Page 24 of Big Daddy Bull Riders

Jackson agreed. “Run around and have a good time. Then you’ll be ready to go later this afternoon and can do all that research.”

She tapped her chin, clearly thinking it over.

Finally, she relented with a smile that warmed Slater’s heart.

“I could use some playtime,” she said.

“I bet you could,” Slater said. “And you know, we said we’ll watch your back.” He grinned even wider before speaking again. “So I guess that means Jackson and me will accompany you to the playground.”

* * *

The Littles seemed to be having the time of their lives as they ran around the gated playground that rested just off Main Street.

“Look at how much she loves that,” Slater noted as he and Jackson watched Mina come off the large, swirling slide. “This is the highlight of my week.”

“Mine, too,” Jackson said. “And it’s been an eventful one.” He looked at his friend, his gaze loaded with meaning. “Lots of stand-out moments.” He cleared his throat, thinking about their kiss, then added, “Of course, every moment we’ve spent with Mina sorta stands out, if you ask me.”

Slater nodded.

They returned their attention to the Littles for another moment—and one Little in particular—before Slater broached a subject that had been on his mind.

“I didn’t want to say anything in front of the little cutie. Not sure why. She’ll find out, anyway.” He chuckled. “But this town stuff has me a mite worried.”

“Me, too,” Jackson admitted. “We just put down roots in Big Cedar. And now this town might be taken over by some greedy developers?”

“Exactly,” Slater said, looking at his friend once again. “And you know as well as I do that they won’t keep it the same. No, once they get their grubby hands on it, it’ll be just some generic resort area. Won’t be for our kind anymore.”

“Yep. Reckon they’ll run all the Daddies and Littles clear out of Big Cedar,” Jackson agreed. “Or try to, at least. But we’d put up a fight.”

“What if we put up one now?” Slater proposed, leveling a very pointed gaze at his best friend. “We take matters in our own hands before it comes to all that nonsense we’re worried about.”

Jackson stared at him for a moment, clearly contemplating what he’d heard. “What do you have in mind?”

Over the cheers and laughs of happy Littles, Slater shared his proposal.

“I’ve been keeping up with things on the circuit. And if I’m doing the math right—and I think I am—a feller could win him about two hundred and fifty in prize money.” He nodded, looking Jackson in the eyes, before adding, “That’s a mighty big purse. And enough to give this town what it needs to pay those taxes.”

“Whoa there,” Jackson said, shaking his head. “It sounds like you’re telling me you’re considering getting back on some wild, bucking horses.”

“I did it the other day,” Slater defended. “And you saw the results. Rampage gave up. I won.”

“You did what you had to do in the moment. And I didn’t like it one bit, if you’ll remember correctly.”

“Oh, I remember.” Slater laughed. “You threatened to spank my bottom.”

“And I’m of a like mind to do so again,” Jackson snapped.

Slater just chuckled and brushed the threat off. “Well, I’m not talking about riding broncs.”

“Good!”

Slater grinned again. “I’m talking about riding bulls.”

He watched as Jackson’s face turned stark white for a few seconds.

“That’s even worse! How long has it been since you’ve been on the back of a bull?”

“Too long. I miss it,” Slater told him.

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