Free Roping the Wind by Kate Pearce Page A

person I have ever known?’
    ‘Good try, girlfriend. See you later.’
    Helen dumped the rest of the sandwich in the trash. If Carol was bringing pie, she needed to pace herself.
    Jay walked through the entrance hall of the community college, his booted feet echoing in the silence. Despite the so-called digital age, the notice boards were covered in a million colored flyers that flapped and rustled every time someone opened the door. The place stank of spoilt milk, sweat and fresh paint. A pimpled kid passed him and gave him a look of complete disdain. It probably wasn’t usual to see a real live cowboy in such a suburban setting. Or else he simply looked too damn old.
    Where the hell was he supposed to go? He spotted a window labeled OFFICE and headed toward it. A small gray-haired woman eyed him suspiciously. He tried a reassuring smile but she didn’t respond.
    ‘Hi, I’ve come to see Rob Wilton.’
    Her gaze never left his. ‘He’s probably in his classroom. Why are you asking me and why do you want to see him?’
    Jay frowned. ‘I want to take his class. This looked like a good place to ask where to find him.’
    She gave a little huff and studied the list in her hand. ‘And who did you say you are?’
    He touched the brim of his hat. ‘I’m Jay Turner.’ She stared at him again until he began to feel uncomfortable. ‘Ma’am, is Mr Wilton here?’
    ‘I’ve seen you before somewhere. On TV.’
    ‘It’s possible.’ Well hell, who would’ve thought the old dear was a rodeo fan?
    She clicked her fingers in his face. ‘What have you done?’
    ‘Do you mean on TV?’
    ‘No, what crime? What did you do?’ She grabbed the phone. ‘I know the hotline number off by heart.’
    Jay pushed the brim of his hat back with one finger and tried not to laugh. ‘What show do you think I’ve been on?’
    ‘ America’s Most Wanted , I’d say. Now tell me what you did. I have pepper spray in my purse and I’m not afraid to use it.’
    ‘The only TV show I’m on is for rodeo cowboys.’ He gestured at the phone. ‘Now you can go ahead and check me out but it would be much easier if you just let me go see Mr Wilton. If I’m that desperate a criminal, I’m sure the police won’t mind waiting an hour.’
    She glared at him, her lips pursed. ‘I’ll call him. He’s in Room one hundred and four, down the hall, turn left and go up the stairs.’
    Jay straightened up. ‘Thank you.’
    He tried not to laugh as he followed her directions. It wasn’t the first time he’d been mistaken for someone else on TV. It seemed that even if your face was well known, people needed to see you in your familiar setting. Maybe if he’d ridden his horse into the building she might have gotten it.
    Jay stopped walking. Shit, for the first time in his life he didn’t own a horse and he couldn’t even ride. A sharp pang of longing took his breath away. God, he missed the rodeo so much. He forced himself to keep going. This was his new life, his choice of how best to move forward.
    ‘Come in.’
    He opened the door and found Rob Wilton sitting at a workbench. He was younger than Jay had anticipated, probably in his mid-forties. His black hair was starting to silver at the temples and his gaze was friendly and open. Against the wall sat an ancient industrial-strength Singer sewing machine and several sets of lasts. Leatherwork in various stages of completion cluttered the worktops and spilt out of the cupboards. The familiar tang of freshly cut leather tugged at Jay’s senses. He smiled and held out his hand.
    ‘Hi, I’m Jay Turner.’
    Rob returned his handshake with interest and gestured to a stool alongside him. ‘I hear from Mrs Rettle that I should watch my back.’
    Jay smiled. ‘She thought she’d seen me on TV and that must mean I was dangerous.’
    ‘Yup, she was all set to call the police after she finished talking to me, so don’t be surprised if there’s a reception committee waiting for you when you