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Climbing quickly from the truck and hurrying through the livestock pens to the gate, they arrived just as the horse van rolled up.
“I’m so happy to see you,” Bailey exclaimed, leaving Rick and running up to greet her.
“And we’re thrilled to be here,” Susan said, leaning her head out the window, then lowering her voice she added, “Who’s the hunky cowboy you’re with?”
“Rick Campbell.”
“Damn, girl. Lucky you.”
“I sure am,” Bailey replied with a grin. “Follow us and we’ll show you where to park.”
* * *
A few minutes later, Susan and Mandy were reunited with their horses, shedding copious tears as they joyfully hugged them and fed them treats.
“I want to hear every last detail,” Mandy sniffled. “Where you found them, how you got them out, everything.”
“It’s quite a story,” Rick interjected. “She’s braver than most guys I know.”
“I’m not sure about that,” Bailey remarked. “I wouldn’t sit on a wild, bucking bull, but Susan, when are you planning to go back? Will you stay overnight?”
“We were talking about that on the drive. We want to go somewhere decent for a meal and hear all the details, then we’d like to hit the road. And I swear I’m never letting Cocoa out of my sight again. I mean that literally. Stan and Mary had alarms and cameras installed at the barn. We can watch them all the time now.”
“Thank God. We’ll all sleep better.”
“Stan and Mary are the couple who own the barn where you board?” Rick asked.
“Yes, they were so upset, and we won’t be leaving our precious horses in a field when we’re at a show—ever again—unless someone is there to watch them,” Mandy said vehemently. “Bailey, do you want us to take Miss Piggy back?”
“I hate to separate them, but I’m keeping her with me. In fact, we’ll be performing later.”
“You’re not serious! Will that be safe? I know you’ve been doing the act, but she hasn’t.”
“I put her on the lunge line and she looked so good I called Tammy. She came over and watched us do a few things, and it was great. Piggles was really happy doing what she loves.”
“Wow, that’s impressive.”
“Not really,” Bailey said modestly. “So…are you both ready to get a bite to eat, or do you want to spend more time here?”
“I’m starving,” Mandy replied. “After we talked to you, we called Mary and she said we could take the van, so we bolted over there and took off.”
“Sounds like The Tavern is the place to go,” Rick suggested. “The food is great but it doesn’t take forever, and it’s close. Only about ten minutes from here.”
“We should take my car,” Bailey suggested. “We won’t all fit in your truck.”
As Susan and Mandy gave their horses more hugs and treats, Rick took Bailey’s hand and led her into the barn aisle.
“What time are you peformin’?”
“Six o’clock, but I have to be here at five to get ready, and have another quick session with Tammy. Why?”
“Then I guess you and me will have our alone time after that,” he said softly. “I was thinkin’ we should go to your motel and stay there tonight.”
“Yes! That would be perfect,” she said with a happy smile, “but I thought you loved your little home away from home.”
“I do,” he replied, then lowering his lips to her ear, he added, “but what I’ve got in mind will be a whole lot easier in a real bed.”
* * *
