Read Online Expecting the Cowboy's Baby by Charlene Sands - Free Book Online Page A

today,’” she murmured, a finger tracing the words slanting over the mirror.
    And while her mind screamed a loud, impending no, her heart pounded out another message entirely. She’d go to the rodeo today and see Jake one more time.
    Â 
    Cassie planted herself down on a stadium bench at the River Stampede Rodeo. The pass Jake had left for her at the gate would give her the best view of the events, being closest to the chutes, in the V.I.P section, the ticket taker had stated with a wide smile. Cassie sat, her back to the hot afternoon sun, amid the dust of dry earth and the smell of ranch animals penned up in their stalls. The arena, only half a mile from the riverfront hotels, swarmed with people. She peered at the crowd of smiling faces, the majority of them jeans-clad and wearing Western hats, all anticipating the upcoming events. The stadium began filling up and Cassie moved over when an older man took a seat next to her.
    â€œAppreciate it,” he said with a tip of his white hat. Shesmiled, noting the man had a rugged face, weathered with deep lines around his eyes; a man who had obviously enjoyed the outdoors most of his life. “First time to the rodeo?” he asked.
    Surprised by his quick appraisal, she chuckled. “How did you know?”
    â€œGot the look of a first-timer, is all.”
    â€œI’ve always wanted to come, just never had the chance before.”
    â€œSit back and enjoy yourself,” he said. “First timers are always in for a treat.”
    Cassie knew seeing Jake again would be a treat, but a forbidden one. She shouldn’t have come. She could have been halfway back to Los Angeles by now, tying up loose ends and getting ready for her new job. Yet she was here and anxious to watch Jake compete.
    An hour later Cassie gasped in horror as a bareback rider was tossed off a bucking bronco right in front of her section of seats. The cowboy flew high in the air before landing on the hard-packed dirt. He stayed there for a while before being helped up.
    â€œDo you think he’ll be all right?” she asked, turning to the man seated beside her.
    â€œSure enough. He’ll be sore as hell, but he’s not limping, so I imagine he’ll be right as rain. He won’t feel the true brunt of that fall for about twenty years or so.” The man winked.
    Cassie nodded, wondering if Jake’s event would be as risky. She didn’t think she could sit here and watch while he put himself in danger. From all she knew of the rodeo, which wasn’t too much, she believed roping calves wasn’t so much about danger but skill and timing.
    Minutes later they announced the calf roping event and Cassie came to full attention. She watched patiently as thefirst three cowboys entered their times. But then they announced Jake’s name and Cassie rose from her seat, her heart fluttering when she caught sight of him in the chute.
    The impact at seeing Jake again was even more potent, more heart-wrenching, than she’d anticipated. She told herself to leave now, to get out while she still could, but Cassie didn’t have that much willpower. Mesmerized, she watched him mounted up on his horse, sitting tall with rope in hand and one smaller one between his teeth, ready to compete.
    It happened so fast, the calf dashed from the chute and Jake tossed the rope, jumped down from his horse and raced over to “flank the calf,” a means of throwing the calf down, Cassie learned from her rodeo friend seated beside her. In a whirlwind of efficient motion, Jake tied up three of the calf’s legs then bounded up with arms outstretched, signaling the judges that he’d completed the run. All in all, it took a matter of seconds, but Cassie’s keen sense told her those seconds were profound, and not just for Jake.
    The scoreboard flashed. Seven point five seconds, the best score posted yet. Jake tossed his hat in the air, waving to the crowd, obviously