Rodeo Sweetheart by Betsy St. Amant Page B

cleaning stalls and grooming horses.” Sam’s eyebrows rose and her face shadowed under the brim of her hat.
    “But I am.” Again, it was the truth. There was something rewarding about rising early and working with his hands, not just pushing papers around on a mahogany desk while staring at the view from his twentieth-floor, high-rise condo. “Sam, please. Just tell me what’s going on.”
    She tossed her hair, the sun highlighting the honey strands brushing across her back, and inhaled deeply. “I need money, and there’s a bull-riding rodeo competition in a little over a week.”
    “Why do you need money?” What could be so important that she’d risk her life? Was the ranch struggling that badly? At that point, Ethan and his family had less “work” to do than they’d thought, but right now he only cared about finding a way to make Sam smile again.
    Sam looked over her shoulder, and Ethan’s head automatically swiveled with hers. The rest of the riders in their group were several paces back, talking and gesturing at the meadow view to their left. Sam turned back to Ethan, apparently satisfied no one was listening. “My best friend’s father is selling a stallion. Noble Star could help my family resurrect our old breeding business.”
    Ethan’s lips pressed together. Sam was entering the rodeo to win a horse. How could one stallion make or break an entire business? He still didn’t get why Sam felt compelled to ride a steer—a bull—when there were more conventional options of obtaining money. “What about a loan?”
    “Not possible.”
    The firm set of Sam’s jaw convinced Ethan not to force that route. Sam was a smart woman—if there was a way to get money from a bank, she’d have done it by now. There were probably credit issues involved, and logically so considering the state of the ranch and his own family’s presence. “Why not sell the stallions in that fence by the guest cabins? They’re not being used anymore, are they?”
    “Not for guests. Cole and I still work them regularly to keep them exercised. But if we sold them and were able to start the breeding farm again, then we’d have nothing to startwith. They could still earn us some money, but it’d be too time-consuming to get off the ground without a head start like Noble Star.” Sam shrugged. “Not to mention we have zero free time right now running the dude ranch business.”
    “Is the dude ranch not bringing in enough income?”
    “It pays the bills. Barely.” Sam shifted her weight in the saddle, the brushed leather creaking beneath her. “But this isn’t what it should be. This isn’t home anymore.” Sam leaned forward to pat Diego’s neck, but not before Ethan saw a single tear track her cheek.
    He let the silence protect her misery, and waited until she wiped her face and cleared her throat. Then he smiled. “I’m sure if anyone can meet their goals, Sam, it’s you.”
    He’d always been a sucker for wildflowers.

Chapter Ten
    S prawled on packed dirt, staring up at the stars dotting the inky black sky, Sam wondered if this whole brilliant plan of hers was worth it. Divine providence, or just a really stupid mistake? She pushed herself into a sitting position and brushed at her dusty sleeves, ignoring Cole’s amused grin, Ethan’s furrowed brow and the throbbing of her right shoulder. At least Kate’s expression was one of sympathy and respect.
    “Need a hand?” Cole called from the chute. He grabbed the rope around Lucy’s girth and began freeing the steer.
    “No.” Sam stood on her own, despite the soreness. What she really needed was a stun gun, one to point first at Lucy, and then at Ethan. If he didn’t knock off that parental worry he wore on his face like a permanent mask, she’d clobber him. It was bad enough having Cole treat her like she was made of china, another for Ethan to watch and cringe as if she would break. Why did he care so much? Ethan barely knew her, and yet his tenderness