Roping Your Heart Read online

  Riding Tall:

  Roping Your Heart

  Cheyenne McCray

  Copyright © 2012

  Branded For You by Cheyenne McCray

  All rights reserved. No part of this e-Book may be reproduced in whole or in part, scanned, photocopied, recorded, distributed in any printed or electronic form, or reproduced in any manner whatsoever, or by any information storage and retrieval system now known or hereafter invented, without express written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons living or dead is entirely coincidental.

  E-book conversion by Bella Media Management.

  Published by Pink Zebra Publishing.

  13-Digit ISBN: 978-0-9858534-3-3

  First Edition e-Book

  Prologue

  Cat Hayden sat up in bed, waiting for Dr. Ross to come in. A dagger of pain plunged through her head, she felt as if the slash across her face was burning, and like every bone in her skull had been smashed. Her chest hurt and her bandaged ribs ached as she breathed.

  She refused to look in the mirror. She didn’t want to see the bandages around her face and head and acknowledge the damage that they covered, nor her bare scalp where her black hair had been partially shaved away.

  The backs of her eyes ached, adding to the pain in her head. She had to force herself not to scratch the incision where she’d had brain surgery. Even though there are no nerve endings inside the skull, it itched like crazy.

  The doorknob to the room turned and she tried to scoot up farther in the bed but the pain in her body was too great.

  Dr. Ross closed the door behind him. He was carrying a large envelope and a clipboard. “How are you doing today?”

  Cat shrugged. “All right.” Her speech slurred, sending a rush of frustration through her. She tried to swallow, but her throat hurt from the tube that had been there.

  “We have the results back.” He took CAT scans from the large envelope he’d been carrying and clipped them to an x-ray viewer that he turned on. She had to move her head as she watched him because her peripheral vision was off.

  Images of her skull and brain were on the scans and he pointed to a couple of spots on one of the images on the film as he spoke. “As we knew, your skull is fractured.” He continued and gave her technical terms she didn’t understand before he ended with, “There’s some irreparable damage, Cat.”

  Her skin prickled and the pressure in her head increased. “What does that mean?”

  “What it comes down to is this.” He set the clipboard and the large envelope aside and sat on the rolling swivel stool and met her eyes. “You shouldn’t ride horses anymore or do anything where there’s a danger that you could fall and hit your head. Next time, you might not be so lucky.”

  She couldn’t hold back a tear and she wiped it away with her fingertips. “No more riding?”

  “Especially not the kinds of riding you do,” he said firmly. “Barrel racing and any other rodeo activities are out. As a matter of fact, you need to stay away from any rides that a pregnant woman must avoid. It’s too jarring for the healing brain.”

  Heat washed over Cat’s skin and she felt another tear trying to escape. Rodeo was a huge part of her life and had been ever since she could first ride a horse.

  “What about just…riding?” Her hand trembled so hard that she had a hard time pushing hair behind her ear. She hated the uncontrollable shaking that made it difficult to do anything that required fine motor skills. “I could ride a gentle mount where there’s little danger of being thrown.”

  “The horse could get spooked by a rattlesnake or any other number of things.” The doctor’s gaze was steady as he studied her. “It’s not worth taking the chance.”

  She bit down on her lower lip. “What would you tell someone who was injured in a car accident? Not to drive anymore nor to even ride in a car because there’s the danger of being in another accident?”

  Dr. Ross stood. “When it comes down to it, it’s up to you, Cat. But stay away from rodeo. You don’t want to end up with serious brain damage.”

  “What else?” She needed to get away from the subject of riding.

  “You may have vision issues for some time.” He picked up her chart and glanced at it before looking at her again. “As far as your headaches are concerned, because of the location of the injury, they should subside as you heal. However, you could have migraines for the rest of your life. Only time will tell.”

  She couldn’t bring herself to say anything as he told her she would be starting both occupational and physical therapy, as well as speech and vision therapy. He would be back to check on her tomorrow. She just nodded and held back more tears as she sat propped up in bed.

  Yesterday, the plastic surgeon had told her they would do their best to repair the damage to her face, but the gouge across her face was so deep they probably wouldn’t be able to fix it. Because of the way her face was damaged, by the time they finished reconstructive surgery she might look entirely different.

  When she had control of her emotions and the doctor had left the room, she turned her head to the side and stared at the wall for a long time.

  Chapter 1

  “Great job, Demi.” Cat shifted in her saddle and smiled at the girl astride a Quarter horse as she trotted away from the barrels. Cat glanced at the stopwatch she held. “That’s your fastest time yet.”

  Demi grinned and the other 4-H kids in the horse club cheered and clapped. “The trick you showed me really helped, Ms. Hayden. Thanks.”

  For a moment Cat thought about Melanie and she felt the familiar ache in her heart. Her daughter would have been Demi’s age and maybe she would have competed in rodeo, too.

  “You’re going to win the next competition for sure,” Amy, Demi’s best friend, was saying as Cat brought her attention back to the 4-H’ers.

  Demi dismounted. “I need to get more practice in before the Flagstaff Junior Rodeo.”

  Today was Cat’s first day as leader of the horse club and she was just getting to know the kids. She’d recently moved back to Prescott and an old friend had asked her to take over as leader of the small group.

  “You’re an excellent rider.” Cat dismounted from Dolly, the horse she’d been riding, as she spoke to Demi. “Where do you practice?”

  “On our ranch.” Demi pushed up the brim of her straw western hat. She was a petite girl of fourteen with blonde hair pulled back into a braid. “My dad set up a practice ring when I was just a kid.”

  The six teens in the horse club were sitting on the wood rail of the practice ring or leaning up against it. The kids ranged in age from thirteen to sixteen.

  A couple of the 4-H’ers lived close enough to ride their own horses to Folsom Ranch. Those who lived farther away used three of the Folsoms’ horses that were well trained for all of the rodeo events. Gretchen and Dolly were trained for women’s and girl’s competitions. Shelton worked better with the men’s and boy’s events.

  When they’d settled down, Cat looped Dolly’s reins over a wood rail and smiled at the group as she moved in front of them. “I know you all have been around horses for a long time and you feel confident you know what to do. But, safety should always be your first priority.” She looked from one kid to the next. “I’m going to share with you how I got this scar.”

  The kids focused on Cat.

  “When I was nineteen, I worked in southern Arizona with a rancher, rehabilitating horses, and got into a tangle with a gelding named Firestorm.” Cat touched the scar on h
er face. “The horse won.”

  Now, she definitely had the kids’ attention.

  “I made the mistake of trying to work with the horse alone when I knew better.” Cat stuck her hands in her back pockets. “Firestorm decided he wanted to kill me. He knocked me down and started rearing up and stomping on me.”

  One of the members was wide-eyed. “What happened?”

  “In addition to this scar, I ended up with multiple fractures, broken ribs, a cracked skull, and part of my face crushed.” Cat rocked back on her boot heels. “Probably the worst of all, is that I sustained a brain injury and had to have brain surgery. That was eighteen years ago, and I’m pretty much recovered from all of that.”

  “It must have been so painful.” Amy’s eyes were big. “Did you have to have plastic surgery as well?”

  Cat nodded. “I had a lot of surgeries and had to go through three years of physical therapy and vision therapy.”

  “Were you afraid of horses after that?” Demi asked.

  Cat paused for a moment. “The first time back on a horse was the hardest. I kept seeing flashes of what had happened and reliving it in my mind. But, you could never keep me off a horse forever.”

  A few of the kids nodded in agreement.

  Cat continued, “The doctor didn’t want me to ride at all because of the type of brain injury, he said that another accident could possibly kill me.” She gave a little smile. “But, like I said, you can’t keep me off a horse.”

  “That’s awful,” Amy said.

  Demi let out her breath. “I can’t imagine not being able to do something I love. I would be just like you—no one could keep me off a horse.”

  Cat nodded. “Because of the damage done and the three years of physical therapy, I had to quit competition.” She pushed her hand through her hair. “I was a champion barrel racer and rodeo was a big part of my life. It was devastating to lose that.”

  Brett, a sixteen-year-old boy, asked, “Were you ever afraid to work with horses again?”

  She shook her head. “I’m very careful now and I don’t rehabilitate horses. I’m not telling you not to go down that path,” she continued. “But I would caution you when it comes to being in a similar situation. I probably wouldn’t have suffered the extent of injuries that I did if I had waited for the other handler to work with Firestorm and me. By the time the handler and a ranch hand got the horse off me, it was almost too late.”

  Neal tilted his head to the side. “So, always have someone with you when you’re training horses?”

  “It’s a good idea,” Cat said. “An untrained or formerly abused horse can be dangerous.”

  The kids nodded.

  “My mom’s here.” Amy got down from the wood rail she’d been sitting on as a truck drove up. “I’ve got to go.”

  Cat glanced at her watch. “Looks like we’re finished for the day,” she said to the other kids as another car came down the dirt road to Folsom Ranch where the 4-H’ers met for the horse club.

  “I’ll brush down Gretchen and Dolly and put them up.” Demi turned as she held both horses’ reins and the trio headed toward barn.

  “I’ll take care of Shelton and help Demi,” Brett said, and when Cat nodded, he took the reins of the gelding. In a few long strides he caught up with Demi.

  The rest of the kids said goodbye as their rides came and Cat waved to them as they drove away.

  A red truck approached, kicking up dust as the last kid left, with the exception of Demi and Brett who were still in the barn. Since Brett’s vehicle was here, this was probably Demi’s ride. Smiling and humming to herself, Cat walked toward the truck. She planned to talk to Demi’s parents about her talent.

  The truck rolled to a stop and the driver parked before climbing out. A tall figure strode around the vehicle from the driver’s side and Cat came to a stop. Her heart pounded and her throat grew dry.

  Blake McBride.

  A Stetson shadowed his eyes and he had matured over the last nineteen years, but she knew it was him with everything she had. Her body tingled as she studied him and her heart rate picked up. His shoulders were broader and he was more filled out. Even though he wore a work shirt and snug Wrangler jeans, she knew his muscles were well defined and sculpted beneath the clothing. His shirtsleeves were rolled up, showing the tanned skin of his forearms and his collar was open at his throat. His jaws were stubbled, giving him a rougher look.

  She felt a flush of heat throughout her at seeing him again. The years had flown by but it was as if no time had passed at all. Just looking at him, she felt like a teenager again.

  Blake hesitated before he headed straight toward her, a smile softening his hard features and putting a light in his green eyes.

  He came to a stop in front of her and held out his hand. “I’m Blake McBride.”

  “Hi, Blake.” She straightened as she tilted her head to look up at the big man and she took his hand. “I don’t think you recognize me.”

  The warmth of his hand traveled through her body as he studied her. “Your voice…your mannerisms…and your eyes. You have the same beautiful golden eyes and black hair of someone I cared a lot for.” It was like a light dawned on him. “Cat?”

  Surprise flowed through her. “It’s me.”

  He looked stunned as he slowly released her hand. “I know it’s been a long time, but no, I didn’t recognize you. Not by your looks.”

  She kept her hands at her side even though she automatically wanted to touch the thick scar across her face. To hide it.

  “Damn, it’s good to see you.” He caught her off guard by bringing her into his embrace and hugging her. He smelled wonderful, of sun-warmed flesh and leather. She felt an instant of comfort and belonging before she pushed the feelings away and stepped back. “Hell, it’s been nineteen years,” he said.

  “It’s good to see you, too.” She took a deep breath as she sought to change the subject away from her looks. “So, what brings you to the Folsom Ranch?”

  “My daughter.” He looked toward the barn. “I’m not surprised she’s still in the barn. The longer she can be around horses, the happier she is.”

  Cat’s eyes widened slightly and her lips parted. “Demi is your daughter?”

  The look of pride in his eyes was unmistakable. “Yep.”

  An ache came out of nowhere, squeezing her heart. “So, you’re married?”

  “Divorced.” His features hardened almost imperceptibly and anger sparked in his eyes. He tried to hide it, but it was there. Apparently his divorce had not been pleasant.

  The anger caught her off guard. “I’m sorry.”

  He studied her features and her face burned as she thought about what he might be thinking. From the time she was young up until the ordeal with the horse, she’d always been told she was beautiful. What had happened then had changed that.

  He reached up and brushed his fingers over her scarred cheek as he echoed her thoughts. “What happened?”

  A shiver ran through her at his touch. For a moment it was as if no time had passed and it was just the two of them alone in the world…she was eighteen and her heart had belonged to him. He had been her refuge. He’d been everything to her. And then she’d ruined it all.

  She fought to bring herself back to the present and away from old memories. She shrugged, then told him the brief story she’d just told the kids. She didn’t mention that the brain trauma still caused debilitating migraines. After eighteen years, she’d recovered from everything else.

  “I’m sorry, honey.” As if compelled, he trailed his fingers from the scar on her cheek to her ear and gently stroked her hair behind it. “That must have been hell.”

  Even though it had been so long since they’d been together, the tension between them was strong. His gaze lingered on her mouth as if he wanted to kiss her.

  He stepped back and shook his head. “It’s like no time has passed at all.”

  She tilted her head to the side. “Even though I don’t look the same?
”

  He gave a slow nod. “It doesn’t matter a damned bit that you look a little different.”

  “A little different?” She shook her head even as his words echoed in her mind. “You didn’t even recognize me.”

  “You know that a part of me did.” He studied her eyes. “You’re just as beautiful as you ever were. You’re still KitCat to me.”

  A rush of heat went through her. Even though he’d never lied or exaggerated as long as she’d known him, that statement wasn’t true.

  “Dad?” Demi’s voice came from behind Blake and he turned to face his daughter. “You know Ms. Hayden?”

  He settled his arm around Demi’s shoulders. “A long time ago, Cat was my girlfriend.” It surprised Cat that he hadn’t evaded the question or told the girl simply that they were old friends.

  Demi looked from one of them to the other. “How long ago?”

  “We were both eighteen,” Cat said.

  “Before Daddy met my mother,” Demi said before her lips tightened. There was something in her eyes that was hard to read, as if the subject of her mother was something she didn’t want to talk about and she was sorry she had even brought it up.

  “Your daughter is a talented barrel racer.” Cat glanced between the two of them. “I’m impressed.”

  “Thank you, Ms. Hayden.” The girl’s features brightened. “I’ve loved barrel racing since I was old enough for my dad to let me do it. I always liked watching the girls in the junior rodeos.”

  Blake looked at his daughter with pride gleaming in his eyes. Cat assumed that the girl must look like her mother because she didn’t favor Blake or his brothers. The McBrides tended to be dark-haired whereas Demi was blonde with freckles across her nose and she had eyes the same brown as redwood, almost cinnamon in color.

  Cat thought again about Melanie with her dark hair and ready smile.

  Demi looked at her father. “I’ve got homework, Dad.”

  He nodded. “Then we’d better get you home.”

  “Goodbye, Ms. Hayden,” Demi said with a smile before she turned and walked to the truck that Blake had been driving.