I watch the kid practically bounce out of the door.
Then I shake my head.
“He’s gonna be dangerous.” A familiar voice sounds from the doorway.
I turn and find Shawn Norris leaning against the frame.
“Definitely one to keep your eye on.”
My agent looks totally out of place inside the academy. Wearing tailored navy slacks, a crisp white shirt, expensive loafers, and designer sunglasses hanging from his shirt collar.
Meanwhile, I’m wearing boots, jeans, and a sweat-stained Raintree-Storm Rodeo Academy T-shirt.
“Shawn.”
He grins. “Good to see you, cowboy.”
I cross the room and shake his hand. “When’d you get here?”
“About twenty minutes ago.” His eyes sweep around the video room. “I wanted to see the place that Bryce Raintree is hanging his hat on.”
“Well?”
His grin widens. “It’s impressive. Not that I’d tell him that.”
I chuckle. “You have no one but yourself to blame. You sent him here. Right into Charli Storms’s path.”
“Don’t remind me.” Shawn glances around again. “I kick myself every day.”
I’m sure he does. He sent Bryce to Wildhaven Storm Ranch so Charli could train the superstar bull rider. The goal was to transition him to saddle broncs and extend his storybook career for another decade. That didn’t go to plan.
He reaches to his side and pats the leather briefcase. “A tour isn’t the only reason I’m here.” He unfastens the top, pulls out a manila folder, and holds it up. “I thought this deserved an in-person delivery.”
My stomach tightens slightly.
I’ve been a client for a couple of years now, and Shawn has never traveled to me with a contract. Paperwork has always been handled via mail or email. Not hand-delivered.
“Good news?”
He smirks. “Open it.”
He hands me the envelope, and I open it carefully. As I slide the contents out of the top, the logo is the first thing that catches my eye.
Outlaw Heritage Hat Company.
A brand I’ve worn for years. A name every cowboy in the country knows.
I start reading.
When I’m halfway through the first page, my eyebrows rise.
By the second page, I stop reading completely and stare at Shawn.
“You serious?”
“Very.”
I look back down.
