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Chapter One

“That horse nearly throwed you clean into the funeral parlor, boy”

Whoops of cowboy laughter cut through the dusty air

Ge bronc riders, waiting for a break in the conversation The rodeo announcer’s voice reverberated through the arena stands as he pu

“I didn’t break nothin’, but he shore loosened my jaw so’s I tasted some dirt”

Another round of her

A baby-faced kid shoved a plug of tobacco in his cheek “I’d rather have a bucker like him than the last one I had Shoot That bronc couldn’ta tossed off a baby blanket”

Gemma jammed her hands in her jeans pockets and sauntered closer to prop a hip against the ate “Afternoon, boys”

Ihtened A couple of the younger fellas even removed their hats Aw Their mommas would’ve been proud at their show of respect

Still, it made Gemma feel…old

Feel? Hell, she was old enough to be any one of these guys’ mommas

The wiry bronc buster narinned at her “Hey, Miz Jansen You’re lookin’purty as a picture today”

The other young buckaroos nodded and gave her an appreciative appraisal She didn’t mind “Thanks”

“Ain’t seen you around the circuit for a while Everything okay?”

“You kno it goes Been busy takin’ care of ranch business”

“Ain’t doin’ all the work alone, are you?”

“Trying not to”

“Good to hear” Jesse frowned and scratched his chin with the back of his leather glove “Come to think of it… How come you ain’t been supplyin’ none of the animals this season?”

“I’ve been asking the saood answer”

“If you don’t leamed “I’d sure like a chance to ride that ornery bronc of yours again”

“Which one?”

“Warpaint Man That roan could buck off a man’s whiskers”

“He’s itching to be rode Maybe you’ll get a shot later in the year”

“Lookin’ forward to it” He gifted her with another inspection from beneath the briood, showin’ up them baby bunnies who’re trollin’ for buckles?”

What a char so full of shit

“No Actually, I’ Crow You seen him?”