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  “I did some rodeo as a kid—” Cooper hadn’t finished the sentence before Nell piped up.

  “You are not going to ride some wild bronc or bull.” She was tall, though inches shorter than her husband. She glared up at him. “Haven’t you had enough danger in your life?”

  Dallas knew from Hadley that in Chicago Cooper had been ambushed by a vicious gang.

  “You almost died!” Nell said. “No more hot-dogging. Your rodeo days are over too, Ransom.”

  Cooper only smiled and ran a hand through his sunny hair.

  Nell kept sputtering. “I mean it. Buck me on this, and I’ll...get your mother after you.”

  Cooper grinned. “Who wouldn’t love this woman?”

  “I’m not touching that,” Dallas said, but she sure held her own.

  Nell tucked a strand of light brown hair behind her ear. “If I can run this ranch—which I can—I can handle one ex-cop who still, need I remind you, Cooper, wakes up feeling stiff in the morning.”

  His grin widened. He turned to face Dallas as if to hide the expression. “About your rodeo...there might be some open land available in the area. Talk to the realty people at the office on Cottonwood Street. Maybe whoever owns acreage might like to rent it, see it used for a good cause.”

  Which for Dallas would also mean putting up fencing, building bleachers...

  “I’ll look into it.” He avoided Nell’s green eyes and tried to deflect her disapproval. “When I come up with something, would any of your hands care to compete?”

  “Clete might, but especially Dex. He’s younger—” Cooper began.

  “I was practically born on a horse,” Nell cut in. “Put me down for—”

  “Oh, no, you don’t.” Cooper’s mouth tightened, and Dallas realized he’d somehow stumbled into an argument. “You know why.”

  Her cheeks turned rosy. “That’s not an issue. I ride every day—just ask Bear.”

  “I can’t. He’s a horse—”

  “And I grew up knowing how to rope. So, what’s your problem?” she asked Cooper.

  “You are, Nell.”

  Dallas had an urge to turn around and hop in his truck before he got any deeper into their domestic quarrel, but before he could move, Cooper gently turned Nell toward the nearby barn. “We’ll talk about this. Later.”

  She dug in her boot heels. “We’ll talk now, and don’t you dare treat me like some helpless female. If you even think of telling me I can’t compete against a bunch of cowboys—”

  Cooper told her mildly, “I have other means of persuasion that will be far better for your health.” He slung an arm around her shoulders. “For now, would you mind feeding that orphaned calf for me? Please? Then we need to get into town.” He raised an eyebrow. “One o’clock appointment, remember.”

  Her shoulders relaxed. “I forgot about that.”

  “Well, Sawyer won’t. He’ll be waiting.”

  Which caused Nell to head toward the barn, a smile on her lips.

  Cooper watched her go. “Wouldn’t trade her for the world. She is my world,” he said, staring after her with a goofy look on his face that reminded Dallas of Hadley with Jenna. “Nell’s not going to be part of your rodeo, no matter what she said, but I’ll compete. No matter what she said. Add me to the roster.”

  “Thanks.” Dallas didn’t envy those two the fight that was sure to continue later, but he did envy the obvious love they shared. Not that he was ready to find his own.

  His gray gaze serious, Cooper turned back to Dallas. “About the fairgrounds not working out... I’d offer the arena here at the NLS, but we already use it on weekends for local kids who think they’re going to be the next superstar on the circuit—like you—when they grow up. We have age-appropriate events, a bit of calf roping for the older kids, a few lassos get thrown...usually missing their mark. They’re cute to watch, but that’s enough disruption for the ranch. Your neighbor’s boy Jordan would try his hand, but his mom won’t allow that.”

  I’d never let my kids try that, Lizzie had said.

  Dallas didn’t want to talk about her. “I’ll see what the Realtor can tell me. Ask your cowhands if they want to enter. I’ll let you know when I’ve got a venue and a firm date. Should be soon.” It had to be, or he’d run out of summer. And his time here.

  Cooper stuck out his hand. “Welcome to the neighborhood, Dallas.”

  After a few words about keeping in touch, Dallas headed for his truck. He spent so much time on the road for his next chance to ride bulls, he’d stopped thinking about a place to call home. He lived out of his pickup or in hotel rooms. The house he’d rented in Barren was the only anchor he’d had in years, certainly since he’d left his parents’ home in Denver to make his mark in the world of professional rodeo. And people still called his rental the Whittaker house. But he was meeting neighbors, making friends here, and his long-lost brother was nearby...good people, except for those who criticized Lizzie. And yeah, he still thought of her as Lizzie.

  He could almost think about sinking roots in this flat Kansas ground.

  Too bad Dallas didn’t intend to stay.

  He still had places to go. A gold buckle to win. He didn’t want anything to tie him down.

  * * *

  AS SOON AS she realized Dallas was home from Denver the next morning, Elizabeth carried a peace offering to his house. After her talk with Jordan, she’d wondered if she was being fair to her son, and that had just made her think about Dallas. She’d had to work up her nerve to cross the yard, and when he opened the door, he gaped at her, his eyes hooded, his posture taut. She hadn’t seen him since before his trip. She shouldn’t expect him to welcome her now.

  She handed him a slip of paper, which Dallas glanced at. “Who’s this?”

  “The man you were looking for,” she said. “His number. How were your parents?”

  “Not that good. You mean the guy who mows the lawn at city hall? Handled the fair too?”

  Dallas didn’t seem particularly receptive, and Elizabeth had one foot on the top step to leave. Maybe he was holding a grudge. “I had to do some digging to find his phone contacts. I don’t know whether he can be of help.”

  “Thanks for making the effort.” Dallas folded and unfolded the note. “But the fairgrounds are out, so I may not need a permit.”

  She could hear the disappointment in his voice. “What will you do, then?”

  “Try to find another arena.” Then, as if he’d changed his mind about her unannounced visit, he said, “Come in. I want to show you something too.”

  Elizabeth hesitated. She had never been inside the house, even when the Whittakers lived there, and what else was there to say? As promised, she’d brought him that name. If she were lucky, Bernice wouldn’t be watching from her window, which had a clear view of both homes, but Elizabeth had already exposed herself on the walk between her house and his. “I can’t. I was on my way out when I realized you were home,” she said, then felt the need to explain. “I’m working today. In town.”

  Dallas crossed his arms. “Glad to hear you’re getting out more. What’s the job?”

  A new sense of pride made her smile. “I’m helping at Olivia’s shop—she’s leaving the country soon so I’m to pick up the slack while she’s gone.” She glanced toward Bernice’s house, then took another backward step.

  “I see.” Dallas had followed her gaze. He caught her arm just before Elizabeth would have fallen down the stairs. “You really think people have their faces pressed to the glass?”

  “In this case, I’m sure she would.” Elizabeth cleared her throat. “Dallas, I’m sorry. After I asked you about Jack—if you’d told him about our dinner—it didn’t take long for me to see the truth. Bernice Caldwell often has lunch, even dinner, at the Bon Appetit, so she talks to Jack all the time. She probably saw you pick up the food then come to my doo
r later with the bags from the restaurant, put two and two together, and had to spread the news.”

  He continued to stare at her, but the hard look had faded from his eyes. In fact, they held both sympathy and a glint of challenge. She should pull her arm free.

  Dallas said, “I’m also sorry. I shouldn’t have shoved my rodeo career in your face.” He held the door open for her. “Five minutes, in and out. Even Bernice can’t be sitting at her window every second of the day.”

  Curiosity and his light grasp drew her inside to the cool dimness of the entryway. She looked around, then followed him into the living room. And stopped. There wasn’t a lot there.

  “I rented a furniture package, the basics.” He gestured at the plain, masculine-looking sofa, matching chair, end tables and a coffee table with a glass top. The dining room they saw next was empty, so no wonder he didn’t eat there, but his kitchen held a small bistro set with two French-style chairs. Elizabeth wouldn’t think about the second-floor rooms. Maybe he slept on his couch. Dallas motioned her to one of the seats, then took some papers off the table.

  Elizabeth watched the concentration on his face as he scribbled something. Then, with a satisfied nod, he handed her a list. “My riders so far,” he said. “Just added another. Cooper Ransom. Too bad the fairgrounds are a no-go.” He looked into her eyes. “I’m curious. What did you say to that guy I asked you to find?”

  “I told him I needed my lawn mowed and I’d give him a call.” Her gaze wandered toward the other room, the front door. “It’s too bad the fairgrounds didn’t work out.” She stood and gave back the list of local ranchers she’d barely glanced at. “Now I do have to go—”

  He charmed her with the smile she hadn’t seen in too long, and some of the awkwardness that had been between them seemed to dissipate. “I haven’t shown you my new mower yet.” Teasing, he waggled his eyebrows. “Leased for the summer,” he said, which only reminded her of his temporary status in her hometown. “It’s a beauty, and you don’t need that guy. I’ll cut your grass for you—if you want me to.”

  The warmth in his eyes made Elizabeth wonder if he’d really meant something far more personal, a temptation she couldn’t indulge. “That’s a nice offer, but...”

  “Friends and family discount.”

  At the door she turned and found herself mere inches from him, Dallas’s lean body and his broad shoulders too close for her comfort. He smelled good, of a pine-scented soap and fresh air. She had to tilt her head to look up into his face. “I’m not family and I already have friends. Not all of them stood by me, which you know, but the ones who did are my lifetime friends. I don’t mean to sound harsh or unwelcoming, but you’re only here for a few weeks, and everything about you says so.” She knew she was talking too fast, saying too much, but couldn’t stop herself. “I shouldn’t depend on someone who rents his furniture, even his lawn mower, and will be leaving Barren as soon as the rodeo is over.”

  “I’m here now,” he said. “I realize you’ve been burned and have reason to be wary.”

  “Three of them, yes. Ages six, seven and nine.” The awkwardness was back.

  “All I’m saying is, when you see me, you don’t have to run the other way. End of story.”

  “But it’s not, Dallas.” She gestured at the street outside, the houses in the neighborhood. “Yes, you’re here now, you can enjoy Barren, and let’s say your rodeo’s a big success—the charity that hasn’t been chosen yet gets a nice donation, and you look like a hero—but you’re not local. I am. As you also said, you’ll soon be on the road again, and I’d be suffering any fallout. I had enough of that with Harry.”

  “I’m not Harry,” he said, his tone flat. “I didn’t ask you to make a lifetime commitment.” He reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, and without warning, Elizabeth’s eyes filled. Dallas’s voice turned husky. “I wouldn’t do anything to harm you—or your kids. As for being local, I’m not, but Hadley is, and believe me I’d never get out of line with him around. Not that I would anyway.”

  And there, all at once, was the elephant in the room again. I was there too, he’d said.

  “I swear, when your divorce came through, I wasn’t trying to take advantage of you when you were feeling so down. Let me put all my cards on the table here,” he said with a faint lightening of his expression. “I think you’re an amazing woman... I like you, Lizzie.”

  “Please don’t call me that.” It sounded too...intimate.

  He sighed. “Elizabeth. Would I hope for something more this summer? In theory, sure,” he admitted, “because I’m human and I remember us in May, together. I know you’re still hurting, but you can’t hide from people, from what happened with your ex, even from me, forever. That’s not good for your kids, and it’s certainly not good for you.”

  She shook her head. “This, from a guy who never met a stranger. Yes, I know I can seem too ‘buttoned up,’ but I’ve always been an Elizabeth. We’re very different, Dallas, and as you pointed out, my family, not just me, suffered real damage this past year.” I lost my baby too, another piece of my heart, and I’m still mourning that loss. “I’m not ready to fully take part in the world yet. When I do, it will have to be on my terms, no one else’s.”

  “You’ve already made a start with that job.” He paused. “Maybe I should have said this first. I’ve had my dark times too, and I want us to be friends, that’s all. You could use another friend.”

  Elizabeth blinked back her tears. He was one of the best people she’d ever met, but was just friendship even possible after that day in May? She had to hold her ground. She’d given him that contact information as her latest apology, and that was where their connection should end. Her hand shaking, she opened the door. “I have to run. I’ll be late for work.” But before she stepped outside, Jordan’s distress yesterday on the phone came back to her, and she realized Dallas had a point.

  She had made a fresh start with her new job. And if she juggled her work at Olivia’s, she might be able to help Dallas a bit and lift Jordan’s spirits too, at least when he got home. And because Seth copied anything his big brother did or wanted to do, two of her kids might end up happier because of this small treat. Stella wouldn’t care about a rodeo, so maybe a mother-daughter day with her would be best, but...first, she’d have to eat a bit of crow.

  “I have an idea.” Her heart thumping, she held Dallas’s gaze. “When you find that other venue, maybe I could, um, handle some publicity, PR...”

  Dallas blinked. “You will?”

  It wasn’t as if Elizabeth would be putting herself out there, really. She’d stay behind the scenes and avoid any missteps. With any luck, though, this could also be her opportunity to prove herself again to the people of Barren. “I think my kids will love the idea of your event, and if it’s held after they come home—” If it’s successful...

  “I know Jordan’s keen on rodeo.”

  Elizabeth groaned. “I’m sure he and his friend Nick will be over the moon.”

  “Don’t give in too much,” Dallas said, his gaze holding hers, “or I won’t know how to react. Thanks, Liz—Elizabeth.”

  “Don’t thank me yet. I don’t know how much help I’ll really be but, well, it looks like I’ll help with your rodeo after all.”

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  LIZZIE HAD OFFERED to help! Reluctantly, to be sure, yet Dallas was still enjoying the victory when he pulled up at Clara McMann’s barn the next morning for work. This coming weekend he’d agreed to show up for the kids’ rodeo at the Sutherland ranch and provide some guidance before the fledgling cowboys, close in age to Lizzie’s oldest, learned bad habits.

  Speaking of... The dun-colored horse in the crossties here was straining to break free, trying to rear up. “Problem?” Dallas asked.

  Hadley laid a calming hand against the gelding’s neck. “Trouble’s just being trouble. Temper tantrum, which he
does better than my Gracie. I think he’s jealous of the new mare I bought. I wouldn’t trade my horse—Mr. Robert and I understand each other—but you and Calvin can fight over which of you gets this one or the other.”

  Calvin wandered from the feed room. “I’m used to Trouble. He’s not a bad sort. Just ornery. Believe me, I’ve had experience with that.” His statement seemed double-edged and Dallas remembered him talking about his relationship with his girlfriend.

  “Three horses.” Dallas felt his smile spread. “You’re building quite the herd, Hadley. Guess you plan to keep me on, then.” All summer anyway.

  “If you don’t work out,” Hadley said, “or you decide to just up and leave, I’ll have an extra mount.”

  Dallas refused to feel guilty. They still had time to know each other again, but Hadley also knew his plans. He untied the dun, then handed the lead rope to Calvin. “Put him out in the ring for a while, let him run circles. Otherwise he’ll kick out the wall in his stall or crib until the door’s like Swiss cheese.”

  Trouble apparently had the equine bad habit of chewing on wood, which wasn’t good for his teeth either. Dallas asked what chores needed to be done today. Later, after his rehab session, he and Lizzie would meet to discuss her new role in his rodeo, and maybe by then he’d have an actual venue. “Calvin’s cleaning tack,” Hadley said. “I’m mending a saddle. You get to measure grain and medications for tonight. Then we’ll all drive over to Fred Miller’s place, see if he’s serious about us trailering that stock for him to the new owner.” Hadley and Clara had bought a big rig and were building a side business for when things got slow with the cattle. “Let’s get going.”

  It was only later that Dallas had an opportunity to talk to Hadley. He explained about the fairgrounds. “At least Cooper Ransom’s two hands are also on board now. I’ve got a pretty good roster of guys to ride, but I need an arena with enough space around for parking, a decent barn...”