What she really didn’t want to miss was the possibility of seeing Cord. A quick glance around revealed no sign of him, though she’d hoped he might come by to congratulate her. She told herself he was busy putting out a million fires to keep the rodeo running smoothly. She didn’t want to believe the other possibility… that she’d hurt him too badly when she asked him not to compete in the rodeo.
If only she’d kept her big mouth shut. The moment after he’d poured out his heart about riding to please his father was the worst time to criticize his decision, no matter how worried she was. She knew that now. Part of her wanted to search for him and apologize before the competition. But that would g
o against her own strict rule to avoid distraction during a competition. She certainly didn’t want to cause a lapse in concentration during his dangerous ride.
“Are you listening to me?” His voice jerked her attention back.
“Sorry. What did you say?”
Parker’s lips tugged down in something akin to a pout. “I drove four-and-a-half hours to get here, and you’re not even going to talk to me?”
“Why did you really come? You haven’t even called since January.”
To her surprise, his eyes got watery, and he looked to the side, his throat convulsing. “My grandfather died.”
“Oh, Parker! I’m so sorry!” She’d only met the man once, but he’d been sweet and welcoming—the only one out of Parker’s family who seemed to like her. She knew he and Parker had been close.
“You’re the only person who understands.” He wrapped his arms around her, his voice shaking with barely contained emotion, and she didn’t resist.
“He loved you very much. He told me how proud he was of you.” She patted Parker’s back.
Still clinging to her, he took a shuddery breath. “We hadn’t even buried him before everyone was fighting over his money like vultures. All I could think was I don’t want to be part of this family anymore.”
“I can see where that would make you angry.” She wanted to say more, but kept her mouth shut, her heart aching for him.
“That’s why you were so good for me. You’re different from everyone else I know.” He stepped back and quickly wiped his eyes, his gaze aimed toward his shiny new boots. “I guess it was dumb to hope you might take me back.”
The crowd cheered again, and Jess glanced wistfully toward the arena, hating that she was missing the action. But it would be an hour or more before the bull riding started, and Parker needed a friend. She could offer him that much.
“Let’s go somewhere and talk.”
Parker offered his hand again, and this time she didn’t have the heart not to take it.
“Thank you,” he breathed. “I’ve been so empty without you.”
She saw it then—the handsome guy who’d made her feel so special, like she was one-in-a-million. It was the reason she’d fallen for him. Only after a while, he’d tried to change the very things he’d claimed to admire about her. Had his grandfather’s death turned him into a different man?
He started toward the concession tents, tugging on her hand, but she held back.
“You understand we’re only talking, right? Friend to friend?”
The emotion that narrowed his eyes seemed more like challenge than acceptance, but he nodded and said, “I understand.”
“I’m sorry, sir,” Cord told the cowboy, whose lower lip was distended with a dip of tobacco. “But you’ll have to wear the protective gear when you ride.”
“You see, Jack?” Mason was clearly riled up. “We all have to wear ’em. I don’t like it any more than you do.”
The man let out an expletive and spit on the ground, leaving a wet, brown stain. “I’m wearing my hat, or I’m not riding.”
“Then you’ll have to forfeit your entry fee,” Cord said. “If anyone rides without a helmet, our insurance policy is invalidated for the whole event. If I let you ride wearing a cowboy hat, and anyone else gets hurt during the rodeo, they’d be out of pocket for their hospital bills. Plus, we could be sued, and we wouldn’t be eligible for any events in the future.”
“Well that’s just stupid,” he grumbled. “The professional rodeos don’t do that.”
“We don’t have a pro rodeo budget,” Cord explained. “They would’ve charged us an arm and a leg for a two-day policy, if we hadn’t agreed to the helmets.”
“Fine. I’ll wear it.” He spat again, narrowly missing Cord’s boot, then stomped away.
“Thanks for talking to him,” said Mason. “He wouldn’t listen to me.”