Chapter Seven
CHAPTER SEVEN
It was early Saturday morning, and lucky enough to have the time off, Becky was riding her Palomino gelding, Sandman. She had named him Sandman because he was a sleepy kind of fellow, very calm and utterly dependable, and because his shimmering coat reminded her of the golden sands of exotic islands she had seen in travel brochures. When she wanted to head up the side of a mountain or explore a new area, it was Sandman she’d saddle up.
It was chilly, she was in her warmest jeans and her lambskin jacket, and when she’d first started out she’d been able to see her breath. The sun was higher in the sky now, and she was making her way slowly down the hill towards the back of her house.
They were halfway down when Sandman abruptly stopped. Startled, Becky sat very still and listened. There were mountain lions and other predatory creatures that roamed the distant slopes, but occasionally the animals would wander closer to town in search of food. Nervously she scanned her surroundings, and off to her right she could see someone riding hell-bent-for-leather, galloping across the flat fields below.
“That’s not enough to get you spooked, Sandy,” she said gently, stroking her horse’s neck, at the same time attempting to settle her own anxiety.
She continued to pet him, but her reassuring hand didn’t work, and Sandman began shifting his feet and snorting; there was danger somewhere close.
The galloping stranger was making fast time, and not sure whether to turn around and retreat, or try to go forward, she decided to wait exactly where she was, and hope the stranger would reach her before anything terrible happened. As the stranger neared the bottom of the hill, she saw him raise a rifle in the air. Sandman was used to rifle fire, but in his unnerved state he could bolt, so she sat tall in her saddle, gripping the reins, ready for any quick move he might make.
The shot rang out, but Sandman, being the solid horse he was, didn’t react at all, and to her surprise, began to settle. She asked him to step forward, and letting out a large snort he walked tentatively ahead. As the stranger cantered up the hill towards her, she discovered it wasn’t a stranger at all; it was Roy.
“What the blazes?” she demanded, still unnerved.
“Thank God,” he declared, reining in his horse. “A mountain lion was spotted over at the Cameron’s ranch prowlin’ around their barn, bold as brass. Sheriff Hollister’s been out warnin’ everyone this morning. Your dad told him you were out riding and we’ve all been tryin’ to find you,” he explained breathlessly, pulling out his cell phone to call her father.
A cold chill of fear rippled through her body. She had no doubt the lion had been very close and Sandman had smelled him.
“Thank you, Roy. The rifle shot was a good idea. Would have scared the lion if he’d been around,” she said gratefully, not wanting her ex-boyfriend to know she’d been in immediate danger.
“That was the idea. Best not come out again until we know he’s moved on.”
“Probably right,” Becky agreed, and waited patiently as Roy called her father with the news that she was okay.
“Really sorry about the scene the other morning. I feel real bad about it. It won’t happen again,” he promised, as they rode down the hill.
“Okay.”
“You singin’ tonight?”
“Sure.”
“Mind if I come and watch?”
“Not at all, as long as you promise not to drink too much.”
“I promise,” he replied with a broad grin. “I’ll be on my best behavior.”
By the time they reached the barn and she was pulling the saddle off her horse, her nerves had settled, but she had no intention of heading back out until there were no further sightings of the dangerous cat.
“I guess I’ll be on my way,” Roy remarked, but made no move to leave, and
Becky knew he was hoping she’d ask him in for a morning coffee. In the past she would have, but she didn’t want to encourage him.
“Okay, I need to keep moving,” she said, reaching for a curry comb. “Maybe I’ll see you tonight.”
Roy paused for a moment, then smiled and touched his hat.
“Bye, then.”
She watched him trot off, and turning back to Sandman, she hugged his neck.
“Thank goodness it was you, big boy. You were so brave.”
The horse offered a little snort, which Becky decided was an acknowledgment of her praise, and she set to work cleaning him up.
* * *
Cash had risen early to hit the hotel gym, and after working out on the various machines, he focused on his martial arts exercises. They cleared his mind, centered him, energized and balanced him. Ninety minutes later, as he returned to his suite, in spite of Marilyn’s nasty little scheme, he felt back in control.
The first order of business was to call Sam Reed. Sam was a genius, and though Cash had some ideas, he knew Sam would turn them into detailed and efficient action.
Stepping into the shower he closed his eyes, surrendering his muscles to the steaming water as it splashed across his body. Absently he began to hum, and realized it was the melody for Sapphire Eyes. The tune continued to flow through him as he dried off, and he paused, waiting for it to come to its completion. He sighed. It was perfect, and would absolutely be his encore. Elated, he wrapped a towel around his waist, headed into his bedroom, and picking up his phone he placed the call to Sam.
“Hey, Cash. Ready for the big one tonight?”
“So ready, but we have a situation.”
“Don’t like the sound of that,” his manager said solemnly.
“It’s not great, but I think between us we can put out the fire before it even gets lit.”
Cash talked and paced, beginning with a detailed account of how he’d met Marilyn, and all the events that followed. Sam wasn’t surprised by the news of a beautiful girl sneaking on to the bus, or the trip into the woods where Cash had spanked her, or even that Cash had brought her along to New York. There were no surprises until Cash informed him of the conniving girl’s plan for her tell-all book, The Spanking Rockstar.
“I’m trying to think of words to describe this witch, but they fail me,” Sam declared grimly.
“I know, right? I need your brilliance, Sam. I have some ideas, but I’m hoping you can fill in the blanks.”
When Cash had finished speaking, Sam sat silent for a moment, then whistled.
“The devil is in the details, but I think I can pull all the elements together. I’ll set the wheels in motion right away.”
“Thanks, Sam. I can control her for a little while but...”
“I know. I get it. I’ll be in touch when things are rolling.”
Clicking off the line, Cash flopped down on his bed. He didn’t need this kind of distraction before such a big show, but he knew, once he was on stage, his entire focus would be on his performance. The melody for Sapphire Eyes floated back into his mind and he smiled. Reaching into his nightstand, he retrieved his personal phone from the drawer and dialed Becky’s Diner.
“Becky’s Diner, Becky speaking. May I help you?”
“Hello, it’s Cody,” Cash announced, grinning at the sound of her voice.
“Cody. What a surprise.”
Cody could hear the smile in her voice, and a calming warmth swept across him, shoving aside all thoughts of Marilyn and her dreadful plans.
“How are you?”
“Missing that quiet town of yours. It’s all hustle and bustle where I am. How are you?”
“I’m great, but can I tell you about what happened this morning?”
“Absolutely.” he replied, genuinely interested. Maybe he wasn’t the only one with some drama in his life.
“I was out riding and almost ran into a mountain lion.”
“A mountain lion?” he repeated, feeling his stomach flip. “Tell me what happened.”
“I was riding down the hill towards home and my horse got really spooky,” she began. “I knew something had to be wrong because nothing ever bothers him, and it turned out a mountain lion had been prowling around my neighbor’s barn. The sheriff and some others were out looking for me, to warn me, and it was Roy who found me and fired his rifle, which must have scared it away, but I think it was really close.”
“You’re all right, aren’t you?”
“Yes, I’m fine. It was scary at the time, but once Roy arrived everything calmed down.”
“He didn’t, uh, give you any trouble I hope?”
“No, not at all. He saved the day,” Becky declared. “Honestly, if he hadn’t arrived I don’t know what might have happened.”
“Thank goodness he showed up,” Cash declared, and while he was grateful the scorned ex had arrived when he did, he couldn’t help thinking that the angry young man was as much of a threat as the big cat.
“I don’t think I have to worry about Roy anymore,” she continued, sensing Cash’s reservations. “He apologized for being so angry at the diner. I think he’s over it. I think he’ll be okay now.”
Cash was rubbing his temples. Men like Roy didn’t get over things quickly or easily, but there was something else bothering him, something he’d not felt in a long time. He was jealous.
“Cody, are you there?” Becky asked, not sure if the call had been dropped.
“Yes, sorry. I got distracted. Please continue to be careful around him.”
“I’ve known Roy my whole life. He was just a bit hurt, that’s all.”
“Do me a favor, please don’t be alone with him,” Cash said solemnly. “Will you do that for me? I know we don’t really know each other, and maybe I’m being—”
“I promise,” she interrupted. “Besides, I don’t have any desire to be alone with him. There’s no reason for it.”
His concern filled her heart, and she wanted him to know Roy meant nothing to her.
“Becky,” he added, his voice dropping, “if you make me a promise and break it, I’ll have to spank you.”
“I understand,” she breathed, butterflies fluttering to life in the pit of her stomach..
“What do you understand?” he asked, his voice slow and deliberate.
“I understand that if I break the promise, I’ll, uh, you’ll, uh...” she stammered, the hot flush returning, creeping across her face.
“Do you need me to say it?”
“I think so,” she whispered.
“You understand I’ll have to spank you.”
Because her father had closed the diner while out buying supplies, she was alone, and perched on a counter stool, she couldn’t stop herself from squirming, rubbing her wet, wanting crotch on the shiny, leather seat.
“Is that what you understand?”
“Yes,” she managed, her voice still a whisper. “That’s what I understand.”
“And you would want me to, wouldn’t you?”
“Uh-huh.”
Cash closed his eyes, drinking in the mental image of the innocent girl sitting in the diner, flushed with need.
“I have to go now, Becky,” he said, suddenly hearing voices in the living room, and guessing Marilyn had called room service for breakfast. “I know you’re performing tonight, and Roy will probably show up, am I right?”
“He said he was coming when I saw him this morning,” she replied, still wriggling on her stool.
“Give me your cell number. I’m going to call you around midnight just to make sure you’re all right.”
Thrilled by his requisition, she gave him her number, amazed that the sexy, gorgeous guy was interested in her.
“It may be earlier or later than midnight, but I will call you,” he promised. “Have a great day and a super show. I have to run.”
“Okay. Bye, Cody.”
“Goodbye, Becky.”
Dropping the phone back in the drawer, he grabbed his regular cell phone and called Andrew Stern.
“Cash? Is everything all right?” his road manager asked.
“Yes, but I need you to send Hank along with Jerry tonight. Please tell me he hasn’t left yet.”
“No, but why do you need Hank?”
Hank was one of Andrew’s best security guys, and Cash could hear the worry in Andrew’s voice.
“I don’t have time to explain now, just make sure Jerry calls me in thirty-minutes. I’ll give him all the details.”
“You’re the boss.”
“Thanks. Remember, thirty-minutes. I’ll be busy until then.”
“I’ll make sure.”
Ending the call and dressing quickly, Cash marched into the living room.
It was time to deal with Marilyn.