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“The Chef,” Duke said with a grin. “If he hears you calling him a cook he’ll slice off your ear with one of his knives.”
“I’ll try to remember that, but tell me, who are those two cuties with your wannabe girlfriend? What’s her name again?”
“Bailey Martin. I don’t know her friends, and she’s not my wannabe anything, She’s too…wild. Yeah, that’s the word. And she’s totally into the whole rodeo circuit thing.”
“It’s good you figured it out, and it looks like they’re celebratin’,” John muttered as he saw the cocktail waitress set a bottle of champagne in an ice bucket next to Rick. “I wonder what that’s about.”
“I think I’ll ask,” Duke said, lowering his voice. “It’ll give me a chance to talk to her. Like I told you, our last conversation didn’t end well and I don’t want any bad blood. This will only take a minute.”
Eyeing the three cute girls as Duke talked to them, Big John waited impatiently, drinking his beer and drumming his fingers. Finally Duke turned and strode back to the table.
“Sorry I was so long,” Duke apologized, almost breathless as he sat down, “but Bailey just told me the most incredible story.”
“Oh, yeah, and what was that?”
“Remember I told you her horse was stolen?”
“What about it?”
“Her two friends had their horses taken at the same time, and not only did Bailey find all three, she got them out by herself.”
“No shit,” John said, feigning surprise and trying to fight the rage bubbling up inside him.
“She didn’t go into all the details, but basically she climbed on her mare and jumped out of the field where they were grazing. She literally jumped over the fence!” Duke exclaimed, though keeping his voice down. “Can you believe it? No saddle, no bridle, just a halter with reins. The other two horses followed, and she said she knew they would. Damn, that is really something. Rick is one lucky cowboy.”
“Maybe,” John remarked, filled with fury as he stared across at her.
“Why, maybe?”
“Think about it. You said she was wild. That’s beyond wild. That’s fuckin’ dangerous. She’s outta control and she’d be nothin’ but trouble. Rick Campbell might be able to stay on a buckin’ bull, but I bet he’ll end up landin’ on his ass with that one.”
“You think so?”
“Hell, yeah. Believe me, you’ve dodged a bullet. Ah, good, here comes our waitress. I need another beer,” John muttered, silently thinking,Bailey Martin, you think you’re so fuckin’ clever, but you’re not. You’ll soon find out you crossed the wrong man.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Sitting down and seeing the brawny man at Duke’s table, Rick was reminded of the hefty guy at the chain link fence staring into the ring when Bailey was lunging Miss Piggy.
A few minutes later, Duke approached Bailey to make his peace, and Rick was sure he glimpsed the tough stranger glaring at them. She excitedly told Duke a short version of how she’d rescued the horses, then he returned to his husky friend. But overhearing snippets while Duke repeated her story, Rick noticed, from the corner of his eye, it evoked a dark frown from the gruff-looking man.
Rick was curious…and concerned.
“I’m goin’ to the bar to say hello to Dan for a minute,” he said after the happy girls had clinked glasses and toasted Bailey and her heroics. “I won’t be long, and don’t finish off all the champagne.”
“No promises,” Mandy said with a giggle.
“Seconded,” Susan agreed. “In fact, pour me some more! Here’s to Cocoa, Lizzy and Miss Piggy.”
“Sorry, Rick, but I’m not responsible for my friends and their irresponsible behavior!” Bailey exclaimed, laughing along with them.
Shaking his head and rising to his feet, he walked casually to the bar and sat down at the counter.
“Hey, Rick,” Dan said with a smile, walking up to him. “Is sitting with a bunch of pretty girls getting to you?”
“Hardly,” Rick replied with a grin. “In fact, I can’t wait to get back, but I need to ask you something.”
“Sure, what’s up?”
