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“Tomorrow afternoon. You’re riding late morning, right?”
“Yep. How did you know?”
“I keep track of the events, but about Curly. I don’t suppose you’d like to come with me, would you? I realize we don’t know each other very well, but I’d feel so much better if I had some company, even if only for moral support. Of course—I’ll understand if you’re too busy.”
They’d almost reached the door, and he paused his step.
“I’ll make you a deal. I’ll come and look at this horse with you, if you tell me what was really goin’ on with Duke just now.”
“Okay, but there isn’t much to it.”
“After you,” he said, ignoring her remark and waving her forward. Following her inside, he guided her to a table in the corner of the room and signaled to the waitress.
“Hi, Rick,” the server said with a warm smile. “Hello again, Bailey. What can I get you?”
“Dan knows the draft I like,” Rick replied. “What about you, Bailey?”
“Tequila tea, please. I didn’t get to drink the one I ordered before Duke arrived.”
“Coming right up,” the waitress said, then turned and headed across to the bar.
“So tell me,” Rick began, lowering his voice, “when Duke came in here to get you, why was he so riled up?”
“I promised to wait for him after a performance today and I didn’t.”
“That’s it?”
“Yes and no. The thing is, I was supposed to meet him somewhere recently, but I changed my mind.”
“Did you text him and let him know?”
“No, I wasn’t in the mood to talk to him, and honestly, I’m glad he’s ticked off. Whatever we almost had, or could have had, or whatever, has run its course.”
“That’s it?” Rick pressed, his instinct telling him there was more to the story.
“That’s it. Now tell me how you ended up on the rodeo circuit. I bet it wasn’t easy.”
CHAPTER THREE
Rick talked briefly about his father taking him to rodeos as a kid, and how enamored he’d become with the spectacle and the riders. Then in high school, when the opportunity arose to sit on a bull, he’d summoned his courage and climbed on board.
“I didn’t come off,” he exclaimed. “I knew at that moment it was what I wanted to do, and I got lucky. I was winnin’ at an early age. That kinda sealed my fate.”
“Luck had nothing to do with it,” Bailey remarked. “You’re just that good.”
“How did you get into trick ridin’?”
“My story’s not much different. I’ve always been into horses. I was riding jumpers and I loved the thrill, then a friend of mine suggested I join her for a vaulting lesson. That was it. I was hooked. I’d been a gymnast, so it was a natural fit, and combining the two was great.”
“But this must be your first time on the tour or we would’ve crossed paths.”
He spied a flicker ofsomethingin her eyes, then she lowered her gaze to reach for her glass, and he decided not to push.
“I wasn’t sure about going on the road,” she finally said, then glanced at her watch. “Thanks again for stepping in with Duke. I’d love to stay and talk some more, but I have to catch up with the others.”
“I noticed them leaving. Do you have plans?”
“Billy’s Steakhouse for an early dinner. You can join us if you want.”
