Page 25 of Rainbow Rodeo

“Yo. What’s up?”Please don’t be an emergency.He’d been gone two-and-a-half minutes.

“You running away to join the circus?” Tank asked.

“That’s right. I’ve decided to become a lion tamer.”

“Go you. You want to stop for lunch before you peel off completely? I’m buying. Then I’m on my way to Glenwood.”

“Sure. Where?” Lord, Tank had decided to become friends all of the sudden. Weird.

“There’s a Beau Jo’s in Fort Collins.”

“Works for me. I’ll meet you there.” He hung up and put the address in his GPS before turning the music back up loud.

It didn’t take long to coast into Fort Collins and find the Beau Jo’s downtown. The whole damn rodeo company loved their mountain pies, but eating with just Tank would be a treat.

He couldn’t help it. He knew Tank was out of bounds, but the man was still damn fine. And funny. And smarter than people gave him credit for.

And anyway, what could a lunch hurt?

The place was crowded, but he could tell the lunch rush was wrapping up, so he flagged down the hostess. “Two, please.”

“You got it. Booth or a table?”

“It don’t matter, ma’am.”

“This way.” She pulled out two menus, but Tank’s voice stopped him.

“Wait up, and I’ll come with.”

“There’s my other.” He nodded to Tank. “Hey there.”

“Hey, buddy.” Tank slapped his shoulder. “Smells good in here.”

“God yes. I could eat here three times a day.”

They grinned at each other as the hostess sat them. “Buffet or menu, guys?”

“Buffet,” they said together.

She laughed softly, shook her head. “Go for it. What do you two want to drink?”

A beer.“I’d like iced tea, please.”

“Same here,” Tank murmured. “Salad wagon?”

“Go ahead, guys. I’ll bring drinks.”

“Thank you, ma’am.” He headed for the salad bar and loaded up. He’d order himself an extra pie for tonight and tomorrow, nosh on it as he relaxed. That way he wouldn’t have to stop, except at a gas station for drinks and maybe Hot Tamales. He did love those silly candies.

He was starving, and he got a little bit of everything, covering it with ranch before heading back for the table. Tank sailed past him with a plate as big as his head, all buried under blue cheese, from the smell of it. Lord, they were both gonna be groaning.

They hadn’t even started on the pizza.

Tank beamed at him. “Thanks for stopping, Dalton. It’s boring as hell to eat alone, and I was craving.”

“I hear you. Seriously. Eating alone is awful. You heading to Glenwood, huh? I’m going to Estes.”

“Yeah? What’s up there besides Rocky Mountain Park?”

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