Page 55 of Someone to Tempt
She frowns and adjusts the strap of her gingham dress. “He’ll never ask me out.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t know.” She tears off a piece of funnel cake and pops it in her mouth, chewing like the pastry did her dirty. “But I do know there’s only so many times a woman can throw out hints that she’d like a man to ask her out before she gives up.”
“Don’t give up on Daniel.” I wipe my fingers on a paper napkin. “Coffee is a good sign, right?”
“Well, you asked me out over coffee,” she counters, “and we know how this date is going.”
“I’m seriously so so?—”
“Do not apologize again.” She rolls her eyes. “Maybe you can point out some of these guys you think are so into me at the concert. Because I don’t want you, and Daniel Pearson doesn’t want me.”
“I’m pretty sure you’re wrong,” I say gently.
“I hope you’re right.” She snags the final bite of funnel cake and grabs my hand. “Let’s get back to our seats. I just heard them announce Chase Calhoun as the next rider.”
The way the excitement has ramped up inside the arena is palpable as we climb to our seats once more. This evening isn’t what I expected, but that doesn’t bother me any longer. I’m quickly learning I have the choice to make any moment count.
“Chase grew up in Skylark.” Jodi points to the cowboy currently mounting a giant, stomping creature in the stall on the far side of the arena. “He won the PBR World Finals last year and is a legend around here.”
“Do you know him personally?”
She leans into me. “Remember, I grew up in Skylark. I know almost everyone. Plus, I’ve been friends with his sister since third grade. In fact, I had a little crush on him in junior high.”
“I hope he wins.”
“Our hometown guy always wins. Eight seconds to prove he’s got what it takes.” She grabs my hand again and moves a little closer as the air begins to buzz with anticipation.
A few people around us stand to get a better look at Chase Calhoun. He looks like the hero of an old Western movie, all grit and swagger, but his eyes are laser-focused on the massive animal beneath him.
I feel a tingle of awareness between my shoulder blades and look up to see Iris staring at me from across the arena. I recognize her friend Sloane next to her, and that must be Sadie, the dog trainer, on her other side because Ian Barlowe is sitting two people away.
There might be a former NFL MVP in the stands, but I can only truly focus on Iris and the fact that she’s giving off kicked-puppy vibes from across the arena. Which is ridiculous considering I’m only with Jodi to make Iris happy. But she doesn’t look happy.
“Ladies and gentlemen, riding Black Tornado, let’s hear it for Chase Calhoun.”
The audience goes wild as Chase nods and the gate opens. The bull explodes forward like a coiled spring, and Chase clings to the rope with one hand while his other waves high in the air. I’ve lived in Austin for years but never attended an event like this. Cowboy culture isn’t my thing, yet I’m mesmerized by the sheer power of the scene before me now.
The crowd shouts the countdown and then the buzzer blares. Chase launches into the air and lands in a tangle of limbs on the dirt floor. Rodeos clowns—bullfighters, Jodi calls them—rush forward. The bull twists, and, in the center of the ring, one giant hoof comes down on Chase with unthinkable force.
His body goes still, and an immediate hush falls over the arena. My chest tightens even as one of the bullfighters waves a colorful flag to guide Black Tornado to the chute.
Chase Calhoun is motionless on the dirt.
“Oh my God.” Jodi stands as the medical team moves in. “Is he okay?”
“Nothing can hurt Chase,” a boy in front of us assures her. The kid’s father places a heavy hand on his son’s shoulder, clearly not convinced.
The medics work quickly, loading the cowboy onto a stretcher. His face is pale and streaked with dirt as they carry him out of the ring.
Jodi shakes her head. “I need to find his sister. Ada and her mom are here somewhere.”
“Of course. You want me to go with you?”
“No. His family is private. I’m going to take a rain check on the concert.” She flashes a tight smile. “Maybe you and Iris and me and someone can double date next time.”
“Go find your friend.” I squeeze her hand. “Let me know if I can do anything.” She nods and hurries away.
