Page 35 of Blue Moon Cowboy
The cow pies had dried until they were hard and wouldn’t stink. In fact, those dried-up pieces of manure were all that had kept some pioneers from freezing when they’d had nothing else to burn to keep warm back in the harsh days of settling the West.
Lainey took a cow chip from the bucket, holding it as though she studied it from every angle, then focused her attention on Cooper as he explained the rules of his game.
It was simple. Whoever threw their cow chip the farthest won. The prize was a Lasso Eight gift certificate. Jason liked Lasso Eight clothing for its durability first and style second. Shaun and Brylee and their kids modeled for the company fromtime to time and earned good money doing it. They always came home from a photo shoot with a pile of new clothes.
Jason’s mouth went dry, thinking of Lainey modeling outfits in one of the Lasso Eight ads. She’d be perfect for it, especially their retro line of fashions.
Cooper got the women lined up to toss the cow chips, and they each took a turn throwing them.
The twit in the high-heeled booties shrieked like banshees were attacking her when she started to toss her cow pie. A chunk had broken off and fallen down the deep V of her blouse. Thankfully, before she turned the rodeo into an X-rated event by ripping off her clothes, she fainted right where she stood.
Cooper and Billy watched her fall and appeared to have a silent argument over who was going to help her up.
Since she was the last to compete, the other women circled around her. Lainey lifted the woman’s head out of the dirt. The breakaway roper fanned her hat in front of the woman’s face, while the rodeo board chairman’s wife yelled for someone to bring a bottle of cold water.
It didn’t take long to revive her, or for one of the rodeo volunteers to assist her into a side-by-side he’d brought into the arena and drive her out of view.
“Our winner with the longest cow chip chuck is Lainey Collins!” Cooper proclaimed, lifting Lainey’s hand in the air as the crowd applauded. He gave her an envelope with the gift certificate, then the women walked out of the arena.
Jason wasn’t surprised at all when Lainey slipped the envelope to the teen girl. The young woman gave Lainey a hug before she raced through the gate, looking delighted by the unexpected gift.
When Lainey walked past him, Jason tipped his hat to her and winked. Her cheeks turned pink, but she gave him a wide smile.
Later that night, they settled onto a log at one of the small fire rings that were burning at the edge of the gravel parking area. A sliver of moon hung in the sky, and the air was chilly for a summer night.
Earlier, when they’d joined their friends for a potluck dinner, Lainey had changed into a bright blue dress that illuminated her eyes and wore a cowboy hat with her boots. It had been warm and pleasant then, but now, it felt more like early spring than summer.
From the way Lainey kept rubbing her hands over her arms, he knew she was cold, but he wasn’t ready to say good night. Not yet.
“I’ll be right back. Don’t run off,” he said, and raced to the trailer where he shrugged into a red and black plaid insulated shirt and grabbed a red blanket and a fleece scarf. In no time, he was back at the campfire with Lainey. He handed her the scarf. As she wrapped it around her neck, he draped the blanket around her, then regained his seat on the log.
“I didn’t expect it to be so cool this evening. The day was hot,” Lainey observed as she scooted a little closer.
“It was warm today, but the elevation is high enough, the nights can get downright uncomfortable.” He slid his arm around her, drawing her close to him, surprised no one else came over to share their campfire. He’d intentionally chosen the one at the end of the parking lot, set just far enough away where no one could hear their conversations, but close enough so Lainey wouldn’t feel isolated.
They remained silent for a while, watching the flames dance whenever Jason fed more wood into the fire.
Finally, he broke the silence. “It was nice what you did today, giving the girl the gift certificate. Cooper said her family has six kids and more love than money.”
Lainey smiled. “She seemed so happy to get it. I was pleased to give it to her. I was shocked, though, that I threw my cowpie the farthest.”
“You done good, Gypsy girl.” Jason bumped his shoulder against Lainey’s, making her laugh.
They spoke about the rodeo, the people they’d met, and the photographs Lainey had taken for her new book. She’d spent two days following Cooper, his wife, Paige, and their son, Alex.
“Paige is amazing, and so business savvy. She told me if I need help with public relations for this book, to let her know. I might take her up on it.”
“You should. She wouldn’t have offered unless she wanted to work with you, and she’ll do a fantastic job for you,” Jason said, settling his arm around Lainey’s shoulders. “You warm enough?”
“I am now,” Lainey said, looking up at him from beneath the brim of her hat.
Jason was of a mind to toss it aside and kiss her like there was no tomorrow, but he behaved himself.
“Lainey, you have to know by now that I think you’re mighty special. It’s been a delight getting to spend time with you, but anytime I ask questions about your past, you either change the subject or give me vague answers. Don’t you think it’s time you share something personal about your life?”
She stiffened and stared into the fire for several long moments, making Jason wish he’d kept his big mouth shut. He was just about to apologize for pushing her to share more than she was willing to when she drew in a long breath and slowly released it.
“What do you want to know?” she asked quietly.
