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Maisie squinted at the animal, noting a distinct lack of horns. “No, I think you’re right. That looks more like a cow.”
“A bull is a cow,” Cheryl argued.
“But I think that’s a girl cow,” Maisie said. “And not a very big one. More like a toddler.”
Whatever kind of cow it was, the horse was now chasing it along the side wall of the arena, coming their way. There was a whoosh of air as they passed, and then horse, rider, and cow reversed direction and raced past again. Soon, all three were trotting in a neat circle toward the center of the arena. The crowd began to holler.
“That must be the end of the warm-up.” Maisie clapped politely, swiveling her head to catch a glimpse of whatever excitement was about to commence.
Another horse and rider entered the arena and herded the cow—definitely not a bull—back through the gate. The original cowboy sat high on his horse, stock still in the middle of the arena. The announcer’s voice boomed.
“That’s a seventy-six-point five score for number twenty-seven-ninety out of Gainesville, Texas, Harlan Davis riding Wind in my Hair.”
The cowboy lifted his hat and waved it in the air as the sparse crowd shouted and cheered. Maisie, Cheryl, and Donna exchanged confused looks.
“Was that the actual competition?” Donna asked. “Just like, running and stopping and stuff?”
“What kind of rodeo is this?” Maisie read her ticket:Reined Horse Competition. She tilted her head to one side as she held the ticket out to her coworkers, her right thumb pointing to the printed words. “Uh, what’s this?”
Donna, who had whipped out her phone for a quick internet search, let out a low groan. “This isn’t a rodeo at all. It’s some sort of competition for working cow horses, whatever that means. It says here the riders earn points by completing maneuvers like circles, spins, and stops.”
“No bull riding or bucking broncos?” Cheryl looked like she might cry.
“At least there are real cowboys in the audience.” Feeling guilty that her own financial woes might have contributed to them being here by not jumping at Donna’s buffet suggestion, Maisie pointed to where two men in hats and boots were settling into their seats, hoping to cheer up Cheryl. “It’s not a total loss.”
“Good point.” Cheryl’s expression brightened. She fluffed her hair as she tried to make eye contact with one of the newcomers. “The way I’m choosing to look at this, a smaller crowd means fewer females competing for attention.”
“A brilliant observation.” Maisie shook her head in amusement as Cheryl bounced from her seat and scooted closer to the two men. Given her blonde tresses and ample display of cleavage, she wasn’t shooed away. Almost instantly, Cheryl was sitting in between them with one guy pointing out things in the arena as the next horse entered.
“Gotta hand it to that woman,” Donna said, her shoulders shaking with silent laughter. “She acts decisively when she wants something.”
“It’s a wonder she’s still single with that level of determination.”
“You’re single, too,” Donna pointed out, though not at all unkindly, “and she doesn’t need both those cowboys. If you want to go introduce yourself, I don’t mind staying here.”
Maisie let out a weary sigh. “No, I think I’ll pass.”
Donna’s eyes widened. “Please don’t tell me you’re planning on going back to Nate again.”
Maisie made a face. “I think I’ve had my fill of that three-ring circus. No, it’s just somehow the idea of lassoing myself a rugged cowboy for a wild Vegas weekend sounds a lot more appealing in theory than it does in practice.”
“Don’t let it get you down.” Donna patted Maisie’s arm. “All you need is some time for a new perspective, and you’ll be out there again.”
“Maybe so.” Secretly, Maisie doubted it. She couldn’t pinpoint exactly where her apathy for romance was coming from, but it felt much deeper than her breakup with Nate. In fact, it might have started before him, if Maisie was truly honest about it. Somehow, she didn’t think a random hookup would help.
“You know what I need?” Donna asked.
“A big rock for that bare left hand?” Maisie joked, pretending to wince as Donna play-punched her shoulder.
“No, smart-ass. Well, yes. But no. What I need right this moment is a beer.” Donna rose, dusting off her pants. “In a place like this, there’s got to be beer. Want me to bring one back for you?”
“Now,thatI could go for. A light one, please,” Maisie added. “You know how I get.”
As the announcer called out the name of the next rider, Maisie slumped into her seat, sliding down low. As promising as the day had started, this was not how she’d pictured it going. She’d wanted…something. But what that something was, she wasn’t sure. Honestly, Maisie had felt that way a lot lately, way more than she cared to admit.
Her job was decent. Her apartment was fine. Her breakup with Nate was, frankly, a relief, even if it had put her in an awkward position with Mr. Taite. Her mother was wintering in Florida with a new gentleman friend, so Maisie was even off the hook when it came to family drama for at least another couple months. She had no cause for complaint. But no real reason to celebrate, either.
Life just…was.
