Page 13 of Rodeo Rivals
What was he supposed to do? Should he acknowledge her? She might be the type who didn’t like to chitchat before she got in the saddle. He didn’t know. It wasn’t like they had any sort ofconversation about their pre-ride rituals considering they both conveniently left out that they were on the rodeo circuit.
Taking off his hat, he scrubbed his hand through his hair and glanced in her direction. She had her back to him as she continued a stretching routine. Was that purposeful? Had she already seen him? If she had and avoided eye contact to this extent—yeah, she didn’t want him to go up to her.
Then again, if she was as focused as he normally was before he got on a horse, she might not have noticed him. Hell, the only reason Wyatt had was because Seth pointed her out to him. So, yeah, it might not be awful for him to approach her.
If he did, what would he even say?
They agreed to it being a one-night thing—no strings attached. He didn’t have to talk to her again. That was how they’d set it up.
So why did he want to?
McKayla
Ass in the saddle. Fingers curled around the thick rope rein. Eyes closed. McKayla took a deep breath. The time was now. She leaned back, throwing her free arm in the air as the announcer listed her accolades to the crowd. When she lifted her lids, she got into position—ensuring her heels, and the spurs, were evenwith Lady Jane’s shoulders. Rocking back and forth a few times, she did her best to get as comfortable as one could be on an animal bred for bucking.
“You ready to make history, Lady Jane?” she said to the horse.
Now or never.
After she heard her name, McKayla gave a nod, and the chute opened. Keeping her toes out and her grip on the braided rope, she marked out, her spurs against the horse as she exploded forward out of the chute. Dipping her head lightly, Lady Jane arched her back and flung her hind legs upward.
McKayla held on and tried to count in her head. These were always the most intense and longest eight seconds of her life.
Holding her position, she moved with the animal as the horse twisted and bucked. She bounced through the jostling, despite the horse’s attempt to hurl McKayla to the ground.
Three more seconds.
She kept her hand in the air, her hat on her head, and pushed her heels, and spurs, into the horse rhythmically to keep the animal bucking.
Hold on. Three more seconds. Stay in position for a few more seconds and it’s over.
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Wyatt
Wyatt’s fingers curled around the steel rail as he held his breath. His eyes were glued to the mare as she threw herself around, doing her best to dislodge McKayla from her back. Damn. That was one tough horse—but an eventougherwoman.
She hung on, her arm raised high in the air, her heels even with the animal’s shoulders until she pulled them back at the right moment (most of the time), her hat on her head. She wasn’t perfect, but damn, she was pretty close. Her body rolled with each buck of the horse with movements so fluid, it was as though she and the kicking horse were dancing. She bounced inthe saddle but didn’t fall out. That woman controlled that mare. There was no doubt about it.
McKayla had what it took to ride rough stock with the boys. It was beyond impressive. He’d never seen a woman ride like her.
If that didn’t have him stiff as a board, nothing would. McKayla was something else.
“Ten bucks says she won’t last the full eight seconds,” Seth whispered in his ear.
Wyatt jumped, unaware the guy had even approached him.
“What the hell?” He stepped back and glared at his friend as he rubbed his ear.
“She’s gonna get someone hurt,” Seth insisted. “If not her, then it will be the pickup men when she gets tossed.”
Wyatt shook his head. “I don’t see how she’s any different from anyone else.” Returning his attention to the arena, he checked the clock. “She’s only got three seconds left.”
Seth hissed.
It made no sense. This guy sat at the top of the leaderboard. McKayla had entered the competition so late in the season, there was no way he’d be threatened by her in the rankings. What was it about this woman that got on Seth’s nerves so badly?
It was over. McKayla lasted the full eight seconds. Two men approached the horse to help her get down safely and lead the animal away. Now Wyatt could focus his full attention on Seth.
