Kissin' Tell (Rough Riders #13)(92)

“A few years back.”


“Ooh. I can tell,” the redhead cooed. She squeezed his biceps. “You’ve got the body for it.”


The blonde, not to be outdone, thrust her tits in his face. “You’re used to ranking bulls and riders. What would you rank me?”


He bit back the damn close to desperate comment that popped into his head. He let his gaze travel over her. “On a scale of one to ten? Pretty lady, you’re a solid fifteen. And that’s before I see how well you can ride.”


She tittered.


Next thing Tell knew, he was surrounded by half-a-dozen women. All laughing at his jokes, pawing at him. Making sexual promises with their mouths and their eyes.


What about Georgia?


What about her? She’s not here. And all these lovelies wanted to do was hang out with him.


Because they like you? Or because they’re hoping Chase will show up?


And for the first time ever, Tell didn’t dread that scenario. Wouldn’t that be sweet? Seeing the surprised look on his famous cousin’s face when he finally realized that Tell wasn’t the scrawny runner-up in everything? That Tell had his own moves and his own group of hot chickies vying for a down and dirty piece of him?


Shallow, McKay, really f*cking shallow.


“I’m thirsty,” brunette number one complained.


“Me too,” said the busty blonde.


“Ditto,” said the redhead.


The expectant looks leveled his way prompted him to say, “I can’t stand to see you beauties suffering from dehydration. How about if you all head on into Moorcroft and save us a table at Ziggy’s? The first round is on me.”


Chapter Twenty-Three


“Outstanding job, Georgia. We can’t thank you enough for going above and beyond for our little rodeo.”


Georgia beamed at Esther Theel, committee chair. “It truly was my pleasure. I hope the Pine Haven Rodeo continues for many years.”


“You can bet we’ll be moving it from this weekend next year, so we ain’t competing with the Upton Rodeo.” Esther gave her a shrewd look. “I should be glad that Barb Wyre PR isn’t promoting that one. Or else you wouldn’t have had time for us.”



Today had been full of lucky breaks. Not only that Deck had agreed to sub at the last moment, and he hadn’t been nasty, but due to her PR efforts the attendance at this rodeo exceeded initial expectations.


“As happy as I am with the gate, concession stand and beer garden receipts, I can’t help but wonder if our take would’ve been higher if we’d hitched our wagon to a celebrity rider like Chase McKay.”


“Why would you say that?”


“’Cause Chase was featured at the Upton Rodeo today.”


Instead of blurting, “He was?” Georgia meticulously straightened a stack of papers and wondered why Tell hadn’t mentioned it.


“All sorts of media coverage from what my spies tell me.” Esther ran her hand through her short gray hair. “Especially after that ninety-three point ride. But I gotta say, it’s a good thing the ride was for exhibition, because that score would definitely be called into question, bein’s Chase McKay’s cousin was a judge.”


Georgia stilled.


Tell. You lying piece of shit. A family thing my ass.


The Upton Rodeo was a much bigger event and PRCA-sanctioned to boot. Had he really thought she wouldn’t find out why he’d blown her off? Or didn’t he care that his defection had left her scrambling to fill his judge spot at the last minute? Especially after she’d gone out of her way to find him more judging gigs?


Or maybe this is finally payback for all the times you left him high and dry.


The knowledge lodged in her belly like a boulder.


Esther said, “I wasn’t gonna bring this up, but wasn’t Tell McKay supposed to judge here today?”


Now she had to try and save face for both of them. “Yes. He’d gotten double-booked and…”


“Oh, I ain’t surprised this dinky event wasn’t his priority since his cousin is big-time. I was just curious.”


“I understand Chase McKay is generous with his time and celebrity, especially with rodeos in his home state. You should look into booking him for next year before Upton gets ahold of him.”


“Or maybe we should have you look into it, so we’ve got you locked in for PR for us,” Esther said slyly.


Georgia forced a laugh and looped the messenger-bag strap over her shoulder. “Who knows where I’ll be next year.”


“If you are interested in having an early word with McKay, Ziggy’s is the hangout spot for the rodeo crowd after a performance. I was thinking of heading over there myself.”


No way. Georgia was not going to Ziggy’s. Forcing a public confrontation with Tell wasn’t smart, given that last time they’d had words he’d thrown her over his shoulder and carried her out of the bar.


So she’d head home, make plans with her mother and have a quiet evening. With lots of wine. With lots of whining.