Page 53 of Wild and Unruly
When we arrived at the show, Bonnie pitched in to help set up the Three Rivers stall fronts, hanging the branded curtain that was their colors and helping Dani set up the large sign announcing the ranch’s presence. I forgot how much marketing went into this setup and how many people Dani and CT talked with and brought on at each show.
People would watch and see how well they did, see what kind of temperament the two of them had, and then they’d beinterested in either sending their horses to us for training or coming for lessons.
I stand back now, horses tucked away in their stalls and fed, the tack room set up and ready for them tomorrow. Bonnie comes to stand beside me, her camera ready. “This is such a great setup,” she says, nodding at the front where their sign is up, the brand for Three Rivers on full display. They have a little outdoor carpet and a couple of chairs in front of the stalls, making a makeshift living room.
“It is pretty great. It’s come a long way.”
“Was it so different when you were kids?” she asks, looking up at me.
I rest my arm over her shoulders, pulling her in and thinking about it. “It’s different. When we were kids, we let my aunt and uncle and CT’s parents handle setting up stuff and deciding where everything went. It’s kind of like seeing CT and Dani as the parents now.”
My aunt and uncle sometimes come and watch Dani, but with so much live streaming nowadays, it was easier for them to just stay home and watch from the comfort of their couch. Cal didn’t leave the ranch much anymore, and I had to wonder if being at shows after losing Donna, his wife who passed years ago, was too much for him.
“Hey! We’re gonna go scope out the arena,” Dani says, holding tightly to CT’s hand. I look at him, and he gives me a tense look.
No idea what they’re worried about, but I nod and follow them, my hand wrapped securely around Bonnie’s. She could tell me to get lost but hasn’t said anything about showing affection in public, and damn if I didn’t want to announce to this entire world that the woman was mine.
Stepping into the entrance of the warm-up arena, there’s already a good amount of people riding their horses.
Classes don’t start until tomorrow, but a lot of people like to ride the day before to get their horses used to the arenas. Dani and CT will as well as soon as their horses have a minute to settle in.
“Well, if it isn’t the Trevors’ crew.” A voice I don’t know speaks up from the left of me, the side Bonnie is on, and she drops my hand, taking a step away from me. I frown at her and look at the intruder. CT is tense as he eyes the guy standing next to our group, a smirk on his face.
“Smith, did you need something?” CT takes a step forward, pulling Dani slightly behind him. I can see Dani huff a little, but she doesn’t argue and stays put.
He eyes CT, taking a slight step back but keeps his smarmy smirk on his face. I can tell that he’s unsure how this will go, but he seems like he doesn’t know when to stop poking the bear.
“Nah, just coming by to say howdy. Haven’t seen you in a while. What’s wrong?” He frowns as if concerned, his gaze never leaving CT’s. “Scared you might not actually beat me this season?”
“Tommy, your threats are not going to do anything here, so why don’t you move along?”
Ah, Tommy Smith. This asshole. Now I know why CT is so tense. Tommy is the douche who threatened Dani, put his hands on her, and left a mark. Thankfully, CT took care of that or else I would.
I feel like Bonnie is way too fucking far away from me, and I take a step toward her to get in front of her when he notices our presence. Or, notourpresence, but hers.
“Bonnie Helix,” he says her name so casually, like he has the privilege of talking to her.
“Tommy,” Bonnie nods politely and gives a smile that I know is fake. I know it because it’s the smile she had on her face the first time she talked to me.
I frown in confusion, looking back and forth between the two of them.
“I’m proud of you for showing up,” Tommy comments, crossing his arms casually and taking a stance like he’s going to be here for a while. Lucky us. “You know, I know it isn’t easy considering your past. But it’s big of you to be so forgiving.”
I glance over at her, wishing I felt like I could pull her into my arms, but she seems too far away.
Dani looks over her shoulder, a frown creasing her brow as she looks between Bonnie and Tommy like I was just doing.
Bonnie just continues with the façade and shrugs. “It’s my job. There’s not much more to say than that.”
“Well, I hope you get some good shots today.” He uncrosses his arms and steps toward us like he’s going to go around, and then he pats Bonnie on the shoulder. “Be careful out there, huh? You never know what can happen.”
I grit my teeth as I watch his hand leave her body, and I hold out about thirty more seconds before grasping her hand in mine again. Dani and CT look confused, and I’m just glad I’m not the only one.
Bonnie looks back over at us and sees the worry on our faces. “Are you guys okay?”
“Are you?” Dani asks, laying a protective hand on Bonnie’s arm. “How do you know Tommy?”
Bonnie flushes and says, “Who doesn’t know Tommy? That guy gets around.”
