Ace wasn’t talking now, a bad sign, and his silence was another harsh reminder that Dallas wasn’t winning any prize money or points. His lack of status worried him. He’d been doing great, managing to conquer his nerves, until that bull tossed him clear across the ring in Lubbock late last year. More recently, he’d fallen off in Houston. Every cowboy in the business suffered injuries—sometimes bad ones—and Dallas had had his share even before this. “You can count on me, Ace.”
“Any chance you can ride in Cody this summer, then? A good venue for your comeback.”
Comeback? He was that far out of the running? The temptation to say yes made Dallas’s blood rush, quick enough to make him light-headed. If he didn’t send Ace some signal that he was almost ready to compete again, he’d find himself without representation.
“Cody,” he repeated like a man stumbling out of a dream. It was the capital of rodeo, and the events there were already in full swing, including some fine bull riding. “I’d say sure, but—” Did he want to kill himself? The doctors had warned him—
“Don’t push it,” Ace said for him, though Dallas didn’t quite believe his show of support, which got thinner every time they talked, the tone of his voice cooler. For a long time, they’d been friends as well as agent and client, almost brothers, but he could tell Ace was about to hang up, move on to another client who was still making real money. “Thanks for checking in.”
What was left of this year’s schedule scrolled through his head. Calgary in July, another classic, beckoned to him like a siren’s call. Not much time before that either, not enough to ease Ace’s mind. But in the weeks ahead, if Dallas spent too much time alone—as Lizzie did—he’d only get down and dark.
Lizzie Barnes...with tears in her green eyes, that neat bob she wore without a dark hair out of place, the defeated slump of her shoulders. He’d hoped to cheer her up, but she’d made herself clear. Not interested. What was her deal? He couldn’t deny his attraction to her or the fact they’d fallen into bed together once—my bad—but having dinner in the best local restaurant sure didn’t mean he wanted anything more.
That wouldn’t be fair to her, even when the particulars of that afternoon in May had lodged in his head. The sweet feel of her in his arms, her tears, their kisses... He’d certainly owed her that apology. Besides, what was he thinking? She had a family, and he was nowhere near ready for that.
When Dallas had first moved in, her son Jordan’s eyes had lit up. He wasn’t a ranch kid, like many of his friends, but having a rodeo cowboy next door gave him bragging rights. Lizzie’s middle child, though—her daughter—had just as quickly distrusted him. She seemed protective of her mom. The littlest guy Dallas didn’t know at all. He wasn’t good with kids. And for the next few years—God willing—he had to keep his focus. He wasn’t about to complicate his life by getting involved with his pretty, vulnerable neighbor. So, what’s your brilliant idea, Maguire?
He still needed to convince Ace he was really on the mend. And that he was using his off time more wisely than he had in Houston. He had to come up with something...
The idea hit him like that sudden swivel of the Brahma’s hips that had ended his previous season. Dallas had a lot in common with the stubborn bulls he rode. “Ace? Listen. Don’t know why I didn’t think of this before. There’s a rodeo coming up right here in Barren.” He took a breath. “I’m not sure of the date but I could get back in the saddle then, so to speak, before I hit the road and we’re both in the money again.”
“I’ve never heard of a rodeo in Barren,” Ace said, clearly doubting him.
“You probably wouldn’t. It’s a small one,” Dallas improvised. “Not sanctioned, but I should stand a good chance. I could ride one of their bulls like I was sitting in a rocking chair.”
“Well, if you say so...”
His mind was spinning. Ace had been right. There was no rodeo in Barren.
Dallas already felt guilty for the small lie he’d told. But at least he wasn’t obsessing over Lizzie Barnes now, and he’d bought himself some time.
CHAPTER TWO
“MOM! GUESS WHAT?” Jordan shouted into the phone the next morning. “When we got to the resort, Dad took us to play miniature golf—and I won! Stella did terrible.”
“Don’t embarrass your sister,” Elizabeth said at the same instant her daughter yelled, “I did not! I was good, right, Mommy?”
“I’m sure you were.” Stella was her little worrywart and had suffered—if not as openly as Seth—during the divorce proceedings. She’d adored her father, who’d let her down last winter then all but disappeared from her life until he’d come up with the summer plan. Their children’s sweet voices, even raised in typical sibling battle, flowed through Elizabeth like warm molasses. “I miss you,” she said above the din, then in the background heard Seth’s softer tone, his tears.
“Mama, I want to come home.”
“He’s such a baby,” Jordan chimed in, chanting, “Baby, baby... He almost threw up in the car. Again.” Always eager to display a tough act, he’d become the self-appointed man of the family as if he felt he had to adopt Harry’s role.
“Please. No more,” Elizabeth said. “Jordan, get your father.”
Seth was bawling now, hard enough to make her forget yesterday’s encounter with Dallas Maguire and the apology she now needed to make.
“Sweetie, don’t cry. Hey, I saw Emmie yesterday and she says hello.” It was a reminder that wouldn’t help, and Elizabeth immediately wished she’d bitten her tongue. She had nothing against the sweet child who’d become Seth’s best friend at day care, and in September they’d be first graders together, but this was a sensitive issue for Elizabeth. For Seth too at
