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  A Daddy for the Cowboy

  Jacki James

  Copyright © 2019 by Jacki James

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Edited by TRIBE Editing

  This book contains material intended for adults 18+

  Contents

  1. Dean

  2. Sterling

  3. Dean

  4. Sterling

  5. Dean

  6. Sterling

  7. Dean

  8. Sterling

  9. Dean

  Epilogue

  About Jacki James

  Also by Jacki James

  1

  Dean

  I stood on the chute and took a deep breath. This wasn’t going to be good. When they say it was all in the luck of the draw, they weren’t kidding. Big Beau was one of the toughest bulls on the circuit, and I knew my odds of leaving here with a buckle were slim. I’d drawn him three different times and he’d bucked me off all three.

  “Don’t let him get in your head, Dean,” my best friend and spotter Chance said.

  “Easy for you to say. You drew Red’s Comet and you rode him last month.” I grabbed the far side of the chute and climbed over. I used my left foot to press on Big Beau’s back to let him know I was coming and slid down onto his back. I could feel the tension in the bull, and I knew he was ready to go. I passed the tail of the rope to Chance and he pulled it tight. It was times like this I missed Reed. Chance was my best friend and an amazing bull rider, but Reed had been my spotter for years before he left the rodeo, and he had a way of calming me down that no one else had. Of course, he knew me in a way no one else did, and now was not the time to think about that.

  I shook my head to clear my thoughts. I needed to focus. I grabbed the rope with my riding hand and rubbed it up and down; the rope warming the rosin until it was sticky. I slid my hand into the handle and Chance handed me the tail of the rope. I wrapped it and then took another deep breath, sliding forward into position on the bull. Here goes. I gave the nod and they opened the gate. As soon as he cleared the chute, I knew I was in trouble. Most bulls had a pattern, and after being bucked off him three times, I thought I’d figured out Beau’s. I was wrong. He jumped a few times and before I could get my seat back, he went right into a right-hand spin throwing me to the ground. What I needed to do was scramble to my feet and get to the side, but Beau wasn’t having it. The son of a bitch turned before I could get to my feet, and the last thing I remembered was seeing the hooves headed for me as I curled into the fetal position to try and protect myself as best I could.

  Everything hurt. Breathing hurt. Lying still hurt. Damn. I let out a groan.

  “You have a pain pump; all you have to do is push the button,” Chance said from the chair by my bed. I turned my head slowly to look at him.

  “How long have I been out?” I rasped. Even my fucking throat hurt.

  “Here, drink this,” he said, leaning over and placing a straw in my mouth. He pushed the button for the nurse. “The nurse will be here in a few minutes. They’ve been really great. You were only out for a few hours; you were really lucky man. You had a collapsed lung, some broken ribs, and your shoulder’s all kinds of messed up.”

  “Right, I feel really lucky right about now. How long until I can leave?”

  “Hey, the damn bull stepped on your chest. You are lucky. And I have no idea, but they said it will be at least six to eight weeks before your ribs will be healed, and even longer for your shoulder.”

  I attempted to move the shoulder and pain radiated down my arm to my elbow. “Fuck!” I reached for the button on the pain pump Chance had mentioned. “So basically, my year is done.”

  “Yeah, might as well focus on getting healthy.”

  “Damn. I was having a good year.”

  “You were. So, umm, here’s the deal. You’re going to need to stay put to get treatment on that shoulder and to let your ribs heal. Do you want to call your parents?”

  “Hell no. I’m not about to deal with them for eight weeks. I would lose my mind.” We spent most of the year on the road, so I’d never really taken the time to find a place of my own. “I don’t know, normally I would go stay at Reed’s. I just don’t think that’s the best idea right now. It’s pretty early in his new relationship to have an ex drop in for eight weeks.”

  A pretty young nurse stuck her head inside. “Oh good, you’re awake. How’s your pain?”

  “On a scale of one to ten, I’d say about a seven.”

  “Okay, let’s get you all fixed up then.” She went over and messed with something back behind my head I couldn’t see and then said, “You should be feeling much better in just a few minutes. The doctor will be in to talk to you a little later.” I thanked her and she slipped out.

  “So, back to what we were talking about,” I said. “I’m not sure what to do.”

  “That’s what I figured, so I called Sterling and he said you’re welcome at our place. It’s only three months till this season’s over, then I’ll be home.”

  “Are you sure Sterling doesn’t mind?”

  “Nah, he works all the time anyway. You know he’s basically never home. That’s why we can share a place. I’m gone most of the year on the circuit and when I’m home, he’s working.”

  “I still can’t believe you two are brothers. You’re as different as night and day.”

  “We are. He always was more of the corporate type, even growing up. Lucky for my mom, I guess. At least one of us needed to be steady and normal. If we were both a little crazy, it would’ve been more than she could take,” he said with a laugh.

  “Truth. She worries enough about you as it is without both of you risking your life on a regular basis.”

  2

  Sterling

  I know my brother thought he was asking me for a favor when he asked if Dean could convalesce here, but having Dean around wouldn’t be a hardship. He’d said, “Don’t worry, he’s injured, but he can take care of himself, and with your work schedule, you’ll barely even know he’s there.” Like the second I found out Dean Walls was injured and going to be staying here I didn’t immediately take time off from work to be available to take care of him.

  Of course, my brother had no way of knowing I’d developed a slight fascination with his best friend. Slight, meaning I followed him on the rodeo circuit and watched each event, even though I’d never been a fan. I also followed the PBR on YouTube so I could catch any Professional Bull Riding events that weren’t broadcasted on television. If anyone asked, I said it was because of my brother. But the truth was, from the first time Chance brought Dean home with him for the off season, I’d been intrigued. They’d been friends for years, and while Chance had talked about him a lot, he’d never brought him home.

  Then three years ago, he started coming home with him. I’d always assumed Dean was straight being a rodeo cowboy and all, but right before it was time for them to return to the circuit that first year, I overheard a conversation that changed that. Dean was talking about some guy named Reed and how, even though they didn’t make it work as a couple, he was going to miss having him there as a friend. Before I had time to process that, much less decide what to do with the information, they were gone for another nine months of riding bulls.

  I would never understand why men like my brother and Dean felt the need to risk their lives by climbing on the back of a fifteen hundred pound animal, and Chance had stopped trying to make me understand years ago. And after watching the events and followin
g Dean’s career, I still didn’t get it. I just watched each event and held my breath hoping he wouldn’t be trampled to death. Thank god, I’d had a meeting the day Dean was hurt and wasn’t watching that live. It was bad enough seeing it later, even though I knew he was okay. I’d watched the replay once and that had made me sick to my stomach.

  After that first year, he came and went when they weren’t riding, but I’d never made a move. Whether or not he was gay wasn’t the only issue. I’d watched how he carried himself; the confident way he strode up to the chute to get on the back of a bull; the way he barked orders to the men around him who were assisting him; the calm nod of his head when he was ready for them to open the gate. I’d assumed that was not a man who wanted the same things I did, but then once again, my assumptions had come back to bite me in the ass. Just a few short months ago, when they’d been home for Christmas, I’d decided last minute to work from home. They thought I’d gone in to work already, so they weren’t watching what they were saying at all, and as they walked down the hall, I heard something that could potentially change everything.

  “So how were you parents?” Chance asked him.

  “Fine, doing their thing,” Dean replied.

  “Where they at least nice?”

  “Oh yeah, my mom even took the time to ask if I got everything I wanted this year. She sounded so sincere I almost believed she gave a shit.”

  “Did you tell her no you didn’t? That Santa didn’t carry Daddies around in his bag for all the good little boys?”

  A bark of laughter burst out and Dean said, “I should have. That would have been fucking priceless.”

  They moved on down the hall, and I sat there in my office not moving. So, Dean wanted a Daddy for Christmas, did he? Well too bad the holiday was over, and they were headed back on the road, because if I had of known, I could have made both our holiday wishes come true.

  I spent the next four months wondering how I was going to approach Dean when, and if, he came back this summer, but now, that issue had been resolved. He was coming here now, without Chance, and I wasn’t going to waste this opportunity.

  3

  Dean

  I sat there and listened as the doctor went over everything with me. It wasn't anything I hadn't heard before—broken ribs, torn rotator cuff, and cuts and bruises, but something about this felt different. This was my fourth concussion this year, and maybe it was all the football players in the news talking about the long-term effects from their injuries, but I was bothered. It could be getting older, not that twenty-six was old, but most days, my body felt like that of a fifty-year-old man, and I’d started to wonder if it was worth it.

  Once, when I’d injured my right hand, I'd tried to learn to ride left-handed. It hadn't gone so well, and with a tear in my rotator cuff, it wasn't likely I would be holding on to a bull with my right hand any time soon. The doctor said it would be at least eight weeks before I would be able to even think about riding, and by then the season would be over.

  Sadly, this had been my best season yet, and I’d still barely made enough in prize money to survive. I knew a lot of folks thought that bull riders earned big money but the truth was, most of us were barely getting by. We did it for the love of the sport, not for the money. From the time I slid onto the back of my first bull, I hadn’t wanted to be anything but a bull rider. If I decided to hang up my hat now, I had no idea what I would do, but that was a worry for another day considering the fact my season was over. I tried to think of something else to focus on to put an end to my little pity party while I waited for Chance’s brother to pick me up, but it wasn't looking good.

  I still couldn’t believe Sterling had agreed to come this far to get me. Most of the time when I was at the house he shared with Chance, he kept his distance. Chance said it was nothing against me, and Sterling didn't mind if I stayed with them, but that he had always been a keep-to-himself kind of guy. But when Chance had to get back to the circuit, Sterling hadn’t even hesitated to come after me.

  “Hey there, Dean,” he said softly when he arrived. “How are you feeling?”

  “Most of my body pretty much feels like hell, but I'm still here, still kicking."

  He chuckled a little and said, “Yeah, that's about what I expected. You took a pretty rough fall there. You’re damn lucky."

  “Not so lucky, it put an end to my season.”

  “You were having a good one, too. I really thought you were going to come in the top five this year."

  I was slightly taken aback by the fact he had any idea what my ranking was. “I was, not that that matters much now.”

  “So what are the doctors saying?” he asked.

  “Same old, same old—concussion, ribs; if I was a smart man, I wouldn’t get on the back of another bull,” I said with a shrug. “You know, same stuff they’ve been saying for years.”

  “Yeah, I'm sure both you and Chance have heard it all before.”

  “Oh yeah, we have.”

  “So, it's a three-hour drive. Think you can take it?”

  “If it means getting out of here, I can take it,” I answered. “I should be fine, though. The doc will give me something strong enough to make the ride bearable.”

  A nurse came and got me with a wheelchair. I thought it was ridiculous, but I’d done this often enough to know it was just the way it was done. Sterling took my stuff and went to get the car while she pushed me down to the entrance.

  An SUV pulled up with Sterling behind the wheel. This wasn’t his normal car. He drove a sporty little Nissan GT-R in the deepest blue. I’d lusted after his car pretty much all last summer. He hopped out and came around to open the door. After I slid in, he closed the door behind me, then he got back in behind the wheel and pulled away. I asked, “What happened to the GT-R?”

  “It’s safe at home in the garage. I didn’t think it would be comfortable to ride in all the way home, so I rented this SUV.”

  “Oh, wow, Sterling, you didn’t have to do that. I can pay you back—” I started, and he gave me a look that had me shutting up. Wow, I had no idea he could look so stern.

  “You will do no such thing. I said I would come get you, and that means making sure you’re not miserable and in pain. Now, you’ve had a long day, and the doc gave you some pretty strong stuff.” He reached blindly behind him to the backseat, not taking his eyes off the road as he spoke. He felt around until he pulled a small travel pillow forward and handed it to me. “I think it would be a good idea for you to get some rest. I’ll wake you in a bit to see if you’re hungry.” His tone of his voice brooked no argument, and honestly, he was right. The pain meds were kicking in and I was drowsy. I shifted in the seat so I could lean on the pillow without putting pressure on my shoulder and went to sleep.

  4

  Sterling

  I drove along while Dean slept. He shifted in the seat and let out a small whimper that made my stomach turn. The boy was physically hurt, had lost the rest of his rodeo season, and his family was nowhere to be seen. I’d asked Chance about it, and he told me they weren’t in his life but that it wasn’t his story to tell. Hopefully, before long, Dean would decide to share it with me.

  I drove for a couple hours and then stopped at a rest area. They had various types of fast food, restrooms, and gas. I needed to fill up the tank on the SUV and grab a cup of coffee. Reaching over, I gently shook his shoulder. “Dean, wake up for me.”

  “Hmm,” he said sleepily. “Oh, Sterling, hey.” He sat up and rolled his good shoulder and yawned. “Sorry, how long was I out?”

  “About two hours. I need to get gas and some coffee. Do you want to grab something quick to eat or do you need to use the restroom?”

  “I could eat. Especially if they have a burger place. For some reason, that sounds really good.”

  “Okay, let’s go in and get you a burger and any other junk food you want. You deserve it after the week you’ve had,” I said, and I meant it. He’d been having such a great season, and I knew
that losing that hurt worse than the torn rotator cuff. If a burger and some junk food helped, then that’s what he would have. Once he got to know me better, I had other ideas of what might help, but for now, this would do.

  Before we got back on the road, I asked him when he needed to take more pain medication. “You need to stay ahead of it,” I said to the bull rider, like he didn’t know about pain, but he just gave me a sweet smile and said he was good until we reached the house. He went back to sleep for the rest of the drive, so I spent the time in my head making a plan.

  I woke him up again when we arrived at the house. “I’ll get your stuff and take it to your room.”

  “Thank you, Sterling. You’re being so nice about all this.”

  “It’s no problem at all, Dean. Now let’s get you situated.”

  I carried his stuff and followed him to his room. “This has been a long day for you, so let’s get your pain meds and then you can go to bed. What do you want for breakfast in the morning?”

  “You don’t have to cook me breakfast,” he insisted.

  “You’re right, I don’t have to. One thing for you to know about me early on, I don’t do much I don’t want to do. Now the question was, what do you want for breakfast, or would you rather I pick for you?”

  “I don’t know what you have, so maybe that would be best.”

  “Anything you don’t eat?” I asked, and he thought about it for a minute.

  “I don’t care for raw onions, but cooked are okay. Oh, also, really sweet stuff isn’t my favorite first thing in the morning.”