Laughter won over when the first little black greased pig was released and the youngest group of kids was set loose. Squeals sounded through the air as the youngsters fell one by one. Izzy’s laughter was the loudest, the purest. It seemed to revive Abbie.
Again, he met those eyes. She had to be thinking the same thing. That this time they really could build a life together. Raise a family.
He’d been thinking more and more about what an unknowingly wise five-year-old asked him at horse camp.Do they have a camp for bull riders too?At first, he dismissed the idea. Though bull-riding camps did exist, they were few and far between. He had the money to gamble on a business idea, but not a lot extra if one didn’t pan out.
Still, a part of him wondered if he could make it work.
Abbie laid a hand on his shoulder, shaking him from his thoughts. The heat of her touch caused his pulse to race. “I think you have to go.” She nodded toward the announcer’s booth. “Act surprised,” she added in a whisper.
Halfway to the announcer’s stand for what they told him was just a quick meet-and-greet for the fans, his phone rang.
“I have some great news, Mr. Attwood,” Kate Riggs said to him. His new realtor since Christy wasn’t willing to get tangled in the middle of such shenanigans—conflict of interest, she deftly told him. “The seller accepted your offer, with one small counter.”
A blend of emotions hit him. Excitement that his plan had worked; disappointment that Abbie’s letter had not; apprehension that she wouldn’t take the news well. “Thanks, Kate. Thatisgreat news. What’s the counter?” But he could barely hear Kate through the blaring speaker, roaring crowd, and squealing pig.
“Sounds like you’re busy.”
“Rodeo.”
“Why don’t you stop by in the morning to discuss things, then you can sign the paperwork? You have until tomorrow to respond.” She’d offered before to send everything electronically, but he had never trusted a document he couldn’t sign in person.
“I’ll be by your office first thing.” He’d hardly hung up the phone before one of the announcers spotted him and came right over.
He was grateful to Abbie for sneaking him into the arena last night, or the jolt he’d have received from unexpectedly seeing his dad’s name etched into the chute door would cripple him. He missed his dad every day, but he missed him most in the arena. Wished he could ask his advice before a ride, discuss what he’d done wrong or where he could improve after an event.
He caught Abbie staring at him from the stands on the other side of the arena and gave her a little wave. She waved back. She’d always known him better than anyone. Better than he knew himself.
Chapter 15
Abbie
Logan had hardly been gone a full minute before Erin stole his seat next to Abbie. “You mind telling me what all this is about?” she demanded.
Other than Gibbs, who’d been the lone witness, she hadn’t told a soul about that kiss. There really hadn’t been the chance. But mostly, she wasn’t ready to talk about it. With anyone. “What do you mean?” The playing-stupid routine would never work long, if at all, on Erin.
“You two.” She waved her hand as if Logan were still sitting there. “You seem like you’re getting along—I’m glad you are, for the record—but just curious, what changed? Did that article finally help you two find closure?”
It had been a while since she last saw Erin for more than a few chaotic moments outside of dinners, and a lot had happened. She had decided the family drive to the rodeo was not the best time to tell her sister-in-law how she quit her job earlier that day. “I’m not writing the article anymore.”
“Come again?”
Squeals sounded as an older group of kids now chased after a slightly bigger greased pig, but she couldn’t focus on that no matter how hard she tried. “I quit.” She braced herself with a steadying breath, then relayed the story to Erin as it’d played out that morning—minus the afternoon kiss in the back yard. Her best friend only missed that little scene because she’d been grocery shopping in town.
“Vince’ll come around, Abbs.”
“You sound pretty sure of that.”
“That paper can’t survive without you.”
“Just for this week, and only because of the one story he won’t be able to get without me.” She took a long sip of her fountain drink.Dr. Pepper. Logan remembered. Her thoughts trailed to that ring stuck beneath her dresser. How did one tell their ex-fiancé that they were thinking about wearing it again? It was such a foolish and rash thought. They’d hardly sorted anything out, and maybe they wouldn’t.
Perhaps that ring was stuck under her dresser because it wasn’t meant to be worn.
Erin bumped her shoulder. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
She didn’t realize she’d let her thoughts wander so carelessly. Around Erin, of all people, it was a dangerous thing to do. “I’m not even sure I want my job back, Erin.” There, that ought to keep any possible mention of Logan out of the conversation.
“You’d give up your dream? Just like that? I don’t think so.”
