Promise Her by Mitzi Pool Bridges

Donovan who insisted that Douglas follow his dream and hang the expense. They’d manage.
    As it turned out, Douglas had paid most of the way himself by working two jobs while attending school.
    Why did he think Donovan could help with these strange feelings?
    Against his will, his way of thinking about Lisa was changing. But Douglas didn’t want change. Not in his family. He wanted everything to stay the same.
    He’d treated her as another sister since the day they’d met. Had wanted that distance between them—had been comfortable thinking of her that way instead of as a desirable woman.
    What was going on now wasn’t normal. He had to figure it out before he went crazy.

Chapter Seven
    The next night, excitement rolled through the stadium in waves. Voices rose and fell as the denim-clad audience waited for the night’s performance.
    No one was as anxious as Lisa. Her stomach felt like an army of butterflies trying to take wing. Normally, she’d be excited. Ready to fly. Not today.
    She’d brought Sugarplum in a few hours early, tied her to the back of the trailer, patted her head, brushed her blond mane until it shined. “We’re going to do fine tonight. Just you wait and see. We’re going to ignore the suspicious looks, the glares—everything, and ride like the wind.”
    She fought the tears forming at the corners of her eyes. Earlier, she’d seen the three young women who made up Tempest’s troupe and headed toward them, wanting to talk, wanting to see if they could tell her anything they hadn’t told her the night Tempest died.
    When they caught sight of her, they turned and walked away.
    Did they believe the rumors and accusations? How many here did? It hurt more than Lisa wanted to admit.
    She laid her head on Sugarplum’s back, fought against the desire to take her mare back to the stable and forget this. She wouldn’t. She wouldn’t cry either. She had a race to win. And no one here was going to stop her.
    Taking a deep breath, she reminded herself she was a good competitor. She’d never wanted to go on the rodeo circuit. If work allowed, she made a few small rodeos in the area. For the most part, she was happy doing the big one here in Houston.
    Over the years, others had urged her to turn professional. “You’re that good. You could be a champion,” they’d said.
    Standing straight, she took a deep breath, looked at her watch: an hour to go. Her gaze swept the area. The crowd was growing. All around her, horses and trailers vied for space with cowboys and cowgirls getting ready for their performance. Only a few smiled or even looked in her direction.
    Anger mixed with anguish. How could this have happened to her? It wasn’t right.
    In the distance she spotted her buds. Swiping any trace of tears from her face, she waited for them to reach her. There was no time to feel sorry for herself.
    “Thought we’d find you here,” Mike said. Walking beside him with a big smile on his face was Owen. Their smiles belied the concern in their eyes.
    Just seeing them picked up her spirits. But where was Douglas? Why hadn’t he sought her out? At least checked on her? Mom, Donovan and his family as well as Dugan had stopped by to wish her luck before going to their seats. Darin was probably trying to pick up a wisp of conversation, anything to help. Douglas, too. Maybe. Hoping he was at least looking out for her interests helped only a little.
    Setting aside her lapse into self-pity, she grabbed them both and gave them a hug. What would she do without her rodeo family? Or the Callahans? She was fortunate to have them all.
    “What are you two doing out here? Don’t you have work to do?”
    “I wanted to be in there when you ride, Cowgirl,” Owen grinned.
    “I don’t compete today,” Mike said. “Came to watch you.”
    “You guys are the greatest.”
    “C’mon, we’ll buy you a cup of coffee.”
    She patted Sugarplum’s back. “I don’t want to leave her.”
    Mike looked around. “Nobody