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“Looks like a little trouble in paradise,” Nash smirked, pointing from me to Nora.
“Nah, Kipp kissed my mom, but they aren’t getting married. I told her she should do it soon since Kipp’s so old.” Griff spit his coffee across the room, and grabbed for his shoulder as he laughed, and Ryder set the cup down he was about to take a sip out of. Cooper stabbed at his pancake again and shoved it into his mouth. At least while his mouth was full, he couldn’t talk.
The excitement of breakfast seemed to have passed as more people rolled in. It started with the stock contractors bringing the buckin’ stock, then competitors showing up ready for the annual Flying Diamond 5 Rodeo. I made sure Cooper was at the house. I didn’t need him around with all the commotion going on.
“Why do we keep doing this?” Nash asked as he walked up beside me.
“I don’t know? We’ve been saying every year is the last, and every year we start making calls to set it up.” I took my hat off my head and ran my hand through my hair.
“Last one?”
“Yep, last one. We’re getting too old for this.”
“Maybe Nora could take over planning it? She did amazing for the branding.”
“I should ask her.” I put my hat back on my head and we walked in silence to the announcer’s booth.
The day wore on, food trucks were now scattered around the yard and the pasture was full of vehicles. Bleachers were packed, and people in lawn chairs were scattered all around the outdoor arena, waiting for the action to start. “Kipp, this is like nothing I’ve ever seen,” Nora said as she slid her hand around my waist. I put my arm around her shoulder and looked around the ranch.
“Cowboys and cowgirls, we’re about to get this show rolling, take your seats, and get ready for the excitement.” The announcer’s voice boomed from the speakers around the arena.
“Are you going to wish me luck?” I asked before Nora looked up at me and frowned. “It’s the only time Nash and I compete. We feel like we have to since we host. Griff normally would have ridden broncs, Linc will steer wrestle, and Ryder bull rides.”
“I thought none of you did rodeos?”
“We don’t, doesn’t mean all of us didn’t at one point in our lives. So, about that luck?”
“Good luck, cowboy,” she said, rolling up on her tip-toes, swooping in to steal a kiss. Her soft lips against mine were right. This was where we were supposed to be.
She smiled after our kiss was over, and I ran my thumb along her bottom lip. “I’ll find you when I’m done.” She nodded and I headed for the barn.
“Well, I was sure you would pine for me for the rest of your life.” A woman’s voice called from behind me as I was saddling Pepper. Turing, my stomach dropped to the floor.
“Bella.” This must be a nightmare. I would wake up and be in my bed, but I wasn’t waking up. “What are you doing here? You’re not welcome.”
“Come on, Kipp, we used to have a lot of fun at the rodeo.”
“Yep, and you used to be single.”
“I wasn’t meaning we’d have fun now.”
“Yes, you were, and I’m not the kind of man to screw around with another man’s wife.”
“Kippie, come on, I’m just here to talk. That woman’s cute. Have you terrified her with all of you yet?” Bella pointed at me.
“Bella, I’m going to say this in the nicest way possible. Fuck off. Leave my ranch and don’t come here again.”
“Oh, so you haven’t. What are you waiting for? Her to turn legal age? She’s a lot younger than you like ‘em. Kipp, you need a woman.” She moved closer and I grabbed the reins of my horse and moved away from her.
“I suggest you leave before my mother realizes you’re here. She still holds a grudge and will have no problem strapping you to the back of a bull,” I called, without looking over my shoulder. What the hell was she here for? She hadn’t been here since we broke up and I definitely didn’t want her back here. It meant trouble and I didn’t need more of that.
“What’s she doing here?” Nash asked from atop his horse.
“No idea, but it’s not good. She was asking about Nora.” Swinging my leg over the back of my horse, I settled into the saddle. My mind clearly was not on competing, it was on Nora and Bella.
Focusing on the announcer's voice, I blocked everything else out. Backing Pepper up into the box, I waited. Nash was the lead. He gave the nod when he thought we were ready. Pepper knew her job and she was steel while she waited. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the slightest movement from Nash and the steer was on the run. We both kicked at the sides of the horses. Nash was out first, his rope flying around his head. I had mine ready to throw as soon as he caught it. Nash caught the horns and turned the steer, giving me the perfect opportunity to rope both hind legs. The crowd went wild, the judges didn’t hold up any red flags and we waited for the time. “4.76 seconds,” the announcer yelled into his microphone. With my rope off the steer’s legs, I rode over to Nash and high fived him, patting Pepper’s neck, letting her know she’d done a good job.
“Yeah, Kipp!” a little voice shouted from the fence. I didn’t need to look. I knew that voice. Riding over to Cooper, I gave him a high five and moved Pepper over as close as I could.
