Page 61 of Boots, Bucket Lists & Bad Ideas
“It was fine.”
“Fine or fun?”
“It had its moments.”
Like when Hart got hauled off. Karma at its best after he exposed the truth behind my bucket list.
Asshole—whom I’m finished thinking about.
“Like when the sheriff showed up?” My mama slides me a knowing look.
“Who told you, Hope? Us? Or gossip?”
“All three.
I groan. “How is it already circulating?”
“The sun’s up, sweetheart. It’ll be making rounds as we speak.”
“Nash always has to arrest someone, so I guess you should be grateful it wasn’t any of us.” I open my office door.
“Jade?”
“Yeah?” I glance back at her.
“Glad you changed your mind about going to the rodeo. Your fine will surely be turned into fun.”
“No, I—” She doesn’t let me get another word out.
“Don’t worry, I have everything here covered.” She presses forward without letting me reply. “Don’t forget to pack your bags tonight.”
She continues with a list of things to tell my sisters when they finally wake up.
The impulse to slam my office door is strong, but I resist it.
Last night was a mistake, a shit show. And the idea of going to the rodeo eats at me all damn morning. Just lingers in my head, teasing and taunting.
After lunch, I can’t handle it anymore and head to the central kitchen. It still smells of bacon, bread, and syrup with a hint of chorizo and warm tortillas.
“Morning, Louise,” I say.
The head chef outlines the supper menu with the kitchen staff while the cleaning crew gets started on the deep clean before supper.
She smiles at me. “Good morning, Miss Jade.”
I haven’t even ridden Onyx yet, so I’m not sure how good a morning it actually is.
“Is there something I can help you with? Leftovers?” The sleeves of her crisp, white chef coat are speckled with flour.
“I’m just going to grab a few things for my sisters, if that’s alright.”
“Of course.”
“Thanks.”
I weave around the cleanup crew, collecting the supplies I need for a hangover tray of life-savers.
I set all the ingredients out before starting the herbal iced tea.
