Corralled (Blacktop Cowboys 1)

“Trust us, there’s nothin’ like a small-town rodeo in the summertime. It’s why the rodeo lifestyle is addictive. Hearing the roar and the groans of the crowds. Knowing people paid their hard-earned cash to see us entertain them.”

The food arrived and they tucked in, eating in silence except for requests to pass the salt and the occasional scrape of forks across plates.

Hank and Kyle made short work of their breakfasts, while Lainie dawdled.

Finally, Hank spoke. “You getting ready to turn us down?”

“No. It’s just . . .” She drained her cold coffee and blotted her lips. “Say I agree to do this. Where would we all sleep? Even cheap hotels get expensive. Right now, Lariat pays for my rooms when I’m on the road.”

“My brother has a fifth wheel he won in a poker game a few years back. We’d planned on heading to the ranch tonight after this event and hitching it up.”

Kyle added, “It’s cheap to stay at the rodeo grounds, if not completely free.”

She raised her eyebrows. “All three of us living together in a camper?”

“Trust me—it’s good sized, even for me and Abe, and we’re both big guys.”

“Think of how fun it’d be with you cooking for us all the time,” Kyle said.

Silence.

Laughing, Kyle sagged back against the booth seat. “If looks could kill, I’d be dead. Lainie, sugar, I was kiddin’.”

“Kyle, you’re an ass**le,” Hank snapped.

But Kyle provided levity about the prickly situation and Lainie appreciated it.

“Darlin’, we ain’t asking you to come along because we want a maid and a cook. Truthfully, inviting you is not only about the smokin’-hot sex, at least, not on my part. Is it on yours, Kyle?”

“Nope. I’m in complete agreement with Hank on this. We want to get to know you better.”

And still she didn’t speak.

“Would it be so bad spending time with us? In and out of bed? Getting to know us? Letting us get to know you?”

Lainie picked at her biscuit as all sorts of objections swirled in her head.

The biggest problem is you’re dying to do this and you’re working hard at playing it cool.

After the waitress refilled their coffee, Kyle said, “Are you worried about people finding out that you’re traveling with both of us and we’re staying in close quarters?”

“Maybe a little.”

“It probably won’t convince you, but there’s lots of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ musical horse trailers goin’ on across all the circuits.”

Lainie knew the truth of that statement after listening to Tanna’s tales of life on the blacktop.

“We’ll be switching from circuit to circuit, following the money. I know you haven’t worked as a med tech on the CRA often on the Upper Mountains and Plains, Badlands, or Montana circuits, which is where we’ll be concentrating our efforts.”

“What are you really afraid of?” Hank asked softly.

“Maybe she’s worried that ‘Lainie Capshaw, Daughter of Legendary Bull Riding Great Jason Capshaw, Shacking up on the Road with Two CRA Cowboys!’ will be a headline in Bull Riders, American Horseman, and Western Woman magazines?”

Hank scowled at Kyle but Lainie laughed. “Maybe. I don’t know. I’ve never considered doing anything this impulsive.”

“Which is why you should do this with us, Lainie,” Kyle urged. “Take a chance. It’ll be an adventure.”

“What’ll be an adventure?” Tanna asked.

All three surprised gazes flicked to the hot-bodied woman standing at the end of the table.

“Hey, Tanna, fancy meeting you here.” A total lie. Lainie had texted her, not knowing whether she’d need an escape plan.

“A girl has to eat.”

“Tanna Barker, this is Kyle Gilchrist, a transplant to the CRA from the EBS.”

“Nice to meet you, Tanna,” Kyle said.

“Likewise. Great ride last night.”

“Thanks. I got a good bull. I’m hoping my luck holds tonight.”

“Amen. Be nice to take home part of that purse, wouldn’t it?”

Hank immediately stood and thrust out his hand. “Hank Lawson, Tanna. We’ve met a time or two. Would you like to join us?”

“If it’s no trouble.”

Kyle also stood, gesturing to the inside of the booth. “No trouble at all. Any friend of Lainie’s is a friend of ours.”

Small talk about the night’s previous rodeo dominated the conversation, but eventually they ran out of things to say.

Hank and Kyle exchanged a look. “Hate to be rude and take off, but we’ve gotta check out of our hotel by noon. Then I’m obligated to attend sponsor events this afternoon.”

“I understand. By all means, go,” Lainie said.

“You rode with us. You need us to give you a ride?”

Sure, you can ride me, cowboys, but I ain’t talking about in your truck.

It felt so good to be bad.

Tanna waved them off. “I’ll get her where she needs to go.”

“Thanks.” Hank snagged the bill and squinted at Lainie, his eyes dark with purpose. “We will see you later.”

Not a question. “Be careful tonight. Both of you.”

“Always, sugar,” Kyle drawled. The men sauntered away after nods of their hatted heads.