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“Seems I’ve had two choices in e of the ranch sure gives you more than two choices now, Chase What about that buddy of yours? The one who offered you a stake in a bull? Any interest in breeding stock?”
“No I’ll leave that to you and Cash” Chase sighed and stared at the bunk above him “Alls I ever wanted to do was ride bulls I’ve never looked beyond that”
“That’s an easy , on top, and believe you’ll stay there forever”
“But?” Chase prompted
“But bull ridin’ isn’t a forever occupation” Colby sighed “Look, you’ve got enough on your ht now We’re all damn proud of you”
If they were all so proud of him, why did he feel like such a disappoint reason? “Thanks, Colby, I appreciate the advice”
Chase was tired of Ava avoiding hi to piss her off
For the last two days she’d dutifully recorded his rides, made DVD copies and handed them to Gemma every afternoon But as far as a one-on-one conversation between them? Not once
Maybe she’s changed herthis western adventure with you
After supper, Chase tracked her down to the training paddock, her silhouette reflected as a shadow in the moonlit dirt below the mechanical bull
Despite the ache from wrist to shoulder, Chase balanced on one arm and hopped the fence When he stood in front of her, he said, “You gonna get in a little practice?”
She shrugged
“Ava? You all right?”
“No”
“What’s wrong? Are you hurt?”
Her gaze finally snapped to his “Are you?”
“No, I’ot thrown on your ass half a dozen tiot stomped on by a bull at least four of those ti the first two days I watched And taped And wanted to…”
“Wanted to what?”
“Hide,” she said softly
“Why?”
“So I didn’t have to watch you getting hurt over and over Record you getting hurt over and over”
Chase wasn’t expecting that He climbed on the mechanical bull, so they faced each other, knee-to-knee with their legs draped over the sides “All this fuss is about me? Really?”
Ava nodded, but still wouldn’t look at hierous, but seeing it firsthand scared the living piss out of me, Chase McKay”
Such sweet honesty bowled hiate? I was really glad you earing a hel But I still got ood”
“Were you scared?”