With Open Arms by Cindy Nord

Author:Cindy Nord
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Cowboys, Horses, Indians, Apaches, U.S. Army fort, sexy hero, sassy heroine, civil war, western love story, western historical romance
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Published: 2014-08-05T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

Horses surged from the starting point in an explosive rush and the dust cloud raised by the thundering hooves nearly choked Jackson. He leaned forward and gave Salvaje free rein, the beast’s powerful stride pushing them forward into the first turn. Jackson veered sideways and clipped past the first marker. His shoulder brushed the wooden staff, before Salvaje shot off across the open field toward the second white flag fluttering in the breeze an eighth of a mile away.

“Come on, boy,” he urged, leaning even lower across the saddle to cut the wind. “Let’s make our move.” At the third marker, Salvaje claimed the lead, galloping past a bay gelding and a plucky little mustang that faltered in the turn. Jackson glanced over his shoulder and spotted Diego, now in second place but still a full length behind.

Finally. Come on, Callie…move it.

He tightened his grip on Salvaje’s reins and flew past the fourth and fifth guidons with ease. The pommel pressed against the base of his ribs and the animal’s silky mane whipped his chin, prickling his face. He chanced another backward glance as he applied slight pressure to the steel bit inside Salvaje’s mouth. The beast snorted and tossed its massive head, fighting the subtle command to slow. “Easy, boy.” Jackson issued yet another slight draw on the reins. “I’m taking over now.”

With crimson cloth fluttering above her saddle, Callie edged alongside Jackson; the sound of their horses’ hooves pounding against the earth rumbled between them. Neck and neck, they battled for the lead down the home stretch.

Mere seconds from winning, Jackson again tightened his grip. “Let ’er go,” he whispered to his stallion. Callie swept past them as Diego barreled across the finish line. Only then did Jackson release the restraining pressure on Salvaje’s reins, allowing the horse to blaze across the line a moment later.

He let me win!

The crowd rushed forward, oblivious to the confusion resonating through Callie. Before she could stop them, the spectators pulled her from Diego’s saddle and hoisted her to the shoulder of the closest man. All around her, in a tempest of crimson, her racing color whipped in the hands of the multitude chanting her name. “Callie…Callie…Callie…”

Perspiration ran in rivulets down her face.

But this isn’t right. He…let me win.

The crowd headed to the winner’s stand. From her perch atop a brawny shoulder, Callie scanned the sea of faces in a maddened search to locate her perplexing partner.

With her heartbeat hammering in her ears, she finally spotted Jackson near a crowd of supporters. Surrounding him, they shook his hand and pummeled him on the back.

With a quick swipe of her tongue, she moistened her dry lips and tasted acrid dust. But no words formed—he was unlikely to hear them anyway. She passed from shoulder to shoulder in a steady move toward the winner’s platform, yet her gaze remained fastened on her partner.

He threw the race.

But why?

Then his gaze locked on hers. His lips shifted upward into an indisputable smile. He winked, and the simple gesture penetrated every corner of Callie’s confused heart.

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