Page 35 of Rough Ride

“Fair.” Johnny scratched at Dusty’s ear. “I think she’s a local. She’s here for the rodeo, but annoyed by all the tourists walking slow. Those red boots are nice, but nottoonice. She bought them years ago but takes good care of them. She has work in the morning, and is heading back to her car.”

“I would buy that,” I said.

“Your turn. Who’s that guy?” Johnny pointed to the right.

“Hmm. That’s a tough one.” I frowned. “This is going to shock you, but that’s an international assassin. His target is here at therodeo, which is the perfect place to kill someone since anyone can open-carry. The pistol on his hip is filled with hollow-point bullets, and he’s wearing a fake mustache.”

Johnny barked a laugh that made the man in question glance over at us. We smiled politely until he continued on, but then giggled together when he was out of earshot.

“I hope we didn’t get on his bad side,” Johnny said. “Ohh, this next one is mine. That couple over there? He’s a retired oil man, and that’s his mail-order bride.”

When I saw who he was talking about, I winced. “Good guess. That’s actually the largest donor of the rodeo, and his wife. They practically run this town.”

Johnny frowned. “Are we still playing the game?”

“Unfortunately not. That’s Theodore Salmon, and heisthe largest donor for the Fort Worth Rodeo. He comes from oil money, and now owns a lot of commercial real estate. And his wife is a piece of work, too.”

“My guess was pretty damn close.” Johnny lowered his voice. “She’s really his wife? She could be his granddaughter.”

“Yup. You don’t want to make an enemy out of Ted Salmon. I heard he got a competitor kicked out of the rodeo last year for saying something negative about Chris Appleton. The guy was a rodeo veteran, too. From Wyoming, I think.”

“Oh shit. That’s why Jim Shepherd was kicked out? I remember that. One day he was here, the next day he was on his way home without a word.”

“That’s Ted Salmon,” I said dryly. “When he snaps his fingers, he gets what he wants.”

A hard look filled Johnny’s eyes. “He looks like an asshole.”

“You have no idea,” I said. “Just don’t make an enemy out of him and you’ll be okay. But enough about him. I’m buying dessert. I hope you like ice cream.”

Johnny smirked. “I’ve been known to eat a pint or two in my day.”

16

Sophie

I took Johnny to an ice cream shop closer to the rodeo camp, my favorite place with a bright yellow sign and a line out the door despite the cold weather. Johnny didn’t protest as I bought each of us two scoops in a waffle cone, and a special dog treat for Dusty.

“This might be the best salted caramel I’ve ever had,” Johnny said as we strolled through the rodeo camp, still walking Dusty since he had been cooped up all afternoon.

“They’re a local chain, the best in Fort Worth.”

“You know all the good places,” he said. “I wish I’d met you when I first started competing here. I’ve been going to all the wrong places.”

“I am indeed a treasure,” I said cheerfully. “Thank you for knowing that. How long have you been in the rodeo?”

He paused to swallow a bite of ice cream. “This is my fifth year. Hopefully not my last.”

I frowned over at him. “Why would it be your last?”

Johnny shrugged as we strolled along. “I’m the best cowboy at our ranch, but there’s two younger guys nippin’ at my heels.Anxious to get a shot. If I struggle, the ranch owner might give one of them a chance next year.”

Shit. Now I feltreallyguilty about getting him so drunk that he performed poorly.

To change the subject, I said, “Would you ever want to own your own ranch someday?”

“Yes ma’am. I’d love nothin’ more than to have a ranch with my name on it.” He grinned over at me. “Probably won’t ever happen, but a boy can dream.”

“Why wouldn’t it ever happen?”

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