“I was just going to ask about the horses you rode today. Celia said you change horses frequently because they have such a hard job. How many horses do you bring with you to a rodeo?”
“Usually between four and seven for each of us, depending on how many days the rodeo runs, how big the rodeo is, and even the weather. If we’re trying to do our jobs in a downpour, we want to rest the horses more.”
“That makes sense,” Lainey said, helping herself to a serving of the green salad. “I will admit I know next to nothing about what you do. From what I’ve read, observed, and learned from Celia, you and Shaun ride up on either side of a bucking horse, help the rider dismount, release the flank strap, and escort the horses and bulls to the gate.”
Jason took a piece of warm bread from the basket and held it out to her. “That’s it in a nutshell.”
“The horses seem … special. Different from just any old horse someone might ride for pleasure.”
He dipped his breadstick in a little ceramic dish of marinara sauce. “They are different. It’s a physically demanding job that can be mentally taxing for them. They have to be able to run full-out for short distances, then stop on a dime, and handle a bronckicking at them. We often throw a loop over a horse or bull’s neck and wrap it around the saddle horn, so they have to be able to deal with that pull and pressure and keep doing their job until we get the animal out of the arena. Once in a while, they have to deal with a bronc that bites or a bull that tries to horn them. It’s tough, and only horses with special training, great stamina, and amazing mental acuity are able to handle the work.”
“Wow! And you have seven horses like that?” Lainey asked, then broke a piece of bread in half and dipped it in the sauce.
“Actually, between us, Shaun and I have fourteen. Three of them are getting close to retirement age, though. I’ve been keeping my eye out for replacements to train. Shaun and I have a few colts we’ve started, but we don’t get as much time to train them as we’d like. My brother and son-in-law work with them whenever they have a chance.”
“If Shaun is any indication, you’ve got a great family, Jason. You should be proud of them,” Lainey said as the server arrived with their entrees.
The meal was incredible, and the company even better. Nothing felt awkward to him, as it usually did on a date. Lainey was so easy to talk to and be with, he felt relaxed as they spoke about his work, people she’d met that day, and her photography. When he ventured into personal questions, she offered vague answers and quickly turned the conversation back to him or topics that he assumed felt safe to her.
He had no idea what had happened in her past. No notion of why she didn’t want to speak about her family, but he figured if she wanted to share more with him at some point in the future, she would.
For now, he would simply savor the pleasure of her company without pressuring her into a conversation she clearly didn’t want to have.
“Tell me more about the book you’re working on,” he said as they shared a slice of cheesecake topped with fresh strawberries and whipped cream. Jason had zero willpower when it came to strawberry desserts.
“You don’t want to hear me talk more about my photos,” Lainey said and took a bite of the dessert. A tiny dollop of whipped cream clung to her upper lip, and when she licked it away, Jason almost dropped his fork.
Man, he needed to get his head on straight. Maybe the guys were right, and he should start dating more. Considering the fact that he couldn’t recall the last time he’d gone out, they wouldn’t exactly be wrong.
Only, Jason didn’t want to date just for the sake of dating. The blue moons that came along when the loneliness couldn’t be kept at bay were the only reason he’d dated anyone at all in the past two decades.
Not once had he felt a connection to any of the women he’d dated. Never felt a need to get to know any of them better. Never wanted to sit for hours just listening to them talk.
Until Lainey.
Jason managed to fork a bite of the cheesecake and swallow it without choking on it as he tried to reel in his runaway thoughts.
Lainey gave him an odd look, and he realized he’d never replied to her last comment about her photographs.
“I would love to hear you talk more about your photos, your books, anything you want to share. Of all the people you’ve interviewed and the photos you’ve taken, do you have a favorite?”
Lainey appeared thoughtful before she shook her head. “I can’t pick one favorite, but I have several that have been special to me. I loved spending time with Liz Charles. She made me feel like part of her family, and that isn’t always the case. Therewas a teacher I interviewed who had survived cancer twice. On top of that, her husband left her for his secretary—such a stupid middle-aged crisis cliché—but she still had such a love for her students and teaching. Amber was so inspiring. At least two or three people from every book I’ve done have grabbed onto my heart and refused to let go. I feel incredibly grateful for all the people I’ve met and connected with, but especially those who have become friends.”
“That’s amazing, Lainey. I’m so impressed with you and your work.”
She blushed slightly and took one more bite before she set down her fork and glanced at her watch. “I should turn in if I’m going to get on the road early in the morning.”
“Do you have to leave tomorrow?” Jason wished she’d stick around all weekend, but he knew she had obligations and responsibilities.
“I don’t have to leave, but I should probably head toward Oregon. I thought I might take a few days to leisurely explore the coast.”
“If you stay one more day and have dinner with me tomorrow, I’ll give you a list of all the must-see things on the coast.”
Lainey cocked an eyebrow. “Are you trying to bribe me, sir?”
Jason grinned. “Is it working?”
“Only if you bring me back here so we can try the lemon torte tomorrow.”
