Page 78 of Roping My Rival

“Did you…Did the photo turn up something? Do you still have it?”

Jesse nods and pulls out his phone. “I put a security camera out front after we had the tire slashing incident, and I still need them out back, but I got a good shot.” He shows me the photo, and I suck in a breath.

“You’ve seen him before.”

Nodding, I swallow back the lump.

“Yeah, I caught Dane arguing with him one day, but I don’t know who he is. Dane said the only family he has is his sister.”

Jesse chews at his lip before dropping his voice.

“Warren…the guy is a con man. He’s been in jail for everything from petty theft to a pretty sophisticated scheme where he offered mechanic’s services to seniors using the wrong parts. He’d then make false warranty claims on parts. He’d keep the money, and the people never got their vehicles fixed even though they paid.”

My heart sinks. Dane wouldn’t be involved with that. He couldn’t.

“He’s good at fixing things,” I whisper. “And I know he doesn’t have money, so if he was ever involved with this guy…it didn’t end up with Dane being a bad guy.”

“Are you sure, Warren?”

No, but I’m in too deep now. This isn’t the man I know.

“How did you find all this out, anyway?”

“I popped his photo into an image search, and he came up. If it’s not the same guy, he has a twin. I haven’t told Dad or Pops because I wanted to let you know first. I think you need to talk to Dane and see what he says. Then we go from there.”

There’s no way I can be so off about Dane. Yeah, I have a history of bad choices and making excuses for my previous boyfriends’ poor behaviour, but this is potentially life-changing. I just found my rodeo groove again, and Dane is different. I know he is, and it’s not just sex. We have a solid future together in the ring, and I can’t just let it evaporate.

He’s not involved in anything criminal. He can’t be.

The dishwater is growing cold, and I quickly wash the rest of the pots and steal another glance outside, where Dane is with Dad. He’s definitely tense. Dad must be grilling him about our relationship. The man is never subtle.

“Jesse, I swear he’s not like that. He does rodeo to pay for his sister’s care. His mom died, and he told me he did some illegal things to get by once, but he’s not involved in anything. I know it in my bones, Jesse. He’s not here to take advantage.”

He can’t be because I’m already in love with the guy. Without another word, I dry my hands on the towel and stride out of the kitchen to the back porch.

Pops and Maise are playing checkers when I pass by. Pops smiles and holds out his hand to me as I pass. I do what I’ve always done since I came to this house, and I slap it in a low five. Maise steals his cookie, and he pretends not to notice until she confesses when he frowns at his empty plate.

When the patio door slides open, Dane smiles at me. That special lover’s smile that melts my heart and confirms I’m head over heels for this man that I have no business falling for.

“Hey, everything okay out here?” I ask and lean against the railing next to Dane.

“Your dad was just asking me what my intentions are with his firstborn son.”

Despite what I just learned from Jesse, a laugh slips out. “Guess you were right that he picked up on things.”

“Warren, when have I not known what’s going on with you and the company you keep?” My dad turns to face us after peering out into the meadow behind the house. “Listen, I’m not going to mettle, but I want to say something to you both, and then I’ll drop it.”

“We’re listening,” I say, and since my dad already has it figured out, there’s no point in trying to hide it. My hand slips into Dane’s, and he squeezes it.

“I can’t lecture you about being involved with your rodeo partner because that would be hypocritical of me.” Dad’s gaze meets mine for his next bit, and I know he means it. “What I want to say to you both is to make sure you leave the personal stuff out of the ring. You’re adults, and I expect you both to be mature about this. I don’t say this lightly…you two have chemistry and a greatness I’ve not seen in team roping for many years. I want you both to succeed and be at the top of this roping event, not just for the school and for my bragging rights. I want both of you to show the world you’re the best. Because you are.”

A silence settles, and while I’m moved by his words, I know what Jesse shared has to be talked about. But not with my dad listening. At least not yet.

“Thanks, Dad. That means a lot.”

“I know you’ve always felt like you lived in my shadow, Warren, and I wish you wouldn’t. You are so much better than I ever was. I want you to shine.”

My eyes burn, and I swipe at them with my free hand. “I hate you right now,” I mutter with very little conviction, and my dad laughs.