Heck of a kiss

Chapter Four

Present day

In the next few months, whenever Josh worked a rodeo, he would catch glimpses of the beautiful dimpled woman. Either she was sitting by her trailer or she was busying herself with some chore. Casually they would greet each other but soon the woman would have to leave so Josh never got a chance to actually talk to the enigmatic woman.

After a long hot day, Josh was leaving and he idly looked around, curious to see if the woman was there.  Surprised to find himself disappointment when he couldn’t find her, Josh dejectedly turned around to see the new Pick-up man walking toward him, leading his tall bay horse.

Jed’s head was bowed, his spurs jingling softly when he took steps. Looking up Jed’s eyes briefly met Josh’s before jumping away.

Josh nodded at the young man. “Good job out there Cooper.”

Vaguely the boy nodded and mumbled. “Yeah you did well too.” Without pausing he led his horse on.

Puzzled, Josh looked after him frowning slightly. What was wrong with Jed? He didn’t act right. Mostly keeping to himself, and never speaking unless spoken to. Josh knew what it was like being shy, but on Jed it was awkward through the entire brief encounter.

“Good job out there Noble.” A hand clapped onto Josh’s shoulder and he turned to see Jabe Carter standing behind him.

Having dirt rubbed all over your face would make a normal person look grungy, but on Jabe it only added to his rugged good looks. In his peripheral vision, Josh spied some girls eyeing Jabe and whispering together and giggling loudly.

Josh liked Jabe; they had become friends over the past two years and often helped each other out. As a result, Josh was not surprised when Jabe invited him to the barbeque later that week. Shrugging, Josh readily agreed and both men separated Josh escaping through the door leaving Jabe surrounded by clamoring females. Congratulating himself on his timely escape, Josh began making his way through the familiar parking lot. When he heard the tiny voice yelling, Josh froze quickly tracking the sound to a little girl dressed in a pink western shirt, pink cowboy hat, blue jeans, and dusty brown cowboy boots.

Quickly Josh began making his way toward the tiny figure who was yelling wildly. “Auntie where are you?”

Finally reaching the tiny figure, Josh bent down. “Hey, are you lost?” Obviously she was, but Josh figured it would be better to let her say it.

“Yes, I can’t find my Auntie. She was ‘opposed to be here an she left!” Tear-filled blue eyes met his and as the little girl began to cry. Picking up the little girl Josh looked around trying to figure out who the child might belong to.

Down the long row of trailers, cowboys were trailering their horses.  Beside a long black trailer, a group of people stood laughing and talking rowdily.

“Mila? Where are you Baby?”

Feeling the little girl jerk toward the voice, Josh turned to see a woman run from between a horse trailer and scan the aisle frantically.

“Auntie!” Breaking away from Josh, the little girl rocketed toward the woman who ran to meet her scooping her up and holding on for dear life. Josh stood up and relaxed knowing that Mila was in good hands.

When he turned to walk away, he was surprised to feel a hand touch his sleeve. “Thank you.” Josh turned and saw the woman’s eyes widen in recognition.

Her brown hair was loose and falling around her shoulders in disarray.  Taking her thumb out of her mouth, Mila pointed at Josh. “He saved me Auntie, I was losted and he found me an you.”

Hesitantly, the woman offered her hand. “I’m Amy, and this is Mila, I can’t thank you enough for finding her.” Taking the offered Hand, Josh shook it. “No problem.” Mila gave him a shy smile and he squeezed her foot. “Stay close to your aunt okay? Don’t get lost again.” To the woman; “See you later Amy.”

Both girls waved and they went their separate ways. Josh toward the end of the line where is pickup was parked and Amy going in the opposite direction. Getting into the interior, Josh took off his hat and threw it onto the passenger side seat. Sighing heavily he ran his hand through his hair, his thigh throbbed dully from where a bull’s foot had hit him a glancing blow while it was twirling around. He would have a bruise, but it wasn’t the worst he had gotten from his profession. Absently he rubbed the spot, then started his truck and pulled out into the night.