Free COWBOY ROMANCE: Justin (Western Contemporary Alpha Male Bride Romance) (The Steele Brothers Book 1) by Amanda Boone, Amber Duval Page A

ready when they called Justin’s name.
    “Sara, don’t look now, but your mom is coming this way.” Amanda turned away quickly to talk to a customer.
    I turned around and, sure enough, my mom was coming at me. I noticed that she was carrying a large box and I raised my eyebrows.
    “Sara Jane. Hi.”
    I forced a smile to my lips, trying to pretend like I wasn’t feeling something close to tears in my eyes. “Hi, Mom.”
    She smiled at me and then shoved the box at me. “I made my famous banana pudding. I made three.”
    I took the box and handed it to Amanda. “Thanks, Mom. You didn’t have to do that.”
    “I did. I have a lot to do. I’m sorry, Sara. I know now isn’t a good time, but maybe I can come by your house soon for that lunch?”
    I grabbed her and hugged her tight. “Yes! Yes. That would be great.”
    “And do you think you could ask your father to speak to me? I hate to put you in the middle, but he won’t talk to me at all.” There were tears in her eyes, and I could tell she felt horrible.
    “I’ll tell him.”
    She touched my cheek gently and then walked away.
    I turned around and made a shocked face at Amanda. “Did you see that?!”
    Amanda’s eyes were wide as she nodded. “What the fuck just happened? She was nice and she helped with the bake sale!”
    I shook my head. “I don’t know, but I hope it sticks.”
    We sold out faster than I ever thought we would, and then Amanda shoved me away with instructions to go find the other Steele brothers so I could get a good seat.
    “Why don’t you come sit with us?”
    Her happy demeanor changed instantly. “No, thanks. Not all of us have changed our minds about the Steele brothers.”
    “You’re going to have to tell me that story eventually.”
    She shook her head. “There’s no story to tell, Sara. Now, go!”
    I hugged her before leaving. I did want to find the other Steele brothers more than anything. I wanted to be close to the fence so I could watch Justin in action.
    I had to fight through a crowd to get to the fence line. Once I got close, I felt a tug on my arm.
    “Looking hot, Sara! Justin’s going to shit when he sees you in this.” Avery pulled me with him over to a private section that had been roped off for the family of the rodeo performers.
    I was thankful to be away from the pushy crowd and hugged him to show it. “God, you’d think this was a freaking boy band concert. Those girls aren’t playing around. I got a solid elbow to the boob in that crowd.”
    He laughed and put his arm around my shoulder. “They’re here to see Justin on a bull. Apparently, it’s hot. That’s what I keep hearing anyway.”
    I rolled my eyes. “All of these girls are here to see him?”
    He nodded. “Yep. Your boyfriend’s a big star.”
    “He’s not my boyfriend.”
    Avery pointed across the fenced-in area to the other side, where men were talking to a very serious-looking Justin. “He tells that story differently.”
    I smiled. I couldn’t help it. I watched Justin and giggled. He was wearing dark brown chaps that had teal stitching down the sides, a flannel shirt with a thick vest on top, and a protective helmet. “I like the chaps.”
    Avery laughed. “Those are just his ‘for fun’ chaps. The ones he wears for competitions have all kind of sponsor stuff on them. It looks like you got here just in time. He’s about to go.”
    My jovial mood turned serious as I watched a huge bull appear in a tiny stall. My eyes went wide and I held my breath as the large monster snorted and rammed the cage in front of it. “He’s not riding that is he?”
    “Afraid so. That’s Beast. There’s only been one other guy that rode him the full eight. Justin’s in for a rough ride.”
    I held my hand over my heart and pressed my body tight against the fence. “This is crazy.”
    In the distance I saw Justin climb over the cage and settle himself on top of the bull’s back. I grabbed Avery’s arm and shook my head. “Oh, god.