Chapter 1
Abbie
There was nothing Abbie Bennington hated more than a rodeo.
Bright red signs rocked from wires strung over the street, taunting her. A promise that the thing she hated most would invade her town this weekend.
“Some luck, huh, boy?” She and her dog, Gibbs, strolled along the sidewalk to theStarlight Gazetteoffice. The dog sniffed at a barrel filled with purple impatiens, indifferent to the disruption to an otherwise quiet week.
It’d been years since the big rodeo came to Starlight. Any rodeo, for that matter. The arena on the edge of town had grown over with weeds, its painted sign worn away to near invisible, wooden bleachers broken in places from various storms. It was a forgotten relic until earlier this summer when a new investor snatched up the property and a happy realtor finally pulled up its long-presentFor Salesign.
She did a double-take outside the storefront window of Bennington Tack and Saddlery, her parents’ store, where a large, full-color advertisement for the rodeo was taped to the inside of the glass. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” she muttered.
Gibbs’s furry tail swished against her calf as he caught up to her, then pulled on his leash toward the front door, all too aware that her mom kept a bag of his favorite peanut butter treats behind the counter. Usually Abbie had to rush Gibbs by, but this time she let him lead her indoors.
“What a pleasant surprise.” Her mom, Judith Bennington, lit up at the sight of Gibbs, and knelt to await his overzealous greeting. He’d been known to pin more than one person against a wall with his hefty size. “Hey there, Gibbs.” He licked her hand in appreciation, nose nudging toward the counter she stood in front of.
The familiar scent of leather filled the shop as Abbie shut the door behind her to keep the cool air inside. “Mom, did you see what someone taped to your front window? I can throw it away if you want me to.”
Her mom stood, brushing invisible dirt from her capri pants. Without meeting her daughter’s eyes, she slipped behind the counter and dug out the bag of peanut butter dog treats. Gibbs plopped his rear end down so hard the wooden floor creaked.
“Mom.”
Her mother focused all of her attention on getting Gibbs to give her a high five, leaving Abbie to fold her arms across her chest and wait.
She leaned against one of the saddles in its display stand and pinched her lips together to keep her mouth shut. “Why are you supporting the rodeo?” she finally asked, out of patience. Though the shop offered a variety of riding items, apparel, and grooming supplies, it was most famous for their custom saddles.
“It’s good for business.” Her mom wouldn’t meet her lethal glare. Most people weren’t brave enough to attempt it. “They set up a whole day for barrel racing. They have mutton busting for the kids—you enjoyed that when you were little. It’s not just bull riding, you know.”
Mom knew better than anyone why this sign would be upsetting. She’d been by Abbie’s side to help pick up the pieces when Logan Attwood chose the rodeo over the life they had planned together. “They’ll find you just fine, Mom, even without the poster. Your store has a lot to offer, like the color ad in the paper reads.”
Her mom straightened, and after a deep breath, raised her eyes. “The rodeo is coming this weekend whether you like it or not. It’ll be good for Starlight’s economy. We’ve never had anationalrodeo before.”
“Stupid reality TV show,” she muttered beneath her breath. Ever since camera crews showed up to film a renovation show set in Starlight, everything began to change. Yes, the economy had improved, life breathed back into a town some thought was dying. But reality TV’d brought other things with it, too. Like a franchise chain hotel. An outlet mall. And now thenationalrodeo.
“I’ve already had a half dozen calls from out-of-town folks interested in saddles, all saying they’ll be in town this weekend.” Abbie groaned loud enough to turn Gibbs’s head. “You wouldn’t want us to go out of business,” Mom challenged. “Would you?”
Lifting her hands in surrender, she relented. “Fine, I’ll drop it.” She clipped Gibbs’s leash back on and tugged him to the door. His fluffy head kept turning longingly over his shoulder, toward the treat counter. “But don’t expect me to like it.”
“You can’t run away from it, Abbs.”
At the door, she paused. It was inevitable. She might be able to avoidgoingto the rodeo, and with any luck, not running into Logan. But the bull riders were coming to Starlight whether she wanted them to or not. “I know.”
Outside, the air was stifling for a Wyoming morning. Or maybe she was struggling to breathe on her own. It would be impossible to hide. Logan would likely waltz back into town, embracing all the fame and glory he’d racked up. Thehometown star,after all. Even if Vince assigned her to cover every non-rodeo story this week, it wouldn’t keep her hidden from sight until Logan came and went.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket.
Erin: Dinner @ 6pm. Making pot roast. Come hungry.
Abbie: I’ll be there :)
Erin: Izzy is excited for horse camp with her aunty.
Abbie: Can’t wait!
“Well, Gibbs, at least there’s some good news today.” Her sister-in-law and best friend, Erin, had a knack for cooking Abbie could never hope to achieve. Erin’s pot roast was legendary and could cause a person to drool at the very mention.
On her phone, a photo attachment came through, showcasing her niece Isabella in purple cowgirl boots, hugging her favorite stuffed horse, sporting a cheesy grin. Abbie had agreed weeks ago to take her niece to a one-day horse camp that fell on her fifth birthday, just two days from now. At least for one day this week, with Izzy, she’d get a reprieve from the madness of the rodeo traipsing through town.
