Page 52 of Unforgettable Cowboy
So it was that Hayes showered alone, soaping up and rinsing in a matter of minutes so that Bailey had water left.He assumed that his brothers were probably already in town and certain of it when he stepped outside the trailer and found one of his good shirts in a crumpled heap on the doorstep.
He picked up the shirt and shook it out, scooped up the boxers and socks that were under it, then looked around for his jeans.No jeans.He was going to have a word with his brother, which he did a little less than an hour later, when Jordan, Trev and Dylan returned from watching the parade.
“Honest,” Trev said, pushing his hat back.“I left your shirt and jeans on the doorstep of Bailey’s trailer because I didn’t want to disturb you guys.”
Hayes appreciated that, but… “Someone stole my jeans.”
Trev shot him a bemused look.“Chance?”
“I can see him setting fire to them, but that seems petty even for him.”
His brother shrugged.“I have no answers.But unless you land in a pile of shit, you can dust off after your ride.You’ll be fine.”
“Thanks.”
“Just being helpful.”He looked over at the warm-up arena where contestants were circling their horses, some walking, some loping.“I need to get Betty warmed up.”He brought his gaze back to Hayes.“Any trouble last night?”
“Nope, but there’s always tonight.”
Trev gave a slow philosophical nod.“Guess you won’t be going home?”
“Guess not.”No way was he leaving his woman—who’d slap him upside the head if she knew that he thought of her that way—alone with a predatory cowboy in the area.
*
“Great news, Jenna.”
The final step of Operation Dakota Sunshine was being implemented, and Bailey would soon get her freedom back.Not that she wouldn’t do it all over again, but the situation had snowballed in ways she hadn’t expected, thanks to her underestimating Jenna’s vindictive ex.The plan was to meet Jenna with the mare the day after the rodeo at a campground near Livingston.They would then load the mare into Jenna’s trailer, and she would be transported to parts unknown.
“So, no problem meeting me on Monday?”Jenna asked for the second time, as if Bailey wasn’t glad to finally get the palomino off the Tree Fork Ranch.
“None at all.”And shortly after meeting Jenna, she’d head south.If she truly focused, she’d have enough stuff finished to make her table presentable.What she wouldn’t have was the backup stock she’d worked so hard to make so that she could enjoy her time on the road instead of working day and night to keep up with Christmas demand.
“I wish there was a way to be certain that Chance is really on the road to Texas when we meet,” Jenna murmured.“You know, with the Marietta job interview and all.”
“He isn’t going to miss the rodeo of the year in his hometown.”He’d once left Jenna in the hospital recovering from a serious fall to fly home and rope.
“You’re right.”
Bailey ended the call feeling like the proverbial weight had been lifted from her shoulders.Soon the Matthews family would no longer be guilty of aiding and abetting and she would be free to go about her life without worrying about Chance finding the mare.She still had to get through the rodeo weekend where she’d no doubt see Jenna’s jerky ex again, but Hayes was there.Hayes had her back.
And how do you feel about that?
Conflicted.
Which was why she would think about it later.
“Bailey?”
She looked up to see Estelle standing in front of her, wearing pressed jeans and a crisply ironed short-sleeved plaid shirt, a navy cotton scarf knotted at her neck.She looked adorable.
“Hi, Estelle.Glad you made it.Where’d you park Wade?”
Estelle’s mouth twitched.“Wade saw reason and decided that it was too difficult for him to attend the rodeo this year.”
“Did the boys tie him to his chair?”
Estelle laughed—the first time Bailey had seen her let loose a little.“Close to it.But he honestly did see the sense of things.He insisted that I come.He’s getting around a little better, so even though I have a few misgivings…well, it’s nice to be here.”
