Free The Cowboy Way by Christine Wenger Page A

She waited for the pain to appear on his face, and it did.
    â€œWelcome, everyone, to the annual Gold Buckle Wheelchair Rodeo.” Jake took his hat off and waved it in the air. “We are going to have a great time!”
    His enthusiasm was contagious. There was hooting and hollering and hat tossing. The cowboys were getting the kids excited, and the kids got right into it.
    â€œAfter dinner, the Wheelchair Rodeo participants will move into the bunkhouses. The bunkhouse with the blue door is for the cowboys, and the one with the pink door is for the cowgirls.”
    There was more hand clapping and hooting.
    â€œThe program will begin at eight o’clock in the morning with the Pledge of Allegiance and a nondenominational cowboy and cowgirl prayer at the flagpole. Familyand friends are welcome. A schedule of each day’s events will be available on your way out. In two days, the overnight trail ride will begin. This will be followed by Wheelchair Rodeo, where prizes will be given in each event.” He paused. “And that means Gold Buckles!”
    There was pounding on the tables, whistling and several yee-haws. The kids were in a frenzy, as excited as they could be. Their faces were flushed, their bodies were wiggling and a few wheelchairs spun in circles. Kevin was no exception. He was ready to rocket out of his wheelchair.
    â€œNow my mother, Mrs. Emily Dixon, would like to say a few words.”
    When Jake came down from the platform and walked back toward Beth, his limp was even more pronounced.
    As he sat down, his shoulder brushed hers, and when he reached for the hot sauce at the same time as she reached for a napkin, their fingers touched. A rush of heat coursed through her when he smiled.
    She tried to listen to Emily’s words, but Jake was too distracting. His Bull-istic aftershave drifted her way when he leaned over to say something to Kevin. Taking a deep breath, she committed the scent to memory.
    Her mouth was dry, and she felt like a high school freshman with a crush. She reached for her iced tea and drank what was left in one gulp. She chewed on the remaining ice cubes, although she wanted to drop them in her bra or press them to her forehead to cool herself down.
    Jake stood up after Emily was done with her speechand everyone started moving out. “I’ll walk you two back to your cabin and help move Kevin’s gear into the bunkhouse.”
    â€œThank you,” Beth said.
    She felt his hand, hot on her back, as he guided her through the crowd leaving the hall. As they walked to her cabin, she was grateful for the crisp air. It was helping her cool off.
    The thud-thud of Jake’s boots on the gravel made her smile. All that was needed was the twinkle of spurs and a Colt dangling from each hip, and they could be walking down the main street of a small Western town in 1880.
    A little later, as she was gathering Kevin’s gear and putting it in his saddle bag, it hit her that she’d be alone at the cabin.
    She felt giddy—and guilty—at the thought. It’d been a long time since she’d been free of responsibility, free to do anything she wanted during the next day.
    So take that, Jake Dixon. Maybe there was hope for her yet.
    She walked back into the living room and Jake took the bag from her.
    â€œDon’t worry about Kevin. He’ll be fine. But how about you? Are you going to be okay here alone?”
    Alone. There had been many times that she’d been alone in her marriage, even when Brad was there. But she wasn’t thinking of Brad. She was thinking of Jake.
    She pictured Jake stretched out naked on her bed. His hat was on the bedpost. His boots and jeans were in a pile on the floor. His blue eyes were dark with passion. She was wearing her buy-one-get-one-free rednightgown from Wal-Mart. He’d hold out his hand, much as he was doing now, and he’d say…
    â€œBeth, are you okay?” He shook her hand.