Page 57 of Second Chance Saloon

Colt smiled, touched the brim of his hat and tipped it toward her. He then looked to Mitch, who was still standing behind the fence. “We’re all hitting the bar later tonight. Even Dustin.”

Mitch furrowed his brow. “Is that an invitation?”

Jackie laughed, reaching the fence with Ricochet trotting by her side. “He was saying we’ll be alone for a bit.”

Colt walked out of the paddock, shaking his head at Mitch. “You’re not very quick-witted, are ya?” He looked to Jackie. “Just sayin’. In case it was of interest.” He winked at them, pushed his hands into his pockets and walked away, a surprisingly good whistling accompanying him.

Jackie stood in front of Mitch, casting her gaze to the ground. “I’m sorry you had to see me fumble that last round. It wasn’t so bad earlier.”

Mitch reached out to her, hooking his thumb under her chin. He tipped it back, forcing her gaze to lock on his. “You’re a natural in the saddle. The time doesn’t take away from it.”

Her eyes fluttered closed. “You’re being nice. I need to be much faster if I want to have a chance in the big leagues.” She stepped out of his reach and turned Ricochet toward the barn.

Gravel path groaned underneath their boots and four hooves as they walked.

“What’s considered to be a good time?” Mitch asked.

“Anything under sixteen seconds is all right. That qualifier Colt mentioned in Stephenville? Last year the rider who won it hit 15.53.”

“I take it every millisecond counts here, same as swimming?”

Jackie gave him a stiff nod, looking ahead. “Exactly. So, you understand now that almost eighteen seconds is laughable.”

Mitch considered his words before replying. He could tell her some bullshit, that it was still good, but he knew if he was in her shoes and felt bad regarding the times he was hitting on his sprints, nothing anyone could say would make it better.

He glanced at her profile, took in her hard-set jaw and fire burning in her cornflower blue eyes. She was tough. She didn’t need his useless white lies and comfort. “Okay, yeah. But you can still get better, right? You have another weekend before the qualifier.”

“Not much time.” Jackie shook her head when she saw Mitch turn toward the barn entrance. “We’re going to hose her down first. Need to cool her off before she goes back to her stall.”

Mitch followed her to the paved area where a thick hose was attached to a water pump, at the east side of the barn.

Jackie put the saddle over the fence and passed Mitch the reins. “Hold these.”

Ricochet neighed, craning her long neck back, as Jackie sprayed her down. Once she finished, she filled a big bucket with water and took the reins from Mitch. “Can you carry this with us to her stall? I know she’ll have water already in there, but I want to make sure it’s fresh and cool.”

“Sure.” He grabbed the bucket and followed her.

They reached the barn entrance, and Mitch stopped to let Jackie and Ricochet pass. The horse snorted in his direction on her way in.

“What happens if you don’t qualify in Stephenville?” Mitch asked.

Jackie shrugged. “I don’t get to compete in the main event. But I can still try other qualifiers for the winter indoor ones. And then there’s the open, smaller, rodeos starting up in spring again.”

She led Ricochet into one of the freshly mucked stalls and looked around, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “You did a great job. I was a bit worried this might be too much for your first taste of the ranch life, but …” She faced him, beaming. “You did well, cowboy.”

Mitch leaned against the gate. “Ali’s a good teacher.”

“Is she now? I didn’t get a chance to spend much time with her. She started here not long before I moved to Austin.”

He nodded. “She told me.”

Jackie unclasped Ricochet’s bridle and took it off. “You’re such a good girl. I’ll need to go and find you an apple, or two.” She ran her hand behind the horse’s ears, scratching the spot that must’ve been Ricochet’s favorite, as she snorted happily.

“You two make a good pair,” Mitch remarked.

She looked at him, a smile still firmly etched on her lips. “So do you and Diamond. How are you finding him?”

Mitch rested on his heels right in front of her. He hooked both of his thumbs in her belt loops, tugging her to him. “I can’t wait to go riding with you.”