This is exactly why I didn’t want Wilder letting me off the hook today. I’m not some helpless, ignorant child.
Dallas flicks his gaze between me and Wilder, bored with all the accusations. “I heard enough. What’s happening now?”
“Wilder caught us and put the boys and me on stall duty and Rose on stones. Asked me to supervise.”
Dallas’s eyes drop to the spilled bucket. “I see you’re being real helpful.”
“Well, I—”
“Grab some gloves and finish the field.”
Randy dips to refill the bucket.
“No,” I shout.
Wilder snaps his head at me. “Rose. Go get cleaned up. You’re done.”
“I said no. I’m not finished here. I can do this.”
Wilder exhales a frustrated sigh. “Rose, that was—”
“An order?” I demand.
Dallas coughs into his fist. Wilder shoots him a glare.
Dallas rolls his eyes. “She’s right. It’s not fair. They were all involved. Boys,” he calls them over. “Why doesn’t everyone justapologize, and you can all call it a day.”
I hear them all mutter their apology, admitting it was wrong. While I stand here simmering with rage.
Dallas looks at me. “Rose. We didn’t hear you.”
“I’m sorry .?.?. we got caught.”
Dallas’s brows shoot up and he covers his mouth.
I fold my arms defiantly. “This city girl obviously works bestalone.”
Randy cocks his head. “Excuse me?”
“No pun intended, but who’s bright idea was it to shut off the emergency lights?” I put my hand up before anyone can argue. “All I know is I had no problem sneaking out with stolen property my second night here. Couldn’t find an exit, so I fucking made one. Meanwhile, three country boys couldn’t figure out how to quietly make it to a rodeo with a borrowed horse? Amateurs.”
I’m clearly having a tantrum right now. No one gives me enough credit.
Wilder’s scowl deepens. “Show’s over. I don’t care what you all do, just go,” he shouts at the men.
Randy and the others don’t hesitate to take off.
I stalk over to the buckets, lifting one to carry it back to the shed.
“Drop it,” Wilder barks, jumping off his horse. I only grip it tighter.
Dallas jumps off too. “Something you forget to tell me this morning?” he mutters to his brother.
“I’ve got a handle on it.”
The older brother—who looked downright lethal a moment ago—carefully takes the bucket from me, then shuffles my hair. “Nice job, sis.”
I frown up at him.
