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  Cowboy’s Cupid

  Love’s Magic Series-Book One

  Niki Mitchell

  This is a work of fiction. Names, character, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are us fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or location is entirely coincidental. This publisher does not have any control and does not assume responsibility for author or third-party website or their content.

  © 2018 Niki Mitchell LLC

  All rights reserved.

  Not part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or disturbed in any printer or electronic from without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage the piracy of copyrighted material in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase authorized editions.

  Printed in the United States of America

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  DEDICATION

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-one

  Chapter Twenty-two

  Chapter Twenty-three

  Chapter Twenty-four

  Epilogue

  Chapter One

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  DEDICATION

  Cowboy’s Cupid is dedicated to my friends and family who always support my crazy ideas.

  Chapter One

  The Realm of Cupid’s Corner

  Ever since the pint-size Cupid, Cami Calypso, held a bow, she dreamed of becoming an elite archer like her father. She used to sit on his lap while he told her about his adventures on Earth. He’d been all over the world, promoting love with a special love-potion arrow.

  With her town suspended above puffy cumulous clouds, Cami longed for her own chance to slide down a sunbeam and experience Earth for herself. Today, if she wins the Golden Arrow Challenge and secures a spot at the Archery Academy, her wish might come true. Since it was the beginning of January, she’d receive her initial assignment in time for the Valentine’s season. The best season of all.

  She had to win.

  A soft breeze from Lake Aphrodite cooled her face as she furled her wings with shimmering pink hearts. She sucked in a breath of determination. Selected as the first shooter, she had her pick of the four traditional style targets lining the field.

  Each target sat on tripod stands precisely three inches from the regulation neon pink line. She knew the ring colors on the target by heart. Golden yellow in the center surrounded by rings of red, blue, and black. Two was her lucky number, so she chose the second target from the right.

  As she flew to her spot on the cushy cloud-topped field and stood behind the plum colored waiting line in the center of Cupid’s Stadium, she wiggled her toes inside her satin slippers, stretched her fingers, eyed the yellow center of her target, and silently psyched herself up for a victory.

  The championship is mine.

  Out of habit, she flipped her braid behind her and glanced sideways at the grandstands. Pink and blue pennants waved. Every family in Cupid’s Corner must be out there.

  She squared her shoulders and checked out the competition. The teenage girl on her left bounced on her toes. Definitely anxious.

  At almost twenty-two, Cami had maturity on her side, but she also knew better than to be overconfident and let down her guard.

  Her eyes strayed to her main opponent on her right. Zander Eros. They’d grown up as neighbors. Friends. Since she and Zander were toddlers making fairy dust castles, their families had nudged them together. As they grew older, they frolicked in the lush, grassy meadows where he’d make her bouquets resplendent with poppies, lupines, pansies, lavender, and pink lady slippers. Lately, Zander had been pushing for a romantic relationship. She’d balked, blaming her hesitancy on wanting to secure her career. Both of their mothers hinted about marriage and grandcherubs. Right now. Cami desired neither a husband nor babies.

  She reminded herself this wasn’t the time to allow her mind to wander, not if she wanted to win. Jitters threatened to undo her tightly controlled resolve.

  “Cami Calypso is up first,” the announcer called. “She’s the daughter of Clark Calypso. I’m sure you’re all aware of his three consecutive Golden Arrow wins before the age of eighteen. Let’s see if Cami has inherited her father’s accuracy.”

  The announcer might as well say she would never compare to her dad.

  With her back to the audience, she took her archer’s stance and nocked the arrow. Breathing in divine oxygen calmed her nervousness. I’ve got this.

  Drawing her bowstring, she aimed and released. Her arrow swooshed into the bullseye.

  Yes! One down.

  Applause followed. Excitement buzzed as she looked toward the stands. Pink flags waved.

  Cami gazed up at the majestic snowcapped mountains to the north and thanked the gods for the ideal mid-sixties temperature, not bitter cold like last month.

  Her powdered-pink long-sleeved silk gown grazed her knees. The knit stockings kept her legs cozy warm.

  “Go Cami! Go Cami!” someone in the audience chanted. Another Cupid in the top bleacher did a flip in the air.

  “Nice shot, Cams,” Zander said, wearing a metallic gold suit that reminded her of a foil wrapped candy bar. He gave her a confident I’ve-got-this-bagged smile and released his arrow. No surprise, seconds later Zander’s arrow zipped into the golden center. He rarely missed. He wasn’t her only competition, but it suddenly seemed that way.

  A male Cupid, two targets over from her, hit an inch above the mark and groaned.

  The other female contestant’s tip struck the middle.

  It was Cami’s turn again. She shut out the noise and concentrated. Her second arrow sailed dead center into the bullseye.

  The crowd cheered.

  Zander took his shot.

  She silently said, “Please miss.” He didn’t need this victory. Two years ago, he attended the Archery Academy. She deserved this chance.

  Naturally, Zander made his mark. Cocky, he blew a kiss to the crowd.

  The other female archer shifted back and forth on her feet. The skittish Cupid’s arrow missed center, the second red ring, and stuck into the edge of the third. Her error took her out of the final round. The poor girl’s eyes misted with tears.

  After making a similar error, an error that cost Cami a win in last year’s finals, she sympathized with the girl. It had been a devastating blow to Cami’s ego, and her father barely spoke to her for a full month. When he did, he had never called her a disappointment, but she could see it in his eyes.

  This time things would be different. She hoped anyway.

  The next guy missed the center by a good two inches, and shouted, “Cursed Cyclops!”

  Cami laughed on the inside. She had been taught to watch her language in public, but she could totally relate.

  “Tied for first, Zander Eros and Cami Calypso,” the announcer called. “Now for our favorite part of this exhibition. These young folks move on to the final round with virtual human targets.” He pushed a lever, and the standing targets disappeared.

  A grassy park, complete with sidewalks and trees, replaced the cloudy ground. Six animatron
ic humans appeared where the targets had been. The moving people shone with a translucent quality. They walked in clusters, their hearts twinkling, their heads bobbing, their steps unpredictable.

  She couldn’t lose to Zander again.

  Okay, I can beat him like I did last fall. I just have to shut out everything around me.

  “Cami you’re up first,” the announcer called. “Remember, all three shots must be done while you are in the air, or you’re disqualified.”

  Breathe. Think about the hours of practice. Hundreds of perfect shots. Breathe. Tune out the audience. Breathe.

  She knew the drill and shot up in the air several yards, slowing her wings to a rhythmic flutter.

  A woman strolled on the sidewalk next to a man holding her hand. With most humans, their aura appeared with heightened emotions. His pale-yellow aura meant he was the target.

  She stopped and faced the man.

  Perfect, they had eye contact.

  Holding her bow, Cami aimed and released.

  A brilliant heart flickered on the front of the man’s shirt.

  One down, two to go.

  Somebody shouted from the stadium bleachers, “Go, Cami!” Her young and carefree sister in the second row gave her a thumbs up. Unlike Cami who normally braided her hair, her sister, Affinity, preferred her blonde tresses loose and blowing in the wind.

  With a renewed sense of determination, Cami spotted her next target, a couple glaring at one another. The scenario seemed almost too easy. They faced each other, the woman with her hands on her hips. Cami circled above them three times, cognizant they could change course in an instant. Just like she’d figured, the girl turned away. Her boyfriend with the yellow aura grabbed her arm and forced her to look at him. Three-sixtying around the couple, she notched the arrow, drew, aimed, and released. Swoosh. The tip embedded into the heart on the human’s shirt and it flashed a red light.

  The applause made her confidence soar. She might actually win the competition. In the stands, her mother waited on the edge of her seat with her fingers crossed.

  She centered in on the last couple walking a virtual dog. The woman kneeled to pet the animal. Cami’s shot was tricky. If the woman stood, Cami might hit the animal.

  Patience had never been her strong point, but to win this contest she must show restraint. The man grabbed the leash from the woman. “Give Duke back!” the woman yelled facing her boyfriend. Cami aimed carefully, checked that everything lined up, and released. A heart glowed on the woman’s shirt.

  Cami had made all three shots. Spectators cheered as she gracefully floated down to the ground. She wasn’t sure who yelled louder, her mother or her best friends, Belle and Serenity.

  Zander stood next to her. “Way to go, Cams.”

  His one-syllable nickname, Cams, made her feel mundane and boring. She shook off the negative sentiment, and said, “Thanks.”

  It was his turn. The first two arrows hit their mark. Zander released his third arrow. Magical dust scattered from the feathers as the arrow whooshed across the field. A glittery line of gold added pizzazz.

  “Show off,” Cami muttered under her breath, not at all appreciative of his stunt.

  His arrow hit the man’s shoulder. Crazy, weird, uncharacteristic.

  No sparkling heart.

  He missed.

  She’d won, she’d really won. Adrenaline hummed through her veins like Poseidon racing across the ocean. She’d won the coveted Aphrodite’s Golden Arrow, wresting the championship from Zander.

  Her mother hurried up to her, happiness filling her shimmering eyes. “Sweetie, I’m proud of you.”

  Her sister gave her a high-heaven hand slap. “Knew you’d win.”

  “Too bad your father’s judging the ten-year-olds’ meet and missed your stellar performance,” Mom said. “He did promise to watch the live video feed on his Cupitron watch.”

  Mother tended to cover for her dad, trying to keep peace in their family. The truth was her father’s absence proved he still hadn’t gotten over last year’s loss in the finals.

  Her roommate, Belle, hugged her. “You were spectacular.”

  “Awesome shooting.” Serenity made a three-way embrace.

  Attending the Academy, she’d fulfill her dreams, dreams she’d had since she first held a bow.

  Zander stepped in front of her, donning a weird grin. “Good match. Can’t believe you beat me.”

  “Me neither.”

  He winked, the kind of wink that felt too personal. “You’re gonna love the Academy. Once you graduate, I’m sure we’ll do assignments together.”

  Wait a minute! “Did you intentionally lose? You know I’d never accept a win that wasn’t true.” The idea had her fuming. She was an excellent marksman. after countless hours practicing for this event, she deserved the victory. It didn’t set right with her that he may have rigged his shot. This made her wonder about his motives. Did he figure once she had two or three Earthly travels out of the way, she’d be ready for a serious relationship?

  “I can’t believe you’re asking me that, Cams.” He looked her in the eye. “I wouldn’t do that for you or anyone else.”

  Since his eye didn’t twitch. His eye tended to twitch when he lied, so she took his words at face value and felt bad. “Sorry.”

  “You’ve worked hard. Revel in your success.”

  “I will.” She stared at Zander. He seemed to be her best choice as far as suitors were concerned. Handsome, talented, and quite a catch. Why did she feel like something was missing?

  The group fluttered toward the square administration building; its style was similar to the Parthenon in Greece. Two young assistants flew between the outer columns of the porch and trumpeted with golden horns.

  The captain’s wings flickered with red and white lights as he floated down to center stage. “Would all the archery contestants please come forward?”

  The heart emblem on Cami’s wrist sparkled in a rainbow prism. Unfurling her wings to stretch out on each side, she flew up the stairs and took her spot with Zander and the other archer.

  “We’ve had a thrilling contest today,” the captain said with an infectious grin. “Now for our winners.”

  Cami found herself smiling.

  “The Bronze Arrow goes to Vanessa Venus.”

  A cute blonde fluttered, accepted her arrow, and waved to the audience. Cheers abounded.

  “The Silver Arrow goes to Alexander Eros.”

  Zander accepted his arrow and added it to the two golden ones already in his quiver.

  “Miss Calypso, please step forward.”

  Excited, she held the sides of her flowing silver gown, lifted her chin, and curtsied.

  “On behalf of our council, I award Cami Calypso with Aphrodite’s Golden Arrow. Please kneel.” The captain anointed her, touching the top of her head with ambrosia from the arrow’s tip.

  Her heart filled with jubilation.

  “I’d like to congratulate all the contestants for their excellent marksmanship.” The captain shook each of the archers’ hands and excused everyone, while motioning for Cami to stay.

  A young student gave the captain a scroll, and he unrolled the glittery parchment.

  She’d waited so long to be sent to the Academy.

  “In recognition for your archery accomplishment, the council hereby invites Cami Calypso to attend the Academy of Archers.”

  Yes! She restrained herself, holding in the urge to shout at the top of her lungs. Instead, she waved to the crowd.

  “Classes shall begin two days hence.”

  “Thank you, captain. I am pleased and honored to be selected.”

  He nodded. “Once again, let’s give a round of applause for Miss Calypso.”

  Unbelievable. These cheers were for her.

  The captain pivoted on the heels of his white leather boots and exited the ceremonial stage.

  Amazing. Her first Earthly assignment would be in the Valentine’s season. Breathless, she dashed down the
steps.

  She couldn’t wait for new adventures far from this community.

  ~ ~ ~

  Cedar Springs, California

  Thanks to a couple of hours attempting to break a cantankerous stallion, Rhett Holloway needed a good stiff drink. His back spasmed, his shoulders throbbed, and nearly every muscle in his twenty-nine-year-old body ached.

  He limped into the rundown Last Call Saloon. A scratchy song drifted from the jukebox as old as the building. “Can’t Help Falling in Love” crooned, sung by Elvis. A love song. Ugh! How could someone pay to hear this miserable drivel?

  Three or four yards across the room, he spotted his friend’s blond hair at the bar and walked toward Ace. Something pink lay on the scuffed floor, and he picked up a woman’s Stetson. Pink. His ex wore a pink hat similar to this one that painful Valentine’s night two years ago.

  He threw the lame hat on top of the long mahogany bar and slid into the barstool next to his high school buddy.

  “Trying to change your image?” Ace taunted as he motioned to the hat.

  “Actually, I brought it for you.”

  The Stetson’s heart-shaped centerpiece sparkled with rhinestones. Hearts reminded him that his family’s Valentine’s Day party would be in two weeks. To avoid dealing with well-intended meddling, he’d hang out with the cute brunette working at his neighbor’s ranch.

  The bearded bartender wiped down the counter. “Want a draft?”

  “You bet. Make it lager.” From a side room, pool balls clacked. Somebody groaned, another person broke out in laughter.

  Handed a mug, Rhett took a swig of the dark brew. He overheard a lady’s distressed voice at a table behind him. “You can’t work on Valentine’s Day.”

  “I have no choice,” a man answered.

  Rhett considered Valentine’s Day another way for florists and jewelry stores to make a buck.

  “Rough day?” Ace said. “You get that horse broke yet?”

  “Not sure who’s breaking who.” Rhett laughed. “Think it might be time to change professions. Must be nice to stay home and get paid to play video games.”

  “Hey, I’m a programmer.” His stocky friend punched Rhett’s sore shoulder.