Page 63 of Rogue Cowboy
She laughed.“It’s a survivalist program, teaching skills and setting up physical and mental challenges—individual and team building.They started hosting their first groups last spring.”She waved at a couple of the rodeo queens who were still in their regalia, flirting with a few cowboys near the north end of the stables nearer to the chute.
“Rohan talked about it.A couple of his partners pitched it.Thought to take me through some paces while I was here.”
“You should take them up on it.”She hip-checked him.“Flex a little and show them how Texas does it.”
He was pleased she knew he’d kick ass at any challenge they’d throw at him.
“Might do that.”He hadn’t planned on it, but flexing for Riley’s benefit appealed to his inner cave man.
“But they might have to reframe the whole shebang since they’re getting a lot of bookings from women—friends, leadership teams, and groups who want to get their inner warrior on.In two weeks Laird and a couple of the boys are leading a book club through a hiking and climbing adventure.”
“Like glamping?”How did he even know that word?
Riley laughed.He was fascinating by the quicksilver expressions chasing across her face.Her energy felt like something he could touch, bathe in, and he wanted to keep the conversation going.
“So sexist.Just like Rohan.That was his first fear—that they’d have these women wanting mimosas after every hike or rock-climbing expedition.”Riley’s flashed grin did something to his chest.“Made me want to round up some barrel racers who train with me and my mom to show those boys what a cowgirl can do.”
“Why don’t you?”Watching her compete, leading her through some challenges, sounded hot as hell.
“Didn’t have to.Their first group were some friends from high school who’d started their own yoga and Pilates studio over in Bozeman so you can imagine what someone like Rohan and Cross and their finance guy, Calhoun, thought.”She rolled her eyes.“Of course the women kicked ass and broke the course record.And they celebrated with green smoothies.I think my brother needed the mimosa.”She laughed.
“You should definitely try it,” she dared.“All of the guys have different specialties and work part-time as they all have other jobs, but they are always adding on and adapting the offerings.”
“If I ran through whatever course they designed, would you be there to cheer me on?”
“Maybe you’ll be cheering me on ’cuz I’d beat you,” she said.
“Or we could team up and compete.Maybe it could be a couple’s challenge.”Had he just said that word?He’d never imagined being part of a couple, but damn it sounded good.“Rohan, Cross and Laird and their wives and then us.”
She stared at him, mouth dropping open.
“Cole, I know you said you made a vow, but I’m not holding you to anything.I’m not… I can’t… I’m not sure I can be…” Frustration crossed her features.“I’m not that same girl you spent the magical weekend with.I’m never going to be her again.”
“Riley.”He enclosed her hand in his, savored the connection after feeling adrift for so long.“You are her.You are still her.”He’d seen glimpses before she started overthinking.“You just have more layers.Experiences and time change all of us.I’m not the same man I was who signed up for the military.I’m not exactly the same man you met six years ago.But we are still who we are at our cores.We will grow and change together.”
She blinked, clearly not believing him.“Some cowboy’s rocking rose-colored glasses,” Riley said.“I just want you to know I’m not holding you to that ‘promise’…” she made air quotes that were insulting “…you made in Vegas.You were in full white-hat cowboy mode, and I wasn’t in my right head.I’m trying to save you from yourself.”
“I don’t need saving,” he said, feeling his exasperation grow.Maybe he should throw her in his truck and hit the highway.It had worked last time when she’d been spinning in fear and desperation, and panic to the point he’d been terrified she’d hurt herself, and they’d been running out of time.
“Neither do I.”
*
She was aridiculous and contrary woman.She’d wanted breathing space from Cole, and now, ten minutes after Rohan had strode up all tense and asked for Cole to help in the bull pens, she missed Cole.
In not even three full days she’d grown to enjoy Cole’s calm, steady presence.And his obvious admiration.No games.No criticisms.He didn’t try to change her.God, her nearly two years in LA had just been one emotional roller coaster and obstacle course after another—a prize dangled, just when she thought she should not only walk away but also run.Nothing she was or wrote or sang was good enough for the management team and producers.And it wasn’t what she’d wanted.Why had she won first place as an Americana-styled folk singer-songwriter but the manager and label they’d hired for her record wanted a sexy pop star?
But they’d held the contract over her head.And everyone in Marietta had been so proud of her.Excited.So convinced of her blessed good fortune.And she’d just felt more desperate to escape, which made her more determined to fight and win and pretzel herself to show them she could.
Cole had been the first real person she’d met in so long.What you saw, what he gave you, was who and what he was.And he’d seen the true her through the glitter and the gloss.No wonder she’d crushed so hard on him.Heck, she was crushing still.
“Get over yourself and cowgirl up,” she muttered.
She’d checked in with the barrel racers and their horses.Promised to meet them at the gate in the lineup, and then walked toward the buckin’ broncs to see if Boone and his crew needed help since Boone, a former professional rodeo star who’d retired, still competed in roping and bulldogging at the Copper Mountain Rodeo.
She heard a shout and a loudthwackand a call for Tucker Wilder.Not good.Riley kicked up her pace, her stomach launching into her throat as she thought it was Parker, a kid, the same age as Petal and Arlo who’d shouted.Even as she hurried, she deep breathed and turned the corner.
Marbas.He was rearing and kicking at the gate and Parker was up on the fence trying to soothe him, but something had spooked Marbas badly.Even as Riley approached, Jim Stevens, a saddle bronc rider, reached for the latch to try to go inside the stall and calm Marbas.Not the absolute wrong thing to do—Marbas could get terribly injured—but not the safest for the cowboy.And Marbas was a Telford Family Ranch bronc.
