Page 161 of Knot Your Problem, Cowboy
Dave is laughing. “I’ll paint a picture of Sophia’s face blushing pink and her whacking him in the arm. It’s hilarious to watch.”
“What?” Cash shrugs innocently. “World deserves to know their blog queen sings to the chickens.”
“Oh, fine,” I shoot back,leaning toward the mic. “Then the world deserves to know Cash practices his pickup lines on horses.”
The caller gasps, then dissolves into laughter.
Dave nearly falls out of his chair, wheezing into his sleeve. “All right, folks.” He chuckles. “Sounds like Honeyspur’s got more going on than rodeos and ranch work. Let’s take the next call.”
“Hi!” Another female voice, bright with excitement. “Cash, this is embarrassing, but we’ve been begging Sophia for photos. Do we finally get to see what you look like?”
Cash groans low, dragging a hand down his face before shooting me a look that saysTraitor. “See what you’ve done to me, sugar?”
“You’re a hot commodity, cowboy.” Dave laughs. “These ladies want the goods.”
I can’t resist. Mischief bubbles up in my chest. “There will be a cowboy calendar, which features my three Alphas, available at the event, and the best part is, they are each cuddling kittens,” I tease into the mic, sweet as honey. “Part of the money goes to help our fundraiser.”
“I need ten copies, please,” the caller says mid-laughter. “I’m being serious.”
“Next caller!” Dave jumps in hastily, clearly trying to keep things family friendly. “Line three, you’re on.”
“This is Bob from the local Livestock Supply shop.” The voice is gruff, steady. Businesslike, but warm underneath. “I’ve been listening to you two, and I wantto up our donation. We were in for five thousand, but make it ten.”
I actually gasp. “That’s… that’s incredible. Thank you so much.” My throat tightens, unexpected tears pricking my eyes.
“You are a good man, Bob,” Cash adds. “Much appreciated.”
“Of course. Besides, my wife would kill me if I didn’t help after reading your blog. She cries every time.”
The lump in my throat turns to a burn in my chest. I glance at Cash, and for once, he doesn’t hide the emotion in his eyes. Pride, grief, and something sharper that makes me want to kiss him right there in front of the whole county.
“Tell her thank you,” I manage, my voice wobbling with emotion even though I try to laugh it off. “Though maybe don’t let her read the comment section, or she’ll cry for a whole new set of reasons.”
Bob chuckles. “She already does. But she swears you write like Rose would’ve. She misses her too.”
I press my hand against my chest. That belonging swells until I’m afraid my voice will crack if I speak again.
Cash lays his hand over mine beneath the table, grounding me. Strong, steady. “We’ll make her proud,” he says, simple and sure, his words more vow than promise.
More calls come in, locals sharing memories ofRose, fans of my blog asking questions about ranch life, someone asking if Ridge is single. He’s not, I confirm firmly. Through it all, Cash relaxes more and more, his natural charm coming out.
“Tell us about Ridge,” Dave says during a break in calls. “How’s he feeling about Saturday?”
Cash’s expression shifts, all playfulness gone. “Ridge is the strongest man I know. What he’s doing, coming back after three years, after the injury that ended his career… it’s brave as hell.”
“He’s been training like a man possessed,” I add, pride swelling in my chest. “Five hours a day, minimum. Mechanical bull, strength training, rewatching old footage until he can call the moves before they happen.”
“Is he nervous?” Dave asks.
“We all are,” Cash admits, his voice low, steady. “But Ridge has this focus, this determination. When he sets his mind to something, nothing stops him.”
“Even a two-thousand-pound bull?”
Cash’s mouth quirks, that flicker of dark humor back. “Especially a two-thousand-pound bull.”
Dave glances at the studio clock. “We’ve got time for one more caller.”
“Sophia?” The voice is older, female, hesitant. “This is Martha. I just wanted to say… my husband and I lost our farm two years ago to developers. Reading your story, watching you fight… it helps. Even if we couldn’t save ours, knowing someone might save theirs… it matters.”
