Cowgirls Don't Cry(68)

“Maybe Josie just wants to learn more about your life on the road,” Jessie suggested.

Billy scowled. “Why? She’s a grown woman. She oughta have a life of her own, not worrying about mine. Or checkin’ up on me.”


Rather than argue, Jessie sipped her Coke.

Brandt asked, “So isn’t the rodeo season about wound down?”


“Yeah. Already been decided who’s competin’ in Vegas for the NFR. I came awful damn close to makin’ the cut, but fell short.” He shrugged. “There’s always next year.”


How many times had she heard that?

But Brandt wasn’t easily sidelined. “What do you do in the off season?”


Billy squinted. “Off season? Ain’t no off-season in rodeo. Even if some of the events ain’t got a qualifying purse, there’s always some place havin’ an expo or a one day event. So while I’m waitin’ for the season to get back into full swing, I’m tryin’ to get on as many broncs as I can to improve my buck off percentage for next year. Tryin’ to put a little jingle in my pocket that ain’t comin’ from my spurs.”


The rodeo announcer tested the PA system.

Brandt stirred his soda.

Jessie fiddled with her straw.

Billy smiled. “Speakin’ of jingle…”


Not a very smooth transition, Jessie thought, but subtle never fit Billy. “Yeah?”


“Any chance you could help your old dad out?”


Dad. Right. He’d insisted she call him Billy round about the time he’d left her mom. “Whatcha need?”


He leaned forward, the portrait of sincerity. “The transmission went out on my truck. It’s at a repair shop here in Gillette, but I’m a couple hundred short on the repair bill.”


So. This requested meet up with Billy wasn’t spur of the moment. He’d called her because he wanted something. Money.

Like that’s news, Jessie.

She couldn’t resist poking him. “How long has it been in the repair shop?”


“Since Wednesday. Damn thing blew up right after I got to town. Luckily, I rode well Friday night and ended up in first. Last night I finished second. I’m guaranteed a top five finish today even if I get throwed on my ass. If I finish first overall, it oughta be enough cash to get my truck back. But I ain’t countin’ on it, because them stock contractors brought seriously rank stock for the finals today. I’d rather be safe than sorry, instead of worrying I’ll have to scrub oil pans or something to get my rig outta hock, know what I mean?”


He’d been around for four days and hadn’t bothered to call her. That stung worse than the fact he was hitting her up for cash.

No. That stung like hell too.

Brandt stopped caressing Jessie’s leg beneath the table and reached in the back pocket of his jeans.

She didn’t try to stop Brandt from opening his wallet. She didn’t give a shit if her protest would’ve hurt Billy’s feelings, but she’d never point out to Brandt that his show of generosity was for a man who didn’t deserve it.

He tossed three hundred dollar bills on the table and two fifties. “I have a cousin who’s on the road as a professional bull rider, so I know how tough it is when cash is tight. I’d like to think someone would help him out if he needed it.”


Billy neatly folded the bills and shoved them into his threadbare wallet. “Thanks, man. I appreciate it.