Page 68 of Austin
*
Less than twoweeks after Austin’s call from Portland, Kristen was on the road to Reno for her interview—the interview that might have saved her from the consequences of her half-baked scheme had it happened four or five weeks ago.
But you would have missed out on your Austin time had that happened.
Maybe things really did happen for a reason.
She adjusted her sunglasses as she topped a hill and starting driving into the setting sun. Seventy more miles. The freeway stretched before her as she traveled through broad alkaline valleys bordered by naked mountain ranges on both sides. She could drive from Reno to Marietta and back three times for the cost of one last-minute plane ticket, and frankly, she needed the time alone.
Her brief stint at FlintWorks had ended two days ago with the arrival of Macy Crandall, the girl interning at the microbrewery as part of her course of study. Having made enough in tips in a little less than two weeks to finance the Reno trip and cover her student loans, Kristen now understood why Whitney was happy tending bar. She was doing all right.
Kristen was doing all right, too. She’d sent off Shane’s taxes yesterday morning on her way out of town—and it was good thing he’d hired her, because his accounting system was trouble waiting to happen, or rather, an IRS penalty waiting to happen. In addition to straightening him out, she’d advised Cody on the pros and cons of sole proprietorships, LLCs and corporations, and helped two of her mother’s friends learn to use a digital accounting program. Shane and Cody had insisted on paying her, but she’d drawn the line at her mother’s friends, who had eventually settled for giving her homemade raspberry jam and a plate of scones. Kristen loved jam and scones, so that story had a happy ending, too.
Her story with Austin…she wasn’t sure how that one was ending—but she sensed it was indeed ending. He hadn’t called her after Spokane, even though he’d won. That was telling and Kristen told herself she was good with it.
She should be, anyway, because it was part of her original plan. They were easing back into their own worlds. Older. Wiser.
Lonelier.
She missed him.
When Kristen drove out of the canyon into Sparks, the first thing that struck her was the traffic. She wasn’t arriving at the best time of day, but still…how could she have forgotten about the traffic in such a short period of time?
She got off the freeway as quickly as possible and took the side streets to Lynn’s place, where she was claiming the sofa. Tomorrow she interviewed, then immediately got back in her borrowed car and started the drive to Montana. Once there, she’d finish her cousin Cody’s business plan. Spend some quality time with her parents and sister. Enjoy her time in Marietta.
She liked living in Reno. But she also liked being closer to her parents and her sister and had been thinking about the benefits of living in Marietta more and more. What better time to make a move than when she didn’t have a job?
You have an interview.
She did…and she also knew she wouldn’t be heartbroken if she didn’t make the final cut. She told herself it had nothing to do with Marietta being the closest thing Austin had to a home base.
She was, of course, lying to herself.
*
Protecting a fracturedleg was no easy task in Austin’s line of work, but he did what he could, and the medical team did what they could, taping and supporting. His shoulder was also taped, as were both wrists. The rides were starting to take their tolls, but he was more than halfway through the tour and still ambulatory, which was more than some of the guys could say.
His partner for the evening was Stillwater, a former bull of the year, who showed no signs of mellowing as time passed. In the chute, he worked against the clock, trying to get the bull prepped before his time ran out. Every time he thought he had it, Stillwater reared, or worse yet, dropped his front end, making it nigh on impossible to get situated. He was sweating hard when he finally got set and gave the nod.
As soon as the gate opened, Stillwater set about doing his job—and he did it better than Austin did his. Three seconds into the ride, he ate dirt. A lot of dirt. His head was ringing when he jumped to his feet and ran for the rails with the half-skipping gait he’d developed to keep as much weight as possible off his fracture. Stillwater ran by, gave him an obligatory headshake, then disappeared out the gate.
Austin sucked in a long breath. An early out for him, but Kelly was up next and the guy rode with teeth-gritted determination. If he didn’t have his wife, at least he’d have a win.
When the end of the performance came around, Kelly was no longer in the high-point chair, but he’d finished well, and would be able to pay for his hotel room without feeling a pinch.
His lonely hotel room.
Austin felt for the guy. He gave him a nod as he took his place signing autographs, then focused on the fans, who still wanted a signature even though he hadn’t come out on top. He signed and smiled, signed and smiled, ignoring his aching leg. A staff member came up behind him to move some equipment and he half turned to make sure he was out of the way. When he turned back his gaze smacked into a pair of familiar green eyes and the floor felt like it had given way beneath him.
“Kris.”
“Yeah.” She smiled, but she was nervous, perhaps wondering if she’d made a mistake by appearing out of nowhere to surprise him. Maybe shehadmade a mistake, but that didn’t stop him from being glad as hell to see her.
“I’m on my way home from Reno and thought I’d stop by.”
“Just…stop by.”
“It only added an hour on to my drive time. A quick left turn in Winnemucca and here I am.” She stepped aside so that the small line behind her could have their turn with him. After he’d signed his last autograph, he took her hand and led her toward the changing room. Once out of sight he took her face, didn’t even considernotgiving into temptation, and kissed her hard.
