Page 75 of Roping My Rival

Too bad I’ll never tell him.

“My dad said you’re staying for supper, FYI. You can’t run this time.”

Dane pops a chip into his mouth with a grin. I still can’t believe this guy took me to the fair and won me a giant stuffed rabbit before rocking my world and falling asleep in my arms. The next day, we absolutely blew out the competition in the second go-round for team roping and took home the big money. He was so fierce and dialled in. There was no way we would be anything less than first.

Same guy. Two totally different scenarios. Same fucking result. Me being absolutely enamoured by him. He’s practically perfect, and more than once, I’ve had to laugh at how fast things have changed.

“I suppose I should be polite. He’s my sponsor, after all.” He chews a few more chips. “Although I’m not pleased to be thrown into another Burke family dinner.”

Dane’s small smile has me believe otherwise, but I’ll play along.

“Pfft, it’s not that bad.”

“Dude! The first time you fought with your dad over a slice of roast beef like a toddler.”

“And look where that got me. Pops gave you all the leftovers to stop us from fighting. So I’d say you did pretty well.”

“Actually…I did. I’ve changed my mind. Can’t wait for dinner.” Dane grins and throws a chip at me.

“I’ll tell him not to be so nice this time. Nobody will get leftovers.”

Dane rolls his eyes and relaxes back in the seat. He watches the scenery go by as we head back towards Kissing Ridge, but the closer we get to home, the more anxious I feel. This past trip with Dane was not just the best rodeo of my life, but the best time. I kind of don’t want to have Dane go back to his own place.

I want him to keep waking up with me. To keep looking at me over breakfast and telling me I should eat more fruit with breakfast and put less sugar in my coffee. I can’t tell him that, though. At least not so directly.

“We’re only home for a few days before we head out again,” I start. Dane nods.

“Yeah. I need to see Darla tomorrow, and I want to hit the gym at least once and do some laundry before we head out again. You want me to check out the hydraulic hitch on the trailer before we go? I can do that and tune up the generator properly, too.”

Who knew handyman talk would be so arousing? Certainly not me.

“That would be so fantastic if you could. If you need parts, we can get them in town fast, hopefully. I need to check in with Jesse. He hasn’t been to any rodeos this season yet. Maise is still having a rough time without her mom, and he doesn’t want to add to that.”

Not to mention he’s been handling the rodeo school solo this whole time, too. I should check in this week before me and Dane leave again.

“Um, if you want to do your laundry at the ranch while you work on the generator and stuff, you could kill two birds with one stone. Maybe more time with Darla.”

I’m holding my breath, hoping he doesn’t read more into my offer. I just want to make things easier for him and keep him in my space. If I had a place of my own, it might be easier, but I live at home…again. This might take extra convincing because Dane doesn’t see my dad as just my dad. He sees Hunter Burke, his boss, and rodeo legend.

“Thanks. I might do that.”

Or maybe I’m just overthinking again. That was easier than I thought.

“Cool.”

Ugh. I’m anything but cool right now.

The familiar signs for Kissing Ridge appear and before long I’m pulling into the ranch yard. My brother’s truck is already here. Jesse, not Clarence. Dad is out in the yard blowing bubbles with Maise.

Maise stands and waves furiously, and I wave back before concentrating on parking the trailer in a level spot while not interfering with anyone’s vehicles.

After setting the parking brake, I turn towards Dane. “Prepare to be peppered with questions by a four-year-old.”

“Can’t be any worse than you.”

Before I can reply, he winks and exits the truck. The thumping of tiny sneakers running across dirt sounds, and I brace myself for the force of Maise.

“Uncle Bunny!”