Ride Rough - Tessa Layne Page 0,26

Trace is one of the volunteers this season at Resolution Ranch. I really think he's just a hot dude from California looking for a change of pace. I mean, why not? Last week there was a team of businessmen from Kansas City out here learning to ride bulls and broncs. A few years ago everyone wanted boot camps. Now they want rodeo riding."

"But this rodeo riding school isn't cheap," Cecilia pointed out.

"How do you know? Did you look it up?"

Izzie pounced. "You've been Googling him, haven't you? CiCi's got a crush," she sing-songed.

"Pfft." She shook her head. "I'm just trying to put the pieces together, that's all. And unfortunately, Trace Walker doesn't seem to be on any social media."

"Not everyone is, CiCi," Jeanine pointed out. "For lots of reasons."

"I think the only pieces you need to put together are that A - Trace Walker is a fine, fine example of homo sapiens. Wouldn't you agree, Cat?" Izzie looked to her sister for confirmation.

"Pardon?" Cat asked, looking up from her notebook and pushing her glasses up her nose. "Who's hot?"

"Umm, Trace Walker?" Izzie gave her sister an exasperated look. "Get your nose out of your research, sis. We're here to ogle the scenery." Izzie pointed at the men standing on the far side of the arena before she turned back to Cecilia. "And B - Trace Walker is very, very into you, and C..." Izzie rubbed her hands together with way too much glee. "You will be letting down the entire female race if you don't take advantage of that god-given perfection in a pair of jeans."

Cecilia couldn't help but smile.

Jeanine cleared her throat. "I'll just add in my two cents if you don't mind."

"Oh, I mind," Cecilia answered with a wry smile. "But go ahead."

"I've never seen you back down from anything, CiCi. Don't start now. Sit down, and let's watch some cowboys ride." She patted the empty space next to her.

Cecilia had to admit watching them was more fun than she'd anticipated. Jaxon, of course, dominated. Yeah, the guys were all practicing, but Jaxon made it look so easy. And seeing Izzie so excited brought back memories from when they were all teenagers. How many women her age could still slip into an easy friendship with the girls who'd known her best once upon a time? She stuck her fingers in her mouth and let out a huge whistle when Jaxon burst out of the chute on a practice bull named Django.

And when Trace climbed over the rails, her heart beat a little bit faster. She bit her lip, gripping the edge of the bleachers as Jaxon and Tony helped him get adjusted. From where they were it was hard to see exactly what was going on. But when his head snapped up and his eyes found hers, everything stilled. Until Jeanine started clapping and hollering "WooHOO, Trace. You ride that bull. Show'm who's boss."

Trace flashed her a smile that went straight to her core, and she couldn't help but smile back. He gave the signal and Izzie's brother Robbie pulled open the gate. A bull named Peanut shot out with a twist, landing, bucking, and twisting again. Cecilia leaped to her feet, heart in her throat as Trace moved with the bull, body contorting and shifting, but never losing balance. When the buzzer sounded, Trace let go, landed and rolled, jumping up with a yell and a fist-pump. Her girlfriends joined her on their feet, cheering just as loud. Tony ran over and clapped him on the back, and was quickly joined by Jaxon and Robbie. Catalina leaned across her sister and adjusted her glasses again. "That's the first time Trace made it to the buzzer."

Jeanine raised an eyebrow. "Looks like Trace Walker's a real cowboy after all."

Chapter Twelve

"You told her what?" Sterling sputtered when Trace finally had the chance to take him aside during the evening chores and explain his conversation with Cecilia, minus the kissing part. "What were you thinking?"

"I was trying to not blow my cover."

Sterling ran a hand through his cropped hair. "I get that, but now you've complicated things. My parents live in town. They're traveling a bunch, but if CiCi digs deeper, that could spell trouble." His face hardened. "And I refuse to ask my parents to lie."

"I'm real sorry about that. I don't want your parents to lie either. Hell, I don't even want you to lie." He stopped abruptly, because how could he even begin to explain the way his