Page 105 of Stockman's Showdown

‘This is different, you could seriously get hurt. For a smart businessman who doesn’t play, this isn’t like you.’

He stepped in closer. ‘Because I have to do something bold to prove how much I care.’

‘You don’t have to.’

‘I do.’ He held out his hand. ‘Do we have a bet?’

‘I understand life is full of questionable life choices…’ Hell, she had a long list of experiences in that department. ‘And if you want to get stomped on by a land walrus to change your fairytale ending—’

‘That’s exactly what I’m doing.’ He towered over her.

This man was chasing his happily ever after. With. Her.

She couldn’t promise anyone that, certainly not herself.

Wait. Maybe he was bluffing? Which made sense. Kind of. ‘Fine. Not like you’re giving me any choice, I’ll take that bet.’ Because Ryder was going to do this with or without her consent. She shook his hand.

But Ryder held it, while sharing a wolfish grin. He pulled her close to kiss her cheek, then whispered into her ear, ‘If I win, I’m sleeping with you tonight, in your bed and sleeping in late tomorrow, too.’

She pushed away from him. ‘I’m not serving breakfast in bed, if that’s what you think. It’s not a hotel.’

‘No, Bree. It feels like a home to me.’ He gently smoothed down her hair, then winked at her. ‘Back soon, babe.’

She watched him swagger off in the jeans that blessed that man. Only realising where he was going—to the working side of the rodeo grounds. He really was being serious!

She grabbed the beers, and hurried back to Craig and Dex, talking with Charlie. ‘Dex, your brother has just lost the plot.’

‘What’s Ash done now?’

‘I’m talking about Ryder. He’s going to sign up to ride a bull.’ She’d ridden plenty of bulls in the yards as a teenager, and she had a pet bull called Freckles, she’d hug like a puppy. But this was different, rodeo bulls could be dangerous. ‘You have to stop him.’

‘What the hell did you do to him, Bree?’ Dex grinned at her.

‘Nothing. Now go talk your brother out of this. This is your station’s bank. You don’t want him hurting himself.’

‘You never did that for me.’

‘This. Is. Different. Dex, you’re a professional fighter. Ryder is a stockman, about to ride a professionally trained bull.’ But Dex just kept grinning at her. ‘Craig, you need to explain to Ryder how bad those bucking bulls are.’

‘Nah, Ryder’s a grown man.’ Craig chuckled.

It did nothing to dampen her fear of Ryder getting hurt. ‘Ryder knows nothing about rodeos.’

‘Well, if he’s that keen to ride a bull, I’ll go give him the same tips you taught me, Charlie.’ Craig patted Charlie’s shoulder, sharing that bond of father and son. It’s what Ryder was aiming for. Had to be.

‘Pop?’ She gave him a pleading look to stop this.

‘Maybe I should give Ryder some tips myself.’ Charlie snatched up his beer. ‘Lead the way, lads. Ryder will need our help to survive.’

Thirty-seven

Ryder skimmed over the insurance forms, the ride and die forms, and the rules, then handed over his credit card and signed his life away on the dotted line.

‘Have you ridden a bull before?’ The middle-aged stockman’s deep tan made his creases darken like shadows across his face.

‘It’s like riding a bigger horse, right?’

The man chuckled with a nod. ‘Got any gear?’

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