Chapter 25
Miranda
“Are you still okay having Morgan with you tonight? She’s pretty much ready, but I understand if it’ll be too much if Sierra shows up, too.”
Turning away from the horse I’m brushing, I meet Joy’s gaze from where she stands just outside the stall. “It’ll be fine. I’m excited to finally work with Morgan, and I’m sure Hayden will be around if Sierra needs anything, which I doubt she will. She’s been super helpful when she’s here.”
It’s been so busy at the ranch with us being shorthanded that I haven’t even had a chance to talk to Morgan for more than a few minutes here and there.
Joy has been handling the training since she is supposed to be taking it easy, while I’ve been making sure to finish up everything else.
I’m looking forward to a chance to get to know Morgan a bit.
Everything ran smoothly earlier, so I’m not worried about working a rodeo night with her. You can tell when someone is familiar with the world, and it makes training a breeze. Every ranch does things its own way, but it’s all basically the same work.
“Hi, Miranda.”
Morgan makes her way to me with a contagious smile that I instantly return. She appears to be maybe a few years older than me, and she’s absolutely gorgeous. Flawless medium-brown skin framed with fiery red hair. She’s tall and curvy but has a muscular build.
“Hi, Morgan. We finally get to work together,” I say as I walk over to meet her. “It should be a pretty chill night. Most times, one of us is plenty for rodeo nights. Joy used to do it by herself a lot, but we would rotate working during the day and the night of the rodeo.”
“Sounds a lot like the last ranch I used to frequent. They had a few ranch hands around, but most people took care of their own, so it wasn’t bad.”
“Do you compete?”
“Used to,” she answers as she joins in to help with what needs to be done.
She seems to know what to do without me even telling her, so that’s a plus. As much as I’m looking forward to working less hours, I’ll probably still come by for the rodeo to soak up as much as I can before I move.
Instead of showing Morgan what to do, we work together in tandem so we can get finished in time to watch the start of the rodeo.
I barely even notice when Sierra joins us because she also doesn’t need much direction.
It doesn’t take long before we finish up and head outside in time for the opening ceremony.
“Will we be able to watch the entire thing?” Sierra asks excitedly as we reach the gate near the chutes.
I laugh quietly. “We should be able to, unless someone needs something. But you don’t work here, so don’t feel obligated to join us if we have to go off and do something. Enjoy the show.”
I glance up in time to catch Hayden’s gaze from the platform behind the chutes.
His expression is unreadable, and he looks away before I have a chance to nod or smile in greeting.
But it doesn’t stop me from appreciating the way he looks in a pair of perfectly fitted Wranglers and a tan T-shirt that hugs his muscles.
And his cowboy hat is the finishing touch.
“Miranda?” Morgan’s voice draws me back, and she gives me a knowing smirk.
“Sorry, what did you ask me?”
Her smile widens, revealing a pair of dimples that make her even cuter than she already is. I swear I have a girl-crush on the woman. She simply nods toward Sierra before turning her attention to the arena as the screens light up.
Sierra is also smirking at me, and I ignore it even though I can feel the heat creeping up my face. “I asked if you think they need summer help. I may not officially work here now, but I would love to. It seems like a lot of fun.”
My lips tug into a smile, both from relief and what her version of fun is. “It’s a lot of hard work, but I’m almost positive they need help. You should talk to Hayden about it first, though.”
I turn my attention back to the arena, and once the opening ceremony is over, I struggle to keep my eyes off Hayden.
He’s been coaching the newer bronc riders, and I swear he somehow looks even hotter up on the platform helping the guys get situated than he did on the back of a bronc.
Damn. I really need to stop lusting over the man.
I have an apartment lined up to look at, so soon enough, I’ll be far enough away to forget the connection we can’t seem to shake.
All I need to do is find a job, so I don’t have to commute here all summer.
Hayden’s guys do an amazing job out there for being new. One even makes it eight seconds and manages to get a decent score. My own chest swells with pride even though I had nothing to do with it, and Hayden isn’t mine. I remind myself of that again.
“What event did you use to compete in?” I ask Morgan.
The bronc riders have finished, and they are setting up for the timed events. Tie-down roping is next up. If I don’t make conversation, I’ll end up making an excuse to go do something so I can hopefully bump into Hayden. Like a damn kid with a crush.
“Barrel racing.”
Sierra’s eyes light up as she stands beside Morgan, and I can feel her excitement. “Really? I love that event! Why did you stop? Were you good? Can you teach me?”
Morgan’s laugh trickles above the sound of the crowd behind us. “I was pretty okay at it. Do you ride? I could probably show you a little something.”
Sierra glances at me before returning her attention to Morgan. “Well, I’m taking lessons…”
“That’s a start. Once you get comfortable riding, let me know, and we can talk.”
I’m not sure if Hayden is going to love the idea or have a major problem with it.
Sure, barrel racing isn’t the most dangerous thing out there, but there’s always risk when learning something new.
And I’ve already seen how protective he is of the girl.
Before I get a chance to suggest she talk to Hayden first, the announcer’s voice crackles over the speakers to announce the first contestant.
I don’t catch the name, but he doesn’t look familiar.
He looks to be in his mid-thirties, from what I can see beneath his hat.
Clean-shaven with a jaw that belongs on an action figure.
Tanned skin and a stocky, muscular build.
I watch as he rides out, ropes the calf, dismounts his horse, and has its legs tied and his arms raised before I even register that he’s finished.
It’s impressive. And would probably be hot, if I could stop focusing on a certain off-limits man.
When I look over and see Morgan watching him intently, I give her the same knowing look she gave me. Yup. She noticed what I noticed. And apparently, she isn’t stuck on someone else, the way I am.
“Not bad, right?” I say, playfully jabbing her with my elbow.
“What? Yeah. That was a really good time.”
“Right. Good time,” I say before snickering and walking away.
Even though I told myself I wasn’t going to look for Hayden, I really do need to find something to keep busy. If nothing else, I’ll get things ready for tomorrow, so maybe I’ll be able to get the day over with quicker.
I almost make it to the tack room when deep voices catch my attention.
Glancing over, I spot Tate and Hayden deep in conversation.
They don’t notice me, so I allow myself a few minutes to appreciate the object of my forbidden affection.
He’s standing with one foot crossed in front of the other as he leans against the wall.
Tate must have said something funny, because Hayden’s deep laugh reaches all the way to where I’m standing and causes my body to react in a way it shouldn’t.
With a shake of my head, I continue to the tack room and let my mind drift to the excitement of the rodeo.
The crowd can be heard cheering from way in here, and instead of fiddling around or finding more excuses to stalk Hayden, I quickly do a few tasks so I can get back out there.
Sierra’s excitement will certainly be enough to bring my focus back to what’s important.
I’m here doing what I love. And I’m going to soak up every moment of this while I can.