Page 5 of Rough Ride

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Johnny said, glaring sideways.

“That’s a yes!” Eli laughed. He leaned in close as if to tell me a secret, but he didn’t lower his voice. “Johnny does this at all the rodeos. Goes to a bar and tells the pretty little bartender that he’s not gonna bother her. He turns around just like he’s doing now, facing away from her. Then he ignores her all night untilsheflirts withhim.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Is that so?”

Eli pointed at my face. “Judging by that expression, it was about to work.”

“It wasn’t going to work,” I replied.

“Can we help you with something?” Johnny asked him. “Because there are twenty-nine other bars in this place where I don’t have to listen to you.”

“You can’t help me with anything, Johnny boy.” Eli swung his big brown eyes my way. “Butyoucan. I’d love to take you out to dinner, Sophie. That’s right. I did my research.”

“You asked her friend her name,” Johnny complained.

Eli’s eyes never left mine. “It’s called being straightforward. Try it sometime.” He raised his brow. “What do ya say, darlin’? Dinner tomorrow night?”

“We have the opening ceremonies tomorrow,” Johnny pointed out.

Eli still held my gaze. “I’d skip it. For you.”

My stomach was full of butterflies again. Eli was so open, so friendly, that Iwantedto go out with him. I knew dating a rodeo cowboy was a bad idea, but his brown eyes were so kind that I was rethinking it.

“I’m not your darlin’, cowboy,” I told him with just atingeof attitude. It was mostly playful, the kind of banter I was used to making as a bartender.

“Didn’t say you were,” Eli replied, gesturing to me. “But you’ve got darlin’ energy. And if youweremy darlin’, I’d treat you right. Keep you away from guys like him.” He nudged Johnny.

“I have to work tomorrow,” I said. “First over at the rodeo, then here at Billy Bob’s. I’m working pretty much every night during the rodeo. It’s our busiest time of year.”

“Swing and a miss, Eli,” Johnny said.

Eli rolled his eyes. “You have to call me Elijah. Only my friends can call me Eli.” He glanced up at me. “Friends andextremelybeautiful women.”

Johnny turned around to face me finally. “He’s not going to stop. Unless you hit him with a cattle prod.”

I smiled at Eli. “Good to know. I bet I can find one, too.”

Johnny chuckled.

“Don’t know what you’re laughing about,” Eli said. “You were striking out before I even got here.”

“I wasn’t striking out, because I wasn’t batting,” Johnny replied simply.

Eli looked at me and rolled his eyes. “I guess he’s going to continue his hard-to-get schtick.”

“I guess so.” I gave him a big smile, then went down to the other end of the bar to serve three new customers. They were all men, old enough to be my father, and tookverylong looks at thecleavage popping out of my flannel top. It was in stark contrast to the way Eli and Johnny had looked at me. With respect.

When I returned, the two men were arguing. It wasn’t as heated as the earlier argument at the rodeo camp, but they were still passionate about the topic.

“I’ll last so much longer than you,” Eli was insisting.

“You’re all talk, no ride,” Johnny replied.

“I outlasted you last year,” Eli shot back.

“And I won the other two events by awidemargin.”

“Are you two ready for another round,” I asked, “or are you too busy measuring dicks?”

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