I release a soft laugh as the bartender hands me a purplish drink with an umbrella. “Thanks.”
“It’s on him.” I expect him to point to Rodeo Ricky, but he points to a man across the bar.
Not sure who I was expecting, but it certainly wasn’t .?.?. my boss.
Myotherboss, Dallas, is sitting at the far opposite end of the bar. He’d be hard to make out if it wasn’t for those distinct features I noticed yesterday when I met him briefly. He doesn’tsmile when I meet his gaze. He salutes me but doesn’t come over. Almost to let me know he’s here if I need him.
After I offer him a small, tentative smile—and wonder if I’m going to have to explain why one of his golf carts is parked outside—he turns a hard glare towards the intimidating cowboy.
“Ricky Callahan.” The man stretches out his hand. Something unfriendly and suspicious lingers in the air between us, and I hesitate.
Ricky sets his hand down, then glances back at his friends. “New Yorkers,” he sighs. “A rodeo, sunshine, is a celebration of cowboy traditions. Bull riding, roping, racing. We’re pretty family friendly, with live music, even brisket.” He smiles at that last one. “Unless you’re more into sausages.”
“I don’t eat meat,” I lie.
“You never tried mine,” he probes.
“You have an answer for everything, don’t you, Rodeo Ricky?”
He cocks his head, and there’s nothing charming about it. “Sounds like you’ve met your match.”
I catch sight of a woman watching us and wonder if she might be his girlfriend .?.?. or wife. But then I really look at her. To put it simply, she’sbeautiful. Wavy blonde hair, blue eyes, and rosy cheeks. The kind of woman to turn heads in a place like this. She’s got a cool blue cowgirl hat on, white boots, and a denim romper.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a cowgirl in real life. I’m instantly jealous of how she carries herself.
I like her style, but I don’t like the way she’s looking at me.
As if deciding she’d seen enough, she walks over and slaps his shoulder—hard. “Read the room, Ricky, she’s not interested.”
Whew.Notthewife.Didnotfeellikegettingablackeyetonight. “On the contrary, sis, Snow White wanted to know about the rodeo we got comin’ up.”
“Benny,” she calls, and the bartender nods in her direction,not bothering to get her order before he starts mixing.
“You should come,” she says dryly. “It’s gonna be a wild ride.” She looks across the room, and I don’t follow her eyes. “We gotrealcowboys on Callahan Ranch.”
Callahan.?.?. where have I heard that name before?
She reaches for the drink Benny hands her and moves down a few seats. One of Ricky’s friends slides off his stool, offering it to her.
Rodeo Ricky turns back to me. “Got an invite from the queen herself. Can’t say no now, sunshine.” He smirks and shifts a little too close for comfort.
With nothing but the wall to my left, I don’t have much to work with as I shift away.
An arm stretches between us. “All right, that’s enough, Ricky,” Dallas slurs.
I jerk back. Hereeksof alcohol, his hair tousled, his large frame swaying just slightly.
Ricky grunts. “Thorne, I ain’t on your property and neither is this lovely lady here, so why don’t you take a step back. Try not to hurt yourself.”
“She’s our employee. Go talk to someone else.”
Ricky pauses, eyeing me for a beat like I betrayed him or something. “Still ain’t on your property, so why don’t you just get back to your corner at the end of the bar where you’ve been getting toasted each night and leave us be.”
Ignoring him, Dallas turns to me. But he doesn’t get a word out before Ricky grabs his shoulder.
“I’m only going to ask once,” Ricky warns. “Now leave before you embarrass yourself—and your ranch.”
“I’ll take my chances.” Dallas’s tone is cool and calm as he faces off with Ricky.
