The Cowboy Who Got Away by Nancy Robards Thompson

Author:Nancy Robards Thompson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2017-10-19T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

“I wish I had better news for you, Jude,” said Clive Curtis, the vice president of sales and marketing for Copenhagen Sporting Goods. “The bottom line is sales for the On-Off line have fallen off dramatically since you haven’t been able to compete. That’s why we decided to postpone the photo shoot. Thanks for understanding. I still wanted you to come in today so that we could meet face-to-face. You know, mano a mano. Because I want you to know even though others may be questioning Copenhagen’s relationship with Jude Campbell, I’m still on your side. I’m your advocate.”

Curtis paused and slurped his coffee.

“I’m not going to lie—it was a hard sell convincing the powers that be to renew your sponsorship since you’re not riding in the championship this year. I got them to entertain it on the contingency that you compete next year. I can guarantee you if you opt out next season, not only will you lose the sponsorship, but we will be forced to eighty-six the On-Off line. Like I said, I’m sorry. I hate to be the bearer of bad news. But it’s in your hands. If you look at it in a positive light you’re the one who has all the power here. You can say yes and voilà, you’ve got Copenhagen at your feet. You say no...” Curtis shrugged. “Like I said, I’m really sorry.”

He didn’t look sorry. And even less so when his attention flicked to a message that flashed on his smartphone. And what a load of bull that Copenhagen would ever be at his feet. They already had one foot out the door. Did Curtis think he was stupid?

“We’re going to need a commitment from you by the end of next week.” He said the words robotically as he replied to the text. “So unless you have any more questions... I think we’re done here.”

Jude glanced at his agent, waiting for Bob to jump in and do the negotiation thing he paid him to do, but the guy just sat there mute, drumming his fingers on the table.

“So let me get this straight,” Jude said. “You’re dropping my line if I don’t ride next year.”

Curtis didn’t even glance up from his phone. “Yeah. And the sponsorship, too. I guess that’s the long and short of it.”

The words hung between them. Bob was still mute.

“Okay,” Curtis said, setting down his phone. “To show you I’m not totally unreasonable, I think I can convince them to push off your giving us an answer until we meet at the Bull Rider Expo in Vegas, the week of the twenty-third. Maybe you’ll be feeling better by then. You know, more like yourself. I don’t want you to think we’re being hard to work with. I know you’ve got to look out for number one. You’ve got to take care of your health. We get it. We do. It’s all good. And if you’re not up for riding at the expo, we can put you at a table and have you sign autographs.

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