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He got to his feet and leaned over the counter, offering her a tired smile. “What do you need? Is your car running okay?”
Dahlia glanced over her shoulder to the darkened parking lot. “I think I need an oil change. But I’m going out to the next town over and I have to be there around eight.”
Before he could say anything, she held up both hands. “I know, I know. You don’t even open until then. But I was driving by after picking up my usual coffee and saw the lights on. I figured it was worth a shot.”
Adam twisted around to stare at the shop. Bridget wouldn’t be thrilled to do an oil change this early when she likely came in to do stuff she actually enjoyed. It was beyond him why she preferred some of the more mechanical stuff when the shop was set up to make oil changes so easily. He rubbed the back of his neck and nodded.
“Sure. I think I could get you in. But it’s going to cost a little extra.”
She smiled as she placed the keys on the counter. “Sure, no problem.”
He picked them up and took two steps toward the shop when she stopped him. “Did you hear about the rodeo?”
Adam’s heart stuttered. He’d started to associate that word with feelings that weren’t all that great. It was far too easy to recall that dinner he’d shared with Faye’s family and the judgment he’d endured. “What about it?”
“They never come to Copper Creek. But they are this year. In a couple weeks, they’ll be doing all the main events at that local arena.”
He turned toward her. “Really?”
Her smile widened as she nodded on her way toward him. “Yeah. And this year they’re doing something really cool. They have three events specifically for rookies. Anyone can participate, and the winners will win money.”
The anticipation got him. He didn’t know where it came from or why it felt like it had hit him over the head with a two-by-four, but it was there. And then it disappeared. “Yeah, but I bet there’s a cutoff to register.” What was he thinking? He couldn’t register. He’d promised Faye he’d stay away from the rodeo.
“That’s the beautiful thing about this one. People can register right up until the event. They won’t be cutting it off until ten minutes prior. I guess the organizers of this one has a soft spot for newbies.”
Or they had a wicked sense of humor. If what the Callahans had said about the rodeo was true, then the majority of those who registered would likely get hurt. If he hadn’t promised Faye already, he could be one of the guys who suffered.
Adam shook his head. “I don’t think I can. Faye wouldn’t—”
“Faye? Don’t tell me your girlfriend makes all your decisions for you. That’s not right.”
He stared at her, once again unable to move. His brain was all muddled from the lack of sleep. Everything she was saying sounded right.
Dahlia took a few more steps toward him, closing the distance between them. “You can’t keep living your life for other people. You came here for your dad. Now you’re staying away from your dream because of a girl? You want to know what I think?”
Adam couldn’t bring himself to comment.
“I think that if she’s going to be so bothered by it, just don’t tell her. Faye sure doesn’t seem like the kind of girl who would even attend the rodeo. If I had to bet, I’d say you could register, participate, and have a story to tell when it’s all done. If she can’t see that this would make you happy, then she needs to let you go.”
Was Dahlia seriously telling him that he should break up over this? Faye hadn’t asked too much of him. She’d only asked him not to compete. If he couldn’t abide by her wishes, wasn’t that a sign they weren’t going to be good together?
A small, sinister voice reminded him that they probably were already past that. He’d been so quick to consider breaking his promise that it would take very little to actually complete the deed.
His eyes focused on Dahlia once more. “You really think she wouldn’t find out?”
Dahlia shook her head. “I really don’t.” She dug through a large tote that was draped over her shoulder and pulled out two sheets of paper. “The top one is the flyer with all the information about the rookie events. The bottom one is the one you’d mail out. Take a quick look. You might even find you aren’t interested. But if you are, you’ll have one fan in the stands to cheer you on.” She gave him a little wave and hurried toward the door. Stopping just before she pushed it open, she turned to face him. “When did you say my car will be done?”
Adam glanced at the old clock on the wall. “I’ll have Bridget bring it in right away. We can have it done within the next thirty minutes.”
She beamed at him. “Great. I’ll be back at seven to get it if that’s okay. I’m just going to wander down the street and get me some coffee.” Her eyes swept over him. “You look like you’ve been hit by a bus. You want me to bring you anything?”
He shook his head. “I’ll be fine. We have a coffee maker in the back.” Yeah, a coffee maker that made the world’s worst coffee. He just didn’t want to lead her on. Already she knew more than he’d wanted her to. She could tell his relationship was on the rocks. Well, that was all she was going to be privy to. He wasn’t even sure he’d tell her if he signed up.
Adam picked up the papers she’d left with him. The cash prizes would be nice. Not only that, but the winners would get to attend the regional rodeos for free for the next year.
The door opened again, and without looking up, he murmured, “Forget something?”
“Hey.”
