Page 46 of Roping the Rodeo Queen
Chapter Twenty-Five
The Season Ends
October has become our time for endings.Not only has the reality show completed its first season, but Jo and I will be ending our engagement.We haven't split up.Instead, we're rushing headlong into the best kind of ending, the sort that morphs into a happily ever after when we finally tie the knot.As for the reality series...Miranda wanted us to stay for another season---or hopefully forever---but we politely declined the offer.It's time we got back to normal life.
I'm not sure what normal life means for us anymore.The cameras have been gone for two weeks, and I keep catching myself looking over my shoulder, expecting to see Miranda lurking in a corner with her clipboard.
Jo's different now---more relaxed, but also restless.She's been spending extra hours at the barn, working with Blaze and trying out some new ideas for the women's roping team.The rodeo season winds down in three weeks, and Jo is sitting pretty in second place for the WPRA standings.Close enough to taste that championship and make her crazy with wanting it.Thunder and I have gotten back on the circuit too, even winning a few more titles.But we plan on scaling back our rodeo activities somewhat.
Why?Because it's time to get married.I plan on popping the question tonight, after Jo's last rodeo event of the season.
Not that she knows about that.As far as Jo's concerned, we're heading to the Silver Spurs Arena for just another qualifier.She's been so focused on training that she hasn't noticed me sneaking around with Casey, her father, and her brother while finalizing the details.My mom and Sarah have gotten involved too.Jo also hasn't noticed the way my mother keeps calling with random questions about Jo's favorite flowers and cake flavors.
I watch while Jo tightens Blaze's cinch one last time.Her movements are precise, practiced, methodical, deliberate.It's the same way she approaches our relationship ever since the Hollywood types had gone home.Like she's savoring every moment now that it belongs to just us again.
Jo has her face buried in a rodeo magazine and doesn't glance up even when she smiles."You're staring again, Clay."
"Can't help it.My fiancée's too damn gorgeous not to gawk at."
Jo turns toward me, finally looking my way."We won't be engaged for much longer.Pretty soon, we'll have to train ourselves to call each other husband and wife."
"Think you can handle that?"
Her crooked smile, the one that first caught my eye more than a year ago, makes my pulse jump."Might take some practice.Mrs.McKendrick has a nice ring to it though."
Mrs.McKendrick.Damn, I like the sound of that more than I thought I would.The ring box is in my truck, and I struggle against the urge to check on it for the tenth time today.Can't wait to slip that gold band onto her finger---and keep it there for a lifetime.
"You nervous about tonight?"I ask, nodding toward Blaze.
Jo's expression has shifted into that familiar intensity she always has before an event."Second place isn't good enough.Not when I'm this close."She runs her hand along Blaze's neck, and the mare nuzzles her."We've worked too hard to settle for second."
"You'll get it."The certainty in my voice surprises even me, but it's true.I've watched Jo drive herself harder than she would push any horse.There's no way that championship isn't coming home with her tonight.
"You sound pretty confident," Jo says, finally looking up from Blaze to meet my eyes.
"I'm absolutely positive you'll win.I've seen what you and Blaze can do."I step closer, resting my hand on the small of her back."Besides, I've got a good feeling about tonight."
Jo narrows her eyes, studying my face."You're acting weird lately."
"Am I?"My heart's hammering so hard I'm surprised she can't hear it.
"Yeah.Like you're hiding something."She pokes my chest with one finger."Tell me what's going on, McKendrick."
I catch her hand and bring it to my lips, pressing a kiss against her callused palm."Hey, have you heard anything about Brock and Maddie?"
Evasion is always a winning strategy when you're trying to hide a secret from your fiancée.A good secret.
Jo narrows her gaze even more, clearly aware that I'm dodging her question, but the mention of Brock Sterling's name does exactly what I hoped it would.It distracts her completely."Maddie texted me yesterday.Apparently, Brock's been pestering her for another date since that charity auction."Jo shakes her head, turning back to adjust Blaze's bridle."I told her to run for the hills.Once a snake, always a snake."
"Can't argue with that."I lean against the stall door, watching Jo work.The way her fingers move with such confidence, how she communicates with that horse without saying a word---it's like watching a dance they've perfected for years."Do you believe Maddie's story?That Brock threatened to splash nude pictures of her across all the social media sites if she didn't spook her horse on purpose?"
"I don't have a single doubt," Jo confirms."I've gotten to know Maddie over the past year, and I've learned she doesn't lie about that kind of thing.Besides, I've seen how he operates.Remember what he tried to pull with us during filming?"
I nod, remembering how Brock had cornered Jo in the barn that day, trying to convince her that I was only with her for the publicity.The cameras caught it all---his smooth talking, Jo's furious rejection, and my timely arrival that prevented things from getting uglier.
"Miranda cut that whole scene," Jo adds, shaking her head."Said it didn't fit the 'narrative arc' they were building."
"Probably for the best.I'd have looked like a jealous hothead on national television."
