Wrangling the Cowboy (Circle B Ranch 3)

He winks at me, but I can’t let his presence distract me, so I immediately turn around. I know what he’s doing, so I’ll keep avoiding and ignoring him the best that I can.

Twenty minutes pass, and Dad announces that we need more coffee. After I grind some beans and fill the giant container, I carry it out there, and that’s when I overhear Gavin and Grayson’s conversation.

“Yeah, I’ll be at the rodeo for sure,” Gavin says, then continues. “I’m still training Cooper. He’s trying to qualify so he can compete at the next level.”

“Oh yeah, hasn’t he been riding for a while?” Grayson takes a huge bite of pancakes.

“He’s determined and listens. He has what it takes,” Gavin tells him.

“Well, he’s got a world champion giving him instruction. I might come watch.” Grayson smiles.

Gavin pauses for a second, and I don’t even dare to look at him, though I don’t mind eavesdropping. “Determination can be deadly, though. Most don’t realize how dangerous it really is out there, and the moment you get sloppy, is when you could lose everything, including your life. Rodeo life, though, I really loved it.”

I swallow, fill the sugar packets and stirrers, then go back to the kitchen, not wanting to hear any more. If he loved it so much, why would he want to stay on the ranch? Eldorado is small and simple. Moving from big town Houston to here is probably nothing more than a temporary getaway for him. I give him a year before he gets bored and finds some other place. I wasn’t good enough for Timothy. Considering Gavin’s history, I don’t think I’m enough to make him stay. Or at least that’s what I keep telling myself while keeping my distance. At this point in my life, I’m not looking for a fling.

The rest of the morning goes by in a blur. As I’m preparing for lunch, I call Grandma to tell her the good news, and she’s ecstatic for me.

“If you ever need a taste tester, call me,” she says with a laugh before we say our goodbyes.

Sandra washes the dishes, and considering how many people were in and out today for breakfast and lunch, I decide to do a deep clean. It’s something I typically do once a week. Since Jane has already swept, I grab the mop and bucket and then drag it out to the main room.

I freeze in place when I see a dozen white roses in a vase on the buffet table. I look at them like they’re a poisoned apple, then glance around, confused. Slowly, I walk up to them and notice a card is attached with my name written in chicken scratch. My eyes go wide, and I just hope Dad isn’t around to witness this because it would cause too many questions.

I open the envelope.

Happy Valentine’s Day, Maize. If you’d let me, I’d make it worth your while, since you no longer have amnesia.

I hurry and tuck it in my back pocket, and then grab the roses and take them into the kitchen.

“Whoa!” Sandra says with wide eyes.

“I know, I know.” I set them down because while they’re beautiful, they’re also heavy. The sweet smell fills the kitchen, and I try to steady my breathing. My heart pounds hard because there’s only one florist in town, which means Gavin had to speak to them about sending flowers. This is exactly how rumors start around here.

“Who are they from?” Donna questions, pulling me from my thoughts.

“Didn’t say.” I’m being truthful because his name wasn’t actually written, just insinuated.

“Someone’s got a secret admirer.” Dad speaks up from behind me, and I nearly jump out of my shoes.

I roll my eyes, wishing I could disappear. “I guess.”

“Hmmm.” Dad rubs his chin. “I wonder who it could be.”

“I dunno!” I look around, trying to find my escape. “I gotta get back to mopping.”

I rush to the dining room and have never moved so fast in my life. I’m thankful I took the card because I know Dad would’ve peeked, and that’s the last thing I need right now. After I’m done with my tasks, I grab the roses and tell everyone goodbye.

I’m tempted to text him on the way home and demand he stop, but I realize I don’t have his number. Truthfully, it’s probably a good thing because it means I can’t drunk text him. Knowing we’ll be at the rodeo together excites me but also makes me anxious. He’s well-known in the area, and the last thing I want to witness is women flocking to him. Hopefully, I’ll be too busy to even notice.

When I park, I look over at the roses. It was a sweet thought, and while I want to be angry, I’m not sure I can. If we were two different people, maybe we could work. Part of me wishes it was possible, but the other knows it’s not.