Whirlwind (The Champions 1)

CHAPTER NINE

THE SUN HUNG LOW ABOVE THE WESTERN HILLS AS LEXIE SWUNG the rig off the highway and took the dirt road over the pass. Windblown clouds were racing up from the south, bringing another monsoon rain that would turn the road to slippery mud. But Lexie would be home before the storm struck. She could only hope that the trailer, with Ruben, Pedro, and the four bulls, had already arrived.

Aaron, who’d driven partway, was snoring in the back seat. She was grateful that he hadn’t been much for conversation. Memories of last night in Shane’s arms, along with a flood of doubts and uncertainties, would have made small talk a challenge.

She’d done the smart thing, walking away from the handsome bull rider, she told herself. So why didn’t she feel good about her decision? Why did she feel as if she’d lost something rare and precious?

Coming over the pass and down the winding road, she could see the ranch below. To her relief, the big trailer was in the yard. Four bulls were in the paddock, although, from a distance, they appeared to be the same bulls Ruben had loaded for the trip.

Now she spotted Tess and Callie waiting on the front porch. Remembering Tess’s evasiveness about what had gone wrong at the ranch, Lexie was anxious to hear the full story. She would have news for them, too, although she didn’t plan to tell them about Shane—or the offer from Chip Harris.

She pulled the trailer into the yard and backed it up to the chute, where Ruben was waiting to unload Whirlwind. By now, Aaron was awake. Still drowsy, he stumbled out of the back seat to help.

As Lexie climbed down from the truck and strode toward the house, she slipped the two checks out of her hip pocket. With the ranch running so lean, Tess would be happy to get the money and to know that Whirlwind was living up to his potential.

Callie hurried off the porch to welcome her with a hug. “Thank goodness you’re all right!” she exclaimed. “After what happened here, I was worried that—” She broke off as Tess caught her eye.

“What?” Lexie demanded. “What haven’t you told me?”

“Sit down,” Tess said. “It’s a long story.”

“I’ll get you a cold beer,” Callie offered, hurrying into the house.

“First take these.” Lexie thrust the checks at her sister. “Whirlwind scored ninety points with the cowboy who rode him. That was good enough for third place.”

Tess’s expression didn’t change as she took the checks. “Let’s hope it’s just the beginning. We’re going to need the money. Oh—you’ll want to hear this, too. Ruben took Whiplash to Flagstaff. The cowboy who drew him got a five-second ride and a high buck-off that broke his collarbone. Forty-four points for our boy, but no prize.”

“That’s a good start—though it’s too bad about the rider. Wait—Ruben took Whiplash? But he wasn’t loaded when we left on Friday.”

“I know. Sit down. I’ll tell you everything.”

Lexie sank into a chair, sipping the cold beer Callie had slipped into her hand. The monsoon storm was rolling in over the pass. Black clouds billowed high, blocking the sun. Thunder rumbled over the mountains.

Aaron struck out for home ahead of the rain. “You’re invited for supper!” Callie called after him.

“I’ll be back!” He gave her a wave.

“So how did Aaron work out?” Tess asked Lexie.

“Fine. He was there to help when I needed him. But he didn’t have much interest in the bulls. He spent most of his time playing cards in the casino.”

“And that was all right with you?”

Lexie shrugged. “I guess. He certainly wasn’t a bother.”

“And you feel all right taking him to Pueblo next weekend? It’s a longer trip.”

“I suppose so, if he wants to go. But we can talk about that later. Tell me what happened here.”

Lexie listened as Tess told her about the blown tire on the switchback road, and the near loss of the rig, the bulls, and the lives of two men. Her hand tightened around the beer can, fingers crumpling the thin aluminum surface.

“But you could have died, Tess!” she exclaimed, horrified. “All three of you could have died, and the bulls, too!”

“Your sister was a hero,” Callie said. “You should’ve seen her, galloping the horse up that road, pulling open the trailer doors to get the bulls out. That accident could’ve killed everyone involved.”

“But it wasn’t an accident,” Tess said.

“What?” Callie stared at her. “And you didn’t tell me?”