Page 69 of Fastlander Fealty

“I’m just really happy to be here and I’m really proud to be beside you and everything just seems so surreal. I can’t believe I’m at a rodeo!”

The humble excitement in her voice pulled at his heart. She’d been through hell. He could tell, and he was going to learn everything about that hell eventually. He would ask, and listen when she needed it. He would make sure he carried the burden of her memories with her. And he would demolish any motherfucker who ever tried to hurt her again. Silver was tough as nails, and this moment right now highlighted that. She’d been through it, and a simple happy moment walking to the ticket booth of a rodeo could draw such appreciation from her.

She didn’t realize how special she was, but someday, some way, he was going to help her understand.

Chapter Fourteen

“Y’all are the cutest couple,” a woman said.

Silver must’ve misheard. “I’m sorry?”

“I said you are the cutest couple,” the woman said, gesturing to Owen beside her, who was ordering them food.

“Really? Thank you so much! Girl, I was checking out your tattoo this whole time,” Silver said, gesturing to the longhorn tattoo across her upper thigh, exposed by shorts similar to the ones Silver wore.

“Thank you! I just got it a few weeks ago. It’s still healing.”

Silver tinked her can against the girl’s drink, and winked at her. “Killin’ it.”

“Y’all are too!”

Brimming with that feel-good sensation caused by the random compliments, Silver helped Owen carry their basket of hotdogs and French fries, and told him all about that nice lady in line as they made their way back to their seats.

“I have a feeling you’re going to love this next part,” he told her, jutting his chin toward the arena.

She leaned into him and snuggled her cheek against his shoulder quick and then asked, “What’s going to happen?”

“It’s time for the barrel racing event. See, they’re setting up the barrels now.”

Hallie twisted around from the bench seat in front of Silver. “They’re total badasses.”

Corey was pigging out on a mustard-slathered corndog and just nodded her agreement.

This was so wild to Silver. None of the females in the Fastlanders were intimidated by other females. Or the lady in line. It wasn’t like this in the Pride. Females were brutal to each other, always in competition.

This was way more fun.

She cheered on the barrel racers and quickly figured out what Owen and Hallie had meant. Those women were not only gorgeous, they were in control of the powerful horses under them. It was feminine meets power in a way that held her attention completely. She didn’t want it to end!

The bull riding was up next, and they were so much fun to watch. She and Corey and Hallie cheered for three that they had researched beforehand. Those bull shifters were on a winning streak that was bringing positive attention for shifters!

“I’ll be right back,” she told Owen. “Want a beer?”

“Sure! Need to go to the bathroom?”

“Yeah,” she admitted.

“How about I’ll get us drinks while you go. Corey or Hallie, do you want—”

The girls were already getting up, and asking their mates if they wanted drinks, and Silver grinned. She’d heard about women going to the bathroom in packs, but had never understood it until now.

“Owen told the guys, “I’ll get us a round. Be right back.”

He patted Silver on the butt before they went off their separate ways, and she and the girls made a trip to a section of the fairgrounds that had portable restrooms.

She finished up first and was washing her hands at a cleansing station when she smelled it—familiar lion.

The smile drifted from her lips immediately as she jerked her attention to scan the area.

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