She hadn’t wanted to know and he seemed to be just fine leaving it that way. “Mamita, Hector, Emery this is Cash Jennings.”
Cash extended his hand to everyone. “Pleasure to meet you all.”
He made polite small talk for a few minutes before turning to Harley. “Are you ready to go? I don’t want to miss the opening drums.” As part of the festivities, there would be a group of fancy dancers, drummers, and singers that would open the rodeo.
Most of the cowboys participating in the rodeo were Native American. All the proceeds would go to local tribal charities. Cash was full-blooded Pawnee. She would be happy to contribute to the festivities and the nations.
“Let me put these in a vase.”
Mrs. Reyes stepped forward. “No need, Mija. I will put them in a vase for you. Go enjoy your day.”
She took the flowers as Cash escorted Harley out the door. He went around to the passenger door of the truck and opened it for her. Making sure she was tucked inside before closing the door.
“It was nice to meet your family Harley. I know that Mr. and Mrs. Reyes think very highly of you.”
Harley smiled at him. “I’m glad you met them too. I’m happy you invited me to go today. This is our first public outing.”
She immediately wanted to take back the words. Shit!
“We should have done it sooner. I just didn’t want to push a relationship on you, if you didn’t want one. Harley, do you know what polyamorous is?”
“Yes, I do. It’s having more than one relationship concurrently. It’s about connection and love. It’s about more than sex, which would be an open relationship.”
“Exactly. Have you ever been in a poly relationship?”
“No, I haven’t. To be honest I really haven’t been in any relationship since David died.”
He did his best imitation of a “girlfriend” voice. “Oh, girl. You are due.”
Harley couldn’t help herself. She busted out laughing and it took her several minutes to get it back under control.
“In all seriousness, I’d like to date you, Harley. We always enjoy the time we spend together, even when it’s not sex.”
Harley’s first thought was she didn’t want to ruin what they had going. As if he read her mind. “I’ll understand if you want to keep things the way they are. I also want you to know that I don’t plan on letting you out of my life. If we date and it doesn’t work out, I honestly feel like we can go back to being friends with benefits.
“I know a lot of guys say that. I have done it in the past.” He smiled broadly. “I will even give you a reference or two if you want.”
Oh, my god! He was serious. This gorgeous, successful man wanted to date her. In truth, she had been studying poly for years, it was something she had felt drawn too. She just hadn’t taken the step to enact the thoughts.
She’d be a fool if she didn’t at least give him a chance. He had been amazing the last couple of years. There was no reason to believe that would suddenly change because they started dating.
He put his hand over hers. “Why don’t you think about it today and give me an answer at the end of the evening. Just enjoy the day.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
They arrived at the festival grounds about thirty minutes before the opening ceremonies. They were sitting in reserved seating, so cutting it close didn’t really matter.
After parking, he came around and opened the door for her. He held her hand as they walked into the stands and down to their front row seats.
He bought them both a beer from one of the walking vendors and they settled down in the seats. Harley could see the dancers coming into the circle.
She had never been to a Native American dance before and was in awe of the regalia. Cash had told her along the way it was called regalia and not costuming or garb.
He had explained the dance and the purpose behind it. He’d also told her that he would take her to pow-wows if she wanted to go. She was excited to see the dance.
At the first beat of the drums, Harley was in love. Once the drumming and singing started, the dancers began. She felt like she was one with the earth. The drums were like the heartbeat of the earth.
Each step, each note that was sung, seemed to be in sync with the very breath she took. Harley entered into a light trance as she watched and listened.
Everything around her began to fade. The only thing she saw was the bright colors of the regalia. Her world narrowed down to nothing else.
The dance ended. She felt someone touch her shoulder and she came back to the present.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes, sorry. It was just so beautiful. I found myself lost in it.”
“I hoped you would feel that way.”
The rest of the opening ceremonies took place and the rodeo began. Harley enjoyed watching the bronc riders. She cheered and held her breath with the rest of the crowd as each bronc tried to throw its rider in the dirt.
The rest of the events went by in a blur. Harley felt like a jack in the box by the end of the day. She was always jumping out of her seat to cheer someone on. A tired, yet exhilarated jack in the box.
They had mostly just nibbled on food the vendors brought around. By the end of the rodeo, they were both starving.
The smell of the food was intoxicating as they
