She was relieved when the barrel racing ended and the winners received their gold buckles. With the rodeo over, everyone got up to head outside. While her uncle stood talking to Roce, Brianna put an arm through her aunt’s. “I’ll walk out to the car with you.”
“He could be a while. Clark lives for nights like this.”
“Dad did, too.”
Brianna thought they’d evaded any more socializing and was happy when they reached the car and got in. But then along came her uncle with Roce, who walked around the front of the car and knocked on the window. She asked her aunt to turn on the ignition so she could lower it.
He smiled down at her. “You got out of there too fast for me to say good-night.”
“Thank you for allowing us to sit with your family. It made the whole evening that much more exciting and we’re so proud of your brother.”
“It was fun. Too bad I have to get back to Missoula tomorrow. But when I come to visit again, I’ll drop by the saddlery. If you’re not busy, maybe we could go out to dinner.”
“That would be great,” she said, blushing.
“Good. I’ll look forward to it.”
After they drove off, her uncle glanced at her through the rearview mirror. “I do believe you’ve made a conquest of Roce Clayton.”
“I don’t think so, Uncle Clark,” she said. “If he were truly interested, he would have asked for my phone number and said he would call me. He was just being nice because he lost his father and knows I lost mine.”
Her uncle made a turn and followed a line of cars out onto the highway. “The girls around here have been after him for years. He was a great bull rider before he gave it up to go to veterinary school. Can you honestly tell me you’re not the slightest bit interested in him?” he teased.
Her uncle knew she’d spent time with him earlier in the day, but he’d made assumptions that were way off base. “Yes,” she said without hesitation. The memory of Eli was constantly before her eyes.
“That sounded definite,” her aunt said.
“He’s a fine man, honey.”
“Clark—” her aunt cautioned him. “Leave the poor girl alone.”
Brianna leaned forward and patted his shoulder. “You sounded like Dad just now and I love you for it. But as Mom once told me, when I meet the right man for me, I won’t have to question it. I’ll know he’s the one.” But please, don’t let him be a married man...
“Of course you will,” her aunt concurred.
“I’m just saying you couldn’t do any finer than a Clayton.”
Both she and her aunt laughed the rest of the way home.
Eli drove to the ranch house with Wymon and their mother. He raced upstairs so he could take his daughter home, but Solana stopped him at the door to the bedroom.
“She’s asleep. Don’t wake her up now. I’ll watch her tonight and you can come get her in the morning. You’ve been going nonstop for months. It’s time you had a break.”
He reached out and hugged her. “You already gave me one. Toly won another gold buckle tonight. He’s racking them up! Thanks so much for watching Libby so we could all be there to support him.”
“She’s a little angel. Luis and I couldn’t have children so there are no grandchildren. Libby fills a hole in my heart.”
He nodded. “She’s my whole heart.”
“I know. Luis and I promise to take good care of her tonight.”
“You don’t have to tell me that.” He shoved the cowboy hat back on his head. “If you’re sure you’re okay, I’ll be over at seven to fix her breakfast.”
“Why don’t you sleep in?”
“Even if I want to, I’m always awake by six anyway.”
“You’re still too young to be saying things like that.”
“Didn’t you know I’ve aged since my divorce?” he teased, but there was a kernel of truth in what he’d said.
Solana’s expression sobered. “I do know,” she murmured. “So does your mom. Now go on home and relax.”
Eli walked back down the hall to the stairs. He could hear voices coming from the living room and found Roce talking privately with their mother. They appeared almost secretive. Wymon must have gone home to his own ranch house, and Toly would probably be out celebrating late with Mills after their win.
“You two are so quiet that I’m beginning to wonder if something’s going on that I don’t know about.”
His mom stared at him in surprise. “Why would you say that?”
“I don’t know. When I walked into the ranch house earlier today, I learned you were up at the gem store with Libby. A strange truck was outside.” He eyed Roce. “Solana told me you’d brought a girl home with you. When I drove up there, I found you and a woman I’ve never seen before holding my daughter while picking out a stone.” A drop-dead gorgeous woman. “Are you with me so far?”
Roce broke into a grin. “Mom? Shall we tell him?”
She nudged him. “Oh, don’t be such a terrible tease.”
Somehow Eli didn’t feel like laughing. Anything but.
His mom moved toward him. “Eli? What’s eating at you?”
“I just wondered if you and that girl might be serious.”
Roce’s eyes narrowed. After a silence he said, “Not yet, bro, but I have to admit she’s a hottie.”
“Oh, for Heaven’s sake, Roce—” their mother chastised him. “Brianna Frost came up to the shop to pick out a stone for her uncle. He plans to give his wife a ring for an anniversary present. Roce had been to the saddlery for some gloves. She asked if she could follow him to the ranch because she’d never been to the shop before.”
“Maybe you didn’t know I’ve been caring for her uncle’s dog, Taffy,” Roce chimed in. “To be friendly, I asked her if she and her family would like to join ours to watch the rodeo. Nothing more, nothing less. Let me tell you something. The day I find the woman of my dreams, everyone will know about it.”
Ridiculous as it was, those words caused some of the tension to leave Eli’s body.
Their mom turned to Roce. “What day will that be, my second born? How many more years do I have to live before that happens?”
“I’m not ready to settle down yet. You know that.” He gave her a hug.
“You’re impossible,” she muttered. But she said it on a burst of laughter.
The need to escape drove Eli out of the room. “Solana’s watching Libby tonight,” he called over his shoulder. “I’ll be back in the morning.”
By the time he reached his truck, he was out of breath. He pressed his forehead against the steering wheel. Seeing Brianna Frost at the rodeo in her white cowboy hat convinced him he hadn’t imagined his attraction to her at the gem shop.
Damn, was he ever glad she wasn’t Roce’s girlfriend.
* * *
MONDAY