Mack stole a glance in Lacey’s direction, catching her staring at him. Her cheeks flushed almost immediately, and she looked away.
“You know,” Mack murmured. “I never saw myself as being a dad.”
“Why not?” Bridger asked.
Mack slid his focus to the kid. “I guess I never thought that far.” Then he smiled and whispered conspiratorially. “Or maybe I never met a kid who was cool enough to make me want to be a dad.”
Light filled the child’s eyes, and he straightened as tall as he could in his seat.
Angela swooned.
Lacey met his eyes, and this time, she didn’t look away. Something passed between them. He wasn’t sure what it was, but he liked to think that she was cracking a window in those defenses.
Hope.
The way she looked at him was all he needed to keep trying to win her over. He could be patient.
The worldaround him thrashed and blurred. Mack’s hand tightened on the rope before him while he held his free hand in the air for balance. The roar of the crowd fell away. Each second that ticked by felt like an eternity.
This was not like riding a horse that refused to be broken.
The beast beneath him was angry and didn’t appreciate anyone weighing down his saddle. Just as quickly as the ride had begun, it ended.
Mack landed on the ground with a thud. Dust burst into the air around him, and the wind left his lungs in a woosh.
Stars burst behind his eyes, and Mack gasped as rough hands yanked him to his feet, so he narrowly avoided being trampled by a still irate animal.
And yet Mack couldn’t wipe the grin from his face.
The first thing he sought out wasn’t the time. It wasn’t what standing he’d placed on the board.
No, all he could think about was finding her eyes in the crowd.
Lacey looked sick to her stomach where she stood beside Angela. Her sister whooped and jumped as she cheered. Lacey’s small smile spread as if she realized he’d be fine. Their eyes locked for mere seconds before more rough hands clapped him on the back.
“Congrats, Reese. You’ve placed second so far.”
Mack grunted under the hit and turned to find a man he’d only met moments before climbing into the saddle.
Jacob Hines grinned broadly. “I’ve never seen a rookie do so well. Granted, there are half a dozen more riders, but I’d guess that you still place.” He grabbed Mack by both shoulders and gave him a little shake. “You keep showing up, and you’re gonna make something of yourself.”
Mack chuckled, unable to speak. The high he was on wouldn’t soon dissipate. He stepped back to let the next cowboy get in line. He moved back, and a squeal erupted in the air. He turned to find Angela rushing at him.
She threw her arms around his neck. “That was amazing! I can’t believe you did so well!”
Out of instinct, he let his arms come around her for a hug, his eyes searching for the blue ones that had held him captive since the barbeque several weeks ago. Where was Lacey? Would she be congratulating him, too?
Angela pulled back, her face flushed with excitement. She moved her hands to either side of his face, and her intentions became clear. Before she could capture his mouth with her own, he wrapped his hands around her wrists and pried her hands from his face.
Confusion and embarrassment clouded her eyes as she took a step back. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered. “I don’t know?—”
“It’s fine,” Mack murmured. “Really. You’re a great girl.”
She frowned, and her cheeks flushed deeper. “You don’t have to tell me that?—”
“Yes, I do. It’s not you. Honestly, I’ve…” He rubbed the back of his neck, and his voice cracked. “I have feelings for someone else. I just didn’t know how to tell you.”
Her eyes widened slightly. “Oh, my gosh. You’redatingsomeone, aren’t you?”
