Page 20 of Hung Up (Shadow Ridge #1)

MILWAUKEE

a gift from the cowboy

The good news is that Jesse agreed. I don’t know what I would’ve done if he said he didn’t want to continue with our arrangement or if he said he wasn’t able to keep it a secret.

I haven’t been able to get that night out of my mind; his strong hands, his perfect lips, and how good he was with his tongue.

Jesse Hayes really is a master in the sheets.

And I know I’ve only scratched the surface—and I can’t wait to dive deeper.

I’m walking into the arena, my heels clicking on the cement floor as I try to find the media room for today.

Deciding an hour early would suffice rather than three, I went and got myself a coffee, went to the Art Museum, and even popped into the Milwaukee Public Market.

It was a day for me—to explore and to be by myself for a few hours without the stress of work looming over me—and it ended up being exactly what I needed.

Finding my designated work space for the night, I turn the handle and walk inside.

It’s a quaint room, nothing too exciting or special: a table with four chairs, a television on the wall, and a small love seat in the corner.

But what catches my eye is the box and bouquet of flowers on the table—in a vase, this time.

I set my bag down and approach the table, grabbing the folded piece of paper atop the box.

Since you’re sticking around, I figured it was time you looked the part.

Setting the note aside, I lift the lid and gasp in surprise. Inside the box are the white boots with blue stitching that I kept looking at while we were at the vendor fair this morning. I can’t stop the smile from overtaking my entire face as I pull them out and sit down, excited to try them on.

Who would have thought there would ever be a day that I, Faith Thompson, would be excited to try on a pair of cowboy boots?

They fit perfectly— note to self to ask him how he knew my size later —and as I walk around the room, I realize they may also be the most comfortable shoe I’ve ever worn in my life.

Deciding they don’t exactly match the outfit I’m wearing tonight, I sit down to take them off, reluctantly slipping my feet back into my heels.

Grabbing my notepad from my bag, I leave everything else in the room and make my way out to the arena.

The announcer is announcing the first rider as I search for Jesse, but I end up finding Kai instead. He gives me a smile as I approach and slings an arm over my shoulder, pulling me in for a half hug.

“You’re glowing,” he says teasingly. But once his words register, he grabs me by both my shoulders and narrows his eyes at me. “You’re glowing.”

“I just got a very nice gift, that’s all,” I tell him as I try to stop my smile from growing larger than it already is. “Where’s Jesse?”

“Talking to Wyatt.” He gestures lazily and not specifically to his right. “He’s panicking again for whatever reason. I don’t know why. He’s in third right now, so he’s sitting pretty.”

Stepping away, I weave my way through all the riders—some talking with others, some listening to music, and others leaning against a wall with their hat over their eyes—looking for a certain brown hair, green-eyed cowboy. Turning the corner to head to the chute, I finally see him.

And he does not look happy.

His face is red as he gestures wildly, pacing in front of Wyatt, who looks less than enthused. I can’t hear what’s being said and debate whether it’s worth interrupting. Would my presence make it better or worse?

You know what, he’s a big boy. He can figure it out himself.

“Maybe you can talk some sense into him,” I hear Wyatt call just as I had spun on my heel to walk away. I glance up at the ceiling, silently cursing whatever powers that be, before I turn back around, force a smile on my face, and approach. “He’s being irrational.”

“Oh, so nothing new,” I retort, folding my arms once I’m a few feet away. “What makes you think I’ll be any help? He rarely listens to me.”

Wyatt slaps a hand down on my shoulder. “And yet he still seems to listen to you more than me lately. Reel him in, will you?”

“I’m right here,” Jesse snaps, stopping his pacing to glare at us both. “So if you’d quit talking about me like I’m not, that’d be great.”

“Wow,” I whisper so only Wyatt can hear me. “Imagine if we were actually saying something bad about him.”

“Don’t get any ideas,” he murmurs before turning to Jesse. “Get your head in the game, kid.”

Wyatt walks away without another word, giving me a wink as he disappears.

Shaking my head, I take a deep breath before cautiously taking a step closer to Jesse.

He still has that wild look in his eye as he continues pacing, his hands running through his hair, and I momentarily find myself wondering where his hat is.

Focus, Faith.

“Okay, Pretty Boy,” I say loud enough to get his attention. Jesse stops and looks at me with narrowed eyes. “What’s got your panties in a wad?”

“That’s not funny,” he grumbles. He turns so he can lean with his back against the wall.

“I can’t try to help you if you don’t tell me what’s going on.” I close the gap between us so there’s only a foot or two of space. “Tell me.”

He huffs loudly, the back of his head hitting the brick wall. “There’s a tear in my hat and there’s no platform next to the chute for you to watch me from. What’s next? Bad news always comes in threes.”

Jesus, is he ever going to have a ride that doesn’t involve some type of crisis beforehand?

“When do you ride?” I ask.

“I’m in the last half.”

“Wait here.”

I turn to leave without a word. It’s a long walk to the elevator to get me to the main floor, and it takes even longer for me to force my way through the crowd to the Resistol stand.

However, it doesn’t take long for me to find Jesse’s black hat, minus the family sigil he had branded on the inside, and I don’t even blink twice at the price tag, knowing that some things are just more important.

Half an hour later, I’m finally back under the arena, trying to locate Jesse, only to find him exactly where I left him.

“I have a solution,” I announce once I’m in earshot, and his head shoots up. “I can sit in the stands closest to where the platform would’ve been. And I got you a new hat.”

His gaze softens as he sees the hat I’ve extended in his direction, but he doesn’t move to grab it.

I close the distance between us and reach up, setting the hat on his head.

Thank god it’s a perfect fit. “Look, I know that you riders have a lot of superstitions, but I think it’s time that you put those aside.

Only you can control how you ride. It’s up to you not to let certain things get to you and throw off your game.

So what’s it going to be, Pretty Boy? Are you going to let these things tank your score, or are you going to get up there and ride that bull? ”

Jesse’s hand raises like he’s going to grab me, but he thinks better of it at the last minute and lets his hand fall away.

He gives me a grateful nod before rolling his shoulders back, and that confident expression I’ve grown used to reappears on his handsome face.

I grin as his smile grows and a sense of calm seems to wash over him just as the announcer calls his name.

“Thank you,” he whispers, readjusting the hat slightly. “I’ll pay you back for this.”

“No need,” I tell him with a shrug. “Consider it a thank you for the boots.”

“Let’s go, Hayes. You’re up!” Wyatt yells from beside the chute.

Jesse gives me a wink before he saunters away, and I hastily follow behind him so I can find a seat in the stands.

I have to climb a couple rows higher than I wanted, but it gives me a perfect view of the arena.

Jesse has just settled onto the bull, and the second he nods and the door flies open, the entire arena erupts into cheers.

It’s a different feeling, being surrounded by it versus hearing it from down below.

The electricity, the energy… I don’t think anything could compare to this.

And suddenly his drive and love for this sport make a little more sense.

He lasts the full eight and leaps off, landing on his feet this time, and everyone around me jumps up and starts chanting his name.

I can’t help the laugh that tumbles out of me as I climb to my feet and search for him below.

He’s scanning the area where he knows I am, and once I’m standing fully, his eyes land on mine.

Jesse smiles widely and winks, and I can’t help it as I hold a thumbs up.

I squeeze past a few people to reach the stairs and descend back down below, giving the security guy a nod as he spots my lanyard and opens the gate.

Jesse is there immediately, the grin he’s sporting enough to light the entire stadium.

He forces his hands into his pockets, almost as if he knows that if he doesn’t, he’d do something he shouldn’t.

“Told you,” I tease, the corner of my mouth tilting as I lean against the wall. “See how easy that was?”

“Yeah, yeah,” he muses with a playful roll of his eyes. “What do you want?”

I bring my thumb and pointer finger to rest on my chin, acting like I’m deep in thought. “A thank you and maybe hearing I was right would suffice.”

“You really need me to say it if you already know?”

I shrug. “Sometimes it’s nice to hear.”

“Okay, Sweetheart.” He chuckles. “You were right, and thank you.”

“Music to my ears.” Jesse laughs again before gesturing with his head for us to walk. “Alright, Pretty Boy. I have a write-up I need to do. Would you like to give me a short and sweet snippet to add?”

His eyebrows shoot up. “You want a statement from me?”

“Apparently, I’ve been picking favorites,” I tell him with a scoff, replaying Alicia’s words from our meeting this week. “I need to get someone other than Kai.”