Learning the Ropes Read Free

locked the back gate of her trailer and leaned against it. “How is your dad? I haven’t seen him since the rodeo last year.”
    “Good, still working at the Diamond Bar.” She crossed her arms, leaning against her trailer and smiled up at him.
    “He hasn’t moved on yet?”
    Alicia cocked her head. “As if he would ever leave. He’s been working for them since before I was born.”
    “And your mom?”
    Alicia glanced at David, sitting stick-straight in the saddle, his eyes sliding over her as if he was trying to gauge her worth. It wasn’t hard to see he was uncomfortable and wanted to move on. Chris knew David was irritated with him, but Alicia was sure to think she was the cause and Chris wanted to warn him to dial back the attitude. Just because his family was rodeo champion stock didn’t mean Alicia was going to let someone treat her like chopped liver.
    “She’s still working for them too, running their house. I’m sure she’d love for you to stop by to say hi before you head out of town.”
    “I’m sure we could do that.” Chris sat up and glanced at David. “Matter of fact, we’re finished. If you want to wait for us, we can load our rig and head over to the house to help your dad feed.” He didn’t wait for David to agree, avoiding the pointed look he shot at Chris.
    David sighed and shook his head, clenching his jaw. He refrained from commenting but it didn’t hide his irritation. Chris glared at him in warning. What did David have to complain about? Chris was setting him up with a beautiful woman—unless David didn’t realize what Chris was doing and thought Chris was trying to hook up with her. The thought almost made him laugh out loud. David would know by now that Chris liked women without strings attached. No commitments, ever. Alicia was the opposite. She was the girl you built forever with and Chris had no interest in forever. But, David? He was a different story.
    Chris wasn’t worried that Alicia might not be interested in his partner. He was the type of guy every girl wanted to settle down with—sturdy, dependable, ambitious—and for some reason, women were drawn to his “Aw shucks” demeanor. Chris had enough of them ask him about his friend to know the air of dependable, quiet strength surrounding him was what women sought in marriage material. They weren’t looking for a fun-loving, irresponsible husband. They wanted a guy they could count on and, of the two of them, that was definitely David.
    Alicia glanced at David again cautiously. “I’m sure Mama and Daddy would love for you guys to come have dinner with us but I’m not sure David wants to.”
    Chris shot David a warning look and cocked his head, smiling at Alicia’s forthright comment. “Who cares what this guy wants.” Chris jerked a thumb at David. “I’d love a home cooked meal. I’m sick of his ironed grilled cheese and cold French fries.” He grimaced and she laughed.
    “It can’t be that bad.”
    “It is,” David agreed, barely cracking a smile. Chris wished his friend would just lighten up for a few minutes. “I guess I’ll get started loading the horses then. Sounds like I’ll see you in just a bit, Alicia.” David spun the horse and headed past several large stock trailers on his way to the one he shared with Chris.
    Alicia watched him leave, curiously, before raising her brows and turning to Chris. “Wow, he’s kinda intense.”
    Chris stifled a chuckle, glad she wasn’t judging him by their first encounter. “Yeah, but he’s a good guy and I know he’s got my back no matter what.”
    “You mean he’d bail you out of any kind of trouble you get yourself into,” she said, jingling her keys, trying to hide the smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
    “I mean, he has. Several times,” he clarified before giving her a guilty smile. “Probably will again before this weekend is over.” Chris glanced back in the direction David had gone. “I better go help him. If you want to