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“You’re wowin’ me right now, but you’re also worryin’ me,” he said as she lifted her phone from her pocket.
“Tammy won’t let me do it if she doesn’t think we can, not for a second. Will you walk her around the arena for a minute while I make the call?” she asked, offering him the lunge line. “Please?”
“I have a feeling I’ll never be able say no to you,” he muttered. “But I’ll wait a minute to make sure you reach her.”
Grinning at him, she placed the call, then nodded when her trainer answered.
“Hey, Tammy, I have wonderful news. I would’ve called you sooner but it’s been crazy. The thing is, I found Miss Piggy, Lizzy and Cocoa and they’re here at the show grounds. It’s a long story and I’ll fill you in later, but I just lunged Piggles and she looks fantastic. I want to perform with her. Can you come over and watch us and see what you think?”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
While Bailey continued the conversation, Rick began strolling around the ring, then checked his watch to make sure he wouldn’t be late for the bull riding event. But as clouds crossed overhead, and he raised his eyes to the sky, he spotted two men standing behind the chain link fence. Though he couldn’t see them clearly, one looked vaguely familiar. Then he realized it was the size of the man that rang a bell.
“Rick!”
Before he could give it any more thought Bailey’s voice caught his attention. Turning around, he saw her smiling and waving him over. Leading Miss Piggy, he walked quickly across the ring.
“So, what’s the news?” he asked. “Wait, don’t tell me. From that excited expression I assume you have Tammy’s blessing.”
“She’s not worried about me, she’s concerned Piggles will be out of practice, but I know she’ll be great.”
“When is she comin” over? I want to watch but I need to get to the stands to watch the bull ridin’ soon.”
“She’s on her way. I’m not dressed to do the whole routine, but I can do enough. It won’t take long. We can go over to watch the bull riding as soon as I’m done. But when Mandy and Susan arrive I want to meet them at the gate.”
“Of course you do. Don’t worry, the event should be over by then.”
“Come on, Piggles,” she said, patting her mare and switching out the lunge line for a lead rope. “I’ll jump on and we’ll get warmed up for Tammy. When we’re done you can go back to your stall and eat. You need it.”
“She does look a bit on the thin side,” Rick remarked, then glanced over his shoulder to see if the two spectators were at the fence.
The brawny man was there and still staring into the ring.
Though he turned back to Bailey and told himself it didn’t mean anything, goosebumps were popping across his skin.
* * *
Big John didn’t like falling out with his cousin. Tom was the smartest guy he knew and had already been enormous help. Mad at himself for arguing, he stepped away from the fence and headed back to his truck. Though he was hoping Tom would be there waiting, when he drew near there was no sign of him.
John, you’re makin’ a big mistake. Walk away.
As Tom’s warning echoed through his head, John wondered if he should listen to his advice. Stealing the horses had been happenstance. There’d been no detailed plan or hours spent staking out the field. Taking them a second time would be far more difficult. For starters, he couldn’t see any way to get them out of the show grounds. They’d have to be somewhere accessible. All he could do was watch and wait.
“Fuck,” he grunted under his breath as he opened the door to his truck.
“Hey, John!”
Jerking his head around, he found Duke Elwood marching towards him. In spite of his mood John forced a smile. Duke was loaded. Having rich friends from important families mattered. You never knew when you might need them.
“Duke, what’s up?”
“I’m here to watch the bull riding, then later I’ll be going over to the other arena for the trick riders. I’d go home and come back but parking is crazy this year. I’ve never seen so many people.”
“Yeah, well, the town’s not some hole in the wall anymore, and this show has grown right along with it.”
“Yeah, dad can’t keep enough cars in stock, let alone trucks. Do you have to take off, or would you like to grab a beer?”
John paused.
