Fall With Me (Sugarland Creek, #3) (29)

This kind of small talk makes me anxious, but I smile and nod along as expected. If Noah’s at one of my races, she’ll swing by before I go on and give me a little pep talk, which is always appreciated.

“Oh, maybe you’ll know since they didn’t. Do you know Landen’s date’s name? We saw ’em by the Ferris wheel, but none of us had ever seen her before and he’s ignoring his text messages.”

My head spins with the news, not because I have any thoughts about his dating life, but because she thinks I’d know anything personal about Landen. Besides what I learn against my will.

“No clue,” I say honestly. Though I am surprised he brought a date tonight after he admitted he’d not had one in months. But I’m not too shocked since his playboy reputation was known to almost everyone in town when we’d first met.

She puts her hands on her hips and sighs. “Damn. Well, I’m sure Noah will get it outta him eventually. Waylon and Wilder were useless, but that’s because Waylon runs in the other direction as soon as he sees me.” She rolls her eyes, and I don’t have it in me to ask about their past, but mostly because I don’t care to know about it. Delilah and Waylon are eight years older and live in very different worlds than me when it comes to relationships.

Perhaps if I had my own social life that included going on dates, I’d have more of an interest in that type of gossip, but right now, all I can focus on is this race and then the next one and one after that.

“Anyway, good luck tonight. I’ll be rootin’ for ya!”

“Thanks! You too.”

I carry Ranger’s water bucket back to my trailer and then grab all the tack and equipment to get him ready. I’m in my usual pink attire, but since tonight’s extra special being at a local event, I brought some equine-safe glitter to rub on his coat and down his legs.

“Trust me, you’ll like it,” I try and convince him when he stomps.

When would Landen have time to meet anyone new? Breeding season is his busiest time of year, and usually, if the brothers go out, I hear all about it in passing from Ruby or one of the twins.

Shaking my head, I mentally slap myself. I don’t want to be thinking about Landen and his date because what do I care?

Perhaps it’s because I haven’t heard about him going on any in close to two years. He even said it’s been months, but it’s probably been closer to years. With him working as much as he does, where would he have even met someone? And how long have they been talking or dating for him to be comfortable enough to bring her somewhere he knows his entire family would be?

No. I don’t care. Don’t want to know. Don’t need to know.

The only thing that deserves my focus is winning this race.





When Ranger and I get into the waiting pen, Noah, Magnolia, and Tripp, who’s wearing Willow in a baby carrier, greet me. It’s comical to see a six-foot-something tall brooding cowboy in Wranglers and boots walking around with an infant on his chest.

I can’t even blame Magnolia for crushing on him as long as she did.

The Hollis genes are top-tier.

Noah smiles at Ranger and pets him. “You’re lookin’ extra cute.” Then she looks up at me. “How ya feelin’ tonight?”

“Great. Ready to run.” I adjust my cowboy hat, making sure it’s secure.

“I see Marcia Grayson is here and some other new girls. You know them?” She directs her attention to Sarah and Samantha.

“Yeah, they’re the Smith twins. They’re from Alabama, but they’ve been comin’ to more races up here.”

Noah frowns. “They any good?”

I shrug because while they’re not bad, they’re just not as good as me. “I guess tonight we’ll see.”

She laughs. “In that case, I know you don’t need it, but good luck.”

“Thanks.” I smack her palm when she raises it.

“She’ll be screamin’ for ya, don’t worry,” Magnolia teases.

“We’re makin’ a sign for the Franklin Rodeo next weekend,” Noah adds. “But we’ll be extra loud tonight.”

I sigh. “Great.”

Magnolia chuckles.

“I know you don’t like the attention, but you’re good in the spotlight. Everyone loves you and is rootin’ for ya. We have a whole section of my family cheering,” Noah says.

I smile at that. My parents know Aunt Phoebe gets triggered by seeing the Hollises, so they’ll sit across the arena on the other side where it’s less crowded. It’s why she doesn’t like coming out too often, but sometimes Mom talks her into it so she gets out of the house.

“Well, I’ll be sure not to let y’all down.”

The two girls Noah trained and helped go pro before me are also here, and she stops by them quickly to say hello. They travel all over the country, so she doesn’t train them anymore, but I know she’s stayed in contact with them.

My heart races as I watch Noah walk away, finally giving me time to have a mental breakdown in private. I don’t usually get this nervous beforehand, especially in smaller races like this, but knowing so many people are here expecting me to win adds more pressure.

“You doin’ okay?” Marcia asks when she rides up alongside me.