He grunted. “Me and Geoff Burris? Not a thing.”
“Har-har. You and Van. She claims there’s nothing, but she and I have gotten real close the last month or so. I can read her, and I see the way you look at her. There’s something.”
“No clue what you’re talkin’ about, Callie.”
“You know you’re fooling no one, right?”
He pretended not to hear that and kept his focus on Vanessa as she finished her circle of the arena and dismounted. One of the clowns led the mare away. His sister joined Vanessa. Charity had already spotted him and Callie. She said something to Vanessa, who nodded. They left the arena.
A few minutes later, they sidled their way along the row toward Jameson and Callie, Charity in the lead, which worked out great. Charity stepped past him and took the seat next to Callie, leaving an empty space with Charity on one side and Jameson on the other. He scooted close to his sister, which left Vanessa the empty space on his other side.
She sat. The rhinestones on her hat caught the afternoon sun and glittered. He wanted to grab her and kiss her.
Of course, he did no such thing. But he did lean her way until his arm brushed hers and the scent of her tempted him. “You looked great out there. Didn’t know you could ride.”
“You’d be surprised at the things I know.”
“I have no doubt of that.”
She met his eyes then, a hint of a smile curving those lush lips of hers. “It’s true I grew up in a split-level on West Street. But back in my teens, I used to work summers out at the Ambling A, saving up for college and to earn spending money. I mucked stalls and fed pigs. That old guy, the cook, Malone?”
Everybody knew Malone. And Malone seemed to know everyone’s secrets. “I know Malone.”
“Well, Malone said it was a damn crime, a Bronco girl who didn’t ride. He kind of made it his mission to teach me.”
Charity bumped his arm. He frowned at her. “What?”
“Callie has to go.”
Vanessa’s roommate held up her phone. “Guys, sorry. Text from Evan. He needs me immediately to make a few emergency tweaks to the tour route for tonight.”
“Healwaysneeds you immediately,” Vanessa grumbled.
“What can I say? I’m indispensable.” Callie was smiling. If Evan Cruise made her work too hard, at least she seemed to enjoy the job.
“I’ve made my appearance,” said Vanessa. “I’ll go with—”
“You can’t!” Charity cut her off before Jameson could do it. “Miss Bronco never walks out on the Red, White and Bronco rodeo. We’ll take you home—right, Jameson?”
He hid his satisfied smile. “Of course.”
“Well, I—”
“Stay.” Charity reached across Jameson to pat Vanessa’s knee as Callie said goodbye and headed off down the row away from them.
Jameson leaned into his favorite brunette again. “Hungry?”
Of course, his sister answered before Vanessa could say a word. “Yes! I’m dying for a Coke. Get us both a pop and a hot dog, won’t you, Jameson—and popcorn, too?”
He asked Vanessa, “That sound all right to you?”
She looked at him, her gaze straying to his mouth, then snapping back up again. “Thank you.”
“Anytime.” He would fetch and carry a thousand hot dogs, bring her kegs full of pop just to get her to look at him the way she was right now—like she couldn’t help wanting to kiss him again.
She fished some bills from a pocket and held them out.
He slowly shook his head.
