Chapter Thirteen
Hunter could hardly contain his excitement for the family Friday night roping. He’d always enjoyed the practice time in the arena with his mom keeping score and his dad organizing the teams. But tonight Zoey was going to be there, and that took everything from a 6 on the enjoyment scale to a 9—a 10 if he could sneak a kiss in the barn.
He hurried through chores that morning, slowed down to work with Tornado, and then hurried up again as start-time drew closer.
He was in the barn, saddling Penny, when the trash-talking started. Lucky was baiting Maverik into upping their side bet. For a guy who’d been thrown from more horses than he could remember, Lucky sure swung a good loop. Maverik wasn’t one to back down, and the two were soon betting enough to cover a week’s worth of hay.
Hunter kept his head down. On a normal day, he might have jumped into their bragging and betting, but with Zoey coming, he knew he’d be distracted and not on top of his game. That was fine; he’d rather lose because she was there than win because she wasn’t.
The next twenty minutes were chaos as people and horses streamed into the yard and filled the arena.
Wynn and Jud brought their kids out to practice riding. They didn’t rope, but along with Wyatt’s son, they worked as pickup men who made sure the steers went where they were supposed to go after a team had their shot at roping. Wynn worked the chutes, letting the steers out on a nod from the cowboy or cowgirl in the box. Jud worked in the stripping chutes at the other end, taking ropes off horns. At some point that night, he’d make a joke about being the best stripper in the family.
Mom took her seat in the stands, her score card and a freshly sharpened pencil at the ready. She wrote in names at a furious rate. Cash’s truck pulled in, and he, Jo, and Allie piled out. They waved and said hello to the Westbrooks in the arena before taking up position near Mom in the wooden bleachers. Their little family ropings were getting bigger every week.
Hunter jumped into the saddle and headed toward the stands, wondering where Zoey and Brandon were. They couldn’t be far behind, could they? He made it to the fence just as his mom spied the pan in Cash’s hand.
“Whatcha got in the brownie pan?” She leaned that direction, sniffing lightly. “I’m hoping you’ve brought some of your caramel sea salt brownies. I had one a couple weeks ago and I’m still floating on how good it was.”
Cash grinned. “That’s saying something coming from a Westbrook. I don’t even try to compete with Choco-Latte’s bakery. Presley has the market on chocolate.”
Mom smiled. “She comes by it naturally.”
Cash grinned as he removed the foil. “That’s why I thought you’d like something different.” He lowered the pan so Mom could see what was in it.
“Lemon bars … How … lovely …” Mom pasted on a smile.
Hunter covered his laughter with a cough. “I’ll take one of those.” He leaned over the fence and took a bar from Cash. “You outdid yourself—these look even better than the last batch.” He took a bite and grinned. “So good. You've got to try these, Mom.”
Mom glared at him for the half-second it took for Cash to turn her way. She managed to keep her polite smile in place for her guest. “I’ll have a small piece. I’ve been watching my weight.”
Hunter snorted. She was doing no such thing—just trying to get out of eating something that wasn’t chocolate. His family adored anything and everything chocolate—even dabbling into white chocolate for certain holidays and traditions. The need for it was gene-deep. Except for Hunter. He’d once asked if he was adopted based on his lack of enthusiasm for cocoa. His mom had actually thought hard before she’d answered: “I was there when you were born, but I’m not ruling out the idea that you were switched accidentally in the hospital.” They’d laughed about it.
He took another bite and chewed the heavenly concoction. “Hey, Swayzie—you gotta try this.”
Swayzie's eyes danced over Cash, and she spurred her horse. “You brought treats?” The moment her gaze landed on the lemon bars, she got the same wide-eyed look Mom had. She’d been caught in a non-chocolate trap and didn’t know how to get out.
Hunter chuckled low, earning him a scowl from Swayzie as she nibbled the edge of the lemon bar.
“So good.” Her voice was as hollow as a log. “Oh shoot. I gotta get over to the box. Let me just set this here.” She placed the bar on a napkin on the fence post and galloped away.
Cash eyed the discarded lemon bar, then the one Mom was nibbling at, and frowned. “Tough crowd.”
Hunter cracked a grin. More for him.
Jo and Allie both took a lemon bar and started munching down, giving Cash the requisitemmmmnoises he sought.
“You really did outdo yourself, Cash,” Jo said, and she kissed him. He brightened right up after that.
Another set of tires crunched down the gravel drive. Everyone in the stands turned to see who it was.
“It’s about time.” Allie put her hands on her hips.
Hunter couldn’t agree more. Zoey had told him she’d be riding over with Brandon. If he’d known it would take them twice as long to get here as everyone else, he would have picked her up himself.
He trotted out of the arena on Penny over to the truck door, which he opened for Zoey. She grinned at him. “My knight on shining Dalmatian.”
He laughed, feeling lighter than he had only moments before. How she managed to pack a day’s worth of sunlight into one welcoming smile, he’d never know.
