The Hometown Groom

by Jennifer Youngblood

He shrugged. “Let’s just say, I felt it wise to get to know the person I’m going to marry.”

  For a second, she was floored, then her eyes narrowed, indignation burning through her. “Did you have me followed?”

  A cocky grin curved his lips. “Maybe.”

  She thought about slapping him, but shoved him instead. “I don’t appreciate you keeping tabs on me. I get enough of that from Mama and don’t need it from you.”

  He held up his hands. “I’m sorry, okay? I didn’t know it would be such a big deal. Sheesh. There was a time when we were close enough that you would’ve told me yourself.”

  She sidestepped his jab. “Well, it’s a big deal to me.” She glared at him. “I’m not your property.”

  “I know that.”

  “Good,” she shot back, lifting her chin. “If you’ll excuse me, I have a race to get ready for.”

  “Look, I understand your need to let your hair down, sow a few wild oats before you settle down.”

  She let out an incredulous laugh. In that one sentence, she understood why she could never be with Finley Landers or anyone like him. “Is that what you think this is? A last hurrah before I become the dutiful debutante my mama’s determined to pigeonhole me into?” Her voice rose but she didn’t care.

  Uncertainly clouded his eyes. “What else could it be?” He shook his head. “You’re a Stein, born to privilege. You have a reputation to uphold.” He lowered his voice. “Think about how it will look for Graham if word gets out that you’ve been traipsing around some rodeo. Is that what you want? To embarrass your family? You should at least tell your parents what you’re doing so they hear it from you.”

  “Seriously? You make it sound like I’m a streetwalker. Well, I’ve got news for you, buddy. There’s nothing wrong with barrel racing. And the fact that you think there is … well, that’s the very reason the two of us will never be together.”

  His face drained. “What’re you saying?”

  She looked him in the eye. “Do I have to spell it out for you?”

  His eyes hardened. “No, I think I got the message loud and clear.”

  “So, what now? Are you gonna run to my parents and tell them everything you know?”

  “Do you really have so little faith in me? I’ve always had your best interest at heart. I love you,” he uttered.

  She wasn’t sure how to answer. Regret pinged through her. She didn’t want to ostracize Finley. They were friends, after all. Her shoulders sagged. “Look, I’m sorry. I never meant to hurt you.”

  He just looked at her. Finally, after what seemed like forever, he nodded. “I know.”

  “Does that mean you’re not going to tell my parents about the racing?”

  A peculiar light came into his eyes. “On one condition.”

  She stiffened. “What’s that?”

  “You give me a kiss.”

  Her insides recoiled. “You’re joking, right?”

  “Nope, I’m dead serious.”

  “But I just told you I don’t care about you that way.” When his face fell, she realized she’d not said it in those exact words. But that was the inference.

  He hitched his smile back up. “I know what you said, but things can change.”

  She rubbed a hand across her forehead. “Not likely, Finley.” She hated to dash his last hopes, but was tired of pretending. Merger or no merger, she had to be above-board. At the end of the day, her daddy and Finley’s would have to separate business from personal matters. It wouldn’t be the end of the world if the merger didn’t take place. So what if they didn’t become billionaires? Most people could only dream of achieving the wealth and status Emerson’s family had. Her mama would have to be happy with her millions … and her barrel racing daughter.

  He stepped closer, his eyes going to her lips. “One kiss is all I ask. That’s the price of my silence,” he said firmly.

  Eventually, it would all hit the fan and her parents would find out about the racing and stage name. But she didn’t want that to happen tonight. “Fine,” she said rolling her eyes.

  He slid his arms around her, pressing his lips to hers.

  She’d thought she might feel something as she forced her mouth to respond to his. His lips were warm and smooth, patient even. The kiss wasn’t unpleasant. Finley seemed to know what he was doing.

  When the kiss was over, he flashed a confident smile. “Thanks.”

  She nodded.

  “Good luck tonight. I’ll see ya around.” He winked. “I’m sure our families will find lots of excuses to keep putting us together.”

  “I just told you that I’m not interested in you that way,” she grumbled. Geez. Couldn’t the guy get a hint?

  “Yeah, that’s what you said, but your lips spoke otherwise.”

  She had to keep from laughing in his face. Had they shared the same kiss?

  “I’m not giving up on you, Emerson. You’ll come around, I know it.”

  “Don’t hold your breath,” she retorted, but he only laughed.

  She got in her car, shaking her head. There was persistence and then there was crazy. At this point she wasn’t sure which of those two Finley Landers was. At least he wouldn’t divulge her secret … for now. Sheesh. Things were getting more complicated by the minute. She didn’t like the fact that Finley had her followed, certainly didn’t like that he’d blackmailed her into kissing him. Maybe she’d underestimated Finley Landers, assumed he was still the guileless friend from her youth. But there was a reason the Landers were such a formidable family. They hadn’t gotten where they were by taking no for an answer. Well, Finley would just have to get used to disappointment. There was no way under the sun she was ending up with him.

  When she drove out the ranch entrance, she breathed a sigh of relief, putting the unpleasantness behind her. The setting sun streaked long pink and orange ribbons across the deep blue sky. Tonight was a night for riding. A night for freedom! She’d be darned if she let Finley Landers or anyone else keep her from becoming the person she wanted to be.

  This was her life, and she was determined to live it her way! On her terms!

  3

  Riker had forgotten how much he loved the rodeo. The tingle of excitement in the air. The earthy smell of livestock. The sound of horse hooves pounding the dirt. The roar of the crowd. Tonight, the hype was even greater because the rodeo was combined with a carnival for a Founders’ Day celebration. He caught the scent of popcorn and hamburgers from the concession stand, causing his stomach to rumble. Maybe he’d get something to eat before meeting Trisha in the stands.

  He continued the internal conversation he’d been having with himself all day. Should he have agreed to meet Trisha here tonight? Was he ready to start up something with her again? Riker and Trisha had been an item in high school, but things fizzled out when he went to college at Texas A&M.

  Last summer, after breaking up with Emily his girlfriend of two years, Riker and Trisha went out a few times. Then he broke the news that he wasn’t ready for another relationship, not when his career was commanding so much of his attention.

  Being the starting quarterback for the Texas Titans wasn’t easy. Maybe after he got the first season under his belt he’d feel better about things. Whenever Riker started getting overwhelmed, he reminded himself that football was something he knew as well as his own breathing. In college, he led the Aggies to numerous victories and was named the Affiliate Press College Football Player of the Year. This put him on the Titan’s radar. Having grown up here in Silver Creek, a few short miles from Ft. Worth, he never dreamt that he’d one day play for the Titans. Hometown Boy Strikes Gold sort of thing.

  As he neared the concession stand, he noticed a group of teenage girls staring at him. Rounds of giggles circled through them when they realized he’d noticed them.

  “Hi, Riker,” one of the braver girls cooed. “Looking good.”

  They exploded in laughter and ran off.

  Riker shook his head, smiling, as he got in
line. Oh, to be that young again. Then again, as much as Riker enjoyed his childhood, he didn’t want to go back to that time.

  “I see you’re stirring up trouble, as always.”

  Riker turned, surprised to see his former high school principal Mack Swanson standing behind him.

  He thrust out his hand to shake. Mack grabbed it and pulled him into a hug, giving him a hearty pat on the back. “Good to see you, Riker,” he boomed.

  “Good to see you too.” Even though Principal Swanson had a stern demeanor, Riker had always liked him. Well, he liked him for the most part, but he still didn’t appreciate Principal Swanson sending him to detention for a week when he got in a fight with Joe Benson in the cafeteria, especially considering Joe was the one who started it. But that was a lifetime ago.

  “I haven’t seen you around these parts lately. Where are you living now?”

  “In Dallas.” When he signed with the Titans, Riker purchased a condo near the Titan Sports Complex so it would be easier to get to the stadium once the season got under way.

  Mack let out a low whistle and leaned closer. “Are you going to buy a house in the Reserve where Ace Sanchez, Kade Kincaid, and Xavier Newton live?” He let out a conspiratorial chuckle. “I suppose you could afford just about anything you want with the four year, 38-million-dollar contract the Titans signed with you. And 19 of that is guaranteed money. You did well for yourself, son.”

  The hair on the back of Riker’s neck rose as he eyed Principal Swanson. “Well, you certainly know your stats.” Living life in the public eye was hard, especially when people threw it in his face.

  “I keep up with all my former kids.” Mack’s brows drew together as he scrutinized Riker. “You’ve got some big shoes to fill. The Kincaid brothers left quite a legacy. But with Kade’s retirement and Anthony going back to the Sentinels, it leaves the field wide open for you to shine. Folks around here have high hopes for you, Dylan. Don’t let us down.”

  He scowled at the reference to his last name. It was on the tip of Riker’s tongue to tell Principal Swanson that he didn’t give a crap what the folks in Silver Creek thought about him or how he played football. This everybody in your business mentality was getting old. In Dallas, people sometimes recognized Riker, but it wasn’t an everyday occurrence. Here in his hometown, he couldn’t sneeze without someone knowing about it. Before he could respond, Principal Swanson laughed, patting him on the back.

  “Didn’t mean to ruffle your feathers, Dylan. I’m just joking. I know you’ll do great. The Titans are lucky to have you. You’re by far the most talented player that ever came out of this town.”

  “Thanks.” He relaxed, laughing a little at himself for getting worked up over something so trivial. They made small-talk until Riker got to the front of the line.

  The fifty-year-old woman flashed a large smile, her light eyes twinkling. “Well, well, Riker Dylan. It’s good to see you. How ya been, Sugar?” She leaned across the counter and pinched his cheek.

  “Hey, Beth. Great to see you. How’s Bill?”

  She made a face. “As ornery as ever.” She gave her gum a go-around in her mouth. “I keep telling him if he doesn’t shape up, I’ll stick him out in the pasture with the goats.”

  Riker chuckled. Beth and Bill Pace lived on the same road as his family. Beth was known for being outspoken. Riker’s mother had dubbed her The Mouth of the South.

  Beth made a point of looking him up and down. “Look at you all muscular and tan with that thick head of sun-streaked hair. Football life serves you well.”

  “Thanks.” Heat crawled up Riker’s neck as he tugged at his shirt.

  Beth laughed in delight at his discomfort. “What can I get you to eat and drink, honey?”

  “I’ll have a hamburger, cheese jalapeño nachos, and a coke.”

  “That’ll be eight seventy-five.”

  He pulled a ten from his wallet and handed it to her.

  She placed the change in his hand, the corners of her lips turning down. “I haven’t had a chance to tell you, but I’m so sorry about your mama. She was a good woman.”

  The emotion caught Riker off guard as he nodded, swallowing the lump in his throat. The rodeo had been his mom’s world.

  Beth perked up. “But James seems happy with his new wife.” She blinked, an innocent expression in her eyes, as she held out the tray of food to him. “That was quick. How many months was it after Irene’s death before your daddy got remarried?”

  Four lousy months! That’s how long it took Dad to forget his wife of thirty-one years and fall into the arms of another woman. “I can’t remember,” he barked, practically snatching the tray out of Beth’s hands.

  “Poor thing,” he heard Beth say as he offered a parting nod to Principal Swanson, then stomped away. Leave it to Beth Pace to make a big deal out of his dad’s marriage. It was a sore enough topic as it was. Riker didn’t need Beth announcing it to the world, then pretending to feel sorry for him.

  “Hey, Riker, think fast.”

  Crap! A kid had thrown a football at him. When it came to a choice between the ball and the food, there was only one feasible option for this quarterback—save the ball!

  He tossed the tray in the air, sending the food flying, as the kid and his buddies cheered in awe. “Touchdown!”

  And that’s how it’s done. Riker flashed a triumphant smile, holding up the ball. He tossed it back to the boys. Then it occurred to him that amongst the cheering, there had been a shriek. He saw the horrified expressions of the boys as they gaped. He turned and saw the woman standing directly behind him, her white, rhinestone-button shirt covered in Coke and nacho cheese.

  His eyes bugged as he stood there, his tongue strangling any words.

  She glared at him, her face turning as red as her hair. “Are you kidding me?” She barked out a laugh, throwing up her hands. “I can’t believe you just threw food all over me.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  Her voice rose as she stepped up to him. “All for a stupid ball!” She jabbed a finger into his chest. “Jerk!”

  A disbelieving laugh sounded in his throat. This was worse than one of those nightmares where he was back in high school standing by his locker without a stitch of clothes on, while everyone laughed and pointed. Her eyes flashed with fury and all he could think was that they were such a vivid green—emeralds streaked with sunlight.

  She stepped even closer, so close he could feel her breath on his face. “You think this is funny?”

  “I’m so sorry. I had no idea you were behind me.” His mind whirled as he took in the scope of her. Riker was about to apologize again, but the words died on his lips, Red hair spilling from underneath a turquoise cowboy hat, fiery green eyes aimed at him, bright red, full lips. She was spectacular! The kind of woman that had men running off to fight wars. Heck, he’d go to battle for this woman any day.

  “You didn’t care who was behind you because you were too worried about being a big shot!” She rolled her eyes. “Well, congratulations, you caught the ball.” She eyed him, waiting for a response.

  A goofy grin spilled over his lips as he looked at her shirt. “I’m sorry, I don’t know what to say. I’m just trying to process all this.” It was a stupid response, but all that would come out of his mouth right now. Dang, she looked great in those jeans and turquoise boots.

  Her features went rigid, her nostrils flaring as she tossed back her head, her hair flying like flames behind her. “All right, funny guy. You obviously find this amusing. Well, process this,” she growled, punching him in the gut.

  He grunted in surprise, doubling over. For a girl, she was surprisingly strong. He couldn’t stop laughter from gurgling in his throat. “I can’t believe you just punched me,” he lamented, holding his stomach. The siren had just lambasted him, then socked him. He straightened back up, realizing her face was boiling with anger. “Hey, don’t be like this. I can buy you another shirt. I told you I was sorry,” he added.

  “Yes,
you are sorry!” She pushed past him.

  “Wait!” He couldn’t let her leave like this. “What’s your name?” he yelled. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been so taken with a woman and he didn’t even know her name.

  She paused for half a second, casting a scathing look over her shoulder as she hurried away, her copper hair bouncing jauntily on her shoulders.

  Riker had to fight the impulse to go after the siren. Forget that he’d ruined her shirt. Forget that he was supposed to meet Trisha right now. Forget that he’d told himself he didn’t have time for a relationship with his career.

  He really wanted to get to know this woman. Was she new to Silver Creek? Or just passing through? He was supposed to meet Trisha, but now that he’d seen the redhead it would be hard to concentrate on anything else.

  4

  Too bad Beth was running the concession stand or Riker would’ve gone back for more food. As he walked to the stands to meet Trisha, he couldn’t help but wonder if he’d ever see the redhead again. She was so darn cute with the faint sprinkles of freckles over her nose, and yet beautiful at the same time. He felt bad about ruining her shirt.

  “Hey.”

  He turned, surprised to see Trisha walking next to him.

  “Oh, hey. I was just coming to meet you.” He gave her a quick hug. Trisha was attractive with long ebony hair, lively brown eyes, and a peppy smile. A sharp dresser with a trim, shapely figure, she commanded attention wherever she went. Normally, Riker was as impressed with her as the rest of the male population. However, right now, all he could think about was the green-eyed siren with copper hair. He wondered where she’d rushed off to. Man, he’d really like to see her again.

  Trisha cocked her head in amusement. “That was some show back there. That woman gave you a butt whooping.”

  “You saw?”

  “Of course, I saw it, along with half the people here.”

  Crap! He hoped no one had videoed it. That would be a PR nightmare. The last thing he needed right now when he was trying to prove himself was bad press.