Chapter 14

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

DEAN

Taking his seat in the stands of the open dirt arena, Dean felt out of place. It’d been years since he’d watched an event rather than taking part in it. It would take some getting used to.

Narrowing his eyes, he studied the young rider setting up in the chute. The twenty-something had pulled his pale hat down low over his ears so they curled and it damn near covered his eyebrows. Dean was pretty sure he had the same dark padded vest at home. It was an excellent piece of protective equipment.

When the chute opened, Dean’s heart leaped into his chest. The horse reared and bucked immediately out of the gate. With one hand in the air, the you man’s other remained firmly on the strap on the horse. The fringe on the chaps danced as the horse did her best to toss the young man from her back.

Dean clasped and unclasped his hands as he glanced at the clock three seconds in. The longest seconds of anyone’s life. Then the mare threw her legs back hard while flinging her head to the side, and the rider faltered.

Dean stood.

The rider slid to the side.

Dean held his breath.

As though in slow motion, the rider dropped and collided with the ground shoulder first. Collectively, the crowd let out a cry of shock. Dean winced because all he heard was the crack of the young man’s clavicle. He knew that injury well. He’d done it himself.

“I can get you to eight seconds.”

Todd’s words sent a chill down Dean’s spine. When had he gotten there? Also, how had he found him?

Clearing his throat, Dean met Todd’s eye. “I don’t think it’s worth the risk.”

Todd blinked at him.

“One more fall like that.” Dean gestured to the area where they took the rider, off on a stretcher, wearing a neck brace. “And I might never walk again. It’s a young man’s game. I’m thirty-five. It ain’t worth it.”

“Pfft.” Todd waved a hand and shook his head. “You can’t live your life afraid. Where’s your sense of adventure? What kind of man are you?”

Dean grinned. “The kind who knows when it’s time to hang up his spurs and seek a new adventure.”

Todd clearly didn’t appreciate his answer, but Dean couldn’t care less.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me,” he said as he stood. “I’ve got to go see a man about a goat.” He adjusted his hat. “And maybe some chickens.”

Gemma

This was the first year Gemma had tried to infuse her honey with any flavor. What was life without a little whimsy?

That decision paid off. She had one bottle of elderberry-infused and had sold out of her chili-infused. The people of North Carolina had spoken, and Gemma listened. She’d add those to her website.

Humming to herself, she took advantage of the lull in activity at her table, and rearranged some things while restocking. Spreading out the lip balms and adding a few more candles filled the space left behind by the missing jars.

“You can’t ignore me if I’m standing in front of you.”

She whirled around and glared at her brother.

Kylie had her hand resting in the crook of his elbow, wearing a pleading expression, but said nothing.

“Watch me,” Gemma said.

“Gemma,” Kylie sighed. “Give him a chance. I’ve talked to him.”

She futzed with her business cards.

“I’m sorry,” Parker said, as he approached her side. “I shouldn’t have shown up and did what I did.”

Gemma scooted down the table and adjusted the jars of honey so the labels were facing out. He needed to do better.

He sighed heavily. “I respect your ability to decide. If you want to sleep with Dean, it’s not my business.”

“Just Dean?” she asked over her shoulder.

“Your sex life is none of my business. Kylie reminded me you were nothing but supportive when we got together. I should do the same with whomever you choose to be with, no matter how long or short the relationship is. It’s your choice.”

Gemma nodded and turned toward him. Her gaze flicked to her friend who had a candle in her hand sniffing it—seeming to ignore the conversation between the siblings. That was the thing about Kylie, in person she didn’t get involved. It was between them, but behind the scenes, she was Gemma’s advocate. She wouldn’t get involved unless she had to.

Right now, it wasn’t her place. She was content to let them work it out.

“Well, I haven’t seen him in two weeks. He came by and I sent him away.”

“Why?” Kylie bobbled the candle she held.

Gemma shrugged. “I dunno. He didn’t seem like he knew what he really wanted. I’m thirty years old and I have my business here. Gallivanting all over the country with him while he chases his rodeo dreams isn’t all that responsible. My life is here. So, if he can’t be here with me, then there’s no reason for it to be anything more than what it was.”

Kylie frowned.

Parker nodded and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Sorry.”

She wrapped her arms around her brother, and give him a gentle squeeze. “It’s okay. Unfortunately, this is part of being a grownup.”

Out of the corner of her eye, Gemma saw her tablecloth slide to the left. What the hell?

Pulling away from her brother, she turned to see a goat munching on the corner. “Hey!” she shouted and waved her arms. “Shoo!”

“Sorry!” She turned as Dean trotted up carrying a wire cage with two chickens inside. “I dropped her lead, and she got away from me.”

“What?” This was too much to process.

He snatched the leash connected to the brown and white goat. After a series of tugs, he separated her from the table with minimal disturbance of Gemma’s wares.

“That’s your goat?” Kylie questioned the obvious.

“Yeah.” He grinned as he met Gemma’s eye. “With the barn repaired, I thought I should use it properly. I always wanted a goat.”

“They’re a right pain in the ass,” Parker commented. “A lot of work.”

Dean nodded. “Since I’m staying in Marshall, I’m gonna need something to do and raising goats and chickens seems like a good start. If I can handle them, maybe I’ll breed mares for the Madison County Rodeo.”

“You’re staying?” Gemma asked, as her heart swelled, filling her chest. She shouldn’t let the hope bloom, but she couldn’t help it.

He nodded as the goat tried to go off to the right, causing Dean to jerk. “Yeah. There’s a lady. I got a crush on her. I figure if I stick around, she might let me make her dinner.”

Her face blazed with her blush as her smile pained her cheeks. She couldn’t help but laugh. “Maybe if you bring her flowers. I hear ladies love flowers.”

“Yeah. Sunflowers.”

“They’re the best.”

“How does Monday sound?” Dean asked, as the goat jumped up onto a decorative hay bale. The force knocked him off balance, and he toppled over.

“Oh, my God!” Gemma’s eyes widened as she covered her mouth and rushed to his side, with Parker right behind her.

Kylie held back, laughing hysterically.

“You okay?” Gemma asked.

Dean chuckled. “Yeah.” He fixed his hat and met her eyes. “So, Monday?” he asked as he got to his feet.

“Sounds good.”

He inched closer to her until his chest pressed against hers. She strained her neck, looking up at him, and swallowed hard. When he crouched slightly, her heart lodged in her throat. He’d kissed her before, but both times were in private. The county fair was as public as it got—in front of her brother and Kylie. Was this really happening?

Before his lips met hers, he whispered, “May I kiss you?”

She closed her eyes, and without a word, she covered his mouth with hers. She figured that was the best answer she could give. All of Marshall got to see Dean Welker proclaim his affections for Gemma Clayton, and they sealed it with a kiss.