Page 42 of Blue Moon Cowboy
Lainey wouldn’t admit it if asked, but she missed being around Jason’s busy, messy, crazy, sometimes loud family. It made her heart so happy the way they welcomed her as part of their group, just as Jason’s friends had made her feel like part of his rodeo family.
Since she’d begun working on the rodeo Faces book, Lainey had enjoyed attending the rodeos and sitting among people she was coming to know and admire. They had no qualms about letting her hold babies or answering her questions whether they were rodeo-related or not.
She loved them all and wouldn’t let herself think about how her heart would break when the day came that her new book was finished and she’d have no reason to spend time with them.
Her heart whispered that she wouldn’t have to give up anything if she’d just admit how much she loved Jason. Every time she thought of him, she heard that whisper of “home.”
But Lainey had given up the dream of a family of her own and a home where she belonged years and years ago.
Besides, she’d been on her own for so long, she wasn’t sure she was capable of sharing her life with anyone. Could she give up her freedom for Jason? Give up answering to no one except herself?
Lainey knew she needed to make some decisions soon. It wasn’t fair to Jason or her, for that matter, to keep them in a state of … she wasn’t exactly sure what to call it. They were friends. If she cared to be honest with herself, Jason had easily become her dearest, closest friend in the time she’d known him.
Then there was the chemistry between the two of them. At her age, she hadn’t even known she was capable of feeling sparks shooting through her veins, but they did when he kissed her. Sometimes all it took was one of his playful looks for heat to curl around her while her stomach felt weightless.
Each time he called her Gypsy and gave her a hug that warmed her all the way to her soul, she wanted to forget all the vows and resolves she’d made to remain unfettered and alone.
“Welcome to the final go-round, folks!” the announcer said, signaling the beginning of the rodeo and interrupting her introspective thoughts.
Lainey moved back as Jason and Shaun rode inside the gate.
She stepped over beside Celia. “You’re right. He’s a unicorn.”
Celia laughed and settled an arm around Lainey’s waist, giving her a squeeze. “Took you long enough to admit. Have you given any thought to making what you and Jason have together something permanent?”
“I’ve tried not to think about it. I … let’s just say my past has made it extremely difficult to consider opening my heart to anyone, but Jason has used a crowbar to try to pry his way in.”
“That’s a never-quit cowboy for you.” Celia gave Lainey one more squeeze before she slipped inside the arena. She would take photos during the bareback riding event that would start as soon as the grand entry wrapped up.
Lainey made her way to her seat, where she found herself surrounded by a jovial group of friends. Brylee and her two youngsters were there, as well as Paige James and her son, Alex. Paige’s business partner, a woman named Ashley Nash, was inattendance with her toddler. Ashley’s husband was among the tie-down ropers competing that afternoon.
Lainey had enjoyed the opportunity to become acquainted with more than a dozen other people who were in Jason’s circle of friends.
Keller Drake took a seat behind her with his beautiful little girl, Ella. Alex practically climbed right over the top of his mother to get to the child who was his age. Keller was married to Western lifestyle reporter Cobie Quinn and worked for a horse trainer in Hermiston, Oregon. On the weekends, he sometimes came to events where Cobie was reporting and brought Ella along.
It was apparent to everyone that Ella and Alex were quite fond of one another, and it showed good character that they included Carter Price in their playtime.
Lainey had been pleased when Keller and Cobie had agreed to be part of Lainey’s new book. She’d been dying to photograph Ella because the child had such gorgeous hair and the sweetest smile and was just as cute as she could be. Keller had retired after the national finals rodeo in December to be able to care for Ella. Lainey didn’t know the whole story, but she’d learned that Keller had no idea Ella even existed until about a year ago, when the child’s mother had passed away.
She couldn’t begin to imagine how hard it must have been for a successful bareback rider to give up a career he excelled at to care for a child he hardly knew. However, to the outsider looking in, no one would guess he hadn’t always been parenting Ella. Despite his youth, he was a wonderful father and attentive to both Ella and Cobie.
When a hand settled on her shoulder, she looked up to see Kash holding Addie Kate on one arm.
“Sure you don’t mind keeping her for a while?” he asked.
“Not at all,” Lainey said, taking the diaper bag from Kash and setting it at her feet, then reaching for the baby.
“Either Celia or I will be back to check on her after the bareback riding is over.” Kash tipped his hat to her and dashed off.
Addie Kate had spent enough time with Lainey to grin and babble as soon as she took her in her arms. Lainey brushed the hair from the baby’s forehead and kissed her, then distracted the little one with a game of peek-a-boo. It seemed no matter how many decades passed, that game was a perennial favorite with infants and toddlers.
The rodeo got off to an energy-packed start and progressed smoothly. Kash took Addie Kate during the timed events, and Celia brought her back for the rough stock competitions. Lainey was holding the baby when the bull riding started.
It was the least favorite event of Lainey’s. She always feared someone getting hurt, whether it was the bull rider, the bullfighters, the bull, or an innocent bystander. She particularly worried about Jason and Shaun, because they were the ones who had to rope and force out the bulls that wouldn’t leave the arena.
Thankfully, most of Kash’s bulls knew the routine well enough they didn’t linger long in the arena. A few, though, liked to strut their stuff and show off for the crowds. Or that’s how Lainey viewed their actions.
The second to the last bull out of the chute sent his rider flying on the first buck. Free from the weight on his back, the bull bucked and twisted, slinging snot and manure like it was confetti during a parade.
