Rodeo Blues Read online

  Buddy stood up straight as he caught sight of him. "You get your morning boost for the day?" His brows wagged up and down.

  Tye had a hunch he wasn't referring to his coffee. "Just get in the truck," he said with a shake of his head.

  "I guess that answers my question." Buddy popped another donut hole in his mouth.

  They drove out to the fairgrounds with only a few snarky remarks from Buddy, but then the man was probably just warming up. They had all day.

  Within the hour, the grounds would be buzzing with activity. He spotted Sonny's lean form and Mike's stream of cigarette smoke as they set up their equipment on the grand stage. The band would play three sets. They were scheduled for the end of the day when the rodeo events came to an end and it was time to party. There was nothing better than listening to live music, eating good barbeque, and drinking beer. Well, unless you had your favorite gal sharing the moment with you, then it was as perfect as perfect could get.

  He heard Jimmy Burns would be joining Sonny and Mike again tonight. The man knew how to play a mean fiddle. They use to call him 'Guy-o-Ray', 'cause he was faster than a ray of light when he really got to playing that fiddle.

  He looked toward the pens located at the arena. He and Buddy volunteered to run the Mutton Busting event with some of the locals. Seven and eight year olds were already lined up to try their shot at staying seated on a sheep for eight seconds. No harm came to the animals and the children wore pads and helmets so they wouldn't get hurt. It was all in fun. Mayor Dirkly would hand out the ribbons to the winners. It was a big deal for these boys.

  Earlier, they'd oversee the Goat Tying event. This was more geared for pre-teen girls and boys. Though not part of a professional rodeo competition, Skeeter Blue still gave out trophies or medals to the winners. A goat was staked out in the arena, while a mounted rider ran to the goat, dismounted, and tried to throw the goat to the ground and tie it in the same manner as a cowboy would tie a calf. Not as complex as roping a calf, but it gave the children the basics of how it was done.

  "Are you ready?" Buddy asked him, drawing his attention.

  "Sure, ready as ever," he answered and ran a hand across the brim of his hat.

  The sun beat down on them, but he barely noticed. Seeing the eager excitement in the boys' eyes, made him smile too. It brought back memories of when he was a youngster at the tender age of seven and he believed he was a big shot.

  Jolie had stood on the fence with her hair in braids, watching him with clasped hands. His first attempt at riding the sheep landed him on his behind in three seconds flat, but he wasn't done yet. His gaze found Jolie, expecting her to be laughing at him, but she hadn't even cracked a smile. She gave him a nod as she chewed on her lower lip. That was all the encouragement he needed.

  She stayed right there and when he was finally done trying to teach the sheep a lesson and losing each time, she walked home with him.

  "You showed some potential at the end," she told him with a lopsided grin.

  "Yeah?" He gave her a sidelong glance. She sure was purdy.

  She nodded. "Yeah. Wanna go down to the pond and skip rocks?"

  All of a sudden, nothing hurt—not his bum, arms, or his pride. "I'll race you," he said.

  "You know I'll win," Jolie said with a laugh and bolted.

  They arrived at the pond at the same time, but he always wondered if Jolie had slowed her pace so they would.

  "Now, son." Buddy's voice drew his attention. He was talking to the next contestant. A boy with red hair and freckles looked wide-eyed at Buddy, hanging on his every word as he instructed the child on what to do. Buddy strapped the helmet on the kid nice and tight. "You can do it," he gave the boy a nod. The chute was opened and the sheep charged forward, the boy holding on with all his might.

  "One…two…" the boy was on the ground and the sheep bleated with protest as it ran off in the opposite direction. "He lasted longer than I thought he would." Buddy turned toward him with a grin.

  One of the locals helped the redheaded boy up from the ground and led him toward the exit. Tye ushered the next contestant forward as he spotted Jolie and Whisper heading their way.

  "Looks like your wife can't seem to get enough of you," Buddy teased. "What's it been? Three hours since you've seen her. Maybe four."

  "Maybe it's Whisper who can't get enough of you," he teased right back.

  Buddy sputtered in response before waving a hand at him with a harrumph. "Who's next?" Buddy asked as he turned away to concentrate on the next boy who was in line to try his luck.

  The buzzer sounded and three seconds later another loud blast. Tye didn't have to turn around to know the ride was over for contestant number two. He was more interested in Jolie reaching him. He gave her an appreciative slide of his gaze. What could he say? He was a guy and Jolie presented a pretty as ever picture. Sure he saw her only hours before, but he'd been a little preoccupied with kissing her this morning. Now he took his time taking in every inch of her. She wore a straw cowboy hat, white blouse, jean skirt, and boots. God, he loved that gal in a skirt and boots, and Jolie had a pair of great looking legs. He loved the little freckles on her knees and the tiny star birthmark on her ankle.

  He gave her sidekick a glance. Whisper looked like a gypsy gone wild with all her bright colors shouting how-do-you-do. He may have only known her for a day and a half, but the clothing seemed to suit her perfectly.

  "Hi, Tye," Whisper waved, but moved closer to where Buddy stood, while still remaining on the other side of the fence so not to be in the way.

  Tye met Jolie's gaze, trying to gauge her mood. Her lower lip slipped between her teeth as if he made her nervous, but then she lifted her chin and raised a brow. "You find something humorous?" she asked.

  He didn't realize he'd been smiling, but now his mouth grew wider. "No, ma'am. Just admiring the view is all."

  She held his gaze a moment longer, but then glanced away. "Uh-huh, right. If you can take a break, I brought you and Buddy some cold drinks." She lifted the cooler she'd been holding. "I figured you would get thirsty with the sun beating down on you."

  The temperature had risen a few degrees since she arrived, but the heat he felt had nothing to do with the weather. The woman could always spark his desire into a full on flame. "Thank you." He reached over the railing and took the cooler from her.

  "It's nice of you two to volunteer for the children's events," she said as she nodded toward Buddy. Her voice held a note of admiration, and even though he did it because he wanted to, it felt extra nice to know Jolie appreciated the effort. "The children look forward to this all year long," she added.

  He had no doubt they did. He glanced at the line of children wrapped around the corral. "Glad to do it. I remember the first time I entered this event and the others afterwards." He met her gaze. "Your daddy had to patch me up more times than I can remember."

  "I would give you a lollipop for not crying," she said with a chuckle. "

  "Well, how could I cry when a girl was watching me? It's probably why your daddy had you help out."

  "You're probably right."

  Silence settled between them, and he fought to think of something to say so she wouldn't leave, but for the moment conversation was at a loss to him, and it was no wonder when her lips were such a temptation.

  "Well…" She cleared her throat and he met her gaze. "I best let you get back to work."

  "Will I see you later?" he asked, holding his breath.

  "I…" She glanced away and he wondered if she would refuse, but then he realized where her gaze had landed. The stands. Where Mayor Dirkly had been earlier.

  He cursed under his breath as he glanced over his shoulder to confirm what he already knew. Mayor Dirkly sat there with his straw hat low on his head. He was sipping some cold drink he'd purchased at the stand.

  Tye glanced at Jolie again. "You know he can't talk to you right now, but he might be at the cookout tonight…" But you'll be too busy having a good time to seek h
im out, he said to himself, but she didn't have to know about his plans to distract her.

  "Sure," she said, and her shoulders seemed to relax. "I'll meet you at the bandstand. It would help if you were with me when I talk to Mayor Dirkly, don't you think?"

  "Uh-huh."

  "I plan to close the booth at the fairgrounds at five," she told him.

  "I should be finished just about then too. I'm supposed to ride at three. I'll need to head back to the hotel for a shower. I shouldn't be any later than six."

  "Perfect. I'll have everything loaded in my truck by then."

  "See you later." Tye couldn't keep his eyes off Jolie's swaying hips as she strolled away with Whisper at her side.

  "Nice on the eyes, ain't they?" Buddy teased.

  He glanced at Buddy who was wiping the sweat from his brow with a bandana, and leaning over on the fence.

  "Man, it's hot today," Buddy added.

  Buddy felt the heat too, but he had a hunch it had nothing to do with the sweltering Texas sun beating down on them.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Five o'clock couldn't roll around fast enough in Jolie's opinion. She and Whisper packed up their belongings and carted them back to the store before they headed to the bandstand. The scent of barbequed meat filled the air, along with the sweet scent of cotton candy and other wonderful delights.

  "I see Buddy," Whisper said and pointed.

  "Go. I see you're itchin' to."

  Whisper glanced at her. "Are you sure?"

  "Tye is here somewhere." She glanced around at the happy faces enjoying the evening out with friends. Then she spotted Tye as Jimmy Burns dragged him toward the stage. She looked back to Whisper. "Guess he's going to sing. I'll wait for him here. Go, be with Buddy."

  Whisper was all smiles as she weaved her way over to where the cowboy stood. Buddy noticed her coming his way and waved, but then Whisper proved difficult to miss with her bright colored outfits, not to mention her Amazon height. Buddy's lips curved and his eyes lit up. The man was definitely smitten.

  The sound of the microphone blared a sharp note over the speakers and she turned her attention toward the stage.

  "We have a pleasant surprise for you folks here tonight," Sonny said into the microphone as he turned toward the stairs where Jimmy and Tye finally made their way onto the stage. The crowd roared with yee-haws and stomping of their feet. "Tye may be the unstoppable, the unbeatable Ghost Rider from the rodeo circuit, and I heard he's still in the lead at our Cowboy Christmas in July Rodeo after today's ride…" More shouts from the crowd, and Sonny had to wait a few seconds to continue. "But before fame and fortune, we all knew him first, right here in Skeeter Blue. Some of you may recall he used to sing with the band and he's honoring us with a guest appearance tonight. Let's give it up for Tye Casper!" The crowd roared again.

  The band was back together, Jolie thought – at least for the night. She'd be the first to admit she'd been a groupie, tagging along when they performed, and cheering them on when the crowd had dwindled. They were talented and she didn't say this lightly. Mike's strong voice blended perfectly with Sonny's and Tye's. They harmonized well together, with or without the aid of music, but the boys could put the great bands to shame as well. Jimmy was the best fiddler in these here parts.

  To prove her point, the band played a personal favorite of hers, something Sonny had written when he'd been dating Ora Ann. He married the girl, and they had two boys now, a third child on the way. Her gaze returned to Tye, tall, muscular, and a smile that turned a woman's head. In high school, she dreamed of marrying Tye and starting a family with him. Well…not right out of high school, but someday. She'd wanted to go to college, had thought they would go together to the University of Houston. She smiled and shook her head at her young and fanciful thoughts.

  Then we grew up, she thought, but it didn't ruin the memory of youth's hopeful desires. Her gaze landed on Tye who sang next to Sonny, both sharing the microphone attached to the stand. People were dancing and carrying on and a group of high school girls were staring up at Tye as if he were a rock star. She did a little sighing herself. A girl or woman could dream about running her fingers through those dark strands as he held her close.

  "What are you smiling about?" Whisper asked as she came to stand by her, Buddy at her side. "Thinking how you're going to slow dance with Tye Casper later on?" she added.

  "The thought never crossed my mind." She couldn't stop her lips from curving even if she tried.

  "Remember, I'm a psychic. I know when you're lying."

  Jolie rolled her eyes, but linked her arm through Whispers. "Maybe you can convince Buddy to give you a whirl on the dance floor. How are those psychic skills working now?"

  "Oh, boss lady, I don't intend to wait for him to ask," she said as she turned toward Buddy and winked.

  No, she wouldn't. Whisper had a mind of her own and she'd convince the guy she was with that her way was the way to heaven, even if the devil himself stood there with his pitchfork. She almost felt sorry for Buddy. He didn't stand a chance. Whisper grabbed hold of Buddy's hand and the couple headed toward the dance floor, Whisper leading the whole way.

  Tye sang three songs with the band, the songs Tye and Sonny had written together when they believed they had a shot at a record deal. Unfortunately, it never panned out. After the last song finished, Sonny spoke into the microphone again, "That was Tye Casper, folks. Give him a big hand."

  The audience hooted and clapped as Tye waved to the crowd and headed off the stage. She knew when he spotted her. He tipped his hat back on his head and smiled. It would take him a few minutes to thread his way toward her through this crowd. She decided her best course of action would be to stay put.

  When Jimmy took over the spotlight, there was a roar of applause again, and her attention shifted toward the stage. The man could play as if the fiddle and he were one and the same. His wife, Margie sat near the bandstand stomping her foot with the rest of them.

  "Want to dance, pretty lady?" the deep voice said from behind her.

  "Sure," she said as she turned, expecting Tye to be standing there. Her smile froze as her gaze landed on Jhett Reeves. His hand was outstretched toward her. She was about to tell him she wasn't interested, but he must have sensed the refusal teasing her lips and took hold of her hand, dragging her toward the dance floor.

  "Stop," she demanded, but her voice was drowned out by the music.

  Once they were on the dance floor, he whirled her around to face him, drawing her near with one hand on the small of her back and the other holding fast to her hand. "It's just a dance, Jolie," he said with a pout, and she stopped struggling. "Surely that isn't too much to ask."

  She rolled her eyes. "Fine, one dance. That's it." They danced to the tune in silence for about half a second before Jhett ruined the moment by opening his mouth again.

  "Were you waiting for Tye to ask you to dance?" He didn't quite keep the sneer out of his voice.

  "Let's not talk." She glanced at the crowd, wondering where Tye had gone. She'd been sure he'd spotted her when he came down from the stage, but now she wasn't so sure.

  "You shouldn't have married him," Jhett said.

  She knew it wouldn't take too long before he realized Tye had been telling the truth about their impromptu marriage.

  "He'll just break your heart all over again."

  Didn't she know it, but she didn't need Jhett to remind her.

  "Me and the boys," he continued, "thought Casper had gotten the point when we ran him out of town all those years ago, but he came back anyhow. Hardheaded bas—"

  "You and the boys did what?" She interrupted and her eyebrows furrowed. "What are you talking about?" Could the music be too loud and she hadn't heard him correctly? "You didn't just confess to me that you ran Tye out of town, did you?"

  "You make it sound like we did something wrong." He shrugged.

  Her mind raced at images of Jhett and his boys confronting Tye. It wouldn't have been a pleas
ant chat. She knew Jhett. He could be a bully when he had friends with him. "What did you do, Jhett?" She stopped dancing and didn't care they were being pushed away to make room for those who wanted to kick up their heels.

  Jhett inhaled, inflating his chest. "We told him what was what. That's all I'm saying. We thought we'd heard the last of him when he packed up his belongings."

  Jolie thought back to the night Tye had said his goodbyes. She hadn't known at the time it would be the last night she would see him. He arrived at her house with a shiner and a swollen lip, but he told her he'd fallen off the roof of his trailer trying to fix a leak. She hadn't believed the story then and now she knew why it hadn't rung true.

  Tye had been different after that. He'd decided not to go to college, said it was never his dream. Said he didn't have the grades, but she knew he was smart, knew with just a little effort he would do well in school. He didn't want to hear it. He'd been district champion of bronc riding the last two years of high school, and he decided to go pro. She'd been disappointed, but didn't want to hold him back if that was truly what he wanted to do. She wanted to go to college, and he encouraged her to follow her dreams. They'd promised each other to make it home for Christmas. She'd kept the promise, but he never showed. When she tried to call him, his phone was no longer in service.

  "It was you," she accused. "You beat up Tye after our last senior dance, didn't you?" It was why Tye had changed. Why he'd distanced himself from her. It had been subtle, but now she understood. Jhett played into Tye's insecurities that he didn't belong, that he didn't deserve to be with her.

  She stepped away from Jhett. Funny, how the music faded away, to be replaced by her heart racing through her veins and thrumming loudly in her ears. He was about to answer, but she held up her hands. "No. Don't say it. I don't want to hear your whiny excuses about how you and the boys took care of things. I can well imagine what you did. You disgust me." She whirled away, intent on putting as much distance from Jhett as she could, but his hand snaked out, grabbing her upper arm.

  "Let me go," she insisted and turned to him. Really, it would be in his best interest. She couldn't trust herself in his presence. All those years she'd wondered why Tye left her behind. She believed he'd grown tired of her. She believed he wanted to cut ties because they were out of high school, and he wanted to be free. She never dreamed his decision had been made because Jhett and his goons beat him until he agreed to leave and not come back.