Cowgirl Up Read Free Page B

down. No way. Everyone deserved the chance to do
what they thought best, even if the phase lasted a short time. Besides, he’d
essentially followed a similar path. Well, the part about leaving the rodeo and
moving on to other things, anyway. The marriage and kids part, no.
    A
trickle of longing meandered through his system. Absently, he shoved the morose
thoughts aside. He’d come to terms with everything that had happened and moved
on.
    Yeah, right.
    The
mocking voice in his head refused to allow him to live in a fantasy. In all
honesty a good thing, but now and again he wished things could be different.
    If only…
    Shaking
the useless phrase aside, he turned his attention back to the little
unforeseen, yet intriguing contestant by the name of Trinity. After noticing
her name on the docket and double-checking, he decided he had to have a peek
for himself. And glad he did.
    Their
short conversation ran through his mind. He recalled her facial expressions,
the surprise at his approach, and when he called her by name. Also the spark of
interest in those baby blues before they clouded over with sadness once more.
    Curiosity
piqued. He’d wager his next paycheck she grappled with emotional turmoil and
discomfort instead of anything physical. After all, she appeared healthy as a
horse with her trim build and slight rose hue to her cheeks. For all intents
and purposes, she looked to be in tip-top shape, which pointed him back to his
original assumption. Something must be bothering her.
    Wracking
his brain, he tried to remember any hint of rumor including her, to no avail.
Not surprising since he’d been out of the loop for a while, first in the SEALs,
then busy in vet school before graduating a few months back and struggling to
establish his practice. Now that he’d been hired by the rodeo association to
help oversee the health and care of the livestock through the long season, he’d
no doubt hear a few tidbits. Always did. After all, with pretty much the same
group each weekend and ample opportunity for trysts and gossip, word would get
around soon enough. He’d just have to either be patient or ask a few subtle
questions here and there to appease his inquisitiveness.
    On the
other hand, that gray stallion of hers proved a hot topic. Understandably so.
Best damn horse he’d ever laid eyes on, and he’d seen a lot over the years both
on the rodeo circuit and on his father’s ranch. Despite being only half quarter
horse, he had been put together just right. Muscles to his ears and a
conformation judges would drool over in the halter class at shows. That horse
could get the job done, whatever the task from show jumping to racing to cross
country at the Olympics. While he had yet to see Legacy in action, he didn’t
doubt the stud could perform. Hell, she wouldn’t be at this event if he ranked
in the mediocre range. No, Legacy earned Trinity’s place here and, if
speculation held true, would carry her all the way to the finals.
    Anticipation
washed over him at the thought of watching their first run tonight. Odd since not
much had captured his interest and brought excitement to his life lately.
Barring a few one-night stands over the past few months, he’d been too busy
working and plodding along through daily life to feel any sort of rush.
Compared to active duty with the SEALs, jet setting all over the world,
battling the worst of the worst, his life tamed to a dull beige. He enjoyed his
profession, reveled in the slower pace of life, but still knew his life lacked
something important.
    Something
told him Trinity and Legacy might just change that. At least for now.

Chapter Two
    “Time
to get ready, buddy.” Trinity grabbed the lead rope, entered Legacy’s stall,
then snapped it securely to his halter. He playfully nipped at her sleeve
before dutifully following her outside into the evening breeze.
    Long
ago, Trinity learned to leave all the tack hidden and locked away inside the
storage area of the trailer. Too