Cowgirls Don't Cry by Lorelei James

Author:Lorelei James
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Red Hots!, Western Romance
Published: 2010-11-10T05:00:00+00:00

www.samhainpublishing.com

127

Lorelei James

Professional rodeo cowboy. Sounded like a misnomer, but Jessie kept her mouth shut because it was probably just her bitterness about Billy considering himself a professional when he’d spent his entire adult life broke, on the road, chasing a dream. Didn’t sound very professional to her.

“I shudder to think she’s become one of them trashy buckle bunnies that follows the rodeo from town to town.”

“Maybe Josie just wants to learn more about your life on the road,” Jessie suggested.

Billy scowled. “Why? She’s a grown woman. She oughta have a life of her own, not worrying about mine. Or checkin’ up on me.”

Rather than argue, Jessie sipped her Coke.

Brandt asked, “So isn’t the rodeo season about wound down?”

“Yeah. Already been decided who’s competin’ in Vegas for the NFR. I came awful damn close to makin’ the cut, but fell short.” He shrugged. “There’s always next year.”

How many times had she heard that?

But Brandt wasn’t easily sidelined. “What do you do in the off season?”

Billy squinted. “Off season? Ain’t no off-season in rodeo. Even if some of the events ain’t got a qualifying purse, there’s always some place havin’ an expo or a one day event. So while I’m waitin’ for the season to get back into full swing, I’m tryin’ to get on as many broncs as I can to improve my buck off percentage for next year. Tryin’ to put a little jingle in my pocket that ain’t comin’ from my spurs.”

The rodeo announcer tested the PA system.

Brandt stirred his soda.

Jessie fiddled with her straw.

Billy smiled. “Speakin’ of jingle…”

Not a very smooth transition, Jessie thought, but subtle never fit Billy. “Yeah?”

“Any chance you could help your old dad out?”

Dad. Right. He’d insisted she call him Billy round about the time he’d left her mom. “Whatcha need?”

He leaned forward, the portrait of sincerity. “The transmission went out on my truck. It’s at a repair shop here in Gillette, but I’m a couple hundred short on the repair bill.”

So. This requested meet up with Billy wasn’t spur of the moment. He’d called her because he wanted something. Money.

Like that’s news, Jessie.

She couldn’t resist poking him. “How long has it been in the repair shop?”

“Since Wednesday. Damn thing blew up right after I got to town. Luckily, I rode well Friday night and ended up in first. Last night I finished second. I’m guaranteed a top five finish today even if I get throwed on my ass. If I finish first overall, it oughta be enough cash to get my truck back. But I ain’t 128

www.samhainpublishing.com

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