“I don’t know,” she sing-songed, “those stories were pretty epic.”
“Only laughs that I’m responsible for get to count,” he growled.
She laughed again and his eyes flashed with a similar amusement. “You ready for your shoot, handsome?”
“Do I get to stare at you the whole time?”
This was par for the course when she photographed Jacob. He was a flirt, and he always made sure she knew exactly where his heart was.
And that was with her.
He goofed off far too much and by the end of it she was exasperated but still enjoying herself. When she was done with him, he pulled her closer for one of his breath stealing kisses. “You’re coming to the final event, right?”
“Of course I am. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
“Good.” Jacob kissed her on the nose. “I’ll see you there.”
“I love you,” she whispered.
“I love you, too,” he shot back, “more than the rodeo.”
Hallie grinned then released him. So far Jacob was on track to win it all. He’d thrown himself into every competition he could over the last twelve months and he’d won money at several which was part of the requirement to get the title of World Champion.
The final round hadn’t even started, and Hallie was already feeling her anxiety being kicked up a notch. She wanted this so bad for him. But something told her if he didn’t get it, he’d be just fine. And perhaps that was why she prayed he’d win. Over the last year Jacob had shown just how committed he was to herand his career. Winning would prove to not only the world but also to Jacob that his efforts were worth it.
She set to work cleaning up the makeshift studio then she headed over to the arena for the final rounds.
Ryker, Mackenzie, Tate and Jason had come for the event. Apparently, Faith had managed to secure a temporary position with the general medical personnel and she’d gotten her brothers tickets. And Jacob had his brother and sister-in-law covered. They’d all gotten a lot closer over the last year.
Tate nudged Hallie when she got too anxious and flashed her a grin that said everything would work out. While she appreciated his outlook, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something bad might happen.
Hallie was on the edge of her seat throughout most of the competition. There were several high scores that had the chance to bump Jacob from his current standing. She’d wrung her hands for most of those rounds and then finally, Jacob was up next.
This was it. His moment to shine.
Only something wasn’t right. He stood on the sidelines near the chute speaking to some people. A few times the guys near him glanced in her direction and she rose to her feet. Had he gotten hurt? There was no way that he’d bail this close to winning, was there?
The flickering of her heart threatened to make her lose her footing. Her head pounded and everything in her soul told her that this wasn’t how things were supposed to go. She moved to the edge of her row, prepared to head for the stairs and go towhere the cowboys waited for their turns, but then a familiar voice rang out from the arena speakers.
“Hallie Bronson.”
The hair on her arms lifted to attention and she froze. Then she turned slowly toward the arena to find Jacob standing in the center of it, a helmet under one arm and a bouquet of flowers in the other hand.
Gasps and murmurs flooded the space surrounding her but all she could hear was the beating of her own heart.
“Hallie, honey, would you please meet me down here?”
She shifted, her eyes darting back and forth. She was the girl behind the camera, not the one in the spotlight. Garnering attention from a stadium full of people was not on her bucket list. But something else was.
“Ma’am. This way, please?”
She startled to find a security woman motioning for her to follow.
“Hallie, you might as well go, he’s not going to take no for an answer,” Tate whisper-shouted.
Waving him off with the flick of her hand, she found Jacob’s eyes again. Tate was right, though. Jacob had started something, and he was going to finish it.
The walk felt like it took forever and when she was led into the arena, all her emotions went haywire. If she didn’t cry, it would be a miracle.
