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He nodded. “Bull-riding. It doesn’t start for a while though, so I thought I’d make myself comfortable and watch the show.”
I turned my attention to the arena where a bronco was kicking up dust. The cowboy who had been bucked off scrambled to the fence and climbed over.
“That horse out there,” Cody said. “That’s Gator—one of the toughest bucking horses I’ve ever laid eyes on. He’s got a mean streak a mile wide.”
I watched the horse kick and buck around the ring before he was finally corralled back into the chute. When another cowboy climbed onto his back, Gator thrashed against the fence.
Cody let out a low whistle.
“Beau has his work cut out for him tonight.”
A cold fist wrapped around my heart. I tore my gaze away from the arena and glanced at Cody.
“What do you mean?”
He shrugged.
“Beau signed up to ride broncos today. I told him bull-riding pays better, but he was stubborn and wouldn’t budge.”
My throat tightened. The chute’s gate flew open and Gator charged out. In two seconds flat, the cowboy went sailing through the air. He hit the ground, flat on his back.
“Uh…Rory?”
Cody’s voice caught my attention. He pointedly looked down. I clutched his hand with a white-knuckled grip, leaning so far forward in my seat that I could almost touch the person in front of me.
I cleared my throat, cheeks burning with mortification as I released Cody’s hand.
“Sorry. Guess I got caught up in the moment.”
He chuckled.
“It’s all right. I don’t mind.”
The cowboy in the arena climbed to his feet, dusting himself off. Gator pinned his ears back and snapped his teeth at the cowboy, sending him scrambling over the fence. Half a dozen more cowboys followed suit, bucked off Gator’s back within seconds.
“There’s Beau,” Cody said, pointing to the cowboys clustered near the chute. “He’s gearin’ up.”
My stomach twisted. I’d watched the rodeo every year and I never felt particularly squeamish about it, though I did feel sympathy for those who got injured. Knowing Beau was going to be on the back of that bronco had me all tied up in knots. I spotted him among the cowboys, strapping on his chaps and protective vest.
Cody stuck two fingers in his mouth and let out a piercing whistle. Beau glanced up, his gaze fanning across the crowded arena. Then a grin of recognition spread across his face. My heart stuttered in my chest and my mouth went dry.
I was failing miserably at this attempt to get my mind off Beau.
He ducked under the fence, approaching with the confident stride of a man who was about to climb onto a horse that wanted to kill him. And to my chagrin, I couldn’t help but admire how good he looked—broad shoulders, snug jeans, black chaps, and a smile that had melted the panties off damn near every woman in town.
Beau came to stand at the foot of the bleachers, tipping his head back to look at us in the third row.
“It’s not too late to change your mind and back out,” Cody said. “Gator looks like he’s out for blood tonight.”
“You’d love to see me tuck my tail between my legs and run, wouldn’t you, Cody?” Beau replied in amusement. “I’ve ridden Gator before. Didn’t stay on long enough, but this time around, I intend to change that.”
His gaze shifted toward me and a spark ignited in his eyes.
“Although I’d feel a lot better if Rory would give me a kiss for good luck.”
I gritted my teeth until my jaw ached. For years, Beau had asked me for a kiss and I refused to give it to him on principle alone. The problem was that I wanted to kiss him—especially now. I wanted to wrap my arms around his neck and beg him to be careful out there.
To Beau, it would be nothing. A sweet little kiss from a lady for good luck. That was all.
