Page 38 of Big Daddy Bull Riders

Daisy grinned. “No, the guys aren’t together,” she answered before Mina could ask. “They’re just all with me.”

“Gotcha,” Mina said with a giggle. “Sorry to pry.”

“Don’t be. Lots of people wonder that.” She grinned. “That’s not our dynamic. But don’t get me wrong—sometimes we all do stuff together. Or more they, uh… you know… do stuffwith me… all together.”

Mina grinned, too. “I get what you’re saying.”

“Jackson and Slater are together, huh? And with you?” Daisy probed.

“Yep,” Mina confirmed. “And I’m with them. But part of me wonders if this is sustainable.”

Daisy put a soft hand on her arm. “You know what I love about today? As in, the times we live.”

Mina shook her head.

“We get to define the relationships we have. I’m not saying things are perfect. Society still has a long way to go when it comes to acceptance. But it’s better than it used to be. Now,throupleis a word that’s hit the mainstream. Influencers are honest about their relationships on social media. You even see it on TV shows, and they’re not making the people look like freaks.

“I’m not saying that means your relationship will work. But I’m saying you’re the one—along with Jackson and Slater—who gets to decide that. If it feels right, it very well might be. Why not give it a shot?”

Mina thought about her new friend’s words for a moment and then nodded. “You’re right. And it does feel right.So right.”

Daisy nodded. “Then that’s what you gotta go with. How it feels for the three of you.”

Mina hugged her. “Thank you, friend.”

“I’m here anytime you need to talk.”

Before the conversation could continue, Jackson appeared in the clearing of trees and called out, “Mina, honey, you might want to come see this.”

“Is everything okay?” she asked, taking off toward him in a full spring.

“Whoa there, little lady. Slow down. Everything is just fine. I don’t want you to stumble on a fallen branch or something and roll your ankle. Hold my hand.”

She accepted his hand and walked at a more measured pace, along with Daisy, back through the trees.

“Just thought you’d want to see how your Daddy—” Jackson paused and grinned— “YourotherDaddy… is doing.” He trotted toward one of the ropes and said, “You ready, Slater?”

“Ready,” the cowboy atop the barrel said.

Mina watched as Jackson took a moment to look at the firemen the best he could from where they stood. “On the count of three, let ‘er rip, boys!”

He counted down and then the chaos started. The strong men had no trouble jerking the ropes and the barrel started bucking. Mina imagined it wasn’t anything like a bull, but it was sure a lot! She would have flown right off that thing.

Yet Slater was able to hold on, waving is black Stetson high above his head as he rode the frenzied storm with an athletic grace like Mina had never seen.

It was evident the man was a true bull rider, if there ever was one.

“Give it all you got!” he yelled. “Knock me off this damn thing!”

Jackson and the firemen picked up the intensity, and soon, Slater was sliding to the right as if he was about to topple off, but he jerked himself to the right at the last second.

Mina was amazed at how quickly he realigned himself in the center. It looked as if he might fall off a few more times, but somehow, he stayed on.

The men eventually slowed down, and Mina figured their arms had to be sore. She assumed Slater’s legs would be sore, too, because she’d noticed him squeezing them tightly around that barrel. It had to take a lot of muscle control.

“That’s amazing!” she cheered. “Daddy, you did awesome!” She threw her arms around his neck the second his boots thudded onto the ground.

He hugged her tightly and said, “Thanks, darlin’. Felt good to be back on.”

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