Page 28 of Head Over Spurs

“Is that the only reason you came today?”

She lifted her head and studied him for a long moment. Finally, she admitted, “No, it’s not.”

“Good. Then get a drink with me after this, we can go to Wrangler’s.”

She turned to face him, her hip propped against the fence and a smirk on her face. “I know what happens when I go to a bar with you.”

“What would that be?” he asked innocently, ignoring the way his heart rate sped up.

“Besides,” she started, reaching out and adjusting the opening of his shirt to reveal the chain around his neck. Slowly, she dragged the cool silver between her thumb and index finger. Her touch was light as a feather against his skin, reaching thebolt at the end and lifting it out from under his shirt. “We already have plans.”

“We do?” he rasped.

“I may have mentioned to Maddie and Laurel what you did for me last weekend. Everyone else is back at the ranch getting a fire going. The cowboy cauldron is out and everything—to celebrate your win.”

“And if I don’t win today?” he asked, despite the warmth expanding in his chest.

Jules only shrugged in response, as if that wouldn’t have been of any concern.

With his hand still on her waist, he pulled her flush against him, tucking her into his side. The familiar floral scent he’d come to associate with her tickled his senses. Turning his head, his nose drifted across the top of her head, and he inhaled quietly. Subtly.

It didn’t matter to him where they went, as long as they left together.

Maybe it was the high from his strong runs today, maybe it was the rush from being back at a rodeo with her. More than likely, it was the fact that he’d spent nearly every day with her for the last few weeks and couldn’t fight the feeling any longer.

Riley was completely unconcerned about being hurt by her departure. He was ready to be utterly destroyed by this woman.

14

RILEY

“Still undefeated this season.” Brett tipped his beer at Riley. “You’ve got a fast learning curve.”

The sun had set, good food had been devoured, and his appreciation for this place and these people had managed to grow yet again. He had found his place here when he was at his lowest point last year. At the time, they hadn’t hesitated to make him feel like he had been here all along. And that support only continued.

“It’s still early,” he replied lightly. “Being undefeated right now is nothing to brag about.” Winning was great. But the need to be the best wasn’t driving him like it used to.

In contrast to his experience with Jules, he had spent most of his time on the road by himself. Being named champ still ended with him alone in a hotel room back then. Not that he always minded it—the traveling had been fun, and the adrenaline he felt in the arena was addicting.

But sitting here, looking around the fire at the group that felt like family, Riley couldn’t help but think maybe this is where he belonged after all. His father liked to say ‘don’t fight what comesyour way, it’s about the journey and having the grit to keep going.’

He had spoken to his old man just this morning on the way to the rodeo, but he owed Sal another call tonight all the same. If for no other reason than to tell him that maybe, after all the risks Riley took over the years to force his life to follow his will, his father was right all along.

His parents had moved to Arizona—tired of Wyoming winters—the year he joined the circuit. Piper had already married and moved to a base across the country at the time. So, with him on the road, they took off to finally follow their own journey after sacrificing to help with his dreams.

“As long as you keep kicking Dane’s ass,” Cooper snorted from across the way, pulling him out of his contemplation.

Dane, the guy who wasn’t above playing dirty to get ahead. Last year, he’d tried to screw with Riley, stealing his rope.

He also tried to screw with Maddie.

“Which one was Dane? Why don’t we like him?” Jules asked as her and Maddie returned from the main house. She dropped down into a spot next to Riley on the bench just big enough for two.

“The one that stayed the fuck away because he’s terrified Grey will kill him if he comes within spittin’ distance of Maddie again,” Cooper answered her with an amused laugh.

On the bench to the left of him, Grey muttered in agreement, his arms tightening around Maddie as she returned to her spot at his side. This family he had stumbled upon was a protective one, and Riley grinned with amusement.

“Oh, I remember that story,” Jules mused.

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