Rodeo Rebel (Texas Rodeo Barons) by Alward Donna

Author:Alward, Donna [Alward, Donna]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2014-06-01T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five

She had to focus.

The coffee in Megan’s cup didn’t have time to get cold. She slurped away at it, lamenting her lack of sleep and concentration. It would have been so much easier if Pax hadn’t shown up. If he hadn’t dug into their past and brought up all her old feelings again. She guzzled the last drop and tossed the cup in the garbage can, then grabbed her grooming bucket and stepped into Samson’s stall.

She nudged against his side and ran her hand down his left leg, prompting him to lift it. With deft motions, she used the hoof pick to clear out around the frog, then repeated the process on the other three hooves. She was on the right front when Samson started to play cheeky and let some of his weight rest against her.

She dropped his hoof and nudged. “Get over, you big lug.” With a grin she gave his withers a loving slap and went to retrieve her curry comb. When he was saddled up later, she’d make darn sure his coat was smooth and flat. Plus Samson loved the curry comb at one spot on his rump, just to the left of his spine. She’d be sure to give him a king’s treatment today.

She was just finishing with the soft brush when Pax’s head peeked over the stall door, a paper cup beside it. “I figured I at least owed you a coffee.”

The aroma was heavenly. “I’m finished up here.” She smelled like Samson’s stall but it was a smell they were both used to and loved. “You got back into your room okay?”

He nodded at her, a smile on his face. “Yeah. Manager opened up at seven-thirty, let me in. The key was right beside my truck keys on the desk.”

And he’d clearly showered. His hair was slightly darker than normal, still damp from washing, and his plaid shirt and jeans were wrinkled but clean. “It’s sunny out, you wanna take a walk?” she suggested.

“You don’t have to be back?”

“Not for a little while. You checked on your stock already?”

“Everyone’s good. Competition isn’t starting for a few hours.”

She opened the stall door and latched it behind her. “I could use a walk. I need to chill. Focus.” She took the coffee from his fingers.

“If you need to focus, won’t I be a distraction?”

She started walking toward the rectangle of sunlight where the barn doors were open. “I’m making peace with it. You’re a bit like a pimple. Irritating but you’ll go away eventually if I just wait it out.”

He laughed beside her, a real, full laugh, and the sound sent a warmth flowing through her. A warmth that wasn’t exactly welcome.

They stepped out into the sunlight and she felt the heat of it soak into her face. It really was a beautiful weekend. There should be a record crowd for the finals. There was nothing better than a weekend of rodeo, country music and a couple of corn dogs. She let out a happy sigh.

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