The minutes passed like hours as he waited for all the competitors to finish round one and became increasingly agitated, not even comprehending Mason’s endless chatter. Then it happened. One of the mares slipped and went down sideways, trapping her rider’s leg beneath her. The crowd let out a collective gasp, but soon the girl was on her feet and back on her horse, waving at the crowd.
Nevertheless, Cord had an insane urge to find Jessica and beg her to skip the second round. She could be pinned under Shadow in a fall or thrown off and crushed by the
gelding’s hooves. Anything could happen. When Jess finally raced again, he could barely watch, anxiety making him hold his breath until her run was over.
Had she been feeling the same way when she asked him not to compete in the bull riding? Cord had been certain her request was motivated by her lack of faith in his abilities. But if she’d felt anything remotely close to his nervous panic, he owed her a huge apology.
When the announcer called her name as the barrel racing champion, she returned to the arena on foot, waving her hat at the crowd. Cord jumped up and down, pumping his fist in the air as if he’d been the actual winner. Watching beside him, Mason McCaffrey regarded him like he’d lost his mind. Secretly, Cord agreed with him.
Mason made a tsking noise as his head moved in a slow shake. “Man, you are gone for Jessica, aren’t you?”
“I wouldn’t say I’m gone for her. I like her and all, but—”
Mason rolled his eyes. “Don’t deny it. I know a lovesick puppy when I see one.”
“But—”
“I’d better get an invitation.” Mason’s hand slapped Cord’s back.
“Invitation?”
“To the wedding!”
Mason doubled over, cackling with laughter. Cord felt heat creeping up his neck, but he gave a good-natured chuckle at McCaffrey’s joke.
“We’re not that serious,” Cord said.
But was he kidding himself?
Hadn’t he already begun to order his life around hers? Knowing Jess preferred city life, he’d almost talked himself into leaving Sage Valley. He and Finn had even discussed the possibility of working from Houston, where one of the other partners had an office.
“If you aren’t serious, then you won’t mind if I dance with her tomorrow night, right?” Mason asked.
“I thought you were taking Ellen to the dance.”
“We broke up,” Mason said cheerfully. “So I’m glad to hear you and Jessica aren’t exclusive.”
“We are exclusive,” Cord was quick to clarify.
“But y’all aren’t serious, so a dance or two would be no big deal.” Mason rubbed his hands together briskly, like he was warming them by a fire, despite the fact it had only cooled off to about eighty degrees that evening. “This is great news. I thought I’d be sitting on the sidelines all night.”
“She won’t be dancing with anyone but me,” said Cord, his jaw clamping shut like a loggerhead turtle.
Mason laughed, slapping his knees. “Like I said, you are one lovesick puppy.”
The only sound Cord could make was a growl.
“I was kidding you, man. I’m going with Ellen. And I promise I won’t ask Jess to dance, as long as you guarantee I’m on the guest list.”
So irritated he couldn’t think straight, Cord forced a laugh, pretending Mason’s teasing didn’t faze him. Then he gasped as he remembered a tiny detail he’d pushed to the back of his mind.
Parker’s here.
Turning on his heel, he dashed out, ignoring Mason’s calls. He raced behind the newly added bleachers past the corrals and chutes for the horse events. He’d just seen her come through the outer arena gate a few minutes earlier when her name was announced as the winner. Hopefully, she hadn’t gone far.
“Why did every person here pick now to come down and go to the bathroom?” he complained to himself, as he weaved through the people lined up at the porta potties. When he almost ran into a woman with a baby strapped to her, he decided to slow his pace. From the arena he heard the crowd cheering for the first contestant in the calf roping.
As he drew closer to the exit gate, he scanned the crowd, but saw no sign of her. What would he say if he found her? That she looked adorable in her sequin-adorned western shirt? That he was proud of her for winning the barrel racing? That he hoped she could forgive him for getting angry?