Page 49 of Roping the Rodeo Queen
My father looks too smug, which makes me worry about what these old farts have cooked up."Should we tell him now, Buck?"
"Sure, why not."
Dad smirks even more."It's a race to find out who's the fastest on a horse---you or Jo."
I groan."A race?Now?Jo's about to compete for the championship."
Buck slaps me on the back."Exactly why it's perfect timing, kid.Nothing like a little friendly competition between future spouses to get the blood pumping before a big event."
Jo finally glances up from Blaze, hesitating mid-stroke as she brushes her horse.Jo has a canny glint in her eyes that I know so well."Did someone mention a race?"
"Don't even think about it," I warn her."You need to focus on your run."
"I am focused," Jo counters, stepping out of the stall."And beating you in a race might be just what I need to loosen up."
Dad's grinning like he just won the lottery."That's the spirit, Jo!We've set up a simple course---just around the arena once and back.Nothing that will interfere with your championship run."
I lift my brows."Don't mind losing to a superior rider then, hey?"
She tilts her up in that stubborn way that means she's fallen into my trap."If you think you'll win against me, you are sorely mistaken, McKendrick."
"Thunder is bigger than Blaze.You might get hurt because these two troublemakers think a race is a good idea."I glare at Dad and Buck."What if something happens?What if she falls?"
"Clay."Jo's voice takes on a softer tone, and she steps closer to lay her hand on my chest."I've been riding longer than I've been walking, and I race every single time I perform at a rodeo.It's called barrelracingfor a reason.And a simple lap around the arena isn't going to hurt anything."
The ring box feels like it's burning a hole through my pocket.But I suddenly realize she's right.We're both experienced riders, and I'm being overprotective."Okay, Jo.Let's do it."
"Thunder's already saddled," Dad informs me, jerking his thumb toward where my horse waits."Figured you'd see reason eventually."
"You had this planned from the start, for sure."I'm already walking toward Thunder, my competitive streak overriding my common sense.If Jo wants a race, she'll get one---and I'll make damn sure she doesn't win easily enough to get cocky before her championship run.
Jo is already leading Blaze toward the arena, her movements fluid and confident as always.My fiancée is a force of nature.The mare prances a bit---sensing the competitive energy between me and Jo, no doubt.Other competitors and their families are starting to fill the stands as the word spreads faster.Jolene Callahan and Clay McKendrick are about to square off.
I swing up into Thunder's saddle.It's been too long since Jo and I went head-to-head on horseback.
Buck positions himself at the starting line, raising his hat like some kind of makeshift flag."Once around the arena---that's it.Nothing fancy, nothing dangerous.First one back to this spot wins."
Jo settles into her saddle with her usual easy grace and winks at me."Hope you're ready to eat my dust, McKendrick."
"In your dreams, Callahan."
We line up side by side, and I can feel the familiar electricity crackling between us.This is how it's always been with Jo---everything turns into a competition, and neither of us knows how to back down.
Buck is clearly reveling in his role as the guy who starts the race."On your mark!Get set!"Buck pauses, drawing out the moment until Jo and I both lean forward in our saddles."GO!"
We explode from the starting line amid the thundering hooves and flying dirt.Jo and Blaze take an early lead, the mare's powerful hindquarters propelling them forward with graceful precision.Thunder responds to my subtle leg cues, stretching his neck as we surge after the girls.The arena is large enough to let our horses hit their stride in no time.Jo glances over her shoulder, that competitive fire sparking in her eyes as she sees me gaining on her.She leans over Blaze's neck, whispering something I can't hear that makes the mare kick into gear.
"Come on, boy," I urge Thunder, feeling his muscles bunch beneath me as we round the first turn.The big guy has always been good on the corners, and he doesn't disappoint now, cutting the angle just enough to put us neck and neck with Jo and Blaze.
"Thought you'd be faster than that!"I shout, grinning as we blast down the straightaway.
Jo doesn't waste any breath responding.She flashes me a cocky grin, and I respond in kind.She's beautiful like this---her hair streaming behind her, every one of her muscles moving in perfect harmony with Blaze.We're shoulder to shoulder as we approach the final turn, close enough that I can hear Jo's rhythmic breathing and see the freckles that stand out against her creamy skin.The crowd along the fence is cheering.Jo's eyes narrow in concentration as her legs grip Blaze's sides with confident precision.
The final turn looms ahead, and I know this is where the race will be decided.Thunder shifts beneath me, his muscles tensing and flexing as we prepare to make our move.Jo gets ready too, with a subtle adjustment of her position and the way she shortens her reins a fraction.
"Let's show them what we've got," I tell Thunder, and he responds instantly.
We take the turn wide, giving Jo the inside track, but Thunder's powerful stride eats up the ground as we straighten for the final stretch.The cheers of the crowd escalate into a dull roar in my ears as we pull even with Blaze, then inch ahead.
