then to grab all the time it could get. Once it was all said and done, they were not meant to be.

  A slap on the back brought him back to reality. Jesse pushed him out of the bar doorway and down the street.

  “Dude, we need to talk. After the rodeo, I’m going to…” Jesse stood in front of James, commandeering his brother’s attention as usual. “Hey, Earth to James, are you listening?”

  “Sorry. Being home messes with your head, you know?” James headed right, down the street and away from the girl he’d worshiped. “What did you want to talk about?”

  “I thought we were going to River’s End? How come you’re headed the opposite way?” Jesse scanned the street scene and stopped when he caught sight of James’s ex. “No wonder. Lizzie looks as good as she did in high school, bro.”

  “Lizzie? Where?” James tried to cover his tracks.

  “You’re not fooling me. She’s over there with wild Barbie. Let’s go say hello.” Jesse pulled his brother across the street, dodging a wayward traveler who’d decided to drive the highway to north Idaho on the wrong night.

  “I don’t think this is a good idea. She hates me,” James whispered at Jesse. Once they hit the sidewalk, he tried to turn his brother into the little bar instead. “Let’s get a tequila shot. I’ll buy.”

  Jesse snorted. “You’ll buy when you’re the one trying to keep me dry? Good try. We’re heading up the stands. Evening, ladies,” he called up to Lizzie and Barb who had been watching the brothers make their way across the street. “My, don’t you look lovely tonight. Can we purchase you an adult beverage?”

  “I have one,” Lizzie quickly answered only to get an elbow in her side.

  “You sure can.” Barb waved the men closer.

  “I don’t want to do this.” Lizzie glared at her friend and stood. “I’ll get the beers.”

  Barb pulled her back down on the riser. “James, come up here and keep Lizzie company while I make sure your brother actually brings the drinks back out. He’s been known to disappear.” Barb took the stairs two at a time, jumping the last one to land next to Jesse.

  Together the duo headed to the bar, turning to look back once at James and Lizzie.

  “Go ahead, James, I don’t think she bites,” Jesse called to his brother.

  “Hard,” Barb added and then the two broke into laughter as they disappeared into the crowded bar.

  James slowly stepped up the stands, his cowboy boots clicking on the hard metal. Each step brought him closer to the woman who had told him to die a slow and painful death the last time they’d spoken. Swallowing back a sense of uneasiness, he took the last step on the riser. He could do this. He owed her at least an explanation why of he’d left without a goodbye or a last word.

  Slipping in next to her, he leaned back, not looking at her, asked. “How’ve you been?”

  “I’ve been good. More than good.”

  James listened to the tone of her words. She had left something unsaid, but he had to expect that. They hadn’t spoken in six years. Her perfume, the same sweet floral she’d worn when they dated seeped into his pores. His fingers ached to reach over and pull her close. God, he hadn’t even realized he’d missed her. Hadn’t allowed himself to.

  “You down from Portland?” James searched the night sky for signs of stars. The valley was so closed in and narrow, the stars wouldn’t show until later in the evening. He searched for them anyway so he didn’t have to look at her. Sitting next to her brought back all the feelings he thought he’d thrown away when he left.

  “I’m home with Dad. Mom’s gone.” Lizzie stopped short. Again, James got the feeling there was something more. He felt her turn and look at him. “So you’re running still with Jesse? Rodeo manager?”

  Nice way to change the subject. Lizzie couldn’t give a rat’s ass about Jesse. He’d been the subject of many of their fights when they were dating. She’d made it especially clear that last night. She thought Jesse was trouble.

  “Sorry about your mother. About Jesse, I try to keep him in line. Setting up his rides, cutting off the alcohol, making the travel arrangements and handling the money.”

  “No wonder you and Jesse never got married. You’re perfect for each other.” Lizzie’s words sounded hurt and sarcastic.

  “Can we get through one conversation without fighting?” He met her gaze, surprised to see tears forming in her eyes. It was high school all over. When she cried, he had to do something about it. “Please don’t cry. I’ll start the conversation over.”

  Taking a deep breath, he turned away for a second then turned back.

  “Hey, Liz, it’s great to see you. I’ve missed you.” He saw her relax for a second. Then she froze again.

  She inched away from him on the metal riser, wiping the tears from her cheeks. “It’s very nice to see you, too. What have you been doing besides running Jesse’s career and keeping him out of jail?”

  Ouch. James winced. She couldn’t quit, could she? But the question hit closer to home than he cared to admit. There had been more than once when he’d had to buy Jesse’s way out of a few scrapes. Towns Lizzie had never heard of, so how could she know—unless she was fishing. Trying to get James to admit his brother was a royal screw up, just like she’d said and same as he’d always been.

  “I bought a place near Idaho City where we winter,” James cut to the question’s answer, ignoring what he didn’t want to think about, same as always. “It’s got a great horse set up including a breeding barn. You still ride?”

  “Not as often as I’d like. I’m pretty busy around the place. Dad’s not…well, he’s not himself. I handle most of the chores.”

  “I could stop by this weekend. Help get the place set for the summer, clean out the cabins, check the springs.” James brightened. A little manual labor would help him clear out the craziness that came with managing Jesse lately. Help get himself focused.

  “I can handle the chores myself. I don’t need help.” Even to her Lizzie’s voice sounded loud and sharp. She grimaced.

  “Don’t get all frazzled. I only offered. You always did want to do everything yourself.” James tried to force her hand. “I know how hard things have been for you, Lizzie. I’ve heard all about—”

  “Who told?” She didn’t let him finish before jumping on him. “I swear if Barb blabbed to Jesse, I’m going to cut her hair off. That girl could never keep her mouth shut over other people’s business.” Lizzie scanned the open doorway of the bar, looking for Barb to grab and murder, James guessed. When she didn’t see what she wanted, Lizzie turned to him, her face taut. “I know you’re mad. And you have a right to be. I didn’t know how to tell you at first. Then time passed and it seemed like it was too late.”

  “Hold on, I’m not following you. What did you want to tell me?” James caught and held Lizzie’s hands. When she didn’t answer, he squeezed. “Lizzie?”

  Time seemed to stand still. The breath flushed out of her. Heart pounding, she stared at James. Idiot! He doesn’t know and
you almost told him.

  Turning away, Lizzie scanned the street, looking for a distraction. She had never lied well. Not as a kid to her parents, and she’d never once been able to lie to James’s face. Not even when it was for the best.

  Lies of omission because of absence didn’t count.

  Her hands were shaking and she knew it wasn’t the cold. She pulled them into herself, hoping to make them stop. “I told you. I moved back here. I didn’t want you to laugh because all my big plans turned out to be pipe dreams.” Lizzie glanced up at the carved, angular features that were ready for a shave even though he’d probably already shaved early that morning. She wanted to reach out and caress his face, the face she saw every morning now without the beard stubble. JR’s face.

  “That’s not what you were going to say. I’m not stupid, Lizzie.”

  “You two look like old times.” Timing perfect as ever, Jesse banged his way up the metal steps toward them. “Still fighting I see.” He handed a longneck bottle to each of them. “Give me your empties.”

  Thank God for Jesse. She’d never expected to even think those words.

  Lizzie finished off her warm beer in two gulps and handed over the bottle to Jesse who promptly threw it off the stands.

  “Hey,” she protested before a crash of bottle on bottle reached them, proof Jesse had hit the open dumpster between the parade stand and the bar.

  “What, you thought I’d miss? Captain of the basketball team, four years straight?” Jesse grinned down at her.