Page 9 of Lavender Lake
“Yeah, Powell?”
“I play to win.”
He pulled back just enough to stare into my eyes. “So do I.”
Air whooshed from my lungs and my focus narrowed on him.
Something told me we weren’t talking about the bet anymore.
CHAPTER THREE
Another Airport
“Oh my God! Can I get your autograph?”
The young boy, who couldn’t be more than thirteen, was decked out in a pair of cowboy boots and cowboy hat. He stared up at Bowman with hero worship in his eyes.
Bowman looked at him and smiled, his gray eyes crinkling at the corners.
Ugh. The eye crinkles.
Stupid girl, no, stop it.
So hot…
“Sure thing,” Bowman said easily. “You got a pen?”
The boy’s face fell and he shook his head. He glanced over his shoulder at his frazzled parents who looked like they wanted to be anywhere except the passenger pick up area of the Spokane International Airport.
“I’ve got a pen.” I let go of the wheely suitcase and began riffling through my bag. I found a pen at the bottom and handed it to Bowman.
“Any paper?” the boy asked hopefully. “I wasn’t expecting to see a legend or I would’ve brought my own.”
I couldn’t help the grin that spread across my face. “Legend, huh?”
“Oh yeah.” The boy nodded. “He’s the best bull rider in the world!”
“Thanks,” Bowman said. “That means a lot.”
His tone was sincere and I paused in my paper search to look at him. He was staring at the boy and there wasn’t a trace of arrogance.
“Did you always want to be a bull rider?” the boy asked.
“Yeah,” Bowman said. “You want to be a bull rider when you grow up?”
“Yes!”
“Let me give you one tip.”
“What?” the boy asked.
“Make sure you stay on the bull.” Bowman winked at the boy who grinned.
“Brock!” his mother yelled.
“Almost finished,” Brock called back.
“I’ve got a dry-cleaning receipt or pharmacy prescription bag.” I looked at Brock. “Your choice.”
