Wrangling the Cowboy (Circle B Ranch #3) - Kennedy Fox Page 0,52

damn happy. A few older guys who have been competing in competitions like this all over the state come over and congratulate me.

After the onlookers disperse, I realize how much my cheeks hurt from smiling.

Gavin walks up and wraps his arms around me, nearly swallowing me whole. “Congrats. I knew you’d win.”

“Thank you!” I exclaim as we linger for a few seconds, but he looks around and backs away, creating space between us.

“Congrats, baby,” Grandma tells me, then looks back and forth between Gavin and me with a lifted brow but doesn’t say a word. “Knew you had it in you.”

After I’ve spoken to every single family member, we return to our cooking area and finish packing up the supplies. Once everything is loaded, Gavin walks me to my truck. Before I unlock the door, he looks around, then dips his head and gives me a soft kiss, and I get lost in it.

I pull away breathless, and I meet his eyes, mesmerized by him like he put a spell on me.

“Hopefully, we can do this again sometime,” he suggests.

“Maybe,” I say, liking I can keep him on his toes.

He chuckles and shakes his head. “It’s all about the chase with you, woman.”

“And it’s a marathon, not a sprint.” I climb inside the truck and give him a wave, which he returns. I back out and drive home, feeling the happiest I have in years. I think about the contest, my family, watching the bull riders, and being with Gavin. I’ve had a perfect weekend.

Right now, I don’t know what we are or where this is going, but the chemistry we share is undeniable. The way he makes me feel is incredible. But is he in this for the long term?

Deep down, I want to give him a chance, but I also have to protect myself and my heart.

Chapter Twelve

MAIZE

It’s been a week since the rodeo, and I’m still riding the high of winning the barbecue contest and being with Gavin again. We haven’t talked about it and have just shared side glances and texts with each other. He knows I’m wary, given my past, but I have a feeling I’m about to break my rules for him. If our feelings are mutual, then we need to decide where to go from here.

Our work schedules are hectic, and we haven’t been alone since the rodeo. While I have some free time, I decide to drive to the training center, hoping to get a few minutes alone with him. This isn’t a conversation to have over texts, and it’ll be better to grasp his reaction if we’re face-to-face.

I smile when I see him brushing one of the horses in the stables but quickly come to a halt when I notice Knox and Kane walking toward him. Those boys are the last people I want to run into here. They have loud mouths, and everyone would know I was visiting Gavin before dinner.

Instead of turning around like I should, I quietly hide behind a stack of hay. They can’t see me, but I can hear them clearly.

“Hey, guys. How’s it goin’?” Gavin asks as they lean against the gate.

“We heard a rumor,” Knox says, crossing his arms.

Gavin chuckles. “Okay. And what’s that?”

My heart hammers because I don’t know who saw us together at the rodeo. If they speak my name, I’m going to have to make sure I keep my mouth shut. The dramatic pause makes me roll my eyes.

“Are you leavin’ the ranch?” Kane finally blurts out.

I blink hard, inching closer to make sure I heard correctly.

“Yeah, Dad said you got another job offer,” Knox adds.

What in the actual fuck?

Is it possible he’s leaving the ranch for me? Or for good? I have so many questions right now.

“I did,” Gavin confirms calmly.

“So you’re takin’ it?” Kane asks.

“Not sure.” Gavin moves to the other side of the horse to finish brushing it. “Cooper wants me to train with him full-time year-round, which would mean traveling around to all the competitions and rodeos in Texas.”

That news makes me sick to my stomach. He’d be gone most of the time, and a long-distance relationship would be complicated. Dating or even trying would be pointless.

“So you haven’t decided yet?” Knox kicks his boots against the ground, clearly upset about this. I guess they’ve grown close with Gavin. We all have.

“Not yet, but I’m considering it because I love the lifestyle. It’s been in my blood for years, but then again, I also love being on