Page 123 of Buck ’Em Cowgirl

“And here,” Harleigh added with a smirk, “you’re thriving. New job. New life. Sexy-ass bull rider.”

“And . . . maybe I’m in love with him,” I whispered before I could stop myself.

Harleigh’s eyes widened. “You gotta tell him.”

I smiled softly, heart thudding against my ribs. “Yeah. After this weekend.”

It was decided. I was going to tell him after the weekend.

45

Beau

Dad was here this weekend, and chances were, he’d be at every event for the rest of the season. This was it. The final stretch.

“You ready?” Dalton asked, adding resin to his rope in the locker room.

I nodded. He didn’t know about my plans to walk away after this season, but tonight wasn’t the time to dwell on that. Tonight was a good night. My girl was in the shark pit with the media, the stands were packed with a hometown crowd, and I was in love.

“Hell yeah,” I muttered.

I was in love.

I felt it deep in my bones—every fiber of my being knew it.

Dad clapped a firm hand on my shoulder, his grip solid, steady. “Hell of a season you’re having, son. Proud of you.”

That meant more than he probably knew. I gave him a small nod, swallowing down the lump that formed in my throat as Dalton and I stepped to the side, looking over the day sheet.

I scanned the lineup and found my name. Barnyard.

Dalton let out a low whistle. “Shit,” he muttered, blowing out a breath. “Barnyard’s a monster. No real pattern. No way to predict where he’s going.”

I shook him off. “It’s fine.”

Was it? Last time I drew this bull, I hit the dirt hard before the eight seconds.

As we made our way toward the chutes, Dad kept pace beside me, throwing out instructions. “He’ll fake right, son, but watch his shoulders. If he drops that left one, he’s turning left. He’ll try to bait you into committing too early. Stay patient.”

I nodded, taking it all in as I grabbed more resin, rubbing it over my rope. My eyes flicked to the chute, where Barnyard waited, a massive black animal, snorting and shifting restlessly.

“You got this,” Dad murmured.

Dalton was behind me too. He knew what this ride meant.

Third rider out. Just me and this bull.

I exhaled, shaking out my shoulders as I looked toward the arena. I couldn’t see her from here, but she was watching. I had to get through this ride. One clean ride.

Then, no more waiting.

As soon as I stepped out of that arena, I was telling Fable I loved her.

I climbed into the chute and swung my leg over Barnyard. The second I settled, Dad was there behind me, spotting me, keeping a steadying hand on my vest as Dalton worked the rope.

“Over, under,” I murmured to myself. “Scoot up, tuck your chin.”

Simple. Second nature.