My personal hero.
And I couldn’t wait to see what the future held.
EPILOGUE
Axe
“This is crazy,” I huffed under my breath.
“You did this,” Kenzie said as she bumped her hip against me. “This is an amazing event.”
Exhaling, I glanced at the stands and all the cheering people. I honestly hadn’t anticipated the huge turnout. Every seat was full, standing room only everywhere outside in the parking lot.
The park was also full of people, the charity event drawing in crowds from hundreds of miles away. “Have you ever thought about going into the public relations business? This is all your doing.”
A photographer appeared, shifting in front of us. As we’d done dozens of times, the two of us crowded together, smiling as if we were having the time of our lives. I had to admit I was enjoying myself. The energy was crazy, my blood pumping. I hadn’t been so psyched since the last rodeo event now in what seemed like a lifetime ago.
The grinning man waved and moved away and my smile faded. She turned me around, squeezing my jaws on purpose.
“No frowning. We did a good thing. From what the accountant said, my father will be able to pay off his loans. He’s not completely out of the woods yet, but…” She shifted her hips back and forth.
“What did you do?” I swung her around, pulling her close and drinking in her perfume.
“I booked several acts for the foreseeable future. The stadium is a hit. I think after today, the locals will be down for it.”
“Well, that’s good.”
“Oh, and bringing in the smokejumpers was a brilliant idea. They are hamming it up. They could almost do a calendar. With you as the centerfold.”
I burst into laughter. “Not a chance, Palomino Girl.”
When I lowered my head for a kiss, she pushed me away gently. “How many events are left?”
“We’re up to the bull riding in just a minute. We have the top contenders here from several years. Should be fun.”
“Should be.” She pulled a face and I had a suspicion she was up to something.
“How about a little time alone before the big event?” As I tried to pull her toward me, she pushed me away again. “Nope. I want to see the bull riders.”
“You would,” I teased. We took up a place by the fence close to where the riders were preparing. The crop of bulls was eager to toss their riders.
While the announcer came over the speaker system, announcing the final rodeo event, I only had eyes for her. If she only knew what my life was like now that she was safely tucked away in my bed at night.
I thought about what Jameson had told me the night of the barn fire regarding Will. Somehow, I had a feeling he was watching from above. Hopefully smiling.
The riders began, the crowd cheering from the sheer excitement. My blood pumped, so much so I was breathless. Even though I wasn’t riding, the thrill remained.
And the desire.
As she stepped onto the rungs of the fence, whooping for one bull rider after the other, I realized that I was one lucky man.
Commotion drew our attention, one of the people who’d volunteered to work with the riders running toward us.
“What’s wrong?” I threw out.
“The last bull rider is tossing his cookies in the bathroom.”
“What?” both Kenzie and I asked at the same time.
