Page 297 of Cowboys & Navy SEALs

Her man?She didn’t know what in the heck Crew was talking about, but then she looked across the pin to where the outbuilding was located and saw Nash. There was a bull in the chute, and he was climbing atop it. A man was standing on the bottom rung of the metal gate, helping him get situated.

Her heart jumped into her throat as she caught hold of the metal bars. Myrna’s words came rushing back, becoming Brooke’s fears as well. The bull looked enormous in comparison to Nash, and his horns were pointy spears that could rip through Nash’s skin as easily as a pencil poking through paper. Her muscles grew tight with anxiety as she watched Nash give the man a nod. He swung open the gate, and the bull charged through, bucking and kicking with a vengeance at the bell, which was hanging by the strap attached to the bull’s torso. Nash’s face was a picture of fierce concentration as he held on with his right hand, his left hand balancing in the air. His body jerked around like a lifeless rag doll, tossed in the wind. A whistle blew, and then Nash lobbed off the bull and scurried out of its path. Then he ran to the gate and jumped over.

The men began whooping and hollering again. A giddy relief rushed over her as she let out a whoosh and then took a deep breath, filling her lungs with air. She’d not even realized thatshe’d been holding her breath. Her knees were rubbery like she’d just come off a rollercoaster. Then she realized Crew was watching her with hawk eyes. She straightened her shoulders and trailed her fingers through her hair in an attempt to gain composure.

“Is that the first time you’ve seen your boy ride?”

She hated how transparent she was, but she wasn’t about to give him the satisfaction of answering. So she merely shook her head and turned her attention to Nash. He was talking to the man who’d opened the gate. When he saw her, he gave her a broad smile and wave. She was unprepared for the warmth that flowed over her like a heat wave as she waved back.

A few minutes later, he approached. For some strange reason, butterflies began swarming in her stomach as she watched him talk to the men who gave him handshakes and hearty slaps on the back. Then he turned to her, a lopsided grin on his handsome face as his eyes flickered over her appreciatively. “Hey.”

It was nice to know that he still found her attractive. “Hey. That was something.”

Amusement tinged his features. “In a good or bad way?”

She tilted her head. “I’m not sure.” On the one hand, there was something wildly intoxicating about seeing him riding a bull, but it was also dangerous.

He looked disappointed.

Without thinking, she touched his arm. “Very impressive,” she added, trying to soften the blow.

Crinkles appeared around his eyes as he rewarded her with a genuine smile that seemed to catch the light. “Thanks. I see you’ve met the guys.”

“Yes, Crew was kind enough to introduce me to everyone.” She didn’t dare mention that they’d been ogling her earlier like she was a prized hen. “So, do you ride everyday?”

“Sure do—several times a day during the season.”

“Really?” The thought of him getting on that monster several times a day was nearly beyond comprehension. “Aren’t you afraid of getting hurt?”

He chuckled. “I don’t think you need to be too worried about Old Blue Shoes. He’s good enough for training but is nothing compared to the bulls I ride during the tournaments.”

Fear clogged her throat as she looked at the monster bull. She didn’t want to thinking about Nash riding something more fearsome than him.

Nash laughed lightly, giving her a quizzical look. “Don’t tell me that you’re worried about my wellbeing. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were starting to sound like a real wife.”

Her eyes turned to saucers. “I wouldn’t go that far.” Myrna’s words came rushing back. She hadn’t even been married to Nash a full twenty-four hours, and she was starting to care … A LOT! And it was petrifying her.

“Well, that’s a pity,” he drawled, a hint of teasing in his eyes that looked more blue than gray in the sunlight.

For a split second, Brooke forgot that there was anyone else there beside them until Crew spoke. “You keep riding like that, and you’ll be a shoo-in for a top-seated slot this year. Blue Shoes even gave you a roll.”

“A roll?” Brooke asked dubiously. Luckily, the bull hadn’t rolled over Nash or else he would’ve crushed every bone in his body.

“It’s when a bull changes directions in midair.”

“Oh.”

A loud clanging rent the air, sounding like a cross between a cowbell and rattling chains.

“Lunchtime!” one of the men announced as they walked swiftly towards the main house, leaving Brooke and Nash alone.

Things between them got awkward fast, and Brooke could tell Nash was searching for something to say. “So, are you getting settled in?”

“I’m working on it. Cynthia helped me out of my wedding dress and then showed me where my room was.”

He used his sleeve to wipe the sweat from his forehead. “Yeah, you looked so peaceful, sleeping on the couch that I hated to wake you.”

“I met Myrna. She fixed me an omelet.”

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