Free Love & Rodeo by Paisley Cruz

themselves inside of her and gripped her like she’d never experienced. He could have talked about mucking stalls and she would’ve been all ears. The warm conversation enveloped her like a blanket. Afterward, they cleaned up and headed to bed.
    Thursday had been laundry day and a lazy day. They caught up on their laundry while Kallie read and Levi held her, with war movies playing on the outside patio. It was nearing dinnertime.
    “ What do you want to do about dinner?”
    “ Why don’t you go put something nice on and we’ll go into town.”
    “ Yeah?”
    “ Sure.” His eyes sparkled.
    “ This isn’t one of your surprises, is it?”
    “ Maybe...” He smiled hugging her body to his.
    She could’ve stayed there in his arms forever, but Levi nudged her and she started for their room. Kallie showered, washing the chlorine from her body before dressing in a pair of tight jeans and a fancy shirt. Her skin was glowing with her new tan. She felt good. She felt...happy. A tear fell down her face at the realization. Just then, there as a light knock on the door. Levi’s face appeared as she wiped the tear away.
    “ What’s wrong?”
    “ Nothing. I promise, they’re good tears.”
    His hands cupped her face and he brought his lips to hers. “Ready?”
    “ Whenever you are.”
    His hand found hers and pulled her from the bathroom.
    That night Levi took her to The Listening Room Cafe, and they listened to Kadee Abernathy and Piper McGraw while eating dinner. It was a night she’d never forget. She was sure about that.
     
    * * * *
     
    The following morning, Kallie and Levi headed out, but not before she left Mark and Jolie a gift basket filled with items she’d gotten from the market. She also left a card thanking them for their hospitality. She’d never forget it.

Chapter Eleven
     
     
    Over the next couple of weeks, Kallie and Levi traveled from rodeo to rodeo. Each of them always placing, putting them high on the point rankings in the race for the world title. Kallie was well on her way to a second world title and Levi his first. They were unstoppable together and Kallie was on top of the world.
    She called home everyday to talk to her Grams and Nora. Nora kept asking Kallie when she was coming home. There was no reason for her not to return home now. She had more than enough money to adopt Nora. In the back of her mind she wanted to adopt her, but she didn’t want to leave Levi. For the first time since her parent’s death, she didn’t feel like the ground would crumble away beneath her.
    When they weren’t focused on the rodeo, Levi would take her to famous landmarks, and together they’d explore the city, while exploring one another a little more. Levi always made sure she took pictures to document their travels. In the evening, they’d lay in one another’s arms looking over the images, laughing and talking about what they’d seen. Once, Levi was asleep, she’d just watch him, committing his face to her memory. She was in so much trouble.
     
    * * * *
     
    “ When you coming home?” Nora asked.
    “ I don’t know. We’re heading to Tulsa now. Two more weeks and we’ll be at the world championship. I think I have a good chance at winning.”
    “ You’ve already won that. I really miss you.”
    “ I know, Nor. It’s only a couple more weeks. Hang in there, okay?”
    “ Kallie!” Levi called from behind her.
    “ Who is that?”
    “ It’s no one. Look I gotta go. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
    She hung up her phone and hurried to Levi.
    “ Are you ready?”
    Kallie nodded and got into the passenger seat.
    She felt bad keeping Levi from her sister, but if Nora found out about Levi, she’d throw him in her face. If Grams knew that she was traveling with him, she’d encourage her to stay. Levi had already convinced her to stay this long. She couldn’t hurt Nora. She wouldn’t hurt her. She couldn’t handle it again. She felt Levi’s hand on her shoulder.
    “ You okay?”
    She bit