Page 26 of Lasso Lovebirds (Rainbow Ranch #4)

priscilla

Two Months Later

I leaned against the fence around the arena, my hat blocking out the summer sun that was shining bright above. Sky was balanced on the top rung and cheering as we watched Beau rush out into the arena on Dolly, his rope swinging through the air as they galloped by the target.

He looped it with ease, earning cheers from the crowd. Billie waited off to the side, wearing a competitive grin. As always, those two were fighting tooth and nail to outperform each other inthe rope tricks portion of the rodeo.

“Go Beau!” Sky shouted.

We both grinned ear to ear as he turned Dolly around, riding her around the edge of the arena and slowing as he came near.

The two of us squealed as he swung his rope and aimed at us, the rope looping smoothly around us and pulling us together.

Whistles and claps rose from the crowd as he leaned down, planting a kiss on Sky’s lips and giving me a flirty masked wink before riding off.

More cheers followed as Billie took to the ring, her wild hair flying as she swung her rope, galloping by on Jasper. Dust kicked up from his hooves. She hit her target with practiced ease and the crowd went wild, stomping their boots on the stadium.

I laughed as Beau went another round. The two kept taking turns until Billie’s rope missed—and Beau won.

“Damn,” Sky called. “That was a close one.”

“It was,” I agreed. “I’m sure at some point she’ll beat him consistently.”

Our masked cowboy ran around the arena a few times and then headed for the gate. Benny opened it, allowing him and Billie out. Now it was time for Wylie’s part of the show.

I wrapped my arms around Sky and lifted them, enjoying their squeak as I put their boots to the ground. They tipped their head back with a smile, their lips brushing mine as I stole a kiss.

“Let’s go get our cowboy,” I said.

They nodded, our fingers intertwining as we walked around the arena toward Beau. He slid off Dolly, giving the gorgeous Palomino Appaloosa an apple as we walked up. Billie was still seated on Jasper, and Benny was standing to the side, adjusting the chaps he wore.

Billie let out a dramatic sigh and shot her older brother a dirty look. “One day, you’re gonna stop beating me.”

Beau laughed. “Keep dreaming, little sister . ”

Billie rolled her eyes, but then smiled at the two of us. “Lookee there, now the three of you can be lasso lovebirds.”

Our partner laughed, holding out his arms as we both went to him. I leaned my head against his shoulder as I looked over at Billie. “Just you wait. You and Benny are up next.”

Billie shook her head. “Not a chance in hell.”

“It’ll happen when you least expect it,” Sky said dreamily.

“Yeah right,” Benny snorted. “I think I’m destined to be alone.”

“Don’t be silly,” Beau said. “You’ll find someone. Just look at me. Look at Boone.”

Our group looked up to see our favorite cook perched on the fence, cheering his partner on as he did laps around the arena.

“Just you wait,” Sky said. “Someone will show up at Rainbow Ranch. Someone in need of a place to be loved and feel seen. I don’t know if a tornado will bring them to you, but something will.”

Benny and Billie wrinkled their noses as the crowd erupted again. Beau planted a kiss on the top of my head.

I’d never felt more content.

It’d taken a lot of trust to believe that I’d fall in love again. Sky and Beau had been beyond patient with me, and we’d all learned exactly how good the three of us were for each other.

I finally found the love that saw me and accepted me for who I was.

Our love was the rainbow after the storms that chased us all.