Page 61 of Not Over You (Prosperity Ranch 3)

Knox looked over to where Jana sat in the stands among several hundred other people. He picked her out quickly, because she’d told him she’d be wearing a red cowboy hat. The thought made him smile, because she’d called it her raspberry hat.

It had been three weeks since they’d had the confrontation with her dad. Things hadn’t gotten much better as far as her family went, but they hadn’t gotten worse. So Knox counted that as a win. Jana was still making her jam, and writing her book and column. Knox was showing up in Prosper every chance he got during the week, but on the weekends, he’d been locked into riding bulls. He hadn’t won every night, but most nights, he came away with a win, and his track record was getting a lot of attention in the pro-rodeo world.

The winnings purse just kept growing. He’d paid off Holt in full, and even put down money to invest in the current operations of the ranch.

Knox focused on Jana in the arena crowd. He couldn’t help the grin that grew on his face when she waved at him. He nodded, then hearing his name announced, he climbed into the bull pen. The crowd was energetic tonight, and cheers and screams echoed around him, but he was already focused up on the beast of a bull he was about to ride.

Code Red was the bull’s name, and he’d only been ridden eight seconds twice before. He was probably in the top five in the circuit, and Knox had yet to ride him. He was positive this bull would be awarded bull of the year with its 94% buck-off rate.

“Knox Prosper riding for the big win tonight and the big money,” the announcer boomed into the microphone. “We’re expecting a long ride with this top bull-rider. Code Red always goes to the right with a lot of buck, and really high kicks.”

Knox braced himself on the top of the gate with his left arm, and he slid his right hand under the leather strap. Then he grabbed the rope handed to him, leveled it against his palm, and then wrapped it around again. Gripping the double rope, he slipped it between his last two fingers for added grip. The gate opened, and Code Red flew out of the pen.

Code Red was fast and furious as Knox moved with the bull beneath him, focusing all his attention on staying fluid and upright. The seconds sped by, and Knox barely registered any of the crowd or what the announcer said. It was just him and the beast. The bull would ultimately win, but Knox just had to hang on for eight of those seconds. When the eight-second buzzer rang, Knox released his grip to land on his knees in the dirt, only feet away from the bucking legs.

The crowd was screaming, and Knox scrambled to his feet away from the still-furious bull.

“Knox Prosper has just shown the world a perfect ride!” the announcer said. “Code Red had what seemed to be an insurmountable resume. Twenty-one straight buck-offs. But Knox Prosper rode like he had nothing to lose.”

Knox moved to the arena railing, tugging off his helmet and waving it to the cheering crowd. The crowd was deafening, and Knox walked the arena, pumping his fist into the air. But he was looking at one particular woman who was waving her red cowboy hat.

“We saved the best for last, folks,” the announcer said. “And with a score of 93.6, Knox Prosper will take home the championship tonight.”

More cheering and screams, and Knox acknowledged the fans, figuring he made a few new ones tonight. Elation soared through him, but he was impatient for the final announcements to finish so he could find Jana. He’d just won enough to put a down payment on a house. He paused as the other bull-riders congratulated him, but he continued moving forward.

“Knox!” someone yelled.

He only waved. Others called his name, but he was focused on the woman who’d just reached the bottom of the stands. Jana had her red cowboy hat back on and looked as pretty as a picture. Her smile was stunning, and her eyes sparkled.

In a few strides, he’d reached her. He snaked his hands around her waist, and her hands went to each side of his face.

“You were amazing!” she said with a laugh. “I can’t believe you didn’t fall off.”

“When have you ever seen me fall off?” he teased. “Okay, don’t answer that.” Tugging her close, he lifted her against him, then kissed her. Nice and easy.

“They said you won the top purse,” Jana said when she lifted her head, a blush on her face. “Is that true?”

“Sure is, sweetheart.”

“So are you going to get a new truck now?”

Knox chuckled. “You sound like my brothers.” He leaned his forehead against hers, ignoring the people surrounding them, calling for his attention. “I’m doing something much better.”

Someone clapped a hand on his shoulder, and he turned to see one of his rodeo buddies, Scott White.

“Nice job, man,” Scott said. “You took that bull to task.”

“It was a decent ride,” Knox said with a smile. “Might have been a bit of luck involved, too.”

Scott chuckled, then his attention shifted to Jana. “This your lady, Prosper?”

“Yessir.” Knox reached for her hand, linking their fingers. “This is Jana Harris. Jana, this is Scott White.” He was surprised to see her eyes widen.

“Oh wow,” she said. “You’re a legend. It’s so great to meet you.”

Scott grinned. “Why thank you, ma’am. The pleasure is all mine.” He tipped his hat, and Knox supposed the guy was good-looking and had a way with the ladies.

Jana’s smile ramped up a notch, and Knox frowned.

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