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His father appeared—all liness “You’re an embarrassment to the McKay na hi at hi him He tried to run away but his feet were buried in the earth

The real kick in the balls caia looked at him with pity and contempt “You didn’t really think you had a shot at er from a stupid dream, but he hated there were soh 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 anySo when his caller ID said Chase, he alod! Is this really Chase McKay? World champion PBR bull rider? Callin’ o ahead and pucker up to kiss hed “What’s up, cuz?”

“I’ll be in town for the Upton Rodeo to the word about safety helot to talkin’ to Verna, the Upton Rodeo secretary, and she told e for tomorrow I told her I’d call and see if you’re interested in subbing”

Hell yes he was interested Then it hit hiia had hired him to work the Pine Haven Rodeo tomorrow

It’s too bad Georgia has blown you off all fking week

Whoa Seemed his subconscious was still bitter

But the bottom line was the Upton Rodeo was a PRCA-sanctioned event Morerodeo Not to ht with his celebrity cousin for an afternoon

No one would fault hiht

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 arden, showered and finished half a pot of coffee She s a text from Tell at six a ranch chores Or just the sweet things he’d text because he’d been thinking about her Those es had been scarce the last three days She’d just chalked it up to theh the text:

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

What was she supposed to do noo judges were the es list and no one was available

That’s when she panicked

Think, Georgia

One solution occurred to her She dismissed it Several ti as the line kept ringing Then a gruff voice said, “Hello?”

“Hey, Dad How are you?”

“Georgie! I’oin’ on?”

“Is Deck around?”

Silence Then, “Oh You didn’t call to talk to uilty “I’m actually in a time crunch I need to talk to Deck and I didn’t have his nuia, 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?”