Chasin' Eight (Rough Riders #11)(114)

He hugged her with a gruff, “Ava.”

“Taz. How you holding up?”

“Not so good.” He glanced at the hearse. “Still can’t believe it.”

“Me either.”

“How’s Chase?”

“About the same as you.” Miserable, blaming himself. Avoiding people.
Silence.
“You been on the road?” Stupid question, Ava.
“Nope. I’m done.”

“Done?”

“I quit. No more rodeos. No more foolin’ myself. I ain’t been ridin’ good consistently for a couple of years anyway.”

“What are you going to do?”

“A buddy of mine bought some land outside Scottsbluff. He’s been trying to get me to take over, making improvements on it, for the last year. I wasn’t interested until…” He cleared his throat. “I realized I ain’t too old to learn something new.”

“We could all learn something from this.”

Taz glanced around and pulled her off to the side, out of earshot. “Listen, I know you got a lot of footage of Ryan while you were taping Chase. I’d like to see you do something positive with it. Even if it’s just for his mom. The kid deserves that much.”

“I agree. Is it all right if I use footage of you too?”

“Don’t know what for, but sure.”

Ava kissed his cheek. “Take care of yourself, Taz.”

They were sitting in a diner outside Alliance, picking at a meal neither wanted.
“Chase?”

“Yeah.”

“What happens now?”

“I don’t know.” He glanced up from smashing a pile of peas with his fork. “Why? Did you have something on your mind?”

“Yes. And hear me out before you automatically say no.”

“I’m listening.”

“Come to New York City with me. Just for a couple of days. We both could use a break. A little bit of pampering. I’ve spent time in your world, Chase, I’d like for you to spend time in mine.”

“Why New York? Why not LA?”

“My assistant mentioned there’s still paparazzi lurking around my place. We’d be trapped. In New York…we’d probably be anonymous.” She reached for his hand. “Let’s park your truck in Omaha, get on a plane and we’ll be at LaGuardia in three hours. My family has a standing suite at the Cooper Square Hotel. We can stay there as long as we want.”

His eyes searched hers. “Why is this so important to you?”

“I’m not ready to say goodbye. Are you?”

“God no.”

His vehemence surprised her.
“Good. I’ll make the arrangements. We could use a distraction. It’ll be fun.”

Chase smiled for the first time in days. “Let’s go.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to New York City. The local time is three p.m.” Ava glanced out the airplane window as the flight attendant rattled off the usual spiel. She was anxious to get out of the plane and into the city.
Chase leaned across the armrest. “You all right?”

Ava faced him and frowned. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“I dunno. I expect you’ll be different now that the city mouse is back in her element.”

“What about you?” she countered. “Will you become the country mouse? Afraid of taxis, sirens and the crush of people?”

“I ain’t skeered of nothin’.” Chase pressed his lips to hers. She’d expected a quick peck, but he cranked the kiss to hot and teasing as his thumb discreetly rubbed the stiff point of her nipple.