Free And Then You Kiss (Crested Butte Cowboys Series Book 3) by Heather A Buchman Page A

away.”
    Renie was quiet, sullen. And then suddenly, she wasn’t anymore.
    “What just happened?”
    “I have to get used to sharing,” she answered. “I’m not very good at it.”
    Blythe started to laugh. That was one of the most honest things she’d ever heard her friend say. “Good job,” she finally was able to say between her giggles. “You are workin’ that say-what-you-think thing. I’m proud of you.”
    Lyric texted back, and they arranged a place and time to meet. “Oh, I forgot to mention, she wants to interview Billy for RodeoChat.” Blythe hoped Jace had mentioned it to him. She’d forgotten all about it.
     
    “Hey Blythe,” Lyric came bounding up to them and hugged her hello. Blythe hoped she didn’t look as startled as she felt.
    “Sorry,” Lyric said. “Sometimes I’m a little over enthusiastic. Plus, I don’t know what it is Blythe, but I feel like I’ve known you forever.”
    Renie was making that face again, the one where she looked like she’d take a bite of a lemon. Blythe elbowed her in the side.
    “Lyric, this is my life-long best friend Renie. Renie, this is my new best friend, Lyric.”
    The smile Renie recovered with her introduction quickly faded when she added Lyric’s.
    “You’re the one who’s engaged to Billy Patterson, and you’re becoming a large animal vet.”
    Lyric linked arms with Renie and from that moment on, the two had one another’s undivided attention. Blythe wondered if there would be any questions left to ask Billy, or if Renie had already answered them. The best part of it though, was that Renie had warmed up to Lyric and they seemed to be enjoying talking to each other.
    Lyric had better seats than Blythe and Renie, and she had extras, so she invited them to sit with her.
    “Oh, I meant to tell you, I think I saw your cowboy’s twin a few minutes ago. Looked just like him, but with longer hair.”
     
    Blythe grabbed Renie’s arm and held on tight.
    “Are you okay?” Lyric asked.
    “She’s fine,” Renie answered for her. “Um, she hasn’t seen him in a while and I think you surprised her.”
    “But wait, aren’t you datin’ the other one? The one I met you with the other night.”
    Blythe didn’t know where to begin, and even if she did, she wasn’t sure she had regained the ability to speak. Had Jace known Tucker was going to be here and didn’t tell her? They’d talked about him last night. Why wouldn’t Jace have said something then?
    She turned and looked around the arena, but instead of finding Tucker, she was looking directly at Jace. He squinted his eyes, his brow furrowed, and he mouthed, “What’s up?”
    He was far enough away that he’d never hear her if she tried to tell him. He pulled out his cell phone and held it up.
    Tucker, she texted.
    What about him?
    He’s here.
    Jace didn’t need to answer her text. The look on his face told her what she wanted to know. Jace hadn’t known Tucker was coming; he also didn’t know he was here.
    ***
    Tucker was beginning to think he made a mistake by not telling Jace he was coming. He was able to get into the stock show, but the rodeo was sold out. He pulled out his phone to text him, and saw a text from Jace instead, and a missed call.
    Where are you?
    Here. Rodeo sold out. Can’t get in.
    Meet me by back entrance near barns.
    Without trying to read anything into the texts, Tucker had an overpowering feeling Jace was not happy he was here. As he walked toward the barns and caught sight of his brother’s face, his feeling was confirmed.
    “What are you doing here?”
    “That’s a nice greeting.”
    “Answer me.”
    “What’s your fuckin’ problem Jace? Jesus—I’m here to see you ride.”
    “Bullshit. Try again. What are you doin’ here?”
    There was no point in answering him. He was right. He wasn’t here to see Jace ride. Maybe in part, but it was a very small part. He was here to see Blythe. And Jace knew it.
    “Where is she?”
    Jace walked away without