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“Nope. Another heart bites the dust! Can I get you something else?”
“Coffee—and what does that mean?”
“Cream and sugar?” Dan asked, turning around and pouring the hot java into a mug.
“Black’s good.”
“I know this isn’t your first rodeo,” the bartender continued, placing it in front of Rick, “but you’d better watch yourself with that girl.”
Though he tried not to, Rick couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Laugh if you want, but when you’re sittin’ there cryin’ in your whiskey, don’t say I didn’t warn you. Rick, that girl has been in this town before.”
“I know.”
“Do you also know there was a fight in my parkin’ lot, almost like what happened with you and Duke?” Dan said solemnly, then leaning forward and lowering his voice, he added, “Rick, I see a lot from behind this counter, and I hear even more. Yeah, she’s here with the rodeo, but she’s doin’ exactly what she did when she was in town last time. Lookin’ at horses and takin’ guys along for the ride. They all got bucked off and landed hard. I don’t wanna see you be the next in line.”
“I’ve gotta ask,” Rick said quietly. “Did she sleep with all these guys?”
“That’s the other thing. Right when it was time to climb into the saddle, she’d bolt. Now you know what I meant.”
CHAPTER FOUR
Most of the show grounds offered water and electricity for motorhomes. Rick had finally invested in one and towed his small truck. It offered him the convenience of a regular vehicle when needed.
Though The Tavern offered great food, he decided to stop at a local diner for an early dinner. Ordering his favorite meal, chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes, he pondered what he’d just learned about Bailey Martin.
A worried frown crossed his brow.
She was on a mission, and though he didn’t know why, he had a funny feeling that mission had nothing to do with buying a horse as she claimed. Whatever she was up to, he hoped she didn’t find herself in trouble.
In spite of broken bones and living hand-to-mouth in the early years, he had clawed his way into the pro-ranks, and was now one of the top ten money-makers on the Texas Pro Rodeo Circuit. He’d earned enough to purchase a modest barn between Fort Worth and Dallas, but he wanted a bigger spread and his own training operation. He hoped this would be the year he could realize his dream.
He needed to stay focused.
The last thing he wanted was a troublesome female.
But he couldn’t push the beautiful auburn-haired trick rider from his mind.
* * *
After finishing his dinner, ending it with a large slice of hot apple pie topped with vanilla ice cream, he headed out to his truck. In the morning he’d be battling to stay on a bull who’d be moving heaven and earth to get him off. Even after the countless times he’d rocketed out of the gate and into the arena, those eight-seconds still rattled his ribs and could knock the wind out of him. He wanted to spend his evening in front of the television, then take a hot shower before bed to ensure a good night’s sleep.
Leaving the bustling community, he headed down the main road, then turned down a street lined with trees on one side, and open ranch land on the other. As the show grounds came into view, he slowed down and turned into the driveway, finally rolling to a stop next to his motorhome.
Worn out from the day, he left his truck, ambled inside, flopped on the couch and pulled off his boots. He was about to fetch a beer and turn on the television when an unexpected wave of weariness washed over him. Stretching out and closing his eyes, he let himself drift…only to have Bailey float into the forefront of his mind.
Dressed in her skin tight, stretchy leggings, she was walking away from him, but stopped and looked over her shoulder with a sassy grin.
“You can try to catch me, but you won’t,” she tittered, then laughed and continued on.
Striding after her, he reached out to grab her arm, but she disappeared in a puff of smoke.
“See, I told you!”
Spinning around, he found her standing a few feet away. He was about to lunge forward and grab her, but caught himself. She was like a nervous filly.
Taking a breath and relaxing his body, he held her eyes and began slowly ambling towards her. Appearing to be mesmerized, she stood completely still as he neared. Finally reaching her and taking her hand, he curled his fingers around hers in a firm grip.
