Chase got a little fidgety when the gate opened and Ryan and the bull burst into the arena. “Come on,” Chase said under his breath. “Follow his switch. That’s it. Just a little longer… Yes!” He whistled loudly and faced Ava. “That’s about an eighty-two point ride.”
Ryan won. He looked ready to cry, vomit and pass out—all at the same time. But he managed to keep his cool at the ceremony when the sponsors awarded the belt buckle, the check and the piece of artwork painted on deerskin that detailed how Greybull had gotten its name.
When the crowd of well-wishers thinned out, Chase and Ava approached him. Ryan was so pumped he picked Ava up and spun her in a circle, oblivious to Chase’s warning growls.
“Thanks for comin’! I wish my mom coulda been here to see me win, but she promised to come to the event next week in North Platte.”
Chase offered his hand, forcing Ryan to release Ava. “Congrats. That was an excellent ride.”
“First time I ever felt I coulda ridden a bull all night. Man. It was awesome.” He squinted at Ava’s bag. “Did you tape it?”
“Yes, sir. I wasn’t close, so I don’t know how good it is.”
“Can you email it to me so I can show my mom?”
“Sure, what’s your email address?”
He scrawled it on a napkin and handed it to her. “Thanks.”
“You in the mood to celebrate?” Chase asked.
“Hell yeah. I met a couple of girls earlier and they’re taking me to a party.”
Only Ava noticed the brief flash of disappointment on Chase’s face that Ryan already had plans.
“Sounds like fun.” He clapped Ryan on the shoulder. “It’s been great getting to know you, Ryan, and good luck the rest of the season.”
Ryan looked confused. “Sounds like you’re saying goodbye.”
“I am.” He reached for Ava’s hand. “We’re leaving tomorrow morning for R&R in Yellowstone.”
“But you are competing in North Platte next weekend, right?”
Chase shook his head. “Bill Chase has retired.”
“But…it’s the rodeo closest to my hometown. I thought we could hang out. You could meet my mom.”
Ava couldn’t stand to see Ryan’s distress. “We’ll see how the week plays out and he’ll call you, okay?”
“Okay.” He was about to say something else, when two girls raced to his side. The brunette said, “There you are! We’ve been looking for you.” The trio got caught up in conversation, leaving Chase and Ava staring after him.
“So now that Ryan has blown us off, is your offer for wild, kinky, loud sex still on the table?” Chase asked.
“Absolutely.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chase’s phone buzzed on the seat.
Ava picked it up and read the text. Where are you? She sighed. “How many times has Ryan texted you today?”
“Probably a dozen. Kid’s just a little anxious.”
“Think he’s afraid you won’t show up?”
“From what he’s told me, that’s been a common occurrence and I don’t wanna be another guy who disappoints him.”
“Ryan does realize how far out of our way this event is?”
He looked at her. “Some other place you need to be today, Hollywood?”
“No. But ten hours in the car is a long haul. Even for old road dogs like us.”
Chase laughed. “Admit it. You’d had your fill of nature.”
“Maybe forever.”
On their Yellowstone trip, they’d spent one night in Cody, checking out the museums, strolling through the town, but they skipped the rodeo. Then they’d driven around Yellowstone for the next three days. He’d even talked Ava into camping one night.
Not a good idea.
While she appreciated the scenery, including the star-filled night sky and the clean mountain air, every noise freaked her out. She’d convinced herself bears would attack them during the night and she didn’t sleep, which meant he hadn’t slept. She bitched about the cold, rocky ground. She gagged when forced to use an outhouse. Smoke from the campfire made her cough and her eyes water. She burned her hot dog and her marshmallows in the coals. Bugs dive-bombed her head. Glowing eyes stared at her from the tree line. She’d complained from the moment they’d pitched the tiny two-man tent until the next morning when they’d packed up. They’d even skipped spending time in the Tetons because Ava’s priorities were a finding a shower, putting on clean clothes and getting a manicure. In that order.
The odd part of the fiasco? Chase hadn’t been mad. If any other woman had acted that way? He might’ve pitched her over a steep cliff. But Ava amused the hell out of him because her comments weren’t mean-spirited or snotty, just honest.
While he and Ava spent time isolated, out in nature, he realized that he wasn’t a huge fan of the great outdoors himself. Being outside on the McKay Ranch was one thing; he’d always loved that, even when he hadn’t been thrilled with the backbreaking work. His brothers never suggested camping outside after chores were done. The same held true for most of his McKay cousins simply because when the workday ended, they wanted to be inside. Where it was cool, or warm, depending on the season. Where snow wasn’t blowing or sun wasn’t beating down. Where a meal and a conversation waited. That break from the elements was a necessary part of surviving as a rancher.
Once they’d reached Jackson Hole, Chase found a luxury resort and surprised Ava by booking a suite. She’d actually teared up when he arranged for two hours of in-room spa treatments and left her alone to be pampered.
While she was getting massaged, he took his truck for an oil change and called his family to catch up. Maybe it stung a bit, their shock he’d contacted them without prompting. But Chase was determined to prove he could make changes in all areas of his life and stick to them.
“What are you thinking about?” Ava asked.
Chase grabbed her hand and kissed her palm. “How fantastic these last six days have been. Just me’n you seeing the sights. Hanging out with my friend. Then you rockin’ my world in bed and out of it.”
She permitted a smug smile. “I did, didn’t I?”
After driving through Riverton, Ava suggested they drive up to Thermopolis to see the famous hot springs. Then she surprised him and booked a room at a bed and breakfast joint that boasted a small private hot spring. She’d dragged him outside after the other guests were in bed for the night. Talk about a thrill, seeing Ava take control. Rubbing her firm, curvy body slick against his. Her mouth tasting. Her hands roving. Her voice a sexy rasp in his ear as she’d taken him to heaven.