“Yeah,” she murmured, fingering the camera. “I think I will.”
He pulled her into his side and kissed her temple. “I can’t wait to see them.”
They made their way down to where the van waited for their team. Ten minutes later they were all on their way to the arena.
There was something to be said about the calm that encompassed him now. He didn’t have to worry about his future anymore. Because he already knew what lay in store for him.
For now he’d compete with Hallie at his side. Then after that? They’d figure it out together.
Jacob enteredthe arena and the crowds erupted. He wasn’t done proving to Hallie how deep his feelings for her ran. He’d been telling the truth when he’d told her he messed up, and he had every intention of making things right.
That began today.
There were few secrets when it came to the love lives of the men in his field. Gossip ran rampant if he was ever seen with another girl, which was one of the biggest reasons he turned women down when they approached him with their numbers.
He liked the peace and solitude he could get back home.
At least he used to.
There was a whole row of women clamoring for the attention of any rodeo star willing to give them even a single glance. Most of the single cowboys were within the prime age range of twenty to thirty-five. That meant the single women did everything they could to catch their attention especially if they had a chance at tying one down.
Jacob shifted his attention from them to the stands where most of the family sat. It wasn’t nearly as full. It could be hard to travel with kids. But seated there in the middle of the front row was Hallie. Beside her was the mother with the little boy he’d seen yesterday.
Hallie grinned at him, waving when she noticed him watching.
It might have been cheesy, but he wanted not only her but the whole world to know she’d taken his heart. So he made the shape of one with his hands then pointed at her.
A hush fell over the crowd. But that was bound to happen to the cowboy who insisted in every interview he didn’t have a lady back home and yet he wasn’t on the market.
Suddenly the crowd burst with sound again as people chattered on.
Even from here, he could see Hallie blushing. She looked away but by the end of this series, she’d see, he was all in.
She belonged to him and he belonged to her.
After his round, he found her in the stands and pulled her closer to him, his arm snaking around her waist. She curled into his side as they enjoyed watching some of the other cowboys compete. He made sure to introduce her to some of the guys she didn’t already know and the rest of his team.
“You met Tish last night,” Jacob nodded toward the PT.
Hallie smiled. “Yep. We met.”
“And we’re best friends, now. So you watch your back. If you hurt her, you’ll pay.” Tish might have winked when she said it but there was an undercurrent to her voice that gave Jacob pause. After that, he ushered her away from Tish and they headed for lunch.
When they were seated at a table enjoying a burger, some women flocked toward him.
Nowthatwas out of the ordinary.
He’d made a name for himself already. He liked to be left alone. He rarely signed things for adults, but he was open to visits from kids because he knew how important it was to meet one’s hero at that age.
“Jacob Hines! You were amazing today. I can’t wait to see your next round.” A woman wearing a low-cut tank leaned forward slightly and batted her lashes.
“Yeah, what she said. I can’t believe how far you’ve come since your accident. We’ve been watching the reports. It’s amazing” Another girl with too much makeup added.
He glanced over to Hallie, expecting to see her uncomfortable.
Hallie never ceased to amaze him. She took a bite of her burger and commenced with a thoughtful-looking chew. Then she put the burger down and wiped at her mouth. “That’s because he’s made for this. Jacob will break records one day.”
The two girls shot her a disgruntled look. They probably thought she was just like them, but nothing could be further from the truth. When the first woman reached out and touched him, he pulled away. “Ladies, I’d like you to meet my fiancée.”
