Hot Texas Flash Read online

  Hot Texas Flash

  Kash Lamar

  Copyright © 2020 by Kash Lamar

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Epilogue

  Also by Kash Lamar

  Chapter 1

  Flash O’Leary

  If I can’t be wrapped up in the arms of a wild cowboy,

  Then let me rope a mustang…

  Here comes Rosa. She’s in a ruckus all across the yard to the arena for the third time. She’s waving the phone over her head but knows full well I can't take the call. I’m on this horse. That fact doesn’t stop her. The way she’s yelling this young colt will come unglued any second.

  "Juan, stop her and find out what’s going on."

  Too late. Her loud voice and fast movement spooks this green horse and he gives me a few hard bucks. Not what I wanted. Now I have to put in more saddle time to correct it. My foreman shrugs his shoulders to say he doesn’t know who the calls are from.

  "Come get this horse when I’m on the ground, please." I pay attention to keep my volume normal.

  Juan and Rosa are good people who’ve been with me since forever. For sure, my life would be a lot harder without them. Still, it would help if she improved her English—that’s a daydream on my part. She won't try and knows I’ll ignore it if her delicious enchiladas are on the table.

  Another thirty minutes goes by on this young horse and I’m finally to a place I can end the session on a good note. I step out of the saddle and give him a few good rubs of praise. This one will certainly make a fine roper by the time I’m finished with the training.

  "Cool him down, no grain but give a small flake of grass hay," I explain to Juan though I don't need to. He’s forgotten more about horses than I can learn in a lifetime.

  When the screen door slams behind me the first thing I grab is a cold bottle of water. It’s 105 degrees in the shade and I’m reminded of why I’d like a covered arena. Arizona is a land of harsh extremes, no matter what the tourist bureau tells you.

  A quick water splash over my face helps cool my skin and I pick up the phone to check the calls. Rosa hands me a number scratched on a piece of brown paper bag—some English, mostly Spanish. I don't recognize it, and no name so I have to call.

  "Hey, Flash O’Leary here."

  "It's Judy." Anxiety waves through her words.

  "What's up?" This can’t be good since Judy wouldn’t call me if her body caught fire and I could save her.

  Let’s just say she hates me.

  "David said to call you. Do you know he's been in a car accident?"

  "No way for me to know since you didn’t call. How bad is it?"

  "They did surgery on his right shoulder and arm a few days ago but there’s still a small brain concussion."

  "What the hell? And you just got around to letting me know?”

  “I don’t want you in the picture, but he thinks you need to come.”

  “It’s not about you, Judy. Me and him are family and you can’t change it.”

  It’s serious, all right. There's nothing worse than messed up shoulders and arms for a roper who also trains horses and runs a ranch operation for income.

  "Can he talk to me?"

  "I'll put him on."

  My brother wouldn’t ask for help if he didn't really need it. We don’t play games between us.

  "It's about damn time you called, cupcake. Bet you were out by the pool."

  "I wish. Day two on a green horse held me up. So why did you go and wreck your shoulder?" I tease enough to make him laugh in spite of the pain he must have.

  "Sure didn’t plan it."

  "Talk to me... just the facts," I say with as much upbeat tone as I can find. He’ll be laid up for a long time and he knows it. This puts a big hardship on him, and it’ll change his life when all is said and done.

  “You’re still the same, cupcake.”

  “You’re still a joker, huh?” I know he has a grin. “Lay it out for me.”

  "I qualified for the state team roping championship the end of this month. Now I'm broke up. I need you to come rope for me. It's a real big payday and the publicity for my training program would help. But there’s no one to fill in for me."

  “Jesus! Could there be any worse luck?”

  My mind runs over what this means to his ranch and mine.

  “The few guys who are fast enough won’t work with RJ, or they’re already in the game.”

  I hear a thread of embarrassment over his partner. With good reason since we’ve had a few good disagreements over RJ’s reputation in the rodeo world. Let’s just say it’s less than stellar.

  “Are the old timers qualified? Like Speed and Amos?”

  Why would I ask such a dumb question? If they’re alive, they’re qualified.

  “They both are. You’ll see them up close and personal.”

  “That’s not good. They’re the best hands down. To say they’re a legend in their own time is the truth.”

  “Do you still have your barn manager?” I asked, praying he does.

  David runs a large herd of cattle at his place. He’s not a small-time rancher.

  “He’s with me but he can’t train. The worst news is this — I have a good number of horses in training right now. A couple are close to fully made but are on a deadline for delivery. On top of it all, I just took on a young colt to start.”

  “Darn. Looks like I’ll drop the extra five pounds I picked up.” I laugh to ease the worried vibe that’s loud and clear in his voice. “It’s a done deal brother. You got one crazy cupcake on the way. I remember you said your partner has a quirk or two in his style, so I’ll bring my horses.”

  “Flash, can Juan keep your place up?” He asked, worried about me and my ranch as much as he is about his.

  “Oh yeah, and I’ll get him extra help.”

  David exhales a loud sigh of relief.

  "I told Judy if there's one person in this screwed up world I can count on its Flash."

  "Not to worry brother, I got you covered."

  “Do you need us to have some of that fancy Irish tea you drink?”

  “Don’t be a cute ass. I have my own fancy stuff.”

  “Travel safe, cupcake.”

  “Always.”

  To hear bad news like this sucks the wind straight out of me. David and I have been like family since we were little kids. This’ll take him down in a hard way, not to mention his ranch operation.

  A large percent of his income is from horse training since he’s the top trainer in west Texas. It’ll be countless months before he can wrangle a horse, but he’ll try it anyway first chance he gets.

  No one can stop me
from helping my brother, but I sure hope Judy stays in check. Jealousy does not look good on any woman and believe me, she is a jealous one.

  There’s no reason for it since he views me as a sister and one of the boys, nothing else. If we were interested in romance it would’ve already happened years ago, but the truth is, we both were happy as we were.

  Maybe this time she'll see how important it is to stick to facts and keep things in correct perspective. One of these days the bitch will push me the wrong way and I’ll grind her to dust, like I’ve dreamed of doing for years.

  I don't know much about this buddy of David’s — never met him — but they’ve been team partners for a while. The talk I’ve heard is RJ is very macho and has more interest in bedding women and a long neck bottle than anything else — never a good mix when you compete for money.

  My gut says there’ll be issues with him. The battle will be on if David didn’t tell him who I am, and what I am. RJ will not rope with a female. That I already know just from what I’ve heard about him.

  To keep it easy I'll transport the horses and catch a plane. The sooner I get there the more time I’ll have to work on those horses.

  A quick call to set up transportation for my stock with John Weldon goes smooth.

  "No problem. I'll come over this afternoon and get the rig gassed and ready.”

  John can always get in a trip for me. He’s hauled for me a long time.

  "Can't thank you enough, John."

  David’s injury hasn’t sunk in yet and my concern is high. Sometimes a shoulder doesn’t repair well enough to rope again. Now that would crush David’s spirit beyond expression. All I can think is please don’t let that happen to him.

  There’s nothing like a little pressure to fall on me and to rope in the Texas State Championship is about as much pressure as there is. I’ve done it twice before and lost sleep over it both times—lots of sleep. The saving grace is that we took home the big money.

  But to rope with a stranger is a different story, in a bad way. Some of the best ropers in the U.S. are Texans and I know most of them. Believe me, the cream of the crop is in this game and they’ll be a fury from hell.

  Looks like I best get packed, get ready, and get my A game on. I’ll need it to pull this off.

  I snatch a cold beer on the way out the door to the barn. Equipment needs to be gathered and loaded, and I have to pick which horses I’ll take.

  “So here’s the bad news, Juan. David’s been in a car wreck and already had a couple surgeries. He needs me to go help him for at least several weeks if not longer. Will you be okay here?”

  Juan does well here alone, and I don't have any trust problems with him, but it is a lot to manage for one man. The biggest problem is he hates to talk on the phone to update me.

  "Very bad for him. Rosa and me, we will be fine here. Don't you worry." Juan pats my shoulder.

  “My friend, I never worry when you’re in charge but call your brothers to come stay and help you with the workload while I’m gone. You don’t need to both with training any of the horses. They’ll be fine till I get back.”

  “I will call them.”

  “John’s driving the rig and horses over and I’ll jump a plane.”

  Chapter 2

  Flash

  El Paso hasn't changed since I flew in the last time.

  Still flat, still hot, still ugly, barren desert.

  The puddle jumper I arranged is ready to buzz me into Odessa and the ranch hand should be there to pick me up. Hope I have time for a decent cup of coffee before he shows up. What the airline served was along the lines of brown water after a rain.

  A diesel truck pulls in and I step out to the sidewalk, I figure it’s my ride. Indeed, it is. The ranch hand is a young man with plenty of manners and attractive as only a cowboy can be.

  I’m ever amazed at how a dirty, beat up cowboy hat makes a man look sexy, but it does have the magic. The young gals around think the same thing since they’re at the truck window ready to climb through.

  The ride through David’s ranch shows the pastures to be in excellent condition with healthy grass. My brother works hard to keep his place in the best way with his animals in thrive mode. I’m yet to see him fall short of the goal.

  Same as always, there’s not an impression of much help from his wife. Not physically, not emotionally.

  Judy is a big city gal from Dallas who has no fondness for ranch life. She lives for the city life beyond all other things, the shops, day spas, and five-star restaurants. To spend high dollars in Dallas in one day is her specialty.

  When they met, she convinced David she’d be happy as a lark on the ranch but the moment they signed the marriage certificate she made a big push for him to sell and move into town.

  She could’ve easier talked him into a jump off the Brooklyn Bridge, but she never gave up. He’s always believed she’d fall into the country life, but I didn’t see it happen. Her discontent has shown strong all the years with the continuous sarcastic remarks she can spew out. Can’t help but wonder what her expression will reveal today.

  I’m anxious to see David, talk with him on where he left off with each horse to save me time. The horses will keep me busy and away from Judy. She has no fondness for the barn and won’t come down.

  As we park near the ranch house, I notice a tall cowboy walk out of the barn to the parking area. He’s well dressed and high above the average attractive man from what I can see.

  Let’s just say he’s abso-fucking-lutely what I like!

  He’s a big guy, broad shoulders, massive arms, lots of defined cut muscle to prove he works hard.

  There’s too much distance between us to see close up details with part of his face blocked by his hat, but still I feel a surge inside and my skin goes cool with goose bumps. My stomach has a pull and I’m shocked when I feel wet between my thighs.

  Say what?

  I know this feeling and I can’t say I like it.

  Wait… I do like it, but I don’t want to.

  It rings danger bells and flies large red flags.

  “Is that David’s roping partner?” I asked.

  I don’t think it is, but I’d like to be sure.

  “No, that’s Nash Ellis. He has several horses here to be trained. His ranch is more east of here.”

  So, I have to handle his horses which will put us in close contact, not a good thing. Distractions don’t go well, and he’ll certainly be a large distraction. It’s not often I notice a man straight off and like what I see. I’ll need to keep my protective shields around me high and strong to stay on track with the reason I’m here.

  I have the worst damn luck!

  Why couldn’t I have met this man at home when I could do something about it?

  Just as he gets to his truck he stops and turns enough to watch me walk up to the house. The burn of his intense eyes is strong. I shouldn’t look at him.

  Don’t look. Yeah, right.

  I glance over to him, he gives a polite tap on his hat brim, but he has to since I just caught him scoping me out. He can’t pretend he didn’t get caught. I nod back and move toward the house.

  When I open the door and take a fast glance back, he still has eyes on me. Somewhat unusual, I think.

  No distractions, Flash. Wrong time.

  "Well, Miss Judy, how are you?" I reach out my hand to her. She’s distant…her mouth pulled tight and cold as always. Some people never change.

  "Okay, I guess,” she tells me. “The doctor said he can come home in a couple days if all goes well.

  "No doubt David will be happier here at home."

  "Maybe, but I think he needs to stay in the hospital much longer and then go to a rehab facility for at least a month or two.”

  “David won’t do that, it’s overkill anyway.” My eyes are full of disgust as I stare her down.

  “What if something goes wrong when he gets home?"

  "If it does, I’m here and I’ll know what to do." Her hea
d goes down but not before I see her pissed off face. She doesn’t want David around. What’s new?”

  "We can stop for dinner on the way to the hospital."

  "Sounds good, Judy. I passed on the plane food, so I’m starved.”

  Dinner passes with tense small talk about her interest in Dallas and the latest dress styles. It's hard not to notice the anxiety and deep anger in Judy. I’d say it’s normal for the situation they’re in, accidents are always a big trauma, but it seems to be something more this time. However, she has been this way all the years I’ve known her.

  At the hospital we find David in a cheerful mood, fairly alert, and he’s handling the pain well enough.

  "Girl, it's been too long," he calls out as we walk in the room, a big grin on his face.

  "It has been. So, you get hurt just to make me come visit.”

  The lighthearted feel doesn’t last. He’s emotional and worried.

  "There’s no way good enough to thank you.” His voice cracks, I reach down and give him a soft hug. “But I'm glad you came. I didn't know what to do. I couldn’t find a soul who’d help me out. Most everybody is in the competition all ready and the ones who aren’t won’t rope with RJ."

  Just when I’m ready to ask more about it Judy jumps in.

  "You can kiss him on his mouth, Flash. Go ahead, I don't care."

  Judy’s words ring with deep sarcasm. Is she really going to push me into stomping her dumb ass right here in this hospital room? Believe me, I’d love to. She best get straight.