Was that a hint of sadness in Sydney’s dark eyes? Sam wasn’t sure. Did she know about Dusty’s cancer, and that little Sean was almost a miracle? It wasn’t common knowledge outside Bakersville. At least he didn’t think it was.
“Are you competing this year, Sydney?” Dusty asked.
“Sure am. That’s why we’re here. Are you?”
Dusty shook her head. “Nope. I haven’t competed since that ill-fated race against you back in Denver all those years ago. I ended up pregnant with Sean and never went back to racing.”
“You gave it all up? Even bull riding?”
Dusty laughed. “Especially bull riding. Zach wouldn’t hear of it, and I actually agreed with him. We were lucky to get Sean. It’s unlikely I’ll ever get pregnant again.”
“Oh.” Sydney looked down. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up anything…well, you know.”
So she wasn’t aware of the situation. Then why did she look so sad?
“I know you didn’t.” Dusty smiled again. “It’s okay.”
Sam truly admired his baby sister. She was the strongest woman he knew. She’d been to hell and back, yet a genuine smile always graced her pretty face.
“You should have won that race, anyway,” Sydney said. “You were magnificent.”
Dusty let out a sigh and pulled Sean into her arms. “Things worked out for the best, believe me. Look what I got for my trouble. I’m a lucky woman.”
Sydney’s red lips curved into a half smile. “Yes, you sure are.”
“Sam, I’ve invited Syd and her family to the house tonight for our little get-together.”
Sam’s heart lurched. Was he happy or unhappy at the news? What exactly did one say to a woman he’d slept with once and never seen again?
The sex had been good. Freaking amazing, actually. None of his other experiences had come close. He shuddered as the image of her crimson lips wrapped around his cock sprang into his mind. She’d licked and teased him until he thought he’d burst.
He dismissed the thought. Don’t need a boner right now.
Two days later, Sydney had won the barrel race with a time of 14.9 seconds—not a personal best, but damn good.
But her victory had been bittersweet for Sam. Dusty and her mare had out-performed Sydney until the last second, when they knocked over the third barrel. The five second penalty had cost Dusty the race.
Her last race.
Course as she’d said, things had worked out. She married Zach McCray a few months later and had Sean not long after.
“Sam’s psyched,” Dusty continued, “because Thunder Morgan will be there. He’s the father of one of my sister-in-law’s best friends.”
Great. Now he looked like a star struck little boy to Sydney.
“Really? That’s awesome,” Sydney said.
“He’s been Sam’s idol for years.”
Shut up, Dusty!
“Do you still bust broncs, Sam?” Sydney asked.
“Yep. I’ve got a couple competitions this week. I’m thinking about
giving El Diablo a try too.”
Dusty’s eyebrows shot up. “What?”