Riding him is like being on autopilot. He knows his job so well—I just have to stay out of his way. I hear someone cheering me on from the stands, which I normally try to tune out but that voice is familiar. It motivates me and I push Duke hard running home. We have a good run and I’m excited to see where we’ll end up when the weekend is over.
I cool Duke off in the back arena slowing to a trot and eventually a walk. A tall handsome cowboy is walking toward us and my chest twists when his face comes into focus.
My Denton. His smile is so big I can make out that one dimple that rarely makes an appearance. He’s got a little scruff on his chiseled jaw and he’s wearing a felt cowboy hat and my favorite Wrangler denim pearl-snap shirt. Damn, he looks good.
A happy little squeal comes out of me as I jump off Duke and run to where he’s now standing at the fence. I climb onto the bottom pole and lean over and give him a kiss. Duke starts nickering when he realizes who it is and I laugh.
“Even Duke missed you!”
“Well, hello, to you too gorgeous,” he says, giving me that smile that heats me to my core every time.
“I didn’t think you were gonna make it in time to see my run.”
“Ray was pedal to the floor the whole way here. I told him if we missed your run, he was gonna get an ear full from Charli. That kicked him into high gear.” He chuckles.
I smile down at him and go in for more kisses. We need to get back to my trailer before someone says something about too much PDA. I can’t help myself though I’m so happy he’s here.
“Let’s get back to my trailer. Dash is going to go crazy when he sees you.”
I lead Duke out of the arena, loosening his cinch before we leave. Denton gives him a few scratches on his withers.
He comes to my left side and we hold hands walking through the rows of trailers, passing cowboys and cowgirls. I can tell a few of them recognize Denton but they leave us be.
When we make it back to my trailer, I hurry and unsaddle Duke. Denton helps and throws some hay in his portable pen and fills his water.
“Thanks, babe,” I beam at him.
I let Dash out of the trailer now that Duke is put up and he literally howls in excitement jumping up and down for Denton to pick him up. He’s laughing and takes him into his arms.
“You’re such a good dog dad,” I joke.
“Hopefully that means I’ll be a good human dad too,” he says softly.
My heart leaps into my throat when I think about him and babies. Hopefully my babies, which would be our babies. I need to get him in the trailer now.
I grab his hand and pull him to the door.
“I’m comin’, cowgirl, slow down.” He laughs.
I struggle with the buttons on my shirt.
“Go lay down, We need some alone time,” I tell Dash.
29
DENTON
I’m sweating bullets, getting ready for our show tonight. I have a tingly sensation all over my body that won’t go away and I think my central nervous system is about to shut down.
Sorrel and I had an amazing night after her run. We made love, cooked food with some of their rodeo friends, and hung out all night sitting in a circle sipping on long necks and telling cowboy stories. I’m feeling more inspired than ever. I have so many ideas for new songs in my head it feels like it’s going to explode.
I can’t focus on that right now though because we're about to play one of our biggest shows ever. Tonight’s venue is the Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre in Phoenix, Arizona. There'll be twenty thousand people watching us perform. I want everything to be perfect, which is the reason I’m so damned nervous.
It’s eighty fucking degrees here today and it’s only February. I can’t imagine living here in the summer. I don’t know how Sophia and her family do it. We invited them to the show tonight with free tickets. Sophia really grew on Sorrel. It’s sweet and I love how she’s such a good role model for young cowgirls.
I invited a few other people that Sorrel doesn’t know about. I think the surprise I have for her tonight is going to top the time I showed up at her family's ranch uninvited. I smile to myself thinking about it and look down at my watch to check the time. One hour until showtime.
“You ready for this?” Parker asks me and I nod.
