No way. It couldn’t be. Could it?
“A onetime men’s barrel racing champion at the Green Back Open Rodeo, and a frequent top-five money finisher when he was active on the circuit, please welcome Kissing Ridge’s own, Diamond Ward on his horse, Cherry!”
Diamond and Cherry burst into the ring in a blur of dapple grey and blue. My mouth hangs open as Diamond expertly takes Cherry around the barrels. Actually, he’s just the guy in the saddle. Cherry does the work, like she was bred for it. Maybe shewas. I’ve never asked because he never admitted the buckle he wore that day was his.
They’re fast and smooth and finish in a blistering time of 17.1 seconds. He disappears down the exit chute, and Jackson hoots and hollers next to me while pumping his fist.
“Did you know he was a racer!?” Jackson laughs as I try to get my brain online.
“Not exactly. He had a buckle, but…I didn’t know he’d do this. Holy shit.”
“You should go find him.”
Without saying goodbye, I leave Jackson and jog back to the area where the riders cool down their horses. Cowboys who know I’m with Diamond try to stop me, but I wave them off, my chaps swishing as I break into a jog.
Then I see him.
Diamond knew I’d be looking for him, and when he grins and tips his hat while on the back of his horse, I damn near combust. Fuck me, I’m a very lucky man.
“Surprise,” he says as I come up next to him.
“Get down here so I can kiss the fuck out of you. When did you ever get the time to practice, and how did I not know?”
“Oh, can I answer that?” Hunter materializes next to me as Diamond dismounts.
“Go ahead.” Diamond laughs.
“He used the ring at the facility, and I brought his horse in. Conveniently, on the days you were busy doing things, and Diamond was ‘working.’” Hunter uses air quotes when he says working, and I reach for Diamond.
“Why, though? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I wasn’t sure if I could still do it, for one. The other was that I wanted to see you like this. You’re shocked good, right?”
“You have no idea,” I say as I pull him to me. Diamond removes his hat before I can do it for him, and then I’m kissinghim so hard I’m losing my breath. I hear Hunter’s laughter, so I give him the finger while I practically maul Diamond.
“I think I have an idea,” he murmurs against my lips, and I reluctantly release him.
“You’re the most amazing person I know. You had an epic time, baby. Do you want to do this again? Race more? I’m behind you if you do. Just say the word.”
Diamond’s face softens, and he leans in to press a kiss to his lips. “Thank you,” he whispers against them. I try to chase after his lips for more, but Hunter keeps talking.
“I want him to do clinics.” Hunter offers, and I turn my head his way.
“Why are you still here?”
“Same reason you are. Well, except without the kissing,” he chuckles. “I want to tell my friend he was amazing, and the offer still stands. You killed it, Diamond. I’ll leave you two alone.”
Diamond quickly hugs Hunter before he leaves and whispers in his ear. Hunter’s eyes well up, and he nods quickly before spinning on his heel and leaving us.
“You have him at your beck and call even more than me, I think. He’d do anything for you, beautiful,” I say as I watch Hunter disappear into the crowd.
“He’s a good man and a better friend. I lucked out.” He takes my hand, linking our fingers and kissing my palm. “Luckier to find you, though.”
Diamond steps closer, his blue eyes soft as he smiles his special Rhett-only smile.
“I might just do this rodeo every year for fun,” he says. “My heart is with my business more than rodeo. When I learned to race, it was a coping mechanism. Do the things everyone says you can’t, kind of thing. I just happened to be good at it.” Diamond winks as we walk Cherry over to the horse trailer. “Inever thought I’d win an event or money doing it. It gave me the confidence I needed to move to life after cancer.”
At his trailer, he ties Cherry to the side, and I help him remove her saddle.
