Luckily the hotel had a vacancy, probably because the Texas Tech Red Raiders football team was playing away this week. As soon as she reached her room, Raney called Dalton, assured him Timmy was doing well and would probably be discharged the day after tomorrow.
“Stay until then,” Dalton suggested. “If we make it, the finals won’t start until afternoon day after tomorrow. If you leave early, you can make it. We can both use the rest, but I’ll miss you.”
She would miss him, too. She loved having him beside her at night and knowing he was just an arm’s length away.
“Let me know your draw for the finals as soon as you get it,” she said.
He chuckled. “Now who’s being cocky?”
“I have total faith in you and Rosco. You’ve got this.”
“I hope. But even if we don’t make the finals, be ready for offers. I’m already being stalked.”
“Offers for both of you?”
“I’ve made it pretty clear I’m not going anywhere, so don’t worry about me.”
Raney was trying not to. But the lure of being the big dog at a top-tier ranch had to look better to Dalton than what she could offer.
“Your mother’s here,” he said. “Hope the maid got to your room before she checked in.”
“My room?”
“That’s the one they put her in. Seems we’ve been using the room under Whitcomb, rather than the one for Cardwell. Think she’ll believe it if you told her you’ve started wearing boxers and using men’s deodorant? Although, I’d bet she already knows we’re knocking boots.”
“Oh, Lord.”
He laughed. “You’re not still worried about her knowing, are you?”
“Of course I am. As soon as it’s out, she’ll be pushing for a double December wedding.”
“Would that be so bad?”
“Seriously? Can you imagine the circus it would be? Joss, a crying baby, everybody looking at my waist and wondering if I’m having a baby, too? If I were Grady, I might not even show up.”
“I’m surprised you care that much about what others think.”
She thought about it, then sighed. “Actually, I don’t. Not really. I just want my wedding to be mine. Not Mama’s or Joss’s.”
“And mine, too, I hope.”
“Mercy, Mr. Cardwell, are you proposing to me?”
“Hell, no. You said when the time came, you would do the proposing.”
“Did I? Well, let’s see how you do in the finals before we do anything drastic. Good night, Muffin.”
“Muffin?”
“Sorry. Studmuffin.”
Laughter rumbled through the phone. “Good night, sweetheart. And don’t wear anything to bed tonight. It makes my dreams more fun.”
CHAPTER 25
The semifinals didn’t start until afternoon. Rosco had drawn 26, which meant he was the second rider in the third herd. A good spot. Since they changed cows after every twelve rides, his herd would still be fresh and lively, which allowed for a higher score. Dalton gave the colt an early-morning workout, hosed him off, then spent a long time with him in the stall, giving him a rubdown, brushing him, and telling him what an outstanding job he was doing.
Rosco responded by dozing, which was what Dalton had hoped for.
By noon, Alejandro and Uno were off cruising the auction pens, so Dalton ate lunch alone in a restaurant in the exhibition hall. He was finishing a piece of pie when two men stopped at his table and asked if they could join him.
Max Rayburn and Sid Falk.
Rayburn owned a well-respected cutting horse outfit in Oklahoma, and Sid was an experienced, successful trainer who had been with him for years. Maybe too many years. The guy must be over sixty and moved with the stiff-backed gait of a man who’d spent most of those years in a saddle. Maybe he was retiring or stepping back from active training. Maybe Rayburn was looking for a replacement. Dalton doubted they were after Rosco—he’d already told Sid the colt wasn’t for sale. Dalton waved to the empty chairs at the table. “Have a seat.”
“Congratulations on making the semifinals,” Rayburn said after he sat down. “Sid, here, thinks your colt has a chance to go even higher.”
“That’d be nice.” Dalton didn’t expound on it, aware that neither of the Rayburn entries had made it past Round Two. Any horse can have an off day.
They chatted for a while, then Rayburn said, “Sid, here, is looking to retire.”
“Is that right? Sorry to hear that, Sid. You’ve got a hell of a track record.”
The older man shrugged. “Had some outstanding horses to work with.”
“He’ll be a hard man to replace.” Having dispensed with the prelims, Rayburn got down to business. “You’re definitely on our short list, Cardwell. You interested in making a change?”
Dalton started to answer, but Rayburn cut him off. “I’ll top whatever you’re making now. House included. If you’re on contract, I can take care of that, too.”
Dalton put on a regretful smile and sat back. “That’s mighty generous, sir. And I appreciate the offer. But I’m not looking to make a move right now.”
“You sure?”
“Yes, sir. I am.”
With a sigh, Rayburn rose. “If you change your mind, let me know.”
“I will. And thanks for considering me.”
“Good luck this afternoon,” Sid said, and followed his boss out of the restaurant.
Dalton watched them leave, hoping he’d done the right thing. Although he felt fairly confident things were working out with Raney, he wasn’t sure he wanted to be her employee forever. But he didn’t want to move on, either. Maybe he should keep his options open for a while.
Alejandro and Uno were saddling the horses when he got back to the stalls.
“We should leave now,” Alejandro suggested. “I am helping in the first go. When I am done, Uno can stay with the horses while we check out the cows in your herd.”
After Alejandro finished helping another rider in the first herd, he came back to the holding area where
