by Lynn Collins
The man held up his hands in mock surrender. “Don’t get me in the middle of this. Taylor, sometimes the most prudent path is the one where you step aside and let the children play through.”
Jesse watched as Taylor bit back a smile. The girl would hold her own with the Shawnee group, that was for sure. He focused on her. “Do you want to go eat with Barb and Hunter?”
Taylor frowned. “I thought you were taking me to the barn?”
“I can. But if you’d rather grab some food?” He knew they were being polite with each other. After last night he didn’t want to push the girl. They needed some time alone to talk.
Taylor glanced at Barb. “Thanks for the offer, but we’ve got some things to talk about.” Taylor flushed red. “About the gallery, I mean.”
Barb and Hunter exchanged a look Jesse couldn’t read. That was the thing about couples, they all had their own secret looks. Moments where they knew what the other person was saying without using a single word. He’d like that kind of relationship someday. “Taylor flew down to hammer some things out about the sale, so I guess we shouldn’t waste her time.”
“Invitation’s always open. Maybe the four of us can get together for breakfast tomorrow before Hunter and I fly home.” Barb stood and pulled Hunter to his feet. “Take me and feed me.”
“See what happens when you’re old married folk? The food is more important than time together,” Hunter whispered loudly to Taylor.
Barb slapped his arm. “Don’t you even go there, mister. You and I were married folk before we even started dating.” When she saw Taylor’s shocked face she laughed. “Again, long story. I’ll set up a girl’s night with Selena and Lizzie when we get home and catch you up on all the Shawnee gossip you’re going to need if you’re dating Jesse.”
“We’re not dating,” Taylor protested.
Barb and Hunter strolled away from the couches. “Whatever you have to tell yourself.”
Jesse took Taylor’s hand. “Barb’s not known for her tact. Probably because she’s my manager, she’s learned to say what’s on her mind. Right now, she thinks we’re going down the wrong path. That someone’s going to get hurt.”
He saw Taylor’s shoulders tighten. She sighed and leaned back into the cushions. “Brit’s saying the same thing. What is this, Jesse? A drunken mistake?”
“I don’t think so.” Jesse turned and watched her. “I need to know if you feel anything for me. I know it’s early and we barely know each other. But I have to tell you, I want this to work.”
“You don’t think this will ruin us working together?” Taylor’s gaze found his, her look was guarded.
“I don’t know. I just know I want to try. Me. You. Us.” Jesse leaned in to kiss her, but his phone rang. “Horrible timing.” He pulled the phone off its holster on his belt and glared at the display. “The rodeo commissioner, I need to take this.”
9
Jesse walked away, and Taylor thought about what he’d said. She’s been expecting a sorry-about-last-night-can-we-just-forget-it-ever-happened speech. Instead, she thought she’d just been asked to go steady. The man was impossible to read. He made her want to stand and do her hoppy version of a victory dance. She glanced around the elegant lobby. Probably not the place.
Jesse returned and pulled her off the couch. “Come on, they need me down at the barn. More publicity pictures that Barb forgot to tell me about. I’m meeting the mayor and his daughter, the reigning rodeo queen, for promotional stuff.”
“I could just stay here and catch up with Barb and Hunter.” Taylor glanced around the empty lobby, wondering where the couple had disappeared to.
“Believe me, we’ll have time to talk.” Jesse took her arm and they walked out of the marble lobby to the parking lot. The hotel could have been smack-dab in the middle of downtown Boise except for all the pickups and horse trailers in the parking lot.
She watched the town pass by as Jesse followed the car’s GPS toward the rodeo grounds. Franchise fast food was taking over the world. Of the last five drive-in eateries they’d passed, each one of them was available in or near Boise. The homogenization of America, one meal at a time. Taylor noticed that, even in an unfamiliar city, Jesse looked cool and in control. He had one hand on the wheel, leaning toward the open window. She would have been a mess, wondering if she’d missed a turn, or worse, couldn’t get to the correct side of the road to turn onto her exit. He seemed to know exactly where he was and where he needed to go. No different here than in his own stomping ground. Taylor wondered if that was just his style, a wandering stone, comfortable anywhere.
She relaxed and decided to let the day go where it went. When she opened her mouth to ask about traveling on the road, instead, she said, “I can’t believe you left me this morning.”
Jesse’s face turned red but he didn’t meet her eyes. “I’m an idiot, what can I say?”
“Sorry?” Taylor hadn’t wanted to talk about this until after he rode. If he was too upset and couldn’t focus the bull could kill him. She shook the thought away; as far as she could see, Jesse Sullivan didn’t get upset over anything. The man was an ice cube. Well, except for last night. She worried her own face was turning colors as she remembered their night together.
“I am sorry. I never meant for us to stay over in Ontario. I never meant for our night to go so long.” He glanced at her this time. “Of course, you’re partially to blame for that.”
“Me?” Taylor knew her face was red now. He blamed her?
Jesse turned off the main road and Taylor could see the outdoor grandstands sitting behind a large parking lot. “You wouldn’t lose. If I’d known you were that good at darts I would have demanded we play shuffleboard.”
“I played a bit in college,” Taylor admitted. “But you did win. If I remember right.”
“After we played all night.” Jesse pulled the car into a parking spot near the barns. He turned off the car and looked at her. “Actually, I expected to beat you in three straight games. I underestimated you. I won’t do that again.”
She watched him leave the car, wondering if he was already underestimating her. She pushed the thought away and climbed out of the car, hurrying to catch up. Time to find out what made this guy tick. He could say all the pretty words he wanted, but when it all shook out, they were on opposite sides of the deal. She had to protect her interest in the gallery at all costs. She put on her sales smile and called out to him, “Hold up.”
For the next two hours Jesse showed her the life of a rodeo star. He did a couple of interviews, meeting and greeting like he was a politician running for office. Then he took her to the barn where they kept the livestock. The strong smell of bull hit her nostrils. The animals were hot in the closed-in area. Fans blew air around the pens, trying to keep them cool.
She walked up to a gate, and the bull in the pen eyed her with an intense glare. “It’s like he sees me as the enemy.”
Jesse pulled her back a few steps. “He probably does. Bulls are smart. I swear, there are a few that remember me just by the sound of my voice. When I watched their ride video, they would twist right on leaving the gate with every rider. But for me, they’d twist left. Like they knew I’d figured out their pattern and had to switch it up.”
“You’re kidding me.” Taylor glanced up into Jesse’s face, looking for a trace of a smile to give his prank away.
Jesse held his hand up in a vow symbol. “I swear on my mama’s grave.” Then he smiled. “I guess that saying doesn’t work anymore, now that we know Selenais alive.”
Taylor put her hand on his forearm. “That must have been hard. When she left, I mean.”
Jesse didn’t say anything, but led her over to a straw bale where they sat together. Jesse leaned forward and put his forearms on his thighs. “I didn’t understand for a long time. James was mad at her. I just missed her. I became the funny kid. The kid everyone wanted around, the boy every girl wanted. I thought, maybe if I was good enough, she’d come back.”
“Hard for a little kid to carry that around.”
“Cry me a river. Man, I’ve never admitted that to anyone before. I must look like a loser.” Jesse didn’t look at her.
An announcement came over the loudspeaker calling the riders to the gate.
He stood and hurried her out of the barn. Handing her a ticket, he pushed her through a door leading to the grandstands. “You’ll be sitting with Barb and Hunter. I’ll come find you afterwards.”
She turned back to say good luck, but the door had already shut behind him. “Just a little boy looking for love.” Taylor felt horrible. She knew what the loss of the gallery would do to Jesse. But better him than her. Pain hit her gut. She liked Jesse. Hell, if the gallery wasn’t in play, she’d throw caution to the wind and see where the relationship went. At least it would be fun. But she couldn’t let him in, not now. She shouldn’t have come to Wyoming. Just get through the day, she thought. She kept the mantra going until she reached her seat. Barb handed her a corn dog and a packet of mustard.
“We thought you might need a snack.” Barb scooted over toward Hunter, giving Taylor room to sit down and get settled.
“Thanks.” Taylor glanced around. “Anywhere I’d be able to get a beer?”
Hunter stood. “I’ll run. Barb?”
“Soda. Not diet. I hate the taste,” Barb admitted to Taylor.
“You don’t have to go, I can get my own drink,” Taylor protested.
“Let him go. It’s an excuse for him to get a second drink. He loves it when I’m playing designated driver.” Barb slapped her husband on the butt as he stepped past her.
Taylor swirled the mustard from the packet onto the still-hot corn dog. The smell of the mustard bit her senses. They must have arrived just before she did. She bit into the cornmeal-covered hot dog and groaned in pleasure. Fried heaven. In August, she’d made daily trips to the state fairgrounds for lunch to delight in the summer treat.
“Lizzie loves her corn dogs, too. Especially when she’s pregnant.” Barb’s lips curled into a smile. “You got something to tell us?”
Taylor wiped mustard off her mouth with a napkin. “Yeah, I love corn dogs.”
“You’re bad,” Barb said, teasing her. “Jesse’s been a friend for a long time. He’s kind of like a little brother. I’d hate to see his heart get broken.”
Taylor finished the corn dog before she answered. Fear clutched at her as she thought about what might have happened last night. Had she already gone too far to turn back? Had that been why he called? A second taste of Taylor? She pushed the thought away. “For Mr. Sullivan being such a player—and don’t deny it, I’ve heard the rumors—you sure make him sound like a softie.”
“I’ve seen him with a lot of girls, I won’t deny that. But he’s never looked at any of them the way he looks at you.” Barb glanced through the crowd, apparently searching for someone. “I hate to be the one who tells you, but he cares about you.”
Taylor took in the large arena, feeling the excitement of the crowd and families sitting around her. She wondered, could this be her life? Watching Jesse risk his neck just to prove he could stay on a bull for eight seconds? “I don’t think so.” She dug in her purse, avoiding Barb’s scrutiny. “We’re too different. I mean, Jesse’s amazing, but his life is exciting and interesting. I’m pretty boring if you get to know me. I’m sure he’s just being nice.”
She felt Barb’s hand on her arm and gave up the fake searching. “Believe me, Jesse cares for you. And if you’re just playing him, please stop.”
Taylor couldn’t hear anything else. The crowd noise disappeared and all she could think about was kissing him last night. The more she thought about it, the more convinced she was that they hadn’t made love. Hell, she’d done more in Ken’s back seat when she was trying to stay a virgin in high school. Yet, for some reason, this felt more intimate.
Finally, she looked at Barb. “I don’t want to hurt him.”
“I guess I’ll have to take that for my answer, then.” Barb glanced up at Hunter who’d returned with the drinks. She smiled and her voice softened. “Hey, baby.”
Hunter stared at the women as he handed over the beer to Taylor. Barb took the soda and ice cream sandwich. “Should I leave and come back later?”
Taylor quickly said, “We’re done. Girl talk, you know.”
Hunter slipped into his seat next to his wife, shooting her an I-told-you-to-stay-out-of-it look. Barb responded with a wide-eyed innocent shrug as she unwrapped the ice cream.
“How’d you know I was craving this?” She leaned her head against Hunter’s arm and took a bite.
Taylor watched as Hunter brushed a wild curl that had escaped Barb’s hair clip, his face filled with so much love and tenderness it made Taylor look away. She felt as though she was intruding on their intimacy. Someday, she’d have a love like that. Jesse’s face filled her mind. She couldn’t forget the way he whispered her name.
Her soul mate, the love of her life, was not going to be Jesse Sullivan, bull rider. No way. She wanted someone stable, secure, and, yes, boring. Boring would be good. As she tried convincing herself that she wouldn’t fall for Jesse’s lines, the announcer called up the first contestant.
Barb nudged her. “That’s Carl. He’s one of my riders. He’s almost as good as Jesse.”
Hunter laughed. “Not one of your other guys is in Jesse’s league. When he retires, you’re going to have to find a new star for your male harem.”
“They are not my harem, I’m just their manager.” Barb slapped Hunter’s arm playfully.
“Not to mention, you’re their best friend, their bail bondsman, their mother, and their accountant,” Hunter responded, his voice playful.
The crowd quieted and leaned forward to watch the gate release. Taylor focused on the gate, watching the cowboy sitting on the bull. Only his shoulders and hat showed through the bars. She flinched as she saw the bull react to the rider’s weight. Carl pulled back, waiting for the animal to calm. Finally, the bull and rider were settled. The man in the chute pushed his hat further down on his head, lifted his free arm, and nodded his readiness to the gate handler.
The gate flew open and the bull came out of the chute bucking and twisting. Taylor thought of Jesse’s comment about the bull being able to read its rider as she watched the dance between the massive animal and Carl. She held her breath as the seconds counted down. Finally, the buzzer announced the eight seconds had passed. Barb stood and cheered. Taylor watched as a rider on a horse came near the bull. The bull rider threw himself off the large animal and onto the back of the horse.
“Not the most graceful dismount,” Hunter said, chuckling.
“Doesn’t matter. The judging is done.” Barb giggled and clapped louder. “Great job, Carl!” She sat back down on the bench to await the score. “Your Jesse may have some competition tonight. I swear that kid gets better every time he rides. And Old Hickory is a great bull. He’s got a high buck-off percentage, so that will increase Carl’s score.” Barb wiggled in her seat. “I’m so happy for him. If he wins, I’ll have to call all his sponsors and up his appearance price.”
“My girl, always the optimist.” Hunter shook his head.
“What? He deserves to be compensated for a good ride. Hell, that was a great ride. He keeps that up and I’ll have two riders in the Vegas finals in December.” Barb looked over at Taylor. “You’ll learn the lingo soon enough.”
“He’s not my Jesse…” Taylor started to say, but Barb shushed her when the announcers started talking again. Eventually, they announced his score. Eighty-seven.
Barb sighed. “It’s good, but it should have been better. Sometimes, the judges are a little tight early in the night. I hope it holds.”
Taylor watched the next few riders, and no one stayed on for the full eight seconds. So far, Carl was still in the lead. The loudspeaker announced Jesse Sullivan’s name and Taylor’s heart sank. She leaned forward, unable to breathe. She saw the black hat that Jesse had
slipped on when he got out of the car. It was the final piece of his uniform to play the part of professional bull rider. No wonder he wanted to paint and focus on art. At least in a gallery, his chance of getting stomped on by a rampaging bull after being thrown off was slim to none. Although, art critics could be destructive to a new artist’s career and mental well-being.
Jesse nodded his head and the gate flew open. Barb had told Taylor that his bull, Taste the Earth, hadn’t ever been ridden for the full eight seconds. If Jesse could just stay on... She watched the bull buck, and Jesse leaned so far back that his head nearly touched the bull’s flanks. His free arm balanced his body against the bull’s motion. Almost as fast, the bull regained his footing and twisted left, then right, trying to unseat his rider. Jesse stayed on. Taylor wanted to glance at the clock, but she couldn’t stop watching him.
The buzzer went off and Jesse let go, flying off the side of the bull. Before the animal could register, he was gone, Jesse hopped on the corral fence and glanced through the grandstands. He caught her eye and grinned, waving his hat.
“Leave it to Jesse,” Barb mumbled.
“He stayed on the bull—that’s what he’s supposed to do, right?” Taylor asked.
Barb sighed. “I was just hoping Carl might win this one. The kid’s been in Jesse’s shadow so long that he’s beginning to grow mushrooms on his feet.”
“He’ll have his day. Jesse’s retiring soon.” Hunter smiled at Taylor. “He’s becoming a fancy art dealer. You think you can tame the guy enough so he doesn’t spit tobacco in your pretty shop?”
Taylor’s eyes widened. “He chews?”
Barb slapped Hunter’s leg. “He’s just kidding you. Jesse doesn’t smoke, chew or, as far as I know, do anything illegal. He does like his tequila, though.”
“Yeah, I found that out,” Taylor said, grinning. She wanted to add that he hadn’t yet bought the art gallery. But like any good poker player, Taylor held on to her card. It would either be a wild card in the game, or just a joker. She didn’t know if she could pull it off, or if her folks would even let her buy the gallery.
