Size: a a a a    Colour: a a a
THE COWBOY HAS HER BACK

by Leigh Smith


Chapter One

A snake spooked Mickey Chandler's horse, Bella, and she took off at breakneck speed leaving Mickey holding on for dear life. Just when she thought she was getting control, a tree branch grazed across her arm causing her to lose her grip on one of the reins. How am I ever going to get control? Really frightened now, she closed her eyes, pretending this was all a dream. Unfortunately, it wasn't, all she could do was hold on tight, hope to hell Bella would eventually tire and that she would still be in the saddle when she did.

Hank Caldwell was mending fences along the road when a horse and rider flew by him. He didn't pay much attention at first, but something caught his eye, and he realized it was the horse's rein trailing on the ground, leaving the rider in peril. Running to his truck and starting after them, he wished he was on horseback instead of in the truck because he wasn't sure how he was going to rescue the rider. He only hoped he could help before the rider fell or the horse's hooves got tangled in the trailing reins. As he neared them and then drove ahead, he jumped out of the truck and stood by the side yelling at her to jump into his arms. He could see and understood the fear on her face, but it was her only chance. She couldn't bring herself to do it and they streaked past him. Running back to the truck and getting ahead of them again, he stopped and stood on the side, and waited so he could try again. Mickey was so scared, afraid of falling and being trampled, afraid of dropping to the ground, but her fear of staying on the horse was greater. This time she jumped, and he caught her. She was trembling, and he was glad because maybe she wouldn't feel him trembling too. He'd been afraid he wouldn't be able to grab and hang on to her, and that she would fall and get hurt, but he had prevailed.

"Are you okay?"

"No, I'm not okay."

She was still in his arms, and he put her down and hugged her to him. He ran his hand down her spine, and continued that slow comforting glide. She focused on his hands and the strength in his arms. He kept rubbing her back whilst in a soft voice he crooned into her ear that she was safe and the ordeal was over, and finally felt her stop shaking.

"Better?"

"I think so. I was so scared."

"I bet you were, I was scared for you."

"Where did you come from? I didn't see anybody."

"I'm not surprised - you were going so fast. I was back down there aways, mending fences when you whipped by. At first I didn't pay attention, but then I saw the left rein dragging on the ground. It's a wonder it didn't get tangled in the horse's leg. What the hell happened?"

"Bella and I were just out for an afternoon ride when a snake spooked her and she took off. Before I could get her under control, a tree branch grazed my arm and caused me to drop the rein. I didn't know what to do after that, I just closed my eyes, prayed and held on as tight as I could."

"You're sure you're not hurt?"

"Shaken and my bones rattled, but okay, thanks to you. By the way, I'm Mickey Chandler."

"Pleased to meet you, Mickey Chandler, I'm Hank Caldwell." He offered his hand and she laughed.

"What's funny?"

"You offering your hand, a few moments ago you were giving me a hug, I liked that better. Oh my God, did I just say that out loud?"

"Yes, you did say that out loud, but guess what, I liked it better too," he said, giving her a smile showing sparkling white teeth set off by his tanned skin and sky blue eyes. "So, Mickey Chandler, where are you from, and what are you doing out this way?"

"I'm Becky Peterson's sister. You know - Peterson's Feed & Grain. Becky just had twins and was a little overwhelmed at first so I came to help and she talked me into staying a while longer."

"So you are just visiting?"

"Yes and no. I'm tired of living in the city and the suburbs, there's too much traffic and congestion, and this area of California is so much quieter than where I'm from in the San Diego area. How about you, Hank Caldwell, you hail from here?"

"Yup, born and raised, and probably die right here too. My family owns the Circle C."

"I assume the Circle C is a local ranch?"

"Yeah, that it is. Are you ready to get in the truck to see if Bella has stopped anywhere along the way?"

"Yeah, just please don't ask me to ride her back. I don't think my bum could take it." She brought both her arms back and rubbed her bum cheeks. He felt a twitch in his jeans, thinking he would be happy to take over that chore.

"Sore, is it?"

"A little tender, but after a long soak in the tub, it will be better tomorrow and ready for another workout." Hank sucked in his breath.

About two miles down the road, Mickey spotted Bella grazing in a field off to the right.

"There she is," she said, and Hank slowed down. He knew the farm road was a little further down and he turned in, stopping at the cattle guard, to unhook the gate.

"Mickey, slide over to the driver's seat," Hank said. She did so, passed through the gate and picked Hank up on the other side once he had hooked up the gate.

"Turn here."

"Isn't that trespassing?"

"Don't worry about it, this isn't the city."

She turned the truck into the field, driving slowly until she was about two hundred yards from Bella. Bella barely looked up as Mickey approached. She reached for the reins as Hank checked Bella's legs for any cuts or bruises.

"She looks okay," Hank said. "Come here and I'll show you a trick so you won't lose a rein again."

"If you're going to tell me about tying the reins together, I do know that, it's not my first time riding. I just forgot to do it.

"Maybe I should give you a reminder."

"And what would that be?"

"A good spanking with the reins might be just what you need to remember to take precautions when riding by yourself."

"At my age, you have to be kidding." He watched her squirm a little, and tucked away the knowledge for future reference.

"Mickey, age is no factor when it comes to spanking." He gave her that smile that turned her knees to jelly.

"Do you know how to get back to your sister's from here?" he asked.

"I think so."

"You drive the truck and I'll ride Bella back," Hank said. There was that smile again, but this time the accompanying tone didn't match. This tone was one of a man used to giving orders and having them obeyed.

"Yes, sir," she said smiling, but giving him a salute along with it.

"Getting a little spunky, aren't you?"

"Am I?" she teased.

She got in the truck and took off. He watched as she got to the gate, unhooked it, got back into the truck, and drove through and off onto the road. Hank held back, adjusted Bella's stirrups, and rode over to close and latch the gate. He made a mental note to remind her of the importance of closing gates behind her, if he ever got the chance.

By the time she had arrived at Becky's, Hank was already there. He was sitting on the front porch with one of the twins, Ella, cradled in his arm. He looked so natural that for a moment it almost took away her breath; most men handled babies as if they would break.

"I didn't realize you knew my sister," Mickey said to Hank but it was Becky who replied.

"Honey, Williston is a small town and most people knew one another. Hank's family has been around Williston as long as Brad's. Hank hasn't been back all that long, so I don't know him as well as some of the other Caldwell's," Becky said.

"If Becky doesn't need me to babysit tonight, I'd really like to take you out to dinner tonight to repay you for saving my butt today."

Becky should her head. "You go ahead, I'm fine."

"I'd like that," Hank replied.


Mickey told Hank to choose the spot. He picked Rowdy's Roadhouse, a restaurant on the outskirts of Williston made famous by regular appearances of Rowdy's Rangers, a Texas band now famous themselves, but discovered at the restaurant by an affluent patron. Since then, whenever the band was on tour and in the approximate area, they made it a point to drop in and play a set or two. Rowdy's was a popular place, and there was quite a line waiting for a table when they arrived. Luckily for them, many of the waiting patrons were large parties and they moved up the list quickly since there was just the two of them.

Mickey had pumped her sister for any information on Hank, but she hadn't learned much. All Becky had said was that he had just returned to Williston and they had let it go at that. Apparently, the Circle C was one of the biggest and most successful ranches in the area. In addition to cattle and horses, their holdings included vineyards and almond orchards. Hank had a couple of brothers and a sister, and both brothers worked on the ranch. His sister had married an attorney and moved to Washington DC. His parents were still involved in the running of the ranch, but based on the gossip around town it was believed that were gradually turning it over to their sons, Hank, Dave and Randy.

Hank and Mickey weren't sitting at the table long before people started stopping by. All of them welcomed him home, and expressed their hope that he would stay this time. If people ever stopped coming by the table, she planned on finding out more about Hank Caldwell. With his tousled sandy blonde hair, bronzed skin, bright blue eyes and fine lines crinkling the edges of his eyes and mouth, he was good looking enough to be an actor or model. He was a man comfortable in his own skin and used to being in command, and it showed. Dressed in dark blue jeans, sharply creased but soft looking and weathered, a checked long-sleeved shirt and well-worn boots that were clean and polished, he was one handsome cowboy, and she was sure he had set many a heart aflutter, hers among them. The steady stream of greeters slowed down and she was just about to ask him about himself when another couple plopped themselves down in the seat on the other side of their booth.

"What are you doing here, this is most unusual for you?" the man said to Hank. Mickey took a good look at Dave and could see a resemblance, but Hank was the winner. "Mickey is taking me to dinner for saving her ass this afternoon."

"Mickey, meet my brother, Dave, and this is his... What are you, Dani, his lover, friend, mistress, wife? What other labels might there be?'"

"No need for such sarcasm or meanness, Hank," she purred at him.

"I see not much has changed," Dave said to Hank. Mickey was surprised that Dave took Hank's disparaging remarks about Dani so well. She half expected fisticuffs to break out at any moment.

"Oh, a lot has changed. She's with you now and I only wish you the best of luck and hope to hell you never have to leave town, because we have one more brother."



© Leigh Smith
Not to be reposted, reproduced or distributed, in part or whole.