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“I want you, too,” he said hoarsely.

“Well, too damned bad because I’ve got a cow about to give birth.” She gave him a hard kiss on the mouth. “But if you can still walk after the rodeo, I’m all yours.”

“Now that’s the incentive I need to stay healthy,” he said.

*

Shane walked among the other bull riders, trying to regain the feeling that he had when he had been in active competition. Was the thrill of hearing the crowd cheer for him still there? Yeah, but it was muted. He found himself looking for Reba’s face in the crowd. He never did that when he was married to Abigail or with anyone else that he had been dating.

“Did you hear about the big hullaballoo?” Barney asked.

“I’m sure you’re going to tell me.” Shane watched as Pat and Tommy walked Sverre into the gate area. He snorted and slammed himself into the rails, making some of the cowboys jump away.

“That other veterinarian, Dr. Lance? He got escorted out of the rodeo by a couple tough-looking cops.”

“Oh yeah?” Shane said. “Did they say why?”

“No one knows a fucking thing,” Barney said. “But the rumor is he’s been up to no good around the bulls and some of the broncs.”

“Really?” Shane said.

“You think he stuck Sverre?” Barney said.

“I hope not.”

“Just be careful.”

“Always am.” Shane heard the announcer call his name and the crowd was getting antsy. He turned and looked for Reba, but he didn’t see her. He’d go search her out when all this was over and kiss her senseless.

Unless he was senseless.

As he moved to get settled on the bull, he caught Nash Weaver’s eyes. Nash gave him the thumbs-up signal. Shane took that to mean that this ride was going to be all up to him and Sverre.

Sverre bucked and snorted when he settled on top of him. He was raring to go as Shane got his ropes in order and then, before he could have any second thoughts, the gate was open and they were on their way.

*

Reba

Reba never thought of herself as a clinger, but she hung on to LeAnn for all six seconds of Shane’s ride. Shane put up a good fight, but in the end, Sverre was not going to let him go for eight seconds. He shook Shane up and down and finally with a last buck, Shane was tossed off.

Sverre kicked up his back legs and shook his head, but Shane was clear and limping toward the rails. Marty Kreeger was there with a lasso around Sverre’s neck and without any more drama, Sverre was hustled back to the pens.

“I could have ridden him for the eight seconds,” LeAnn said.

“Maybe you’ll get your chance.” Reba didn’t want to let go of her sister, but she did. “Just be damned careful.”

“You sound like Mom.” LeAnn rolled her eyes.

Reba hurried back to the bullpen area where Shane was getting good-naturedly teased about his ride.

“Knew you didn’t have it in you anymore,” Keith said, with his arm around Abigail.

Maybe not so good-naturedly.

“He’s a tough bull,” Nash said.

“They’re all tough to you,” one of the other bull riders teased.