AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You need to eat,hija. I’ll bring you something.”
“Please don’t bother. I’m too nervous to swallow a bite.”
She watched him walk back to the truck, unfasten the trailer hitch, and drive out of the lot. Despite what she’d told him, Tess knew that he would bring her something from the restaurant and watch to make sure she ate it. Ruben had always looked after her and her sisters as if they were his own daughters. In some ways he was more like a father to her than the distant, driven Bert Champion had ever been.
“So you’re giving him a chance.” The deep voice startled her. She spun around to find Brock standing almost at her shoulder.
“Sorry if I made you jump,” he said. “I didn’t mean to sneak up on you.”
Tess found her tongue. “What are you doing here? Did you bring some bulls, too? I don’t see them.”
“No, I’m just here as a spectator.” He put a boot on the bottom fence rail and studied the bulls with a practiced eye. “I was hoping to see Quicksand buck—assuming you can make him perform.”
“He’s doing better. Ruben and I agreed that a small arena like this one might be the best place to try him. But how did you know we’d be here?”
“I have my sources—Shane, in this case. When I called and asked, he told me you were planning to take Quicksand to this rodeo.”
So he was communicating with Shane behind her back. Tess bit back a sharp comment. To react would only make her sound petty.
“It’s a long drive from Tucson, just to spend eight seconds watching a bull buck,” she said.
“Maybe that’s not the only reason I came. I’d enjoy treating you to lunch. Have you eaten?”
Tess’s pulse surged. He couldn’t be asking her out, could he? But that was a joke. If he took her to lunch, it would only be because he wanted something.
“I haven’t eaten,” she said, “but I want to stay close to Quicksand. Anyway, I’m sure Ruben will bring me some food.”
“Fine. But I want to make you aware of another attraction here this weekend. Maybe you’ve already heard of the McKennas.”
“The name sounds familiar. But I don’t remember where I’ve heard it.”
“You’ll remember after today. Ranchers from southern Colorado. Big extended family—aunts, uncles, and lots of cousins. Anyway, the three oldest ones, two boys and a girl, are taking the PRCA rodeo circuit by storm—saddle bronc and bareback riding mostly. And the girl’s a devil of a barrel racer. But they can do other things, as well. They’ve taken home money in almost every event they’ve entered.”
“Interesting.” Tess was relieved that the subject had shifted to one they both understood. “Are any of them bull riders?”
“Not that I’ve heard. But you never know.” He reached into his vest pocket. “I’ve got this extra ticket, front row, over the chutes. You can watch the events with me until it’s time for your bulls. Here.” He slipped the ticket into her shirt pocket, taking care not to let his hand brush her breast. “I’ll be leaving you now. But if you get time, come up in the stand and join me. Give it some thought, okay?”
“We’ll see.” She glanced down at the stub end of the ticket protruding from her pocket. “But I’ve got to hand it to you, Brock Tolman. You know what it takes to tempt a rodeo girl.”
* * *
By the time the rodeo started with the flag display, the national anthem, and a prayer, Tess was still wavering. Brock never offered anything without wanting something in return. But she was curious about the young rodeo stars. As the events started, she found herself straining to see past the fence and the bleachers into the arena. Finally, Ruben, who knew about the ticket, spoke up.
“Go on. If I need help with the bulls, I’ll ask the chute men. That’s what they’re paid for.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll be back in plenty of time.”
He gave her a dismissive wave. “Go,hija.Enjoy yourself.”
Tess made her way up front to the gate and presented her ticket. She’d always liked going to small-town rodeos. The people here tended to be down-home folks, friends, families, neighbors, genuine fans who went for the sport, not the big names or the glamour. And the cowboys and women who competed were in it with all their pounding hearts. It was at events like these that tomorrow’s rodeo superstars got their start.
The women’s barrel racing had just begun. Tess waited for the break between rides before she walked down the front row and took the empty seat next to Brock. He gave her a grin.
“I was wondering when you were going to show up.”
“Like I say, you waved temptation in my face, and this rodeo girl couldn’t resist.”
It was always like this with Brock. Most of the time, she wanted to claw his mocking eyes out. But their passion for rodeo was like a bridge between them—or maybe a flag of truce. “Catch me up on what’s happening,” she said, gazing out at the arena, where three orange and white barrels had been set up in a wide triangle formation. Horse and rider had to gallop out of the gate, circle each barrel, and ride back. The winner would have the fastest time with no mistakes.
