Page 101 of Drifter’s Heart

I blink at her. “What, they don’t have sex in barrel-rider rodeo land?” I say baldly.

Her smile wavers at the edges. “Not unless it’s tall, dark and has the devil’s eyes,” she mutters, looking straight down at the tablet.

I cover a cough, knowing that the only man I’ve seen Trixie flirt with is Slade. He’s nowhere around, thankfully for the rest of us, because when they get anywhere within range of each other, it’s fireworks time. “That’s sweet,” I manage, promising myself to stay out of the way the next time I see them within proximity of each other. “Is he likely to pop by Coyote?”

I’m caught in a hazel stare laced with the gold of the sunset. “That’s not likely while I’m here.”

“Of course not.” I shift on my seat as Trixie picks up a call and rises, wandering away. My breath puffs out in a long blast. “Hell on a hotdog with hot sauce on top.”

“What’s that?” Cordell plops down beside me. “How are you doing?” He looks me over like I might shatter if a stiff breeze picks up.

“I am fine. That is a problem,” I inform him, waving a hand after Trixie.

“How so?” Cord frowns. “Trixie’s great value.”

“Sure.” The laugh I’ve been concealing erupts as she leaves the stadium and heads to the offices behind it. “If you put her and Slade in the same room, someone will die. It might be him.” I consider. “Or maybe not.”

His eyebrows rise. “Is there a fling going on that I need to know about?”

“Not yet.” The urge to snicker is strong. I rein it back. “What are you up to?”

“I’m about to offer two men a job.” He pauses. “Well, I was gonna offer two men a job.”

“Yeah? Who?” My need for gossip has never disappeared. And Valiant Peak is the king of all small towns.

“Slade. He needs a focus. He’s brilliant at organizing, and he knows the rodeo. So he⁠—”

“Should run the Invitational. Cord. You’re a genius,” I say, impressed with my brother for the first time in ages. I stare at him, hard. “Have you been sleeping?”

He laughs at me. “I have a three-month-old. Do you think I’ve slept for a while?”

I grin. “Randall Rand sleeps at my place just fine.”

“Yes, and that means he’s not sleeping at mine. Thank you so much.”

I giggle. “Okay, that’s one down.” I just hope Slade and Trixie can keep out of each other’s hair. “So. Who gets the next job? Jesse?”

Cord shakes his head. “Kid’s still got some growing up to do.” He leans back and stretches his arms along the seat back. His mobility has increased, right around the time that mine took a significant nosedive. “I was thinking of offering your boy some permanency.”

I choke on my own spit. “West?” The man can barely plant his fine ass for dinner, let alone work on a project that lasts longer than a week. I watch Cord, take in the tight line of his shoulders. Well, Dustan was a six-month project. And my brother was the mammoth of all impossible tasks.

“Do you have another lover I should catalog? Don’t let West know. He’s a jealous bastard.”

I shake my head. “You should probably go make that offer now, then.”

Cord frowns. “Why’s that?”

“Because Billy’s done with the ram and Sally’s looking for fresh meat.” I point to where West is heckling my child.

Billy has made his escape over the railing to the arena. His boots go flying over the top, and he lands face-first in a dust bunny that puffs around his head, giving him an instant Coyote Falls tan.

“You’re going to lose your chance.” West looks like he’s about to fold and replace Billy as ramming target practice.

“Ah. On it. Any objections?”

“It’s his choice.” It always has been.

Cord grins at me. “Thanks, Winnie.”