He charged toward her, grasped her elbow and tugged her forward. “Sorry,” he apologised to the men. “This is important.”
“Cody,” she argued, attempting to pull her arm loose. “I’m sure whatever it is, it can wait.”
“It can’t wait.”
“I’m sorry, I will be back with you as soon as I can,” Callie called over her shoulder to the men, whose looks of surprise had turned to frustration.
He supposed it could have waited, but she needed to know. Leaving her no choice, she allowed him to drag her away from prying ears. As soon as he was sure they were alone, he spun her to face him and held both her forearms.
“This better be good, Cody. I’ve got very important business to attend to.”
“I need to apologise to you,” he started.
“Well, you got that right,” she scoffed.
“Grace told me what happened the other night. Why didn’t you say something? All this time I’ve been wondering what the hell was going on.”
“Why didn’t I say something?” she repeated, her voice laced with anger. “Are you seriously dragging me away to discuss this right now?”
He dropped his grip on her arms, allowing them to fall to her sides. “Let me start this again,” he sighed. “Grace told me you came over to the house the other night and caught me in the act.”
Callie turned to walk away, and he reached out, taking her hand, forcing her to turn back. “Cal, I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were there. I didn’t know you saw that.”
“Oh, so what? You’re sorry you got caught?” She rolled her eyes. “Whatever, Cody. I’ve got to work.”
“Yes, I’m sorry you saw that, but it wasn’t what you think you saw.”
“Oh, that’s original.”
“Seriously, you have to believe me. Heidi was telling a story, and she was showing everyone what happened one night at a rodeo, or some shit, I don’t even remember. She chose me. There was nothing in it. I’m not interested in Heidi. I only want you.”
“It doesn’t matter, Cody. It’s not like we were exclusive or anything. You’re a cowboy. I shouldn’t have expected anything else. You just do you, alright? Now, I have to get back to work.”
Her words hit him in the chest. He needed her to believe him. He was telling the truth.
“Callie,” he tried one more time as she turned her back and walked away from him.
She raised a hand and gave him a back-handed wave. She wasn’t interested in his excuses. Perhaps the truth didn’t matter to her, but it mattered to him.
Chapter Fifteen
Callie walked through the crowd of happy revellers, feeling the weight of the world had been lifted from her shoulders. Another successful event was almost over. There would be the inevitable drunken fights, and security was on high alert. But all told, she had brought together another rodeo. Her dad would be proud.
A hush fell over the crowd as The Brays struck a chord, “The Cowboy’s Girl” had become almost an anthem at Carrillo and indeed throughout Harlow’s Bend. Each year, the band would play ‘their song’ about a cowboy and his girl. There had been a few marriage proposals borne from that song, and Callie suspected it was The Brays’ meal ticket to a few weddings.
Turning to watch as the first few lines rang out through the crowd, she was thrust forward when someone made contact with her back. Quickly regaining her footing, she turned to see a familiar face sporting bleary eyes.
“Well, hello there, Msssss Carrillo,” Joel Olsen slurred.
“Mr. Olsen,” she replied curtly, silently hoping the kids hadn’t seen him like this.
“Joelllllll,” he replied, swaying to one side. She was surprised he could remember his name, let alone hers. “Good show.”
“Thank you.”
“So I’ve been thinking about your invitation. I think I would like to apply.” He hiccoughed, took a swig from a beer can, and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “I mean, I think I’d be a pretty good catch.”
A laugh escaped her as she shook her head. “Leave me alone, Mr. Olsen,” she stated flatly and turned her back. She spun around to face him when she felt his hand on her bicep.
“I really think you should consider this . . . me. I mean, I might be the best offer you ever get.” Joel’s dark, watery eyes burned into hers.
Placing her hand over his, where it clung to her arm, she peeled his fingers away. “If you ever lay your hands on me again,” she seethed. “I will make sure you never work in this town again.”
“Is everything okay here?” Cody’s voice took her entirely by surprise, and judging by the look on Joel’s face, she wasn’t alone.
“Yes,” she looked from him back to Joel. “Mr. Olsen here is just leaving. He came to say goodbye.”
“Does he need an escort?”
Stupidly, probably due to his drunken state, Joel stumbled forward. “I just want a kiss goodbye.”
Callie felt his weight press against her chest, and his whiskers brush against her cheek before he was pulled back, his eyes widening in shock.
“The lady told you to leave. What don’t you understand?” Cody ground out. His strong arms pinning Joel’s back to his chest.
The crowd around them dispersed, and within seconds four guards descended on them, two grabbing Cody while the other wrenched Joel from Cody’s grasp.
“Ms. Carrillo?” the smallest of the guards asked. He had been the one in charge; she had spoken to him several times throughout the day.
“Make sure he gets home,” she nodded to Joel. “Cody’s okay.”
Releasing Cody, the men escorted Joel from the fenced area, amid mumblings of contestation. The people around them went back to enjoying their night, barely registering that anything untoward had happened.
“Are you okay?” Cody moved in closer and reached out for her as the music amped up.
“I’m fine. Thank you. I could have handled it, but I’m glad you were here.”
“Who was that douche?”
“My kids’ teacher,” she sighed. “I mean, I knew he was a dick, but he’s obviously had too much to drink.”
“Their teacher?”
