26. Twenty-Six
Twenty-Six
Cash
It wasn’t long before the entire Hartwell family made their way to the indoor arena for an impromptu rodeo. Quinn simply asked if we could get in a few rides before she headed back to her hotel, and Lottie jumped on that idea. Before I knew it, Stetson grabbed my hand and yanked me towards the arena.
While Kyla and Leo made themselves comfortable behind the gates, everyone started moving. I was almost tempted to suggest we head to the Hartwell Rodeo Arena, but they were in the zone setting up right here at home. Rhett and Lachlan wrangled a few calves, Abi prepared the horses with Quinn, Stetson and I rolled the barrels out onto the dirt, and Wyatt plopped a cowboy hat on his head and hoisted himself up on a gate, locking his ankles in the railing—ready to announce anything he could, even if it was just his family in the arena.
I couldn’t help but notice his eyes focused on Quinn. He had tried at dinner to talk to her, maybe threw out some pickup lines, but Quinn seemed to have no interest in the playboy rodeo announcer, even rolling her eyes at him a few times. I found it comical that he was trying so hard, knowing that Wyatt was one who could pick up any girl at rodeos, and he was having trouble with Quinn. That didn’t stop him, though. Every time she passed, he would say something to try to get her attention.
“Maybe.” Quinn finally turned to him. “If you would get your ass off the gate and saddle a horse, I’d be more inclined to talk to you.”
Wyatt pinched his eyebrows, and I swear I could see his breath stop. I couldn’t help but burst out laughing. Abi used the back of her hand to slap my chest, pulling me back to the hustle of getting ready for a ride.
Rhett was up first, using a few different calves to rope, trying to beat his time over and over—each run ending with him bounding to the gate to give Kyla a deep kiss. Kyla’s face was becoming permanently red. Wyatt even got off the gate to rope a calf. Even if his time was seventeen point two seconds, he still tossed up his hands like he owned the sport.
“Stick to announcing!” Rhett called from the gate as Lachlan led the calf into the opposite end of the arena.
Wyatt gave his brother the middle finger before giving Quinn a wink, raising himself back on the gate. “Who’s next? I’d love to see the barrel racers.” He turned to Quinn, waggling his eyebrows.
She shook her head, giving him the most epic eye roll I had ever seen before she turned to Stetson. “Ready little dude?”
Stetson looked up at Quinn and nodded his head vigorously. He ran out on the dirt and moved the barrels to where she pointed, and once he was back to us, he turned and stepped on the gate, his eyes fixed on Quinn as she rode Charming to the back door of the arena.
“Too far. Turn,” I muttered under my breath, and as if she could hear me, she spun Charming. “Get up speed…”
Quinn used her legs, a motion that just weeks ago would have caused her to wince, but today, she was moving with ease, just like second nature.
“That’s it.” I smiled once she took off and rounded the first barrel, her back straight, her ponytail flying behind her.
She rounded the second, Charming’s tail barely clipping the barrel’s side as he passed, and she sped up to the last and third, racing back to the opposite end of the arena before she made Charming halt. The dirt flew up around his hooves, and he reared up, Quinn holding on with her legs.
“And that’s Quinn Compton, the barrel racer who is going to take the world by storm with her eighteen-point two time.” Wyatt shouted across the arena, drawing out her name.
Kyla clapped, and Quinn did a small dance on Charming before leading him outside of the arena to go again, and again.
“She looks like she’s ready to get back on the circuit.” Abi leaned into me. “How much longer do you think?”
I wrapped my arm around her shoulder gently. I wasn’t too sure how she felt about affection in front of her family, or what they knew about us at all. This was still so new, but having her near me, I couldn’t help but want to hold her.
I watched Quinn round the first barrel on her second ride. “Her doctor gave her an all clear at her appointment today.” I quirked a smile. “I can start planning her rides.”
“Shouldn’t she do that? Or an agent?” Abi’s brow furrowed.
I shrugged. “I’m happy to help her out this season. Last year, she did it all on her own, so she needs the support. Next year though, if I take on more clients—”
“Oh!” she shouted. “We were actually talking about that today.” Abi stretched out her arms on the gate, forcing my arm to drop. “You could train your other clients here…if you’d like. We wouldn’t charge you.”
I jerked my head towards her. “You’re serious?”
She nodded. “I mean, as long as you keep helping around the ranch, we won’t charge you.”
“Ah,” I threw back a laugh. “There’s the catch.”
“Quiiiiiin Commmpton,” Wyatt hollered. “And now, giving us a special show, coming back after a few years off the circuit…”
Abi looked at Lachlan, hope seeping from her eyes. He just trotted along on Onyx, not even registering what Wyatt was saying.
“Don’t get your hopes up,” I whispered to Abi, who instantly hit me with a side eye.
“…Lottie Hartwell!” Wyatt used his hands to extend his voice as everyone—and I mean everyone—cheered. Leo was the loudest as he stood, hooting and hollering as we all focused on the arena entrance.
Lottie flew in, her form perfect on the back of her horse, Opal, as she came up to the first barrel. They turned, Lottie following the horses’ twists as if they were one being. The second barrel came just as easy for her, and Opal didn’t miss a beat. At the last barrel, Lottie’s smile grew as Opal gained speed and turned, Opal’s tail whipping around as she took the turn with ease. The dirt was worn, but Opal didn’t even falter. Like they had been doing this for years. They didn’t even come close to touching a single barrel. Once Opal was back on the straight path, Lottie raised herself up on the stirrups, her arms high above her head like she was a trick rider, her dark hair now a complete mess as she raised her chin to the ceiling.
“And that,” Wyatt shouted, “is how it’s done!”
“Fourteen point nine seconds!” Kyla shouted into the arena, waving the timer in the air.
“Damn,” I muttered. “I need her to train Quinn.”
“That felt so good.” Lottie sighed as she and Opal trotted up to us. “I haven’t done that in years.”
“Amazing as always, Mom!” Abi cheered. “Cash just said you need to teach Quinn.”
Lottie smiled. “I’ll be more than happy to do that again! Quinn can observe and learn a few things.” She cocked her head with a grin.
“Mommy!” Stetson called, running up to Abi. “Can I try that! Please!”
Abi looked down at Stetson, before giving me a quick glance. “You want to barrel race?”
Stetson was vibrating with excitement. “I can, right? It’s not just a girl sport! Cash can show me!”
“I’m down.” I pushed myself off the gate, sliding my hand along Abi’s shoulders. “Quinn, how’s Charming with kids!?”
Quinn came up to us, Charming lightly bobbing his head. “Little man wants to ride? Oh, I’d love to see this. Charming can do one more run.” Quinn swung her leg over Charming’s body, slipping off the saddle and stepping to the side, allowing Stetson to slip his foot in the stirrup to easily lift himself up. Charming took a few steps, getting used to the new weight.
“Hold up…” Abi stopped us. “Let’s get your helmet.”
Raising his hands above his head, Stetson cheered.
“Alright Stet, your posture is the most important thing,” I began, pulling up the stirrups to fit his feet.
“Not too stiff, not too loose,” Quinn added. “You saw your grandma, right? Perfect posture.”
“And it’s a tight turn.” I walked to the other side, adjusting his foot there. He grabbed the reins and nodded, taking in each and every word, his eyes wide.
“Really tight. Charming may take them faster since you're so light.” Quinn took the helmet from Abi and handed it up to Stetson, who quickly buckled it under his chin.
“Choose left or right first…”
“It doesn’t matter which.” Quinn reached up and checked his helmet, knocking on it with her knuckles after making sure it was secure.
“Then go to the opposite side.” I patted his knee. His head was moving from me, to Quinn, back to me.
“Turn around the barrel, and make sure you don’t touch it.” Quinn pointed at the barrel.
“Then to the front.”
“Then to the back. I’ll meet you there.” Quinn smiled at Stetson before jogging to the end of the arena. “Come down here to get a good speed going!” She waved her arms in the air.
“How fast should I go?” Stetson looked down at me, his entire face beaming with pure joy. This boy was made for the rodeo.
“As fast as you’d like. Remember…” I raised a single brow.
“Posture. Not too stiff, not too loose. Left or right, hold on tight.” Stetson bobbed his head as he recited each thing Quinn and I had told him. Crash course in barrel racing. “Where will you be?”
“Where do you want me?”
Stetson hummed. “By Mommy.” Turning my back, I looked at Abi. She leaned against the metal gate, her arms crossed over her chest. “She doesn’t like it when I practice mutton busting, so she won’t like this either. But she’ll smile if you’re next to her.” Stetson whispered.
I grinned. “She sure does, but I’ll go keep her company. Now, go down by Quinn and round these barrels.”
With a loud “Yeah,” Stetson kicked Charming’s sides and rounded the corner to where Quinn stood. She gave him some final instructions before pushing Charming off as Stetson kicked his side. Then he was off, Charming probably going a lot faster than Stetson intended. At first the shock took over, but once Charming rounded that first barrel, and he headed towards that second, I’d never seen that boy smile so big.
“That’s it,” I muttered.
“You’re going to get him hooked on this. He’ll be the first male barrel racer.”
“Hey, men can race barrels, and it’s better than saddle bronc.” I nudged Abi’s shoulder.
She teased. “He’s taking after his Uncle Lachlan, remember?”
Stetson rounded the third barrel and made his way back to Quinn, who clapped and jumped as he slowly brought Charming to a stop.
“Can I do that again?” Stetson hollered.
“Go again!” Leo screamed back at his grandchild. “I gotta film this!”
“Make sure you send me everything, Dad!” Abi cupped her hand over her lips, and Leo gave her a quick thumbs up before setting up his camera to catch every single move of Stetson’s second run.
“He’s a rodeo natural. He’s going to want to ride bronc next, you know that right? I wouldn’t be surprised if he asked if he could do that tonight.” Folding my arms, I leaned against the gate, looking down at Abi.
Her eyes met mine, and she smiled. “He’s going to after watching you. Speaking of which…” I wiggled my eyebrows at her, and then without breaking my eye contact Abi shouted, “Stetson, I think it’s Cash’s turn to get on the dirt!”
“YES!” Stetson screamed, jumping off Charming. “I want to pull the chute!”
“I’ll help him.” Rhett jogged to the chute, making it right before Stetson did.
“Wish me luck.” I reached down and squeezed Abi’s hand for reassurance.
“You don’t need it,” she said as she squeezed back.
I made it to the chute and looked out on the dirt. Lachlan, Kyla, and Quinn had moved the barrels off to the side. Stetson and Rhett stayed by the chute, and I waited until Lachlan was on Onyx to be my pick up man to lower myself onto the horse. He started moving the second my legs wrapped around him, ready to get out of the small cage and let loose.
I grabbed the cinch, instantly wished I had my cowboy hat on—you know, for the full effect—then looked at Rhett. He smiled and looked at Stetson.
“I think he’s gonna nod.” Rhett said to his nephew.
“Nod Uncle Cash!”
I nodded, and Rhett and Stetson opened the chute. The ranch horse, aptly named Moose, blew out of the chute, flying into the air. I could hear the cheers from Lottie and Leo, Abi too, as Moose turned left, then right, and flew higher in the air. I kept my hand up, my back straight and my focus on his weight under me. He moved and jerked, almost forcing me off his back a few times, bucking higher than Blaze did the other night. But then I heard the buzzer, the eight seconds were up. I tightened my legs and lowered my arm, grabbing the cinch with both hands and geared him into a run. Lachlan showed up at my side, matching Moose’s pace perfectly. I let go of the cinch and reached for Lachlan as he dragged me from the saddle. I jumped, my feet landing on the ground for a split second before I took off towards Abi.
“You’re getting better and better with each ride, before you know it, you’ll be—”
I stopped her, gripping her face in my hands and pressing my lips to hers. Since she was in mid-sentence, it was all too easy for me to slip my tongue inside to dance with hers, sending chills down my spine. So much for PDA. She melted into me again, and she hummed as I kissed her, tasting her, our hearts beating more rapidly with each swipe of my tongue. I could see why Rhett did this after every ride. The pure rush from the ride was exhilarating, and then having her in my arms, her lips against mine, kept the adrenaline pumping, but this time it was all Abi.
Her hands gripped onto my arms, holding me steady against her, and once I broke the kiss, she let out a soft sigh.
“Hey now,” I heard Rhett’s voice as he came up from behind us. “That’s my bit.”
“I can see why,” I breathed, leaning down to give Abi one last kiss.
“MOMMY!” I heard Stetson squeal. “YOU KISSED UNCLE CASH!”
I chuckled and looked back at Stetson, who stood right in the middle of the dirt, his jaw dropped as he watched us.
“Sorry Stet,” I said, my hands lowering from Abi’s face to her arms. “Is it ok if I kiss your mom?”
“Does that mean you’ll stay longer, because if it means you’ll stay longer you can kiss her.” Stetson brushed a hand in the air, as if waving off what he just saw, running back to the gates, “Can I open the chute again if Uncle Cash goes!?”
Abi rubbed her lips together and then blinked herself back to reality. “I’m going to have to talk to him…” she said, her voice soft and breathy. “If he’s ok with us kissing, he should probably drop the uncle.”
I laughed and raised my eyebrows. “Should I ride again?”
She nodded, a twitch to her lips. I casually walked back to the chute, giving Rhett a look, and then took a quick inventory of how that kiss was taken by Abi’s family. Wyatt looked anywhere but at me, her mother was smiling, her dad was getting his camera ready (most likely to film another ride), and Kyla had a huge grin on her face and was mouthing something. I turned and looked at Abi, whose smile matched Kyla’s and she was mouthing something right back.
That shot up my ego just a twinge. Abi and Kyla were acting like teenagers, all over my kiss. Yeah…I was definitely kissing her again after this ride.
I rode three more times, lasting eight seconds each time, and kissing Abi after each one. Nothing like the first kiss, but after having her family take zero note of it, I couldn’t stop myself. Stetson even squealed each time, at one point screaming, “Gross!” It wasn’t until Abi took him away for his bedtime that I pulled them both into my arms for a hug, loving the way they both felt against me. Nothing could take this feeling away, not even watching them walk out of the stables. Pure bliss was etching into my body.
“Hey, Callahan.”
I scanned the arena, seeing Lachlan and Rhett already in the stables taking care of the horses, Quinn was talking to Kyla, Lottie and Leo were re-watching videos on his phone. The only other person who could possibly be next to me…
Wyatt stood in front of me, his arms folded, his baseball cap slightly perched to the side, and a look of extreme anger plastered all over his face.
Okay, maybe Wyatt could erase that feeling. I rolled my eyes and lowered my chin. “Yes, Wyatt?”
“What the hell was that?”
“What was what?” I pretended to look stupid. Here was the brother’s protection speech. I was honestly expecting this from Lachlan after the small warning he had given me prior but knowing that Wyatt would rather talk to anyone else but me, I was shocked he even approached me.
“You know what,” he grumbled.
“Alright, then, what was with you hitting on Quinn?”
“I didn’t suck face with her like you did with my sister.”
“Suck face?” I parroted. “I kissed her, I didn’t ‘suck face’ with her. Pretty sure that’s what you do.”
He shook his head. “I don’t like you.”
“That’s fine.”
“Stay away from Abi.”
“I don’t think that’s up to you.”
His glare deepened. “You hurt her once. I was there for it. I saw every second of it after Sylas died. I saw how long it took for her to get over him, and over you. Over losing who she thought was a friend. You can’t just waltz back into her life and expect to replace Sylas. No one can do that. No one will ever fill that hole for her. You don’t know what she does to stop it. You shouldn’t have come back here—”
“You done?” I interrupted, not wanting his words to get to me more than they already were. Abi knew I wasn’t wanting to replace Sylas. Just by seeing everyone’s reaction to our touches and kisses, no one felt that way either. But Wyatt…turns out he wasn’t done.
“Just stay away. Quinn’s better, so get off my property, and stay the hell away from my sister.”
I chewed the inside of my cheek, stopping myself from saying anything to defend myself. If he wanted to give me this speech, he could, but it didn’t change a damn thing. Wyatt’s jaw tensed as he held my stare, and when I didn’t respond, he gave me a single nod and turned his back, heading to his dad with his chin down. The entire time I watched him walk away, I thought about the next time I would have Abi in my arms again.