Page 41 of Blue Moon Cowboy
Lainey was suddenly exhausted, so she handed Jason her keys and closed her eyes as he drove them to the rodeo venue.
He parked her van a few spaces away from the Price trailer and next to Cooper James’ trailer.
“Anything you need before I pretend I’m a gentleman and tell you good night?” Jason asked with a suggestive waggle of his eyebrows as he shut off the van, making her laugh.
“No, but thanks for that off-putting offer.”
Jason made a ridiculous, leering face that caused her to laugh aloud as she pulled out the shades that covered the front windshield and the two side windows to give her privacy at night.
After helping slide them into place, Jason opened the side door and stepped out. Lainey moved to stand on the step, which put her almost nose to nose with Jason.
He settled his hands on her waist and gazed at her with a look of such warmth and affection on his face, Lainey hoped she’d always remember it. Remember how a good, incredible man loved her so thoroughly and completely without pushing her for more than she was willing to give.
“Thanks for buying dinner for Reuben. He texted me,” she said, placing her hands on Jason’s shoulders, lightly massaging them.
“My pleasure. I owe him one for coming to your rescue.”
“That wasn’t your problem.”
“Maybe not, but I’m glad he helped you all the same.” Jason pulled her toward him and kissed her softly. “Have sweet dreams, Gypsy.”
“You too, Slim.”
Jason tipped his head to her, then walked toward his trailer.
Lainey remained in the doorway, watching him, wondering how she’d survive when the time came to tell him goodbye.
Chapter Eight
“Are you kidding me right now?” Celia Kressley asked as she and Lainey stood outside the main gate into the rodeo arena before the afternoon’s events began.
Lainey smiled. “I’m not kidding in the least. My publisher loved the idea of bringing you on board to help me with this book. You’re so much better at the action shots, and I want this book to reflect the best of rodeo. That means including the best photographer who gets down in the dust and grit and takes those breathtaking images of the rodeo athletes in motion.”
“I’m in! I’m totally in!” Celia said, giving Lainey an impulsive hug. “Oh, my gosh! This is so cool! You just tell me what you need and who you want photos of, and I’ll take them.”
She and Celia discussed the rodeo athletes Lainey had interviewed or intended to interview, and Celia shared some ideas of people Lainey had yet to meet who might be good for her to include in the book.
Jason rode up behind her, and she smiled up at him as he adjusted his weight in the saddle and resettled his hat on his head.
“You ready for this?” Lainey asked.
“Always,” Jason said with a grin. She could see in his expression he would have leaned down and kissed her if there hadn’t been so many eyes keeping watch over them. She’d gladly have let him.
Instead, Lainey placed a hand on his chap-covered thigh. “Don’t break anything.”
“Don’t plan on it, Gypsy,” he said as he tugged on a pair of gloves and checked the ropes he carried on his saddle.
Today was the final performance for this particular rodeo. In the morning, after attending the cowboy church service held in the arena for anyone interested, they would head out.
Their next rodeo was in Eastern Oregon, so Jason and Shaun intended to go home for a few days and rest before they had to get back on the road.
Of course, Lainey had been invited to join them at the ranch, and she’d readily agreed. She was eager to see Pops, Galen, Lisa, Tyler, and Dani. She wanted to check on how Lisa was doing in person, and she was excited to see Dani’s reaction to the little gift Lainey had picked up for her.
Dani had mentioned wanting a Western bag charm for her backpack. Lainey had wandered into a store yesterday morning and found one that had a cowboy boot, a horseshoe, and a saddle on it. There was room for more charms to be added, which was why Lainey purchased it. It would be fun to give Dani charms from time to time, or for the girl to collect them herself.
Unwilling to leave out Carter or Caitlyn, Lainey had bought the active little boy a set of toy walkie-talkies. They actually worked, and she knew he’d have a great time playing with them with his friends. For Caitlyn, Lainey had found a coloring kit ofanimals that went in the bathtub with scrubbable markers. She intended to wait to present the gifts until they were all back at the ranch.
It had been a month since they’d been there, and that had been for Caitlyn’s birthday. The little girl had been overwhelmed with gifts that day. Lainey had gotten her a bright pink laptop designed for youngsters that was teaching Caitlyn the alphabet, her numbers, and had songs she could sing. It had been a big help in keeping the child entertained during rodeos when she was inclined to get bored and fussy.
