Bullheaded by Catt Ford Page A

Blue lay stunned on the ground to his mom, smiling gently as if nothing much unexpected had happened. “You all right?”
    Bobby Blue sat up and shook his head. “Fine.” He got up and brushed the dust off the seat of his pants. “What the hell?”
    “Language!” Val rebuked him.
    “Sorry, ma’am.”
    Cody enjoyed the brief exchange intensely. He couldn’t make the obnoxious Bobby Blue back down no matter what he said, and here his mom had done it with one word. And also plenty of attitude, but still.
    “Cajun Spice is a blue-ribbon bucking bronc. Didn’t Cody mention it?”
    “No, ma’am. He did not.”
    “I’m sure it simply slipped his mind. Well, have fun, boys.” With a casual wave of her hand, Val sauntered away, heading back to the house.
    “How did she ride that horse in here so calm like that?” Aubrey demanded when she was out of earshot.
    “It’s her horse, genius,” Tommy said. “It probably likes her.”
    “It’s a fucking horse,” Bobby Blue said. “There’s no comparison to a bull.”
    “It’s still a smart animal that doesn’t want you on its back. Not like riding some tame pussycat,” Travis said.
    Before it could escalate into an argument about cats vs. bulls, Cody took control. “My mom’s probably won more buckles and saddles than all you knuckleheads put together are ever going to score. She’s pretty famous in rodeo circles.”
    “I never heard of no Val Grainger.”
    “Valerie Kimball. She used to ride under her maiden name.” Cody was satisfied when he saw by their nods they at least knew something when they recognized her name. “We were talking about strength earlier. One of the best bull riders I know told me he rides a feisty horse bareback for two hours every day to strengthen his leg grip.” He felt the heat slide over his face when he glanced involuntarily over to find Johnny staring at his thighs. “That’s advice you can take home with you. Aubrey, you’re up next.”
    Squaring his shoulders, Aubrey approached the chestnut warily and took the reins from Cody.

    “T HAT Bobby Blue sure has a mouth on him.”
    Cody glanced over at Johnny’s disgusted face and had to laugh. “He reminds me of me when I was younger. Competitive and confident. A go-getter.”
    “I hope you weren’t such an asshole.”
    “Probably worse, actually.”
    “Definitely worse,” Travis put in. “If Cody’d been my kid, he’d have been up in the hills everyday cutting his own switches and there wouldn’t be a tree left on that rise.” Travis chuckled as he walked next to the silent RJ.
    “Lucky for the trees he got the parents he did.” Johnny laughed. “Seriously though, Bobby Blue’s got enough attitude for a whole box full of riders. Cajun Spice must need a nice long rest after putting that loudmouth in the dirt eight times.”
    “I think maybe he’s got the moxie to back it up,” Cody said. “At least he doesn’t give up.”
    “Because he’s too stupid to know when to quit.” Travis spat on the ground.
    “Imagine if he knew you were black and gay,” RJ said.
    “Oh yeah, I’m not a real cowboy at all,” Travis agreed instantly. “Like the bulls care if you’re gay or whatever color you are.”
    “They’re equal-opportunity buckers.” Johnny snickered as he and Travis knocked knuckles.
    “But Bobby Blue stayed on longer each go,” Cody pointed out.
    “True enough, but it’s only the first day. We’ll see if he has the balls to make it through the week. See you at supper.”
    Johnny and Cody split off to go to their bungalow to wash up for lunch. “Please tell me you weren’t really such a jerk. And bringing up Sloan Robbins in front of you, for Christ’s sake.” Johnny let the screen door bang shut behind him as he followed Cody into the house.
    “Not everyone’s a sweetheart like you, sweetheart,” Cody said. He went to the kitchen sink and started the water running while he stripped off his shirt.
    “Not a sweetheart,” Johnny