of her stall.
“That’s the kind of welcome that makes me jealous,” sounded a deep male voice behind her.
Nikki knew who it was. No surprise here when his horses were stalled in the same barn. After taking a deep breath she mounted Duchess, then reached in her jeans pocket for another Pony Pop and turned toward him.
Toly Clayton stood there at six foot three in his boots wearing his signature black cowboy hat that covered a head of dark blond hair. His light green eyes almost blinded her with their intensity.
Damn and blast if her heart didn’t rap out a double beat without her permission despite her pain. “I have an idea that will fix all your problems. Why don’t you give Snapper one of these on me?”
She tossed the treat to him. To his credit he caught it neatly. They didn’t call Toly the greatest header of all the team ropers on this year’s circuit for nothing. He was the one who roped the head of the steer. Mills had won the same distinction for being the greatest heeler. His job was to rope the hindquarters. They were both experts. “See you later, Toly.”
Nikki rode away, unable to believe he could act like nothing was wrong after what he’d told Mills about her in private. How could he have looked at her just now like she was someone special?
Where did he get the gall to let her think he wanted to be with her and talk to her when deep down he’d mocked her in a particularly cruel way that had cut deep? Now that they were here, she’d be giving him wide berth!
* * *
TOLY HAD SEEN her enter the barn while he was tending to Snapper and wanted to say hello to her, hoping to talk to her for a minute alone. But after tossing him the treat he put in his pocket, she didn’t give him a chance to invite her to eat dinner with him and Mills later in his rig.
Though he knew how anxious she was to exercise her horses after being separated from them for three days, he sensed that something else had prompted her to ride off without a normal exchange of conversation. That wasn’t like her usual friendly self. Probably nerves had caught up to her this close to the first night of competition coming up the day after tomorrow.
He couldn’t help but admire her expertise as she rode Duchess out of the barn. Nikki used a barrel racing saddle with a taller horn and rounded skirt for more stability and control. She had a natural seat that made her look like she’d been born in the saddle. It caused her to stand out when she rode. The fact that she was incredibly beautiful only amplified that picture.
Toly had copped one of her signed posters at the dealership and had folded it inside his jacket so neither Nikki nor Mills could see what he’d done. The photographer had caught her rounding the third barrel at lightning speed during a circuit performance. He planned to put it up in the tack room of the barn at home where he kept some of his favorite mementos.
As soon as she disappeared, he went back to Snapper’s stall. After breaking the treat in half, he gave part to him and the other half to Chaz in the next stall. He’d already put both quarter horses through their paces. The two had speed and instincts that made them invaluable.
Once he’d made sure they were watered and had enough hay in their nets, he left the barn. The crew would check on them later. It was four thirty and the sun had just gone down over the horizon. It would be dark before long. Tomorrow the vet would meet him and Mills at the barn to give their horses a thorough exam.
He looked in the direction of the arena. Nikki would be over there putting her horse through a series of backup and turning drills. He would love to watch her, but didn’t obey the impulse. She would be back soon.
Toly headed for his rig, but noticed Mills hadn’t returned yet. They’d arranged for a rental car and he’d gone to do errands and pick up some steaks to cook. That gave Toly time to let himself inside for a shower and shave before dinner.
A half hour later he got to work on a salad and baked potatoes. He’d learned a long time ago that cooking helped him to relax. As he was whipping up biscuits, Mills came in with the steaks for their dinner and put them on the counter.
“Thanks.”
“Sure.” He removed his parka. “I saw Nikki’s rental car in back. I didn’t know she’d texted me until a minute ago. Did she say she’d come to dinner?”
Nope, but Mills didn’t need to know what had happened. Toly was still trying to figure out the reason for her unusual behavior. He took the wrapping off the meat to throw them on the kitchen grill.
“I only saw her in passing and didn’t get the chance to ask her to dinner. She was in too big a hurry to exercise Duchess. Why don’t you call her and tell her it’s ready if she wants to join us.”
Mills pulled out his cell phone. “That horse has emotional problems. I’m afraid Nikki has taken them on.”
“She’s a true horse lover.”
“Dad used to say the same thing. Sometimes she takes it too far.”
“Why do you say that?” Toly put the pan of biscuits in the oven.
“Because she treats them like they’re her children.”
Toly had noticed that for a long time. It was one of her traits he most admired. “Maybe that’s why she’s going to win the national championship this time round. There’s nothing wrong with those horses knowing they’re loved. She’s ranked second in winnings and is depending on them to bring her to number one.”
“What I’d give to see that happen! No one deserves it more than she does.”
Toly couldn’t agree more. Both brother and sister deserved that honor. He’d spent a lot of time on their ranch training with Mills, hoping to see as much of Nikki as possible. When she was there, she worked harder to perfect her circles and figure eights than anyone he’d ever seen. The self-discipline she imposed on herself was the reason she was a champion.
Whatever disappointment she’d suffered in love, she hadn’t let it affect her standings or work ethic. Toly would like to know a lot more about her personal feelings, but Mills hadn’t shared that information with him. Being Nikki’s twin, the two of them were careful to protect the other’s privacy.
Though it was commendable, Toly was finding it more and more aggravating because his desire to get closer to her had met with a setback earlier in the barn. Something had gone on that hadn’t felt right to him and he was determined to get to the bottom of it.
Mills disappeared to talk to her. Toly was forced to live in suspense until his friend came back to the kitchen. “She’ll be right over.” He started to set the table.
Surprised at the relief he felt to hear that news, Toly turned the steaks and checked on the biscuits that were almost done.
“Later on she has to attend a WPRA party at the MGM Grand,” Mills added, “so she won’t be able to stay long.”
Toly ground his teeth in frustration because after she left, it meant he wouldn’t see her again until tomorrow. Throughout the next ten days she’d be staying at the Cyclades Hotel every night. Damn.
* * *
THE WRANGLER PARTY for the finalists Nikki had to attend at the MGM Grand would be one
