Love & Rodeo
LOVE & RODEO
Paisley Cruz
Kallie Davis has barrel raced her entire life up until six months ago when both of her parents were killed in a car accident on their way to watch her win her first world title. With an outstanding invitation to rejoin the circuit, she’s determined to win enough money to adopt her younger sister and get on with her life. She returns, haunted with memories and dreams of her parents that just won’t seem to go away. Running away from it all, she runs right into Levi Cavanaugh, and for the first time, the bad memories are chased away.
Levi Cavanaugh just got his ticket to the big times as a rookie bull rider, and he planned on spending most of his time partying—until he meets Kallie Davis. She’s sexy and a completely different breed. Now all he wants to do is party with her. He knows she has a past and can’t help but want to protect her from it.
Levi and Kallie pair up with one another exploring boundaries and living life, each week falling more in love. With the world championships just around the corner, Kallie has to choose between love or the only family she has left.
LOVE & RODEO
PAISLEY CRUZ
LUMINOSITY PUBLISHING LLP
LOVE & RODEO
Copyright © March 2015 Paisley Cruz
ISBN: 978-1-910397-66-4
Cover Art by Poppy Designs
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
No part of this literary work may be reproduced in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without the written permission of the publisher.
This is a work of fiction. All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is purely coincidental.
Dedication
To my Mom, for teaching me all I know about barrel racing, and for giving me the fond memories I have from atop our barrel horses. Without you, this book would not have been possible.
Chapter One
“
New to the rodeo circuit this week is Levi Cavanaugh! Levi’s in from Tulsa and making his debut with the National Bull Riders Association tonight. Please give him a warm welcome!” the announcer called into the stands.
Levi’s heart thumped in his chest with excitement as the crowd roared. It was unlike anything he’d ever been a part of.
His best friend, Travis bumped his shoulder as he yelled over the noise of the crowd. “This is it. You’ve reached the big times!”
The announcer introduced a few more riders and then moved on to the barrel racers. Unlike the bull riders, the girls came out on horses and circled the arena as they were announced. Levi watched as Travis’s girlfriend, Cassidy rode by. Right behind her was a girl with long, brown wavy hair flowing behind her. Everything slowed down as he looked up into her green eyes, and in that moment he felt something pass between them. He flashed her his best smile while she cantered on, but couldn’t take his eyes off her or the way her body rocked in the saddle as she rode.
Soon, the opening ceremony was complete and it was time to ready himself to ride the bull he’d chosen—Mad Man. Levi was third to go and while he should’ve been focusing on his ride, his thoughts kept going back to her. He waited by the chute and when it was his turn, he climbed onto the black bull’s back. Once his rope was tight, he nodded to the gatekeeper and it flew open. Mad Man was off. He bucked hard to the left and then moved to the right, but Levi hung on. One last hard buck and the eight-second horn sounded. He jumped from the bull quickly, found his way to the fence, and climbed out of harms way.
“
Eighty-one is the score for Levi Cavanaugh. Not bad for a rookie rider.”
A few of his fellow riders patted him on the back as he waited for the other fifteen to ride. Travis was bucked off immediately, but two other riders managed to stay on. The whole experience was exciting for Levi. He’d been to plenty of rodeos and ridden in his fair share, but there was nothing that beat the big times. The bright lights and roar of the crowd gave him a rush unlike anything he’d felt before. He was addicted already.
While they readied for the second round, the barrel racers ran. Levi and Travis found a spot by the chute where the girls entered the arena. They watched each girl run until it was Travis’s girlfriend, Cassidy’s turn. She ran and knocked the second barrel. After Cassidy, was Kallie Davis. He immediately recognized her as the girl from the arena earlier. He’d never forget those hips. She ran a perfect pattern and had the fastest time.
“
16.495! That’s the time you’re chasing, ladies! Welcome back, Kallie!”
Levi smiled to himself. She was gorgeous and an amazing rider to boot. A few minutes later, they announced Kallie as the winner. Before long, it was his turn to ride again. This time he made the eight seconds, but his score wasn’t high enough to win. Even placed second, he still brought home a little money. After his ride, he headed to the earnings window. He waited in line, right behind Kallie Davis.
“
Kallie?” Levi asked.
She turned to look at him. “I’m sorry, do I know you?” she asked as she looked up at him with those green eyes from under her cowgirl hat.
He extended his hand. “No. I’m Levi Cavanaugh. I’m new to the circuit.”
She offered a polite smile. “Well, it’s nice to meet you, Levi.”
She started to turn back around.
“
Congratulations—first—that’s exciting,” Levi added, not ready for the conversation to end.
She nodded.
“
I placed second.” Levi shoved his hands into his pockets.
“
Congratulations!” she told him sincerely.
There was only one person in front of her now.
“
Thanks! My buddy Travis and his girlfriend Cassidy are going out to celebrate with me. You should come with us,” Levi said, kicking at the dirt on the ground. He was usually better at this. Normally he didn’t care if the girl told him no, but something about her enticed him.
“
Thanks, but I already have plans.”
“
Oh! You have a boyfriend?”
She laughed a little and his heart warmed. “No. I don’t have a boyfriend.”
“
So then what’re you doing?”
“
Not that it’s any of your business, but I have to take care of my horse.”
“
Well, if you get done taking care of your horse, we’ll be at Tequila Rose, across the street.” He smiled at her.
It was Kallie’s turn at the window now. He watched as she collected her earnings and hurried off toward the barn. His eyes never left the sway of her hips, and the way her long wavy hair flowed down her back. Levi collected his earnings and was met by Cassidy and Travis.
“
Were you just talking to Kallie Davis?” Cassidy asked.
“
Yeah. Yeah I was.”
“
I wouldn’t go there, Levi,” Cassidy warned him.
“
Why? What’s her story?”
“
Last year she won World. I mean she did it. We all hope that someday we’ll win the championship where all the best barrel racers come together to compete, but she did it and she won. Anyway, after her winning run, she found out her parents were killed in an accident. She’s just now coming back, and the word is that she’d kind of lost her marbles.”
Levi frowned, and all of a sudden he understood why she was reluctant to hang out with them.
“
Yeah, plus she acts like she’s better than everyone else.”
“
Oh, well I invited her tonight.”
“
Don’t be surprised if she doesn’t show.” Cassidy touched his arm.
“
Let’s get out of here,” Travis said, and they started for the bar.
He wasn’t sure how he felt about the way Cassidy had run Kallie down, and he had to fight off a strong urge to protect Kallie from her.
* * * *
Kallie took care of Blaze before she headed back to her horse trailer to bed down for the night. She readied herself for bed and just before she lay down, she decided to call her Grams to check on her and her younger sister, Nora.
“
Hey, Grams!”
“
Kallie dear? Is that you?”
“
Yeah, Grams.”
“
Well, how was the rodeo? Did you place?”
“
I won.”
“
Great, dear. That’s great.”
“
Yeah. I’m going to send some money home to help with Nora.”
“
That’s your money. I have plenty.”
“
But, Grams—”
“
Don’t you do that, Kallie Renee Davis. Nora and I are fine.”
“
Okay, Grams. Is she around?”
“
She’s out with a friend from school. Can I have her call you in the morning?”
“
Of course. Well, I’m going to head to bed. I love you, and give Nora a kiss for me.”
“
Love you too, dear.”
Kallie hung up the phone and climbed into bed. It was her first night back on the circuit and she didn’t miss sleeping in a horse trailer, but at least this time the horse trailer was a little fancier. She pulled her knees to her chest and hugged them as memories of last year’s world championship flooded her memory, as they did almost every night. She closed her eyes as she remembered her winning run.
That day should have been the best day of her life, but it quickly turned into one of the worst, as the state highway patrolman walked toward her with Carla Evans, President of the barrel racing portion of the rodeo.