Page 48 of Roping the Rodeo Queen
"Since when do you get this worked up about a qualifier?"Jo crosses her arms."And why are you both grinning like idiots?"
I jump in before one of them cracks under pressure."Maybe they're just proud of you.You're about to clinch the championship, Jo."
She studies all three of us with those sharp green eyes, and I can practically see the wheels turning in her head.Jo's always been too smart for her own good.
"I need to get Blaze settled," she finally tells us, though suspicion still lingers in her voice."You three can stand around acting mysterious all you want, but I've got work to do."
She leads Blaze toward the competitor stalls, leaving the three of us standing here like guilty schoolboys.
Once Jo is out of earshot, I squint hard at Hank and Levi."Smooth, guys, real smooth."
"Sorry," Levi grins sheepishly."I'm terrible at keeping secrets from Jo.Always have been."
Hank chuckles."Remember when we tried to surprise her for her sixteenth birthday?She figured it out three days early."
"Well, let's try not to spill the beans for at least another few hours," I suggest, checking my watch again."The surprise won't work if she knows it's coming."
"Speaking of which..."Hank's expression grows serious."Have you got everything you need?The ring, the flowers, all that?"
I pat my jacket pocket reflexively."Ring's right here.Your wife handled the flowers, and Casey took care of the photographer."My throat feels tight suddenly."Think she'll say yes?"
Levi snorts."Are you kidding me?Jo's been planning your wedding since the cameras stopped rolling.She's got three different venues picked out and a whole Pinterest board dedicated to cowboy wedding themes."
"She's got a Pinterest board?"That's news to me.
"Oh-ho yeah," Hank says."Caught her looking at wedding dresses on her laptop last week.When I asked about it, she turned red as a tomato and slammed the thing shut."
Relief floods through me, loosening the knot in my chest."Good to know I'm not the only one thinking about making this official."
"Son, that girl's been crazy about you since day one," Hank assures me, clapping my shoulder again."Even when she was swearing up and down that she'd never date another cowboy."
I chuckle, remembering how stubborn Jo had been when we first met."She's still the most hardheaded woman I've ever known."
"Callahan family trait," Levi confirms with a wink."Now go help her with Blaze before she gets suspicious."
I find Jo in the stall area, methodically brushing Blaze's gleaming coat.Her pre-competition ritual hasn't changed since I've known her---brush, check tack, walk the pattern in her mind, then sit quietly with her horse for ten minutes before heading to the gate.
"Need any help?"I ask, leaning against the stall door.
Jo doesn't look up, but her lips curve into a small smile.
I open my mouth to speak but don't get the chance.Buck Hawkins jogs up to me.
"Kid, we've got something special for you.Your dad came up with the idea."
"What are you old farts up to now?"
"You'll see."
Chapter Twenty-Six
The Big Race
Buck shoves two fingers in his mouth, letting out an ear-piercing whistle to summon...my dad."Come on, Jeb, pick up the pace!"
Dad is out of breath by the time he reaches us, but he still manages to boss us around."Come on, Clay.We've got a big surprise for you and Jo."
"What is it?"
