Free Rodeo Queen by T. J. Kline Page B

out, Mike.”
    Scott could see that Mike wanted to ask more questions but that he also wouldn’t want to hear the truth. “So, how’d the rodeo go?” Scott’s respect for Mike grew as he allowed Scott his privacy.
    Scott had tried to focus on the endless stretch of road, watching for exits, leaving behind the highway for a road banked by lush, green pastures. They’d been lucky that Liz had stayed away the past two years. She’d only kept in contact with her father in short letters and emails with an occasional phone conversation, usually begging for more money, which Mike always sent her. The further away Liz stayed, the better off everyone was, Scott decided.
    As Scott made his way down the driveway to the main corral, he saw bodies pour from the house. Mike led the way, followed by Clay, Scott’s huge brother-in-law. He questioned whether the man had been lifting weights in his absence again. He saw his sister following behind and wondered again how the two of them could have such similar personalities and ethics, yet Derek, who hadn’t even shown up, could be so different. Silvie, short and heavyset, with her apron still tied around her waist, brought up the rear.
    “Scott,” Mike yelled as he turned off the truck engine. “I didn’t expect you here so soon.”
    Scott headed to the back of the trailer. “I wanted to get started since we’re making two trips today.” He opened the back gate and, unclipping the first two horses, backed them out together.
    “How many horses did you end up getting?”
    “Seven, plus the stud is coming back, too.” He passed the lead ropes to Clay, who took the horses to the corral. Before he could say anything else, he heard Jennifer squeal as she threw her arms around his neck.
    “Oh, I’ve missed you, little brother!”
    Returning her enthusiastic hug, Scott laughed. “I’ve missed you too. But you’re choking me,” he teased.
    Silvie looked around. “So, where’s Sydney?”
    “She’s working the rest of the horses. I’ll bring her later today when we bring the rest of the horses back.” He hugged Silvie as he caught the I-told-you-so look she shot Jennifer.
    “So what did we get?” Scott was thankful for Clay’s interruption. He didn’t want to answer the women’s questions about his leaving Sydney behind.
    “Four geldings and three mares. Plus, Sydney’s got her stallion.”
    Clay raised a brow. “A stallion she uses in the rodeo?”
    Mike laughed. Using stallions in rodeos was unusual due to their unpredictable nature. It was the same reason riders tended to use geldings instead of mares most of the time. “This isn’t an ordinary stud, Clay. Trust me.” Mike turned to Scott. “The mares are for breeding?”
    Scott nodded as he handed Clay the lead ropes of the horses he had unloaded. “You should see the bloodlines, Mike. They’ll throw some nice foals, especially with that stud.” He closed and locked the back of the trailer.
    “Okay,” Silvie interrupted. “Let Clay finish with those horses. You get into the house. I just finished making lunch, so let’s all hurry up and eat while it’s still hot.” She shooed them toward the house.
    Scott leaned toward Jennifer as they headed toward the house. “Where’s Derek?”
    “Um.” She stalled. “He was here just before you pulled in.”
    “He headed to the lake again,” Clay answered as he came up behind them.
    “What?” Scott couldn’t believe how worthless his brother was on the ranch.
    “Well,” Clay said, matter-of-factly. “He was no help with the cattle, so he left.”
    Scott clapped him on the back. “How did we ever get along around here without you?” He was genuinely fond of his brother-in-law and had respected him as one of the best pick-up men in rodeo even before he and Jennifer had become a couple. He’d been thrilled when they had worked out their differences so that he was able to stand at Clay’s side when they were married.
    “Scott, Derek will come