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Skye had seen through the crocodile tears. Still, that particular betrayal had hit her twice as hard, because only her mom could have told Holden she had Skye’s number.

The second time, three months prior, Skye had received a gift. The custom barrel saddle had arrived wrapped and packed in a crate. Skye had unpacked it as she might have a box full of snakes – with dread in her stomach and bile in her throat. But she’d taken one look at the beautiful leatherwork and the name Skye Marchant engraved into the fender, and she’d snapped. Under the horrified gazes of the rest of the wranglers, she’d carried the saddle outside, doused it in lighter fluid, and set it on fire.

Once she’d realized that Holden knew where she was, the decision to join the rodeo circuit had been an easy one. Holden would come. She knew that absolutely. But, by God, she’d make it difficult for him to find her.

Next to her, Sierra sat on her big grey gelding, Ty. Like Skye, Sierra wore Wrangler jeans and riding boots. Unlike Skye, Sierra also had a light layer of pristine makeup on. Her one forearm rested on the horn of her saddle, her hand loosely holding the reins. ‘What are we gonna do without you?’ she asked.

For Skye, it was hard to think about leaving. Hunt Ranch – the Hunts, the staff, the animals, the lifestyle – had become the first true home she’d ever known. ‘You’ll find someone to replace me.’

‘The work, sure. But not you.’

Skye smiled, but only because the alternative was bursting into tears. ‘I never said thank you. For taking me in. For giving me a chance.’

‘I didn’t,’ Sierra reminded her. ‘That was all Benji and Mav.’

‘Maybe the initial job,’ Skye ceded, because when she’d first arrived at Hunt Ranch, Sierra had been recovering from the tragic loss of her baby and had never come down to the barn voluntarily – until Skye had asked for help. ‘But you started Smokey and me on the barrel pattern. You gave me a purpose.’

‘Oh, God, don’t thank me for that,’ Sierra insisted. ‘I’m so excited to see how you do this year. Maybe by December, we’ll be visiting you in Vegas.’

Skye laughed lightly, even as her stomach churned with nerves and excitement. ‘That would be incredible. But I’m planning for the NFR closer to year five.’

‘We’ll see.’ Sierra sat up in her saddle, used one hand to lift the reins while her legs did the rest. ‘Should we go see if Benji survived the twins?’

Skye looked out over Hunt Ranch one last time. In January, the weather was still crisp and damp. In the valley below, the resort spread over irrigated fields and pastures. The luxury cabins, resort buildings, and animal corrals were dotted below. Horses grazed, just little blobs of colour.

With one last sigh, Skye turned Smokey and picked up the conversation as they walked. ‘Thanks for letting me use the ranch’s address to register.’

‘Of course. You have a place here, Skye. I shouldn’t have to tell you that. Although God knows why you’d want to register in California, given that Texas has almost twice the number of circuit rodeos to choose from and no income tax.’

‘It said home address on the form,’ Skye explained. ‘Texas hasn’t been home in a while.’ Her next barrel race in just six days would be in Odessa, but that would be the first time Skye had been back to her home state in over two years. ‘Besides,’ she added, ‘I probably won’t make enough the first year to even be taxed.’

Sierra rolled her eyes. ‘Stop saying shit like that.’

‘I’m just regulating my expectations.’

‘No – you’re lowering them. You have just as good a chance as anybody. Start acting like it.’

‘God, you’re sassy,’ Skye muttered.

Sierra laughed.

But because talk of leaving made Skye nervous, she redirected the conversation. ‘How does it feel – being back in the saddle?’

Sierra had stopped riding almost a year prior when she’d fallen pregnant with the twins, Willow and Wren. Today was her first day back since she’d given birth, and she’d asked Skye to go on one last ride with her before she and Smokey hit the road early the next morning.

‘Amazing.’ Sierra navigated Ty down a slope. ‘I never thought I’d be this happy again. After Ava …’

‘I can’t imagine,’ Skye said softly. She had experienced loss, but she’d never lost a child like Sierra and Benji had.

Sierra smiled sadly. ‘Everyone has something – something that broke their heart, something they’re running from, something they’re afraid of. It’s the burden of being human.’

Skye shifted uncomfortably in her saddle. Although she’d rather not say anything, it was important that everyone at Hunt Ranch knew not to share her travel schedule. So, she braced herself, said, ‘So, that’s actually something I’ve been meaning to talk to you about.’

Sierra arched one eyebrow, but she didn’t say anything.

‘In the next few months,’ Skye continued, ‘someone is going to come looking for me. He’ll call or show up. Please, Sierra, don’t let anyone share my schedule with him – with anyone.’

Sierra surprised her by saying, ‘This wouldn’t be Jesse James Jones we’re talking about?’