Page 6 of Roping the Rodeo Queen
"Clay McKendrick, you sorry son of a bitch, get your head outta your ass."
I glance up from where I'm sitting on a hay bale behind the livestock pens, wallowing in my own misery like a barnyard pig.Buck Hawkins stands there with his hands on his hips, looking madder than I've ever seen him.
"Buck, what's wrong?"I ask, sitting up straighter.
"Don't you 'Buck' me, boy.I just watched you ride like you belonged out there, and now you're sitting here moping like someone shot your dog."He shakes his head, frowning."What's gotten into you?"
"Nothing.I'm sizing up my chances realistically."I stand up and dust off my jeans."Second place won't win championships, and championships are what I need to save the ranch."
"Hell, son, you think every cowboy who ever made it big won their first rodeo?"Buck's weathered face softens just a touch."This is one day out of a whole season.You're in this for the long haul.That's the only way to win."
I push a hand through my hair, frustration bubbling up like a mud pot."Long haul doesn't mean much when the bank's breathing down your neck, Buck.I needed that win today."
"And you'll get it next time," he insists, with the sort of confidence I wish I could bottle and drink."But not if you're sitting here feeling sorry for yourself instead of studying what went wrong."
My mouth opens, but I don't get the chance to speak.The sound of boots on gravel draws my attention.
Jo Callahan is approaching.Her eyes catch the late afternoon sun, making their emerald color seem to glitter like polished gems.My stomach does a weird little flip that I immediately blame on hunger.
"Gentlemen," Jo says with a curt nod to each of us."Buck, they need you at the announcer's booth."
"Be there in a jiff."He glances at me and winks."Don't worry so much, kid.Everything will pan out, trust me.Old Silver Tongue knows all."
Then he trots away, leaving me alone with Jolene Callahan.
She looks damn good---sexy as hell, actually---though all she's wearing is a pair of faded jeans and a pastel plaid shirt that hangs below her hips.I shouldn't get so turned on by that, but I am.Big time.I find myself wondering what it would be like to kiss that smart mouth of hers until she's breathless and so wet for me that the scent of her desire fills the air.
Christ, McKendrick.Get a grip.
Jo settles onto the hay bale beside me."You look like somebody told you Christmas was canceled."
"Been thinking, that's all."
"Hmm, that could become a dangerous habit."
Is she flirting with me?Nah, she wouldn't do that.But Jo is close enough that her thigh brushes against mine---and my dick twitches in response.Christ, I hope she didn't notice that.I need to keep my voice steady, though having her this close makes my pulse kick up like a spooked horse.
Jo leans back on her hands, studying me with those keen eyes."What's eating at you?And don't say 'nothing.'You've been wearing that storm cloud expression since you left the arena."
I debate whether to tell her the truth.Hell, half the rodeo circuit probably knows about my family's financial problems.It's hardly a secret.Most everyone has heard about my dad's injury.
"The ranch is in trouble," I finally admit while staring down at my boots."Has been for a while now.Dad's medical bills after his accident...Well, let's just say they weren't covered by our insurance."
Her expression mutates into something that's almost tender."How bad is it, Clay?"
"Bad enough that if I don't start placing first instead of second, we're gonna lose everything."The words taste bitter in my mouth."Four generations of McKendricks have worked that land, and I'm about to be the jackass who lets it slip away."
She remains quiet for a long moment, and it feels like she's inspecting me---like I'm a prize bull.When I finally raise my head, I notice something unexpected in her gaze---calculation.Whatever she's up to now, I'm not sure I'll like it.
Jo leans toward me, crossing one leg over the other."You know what your problem is, McKendrick?"
"I'm pretty sure you're about to tell me---whether or not I want to hear it."
"You're thinking too small, McKendrick."She stands up and brushes hay off her jeans."Sponsors, that's what you need, Clay."
Did the rodeo ice queen just invoke my first name?That's...strange.
"Sponsors?"I let out a humorless laugh."In case you haven't noticed, I'm not exactly Brock Sterling.Companies aren't lining up to throw money at me."
