Kissin' Tell (Rough Riders 13)

His father appeared—all mean attitude and ugliness. “You’re an embarrassment to the McKay name.” Casper turned his back on Tell, shunning him.

Then, one by one, his McKay relatives started laughing at him. Pointing. Whispering. Making fun. Taunting him. He tried to run away but his feet were buried in the earth.

The real kick in the balls came when Georgia looked at him with pity and contempt. “You didn’t really think you had a shot at me, did you?”

He woke up angry. Irrational anger from a stupid dream, but he hated there were some truths in his fears. That he’d never be good enough for her. In her eyes and everyone else’s eyes. Truths that made him feel raw and helpless. Truths that made him a little desperate to dispel those fears by any means.

Chores kept him hopping all Friday morning. So when his caller ID said Chase, he almost didn’t answer, but curiosity got the better of him. “Omigod! Is this really Chase McKay? World champion PBR bull rider? Callin’ me? I’m so honored!”

“Yes, it is, and why don’t you just go ahead and pucker up to kiss my famous butt for that smart-ass comment.”

Tell laughed. “What’s up, cuz?”

“I’ll be in town for the Upton Rodeo tomorrow afternoon. Pressing the flesh, passing the word about safety helmets. I got to talkin’ to Verna, the Upton Rodeo secretary, and she told me they’re short a judge for tomorrow. I told her I’d call and see if you’re interested in subbing.”

Hell yes he was interested. Then it hit him. He couldn’t. It was too bad Georgia had hired him to work the Pine Haven Rodeo tomorrow.

It’s too bad Georgia has blown you off all f**king week.

Whoa. Seemed his subconscious was still bitter.

But the bottom line was the Upton Rodeo was a PRCA-sanctioned event. More money, more prestige than a dinky-ass nothing rodeo. Not to mention he’d get to share the spotlight with his celebrity cousin for an afternoon.

No one would fault him for taking this opportunity.

Well, Georgia might.

Well, she could just suck it up.

“Tell? You there?”

“Yep. Sorry. That sounds great.”

“Awesome. I’m sure you know the drill by now. Lookin’ forward to seein’ you.”

Georgia didn’t check her phone Saturday morning until after she’d weeded her vegetable garden, showered and finished half a pot of coffee. She smiled, seeing a text from Tell at six a.m. She loved the pictures he’d text from his early morning ranch chores. Or just the sweet things he’d text because he’d been thinking about her. Those messages had been scarce the last three days. She’d just chalked it up to them both being busy. She scrolled through the text:

Sorry, but I have to back out of judging the Pine Haven Rodeo today. A family thing came up—don’t worry it’s not serious and I’ll text you when I can. T~

What was she supposed to do now? Two judges were the minimum requirement. She tried eight numbers on the judges list and no one was available.

That’s when she panicked.

Think, Georgia.

One solution occurred to her. She dismissed it. Several times. Until she just went ahead and made the call, pacing as the line kept ringing. Then a gruff voice said, “Hello?”

“Hey, Dad. How are you?”

“Georgie! I’m okay. I’m happy to hear from you. What’s goin’ on?”

“Is Deck around?”

Silence. Then, “Oh. You didn’t call to talk to me?”

His hopeful tone had dimmed and she felt guilty. “I’m actually in a time crunch. I need to talk to Deck and I didn’t have his number. It’s strictly a business question.”

“Georgia, dear, is there coffee left?” her mother trilled as she entered the kitchen.

“Your mother is in Sundance?” he asked.

“Yes. I told you she planned to visit. Now is Deck around or not?”

“Yeah. He’s here. Hang on.”

Muffled voices mixed with the sounds of hogs going hog wild in the background and then Deck came on the line. “Robert said you needed to talk to me?”

Cut right to the chase. Be professional. “Yes. I’m short a judge for the Pine Haven Rodeo today. Would you be willing to sub?”

“Who backed out?” A snicker. “It was McKay, wasn’t it?”

Dammit, Tell, you owe me for this. “Yes. Look, the event is two-and-a-half hours, tops. It starts at one.”

“What’s in it for me?”

“Standard non-PRCA pay rate. There’s food for contestants, judges and committee members. Plus, I could swing a companion ticket for Tara-Lee.”

“When do I need to be there?”

“One.”

A pause. “I suppose I could help you out. Just this one time.”

She closed her eyes, glad he hadn’t tacked on since you’re desperate and McKay left you in the lurch. “Thank you, Deck. I really appreciate it. The paperwork will be in the secretary’s office.”

“I have done this before.” The phone clunked. “Hang on, Robert wants to talk to you again.”

“Will your mother be at this rodeo?” her father demanded.

Georgia held her hand over the phone and glanced at her mom, leaning against the doorjamb. “Are you coming with me today?”

“Better than sitting here doing nothing. Why?”

“Dad wants to know.”

Irina Hotchkiss slowly sipped her coffee. “Is he going?”

For the love of God.

“I am not the go-between. You two are adults. Figure it out. But I’m leaving in half an hour.” She handed her mother her cell phone and ran upstairs to finish getting ready.

When Georgia returned downstairs, her mother waited by the door. In a new outfit. A cle**age-baring outfit.

Do not ask why she’s got the girls out in full display.

“Ready?” Georgia asked brightly.

“Yes. But I’ve decided to follow you in case I get bored and want to leave.”

“Fine.” Georgia handed her mother a spare house key and a complimentary ticket. “I’ll be busy. Just text me and let me know what you’re up to.”

That way she wouldn’t have to run interference between her parents and deal with her ex-husband.

As Tell slipped on the official black-and-white PRCA judge’s vest, he heard Verna calling, “McKay?”

Both he and Chase said, “Yes?” then they laughed.

“I’m looking for judge McKay, not rider McKay,” Verna said, handing Tell a clipboard. “We’re just glad you’re here and didn’t have anything else goin’ on today.”