“Jules, you owe me a dance.”

Amid the other couples, Tanner drew her into his arms on the dance floor. She swallowed hard at the warmth of his body so close to hers and prayed he didn’t notice her accelerated heartbeat.

“Relax, darling,” he whispered. “I don’t bite.” She looked up to see his gaze caressing her bare shoulders. Good gracious, she thought as her knees weakened. What that man could do with a look!

Trying to stay focused, she changed the subject. “How lucrative is bronc riding?”

“All depends on how good you are.”

“And how good are you?”

A spark of fire lit his eyes. “Good, darlin’. Real good.”

When the music stopped, so did their dance. Jules felt a twinge of disappointment. “Have a nice evening, darlin’,” Tanner said, and walked away.

Tanner O’Brien stirred her curiosity. But this was not the time to let attraction get the better of her. Then why did she find herself searching for him the rest of the night, hoping for another dance?

Dear Reader,

I love small towns. I love big cities, too, and even middle-sized ones. But having lived in a small town during my teen years and a bit beyond, then again as an adult, I can honestly say there’s something special about small towns that sets them apart.

When it came time to find a setting for The Rodeo Rider and Tanner O’Brien’s Rocking O Ranch, the fictional town of Desperation, Oklahoma, was born. Desperation is every small town in America, complete with quirky citizens, tales of the past and love always in bloom. Not only does Jules Vandeveer fall in love with Tanner, but she also falls in love with the town and the people who live there. I hope you’ll enjoy visiting Desperation, too.

Throughout 2009 Harlequin American Romance is celebrating American heroes with one book each month in the MEN MADE IN AMERICA miniseries. I’m excited that The Rodeo Rider is a part of a series paying tribute to the sexy American male!

MEN MADE IN AMERICA is only part of an even bigger event as Harlequin celebrates its 60th Anniversary. Congratulations to Harlequin, the writers, editors and especially the readers!

Best wishes and happy reading!

Roxann

The Rodeo Rider
Roxann Delaney

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Roxann Delaney doesn’t remember a time when she wasn’t reading or writing, and she always loved that touch of romance in both. A native Kansan, she’s lived on a farm, in a small town, and has returned to live in the city where she was born. Her four daughters and grandchildren keep her busy when she isn’t writing, designing Web sites, or planning her high school class reunions. The 1999 Maggie Award winner is excited about being a part of Harlequin American Romance and loves to hear from readers. Contact her at roxann@roxanndelaney.com or visit her Web site, www.roxanndelaney.com.

Special thanks to my high school friend Keith Woods, a real Oklahoma cowboy, for all his help with rodeo and arena information. Thank you, too, to all the cowboys and cowgirls who deal with the rigors and the joys of the rodeo life.

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Epilogue

Chapter One

“I’m not sure this was such a good idea.”

Jules Vandeveer didn’t realize she had spoken as she stared across the dirt-floored indoor arena of the Agri-Plex. From her front-row seat next to her best friend, she watched the cowboy in the brilliant blue shirt position himself on the back of a horse.

“We can leave if you’d rather not stay,” Beth Anders told her.

Jules was tempted, but strengthened her resolve. “No,” she said, shaking her head. “No, I need to do this.” She knew the dangers involved in any sport involving animals, but running away would not solve her problem. It was time to face her fears, and although she had trouble believing that anyone would be insane enough to make a career of tempting fate on the back of a bucking, twisting animal, she knew her reaction was based on those fears. “We’ll stay,” she said, determined to see this through.

Beth placed a hand on her arm, concern still in her eyes. “Hang in there. It’s nearly over. This could be one of the best bareback bronc rides of the night.”

In a matter of seconds, animal and rider burst into the open. The horse bucked, reared and twisted in an attempt to dislodge the man. With one arm waving above his head, the cowboy hung on with the other.

When horse and rider gyrated closer, so did the dirt and dust they stirred up. Jules escaped any particles that threatened to invade her eyes and mouth by bending to reach for her bag under the seat. Over the noise of the crowd, which had now come to its feet around her, she could hear the horn signal the end of the eight-second ride, and she breathed a sigh of relief.

Before she could collect her wits, something struck her bent head and fell to her feet. Afraid to discover what it might be, she dared a glance and saw a black cowboy hat.

“Where did this come from?” She picked up the hat and stared at it as she straightened. Gingerly holding the dusty object, she looked to the arena where the last rider stood waving at the cheering crowd—hatless.

“Hang on to it,” Beth said over the din.

Jules stared at her. “You hang on to it,” she said, shoving the hat at her friend.

Beth pushed it back, shaking her head and grinning from ear to ear. When the shrill sound of a pager pierced the noise of the crowd, Beth grumbled and slipped the beeper from her belt. “I have to answer this call,” she explained, standing and scooting past Jules to the aisle. “You stay here, and I’ll be right back.”

Jules jumped to her feet. “But—”

“It’ll only take a minute. Don’t move from that spot.” With a wave of her hand, Beth pushed her way through the still-cheering crowd and disappeared.

Jules watched her go before turning back to find herself staring down over the railing into the bluest eyes she’d ever seen, eyes surrounded by thick, black lashes—lashes any woman would kill for.

Her heart stopped and her mind went blank.

“My hat, darlin’.”

The comment, uttered in a smooth, slow baritone, caused Jules to blink, but her mind still didn’t kick into gear.

Crinkles formed in the deeply tanned skin at the corners of the sapphire eyes. A lock of jet-black hair fell carelessly over black eyebrows. “If you really want it that bad…” he said with an Oklahoma drawl.

Her gaze dropped to the hat gripped in her hands, and her heartbeat kicked in, thudding against her ribs. Had he called her darlin’? Stunned into action, she shoved the hat toward him and shook her head.

He gave her a lopsided grin. “You sure?”

She felt her heart somersault before she nodded, still unable to utter a sound. What was happening to her? It wasn’t fear that had her heart suddenly racing.

“You okay, darlin’?” His deep voice was filled with concern.

Jules blinked and stiffened at the tingling sensation the sound of his voice sent along her nerve endings. She held the hat out to him with trembling hands. “If you’ll just take your hat…”

The cowboy took it from her, his eyes narrowing in a puzzled frown, and placed it on his head. Tipping the brim, which now shadowed half his face, he gave her a tight smile before turning to amble across the arena.

“What did you say to him?”

Jules spun around to see Beth working her way back through the retreating crowd. She took a deep, calming breath. “Nothing. I gave him his hat.”

Her friend reached her and frowned. “Is that all? He looked ticked off to me.”

“Of course that’s all,” Jules said. Adding a good-natured smile, she refused to let her inexplicable reaction to the man intrude on their time together. “You know, Beth, if we weren’t such good friends, this cowboy thing would be the last straw,” she teased. She nearly laughed at the irony in her choice of words. Since they’d arrived at the Ada, Oklahoma, arena, she’d seen enough straw to choke a herd of buffalo. And she’d thought straw was a staple of the show-jumping world! Rodeos even had that beat.

She’d thought a rodeo would be far different from hunter-jumping, but even the smells and sounds of the evening had brought back more memories than she’d expected. Seeing cowboys thrown from horses had only made it worse, even though Beth had warned her it might. At least no one had been seriously hurt.

“You’re sure you’re all right?” Beth asked, obviously worried.

“I’m fine. Really.” Noticing the crowd had thinned, Jules gathered her things and stood, relieved the evening was over.

Beth took her by the arm, her brown eyes sparkling with anticipation. “Let’s get going.”

“Where?”

Pulling Jules through the stragglers leaving the stands, Beth said with a wicked grin, “We’re going to a party.”

Jules smiled. She could handle a little quiet mingling and a glass of wine to clear the dirt from her throat, a place where she could relax and get her heart slowed to a more normal pace. It was obvious she needed this vacation if a cowboy could leave her tongue-tied.

TANNER O’BRIEN spotted the woman he’d seen in the stands with Beth Anders the minute he walked into the noisy bar. Country music played at full volume by a local band assaulted his ears, and multicolored lights flashed in his eyes as a throng of well-wishers and words of congratulations swamped him. And he still couldn’t keep his eyes off her. Walking across the wood-plank floor, he felt a friendly whack to his back and wordlessly accepted the praise that accompanied it with a smile and a nod, while someone else pressed a frosty mug of beer into his hand. Rodeoers and fans were one big family, no matter what part of the country.

He thanked, smiled and nodded his way through the boisterous crowd to a familiar face. Pulling up a chair, he straddled it. “Hey, Dusty.”

The cowboy sitting across the table shoved his hat back on his head with one finger. “That last ride looked like a piece of cake,” Dusty said around the matchstick in his mouth.

“Yeah, sure.” Tanner managed a weak smile. His thirty-three-year-old body ached with disagreement. Leaning closer, he kept his voice low. “You haven’t seen Shawn, have you?”

Dusty frowned. “Nope, not since your last ride tonight. He was hangin’ around behind the chutes and disappeared about the time they announced your win.” A quick grin replaced the frown, but the matchstick didn’t waver. “That nephew of yours giving you trouble?”

Before Tanner could answer, a female voice purred in his ear, “Will you sign my program?”

Deep cleavage framed by western fringe hit him at eye level, but he ignored the view. Buckle bunnies didn’t interest him much anymore. Taking the glossy sheaf and the pen she offered, he scribbled his name and handed it back without bothering to look up into her face.

Dusty laughed when she’d gone. “You’ve got a way with the ladies, kinda like you do with the broncs.”

Tanner shook his head and chuckled. “Bet I’m old enough to be her father.”

“Wouldn’t have stopped you that long ago.”

Tanner took a swallow of beer and considered the statement. “Yeah, but I didn’t know any better then.”

Unable to stop himself, his gaze swept the room, finally resting on the blonde from the arena. She was a looker, that was for sure.

When the wranglers had pointed her out to him after he’d tossed his Resistol hat into the stands, he’d felt a spark of interest. Old habits were hard to break, and he’d intended to get semi-acquainted with the little lady when he retrieved his hat. And he might have if she hadn’t turned up the chill factor. Cold, that was what she was.

“Friend of yours?” Dusty broke into his thoughts.

“No way.” And he didn’t intend for her to be, either. He wasn’t in the mood for a case of frostbite. Without looking at Dusty, he drained the mug, quenching his thirst but not his curiosity.

Dusty tipped his chair back on two legs. “She seems to be a friend of Beth Anders.”

“Good for her.” Tanner gave in and glanced at the blonde one more time. She sure was easy on the eyes. Long, golden hair twisted into a fancy braid. And those eyes. Green as prairie grass in the spring. He couldn’t stop thinking about them, until he remembered how they’d turned cold and how her voice, when she’d finally spoken, had an icy edge.

When she looked up in his direction, he glanced away, right into the eyes of Beth Anders, who waved him over.

A snort of laughter from across the table cut through the noise of the tavern. “Go do the gentlemanly thing and say howdy to the ladies,” Dusty urged.

Tanner groaned, but reluctantly hauled himself to his feet. “Yep, best get it over with. Beth will give me an ear-blistering the next time she comes out to the ranch on a vet call if I don’t.”

Tanner took his time crossing the crowded room. When he reached the table where the two women sat, he tipped his hat at the pretty brunette. “Evening, Beth,” he said, and then managed a brief nod in her friend’s direction.

“Hi, Tanner,” Beth greeted.

He stayed focused on the vet and avoided the blonde seated across from her. “Where’s the professor tonight? That fiancé of yours needs to keep an eye on you.”

“Michael called just at the end of your ride. But hey, great ride! Another win! You ought to be well on your way to that gold buckle.”

He shrugged. Praise always made him uncomfortable. “I drew a good horse.”

“That’s what you always say,” she said, laughing. “And luck must have had something to do with where that hat of yours landed when you tossed it.” She glanced at the blonde and back again.

He caught the hint and risked a look at her friend. “Yeah,” he agreed. The blonde’s interest was riveted to the middle of his shirt, the crease of a frown between her high, arched brows.

Cold. Real cold. So why did the room feel several degrees warmer?

“Jules, this is Tanner O’Brien, champion bareback rider,” Beth said before smiling up at him. “Tanner, meet my oldest and dearest friend, Jules Vandeveer.”

“Ma’am.” Tanner touched the brim of his hat when the blonde raised her head to acknowledge him. His gaze collided with hers, and his mouth went dry. Damn. She sure had an effect on a man.

“Mr. O’Brien,” she said with a nod and the hint of a smile.

He noticed her hesitation when she leaned toward him and offered her hand, but he took it, anyway. A gentleness in her touch caught him off guard. The heady perfume she wore didn’t help matters, either, but a man had to breathe, and breathe it in, he did.

“Why don’t you sit down, instead of towering over us, Tanner?” Beth suggested.

The sound of her voice brought him back to earth. With unusual reluctance, he released Jules’s hand, then lowered himself onto a chair and tried to ignore the pain in his knees. He’d pay for that last ride even more tomorrow.

Beth leaned across the table to speak to him. “Tonight is special for Jules. It’s her first rodeo.”

“Oh, yeah?” Daring to face the silent blonde, he smiled. “How’d you like it?”

With a quick, uncertain glance at him first, she finally gave him a level look. “It was…interesting.”

He didn’t miss the coolness in her voice, and his grin faded. “Not much of a rodeo fan, I guess.”

He held her gaze, prepared to say more, until she ran her tongue over her lips. His pulse quickened. Lips like those were meant to be kissed. And kissed well. It was all he could do to look away.

“You must love what you do.”

It took some effort, but he dragged his gaze back to hers and fought for control. “Love it? Darlin’, it’s my life. Always has been and always will be.” If his body didn’t wear out first.

She offered a tentative smile. “I guess everyone has their calling.”

“Jules is on vacation,” Beth explained.

“How long will you be here?” The question was out of his mouth before he realized it. There was something about her besides her looks that drew him to her. Maybe he’d read her wrong at the arena. She fascinated him, in a strange sort of way.

“About a month,” she answered. “Until after Beth’s wedding. Why?”

It was easy to see that she needed to relax. Hoping it would begin to thaw her, he decided a little flirting would be harmless. “Well, darlin’, I can teach you a lot about rodeo cowboys in a month.”

Her eyes widened in surprise for a moment, and then she flashed him a killer smile. “Why, thank you, but no thanks. Cowboys aren’t my thang.”

He stared at her, not sure what to think. That smile had almost given him hope, but he wasn’t sure how to take her response. He probably deserved her rejection. She obviously wasn’t the type to fall for the line he’d fedher, and he’d made a fool of himself by using it. Not that it mattered. He doubted he would run into her again, and he sure didn’t need to get tangled up with her. He had better things to do. He had a ranch to run and National Finals Rodeo to qualify for. His summer would be busy.

Filling the awkward silence that followed, Beth laughed and placed her hand on her friend’s arm. “She’s a city girl, Tanner. She’s not used to cowboys like you.”

“You’ve known each other long?” he asked, focusing on Beth.

“We met in the hospital when we were twelve. I was there with a bad case of poison oak, and she was—”

The blonde shook her head. “We learned we lived near each other and became best friends.”

“A city girl, huh?” he asked, as if it surprised him.

Beth nodded. “An attorney, as a matter-of-fact.”

“Beth…” her friend began warningly.

“Well, now, I guess that leaves me out. I’m just a simple country boy who doesn’t know much about highfalutin city girls, let alone a classy lady lawyer.”

He’d meant it as compliment, but it hadn’t come out that way. Maybe it had been more of a reminder to himself not to get involved with her or anyone else. But when he stood and looked down at her, their gazes collided.

“So city girls aren’t your thing,” she said. “I guess that makes us even.”

As an attorney, she was probably accustomed to winning in a battle of wits, but he wasn’t the dumb cowboy she might think he was. She’d thrown down the gauntlet, and he wasn’t going to let her win this one. “I guess it does,” he replied. “Give me a country girl anytime. One who knows a horse’s backside from its front.”

Jules smiled, showing white, even teeth, and a dimple. Devastating. Wicked. “Oh, I know the difference,” she said.

Her voice was so low it was husky, and it rippled through him to settle well below where it should have.

She was good. It was tempting to stay and continue their duel, but he was afraid he’d say something he’d regret later. “Guess we’re even again” was all he said.

She nodded.

Touching his finger to the brim of his hat, he turned to Beth. “Ladies, it’s been a real…interesting time.”

“You’re not leaving, are you?” Beth asked.

He got to his feet. “Afraid I have to. It’s a long drive back, and a full day waiting tomorrow.”

After they both bid him good night, he almost regretted leaving them. But he quickly reminded himself that he’d have the blonde out of his head before he reached home. She wasn’t his type. Her neat, white shirt and pants told him she was definitely out of his league. She looked like money. What would a rough-and-rowdy cowboy like him, who spent half his life on the back of a horse, do with a woman like her?

It didn’t take much imagination to answer that question.

JULES WATCHED the cowboy walk away. Wide shoulders stretched the cotton of his shirt tight across his broad back. She could see the muscles move with each step he took. But it was the swagger in his walk that drew her attention to the finest backside she’d ever seen.

“Nice view, isn’t it?” Beth asked.

“What?” Jules blinked and turned to stare at her friend.

Beth laughed. “Back to earth, Jules. It’s obvious.”

Jules suspected it would be wise to ignore the remark. Beth knew her inside out. They’d been friends too long to try to deny an interest. But her little word war with Tanner O’Brien had started her heart pumping, and she couldn’t stop herself. “And just what do you mean by that?”

“Oh, just that spark between you two.”

“He has a quick mind,” Jules replied. “That’s all.”

“That’s all?” Beth echoed, leaning back in her chair. “You keep yourself holed up in that law office too much. You need to get out more. And what’s with you, anyway? It’s not like you to be so…”

Jules grinned, knowing she had taken advantage of the situation. “Rude? Sorry, but the temptation was too strong.”

Her smile faded, and she stared into her drink. She couldn’t be attracted to anyone. Not now. There were too many other things she needed to deal with. Her fear of riding was only one of them. She couldn’t let a good-looking cowboy distract her.

And Beth would never let her live it down if she knew how that cowboy had pulled at something deep inside her.

When Jules looked up again, hoping she hadn’t given herself away, she noted a thoughtful expression on her friend’s face.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen Tanner so…” Beth shrugged and frowned. “He’s always a perfect gentleman.”

Jules laughed. “Okay, I surrender. He seemed nice, and I shouldn’t have goaded him. Chalk it up to too many hours in the courtroom.”

Beth was silent for a moment, and then leaned forward. “When are you going to relax and have fun?”

“When I find something relaxing,” Jules replied.

“And Tanner and that drawl aren’t it?” Beth shook her head and sighed. “Hon, you do have a problem.”

Jules forced herself not to search the room for the object of their conversation. The instant she’d looked into those blue eyes at the arena, her blood had felt like warm honey pouring through her veins, slow and golden. She wasn’t accustomed to reacting like that to any man. She had never been swayed by anything as simple as cute buns or broad shoulders. Or a sexy drawl accompanied by an equally sexy grin. Even as a girl, she had never been boy-crazy. Horses and hunter-jumping had been her life—until she was twelve years old. When her mount had balked at a jump and everything changed in a blink of the eye. Two weeks in a coma and months of speech therapy had made her look at life differently. Law and the children the law touched were her life now, but she was at a crossroads, even where those were concerned.

“More than you know, Beth. But that’s why I’m here. You’ve always been the one to help me see things more clearly.” By the time Beth’s wedding was over and her month of vacation was up, Jules hoped to return home feeling renewed.

“I’ll do whatever I can,” Beth said.

The face of fourteen-year-old Joey Martin drifted into Jules’s mind. She blamed herself and the system for what had happened to Joey, and she wanted somehow to make up for it. She just wasn’t sure she could. Beth knew that. They had spent an endless amount of time on the phone talking about it.

“To be honest, working on cases in court every day and being a child advocate during my spare time is exhausting. If it wasn’t for your wedding and this vacation…I hate to be gone from my work. I know how much I’m needed, but I don’t want to burn out. At the rate I’ve been going, I’m afraid that’s what will happen.”

“And you insisted we go to a rodeo?” Beth asked. “That can’t be relaxing, considering.”

“It will be, I hope, if I can come to terms with my fear of riding. I can’t help others overcome their fears if I can’t get past my own, especially when theirs are so much worse.”

Beth didn’t comment, just shifted her gaze to Tanner O’Brien.

“Oh, no, Beth,” Jules warned, knowing exactly what her friend was thinking. “Don’t get any ideas.”

Beth turned back. “You’re right. I just want to see you happy, that’s all. You need to get out and have some fun, meet new…people.”

Jules had to laugh. “Now I know why you invited me to Oklahoma when I said I needed a break. Thanks, but I think I’ll pass.”

“I don’t know, Jules,” Beth said, looking completely unconvinced. “Like your parents, you’ve been giving to others for a long time. Maybe it’s time to think of yourself.”

A bone-weary tiredness swept over Jules. She knew she might be facing a major career decision. Because of Joey, she had become disillusioned. She wasn’t sure anymore if she could handle both her career and her volunteer work. She’d hoped that getting away from it would help with a decision and also give her time to work on facing her fear.

“Can we leave now?” she asked, pushing her half-finished drink aside. She hoped they wouldn’t run into the cowboy again. When that hat had landed at her feet, something strange had happened. She’d begun to feel things she’d never felt before. Whatever they were, she didn’t want to deal with them. She had enough to think about.

And a blue-eyed cowboy to forget.

Beth gathered her purse and stood. “It is late, and I don’t have the luxury of sleeping in tomorrow. I’m on emergency call until Friday for Doc Waters. With my luck, somebody’s dog will chew up a rope and swallow it.”

“Dr. Anders,” someone called out as they walked toward the door.

“Go on,” Beth told Jules. “I’ll meet you at the car.”

Jules nodded and continued on. Stepping outside into the balmy summer night, she worked her way through the jammed parking lot toward the car. Suddenly, she noticed a certain bronc rider arguing with a teenager who bore a striking resemblance to him. The boy, who looked about fourteen or fifteen, stood with his fists balled on his hips and his chin jutting out. Their voices rose in the darkness, but Jules couldn’t make out what they were saying. When Tanner O’Brien reached out, the teenager threw up his hands and backed away. Jules wondered if she should ignore them or see if she could help. Considering what had happened with Joey Martin, although one had nothing to do with the other, minding her own business might be the wisest course.

TANNER FACED Shawn under the bluish lighting in the parking lot. He hated being the bad guy, but the situation with his nephew was getting out of hand. If he didn’t find a way to deal with it soon, he’d lose Shawn the same way he’d lost Shawn’s daddy.

He drew in a breath of the humid, night air. “You were supposed to get a ride home, Shawn.”

The boy crossed his arms and glared at his uncle. “I don’t see you gettin’ in early.”

Shawn was right. But it didn’t excuse the fourteen-year-old standing in front of him, ready to do battle.

Tanner had promised himself he wouldn’t lose his temper, something hard to stick to lately. “I’m an adult, Shawn. That gives me the right to set my own hours. But that’s not the point. You told me you had a ride back home after the rodeo. Why are you still here?”

Even Shawn’s shrug was antagonistic. “Just hanging out with my friends.”

It wasn’t so much what Shawn said as it was his attitude that riled Tanner. “And all of them are at least three years older than you. Why don’t you hang out with someone your own age?”

With narrowed eyes, Shawn’s lip curled in contempt. “They’re kids.”

And so are you, Tanner wanted to say, but he mentally counted to five, instead. “I guess you can’t be trusted to get home when you’re supposed to. No more rodeos until I see some responsibility.” He stood watching the boy, expecting an explosion.

One young shoulder raised and lowered. “Whatever.” Shawn dropped his hands to his sides and walked in the opposite direction of Tanner’s pickup.

“Get in my truck,” Tanner called to him. When the boy didn’t slow his steps, Tanner went after him and took hold of his arm.

Shawn spun around. “I’d rather walk,” he growled, trying to pull away.

“Excuse me.”

Tanner turned at the sound of the soft voice behind him. Jules Vandeveer was standing a few feet away. “This isn’t your concern,” he replied as politely as he could, and turned back to his nephew.

Her voice, still quiet and calm, reached out in the darkness beyond the lights. “You’re right, it isn’t, but maybe I can help.”

Tanner reluctantly released his nephew, expecting him to take off. Instead, Shawn retreated a few steps and stopped, watching them. Tanner took a deep breath and faced Jules. “I don’t know why I should listen to a woman who thinks I’m a horse’s—”

“I apologize. Truly,” Jules said, cutting him off. “I was very rude, and I’m sorry.”

The anger drained from Tanner at the sincerity in her voice, the caring he saw in her eyes, until he reminded himself she was butting in where she didn’t belong. “I can handle this.”

She drew closer. “I’ve seen hundreds of kids go through the court system,” she said, “and I work with those who have slipped through the cracks. There are better ways to handle problems than arguing. And better places to do it than a tavern parking lot.”

“Now, hold on.” Tanner planted his feet in the gravel of the lot and stared down into her eyes. “I’m trying to get him into the truck so we can go home. If he’d done what he should have—”

“Try talking to him.”

Tanner opened his mouth to tell her he’d been trying to do exactly that. Instead, he shut it, his anger gone, replaced by something that was close to admiration. She was gutsy enough to stand up to him. But hadn’t he realized that earlier?

She laid a hand on his arm, and he felt a warmth go through him like a shot of whiskey before she jerked her hand away. Apparently she’d felt something, too.

“You’re upset,” she said in that same, smooth voice. “Let me talk to him.”

Too busy trying to figure out his reaction to her touch, Tanner nodded. He watched her approach Shawn and heard her lowered voice as she spoke to the boy. Tanner shook his head, amazed to see Shawn nodding at whatever she was saying. Lately, agreement from Shawn was rare. Tanner was even more surprised when his nephew walked to the pickup and got in it without an argument.

“He’ll be okay,” Jules said when she returned. Her lips curved into a smile. “Try talking to him tomorrow when you’re both calmer.”

The warmth of her smile muddled his mind. And it wasn’t from the one beer he’d shared with Dusty. The woman had an intoxicating effect on him that he couldn’t seem to shake.

“What did you say to him?”

She shrugged and glanced toward his pickup, where Shawn waited. “I told him that it’s late and we’re all tired. Maybe tomorrow would be a better day to discuss things.”

“That’s it?” he asked.

Her smile was sweet but tired as she nodded, then turned away. He watched her walk to a late-model sedan, knowing he was a fool for letting her distract him. Shawn and qualifying for National Finals Rodeo were his only concerns. But he hadn’t counted on meeting a woman like her. He was sorry he probably wouldn’t see her again.

Chapter Two

Jules regarded the opulence of the Grand Ballroom in Oklahoma City’s Waterford Hotel, then reached for a glass of champagne from a passing waiter. She turned to Beth. “This is beautiful. I’m glad you invited me. I’m finally beginning to feel like I’m on vacation.”

“I wish I weren’t so busy,” Beth answered with a regretful smile. “As soon as Doc Waters gets back, we can spend more time together and have a real vacation.”

“Don’t worry about it. Just getting away from everything is good.” Taking a sip of her drink, Jules wrinkled her nose at the bubbles and surveyed the crowd. Strains of music from a small orchestra drifted softly throughout the room, while an occasional peal of feminine laughter could be heard above the buzz of conversation. “I didn’t know you traveled in such impressive social circles.”

Beth tipped her head back and laughed. “Thank Michael for that. Being the soon-to-be-wife of a professor does have its perks. Now that Oklahoma State has opened a campus here in Oklahoma City, things are really happening.” Leaning closer to Jules, she lowered her voice. “Everyone is nice, but still, I’m glad you’re here to share it with me.”

Even though she didn’t know anyone, Jules enjoyed watching the people. Jewels sparkled and dresses shimmered. Having grown up in a home considered wealthy, she was aware of the power of money and pleased to know this was a fund-raising event for the local arts council. Her parents, who had always been known for their philanthropy, would be happy to learn she was attending something worthy.

“Where is Michael, anyway?” she asked, still perusing the room.

Beth craned her neck to search. “He’s here somewhere.” She chuckled and shook her head. “He probably bumped into someone and is deep in conversation, while the two of us stand here like a couple of lost souls.”

Seeing a group in obviously expensive, custom-tailored tuxedos, Jules scanned the knot of men for Beth’s fiancé. The back of one particular figure caught her attention and she gave a small, involuntary gasp.

“Is something wrong?” Beth asked.

Jules shook her head and silently laughed at herself. Of course it wasn’t who she imagined. How ridiculous! But the resemblance was uncanny. Her gaze took in the black hair and traveled down the wide expanse of exquisitely tailored broad shoulders. Lowering her blatant scrutiny, she checked out his shoes. Black, shiny patent leather. Not cowboy boots. Not even close. She breathed a sigh of relief.

“I just thought that man over there was—”

He turned around, causing Jules to swallow a second gasp. What was Tanner O’Brien doing at an arts council fund-raiser? And looking so magnificent?

Slipping her arm through Beth’s, she turned her in the opposite direction and led her away. “Maybe we should look for Michael.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Wrong?” she asked, doing her best to look and sound innocent. “There’s nothing wrong at all. I just think we should find Michael.”

“But you said something about a man.” Beth started to turn back in the direction they’d come from.

“Oh, yes, well…” Jules steered her through the maze of people in the ballroom. Hoping they’d gone far enough to lose themselves in the crowd, she stopped and took a deep breath, letting it out slowly, while she scolded herself for being so silly. Tanner O’Brien was nothing to be afraid of. She needn’t go running off at the mere sight of him like a schoolgirl with a crush.

“Evening, ladies.”

Jules swung around at the sound of the smooth drawl and found herself gazing into a pair of ice-blue eyes. Eyes she thought she’d be safe from encountering again so soon, if at all.

Beth thankfully took over. “Why, Tanner, what a surprise! I didn’t expect to see you here. I thought you’d be off riding a bronc somewhere.”

“Just doing my civic duty.” He grinned at Beth, and then his gaze traveled back to Jules, running slowly from her eyes downward.

Jules felt the heat of a blush and hoped it didn’t show. Forcing her best smile, she greeted him. “Hello, Mr. O’Brien.” Somehow she needed to calm the butterflies he’d set to fluttering in her stomach. His wide grin forced her to do some quick thinking. “I almost didn’t recognize you out of uniform. He cleans up real good, doesn’t he, Beth?”

Tanner’s smile froze on his face, and then he laughed. “Will you excuse us, Beth?” he said, taking Jules by the arm. “This little lady owes me a dance for that remark.”

“No, really, I can’t—” Jules protested.

Beth was no help. “Of course you can, Jules. You two have a lot in common.”

“What’s that?” Tanner asked.

“We do?” Jules asked at the same time.

“Tell him about how you help troubled kids, Jules,” Beth said. “Oh, and about horses, too. Now go on, you two. I think I’ve spotted Michael.”

Jules silently groaned and let Tanner lead her through the crowd to the other end of the ballroom. Of course Beth would locate her fiancé too late to get her out of this predicament. She’d just have to get through it as best she could.

On the dance floor, amid the other couples moving to the music, Tanner drew her into his arms. She swallowed hard at the warmth of his body so close to hers and prayed he didn’t notice her accelerated heartbeat.

“Relax, darlin’,” he whispered. “I don’t bite. Although you do deserve to be bitten for that sharp tongue of yours.”

Searching her mind for a retort, Jules found herself without one. Months of speech therapy wouldn’t help in this situation, not when her mind had gone completely empty. Even her years of experience before judges weren’t helping.

It took her a moment to feel stable enough to reply. “I’d think the Texas two-step would be more your style.”

Tanner’s chuckle reached down to her toes. “Texas two-step? Don’t let anybody in this room hear you say that, darlin’. You’d start a lynch mob, and that neck of yours is too pretty for a rope.”

She looked up to see his gaze caressing her bare shoulders. Good gracious, she thought as her knees weakened. What that man could do with a look!

Gathering her courage, she smiled. “You know what we Kansans say about people in Oklahoma.”

“Yep. Dumb Okies,” he replied with another toe-tingling chuckle. “Must be why we have so many rich and famous people in the state. But I get the idea that doesn’t impress you much.”

She dared to meet his gaze. “I know there are things money can’t buy.”

One black eyebrow lifted. “What hasn’t money bought you, darlin’? I’m sure you haven’t lived a life without cold, hard cash.”

His comment made her uncomfortable. She had seen what not having enough money could do to some people and how those who had it could help. Her parents, for example. But she wasn’t willing to discuss it with him.

“How lucrative is bronc riding?” she asked, turning the tables on him.

His broad shoulders moved in a shrug under her hand. “All depends on how good you are.”

“And how good are you?”

A spark of fire lit his eyes. “Good, darlin’. Real good.”

She couldn’t read what she saw in his eyes. Was it the gleam of a need for danger? Or was it something else?

“About the other night…” she began.

“Thanks for helping us out.” The hard set to his jaw told her he thought she’d interfered when she shouldn’t have, but he quickly relaxed. “Tell me a little about what Beth said, how you work with troubled kids.”

She wasn’t sure this was the time or place, but she had opened the door herself almost a week ago after the rodeo. It was worth a try. “I’ve seen so many children slip through the cracks,” she said, “and I feel that most of them can be helped. All it takes is the right person finding something they’re passionate about and helping them on their way. Sometimes that means taking them out of their environment and putting them into one that’s more beneficial, or helping their own family make the current one better. Most of all they need someone who will listen and give them the compassion and understanding they need.”

“That’s mighty intuitive of you. How does being a lawyer help?”

She looked up to see him studying her. Taking a deep breath, she let it out with a sigh. “You’d be surprised how often it doesn’t, so now I do double duty. In my spare time, I’m what’s called a court-appointed child advocate and work with one child at a time, making him or her my total focus, not just the focus of the law.”

“Then you’re already fully involved in this?”

Nodding, she smiled. “I have been for nearly a year and a half.”

When the music stopped, so did their dance. Jules felt a twinge of disappointment when he returned her to Michael and Beth with a friendly, “Have a nice evening, darlin’,” and walked away. Tanner O’Brien stirred just enough curiosity for her to hope they’d run into each other again. Not to mention a few other stirrings she tried not to think about. This was not the time to let attraction get the better of her. But she found herself too often searching for him the rest of the evening, to no avail.

JULES LOOKED OUT the window of Beth’s Jeep to see Oklahoma City disappear behind them and the open countryside fill the landscape. “Where did you say we’re going?”

“I got a call early this morning for some help with a heifer having a breech birth. Not fun, but nothing out of the ordinary.”

Jules turned to look at her. “I don’t have to watch, do I?”

“Not unless you want to.” Beth gave her a quick grin before returning her attention to the road. “I thought you might want to visit a real cattle ranch.”

“We do raise cattle in Kansas, Beth. Or have you forgotten? You sound as if I was raised in New York City.”

“I don’t recall you paying much attention to the farms and ranches around home.”

“I spent a lot of time at your place when we were kids,” Jules reminded her. “I know horses, even if I can’t ride anymore, and it’s not like I’ve never seen livestock. I have many memories of the two of us feeding and watering the chickens, gathering eggs and a lot of other things.”

Beth’s laughter rang out. “Chickens aren’t exactly livestock. And I spent more time with you at your house or out having fun.”

“And getting into trouble,” Jules said, laughing. She had wonderful memories of the times she and Beth had spent together when they were young. Until she’d met Beth, her life had revolved around horses. Then the accident had happened and she’d met Beth. She still remembered their first meeting in the hospital, and even though Beth had been released long before she had, Beth visited nearly every day and encouraged her throughout her therapy.

Jules’s eyes stung with tears at the memory. “If it hadn’t been for you, I might not have made it.”

“You’d have done fine.” Beth’s smile was soft. “It might have taken a little more time, but sooner or later you’d have come through it. You’ve always been strong.”

“Maybe,” Jules answered, uncertain. But whether or not the notion was true, she’d always be grateful for their friendship.

The countryside rolled by, broken only by the occasional farm or ranch. The air was clear and fresh, still cool, but warming with the morning sun. All in all, it was a picture postcard of rural serenity. When they took a turn onto a narrow dirt lane, Jules looked up to read the carved sign above the wooden arch above them. Rocking O.

“Is this a big ranch?” she asked Beth as the Jeep tires spewed dust behind them.

“Not as big as some, but not small, either,” Beth answered with a shrug. “Successful, though.”

“And they raise cattle?”

Beth’s eyes slid to her and back to the road again. “A few horses. I’m sure if you’d like to try—”

“Chickens?” Jules asked.

Beth laughed and brought the Jeep to a stop in front of a sprawling, two-story, white farmhouse. “I’m not sure,” she said, switching off the engine. “You can ask Bridey, if you’re really interested.”

Jules admired the house, with a lawn that resembled green velvet and the many old trees that provided shade in just the right places. A quick glance around the rest of the ranch told her that whoever kept it looking so well did so with love.

A woman she guessed to be in her early sixties emerged from the house and walked toward them. Beth climbed out of the Jeep and reached for her bag behind the seat. “Morning, Bridey,” she called.

“Mornin’, Beth,” the woman greeted her, hurrying to help her with her things. “They’re in the barn. They were there most of the night.”

Nodding, Beth started to walk away, then snapped her fingers and spun around. “I nearly forgot,” she told Bridey with a grin. “Would you mind showing my friend, Jules, around the ranch?”

A beautiful smile lit the woman’s round face. “I’d be happy to. You just see what you can do to get that calf out into the world.”

If it hadn’t been for the woman’s smile, Jules would have stayed in the Jeep, but the warmth in it, and in the bright blue eyes, drew her out of the vehicle. “Hello,” she said, walking around the hood and offering her hand. “I’m Jules Vandeveer. Beth and I have been friends since we were kids.”

The woman wiped her hands on a yellow gingham apron before taking her hand. “Bridey Harcourt. I figure you don’t want to go into the barn with Beth for a reason. No harm in that. Can’t say I blame you, either.”

“This is a lovely ranch,” Jules said as Bridey led her to an area enclosed by a tall, white post and rail fence leading from a matching white barn with green trim.

“My brother built it when he was first married. He’s gone now, but his boy has kept it looking nice. Takes some work, though.”

“I’m sure it does.” Up ahead, Jules noticed a young teen bouncing on the back of a horse inside the fenced area.

“That’s my great nephew,” Bridey explained, the pride showing on her face. “One of these days he’ll win Nationals, just like his uncle will soon.”

“Nationals?”

Bridey answered without looking at her, her attention on the boy. “National Finals Rodeo.”

Jules watched the youngster bounce a few seconds longer, before he flew in the air and landed with a thud in the dirt. Her heart hit her throat as a gasp escaped her, and she stood frozen, fearing the worst.

“He’s all right, miss,” the woman said, a twinkle in her eyes. “Getting thrown off Temptation is a daily occurrence for him.”

Jules wasn’t so sure until she saw him push himself to his knees and stand. She had a better view of him as he brushed himself off, and she was surprised when she recognized him as the teenager who’d been with Tanner. She’d wondered at the time if he had a mother. And if Tanner had a wife. She hadn’t mentioned the incident to Beth, so she had no way of knowing. Even after dancing with him, she hadn’t asked about a wife, knowing Beth wouldn’t have encouraged the dancing if he had. And Beth had definitely encouraged it.

“Shawn, come over here and meet Beth’s friend,” Bridey called to him.

The boy looked up. Even from the distance, Jules could see the scowl on his face. With obvious reluctance, he walked toward them, a decided swagger in his gait. He stopped just short of the fence and glared at Jules. She knew that posture well, but it didn’t bother her. Usually it was nothing more than a cover for shyness.

“Miss Vandeveer, this is my grandnephew, Shawnee O’Brien. Shawn—”

“Yeah, I know her. Uh, Miss Vandeveer, I mean,” he muttered.

“Call me Jules,” she told him.

He stared at her outstretched hand and then up at her face. The boy certainly resembled his father. Thick, black hair and lashes, tanned skin and blue eyes—though Shawn’s eyes were a little grayer than Tanner’s. Still, Jules felt sure he had to be one of the most sought-after boys in school. Even his scowl would draw the girls like a magnet.

She looked past him to the horse he’d been riding, which was now trotting placidly around the confined area. “That’s a beautiful horse. How long have you been riding?”

“Shawn was practically born on a horse, just like all the men in the family,” Bridey answered for him.

Shawn gave Jules a measuring look. “Do you ride?”

Jules had answered the question too many times to count, so it didn’t catch her off guard. “I used to, when I was a girl. But nothing quite as wild as that one.”

“Temptation isn’t wild. He can be gentle.” There was no sneer in the boy’s voice, no ridicule. “Come on, I’ll show you. Climb through the fence.”

Jules regarded the horse with trepidation. It did look gentle at the moment, a far cry from how it had looked when Shawn had been on its back. But she wasn’t ready to get close. Not yet. “Maybe another time.”

Bridey stepped closer. “Don’t be afraid, Miss Vandeveer. That horse loves Shawn. And Shawn won’t let anything happen to you.”

Jules didn’t follow as Shawn approached the horse. She saw the animal’s ears go back when he reached out, and then heard the soft nicker when he stroked the horse’s head. She wished she could do the same.

“Come on, Miss—Jules,” Shawn said in a calm, quiet voice.

Jules heard birds singing in the distance and felt a soft breeze moving past her. The scent of horses and ranch surrounded her. But she couldn’t take a step forward. It had been so long ago. She remembered only that her mount had shied at the jump, and she had sailed over his head. Losing two weeks of her life wasn’t much, but the struggle to regain her speech had been long and arduous. She longed to take that first step and climb through the fence to touch the animal, but she couldn’t. She wasn’t ready. Not yet.

WITH THE CALVING over and both cow and calf doing fine, Tanner stepped out of the barn into the yard. After three steps, he stopped. “Well, I’ll be damned.”

Beth, following him, collided with his back. “Sorry. You just stopped and—”

“Why didn’t you tell me you brought her?”

Stepping up beside him, Beth shaded her eyes and looked in the direction he was looking. “To be honest, I forgot. We were busy, remember?”

Tanner looked down at her. “That we were, but all is well, thanks to you.”

“And thanks to good Rocking O stock.”

From the corral, they heard Shawn saying, “Come on, Jules.”

Now Tanner’s attention was on the woman who’d been on his mind for more than a week. A woman with green eyes that took his breath away.

“Come on,” he said, taking Beth’s arm and pulling her along behind him. She stuttered and stammered, but he paid her no heed until she literally dug in her heels.

“No, Tanner. Whatever it is you’re thinking, don’t. I must have been crazy to bring her here. But I had hoped…”

He turned to look at her and saw the stubborn streak he’d heard about but never seen. “What?” It was clear as day that she had hooking them up in mind. It wasn’t the first time someone had put a woman in his way. But why the sudden change of mind?

“She’s…” Beth shook her head, scowled and stared at the ground between them. “You don’t know her, Tanner.” She turned to watch her friend, the scowl turning to a worried frown. “And I’m not so sure I want you to. I never should have introduced you to her.” She started for the corral, but Tanner stopped her.

“Wait just a minute.” His hand gripped her upper arm. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Beth stared up at him and opened her mouth to speak. She glanced at Jules, who stood at the fence shaking her head. “She’s a good person, Tanner,” she said in a quiet voice before looking him in the eye. “Not that you aren’t, but I know your type. You’re a love-’em-and-leave-’em cowboy. A one-night-stand man.”

He felt about an inch tall and it made him mad. “Says who?”

Her smile was lopsided. “Everybody. I’ve heard the tales.” Her smile vanished. “Unless you’re halfway serious, leave her alone.”

“Well, they’re old tales,” he said between clenched teeth. He’d finished with one-night stands, as few as they were, long ago. And this, coming from a tiny woman not much bigger than the newborn calf she’d just helped birth, was more than he could take. “Hell, I don’t know that I even want to know her.” He clamped his mouth shut and kicked at the dirt.

He couldn’t honestly say that he was immune to the blonde’s charms. She definitely presented a challenge. And he did love a challenge. If he took it, he wouldn’t do any harm to Beth’s friend. And that was a big if.

Without a saying a word, he walked in the direction of the corral. “I see you like horses, Miss Vandeveer,” he called to her.

“I mean it, Tanner.” Behind him, Beth’s voice held a threatening note. “You and Shawn are good at breaking horses. Don’t break Jules.”

“Not on your life.” He watched Jules turn toward them, looking fine and sassy in a pair of blue jeans that hugged her hips and long legs to perfection. He knew for certain her emerald-green T-shirt matched her eyes. He’d have to remember not to pay any attention to the tempting sight.

“Hello, Mr. O’Brien,” she said when he reached the fence to stand beside her. “Your son’s a very intelligent and talented young man.”

Tanner stared at her. “My what?”

“Your son.” She looked at Beth, then back at him, her eyes wide.

“Shawn is Tanner’s nephew, Jules,” Beth said. “His brother’s boy.”

“Oh. I suppose I should’ve asked.”

Tanner couldn’t contain the laughter any longer. “And I guess I’m supposed to have a wife tucked away somewhere.”

“I thought…I didn’t…”

“It’s okay,” he told her with a grin. “There are some people around here who don’t have a high opinion of me.” He shot a look at Beth and turned back to Jules. “No reason to be afraid of Temptation there. He looks rowdier than he is, and Shawn keeps a tight rein on him.”

“I don’t doubt that.”

But she didn’t look convinced, and that had him wondering. “You don’t like horses?”

“Not everyone is horse crazy, Tanner,” Beth said quickly. “That may be your area of expertise, but not everyone’s.”

“It’s okay, Beth,” Jules said. “As they say, it takes all kinds. He may think I don’t know the front of a horse from its backside, but as I’ve told him, I do. And I’m sure I know more about the finer points of law than Mr. O’Brien does.”

Tanner recognized the soft dig and acknowledged it with a smile. “You’ve got me there, Miss Vandeveer. But we’re all open to a little learning, aren’t we?”

She hesitated before answering, “Yes, of course.”

Something about the way she glanced at Beth told him there was something wrong. She didn’t strike him as a woman who was afraid of anything. She could certainly hold her own in a verbal sparring match with him, and he admired that.

“Are you sure you don’t want to get to know Temptation, Jules?” Shawn asked, joining them. “Or we could saddle another horse for you.”

Her face paled and she shook her head. “Thanks, Shawn, but I’ll pass on the riding. I appreciate your offer, though.”

“I just thought—”

Beth broke in. “We have another stop, and then some wedding things to do, so Jules and I should be going.”

“Thanks for the help, Beth,” Tanner said, following the two women to the Jeep. He wondered what it was that neither of them wanted to talk about, but decided it wasn’t any of his business. Whatever had Jules Vandeveer scared of horses didn’t have anything to do with him. But it didn’t mean he wasn’t curious about her.

“She’s a nice lady,” Shawn announced as the two women drove away.

“You like her, huh?” Tanner looked down at the mirror image of his younger brother.

“Yeah, she’s all right. She even said she used to ride.”

The smile Tanner was feeling disappeared. “She said what?”

“She used to ride,” Shawn repeated. “But maybe she thinks I can’t handle Temptation. He threw me off while she was watching.”

Tanner glanced up to see the dust from the Jeep settle along the road. “If that’s what she thinks, she’s wrong.”

“Yeah, she is.”

Shawn’s confident smile was enough for Tanner. He couldn’t be prouder of the boy and his expertise with horses. “Guess we’d better get some work done,” he told his nephew. “Go see what Rowdy has for you to do.”

Shawn’s mouth turned down in a scowl. “Whatever.”

Tanner sighed as he watched the boy walk toward the barn. Just when he thought things might be getting better, they turned sour again. Weary of dealing with it, he started on the day’s chores.

But hard work didn’t put his problems with Shawn in the background. While he fixed fence, checked the pastures for water and did the dozen other things that came naturally to a rancher, his mind seldom strayed from the teenager. Even the distracting memory of a pair of green eyes lit with fire couldn’t chase away his concern.

Supper proved to be a relatively quiet meal, with Shawn still pouting. Aunt Bridey had tried to draw the boy out, but Shawn remained silent. When he’d finished his meal, the boy had flung himself out the door. Knowing it wouldn’t do any good to try to talk to him again, Tanner retreated to his office. Ranching required tons of paperwork, from feed schedules to vet reports, and Tanner found them almost relaxing after a day of hard physical labor.

“I see you’re at that confounded machine.”

Tanner looked up from his computer to see his stocky, bowlegged ranch foreman standing in the doorway of the wood-paneled study. “You ought to learn how to use this thing.”

Rowdy Thompson ambled into the room and took a seat on an old leather chair across the desk from Tanner. “Naw, you enjoy it too much. I don’t want to weasel in on your fun.”

Tanner chuckled and rolled his chair back to prop a booted foot on the desk. “It helps with the number crunching.”

“That’s your department,” Rowdy answered in his usual gruff way.

Tanner smiled to himself. Rowdy might like people to think he was a dumb old coot, but Tanner knew better. With a degree in animal science, the older man didn’t want for smarts. He’d saved the Rocking O plenty of times with his know-how. Tanner often marveled that Rowdy had stayed with them for so long, but he’d learned years before not to look a gift horse in the mouth.

Rowdy took a cigar from the humidor on the desk and bit off the end. “Shawn seems to be getting more crotchety by the day.” He struck a match and puffed on the end of the stogie to light it. “Maybe if you’d gone on to the bigger rodeos like you should have, things wouldn’t be so bad with him.”

The smell of imported cigar drifted through the room as Tanner frowned. “You and I already discussed this. If I’d traipsed all over the country like we’d planned, things would probably be worse. I wouldn’t have been here. By keeping to the smaller ones close to home, he’s been able to go along with me, and that’s what’s important.”

Rowdy chewed on the cigar, a thoughtful expression on his weathered face. “You’re putting your life on hold for a swell-headed kid. You need to be making the PRCA rounds, not dinkin’ around with these little dirt rodeos.”

Tanner nodded. “That’s your opinion, Rowdy, and you’re welcome to it. But circuit rodeos aren’t little dirt rodeos, and you know it. They count for Professional Rodeo Cowboy’s Association. I can make it to Finals either way. But I’m responsible for that boy. I’m his guardian. He’s not going to run off at the age of fifteen like his daddy did. Even if it means I have to give up rodeo.”

Rowdy replied with a grunt. “Damn foolish thing that would be with your talent. You’ll be running this ranch on your own if you do that.”

Tanner knew Rowdy wouldn’t desert him, no matter what course his life might take. But if his foreman wanted to put in his opinion, Tanner wouldn’t argue the point. “Maybe by the time school starts again in the fall, things will have changed for the better.”

“We can sure hope so.” Rowdy flicked cigar ash into an ashtray and gave Tanner a stern look. “You’re not gettin’ any younger.”

As far as rodeo went, nothing was closer to the truth, Tanner knew, but he forced a grin. “I’ve got a few years left.”

Rowdy grunted before grinding out the cigar and leaving Tanner to his thoughts.

One more year. If he could have one more year, maybe he could reach that brass ring—and have a gold Nationals championship buckle to show for it. That and Shawn were what he needed to stay focused on. Not a woman with golden hair and green eyes who had nothing in common with him except a quick mind and a glib tongue.

Chapter Three

Jules eyed the box the postmistress handed her. “Is it anything that will break?”

From behind the scarred, wooden counter in the quaint post office, the woman shook her head. “It’s usually marked ‘fragile’ if it is. Beth has home delivery of her mail, but her mailbox is small, so we hold the bigger items for her.”

“I don’t mind picking it up at all,” Jules said, taking the box. “Running errands for Beth while she’s out on vet calls makes me feel like I’m doing something useful, and it gives me a chance to meet some of the people here in town.” She noticed the large, antique clock hanging on the wall behind the woman, who had introduced herself as Betty, and realized it was later than she’d thought. “And speaking of errands, I’d better get them finished. It’s been so nice to meet you, Betty.”

“Nice meeting you, too. Hope your stay in Desperation is a pleasant one.”

Just as Jules turned to leave, the little bell over the door jingled. After visiting his ranch and seeing it wasn’t far from town, she shouldn’t have been surprised to see Tanner O’Brien walk in, but she wasn’t prepared to see him again.

He took one look at her and grinned. “Morning, Jules.”

“Hello, Tanner.”

“Hello to you, too, Betty,” he said, approaching the counter. “How’s Jed?”

“Ornery as ever,” the postmistress replied, laughing. “You know how he is.”

Jules smiled at the friendly banter and had to admit that Tanner O’Brien was a fine example of a good-looking man. Too bad she wasn’t in the market for one. Putting him out of her mind was proving to be much harder than she’d thought it would be, but she kept trying by keeping busy helping Beth. That was proving much easier. She was enjoying her vacation and meeting the nice people of Desperation. For a small town, they accepted strangers without question. Or maybe that was Beth’s doing. Whichever, she was glad she’d let Beth talk her into coming for a visit.

When she opened the door to leave, the bell overhead announced her departure, and Tanner called to her, “Hang on, Jules, if you have a minute. As soon as Betty puts some postage on this package of Bridey’s, I’ll walk with you.”

Wondering why he wanted her company, but knowing it would be rude to ask or refuse his offer, Jules stepped back into the building and waited for him to finish his business. As she tried not to eavesdrop on his conversation with the postmistress, her gaze took in the wall of small, bronze-fronted lockboxes across the room. The combination fittings of the mailboxes were testimony not only to their age, but their endurance.

“Another care package for the troops?” Betty was asking Tanner.

“You know Aunt Bridey,” he replied. “A week doesn’t go by that she doesn’t send something somewhere.”

“Most of us should take a page from her book and do some good deeds ourselves. Tell Bridey thanks for her good heart and for keeping the post office in business.”

“Will do.” Turning, he strode to where Jules waited and reached around her to turn the knob on the door. “Sorry to keep you waiting.”

“It’s not a problem.” Stepping down onto the sidewalk, Jules tried to forget about the man with her. Instead, she looked up at the bright blue July sky overhead, glad she’d left her car at Beth’s little house and opted to walk the few blocks to the small, downtown business area. It was the perfect day for a walk—something she didn’t do much of in the city.

In fact, as Tanner moved to walk beside her, she realized she didn’t do much of anything in the city. Oh, there was an occasional trip to the symphony, but that was only when a colleague gave her tickets. And once or twice a year, she took in a community theater production. But those were inside activities. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been to the zoo or taken the time to simply enjoy being outdoors. Beth had been right. She kept herself cooped up in her Wichita law office too much.

“Beautiful day,” Tanner said, echoing her thoughts.

“It certainly is. I was just thinking how glad I am that I decided to walk.”

“So what do you think of our little town?”

Most of the downtown business area was spread out ahead of them and stretched almost two blocks. Buildings, mostly one-story, some two-story, lined both sides of the street. Quaint and unique were the words that came to mind, as each connected building had a design and character of its own.

“It’s a very nice town. Pretty and charming. But I’m wondering…” She hesitated.

“About what?”

When she turned to smile at him, her knees weakened at the smile he flashed her in return. Shaking off the reaction, she focused on what she was saying, not on the man. “I’m wondering where the name came from. ‘Desperation’ is a little odd.”

“Odder than Monkey’s Eyebrow, Arizona?”

“Not quite,” she said, laughing.

“How about Hygiene, Colorado?”

Still laughing, she shook her head.

“Yeehaw Junction? Krypton? Mudlick?”

“Okay, you’ve got me. Those are odd. But why Desperation?”

Before he could answer, they were forced to stop when a man and woman stepped out onto the sidewalk from the Chick-a-Lick Café.

“Excuse me,” the man said, realizing they had stepped into someone’s path, and then recognition lit his eyes. “Hey, Tanner.”

“Hello, Cal,” Tanner greeted the man, before turning to the woman and touching the brim of his hat. “Wilma. Have you two met Jules Vandeveer, Dr. Beth’s friend?”

The woman directed a friendly smile at Jules. “I haven’t had the pleasure. I heard Beth had a friend visiting. You’ll be at her wedding?”

“Yes,” Jules replied. “In her wedding, making sure all the arrangements are made, setting it up…” She laughed, thinking of all the things on her list. “The date is quickly approaching and there’s so much to do yet.”

“That’s the way it is with weddings,” Wilma said with a knowing nod. “It’s good to know Beth has a friend who can help.”

“We’ll see you Friday?” Cal asked Tanner.

“Wouldn’t miss it,” he replied.

Cal took his wife’s arm. “Wilma’s playing bridge this afternoon, so we’d better get going. Don’t want her to miss it or be late. Nice to meet you, miss.”

When the couple crossed the street, Tanner turned to Jules. “You asked about Desperation.”

She nodded, waiting to hear what he had to say.

“Well, the story goes that people began moving into the area during the land rush in the late 1800s, but the town was really settled after oil was found in these parts a few years later. Those were wild times, before Oklahoma became a state. People swarmed here in droves, desperate to find their own little patch of black gold. As it turned out, the pool of oil in this area was only a small one and didn’t last very long. Eventually people either left the area, disillusioned, or they stayed and homesteaded.”

She thought about it and nodded. “‘Desperation’ makes a lot of sense, then.”

They walked in silence for a few minutes, until Jules noticed the large building across the street near the end of the first block. She stopped to point at it. “What’s that building?”

Tanner stopped, too, and looked to where she indicated. “The old Opera House. It’s closed right now, but a committee is working on restoring it.”

Admiring the Victorian structure, she turned to look at him. “That’s wonderful. What will they use it for?”

He shrugged, his gaze still on the building. “They haven’t decided. Maybe several things. A soda shop or ice-cream parlor was suggested, space for a youth center and conference rooms, maybe some small offices.” He turned to look at her. “They’re taking private donations, if you’re interested.”

“I just might be.” Her parents had taught her that those who have should help the have-nots, whether it was one person, a group or even a town. Because of them, she had always given to worthy causes and had a soft spot for restorations of old buildings and homes.

He watched her for a moment, as if he thought she was joking, but he didn’t say anything else until they’d walked on.

“I wanted to talk to you,” he began, “because I have a little proposition for you.”

She looked up at him, not sure how to react. “Oh, really? And what kind of proposition would that be?”

When he laughed, she knew she hadn’t covered her surprise very well. “It’s about Shawn,” he explained, his laughter gone. “But now that I’ve mentioned it, I don’t think I’m ready to offer it yet.”

“Why not?”

He shrugged and glanced down to smile at her, releasing a load of butterflies in her stomach. “No reason,” he said. “Maybe the day is too nice to be serious. But I’m sure the right time will come.”

Although tempted to insist he tell her what it was, Jules decided to remain silent. What if it was a proposition she wasn’t interested in? What if it was?

“Rain’s coming,” he said, as if he hadn’t piqued her curiosity.

Jules looked up at the clear sky. “It doesn’t look like rain. How can you tell?”

“You mean you can’t smell it?”

Taking a sniff of the air, she shook her head.

His chuckle came from deep in his chest and seemed to ripple through her body. “Mark my word, we’ll have rain within the next day or two.”

She thought he was crazy, but she kept her opinion to herself.

“Shawn mentioned that you used to ride.”

She suddenly wished she hadn’t told Shawn the truth and had made up a story, instead. But either way, it wouldn’t keep these men whose lives revolved around horses from thinking she should be on one. And she wasn’t ready for that.

“Used to being the operative words,” she finally replied and waited for more questions. When none came, she was surprised.

“Hey, Tanner!”

Jules turned to see two teenagers hurrying across the street toward them.

“Morning, boys,” Tanner greeted them.

The taller of the two appeared to be about sixteen and acknowledged Jules with a nod of his head, then turned to Tanner. “Are you riding this weekend?”

“I wouldn’t miss it.”

“Great! We don’t get to see you much, and we were sure hoping you would be.”

The other boy nodded. “Too much work in the summer and too much school the rest of the time.”

“Both of those are more important than rodeos,” Tanner told them, “but I know what you mean. It’s never easy to do the things you have to do, instead of what you want to, but some things can’t be ignored. School is one of them.”

Both boys nodded, their expressions solemn. “Thanks, Tanner. We’ll see you this weekend. You’ll know it’s us by the whoopin’ and hollerin’ in the stands.”

Tanner chuckled and shook his head as they walked away. Jules was impressed by the way he’d handled the boys. They obviously idolized him, and he’d given them good advice. She suspected they would heed his words much more than they would their parents’.

She hadn’t missed how much people in the small town liked him. It was becoming clear he had a good heart. “They certainly think highly of you here in Desperation.”

“They keep me going. Doesn’t matter to them how good or bad I ride, they’re always behind me, cheering me on.”

“Has it always been that way?” she asked.

“They’re good people. If somebody needs help, there’s always someone or a bunch of someones who are there and ready to lend a helping hand, no matter what it is.”

She admired the way people in a small town pulled together. She’d never been aware of the same in Wichita, but then, it was a large city and she didn’t have a lot of opportunities to socialize. Her career took up the bulk of her time. Why, she didn’t even know her neighbors in the apartment building where she lived!

“I’d better get back to the ranch,” he said, stopping in the middle of the sidewalk. “There’s work to be done before the shindig on Friday. You’ll be there, right?”

She knew he was talking about Desperation’s upcoming Fourth of July celebration. Beth and several other women in the community had talked her into helping the next day to set up for the community barbecue on Friday. “I’m looking forward to it.”

“The rodeo, too?”

His serious expression told her he wasn’t joking, and she wondered if it had anything to do with his proposition. “Well…”

“That’s what I figured,” he said with a curt nod, his mouth turning down in a frown. “Tell Beth hello for me.”

He turned around to walk back the way they’d come, leaving Jules totally baffled. With a sigh of frustration, she continued on her way. She couldn’t help it if her heart lodged in her throat every time she saw someone climb on a horse. She suspected it would be even worse to watch Tanner ride again, now that she was getting to know him.

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