Fall With Me (Sugarland Creek, #3) (28)
Landen
I have an early morning, so I gotta go to bed. But when can I take you out?
Cecilia
About damn time you asked.
Landen
Didn’t wanna come off too pushy.
Cecilia
How about this weekend?
Landen
I’m going to the fair’s rodeo event tomorrow night and Saturday, if something like that would interest you.
Cecilia
Fried food, overpriced beer, carnival rides, and a hot cowboy holding my hand? Oh no, how would I ever survive…
I chuckle at the sarcasm, wondering if all women are this easygoing on dating apps, or if I just got lucky on the first try. Either way, I’m putting myself out there and running with it. So far, I’ve learned she’s a twenty-five-year-old hairdresser who lives in the next town over. She hasn’t had a serious boyfriend in over a year but enjoys going out to the bar with friends and line dancing.
Landen
It’ll be a hardship, but I’m sure you’ll manage.
Cecilia
What time should I meet you there?
Landen
How’s five-thirty?
Cecilia
I’ll be the one in a white sundress with tan boots eating a footlong corn dog covered in mustard.
Smiling wide, I shake my head at the very specific image.
She looks beautiful in her photos. Shoulder-length brown hair with matching chocolate eyes and an hourglass figure that looks sexy as hell in the blue dress she’s wearing.
I can’t wait to meet her in person.
Landen
You sure know a way to a man’s heart with all that dirty talk.
Cecilia
Just wait until we meet in person.
After we say good night, I crawl into bed with the goofiest smile on my face and fall asleep feeling hopeful for the first time in years.
Chapter Nine
ELLIE
The local fair is one of my favorites to attend because even though it’s on the small side, they go all out. Almost everyone from Sugarland Creek will be in attendance, which makes it even more fun to watch the other events in between mine.
“Hey, Ellie!” As I jump out of my truck and walk to the back of the trailer, someone shouting my name grabs my attention.
Harlow jogs toward me in her show-jumping clothes. She’s one of Noah’s clients that I see at least once a week at the ranch. We don’t talk much, but she’s always been nice when we do.
“Hi, Harlow. You look good.”
She slides her palms down her navy show coat. “Thanks! I’m headin’ to the fairgrounds now to get Piper ready but wanted to tell ya good luck tonight. Delilah and I will be cheerin’ for ya.”
“Appreciate that. Good luck with yours, too.”
Although she’s only been training for three years, she’s pretty good for only being nineteen. Her older sister is a trick rider and used to date Waylon, so he avoids her every time she’s here. Delilah performs at the rodeo tonight before the barrel racing event begins, so I’ll watch her from the waiting area, but it’s a fun way to get the crowd amped up beforehand.
“Thanks! Piper’s been a little moody lately, so I’m hopin’ she cooperates.” She quickly checks her watch. “But I better run. I’ll see ya later.”
“Sounds good.” I watch as she rushes off across the lot. Since show jumping isn’t a rodeo event, the fair hosts it at the fairgrounds in a large building.
Once I open the trailer door, I step in and grab Ranger’s halter, then give him some scratches. “Hey, boy. Ready for another win?”
He rubs his nose against my face, and I laugh.
I snap on his lead rope and walk him out of the trailer, then tie him to the side of it.
“Gonna get you some water, buddy. Be right back.” Grabbing the bucket, I head toward the hydrant and wait behind another racer.
Since the event begins in just over an hour, we’ll head over to the waiting pen soon until it’s our turn. Both my parents are here and brought Aunt Phoebe since it’s so close to home. I’m excited for her to watch the show since it’s been a couple years.
“Ellie, hey!” Delilah finds me as I approach the hydrant. She’s dressed up in her trick-riding gear, which is super cute on her. Purple fringe and glitter suit her well.
“Hey. Just saw your sister a few minutes ago.”
“Oh yeah, I’m on my way over there now to watch as much as I can before I haveta go to the arena. Our poor parents are gonna be racin’ from her event to mine.” She laughs.
“It’s nice they can be here, though.”
“It is! I just ran into Noah and Magnolia. They’re pushin’ the babies around in an adorable double-stroller. I can’t believe they’re gonna be a year old soon.”