Chapter 4
CHAPTER
FOUR
Destry.
The smell of fresh coffee filled the kitchen as I leaned against the counter, staring out the window at the endless stretch of land beyond my porch. The morning sun hovered over our cattle ranch and the pastures stretched as far as the eye could see.
This was peace.
My house sat on the far side of my parents’ property, away from the sprawling, multi-million-dollar estate they occupied. Their place looked like something out of a damn magazine with glass windows, marble floors encased in a custom wood design. The kind of luxury most folks around here only saw on TV.
I occupied a two-bedroom ranch-style home that was simple and private. Exactly the way I liked it.
I took down a large gulp of coffee, letting the warmth wake me up, then set the tumbler down and headed to my room. I pulled on a pair of well-worn jeans, a white T-shirt, and my boots before grabbing my black Stetson off the dresser. I rolled my shoulders as I walked back through the house to work out the stiffness from yesterday’s practice rides, grabbing my coffee tumbler before heading to the door.
By the time I stepped outside, the morning air had lost its chill, promising another hot day. I climbed into my truck which was the only thing that stood out against the rest of my lifestyle. I liked nice things and worked my ass off for them, regardless of the wealth this ranch passed down to me.
The engine rumbled to life as I pulled onto the dirt road leading away from the ranch. The fairgrounds weren’t far, and by the time I got there, the first person I saw when I neared the arenas had me grinning.
Savvy was already working, moving with frantic motions like there was a time clock running, just like yesterday. I pulled into my usual spot, killed the engine, and stepped out, adjusting my hat as I strolled toward her. She must have felt me coming because she turned before I even said a word and her hands landed on her hips while her eyes narrowed the second she saw me.
“I’m surprised you’re up after that late night you had,” I said, smirking.
She sighed. “What do you want, Callahan?”
I stopped a few feet away and crossed my arms. “Just checking to make sure you’re not sneaking any more midnight rides.”
Her jaw clenched and her eyes darted around to make sure we didn’t have an audience. “I wasn’t hurting anything. Can you let that go?”
“You still broke the rules, though. Guess I’ll have to keep an eye on you all day.”
“Don’t you have bulls to ride?”
“I do, Rebel, but watching you might be more fun.”
“Rebel?”
“Seems like that fits. You’re rebellious as fuck out here stealing horses and shit.”
She made a sound in the back of her throat, something between a scoff and an exasperated sigh, then turned on her heels and marched off.
I grinned.
Damn, her pretty ass was fun to mess with and nice to look at.
Shaking my head, I made my way toward the practice arena. Most of the riders wouldn’t be here for another hour, which gave me time to get a few rounds in before the real work started. Jace was already there, leaning against the railing and chatting with one of the wranglers.
“You’re late, bruh,” he called as I walked up.
“Set up Black Widow,” I said, ignoring the greeting.
Jace’s brow slowly lifted. “You serious? What the fuck are you on this morning?”
“Dead serious.”
Black Widow was one of the meanest bulls in the lineup. Wild as hell, smart enough to fake a move before throwing you six feet in the air and always looking for a reason to stomp a man into the dirt.
Jace grunted but he was smiling. “Woke up with a death wish I see.”
The wranglers moved fast, getting the bull into the chute while I pulled my glove on and tightened the strap. my mind was already locked in. This was the kind of ride I needed to keep me humble.
I was focused right up until I caught sight of Savannah passing by.
She slowed just enough to take in what was happening and her eyes landed on the chute.
Her head snapped toward me. “That’s Black Widow. You’re insane.”
I grinned. “Maybe.”
She shook her head. “Might want to save all that for the qualifier rounds. You don’t have anything to prove.”
“I got something to prove, Rebel.” I settled my grip on the rope, glancing up at her just as the bull bucked hard, trying to throw me off in the chute. “How about this, if I make the full eight, you owe me a drink after the opening barbecue.”
She folded her arms, unimpressed. “You seriously want a drink that bad?”
“Maybe I just want to see you outside of this damn arena that bad.”
Her lips pressed into a thin line. I could see her thinking about it and debating.
“Fine. But you won’t last.”
“Better start thinking about what you’re going to order.”
She rolled her eyes and walked off, but I caught the way she glanced back once more before disappearing behind the barn.
Jace laughed. “You’re gonna get yourself killed trying to impress her. She’s pretty as fuck is she worth dying for?”
She might be…
I grinned, struggling to stay upright. The damn bull was already jerking like crazy. “No better way to go.”
The gate swung open.
Black Widow shot out like a bullet, twisting hard with his back legs kicking up higher than I expected. I adjusted fast, squeezing tightly, feeling the power beneath me.
Four seconds.
He jerked left and faked a move before launching right. A dirty fucking trick. I barely stayed in place.
Six seconds.
My grip burned and my muscles strained but I locked in, staying just ahead of his rhythm.
Eight seconds.
The buzzer rang and I let go, throwing myself off only for Black Widow to spin at the last second, coming straight for me.
I hit the ground hard, rolling fast, barely fucking missing a wild kick to the head. The wranglers were already moving in and distracting him but for a split second I was close enough to feel the gust of wind from his motions.
I pushed to my feet and dusted myself off with my heart pounding. That had been too damn close.
Jace hollered from the rail. “That’s what the fuck I’m talking about but you almost lost that pretty face of yours.”
I shook out my arms and forced a grin. “Still good looking, though, so that means you’re still chasing my leftovers.”
Movement caught my attention.
Savannah stood just outside the barn, arms crossed with her expression somewhere between annoyed and reluctantly impressed. She didn’t say anything, just delivered a pointed look before turning and walking away.
I couldn’t help it. I laughed.
She was mad as fuck because now she owed me a drink and I was damn sure collecting.