Page 47 of Roping the Rodeo Queen
Jo smirks."You are a jealous hothead."
"Only when it comes to you."I shove my hands into my jeans pockets, blowing out a heavy breath."Well, at least Brock got what he deserved---banned from rodeo for life.Maddie only got a two-year suspension."
Jo shakes her head."Feels like she got the raw end of that deal."She checks Blaze's legs one more time."Maddie was defending herself, and Brock was the one who---"
"Started it all," I finish for her."I know.But the PRCA had to make an example of them both.At least her suspension's relatively short."
Jo makes a noncommittal sound, but I can tell she's still bothered by the situation.That's my woman---fiercely protective of those she cares about.It's one of the thousand reasons I love her.
"We should head out."I check my watch."Don't want to be late for the big event."
"You mean my qualifier?"Jo raises her eyebrows."Since when are you Mr.Punctuality?"
I shrug, trying to keep my expression neutral."Just eager to see you kick some ass out there.Plus, I promised your dad we'd meet him early."
Jo gives me a look that says she's not entirely buying it, but she finishes with Blaze's tack and leads the mare out of the stall."Fine, but you're acting jumpy as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs."
"Ha-ha."I swat her ass."Get out there, Jolene, and whup all the other girls.
She grasps my ass, giving it a squeeze."After that, I'll get to watch you riding the baddest bull in rodeo.You know how that always makes me horny."
The drive to Silver Spurs Arena takes forty minutes, and Jo spends most of it going over her strategy, talking through the cloverleaf pattern for what must be the hundredth time this week.I nod and make the right noises at the right moments, but my mind keeps drifting back to the blue velvet box tucked safely in my jacket pocket.I'd moved it from the dashboard when Jo wasn't looking.
When we pull into the arena parking lot, I can already see the crowd gathering.More people than usual for a qualifier, which means word's gotten out about Jo's championship run.The local news van parked near the entrance confirms it.
I nod toward the van."Looks like you've got some media attention, darlin'."
Jo groans."Great.Just what I need---extra pressure."She hops out of the truck and starts unloading Blaze."I hate when the media shows up.Makes everything feel so...commercial."
"Of course reporters are here.It's official, baby.You're about to make history."
She pauses, her hand on Blaze's lead rope."Don't jinx it."
"No such thing as jinxing anything."I grab her gear bag and sling it over my shoulder."Besides, after all that reality TV nonsense, a local news crew shouldn't bother you one bit."
Jo rolls her eyes, but I can see the tension in her shoulders easing a little."At least these reporters won't ask me to cry on cue or manufacture drama with my fiancé."
"That's the spirit."I rest my hand on the small of her back as we lead Blaze toward the competitors' area."Just another day at the office."
Jo's father spots us before we see him, his deep voice carrying over the pre-rodeo bustle.
"Jo!Clay!Over here!"Hank Callahan waves his cowboy hat above the crowd, and I spot Jo's brother Levi standing next to him, both of them grinning like they've won the lottery.
"Dad's awfully excited for a qualifier," Jo mutters under her breath, but she's smiling as we make our way over to them.
Hank pulls Jo into a bear hug that lifts her clean off the ground."There's my champion daughter!"
"Dad, I haven't won anything yet," Jo protests, but she's laughing.
"Baloney," Hank waves her off, then claps me on the shoulder hard enough to rattle my teeth."Clay, good to see you, son."
Levi steps forward, and there's something in his expression that tells me he knows.Both our families know what's coming tonight, but keeping this secret is apparently harder for the Callahan men than I thought it would be.
"Big night," Levi says, trying to sound casual but failing miserably."Really big night."
Jo narrows her eyes, glancing between her father and brother."Okay, what's going on?You're both acting so weird that I'm about ready to call a psychiatrist."
"Nothing's going on," Hank says quickly."Can't a father be excited about his daughter competing in a rodeo?"
