Page 29 of Hooking Up

“That’s what I thought—before Bella saw us talking to him and left. An innocent woman doesn’t run.”

“A stupid one would go out with a jerk like Anderson. She’s not stupid.”

“I know. But maybe she’s trying to prove something.”

“Like what?” Quint’s underlying nervousness was something only Carter would pick up on.

“Maybe she’s trying to show us that last night meant nothing.”

“Like hell,” he said again, louder this time.

Carter echoed the feeling, but he masked his features when he noted the cameras surrounding them. A reporter thrust a mic under his nose and started rifling questions about their win and how they felt about the next city. Whether or not they’d make it all the way to the finals in Vegas this year.

He and Quint took turns answering, always playing off each other. When they finished, a group of fans flocked them, waving papers and T-shirts for them to sign.

By the time they’d finished seeing to the fans and ignoring the Buckle Bunnies who sauntered up and smacked their painted lips, Bella had disappeared completely from view.

“She’s competing soon, right?” he asked Quint.

“Yeah.”

“Do you think we should go find her?”

“Yes.” Quint gave everyone a final wave, scattering them as he wheeled around and headed back toward the place they’d last seen Bella. “I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”

“Me too.” Carter’s hackles on his neck stood up. He quickened his pace. The last person who would be a victim was Bella, but obviously Jeb was gunning for her, and Carter wouldn’t put it past the snake to corner her and try to take what he wanted.

A growl built in Carter’s chest until he could barely draw a full breath. When they passed Wynonna Calhoun, he swung around. “Have you seen Bella?”

She gave him a look that said she didn’t give a damn where Bella was. There wasn’t any love lost between them, though Carter didn’t know the whole story. Yet. He planned to uncover every mystery Miss Roberts held. She wasn’t slipping away from them.

How crazy that he thought of her as belonging to both of them. After last night, she damn well did. If she was running, it was only because she knew it too.

“Haven’t seen her,” Wynonna said, tossing her long red hair over her shoulder. Damn, she had as much attitude as Bella. Maybe all barrel racers had it.

He tipped his hat to the lovely woman and took off toward the place Bella had her horse stabled.

Of course she’d have her animal out right now, exercising it before the ride. But when he and Quint reached the area, it was vacant.

“Dammit, I know she’s avoiding us. I don’t know what’s worse—that or knowing Anderson’s stalking her,” Carter said.

“He’s not a dangerous guy. Just a cocky asshole.”

They exchanged a look. “Bad enough.”

“Damn straight. C’mon. I know where to look.”

“There aren’t many places where a woman and a horse can hide, but one of them worries the hell out of me.” Carter took off straight for the parking lot. She hadn’t competed yet, but maybe she’d taken off early—hopped in her truck and pulled out without a backward glance.

It was something Bella would do. She didn’t follow rules, even ones regarding a sport she loved. She followed her every whim and spoke what was on her mind at that particular second. He didn’t put it past her to withdraw from her competition just so she could avoid him and Quint.

And Jeb.

When the overhead parking lamp shined down on the spot where Bella’s truck and trailer had been, he and Quint stopped dead in their tracks.

“Son of a bitch. She skipped.”

“Hell.” Carter’s oath echoed two things—emotion he felt for the woman he’d never let go of so easily, and a passionate need to turn her over his knee and give her a sound spanking.

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