Rodeo Regrets by Shannon Taylor Vannatter

Author:Shannon Taylor Vannatter
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Tags: Romance, Christian, Fiction
ISBN: 9780373486663
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-01-01T08:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

“Ladies.” Lane tipped his hat and noticed the tightening of Natalie’s mouth when she saw him.

“Hey, Lane.” Caitlyn smiled. “Place your order and join us.”

“I wouldn’t want to interrupt the celebrating.”

“You won’t. You can help the celebrating. And Nat owes you a meal for that fence.”

“If you’re sure?”

Natalie looked anything but sure. But he couldn’t pass up the chance to spend time with her. “Be right back, then.”

He scanned the menu, made his way through the fast-moving line and placed his order. Natalie kept her gaze down as he approached and slid into the booth beside her. Her sharp intake of breath was the only reaction he got.

“I heard Cowtown’s rodeo queen is stepping down.” He turned to face her. “Will that mess up your campaign?”

“Yeah, I heard. It’ll definitely put a kink in things.” Her sigh sounded frustrated. “They can’t seem to keep anyone, and I don’t understand why.”

“Most single women want to keep Friday and Saturday nights open for dates.” Caitlyn shot her a grin.

“Didn’t you and Caitlyn used to race barrels?” He set his hat on the table. “One of you should apply.”

“From the looks of things—” Caitlyn’s gaze cut from Lane to Natalie “—Natalie might want to keep her Friday and Saturday nights open.”

“I don’t think I could run a publicity campaign and serve as rodeo queen.” Natalie shot her sister a look. “Besides, I only dallied at barrels. You were the serious one. You should apply, Cait.”

“It actually sounds like fun. I’ll think about it.” Caitlyn polished off her salad and yawned. “I’m beat. I think I’ll head on home if it’s all the same to y’all.”

“Me, too.” Natalie squirmed, hinting at him to let her out.

“You’ve barely touched your salad. Stay put, keep Lane company. Buy his dinner. After all, he worked on your fence today.”

“No need for that. I already paid when I ordered. But I wouldn’t mind the company.”

Caitlyn slung her purse over her shoulder and stood. “Y’all have fun.”

Steam billowed off Natalie as Caitlyn hurried out the door.

Would she ever enjoy being near him? His stomach took a dive.

“So, did you finish the fence?” Her voice came out tight.

“Just the posts. The concrete has to set. I kept hoping you’d get home to approve before I left, but I finally gave up.”

“I’m sure it’s fine. I can’t complain about a fence built for free, now, can I?”

“Once we finish the photo shoot tomorrow, I’ll be back to do the railing.”

The waitress brought his Philly cheesesteak sandwich, the plate piled high with onion rings.

“Thanks.” He bowed his head and said a quick prayer, then sank his teeth into the tender sandwich.

Natalie stared at him.

“What?”

“You prayed.”

“Yep.”

“Caitlyn did, too. I guess I should do that before I eat now, huh?”

“Natalie.” An older version of Natalie stopped beside their table. The man with her wore a father’s frown.

Natalie’s face flamed. “Hi, Mama. Daddy.”

“Who’s your friend?” The man’s voice was as tight as Natalie’s.

“This is Lane Gray. We went to high school together. Lane, meet my parents—Daniel and Claire Wentworth.

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