Page 57 of Lie for a Million

Roper had been thinking about how he’d miss Lila if he went to prison. But what about his family? Rachel was showing early signs of the arthritis that had crippled her late mother. Kirby was going to need more care as time passed. The young rodeo stars had their own plans, and Rowdy, with his defiant attitude, could be headed for trouble. For years, Roper had been the lynchpin of the family. What would they do without him?

They didn’t know, of course, that he was the prime suspect in Frank’s murder. He would keep that worry from them for as long as he could.

Roper was about to dismount and turn the stallion over to a groom when a petite figure, perched on a rail at the far side of the arena, jumped to the ground and walked toward him. It was Cheyenne.

No member of his family had ever visited him here, at work. Had something happened at home? Suddenly anxious, he swung off the horse, dropped the reins, and strode to meet her.

“Is something wrong?” he demanded.

Cheyenne didn’t answer. She stood facing him, the top of her dark head barely reaching his shoulder. Dark lashes veiled her eyes. The bruise on her cheek had faded from livid purple to blue.

A groom had come out to take the stallion. Roper studied his sister. “How did you manage to hit yourself there on a barrel?” he asked. “Did you come to tell me what really happened?”

“No,” she said. “I just wanted to talk. We didn’t get a chance last night. But since you’re wondering about the bruise, I’ll tell you the real story. You just can’t tell Mom, okay?”

“You know me better than that, Little Sis.” He walked her to the side of the arena and offered her a bottled water. She twisted off the cap and took a long, deep drink.

“It was a drunken cowboy.” She touched the tender bruise. “He grabbed me under the stands as I was shortcutting my way back from the ladies’ room. When I scratched his face, he slapped me so hard that I saw stars. I got him with a boot between the legs. When he doubled over, I ran.”

“Do your brothers know what happened?”

Cheyenne shrugged. “What do they care? Mom thinks they’re still protecting my virtue. That’s the only reason she let me go on the circuit when I was sixteen. But I’ve been on my own for a long time.” She finished the water and crushed the plastic bottle in her fist. “I want a different life, Roper. I need it.”

“Are you serious about cutting? It’s going to take a lot of work and a champion horse to get you to where you are now in the rodeo standings.”

“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about, Roper,” she said. “I really want to do it. And I need to start soon. Will you help me?”

“As much as I can.” Roper wasn’t ready to tell her what he was facing. Maybe he could at least get her started. “Are you still doing that photo shoot forVogue?”

“It’s set for next month, after the Run for a Million. After they pay me, along with what I’ve saved, I should have enough money for a horse. But I want to start looking now. You said you could get me into the cutting events. Can I count on that?”

“I’ll do my best, but no promises.” Silently, Roper cursed the twist of fate that had turned him into a murder suspect. He would do anything to help his sister, but lying now would only make things worse.

“What’s the matter with you, Roper?” She frowned up at him. “The last time we talked, you offered to take me and even to get me behind the scenes. Now you’re saying no promises. Is something wrong?”

“I said I would try. And I will. But it might not be easy. Roper was saved from saying more by the sound of a truck pulling up outside. A door opened and closed. The tall, well-dressed cowboy who walked into the arena was Hayden Barr.

“Hey, Dad asked me to come by and check on Fire Dance.” He greeted Roper, but his gaze had already singled out Cheyenne. “Don’t I know you from somewhere?”

“Do you follow women’s mixed martial arts?” Cheyenne’s reply dripped sarcasm as she touched the unsightly bruise.

Hayden looked puzzled, then laughed. “Heck, I know you. You’re Cheyenne McKenna. I’ve seen you ride.”

Roper made the introductions. “Cheyenne, Hayden Barr. His father owns Fire Dance. Hayden, my sister.”

“I should’ve guessed,” Hayden said. “But I never made the family connection until now. I can see the resemblance.”

“Actually, I’m only his half sister. Same mother. I’ve been told I look like my dad.” Cheyenne appeared unimpressed.

“Fire Dance is coming along fine.” Roper knew better than to mention the attack. “If you’d come a few minutes earlier, you could’ve watched him perform. By now, he should be getting his shower. If you want to see him, I can take you back to where he is.”

“I’ll take your word for it. I’m just passing on a message from my dad. He said to tell you he’s counting on that horse, and on you, to win some big money.”

“Fire Dance is a great horse. I’ll do my best.” Roper tried not to imagine what Chet Barr would say if it turned out that his stallion couldn’t compete because the rider was in jail.

“Are you coming to the Run for a Million?” Hayden was talking to Cheyenne now. “I’ll be in the cutting event, with my horse, Steely Dan. If you’re watching, maybe you can cheer me on.”

“I’d cheer if I had a ticket. But I hear they’re sold out.”

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