Austin

by Kali Hart

  Austin

  Wilder Brothers Rodeo Book 3

  Kali Hart

  Austin is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  Copyright © 2020 by Kali Hart

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval systems, without express written permission from the author/publisher, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Epilogue

  1

  LIZ

  “What do you mean you signed me up?” I ask my sister, Gemma. I try to keep my voice low considering we’re in the stands at the local rodeo and there are people everywhere. Some of them know me, too. I don’t need any comments from the peanut gallery about my dating life.

  “Exactly what it sounds like.” A mischievous twinkle dances in her eyes. “You’ve got a chance to go on a date with the hunky Austin Wilder.”

  I shake my head violently no. I don’t do blind dates—I don’t even do dates anymore. After the pitiful luck I’ve had, I’m determined they’re a waste of time. Last week’s tragic date solidified my resolve. No more. I’m better off single and focused on my own goals. My bakery isn’t going to open itself.

  The anticipation of a date involves too much excitement, prep, and nerves only to be let down by yet another dud or douchecanoe. It’s all wasted time that could be spent on finalizing my business plan or testing out a new recipe.

  “Un-sign me up.”

  Gemma shrugs nonchalantly, glancing around at the gathering crowd as we wait for the event to start. “Sorry, too late for that.”

  I clench the program in my fist, crumbling the side. Austin Wilder: Pickup Man jumps out at me in big bold letters above my thumb. Just what I need. A possible blind date with an arrogant cowboy. Seriously, I should write a book about my disastrous dating history. I could sell copies in my future bakery. Gemma might sue me for slander, though, considering she’s responsible for over half of them and I would let the world know.

  “If I win, I’m never going to forgive you.” My sister is always meddling in my non-existent love life. I know she means well, but it never bodes well for me. I’m the one who has to be the bad guy when it doesn’t work out.

  “Relax, Liz. You’re just one name in dozens. Maybe hundreds. The odds of you winning a blind date with Austin are slim.”

  Letting out an annoyed sigh, I finally take the time to skim the advertisement in the program. The Wilder brothers are local legends around these parts; the closest thing our town has to celebrities. The four of them all are heavily involved in the rodeo. They travel together, work together, and even own a ranch outside of town together. Plus, they’re all smoking hot.

  The oldest two are married with families now, but the youngest two are single. And apparently Austin Wilder has decided to offer himself up as a prize tonight.

  His pixelated black and white photo sucks me into a trance. There’s something about those dark eyes and his half smile. It promises he’s up to no good. Against my better judgement, my nipples tighten and pebble. Ugh!

  Now look, I think a cowboy is just as sexy as the next girl. Add to that he’s a rodeo cowboy, and well, it’s enough to set any sensible girl’s panties aflame. But the popularity this man has amassed has obviously gone to his head. Presenting himself up as some sort of grand prize... puh-leeze!

  “If I win, I’m declining,” I declare, panties be damned.

  Gemma tosses popcorn at me, and it bounces off my nose into my nacho cheese. I eat it anyway, maintaining eye contact, just to annoy her. “Yeah right,” she scoffs. “You’re not going to shut him down in front of a crowd.”

  “Watch me.” But the words are a bluff. I have to live in this town, and don’t need to be shunned by the masses for embarrassing a local celebrity. “These are all what if’s anyway,” I counter. “You said it yourself. I’m up against probably a hundred other names in that hat. No way they draw mine.” I feel myself start to relax into my own words of wisdom, despite the nagging whisper in the back of my mind trying to sabotage my peace.

  “What’s your deal with Austin Wilder anyway?” Gemma asks. “Have you met the guy before or something?”

  “Yes.” Not a lie. I did meet him once, in a gas station. The Wilder brothers don’t come into town much. They’re gone a lot, and when they’re home, rumor is they like to enjoy their peace and quiet on their ranch.

  Well, meet is a strong word. I was standing three people back behind him in line. He didn’t even see me. That was months ago. I try to conjure the memory, certain he exuded some form of arrogance or cockiness that’ll prove my case. But I come up blank. “Look, I’m done dating for a while. I’m tired. Really tired. Especially after last week.”

  “I’m sorry,” says Gemma with a cringe. Last week was her fault and she can’t deny it. “I know I’ve set you up on some … less than ideal dates, but—”

  I laugh so hard I snort soda out my nose. Which also makes Gemma laugh. “Gemma, you set me up with a personal trainer who couldn’t stop talking about protein shakes and supplements.” Never mind that I hate the gym and love my curves, thank you very much, but this guy was something else.

  “He wasn’t that bad.”

  I narrow my eyes at her. “He showed up to our date with a six-week personal training program and meal plan with my name on it.”

  “Okay, okay. So that one was a mistake.”

  I wave the flyer, still clenched tight in my grip, at her. “This one is too. You just better hope they don’t draw my name.”

  AUSTIN

  “Who’s ready for some bull riding action?” The announcer, Ted, calls to the crowd. I’m sitting on my horse in the arena, ready to save any bull rider from certain death should one of the beasts decide to show his temper tonight. That’s my job. To stay on my horse, watch the rider and the bull’s every move, and pick up the rider once he falls or jumps off his bull should he find himself the beast’s target.

  Though the job I’ve had for years always gets my heart pumping, it’s pounding now for an entirely different reason.

  When the crowd calms, Ted continues. “Before we introduce our bull riders, let’s do a last call for our special event of the night—winning a date with the pickup man, Austin Wilder.”

  I swallow, already regretting my decision. But I lift my hat from my head and wave it toward the crowd like I’m excited.

  I did it to help out a friend. The rodeo in my hometown is the most special venue to me out of all the places I’ve traveled in the country. It’s where my brothers and I all got our start. A couple of weeks ago, the owner confessed to me that he’s been having troubles this season filling the stands and staying in the black.

  To help alleviate his worries, I offered to do something crazy.

  I gave up myself as a raffle prize.

  “All you single ladies out there,” Ted calls out to the crowd. “If you haven’t signed up for your chance to win a date with Austin Wilder, you still have time. We’ll be drawing the winner halfway through the bull riders. Grab your tickets before it’s too late. Grab as many as you want.”

  Yep. I’m giving myself up as some stra
nger’s date. Tomorrow. Even agreed to take her back to my ranch for a quiet picnic away from the gossipy hens in town. If I’m not careful, one of them would have me married off by sundown. I really hope I don’t regret this.

  Though I certainly know a few rodeo cowboys who are a little full of themselves, that’s not me at all. And had my older brother Hudson not been married with a family, I would’ve suggested him in a heartbeat. He always did have a suave way with events like these.

  But out of the four of us brothers, Tex was the only other option besides myself. And Tex has sworn off women. After what his ex pulled, I can’t say I blame the man.

  On cue, I take a lap around the edge of the arena to wave at the crowd and let them get a more up close and personal view of me, hoping it’ll sell a few more tickets. All the proceeds are going straight to the venue to help catch it up and stay in the black.

  I lift my hat and wave it to the crowd again.

  That’s when I catch a glimpse of the beauty in the stands. Her deep green eyes meet mine and I swear the woman can see clear into my soul.

  I send her a smile. She returns it with a scowl and a roll of her eyes.

  “Ladies, who out there has bought a ticket or ten?” Ted asks as I turn around and ride by again. It wasn’t part of the original plan, but I want a second look at the mystery woman who’s captured my interest.

  Dozens of hands fly up. But hers doesn’t.

  I frown for a moment, but replace it with a smile. Part of the rodeo involves putting on a show for the crowd. That’s one of the reasons they keep coming back.

  “Would you look at that, Austin?” Ted cackles over the loudspeaker. “Who knew this town had so many single ladies?”

  Because I can’t help myself, I give the mystery beauty a wink before I ride back to the other side of the arena. The sight of her eyes widening in surprise makes my evening. I might have to spend tomorrow with some woman I can’t stand fawning all over me. But I will find out who my girl is before the night is over if it’s the last thing I do.

  2

  LIZ

  “He winked at you!” Gemma clutches my arm in a near death-grip as she squeals in delight. Luckily, the dull roar of the crowd muffles her to most of the people around us. But more eyes than I’d like turn in my direction.

  “He did not.”

  “Did too.”

  I clamp my lips shut in annoyance, because yes, my sister is right. The showboat did wink at me. That was after he smiled at me and I rolled my eyes in return. He might have everyone else in the audience fooled, but not me. At least that’s what I tell myself. “He was showing off,” I finally say.

  “Liz, that’s his job. To entertain the crowd.”

  I wave the flyer at her again. I’ve read his bio a couple of times now, afraid what my sister may have gotten me into. I know it’s a long shot to win, but I tend to win the things I don’t want. That’s why I have a gnarly feeling about this raffle. “There’s a guy for entertaining. See, he’s standing in the middle on top of that cage thing. Austin’s job is to save guys if a bull charges after them.”

  “You sure know a lot about this guy for all your talk about not wanting to go on a date with him.”

  Gemma has always had an uncanny ability to rile me up for her own amusement. I don’t take the bait. “You’re getting ahead of yourself. They haven’t drawn the winner yet.”

  “Honey, I don’t think it matters if you win or not.” Gemma nods toward Austin. Even with the man on the opposite side of the arena and his cowboy hat shading his face, he’s definitely looking my way.

  Tingles skitter throughout my body. I hate to admit that those dark eyes have power over me, even from a distance. I feel exposed and vulnerable, and a wicked part of me likes it.

  “Why didn’t you put your name in the hat?” I ask, hoping to deflect some attention. For as much as Gemma likes to try to set me up with this date or that, she seems to keep her own dating schedule very open. She claims she’s picky. But I think there’s something she’s not telling me. “Or did you buy a raffle ticket, too?”

  “No,” Gemma admits, fiddling with her nearly empty bag of popcorn. “Austin’s not my type.”

  I follow her flittering gaze to the man in the center of the ring: Tex Wilder. He’s got on a ridiculous outfit and a bit of makeup, but anyone with a Facebook account that follows the Wilder brothers knows that he’s incredibly attractive under that getup. “Ah, I see.”

  “Look.” Gemma whaps me on the arm with the back of her hand and points to the center of the arena where a line of cowboys march out in a single line. “They’re starting.”

  So my sister has a crush on Tex. Interesting. I want to press her for more, ask her if that’s why she’s turned down other men. But I feel the intense gaze falling on me from across the arena. Austin seems fixated on me. I want to brush it off as my overactive imagination, but I can’t shake it.

  “I need more nachos,” I tell Gemma.

  She shackles my wrist and yanks me back to my seat. “Sit.”

  With introductions finished, the first rider prepares to compete. The chute opens and the clock starts. The audience is focuses on the rider and the bull. But my traitorous eyes keep landing on Austin.

  He’s intensely fixated on the rider, shuffling his horse to ensure he’s always right where he needs to be should the rider require saving, but never in the way.

  “Ah, so close,” says Gemma.

  I didn’t even notice that the rider didn’t make eight seconds. I was too enamored with Austin and his unyielding focus. It’s … sexy.

  Ride after ride, I’m consumed with Austin Wilder’s ability to work his magic. The first time he has to grab a rider and gallop off to safety from an angry bull, my heart leaps into my throat. The rider climbs the fence and hops over, and Austin is forced to run his horse around the ring until the bull finally loses interest and leaves willingly.

  My heart pounds in my ears from the adrenaline rush.

  “You like him, don’t you?” Gemma asks.

  “What?” I shake my head. “No. I’m just watching the show.”

  “Ladies and gentleman,” the announcer says to the crowd. “We’re taking a short intermission before the next flight. Let’s find out who our lucky lady is. Which one of you will win a private date for two with Austin Wilder?”

  Reality returns, and every bad date I’ve been on in the last month flashes through my mind like a bad trip. But dammit, there’s a small part of me—somewhere in the region tingling between my legs—that wants to win.

  “Fingers crossed!” Gemma squeals.

  “What? No! Uncross them.”

  “I may have bought you more than one ticket.”

  “And the winner is—"

  “Gemma! What did you do? How many?”

  “A few … dozen.”

  “Liz Hollingsworth.”

  AUSTIN

  The woman sitting beside my mystery beauty squeals with excitement, clapping her hands together. Liz Hollingsworth. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed. I wish it was the woman sitting beside her in the green blouse that matches her intimidatingly beautiful eyes. They might even be sisters from their resemblance.

  I nod my head toward the stands, forcing a smile I don’t feel to acknowledge the winner.

  Well, this just got awkward.

  “No, not me,” I hear a woman’s voice over the clapping. “She’s Liz.”

  My eyes snap up. The woman I thought won is pointing to the one beside her. My breath hitches in my lungs. I was certain by that scowl earlier that she didn’t buy a ticket, yet somehow she won. Maybe she bought one for the sake of charity.

  I ride across the arena and stop when I’m as close to her as I can get without dismounting and tip my hat. “Ms. Hollingsworth.” At least a dozen women around her ooh and ahh in that romantic way. Normally it would drive me nuts, but right now I find it fitting. “Will you join me for a date tomorrow?”

  The crowd stills as
one of the announcing crew holds a microphone out to her. She notices that her face is now front and center on the big screen and a smile finally stretches across those pretty lips. But something wilder dances in those eyes.

  For a split second, I fear she’s about to turn me down. My heart thrums erratically in my chest. And it has nothing to do with the possibility of being embarrassed in front of all these people. Only that she might deny me the one thing I’m craving most: the pleasure of her company. I’ve been drawn to her since the first moment I saw her.

  The next rider is preparing to mount his bull. This announcement wasn’t supposed to drag out. So I do what I do best in situations like this. I improvise with humor. “Unless horseback riding and romantic picnic dinners at sunset aren’t your thing?”

  The crowd erupts in a collective, easy laugh. And for the first time I see a genuine smile from Liz. “Yes, I’ll go on a date with you.”

  It takes a lot of effort to hide my relief from the big screen, but I manage. “I look forward to it.” Because I know it’ll rile up the crowd in a good way and leave her a little annoyed, I give her a wink before I ride off and resume my place.

  3

  LIZ

  “You’re not wearing that,” Gemma says disapprovingly from my bedroom doorway.

  “Why not?” I turn in the mirror, content with my black leggings and light pink cotton shirt. My outfit is comfortable and casual. Exactly the message I want to send since I don’t need Austin getting the wrong idea. I may have won a date with the cowboy, but I still stand by my resolve. I have a bakery to focus on, and once our date today is over, that will be my one and only priority.