Page 17 of Not Over You (Prosperity Ranch 3)

“Don’t be a stick in the mud,” Barb said into the phone.

Jana rolled her eyes. “Just because I’m not going to the rodeo doesn’t mean I’m boring.”

When Barb didn’t answer, Jana said, “Really? When have I ever gone to the rodeo?”

“Now that I think of it, it’s been a long time… maybe since high school.” Barb hummed. “Not since you and Knox—”

“Okay, that’s enough of memory lane,” Jana cut in. “Besides, I’ve got orders to fill. The raspberry jam is selling like crazy, and the stores have put in new orders.”

“Whatever, hon,” Barb said, not an ounce of sympathy in her voice. “Raspberries aren’t going anywhere, and a couple of hours off isn’t going to crash your business.”

“Maybe, maybe not. But I hope you have fun,” Jana said in a peppy tone. “Tell me all about it tomorrow.”

Barb laughed. “All right, hon. If you change your mind…”

“I know, I know.” Jana was smiling when she hung up, but she was also irritated.

She wasn’t going to the rodeo, that was for sure, but Barb had also told her about seeing Knox at the grocery store. She’d told Jana that he was all broken up over Macie. “I think he’s still in love…”

Yeah, that was irritating. Why exactly, Jana wasn’t entirely sure, but just the thought of it brought back the emotions she’d long gotten over when she first heard about the shotgun wedding. But why should she feel betrayed? Those lingering feelings needed to go away, now.

Jana set to work in the kitchen. Her parents had been excited about the additional orders, but that only meant she was once again putting off her novel. After dropping off Knox at his truck yesterday afternoon, she’d gone on a major writing binge. Clocking in three chapters by the end of the night, she’d written more in one day than she could ever remember writing.

And right now, she had all kinds of ideas of how to raise the stakes in her novel. Enter a two-timing best friend and an old flame… Now if only Jana could write at the same time she made jam.

The evening descended faster than she was paying attention to, and only with the cooling breeze coming through the window did she realize that the rodeo had already started. She figured it wouldn’t be much different than the last time she had gone to a rodeo. They’d start out with the tie-down roping.

The bull-riding was always last, which meant that there was plenty of time to make it there, if she did change her mind. Which she wasn’t going to.

Jana lined up the final jars on the counter so they could cool. Both counters and the kitchen table were full of the jars of scarlet red jam. She’d be the last one to believe that Knox had been serious about learning to make jam. So why had he been so insistent?

A fluttery feeling began in her belly. Was it because he wanted to hang out with her? But, why? For old time’s sake? Then her face flamed. Was he looking at her as a stopover fling? Her chest burned hot. She was not that kind of woman, despite what had happened between them in high school. She’d been… caught in the moment, she guessed. In awe that the most popular guy in school had singled her out.

But it wasn’t just his looks and charm—it was the way they were around each other. He listened. He understood. Her sister’s ambitions were a lot like his siblings, whereas the two of them weren’t college-bound. They had things in common—their sense of humor, how they could be laughing at one moment, then walking hand-in-hand the next without speaking a word. They’d been comfortable with each other.

That was it. Jana had been comfortable with him. Had trusted him. And she supposed, there’d been some rebellion in her, as well as bright stars in her eyes. She believed Knox when he said he’d make it big, that he’d travel the country riding bulls, that he’d make a name for himself.

All that had happened… just without her, and with plenty of broken baggage on the way there.

Whatever his intentions were about making jam with her, it wasn’t going to happen. No way. But did that mean she couldn’t watch him do what he did best?

Jana glanced at the kitchen clock. The rodeo would be in full swing now. If she showered quickly, and put her hair up in a ponytail or something, she could still catch the end of it. She probably wouldn’t even have to buy a ticket.

That was how she found herself driving to the arena thirty minutes later, her heart thumping, her mind changing every five seconds. There was literally no place to park, so she ended up walking a good fifteen minutes to get to the arena. Sure enough, the ticket booths were closed, so she walked in.

The announcer was going crazy over a rider named Devon on a bull called Big Chance. Maybe Knox had already gone? Jana climbed up the stands and found a seat on the very top row that looked like it had been abandoned. She had no idea where Barb and Patsy were sitting. She planned to leave before the thing ended, anyway.

“And there he goes, folks,” the announcer boomed. “Down before the eight seconds, but what a ride. Let’s give Devon some appreciation for a tough battle.”

Jana clapped along with the rest of the spectators. Another bull-rider came out on a black beast that looked like he was ready to kill something. He bucked his way toward the edge of the arena, and the spectators hanging close to the walls squealed and moved back.

“Watch your fingers and toes,” the announcer said with a chuckle. “Black Volcano means business tonight, yessir.”

When the cowboy atop the bull was tossed to the ground, the spectators groaned. “Tough luck, folks. Sometimes, the bull is just too mighty even for a seasoned rider.”

Two more riders on two more bulls. From her perspective, she couldn’t tell who was waiting to ride next until the rider climbed up the side of the gate and straddled the bull.

“Next up is our hometown favorite,” the announcer boomed. Cheers started before he said, “Let’s welcome Knox Prosper back to our rodeo!”

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