“Tate Garrison?”
I snap my gaze to my friend. “Yeah?”
“Tate. Garrison.” She enunciates each syllable, causing my skin to crawl. “Oh, my god.”
At this point, I’m annoyed that I seem to be missing something. Why does she keep repeating herself? Yes. Tate fucking Garrison. It’s obvious by the way she stares at me that the name is important. In no mood for any back and forth, I wait for her to get to the point.
Before she begins her explanation, my gaze drifts back to the lineup and straight into Tate’s whiskey-brown eyes. I could get lost in them even at this distance. He gives me a nod before turning to exit the arena with the rest of the group. And I’m left trying to figure out why I’m suddenly breathless.
“Tate Garrison is the best bronc rider this arena has seen. And he only competes here because he retired from bull riding. He’s a PBR World Champion.”
My eyes snap to the arena and back to Rayna. “How do you know this? You’ve never even been here before. And you just moved here!”
She laughs and shrugs her shoulders. “I work at the only local doctor’s office. I know everything. But seriously, everyone knows that. He’s basically a local legend.”
Of course he is. And I was a total bitch to him. I groan inwardly, trying to figure out how I haven’t seen him around the ranch. Most of the riders who compete throughout the season stop by to at least ride during the week, and I would have remembered him. Before I can say anything in response, the pickup men make their entrance through the gate, riding in at an easy trot. It’s Tate and another equally attractive man.
“Damn.”
“Right?” Rayna agrees, letting me know I said that out loud. “Those two are brothers. That other guy is Grayson. He’s a bull rider. And they don’t get along.”
I laugh. Of course, Rayna knows all about what’s going on at a place she’s never even been. I watch as Tate sits relaxed on the horse, holding the reins with one hand, and resting his free arm across his lap. There is something about a man on a horse…
“I’ll never understand why people seek medical advice only to ignore all said advice.”
I look down to find the rodeo doctor standing with her hands on her hips, glaring daggers at the Garrison brothers. It’s obvious one, or both, shouldn’t be out there. I look back toward the guys in time to see Tate flexing and unflexing his right hand. The hand that was covered in a bandage when he left the doctor’s office.
“I take it Grayson was also advised to take the night off?” Rayna asks with a laugh.
“You know I can’t talk about it. But how stubborn can two people be?” Dr. Thompson replies before heading off to the other side of the arena.
I assume whatever they are talking about must have to do with Tate being at the doctor’s office earlier. If it’s drama, I’ll hear about it. I might keep to myself because I don’t know anyone very well, but no one else around the place seems to keep anything to themselves. Ever.
The events get started but I’m having a hard time watching the anything other than Tate’s body as it sways on the back of the horse. Or the way he twirls the rope while wrangling the livestock that aren’t interested in going back into the pen. If it wasn’t for the occasional question from Rayna, I wouldn’t be paying any attention to the actual events at all.
“So? Are you going to treat me to the whole experience, or what?” Rayna asks, snapping me out of my haze as the night draws to a close.
I blink at her, having no idea what she’s talking about. Dr. Thompson, who has joined us where we are now standing along the gate, is also watching me expectantly. “I don’t know, what’s the whole experience?”
“The Thirsty Pony! Drinks. Line dancing. Cowboys,” Rayna explains, as if I should know this already.
“Is that really a thing?” I ask in surprise.
I hear a chuckle and see Dr. Thompson trying her best not to laugh. “I assume you must be going, Dr. Thompson? Since you’re over here laughing at me.”
“Oh, no. Please call me River. And I didn’t really plan on it…”
“You should totally come. Enjoy the ‘whole experience’ with us,” I invite. “We’ll meet you there as soon as I finish up here.”
“Okay. I guess,” she answers as Rayna silently cheers in the background.
Chapter 4
Joy
Assoonaswestep into the Thirsty Pony, Rayna lets out an excited squeal and drags me to the bar. It’s packed, but she manages to squeeze us into an empty space and orders shots. Lemon drops. I haven’t had one of those since college, and I turn to argue with her as soon as I recall why. Instant flashbacks of hugging the toilet bowl all night begin playing in fast motion across my mind.
“I don’t want to hear it,” Rayna says before I even open my mouth. “We’re having a good time. I’m off tomorrow, and you only have to help out with morning chores tomorrow before going back for the event. Let’s pretend we’re twenty-something again. Wyatt already said he’ll pick us up if we need him to.”
