AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Money! That’s all that matters to you!” Lexie stood up so abruptly that the chair crashed over. “I’m thinking of the future—where the ranch will be in five years, in ten—”
“If we can’t pay our bills, we won’t have a ranch,” Tess said. “Now leave me alone and let me get back to work.”
Lexie stormed out of the office, slamming the door behind her. How could Tess be so shortsighted? Of course, the ranch needed money to survive. But using a mediocre bull for stud was a BandAid solution. To be successful as stock contractors, they were going to need a great line of bulls—or at least one truly great bucker and a way to make the most of breeding him.
Still seething, she strode outside and crossed the yard to the bull pasture. For a long moment she stood watching the bulls. There was old Thunderbolt, getting more feeble by the day; and Renegade, who, through no fault of his own, had triggered Corey’s tragedy. There were the good, solid bulls—the brindle, the massive white, and the others. There was Whiplash, young and barely tested but full of fight. And there was Whirlwind, her silver bull, the dominant one. She could see him standing like a monarch on a grassy rise, pawing the earth and lowing a challenge to all comers.
He was her best hope. Maybe her only hope.
“It’s up to you, big guy,” she said as if the bull could understand her. “We’re all depending on you to win for us. So get out there this weekend and buck your heart out.”
* * *
In a comfortable hotel room, overlooking Pueblo’s Riverwalk, Lexie and Shane lay snuggled on the king-sized bed, watching bull videos on his laptop. It wasn’t for entertainment. Shane’s score of 88.8 in Saturday’s first round had qualified him for the finals on Sunday. He would be riding one of the high-ranking bulls—but since he didn’t yet know which one, he needed to study all the possibilities.
Sunday would be a big day for Whirlwind, too. The silver-gray bull had been set to buck on Saturday, but he’d been moved up to fill in for another bull that had been injured in transport. Shane had been ruled out as his rider, but the draw had yet to be posted. In tomorrow’s finals, Whirlwind could be bucking one of the top bull riders in the world.
Lexie was excited for her man. She was even more excited for her bull. Even after making delicious, passionate love with Shane, she was too keyed up to close her eyes. That was one reason why they were streaming bull videos at one-thirty in the morning.
“Here’s what you look for in a great bull.” Shane had loaded a video of Sweet Pro’s Bruiser, a regal tan and brown bull with three world titles. “His leaps are in a class by themselves. But watch this trick. First the front end goes up. Then he just flows into this massive rear kick, twisting his hindquarters. When the rider has to lean back to stay balanced, that butt twist scoops him right off.”
“Did you ever ride him?” Lexie asked.
“Nope. But I’ve watched him. He isn’t in town, or I might have a chance.” Shane yawned. “Bulls have a lot of tricks. And the older they are, the smarter they get. They can tell where a rider’s weight is, which hand he’s using, and what kind of move will throw him off.”
Shane yawned again. “Some bulls do the same thing every time out. They’re the kind a rider likes to draw. With others, you never know what they’re going to do. Something tells me Whirlwind will be one of those.”
“I hope so.” Lexie snuggled closer, took the laptop out of his hands, and switched it off. “Get some sleep. You’re the one who needs it. I’ll be fine.”
He kissed her, rolled over, and was snoring in minutes. Lexie lay next to him, feeling his warmth and listening to him breathe. Heaven, she thought. Life couldn’t get much better than this.
So far, a good luck spell had hung over this trip to Pueblo. Again, she’d brought Aaron along to help her drive and load. This time she’d been prepared for his disappearing act. She’d given him enough cash for a room and meals and let him make his own plans as long as he kept in touch and showed up to leave before dawn on Monday. The arrangement suited them both. With Aaron out of the way, Lexie was free to be with Shane.
Not that Shane was free to be with her. Tomorrow she would be on her own as he prepped for what could be the most important ride of his career—working out in the state-of-the-art training facility at Pueblo’s PBR headquarters, studying the bull he’d drawn, and focusing entirely on the ride. Lexie understood this. Jack’s need to focus had been much the same. Once the ride was over and Shane had had a chance to unwind, he’d be all hers again.
That was her last thought as she finally drifted into sleep.
The next morning, when she opened her eyes, he was already gone. Giving herself time to come
fully awake, she lay back on the pillows, watching the daylight steal across the ceiling. If what she and Shane had found turned out to be for a lifetime, she would have to accept sharing him with this other love of his.
She was prepared to do that, and more. But her heart would be in her throat every time he climbed into the bucking chute.
* * *
The hours of the day seemed to crawl. Lexie had arranged to meet Casey for an early lunch. Seeing her sister’s old flame always gave her spirits a lift.
They’d chosen a bistro with outdoor tables on the Riverwalk. Casey had shown up in jeans and a T-shirt that showed off his powerful chest. He’d insisted on treating her to French onion soup and croissant sandwiches. The food was tasty, but Lexie’s anxiety had stolen her appetite. She ate out of politeness, forcing every bite.
“I’ve heard some buzz about your bull.” Casey hadn’t asked about Val today. Maybe because he already knew what the answer would be.
“What have you heard about Whirlwind?” Lexie sipped her Diet Coke.
“After that ninety-point ride in Albuquerque, the question folks are asking is, was it a flash in the pan or has he really got what it takes? The riders I talked to were anxious to try him.”
“So who won?” Lexie asked. “Who drew him?”
“None other than Carlos Machado.”
