The Cowboy Meets His Match by Sarah Mayberry

Author:Sarah Mayberry
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Romance
ISBN: 9781949068771
Publisher: The Tule Publishing Group, LLC
Published: 2018-07-30T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Jesse spent half an hour with Major, taking him for a walk around the grounds, then giving him his head in the practice arena. Afterward, he led the gelding back to his pen and made sure he had enough feed and water before giving him a light brush. All the while, he chewed over what had happened at the pancake breakfast.

CJ’s anxiety about being linked to him had been a palpable thing until his family joined them at the table, unwittingly providing a smokescreen for the two of them. He couldn’t blame her for being worried—she’d been right about what Maynard would do and say if he’d spotted them together. If he got wind of the fact that Jesse had spent the night in CJ’s bed, he’d turn it into something dirty and low and use it to shame CJ. He’d claim it was proof CJ’s inclusion in the pro saddle bronc competition would only cause trouble. He’d probably even cite Jesse’s inevitable defense as proof that introducing women into the competition was divisive. He’d ensure that every time CJ walked into a room, she’d be subjected to knowing looks and speculation.

There was no upside to Jesse and CJ’s involvement becoming public, at all. Especially for CJ.

And yet Jesse had wanted to hold her hand across the table at breakfast. He’d wanted to laugh into her eyes and tease her just so he could watch her rise to the challenge. He’d wanted to hear more about her life and tell her more of his own.

Which left him with a problem, because she had made it very clear she didn’t want to get entangled with anyone, let alone a fellow rider.

Major nickered quietly, turning to press his head against Jesse’s side, and Jesse smoothed a gentle hand down his shoulder.

“My timing could definitely be better, huh?”

He walked to his trailer afterward to collect his gear, conscious of the roar of the crowd in the arena. He checked his watch and realized the bareback short round was already underway. He let himself into his trailer and piled his vest and chaps on top of his saddle. Sitting on his bed, he pulled off his regular boots and swapped them out for a much-abused pair that were a full size larger than he usually wore. He shook a generous cloud of talcum powder down the shaft before pulling them on. The powder and the larger boot size made it easier to slip his foot free if he happened to get hung up in the stirrups during his ride. It was an old rodeo trick, and it had saved him a broken leg more than once over the years.

His thoughts kept turning to CJ as he fastened his spurs to his boots and strapped on his chaps. She must be nervous. This was her first final and she was bound to be feeling the pressure. He wished he could stand by her, offer his support, but that would only create talk. Feeling more

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