Speaking of... The dun-colored horse in the crossties here was straining to break free, trying to rear up. “Problem?” Dallas asked.
Hadley laid a calming hand against the gelding’s neck. “Trouble’s just being trouble. Temper tantrum, which he does better than my Gracie. I think he’s jealous of the new mare I bought. I wouldn’t trade my horse—Mr. Robert and I understand each other—but you and Calvin can fight over which of you gets this one or the other.”
Calvin wandered from the feed room. “I’m used to Trouble. He’s not a bad sort. Just ornery. Believe me, I’ve had experience with that.” His statement seemed double-edged and Dallas remembered him talking about his relationship with his girlfriend.
“Three horses.” Dallas felt his smile spread. “You’re building quite the herd, Hadley. Guess you plan to keep me on, then.” All summer anyway.
“If you don’t work out,” Hadley said, “or you decide to just up and leave, I’ll have an extra mount.”
Dallas refused to feel guilty. They still had time to know each other again, but Hadley also knew his plans. He untied the dun, then handed the lead rope to Calvin. “Put him out in the ring for a while, let him run circles. Otherwise he’ll kick out the wall in his stall or crib until the door’s like Swiss cheese.”
Trouble apparently had the equine bad habit of chewing on wood, which wasn’t good for his teeth either. Dallas asked what chores needed to be done today. Later, after his rehab session, he and Lizzie would meet to discuss her new role in his rodeo, and maybe by then he’d have an actual venue. “Calvin’s cleaning tack,” Hadley said. “I’m mending a saddle. You get to measure grain and medications for tonight. Then we’ll all drive over to Fred Miller’s place, see if he’s serious about us trailering that stock for him to the new owner.” Hadley and Clara had bought a big rig and were building a side business for when things got slow with the cattle. “Let’s get going.”
It was only later that Dallas had an opportunity to talk to Hadley. He explained about the fairgrounds. “At least Cooper Ransom’s two hands are also on board now. I’ve got a pretty good roster of guys to ride, but I need an arena with enough space around for parking, a decent barn...”
“You ask Cooper?”
“Yep. He’s involved with the kids’ event there. Not interested in a bigger rodeo. His wife wants to compete in mine—”
“I bet she does.” Hadley laughed. “Nell and I had our difficulties when I was her foreman there, and she rarely loses. What did Cooper say?”
“He tried to say no.”
His brother laughed again. “Did you sign her up?”
“I’m letting them work it out.” Dallas leaned against a fence post, his hat tilted against the late-afternoon sun. “Good news, though. Lizzie—I mean, Elizabeth—Barnes is on my team now, helping me put the event together. Part-time.”
Beside him, Hadley crossed his brawny arms. “That’s a surprise. She hasn’t been doing her usual civic duty since Harry moved out. She used to be in the center of everything, appearing at town functions, organizing the annual rummage sale the seniors put on, running every charity raffle and fund-raiser Harry could think of. He’s the original glad-hander, always working a room. Elizabeth did the real work, but since they split up—How’d you talk her into that?”
“I didn’t. I mean, I tried, but she kept saying no. Then yesterday she said she’d do it.”
“What’s in it for her?” Hadley frowned. “Or I should ask, what else is in it for you?”
Dallas’s tone was flat. “What does that mean.”
“I know when you’re on the road, there are lots of women. Big rodeo star like you, it can’t be hard to find female companionship. Elizabeth’s different. She’s fragile.”
“I know that.”
“See that you remember,” Hadley said. “Dallas, I’m more than glad to have you here, you know that, and I savor the time we have together after all those years when you were missing. But I also know you’ll be back riding bulls soon because that’s who you are, even if I’d have you stay. Don’t give that woman any more heartache.”
“I don’t intend to.” Seemed to Dallas that more people in Barren supported her, cared about her, than Elizabeth believed. Which was a good thing.
Hadley appeared to sense they were heading for a full-blown quarrel. He pushed away from the fence, then stood gazing around the property, taking in the house across the yard, the dirt space in front of the barn. He turned toward the outdoor ring where Trouble was still loping around the circle, snorting and shaking his head. “Let me talk to Clara.”
Dallas’s inner alarm sounded. “About what?” Had he said something he shouldn’t have? Did Hadley really think Dallas was chasing Lizzie? And he was about to let him go after all? “Hadley, I’ll stay as long as I can.”
“Long enough to put on that rodeo?”
“Yeah, sure, but I won’t slack off here, if that’s what you’re thinking. I can do both.” He followed Hadley’s gaze at the ranch. “All I need is to find—”
“A venue.”
Dallas couldn’t think where that might be. “I already tried the NLS, the Circle H, Wilson Cattle...the fairgrounds.” He’d reached a dead end in his phone calls with the local Realtors to lease some land.
Hadley clapped him on the shoulder. “Relax, little brother.” He grinned. “What about the McMann ranch? You work here, why not play here? I think Clara will give us permission without any fancy paperwork. Let’s rodeo.”
ELIZABETH HAD PROMISED Jenna she’d attend their next Girls’ Night Out group, and when they met later at Liza Wilson’s new home, she went. That had meant telling Dallas she couldn’t meet with him tonight about his rodeo, but the women’s get-together had almost slipped her mind.
On purpose? Not only was she yawning—not sleeping any better—but her stomach now felt queasy. As soon as she knocked at the door, Jenna answered and greeted
