A Cowboy of Her Own

Wendy knew that Hank Martin was Buddy’s right-hand man and handled the rodeo scheduling.

Porter nodded to the iPad Wendy had opened on her lap. “Are you documenting my answers on that thing?”

“No.”

“Do you ask all the drivers you ride with the same questions?”

Porter’s inquisitiveness would only get her in trouble and she didn’t want to lie any more than she had to, so she changed the subject. “How many hours of training did Del Mar provide you with?”

“None. Hank asked if I’d ever driven a rig before and I said no but that I’d hauled my share of horse trailers. That seemed to satisfy him.”

Had Buddy known that Hank had sent Porter out with little to no training? Rodeo bulls were expensive, especially those with winning records. It didn’t make sense for Hank to trust the bulls with an inexperienced driver.

“How many trips have you gone on?” she asked.

“Twelve. They were short runs. Didn’t have any trouble.”

When Porter reached the Yuma city limits, he turned onto the county road that would take them to Buddy’s ranch. Fifteen miles later he parked the pickup next to the hay barn.

Hoping she wouldn’t run into Buddy and have to make up a lie as to why she hadn’t informed him that she was tagging along with Porter, she said, “I’ll wait in the pickup while you get the keys to the stock trailer.”

“The keys are in the trailer. Hank and Buddy left for Idaho yesterday. They’re checking out a new bull at a ranch up there.” Porter grabbed their overnight bags and stowed them in the cab of the trailer.

Wendy stood aside while Porter inspected the tires and made sure the latch on the trailer was secure. “Do you check in with Buddy each day when you’re on the road?”

“No. If I report to anyone, it’s Hank.” He pulled out his phone.

“I’ll need to know if Hank asks you to do anything unusual on this trip.”

“What do you mean unusual?”

“Change your route. Make an extra stop somewhere.”

“Hey.” Porter held up his hands. “I don’t want to get caught in the middle of anything between you and Hank or you and Buddy. I just want to do my job.” After testing the latch a second time, he opened the passenger door for her. “There’s no step up.”

How was she supposed to get into the cab? Even if she took a running leap, she wouldn’t be able to dive onto the floor.

“I’ll give you a boost.” Porter cupped his hands. “Put your foot in here and grab the handhold.”

She stowed her iPad in her purse, then lifted her leg and set her boot in his hands. Before she’d prepared herself, he hoisted her into the air. She teetered off balance and made a valiant swipe at the handle inside the passenger door, but missed and pitched forward. She saw the top of the cab coming at her head and braced herself, but Porter’s hands vanished from beneath her boot and she fell backward into his arms.

Oh, my.

Her breath caught and it wasn’t because she’d slammed into Porter’s chest and had the wind knocked out of her—it was because his grip had tightened on her fanny. Their faces were inches apart, and if she dipped her head a tiny bit...

He set her on the ground, then moved his hands from her bottom to her waist. “You okay?”

She could get used to the feel of Porter’s hands on her body. She shook her head and the lusty thoughts scattered.

“You’re not okay?” he asked. “Did you knock your head on the door?”

“No. I’m fine.” She retreated a step.

If you don’t get your act together you’re going to blow this assignment.

Wendy believed her boss had put her in charge of this investigation because he trusted her and she didn’t want to let him down.

“We have a long drive today,” he said. “You ready to try and get into the cab again?”

“I’ll do it on my own.” She braced her foot against the front tire and pushed off—this time she snagged the handle and pulled herself into the cab.

Porter closed the door, then hopped in behind the wheel. When he backed away from the barn, he spoke. “Can I ask you a personal question?”

“Depends on the question.”

“What’s your waist size?”

Her mouth opened, then she snapped it closed.

“I’m guessing you don’t get asked that very often.”

“No, I don’t.” Good Lord. “Porter.” She pulled in a steadying breath. “My waist size is none of your business.” His grin exasperated her. “I realize we already know each other, but maybe I need to remind you that this isn’t a joyride or a vacation for me.”

His smile faded. “No, ma’am, you don’t need to remind me at all.” He stared out the windshield. “You can be sure I’ll keep my hands to myself.”

Great. She’d offended him. Now she’d be fortunate if he spoke two words to her the rest of the way to Colorado.

Chapter Three (#ulink_e5ed9265-297a-5af0-bedc-83e224d7358d)

What the heck was taking Wendy so long? Porter stared at the restroom door outside the mom-and-pop gas station on the outskirts of Flagstaff. They’d driven only five hours and had made three pit stops already. The first one to gas up before they left Yuma. The second to buy snacks in Phoenix, because he’d grown tired of listening to Wendy’s stomach growl. And now a potty break. At the rate they were traveling, they wouldn’t make Grand Junction until ten o’clock tonight.

He checked his cell phone for messages—none. Then he eyed the gas-station minimart, wondering how the building had remained standing when the outer walls sagged and the roof looked as if it might blow off with the next gust of wind. The owner could make more money than the property was worth if he sold the antique tin signs decorating the stucco facade. Drink Coca-Cola—Delicious And Refreshing hung next to the door, and below that was a Sinclair sign with the green dinosaur. On the opposite side of the door hung an old Mobilgas plaque with its winged horse. The faded black letters of Freedom Perfect Motor Oil Sold Here ran across the top of the building. Two red-white-and-blue Esso gas pumps—one regular and one diesel—lay on their sides in the dirt across the lot. A burn barrel served as a garbage can and sat between the newer gas pumps out front.

Tired of waiting in the hot sun, Porter pushed himself off the truck fender and went back into the snack shop.

The bell on the door announced his arrival and the clerk named Betty glanced up from the magazine in her hands. “You forget something?”

“I’m waiting for my copilot to finish in the restroom.” It didn’t appear that Betty had budged from her stool behind the counter since he’d bought a lottery ticket from her twenty minutes ago. She shoved her hand inside a Cheetos bag and grabbed a cheese puff, then chomped on it like a hamster before turning the magazine page with an orange thumb and forefinger.

He wandered over to the newsstand and selected the local paper from three days ago to read the headlines: When Push Cames to Shove, Elderly Man Lost Footing. Grandmother Inspires Orphans to “Create” Family Trees. Big Burrito Man Abandons Truck, Dreams.

The burrito man’s story intrigued Porter, but before he had a chance to read the copy, a loud thump startled him. He glanced at Betty, but her head remained buried in the gossip rag.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

The noise sounded as if it came from behind the wall next to Porter. “Did you hear that?”

Betty’s hand froze inside the Cheetos bag. “Hear what?”