by Lexi Blake
Her uncle had been a rodeo clown, and she knew their jobs were the hardest of everyone’s. They were out there between each event and always at the ready for any participant or animal that got into trouble. They were also the ones with the most injuries.
In fact, her uncle had died when a bull’s horn pierced his chest. But the cowboy her uncle had been helping got to safety. And that’s what the clowns were for.
With the rodeo coming to a close for the night, Naomi was the first on her feet to give the clowns an ovation. As soon as the closing ceremony finished, Naomi made her way out of the stands to the back of the arena.
She paid only a passing courtesy to the many cowboys who murmured “ma’am” and tipped their hats as she walked past. When she finally reached the area where the pageant contestants were, she easily found Whitney’s white hat, sparkling crown, and blond locks.
Naomi watched her friend in her element for a long minute. Then Naomi whistled loudly. Whitney turned, her blue gaze scanning the people until she spotted Naomi. Whitley let out a loud squeal and rushed her. Naomi threw open her arms and hugged her friend tightly.
“It’s been so long,” Whitney murmured.
Naomi knew she was thinking of Suellen. “Too long.”
Whitney leaned back and beamed at her. “I worried you might change your mind.”
“Never. Weather delayed my plane, but I told you I’d be here.”
“And you always keep your word.” Whitney moved to her side and linked arms with her as they started walking slowly. “Well?”
Naomi shook her head as she glanced at Whitney. “Fine. I’ll admit that I miss being involved in the rodeo.”
“I knew it,” her friend said with a pump of her arm.
“Don’t get any ideas. I’ve got a nice life in DC, and that’s where I’ll be returning in a couple of days.”
Whitney rolled her eyes. “You say that now, but I think if I can find the right cowboy for you, you’ll change your mind.”
“You forget I know all I want to know about cowboys.”
“True,” Whitney said with a twist of her lips. They both stopped and watched a couple of men walk past, their gazes on their fine asses. “Then again...”
Naomi swung her head to Whitney, and they both laughed. “If I do any riding, it will only be on a horse.”
“Yeah, we’ll see about that,” Whitney declared with a grin.
“I mean it, Whit. I’m here to spend time with you and Mom. That’s all.”
Whitney nodded. “Yep. I hear you loud and clear.”
Then why was it that Naomi suspected her friend had other ideas?
“Are you ready?” Whitney asked.
Naomi looked at all the women in rhinestones and hairspray ahead of them. Each beautiful and impeccably dressed in denim, boots, and rhinestone shirts. But anyone who believed rodeo pageants were like other talent and beauty contests was sorely mistaken.
The women were expert riders. While competing, they were given a horse they had never ridden before and had ninety seconds to flawlessly complete an intricate routine.
But it went further than that. The girls weren’t allowed to be married or have children. Each contestant also had a chaperone. Hell, even the judges had escorts. And the girls who competed were discouraged from even having boyfriends.
At her silence, Whitney raised a brow. “Is it too much?”
Naomi took a deep breath. “Yes. And no.”
“Even after all these years, I still see Suellen everywhere,” Whitney murmured.
Naomi tightened her hand on her friend’s arm. Whitney, Suellen, and Naomi had been inseparable. They’d traded wins in barrel racing, and were always there to cheer each other on.
Suellen was the one who’d decided to do a rodeo pageant. Her dream was to win Miss Rodeo America and win the thirty grand prize. While neither Naomi nor Whitney had any interest in the pageant, they’d supported Suellen fully.
And when Suellen won her first title in a local rodeo, the three had gone out to celebrate. Suellen put the top down on her convertible. And they had the music blaring, singing loudly as they drove down the dark, winding roads.
They had the entire world before them. And they planned to conquer it together.
Until a car hit them head-on.
Naomi could still hear her scream mixed with the sounds of tires screeching. And the crunch of metal.
Whitney had suffered two broken arms and a broken collarbone. Naomi broke her femur, had several lacerations, and a concussion. Suellen...died.
Naomi had missed Suellen’s funeral because of the surgery on her leg. She had tried to escape the hospital to go, and in the end, they had to sedate her. She didn’t talk to her parents for four days after that.
“Suellen would be so proud of you,” Naomi said to Whitney.
They shared a look, tears gathering before Whitney sniffed and hurriedly looked away. Then Whitney pulled her toward the corral where her horse was. “When was the last time you rode?”
“A horse?” Naomi teased.
Whitney threw back her head and laughed. Naomi took a quick picture of her friend. The sound was loud and glorious and infectious. Everyone paused and looked at her because they had no choice. Suellen had been fearless and bold, but Whitney was captivating and charming.
“Oh, you are as naughty as always,” Whitney said with a wide smile. “God, I’ve missed your humor.”
Naomi put her elbow on the railing. “I’ve not been on a horse since I left for college.”
“And men?” Whitney asked with a twinkle in her blue eyes.
Naomi forced the smile to stay in place. “None since Johnny.”
“That was over a year ago.”
As if she needed a reminder of how long it’d been since she called off her engagement. It had been the right thing to do. Johnny was an amazing man, but she knew marrying him would be a mistake. So she’d saved them heartache—and a divorce. Though he didn’t see it that way.
“Well,” Whitney said with a sigh. “By the way the men here are looking at you, you should be riding soon.”
Naomi rolled her eyes as she laughed. Maybe she would use this time to explore her options. What did she have to lose?
Your heart.
She laughed off her inner voice. As if that would happen.
About Lexi Blake
Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance that she found success. She likes to find humor in the strangest places. Lexi believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome or foursome may seem. She also writes contemporary Western ménage as Sophie Oak.
Connect with Lexi online:
Facebook: Lexi Blake
Twitter: authorlexiblake
Website: www.LexiBlake.net
Sign up for Lexi's free newsletter here.
Other Books by Lexi Blake
Click to purchase
ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
Masters and Mercenaries
The Dom Who Loved Me
The Men With The Golden Cuffs
A Dom is Forever
On Her Master’s Secret Service
Sanctum: A Masters and Mercenaries Novella
Love and Let Die
Unconditional: A Masters and Mercenaries Novella
Dungeon Royale
Dungeon Games: A Masters and Mercenaries Novella
A View to a Thrill
Cherished: A Masters and Mercenaries Novella
You Only Love Twice
Luscious: Masters and Mercenaries~Topped
Adored: A Masters and Mercenaries Novella
Master No
Just One Taste: Masters and Mercenaries~Topped 2
From Sanctum with Love
Devoted: A Masters and Mercenaries Novella
Dominance Never Dies
Submission is Not E
nough
Master Bits and Mercenary Bites~The Secret Recipes of Topped
Perfectly Paired: Masters and Mercenaries~Topped 3
For His Eyes Only
Arranged: A Masters and Mercenaries Novella
Love Another Day
At Your Service: Masters and Mercenaries~Topped 4
Master Bits and Mercenary Bites~Girls Night
Nobody Does It Better
Close Cover
Protected
Masters and Mercenaries: The Forgotten
Memento Mori, Coming August 28, 2018
Lawless
Ruthless
Satisfaction
Revenge
Courting Justice
Order of Protection
Evidence of Desire, Coming January 8, 2019
Masters Of Ménage (by Shayla Black and Lexi Blake)
Their Virgin Captive
Their Virgin’s Secret
Their Virgin Concubine
Their Virgin Princess
Their Virgin Hostage
Their Virgin Secretary
Their Virgin Mistress
The Perfect Gentlemen (by Shayla Black and Lexi Blake)
Scandal Never Sleeps
Seduction in Session
Big Easy Temptation
Smoke and Sin
At the Pleasure of the President, Coming Fall 2018
URBAN FANTASY
Thieves
Steal the Light
Steal the Day
Steal the Moon
Steal the Sun
Steal the Night
Ripper
Addict
Sleeper
Outcast, Coming 2018
LEXI BLAKE WRITING AS SOPHIE OAK
Small Town Siren
Siren in the City
Away From Me
Three to Ride
Siren Enslaved
Two to Love
Siren Beloved
One to Keep, Coming August 7, 2018
Siren in Waiting, Coming September 25, 2018
Lost in Bliss, Coming September 25, 2018
Found in Bliss, Coming Fall 2018
Siren in Bloom, Coming Fall 2018
Pure Bliss, Coming Winter 2018
