Caitlyn’s Prize Read online

  “Yee haw,” she cried, just for the hell of it, immensely grateful she hadn’t made a fool of herself. Or maybe that was a matter of opinion.

  When she caught up with Coop, he was watching Boss refamiliarize himself with the High Five herd, sniffing each cow to make sure he hadn’t missed one while he was rambling.

  “That bull has one insatiable appetite.”

  “It keeps calves on the ground,” Cait said, trying not to smile. “Now let’s fix that fence.” She turned Jaz and saw the rider coming their way. “Now what?”

  Judd, tall and impressive in the saddle, was headed toward her. He rode a magnificent black stallion, as magnificent as the man himself. Both exuded strength, power and a touch of splendor. And she could be suffering from too much sun, because Judd had more of a touch of the devil than of splendor.

  “I’m going to get Rufus,” Coop said. “You’re on your own.”

  “Gee, thanks.” She nudged her horse forward to meet her neighbor, wiping dust from her mouth with the back of her hand. At that moment she realized what a sight she must look, with dust from her hat to her boots and sweat staining her blouse. She smelled as foul as her horse, and the fact rubbed like a cocklebur against the feminine side of her nature.

  “Why are you playing rodeo in my herd?”

  “I was told to get my bull out, and that’s what I did.” She kept her voice neutral and didn’t react to his angry tone.

  “My boys could have cut him out much easier.” His tone didn’t change.

  She rose a bit in the saddle and the leather creaked. “I thought I did a damn good job myself, considering time was of the essence.”

  He squinted against the noonday sun. “What do you mean?”

  “Harland said he was going to shoot him if I didn’t get him out in a nanosecond. Something about ‘registered cows’ and ‘Judd Calhoun wasn’t pleased.’”

  His face tightened into those taut lines she knew so well. “I never said anything about shooting the bull. You have my word he won’t be shot. Just keep the damn animal on your property.”

  A quick thank-you rose in her throat, but his last sentence killed the idea like a blast from a shotgun, successfully scattering it to the saner regions of her mind.

  “That’s what I’m doing,” she said through clenched teeth.

  He motioned over his shoulder. “I’ll have the fence repaired.”

  “I can fix the fence.”

  “I want it done right and not half-ass.”

  Any other time she would have spat holy hell at his high-handedness. But it would take money to repair the fence properly, money she didn’t have. For the sake of High Five she pushed her pride aside. And the weight was heavy. It took her a full minute to nod her head.

  He stood in the stirrups and picked up his reins. Suddenly he eased his butt back against the leather, his black eyes holding hers with a gleam she remembered from her younger days—a gleam of playful teasing. Talk about a blast from the past. It was so unexpected it almost knocked her out of the saddle.

  “Your blouse is open.”

  She glanced down and saw that two snaps were undone, revealing the white lace of her bra. They must have come open when she was bulldogging Boss. Oh, sh…

  Raising her eyes to his, she replied, “I know. I like it that way. It’s cooler.”

  “It might give Yates the wrong idea.”

  “Maybe. But that’s none of your business.”

  He inclined his head, and she wondered if he remembered all the times he had undone her blouse, and what had followed afterward. With all the women who’d followed her in his life, she doubted it. But she remembered the tantalizing brush of his fingers and the excitement that had leaped through her—much as it was doing now. Some memories were gold plated and stored in secret places. Why she’d chosen this moment to review them was unclear.

  “Enjoy the fresh air.” He kneed the stallion, and the horse responded beautifully, turning on a dime and kicking up dirt. She watched rider and horse until they disappeared into the distance.

  Then she slowly snapped her shirt closed.

  JUDD GAVE BARON HIS HEAD and they flew through fields of coastal and herds of cattle. They sliced through the wind effortlessly, but no matter how fast the stallion ran, Judd couldn’t outrun the fire in his gut from when he’d looked at Caitlyn.

  He shouldn’t feel this way after all these years. How could he hate her and react like this? All he could think about was reaching out and undoing the rest of those snaps, lifting her from the saddle and then sliding with her to the grass. Nothing existed but the two of them, and together they rode to places only lovers knew about….

  His hat flew off and he slowed. He turned Baron and headed back for it. Reaching down, he swiped it from the ground. After dusting it off, he galloped toward home. And put every memory of Caitlyn out of his mind. That came easy. He’d been doing it for years.

  Over the ridge, Harland and the cowboys were waiting. Judd stopped.

  “Get supplies and fix that fence today,” he said to the foreman. “I don’t want that bull back in my herd.”

  “You want us to fix the fence?” Harland asked, a touch of sarcasm in his voice.

  Being second-guessed rubbed Judd the wrong way. Harland questioned too many of his orders, and he wanted it stopped.

  “Do you have a problem with that?” he asked, his eyes locking with the other man’s.

  “No, sir, but—”

  “On the Southern Cross, I’m the boss and what I say goes. If that doesn’t suit you, you’re welcome to leave. Now.”

  “C’mon, Judd, I’ve worked here a long time. I just thought Miss Belle should be the one to fix the fence. Her bull broke it.”

  “Miss Belle would only patch it. I want it fixed right. In a few months her place will become a part of Southern Cross and I don’t want to have to redo it.”

  Harland grinned. “I knew you had a damn good reason. I’ll get the boys right on it.”

  “Another thing, and I hope I’m clear about this—do not shoot that bull or any neighbor’s animal that strays onto our property. I don’t do business that way. Am I clear?”

  “Yes, sir. I was only trying to scare her.”

  “Miss Belle doesn’t scare that easily.”

  Judd kneed Baron and rode on toward the barn. Nothing scared Caitlyn, except losing High Five. That was her deepest fear and he knew it. Knowing your enemy’s weakness was half the battle. Victory was just a matter of time.

  It was his goal, what he’d dreamed about for fourteen years. But as he dismounted, all he could see and think about was her open blouse and the curve of her breast.

  CHAPTER SIX

  CAITLYN RODE BACK TO THE house about two to check on Gran. She hadn’t been up when Cait had left that morning.

  Chance’s truck was parked outside, and when she went in, Gran, Etta and he were at the table, just finishing lunch. Gran was dressed in her normal slacks and blouse, and her hair was pinned at her nape. She looked like she used to, and Cait prayed her grandmother was back to her old self.

  “Caitlyn, baby, we have a visitor,” Gran said. “Chance is having lunch with us.”

  He winked. “Etta wouldn’t let me leave without eating one of her home-cooked meals.”

  “We see you so little.” Etta carried dishes to the sink.

  Caitlyn placed her hat on the rack. “Leaving so soon?”

  “Yep.” Chance stood. “We’re through at the McGruders and we’re packing up and heading for east Texas.” He kissed his aunt’s cheek. “I’ll call. Thanks for the lunch, Miss Dorie.”

  Caitlyn followed him outside. “Would you do me a favor, please?”

  Chance settled his hat on his head. “Anything, beautiful lady.”

  “If you hear of anyone needing sand or gravel, would you send them my way?”

  “Sure. Etta told me about High Five’s problem. I’m sorry, Cait.”

  “Thank you. Find me a buyer and I’ll love you forever
.”

  “Yeah.” He smiled broadly. “They all say that.”

  She waved as he drove away, and then she went back inside.

  Gran was on the phone. Replacing the receiver, she smiled at Caitlyn. “That was Madison. She’s coming for a visit.” Dorie looked past Cait. “Is your father with you? He’s going to be so excited.”

  Cait felt as if someone had just lassoed her around the neck and yanked the rope tight. She struggled to breathe. Gran was not back to normal. The doctors had said to tell her the truth, so that’s what Cait did, even though it made her throat feel rusty and dry.

  “Gran, Dad is dead.”

  “Yes.” A look of sadness clouded her brown eyes. “I forget sometimes.”

  Caitlyn hugged her. “It’s okay to forget—sometimes.”

  But Cait never forgot, not for a second. Her father’s death filled her every waking moment and all the dreams that tortured her nights. She wasn’t the son he’d wanted. At her age she should be beyond that childhood feeling of inadequacy. Why wasn’t she?

  Gran drew back, her eyes bright with unshed tears. “But it’s exciting that Maddie’s coming home, isn’t it?”

  “Yes, it is. When is she arriving?”

  Gran frowned. “I forget.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” Cait reassured her. She would call Maddie back.

  “Okay. I’m going upstairs, to pull out all the dresses that will look great on Madison. With her blond hair and blue eyes, she’d make a great Ingrid Bergman. Casablanca. Oh, yes, we’re going to have so much fun.”

  Cait sighed and scrubbed her face with her hands. She wanted her grandmother back—the one who didn’t live in a make-believe world.

  Etta patted her shoulder. “Dorie will be fine. She’s just grieving.”

  “I don’t know. It’s been over two months now.”

  “Stop worrying. You have to get a move on. Maddie’s plane lands in Austin at four.”

  Cait whirled around. “What?”

  “I answered the phone and that’s what she said.”

  “Good grief, I could use a little notice. It’s not like I’m sitting here cleaning the dirt from under my nails.”

  “Well, I’m sure they could use it.” Etta reached for the plate of leftover fried chicken.

  Caitlyn looked at her nails. Holy moly. They were broken off short and caked with dirt. How unattractive was that? They were a worker’s hands. She’d almost forgotten how to feel feminine.

  She touched the collar of her shirt. No, she hadn’t forgotten. She’d felt it today when Judd had stared at her breasts.

  She threw that emotion into the trash bin of her thoughts. That’s where it needed to stay. And that’s where Judd Calhoun would stay, too.

  A few minutes later, Caitlyn was driving Gran’s old Lincoln, munching on a chicken leg and heading for Austin, almost two hours away. She’d taken the sedan because she was afraid her truck wouldn’t make it. Turning up the radio, she leaned back and enjoyed the ride.

  The traffic wasn’t bad on U.S. 290 or Texas 21. As she neared Bastrop Highway it became a little congested, as it was on Presidential Boulevard in Austin, leading to the terminal.

  Glancing at her watch, she saw it was already after four. By the time she reached the baggage and pickup area she was definitely late.

  With her blond hair, her sister was easy to spot. Maddie placed her case on the backseat and slipped into the passenger side. She wore gray slacks and a powder-blue top, with her hair in a neat bob around her face.

  “Hey, big sis.” Madison hugged and kissed her, then wrinkled her nose. “Whatever perfume you’re using, it’s not working.”

  “Very funny. I was on the range and didn’t get your message until almost two. I didn’t have time to change, so don’t give me any lip.”

  A car honked behind them.

  “Keep your britches on,” Cait said into her rearview mirror, and drove off.

  “We can’t go far,” Maddie told her.

  “Why not?”

  “I got a call from Sky, and her plane is coming in at five.”

  “It would be nice if the two of you would call me and let me know these things.”

  “I tried three times this morning and no one answered, so don’t give me any lip.” Maddie held up a hand for a high five, something they’d done since they were kids.

  They slapped hands. “I was out early, Gran was asleep and Chance was at Etta’s, so I guess she was late.”

  “Sky tried, too, and couldn’t get anyone. That’s why she called me.”

  Cait maneuvered through the traffic. “I’ll have to go out and circle back.”

  “Sky should be there by then.”

  Cait’s full attention was on the traffic zooming by the old Lincoln, and nothing else was said.

  “How’s Gran?” Maddie finally asked, keeping an eye on the traffic, too.

  “Not good. She hasn’t adjusted to Dad’s death. She even forgets he is dead. Most of the time she plays make-believe with those old clothes she’s saved from her Broadway days.”

  “I love playing make-believe with Gran. It’s a special memory of my childhood.”

  “Mine, too, but it’s different now.” Cait made the turn onto Presidential Boulevard. “You’ll see when you get home.”

  “It won’t be the same without Dad there,” Maddie said, her voice laced with sadness.

  “I know. I—”

  “There’s Skylar.” Maddie pointed to the striking redhead with the impatient expression, standing at the curb.

  Cait knew it was Sky, but it didn’t look like her flashy sister. Her hair was clipped back and she wore black slacks, a white blouse and no-nonsense shoes. No jewelry. Very little makeup. She could pass for a nun. This couldn’t be her sister—the one whose best friend was a mirror.

  Cait pulled up and Skylar slid into the backseat. “Where in the hell have you been? I’ve been standing out here for ten minutes.”

  Oh, yeah. Now this was her sister.

  “I’m sorry, your highness. I’m a little late with my pick-up schedule.”

  “Shut up, Cait.”

  “You shut up,” she retorted.

  Suddenly all three burst out laughing. Sky leaned over the seat and patted Cait’s and Maddie’s shoulders. “It’s so good to see both of you. Sorry I’m so bitchy. I think I have permanent PMS.”

  “You’ve been that way since you were about five, so I don’t think you can blame it on that.” Cait snickered.

  “Don’t start with me!” Skylar warned. Without a pause, she added, “How’s Gran?”

  Cait told her what she’d told Maddie.

  “Gran has always loved to play make-believe. That’s nothing new.” Sky looked behind them. “I think you just ran a red light.”

  “I did not. It was yellow.”

  “And you’re always right.”

  Cait glanced at her in the rearview mirror. “Remember that when we discuss the ranch, which we’ll do at home and not in the car.”

  “You’re bossy, but you’ve always been that way.”

  “We have bitchy and bossy, so what am I?” Maddie asked.

  “Hmm.” Cait thought about it. “How about Betty Crocker sweet?”

  “Oh, please.” Maddie sighed. “I can be bitchy and bossy.”

  Both her sisters guffawed at that and then Sky leaned over the seat. “I don’t think the ranch is in as bad a shape as you say, and I think Gran is fine, too. You’re exaggerating.”

  Cait gritted her teeth and changed the subject. The rest of the way home they talked about their childhood. Maddie and Sky would have to see the ranch for themselves. It wasn’t the showplace it once was. Sky had only stayed for a little while when their father had passed. Maddie knew more of the situation, but didn’t offer any comments.

  They reached Giddings and turned onto a county road that led to High Cotton. The place was barely a stop in the road—a convenience store–gas station combo; a general store that sold feed and h
ardware; a post office, community center, water and utilities building; two beer joints, one on each side of the road.

  Caitlyn pulled into the gas station. “I better fill up before we go home. Gran gets really mad if the tank is empty.”

  They all climbed out. Cait undid the gas cap and inserted the nozzle just as Brenda Sue drove up in her Corolla.

  “Hi, there, Caitlyn,” the blonde gushed as she got out. “I have to get my kids snacks. You know how kids are—always wanting something.” Her gaze swung to her passengers. “You don’t have to tell me. I know these are your sisters. I met y’all years ago at a Fourth of July barbecue on High Five. Your dad sure knew how to throw a party, and he was showing off his girls. You probably don’t remember me because I didn’t stay around long. I had a big crush on Chance Hardin and I was more interested in seeing him. You know how that is. I’ll catch y’all later.”

  Sky and Maddie stared after her. “What the hell was that?” Sky asked. “My head is buzzing.”

  “A girl I went to school with. She has a hard time taking a breath.” Cait grinned.

  “Talk about a run-on sentence,” Maddie declared.

  Sky looked around. “How do you live in this hick place?”

  “It’s home. It’s all I know and it’s everything I love.”

  Sky and Maddie exchanged glances.

  “I’ll pay for the gas and we’ll be on our way to see Gran.” Walking away, she felt the dent in her heart and in her pride. Her sisters had never viewed High Five the way she had, and she knew she had a big fight coming.

  CAIT DROVE DOWN the dirt road to High Five, dust billowing behind them. The garages Grandpa Bart had built were in back. A covered walkway connected them to the house. He’d put in the garage for his beloved Dorie, so she could have easy access in inclement weather.

  Pulling into Gran’s spot, Cait slid the gearshift into Park and got out. Madison and Skylar followed.

  Sky looked toward the barn. “When I was here for Dad’s funeral, I did notice things were in disrepair. Maybe you didn’t exaggerate that part.”

  “I haven’t exaggerated anything.”

  At that moment, Coop and Rufus rode in from a day’s work on the range.