Rodeo Queen (35 page)

“I don’t really care what
you
think is going on. She’s pregnant and you dumped her?” Chris shoved him back against the metal panels of the corral. The horses inside shied to the other side of the corral as Scott bounced off of them.

“Look, Chris.” Scott tried to diffuse his indignation. He understood the need for a brother to defend his sister’s honor; he would have done the same thing for Jen. “I’m going to make this right. If you let me go, you’ll see what I mean in just a few minutes.” Chris narrowed his eyes, obviously unsure whether to believe him or not. “Look, if you keep me any longer, I won’t be able to fix this. I have to get to that trailer right now.” Scott pointed to Derek’s trailer.

Chris looked over as Derek rushed inside. “That knight costume has my name written all over it. But if you’d rather we stand here talking about this, by all means, let’s beat each other’s brains in and accomplish nothing.”

“How do I know you’re not just trying to save yourself now?”

Scott didn’t want to insult the kids so he humored his bravado. “If I don’t make this right, you know where to find me after the opening ceremony. I’ll let you beat the crap out of me then, but let me at least try.” Scott eyed him.

“Fine, go.” Chris waved him off. “But I’ll be watching and waiting back here for you,” he warned.

T
HE STANDS WERE
packed for the ten o’clock rodeo. Sydney sat in the carriage, waiting for their cue, glancing to the hillside where she saw her parents sitting with her brother. The black geldings pulled against the reins, drawing her attention back to the arena. Pablo easily held them in position until she heard the trumpets sound as the rodeo announcer reached the point in the script where he welcomed the visiting “royalty.” The music played as the wagon jerked to a start, harnesses jangling as the horses broke into a slow gallop into the arena, their hooves pounding even in the soft dirt. The music softened and Sydney waved at the crowd as the carriage circled the arena and came to a halt at one end. The crowd audibly gasped as she came into full view. Sydney glanced to the other end of the arena, knowing that Derek and Clay were both waiting just beyond the view of the audience for their cues.

They were bound to prove why Findley Brothers were masters of showmanship. The announcer introduced the “Black Knight,” and she stood, feigning fear, her gown gleaming as the silver and gold caught the sun. On cue, Clay rode into the arena. He wore black chain mail, a costume identical to the one Derek was wearing but with a black-and-silver tunic. As he reached the center of the arena, the horse reared, pawing at the air. The Black Knight played to the crowd as he raised a sword into the air, circling the arena to the cheers and boos from the crowd.

The announcer informed the crowd that their only hope was Sir Findley. All eyes turned toward the end of the arena where Derek suddenly charged in on Noble; he held his sword high as trumpets blared. Sydney felt her heart skip at the sight of the horse, her breath catching. He looked magnificent with a blanket matching Derek’s tunic flowing around his legs while his black-and-white mane whipped backward. Derek was entirely encased in a shining suit of armor, complete with gloves and helmet. She watched as the horse ate up the arena in long strides. The crowd broke into a wild cheer.

The rodeo announcer urged the cheers into a full uproar as he encouraged the audience to choose their knight as they rode toward one another at full speed before clashing swords. The clang of metal sounded through the wireless microphones that both knights wore.

“Give up, Sir Findley. The princess will be mine.” Metal crashed as they circled the horses around one another in a mock battle until the Black Knight fell from his mount.

Derek leaped from Noble while Jake appeared from a back gate of the arena to hold the horse. Clay approached Derek and they continued their battle on foot as the announcer called for the crowd to cheer for their knight of choice. The cries for “Sir Findley” and “Black Knight” echoed across the arena. Suddenly, Derek spun, his sword sliding across the front of Clay’s stomach. Clay doubled over, appearing mortally wounded before falling to the ground.

Two men from the crew ran into the arena to put the Black Knight’s body over the saddle of his horse and lead the animal from the arena amidst the cheers of the crowd. Derek made his way to the side of the carriage while Jake waited nearby with Noble. Sydney smiled at what would come next. Derek would ride up and say something ridiculously sappy before lifting her into the saddle and riding out of the arena with her. She reached for the wireless microphone attached to the inside of her belt and turned it on as she stood in the carriage.

“My princess,” he acknowledged as he kneeled before her, holding out a hand to help her step down from the vehicle. As her booted feet landed in the dirt, he reached up and pulled off his helmet.

Sydney’s head reeled as she stared at Scott. Her eyes shot to the gate where the Black Knight stood watching, and she saw Derek and a miraculously healthy-looking Jen beside him. She looked back at Scott, still kneeling before her, and her heart dropped to the toes of her boots.

“Scott?” she whispered. He smiled as his name echoed across the arena over her wireless mic. Her knees went weak at his lopsided grin and she held the side of the carriage.

“My princess,” he repeated. His gaze met her own and she could see the mischievous glint in them before he bowed his head. Her heart pounded against her ribs as he called her “princess.”

“My prince,” she answered, amazed that she could even speak, let alone remember the lines she had practiced with Derek the day before. “My people and I are forever grateful to you for defending my honor.” She waved a hand at the crowd surrounding the arena. “How could I ever repay the kindness you have done to this kingdom?”

“I can think of but one way.” Scott paused for effect, tossing his helmet aside and taking her hand. “I have been snared by your beauty. I have tried to fight my feelings, but it has been for naught. They have won the battle and will not be ignored.”

That wasn’t part of the script. If he can ad lib, so can I.

“My prince,” she said, slipping her hand from his as she tore her gaze away from him. She hoped her refusal to meet his eyes appeared as coyness to the crowd. “You are too bold and shouldn’t speak of such things.”

“Ah, princess, should I continue to keep my love for you hidden?” Scott stood and curved a finger under her chin, forcing her to look at him. His grin was cocky. Was he mocking her pain? She felt indignation rise up in her chest.

“I see that you don’t believe me, so I will proclaim it to the people for all to hear.” Scott spread his arms toward the crowd. A cheer went up as the spectators watched enthralled at the drama taking place before them. “I love you, princess.”

An explosion of applause sounded. Sydney’s eyes narrowed as she stepped towards Scott, standing toe-to-toe with him. “You don’t believe in love, remember?” she hissed.

“Princess,” he said, glancing at the crowd to remind her of their audience, “I was but a stupid fool.”

Her heart galloped in her chest. What was he trying to do? Hadn’t he hurt her enough? Why would Jen and Derek have called her to be a part of something that would be so painful for her? Her mind swirled with questions as she tried frantically to register any answers.

“Princess, how could you doubt the depths of my feelings for you? I have just risked life and limb to save you from the Black Knight.”

I don’t know what you’re trying to do, Scott Chandler, but I’ve had enough of this.

She arched a brow, assuming the regal posture of the queen the crowd imagined her to be. “A gesture of an honorable man. Kneel and I will knight you, sir.”

“The prize I prefer is far more valuable.” Scott turned and walked to where Jake stood, still holding Noble. Reaching into his saddle, he retrieved a package before returning to her. Scott dropped to one knee and she heard a gasp from the crowd. “Sydney Thomas, will you marry me?”

The crowd went wild as she looked down at him. He held out the diamond ring for her to see.

“Why?” she whispered, barely able to make a sound.

“Because I need you and I love you. Without you, my life means nothing.” Scott smiled up at her.

She could see nerves where she had seen cockiness only moments before. But she could see that his heart was completely exposed to her. He’d opened up for the entire world to see his vulnerability, and she couldn’t help but be touched by it. She wasn’t sure how things would work out in the future, but she had to take a chance on the love they had discovered.

Scott reached for her hand. “What do you say, princess? Marry me?”

She cupped his face, her answer swallowed by her laughter. “What was that?” the announcer asked.

“I said, ‘Yes.’ ”

The audience rose from their seats, cheering as Scott pulled Sydney into his arms, his lips finding her own. Sydney forgot that they were standing in the middle of an arena during a rodeo and wound her arms around his neck, her fingers catching on the chain-mail hood he wore. With Scott’s lips against hers again, she tasted his passion mingled with her tears. For the first time since finding out about the baby, she was excited about their future.

Scott slipped an arm under her knees and lifted her into Noble’s saddle. He swung a leg over the saddle behind her and they rode out of the arena to the sound of thunderous applause.

“I have no idea how we are going to follow that up tomorrow,” He chuckled as they rode out of the gate.

C
HRIS STOOD AT
the back arena gate as they passed. “Okay, Chandler, I’d say you took care of it.”

Sydney looked at her brother before glancing at Scott over her shoulder. “What was that about?”

“Someone came to defend your honor earlier. I promised him I was going to make an honorable woman out of you before the day was done.”

“A little sure of yourself?”

“I was stupid enough to let you walk away once. I wasn’t about to let it happen twice.” Scott pressed a kiss to the hollow behind her ear, causing warmth to spread through every limb. She melted into his arms as he headed toward his trailer.

She’d started the day with the certainty that she would never be with Scott again, and now her entire reality had been flipped on end. She saw her parents approaching the trailers and wondered what her father would say. Within minutes they were surrounded by family and friends offering congratulatory wishes. She laughed at Scott’s nervousness when her father shook his hand while they made plans for dinner later that evening. Clay excused himself to prepare for the first event, reminding them that there was still a rodeo to run.

Scott pressed a quick kiss to Sydney’s lips. She wanted him to linger but he groaned and pulled away. “I have to change and get out there.”

“Go.” She pushed him toward the trailer. “We’ll talk more after the rodeo is over.”

Scott pulled the tunic over his head as he hurried into the trailer, appearing moments later in a long-sleeved, maroon Western shirt emblazoned with Findley Brothers patches. He pulled his chaps over his slim hips, clipping the buckles on the back of his legs. Jake had already changed Noble’s tack and Scott jumped into the saddle, winking at her as he rode to the arena. She lifted the skirt of her gown and headed toward Jen’s trailer to retrieve her clothes.

“If it isn’t the bride to be.”

Sydney arched a brow and looked at Derek. “I suppose you’re going to tell me you didn’t have anything to do with this?”

Derek rolled his eyes. “Please, this was
all
me.” He leaned back against the side of the truck, crossing his arms.

“I should be furious at you.”

He shrugged. “But you’re not.” Derek’s eyes twinkled.

“No, I’m not,” she agreed.

“Why didn’t you tell me about the baby?”

Sydney felt the color drain from her face. “Jen?” Derek nodded and she couldn’t meet his scrutiny. “When was I supposed to tell you? Better yet,
how
was I supposed tell you? I haven’t even told Scott yet.”

“I would have taken care of you and the baby, even if Scott hadn’t stepped up.”

She was touched and saddened by his revelation. He had proclaimed his feelings for her but she hadn’t realized how deep they were. She wasn’t sure how to respond. “Derek, I . . .”

He held up a hand. “It’s okay, Sydney. We weren’t meant to be.”

“I’m sorry, Derek.”

“Don’t be. I’ll have the most beautiful sister-in-law ever.” Derek pushed himself away from the truck and pressed a kiss to Sydney’s forehead. “And I’m going to spoil that little cowboy like you won’t believe.”

W
ORD HAD SPREAD
about the opening ceremonies, and Sydney was stopped constantly, either to be told how touching the event had been or to show off her diamond. She couldn’t wait for the rodeo to be over so that she could have Scott all to herself. She knew that she had a surprise for him as well, and tonight would be the perfect night to share it. Mike had already agreed to meet with the committee at the rodeo dance so that Scott’s presence wasn’t required. If they could only finish the last event.

The bull riding was always a crowd favorite and it never failed to bring the crowd to the edge of their seats. She watched from the warm-up arena as she finished exercising one of the black geldings who would be pulling the carriage again the next day. Her stomach flipped when she realized that both Derek and Scott were going to be the pick-up men for the event, responsible for lifting the thrown rider to safety while the bull sought any moving target. It was a dangerous job, second only to the rodeo clowns.

She watched Scott lope across the arena and say something to his brother. It was shocking to watch the two of them together. In the last two months they had grown from bitter enemies to respected peers. Scott patted his brother on the shoulder and rode back to his post. There was a rodeo clown between them, and another one preparing to leap into a padded barrel that had been placed in a strategic location to distract the bull.