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“No. About getting butts in seats. I’m trying to drum up excitement.”
Reba looked around at the people in the arena as they zipped along to get to the bullpens. The rodeo hadn’t officially opened but there were tons of people wandering around and she saw many trucks in the parking lot tailgating. She almost stopped for breakfast at one of them because the smell of grilled onions and sausage had her mouth watering.
“Are ticket sales down?”
“I don’t think so. It’s our first year as a joint company, though, so maybe they’re not making the numbers they’d like. But the events so far have looked busy to me.”
“Me, too,” Reba said. “I’ve heard they’re looking at cutting some costs.” She told Dolly about what Shane had said about the UPRC only using a few bull breeders.
“That’s just plain dumb,” Dolly said. “No one is going to want to see the same thirty or so bulls rotating in and out.”
Reba shrugged. “I’m just worried about my job.”
“They’ll always going to need a good vet.” Dolly placed a hand on her shoulder.
And then Reba told her about Dr. Kilgore trying to be one of the bull breeders.
“I’ll see if I can put a bug in Shelby’s ear that we don’t want to do business with the likes of him. I don’t know how influential it’ll be. But she should know the type of man Kilgore is.”
And Dolly didn’t even know the full story. Maybe someday Reba would tell her.
“Thanks.” Reba parked the golf cart and pocketed the keys. “I’ve got to get these tests started. Come find me if you need a ride back. But before you go…” Reba said trying to sound casual.
Dolly put her hand on her hip, and cocked a sarcastic look at her. “Don’t tell me you want another VIP package? It’s not even eight o’clock in the morning yet. Who the heck did you manage to piss off today?”
“No, no. It’s nothing like that. Yet,” Reba added truthfully. Who knew what the day would bring? “Shane found four little kittens…”
“Absolutely not.” Dolly didn’t even let her finish before she started shaking her head.
“You didn’t even know what I was going to say.”
“Yes, I do. I cannot be responsible for an animal. I can barely be responsible for myself.”
“I was thinking it would keep you company when you were back in your apartment in Dallas and when you had to travel, you could ask your neighbors to take a look in on the kitten.”
Dolly was still shaking her head. “Sometimes I don’t know how long I’m going to be gone for. Not to mention, I don’t like any of my neighbors.”
“Well, maybe you could travel with the kitten.”
“That’s a large pain in the ass. I’m sorry, Reba. I’ve always loved your kind heart when it comes to strays. And one day, when I’m a little bit more settled, I’ll let you load me up with every half-starved dog, cat, or pig you come across. But right now, with my life the way it is, I wouldn’t be able to give the kitten a good home.”
Reba knew that her sister was wrong, that she would take very good care of a kitten. But she also knew that she had to respect Dolly’s choice in the matter. The last thing Reba wanted to do was give Dolly more stress in her life.
“No problem,” Reba said. “I get it.”
Dolly bit her lower lip. “Maybe we could raffle the kittens off?”
Reba chuckled. “No. I don’t want to adopt them out at the rodeo. Too much impulse purchasing. That could lead to the kittens being abandoned again. Don’t worry, I’ll find homes for them.”
“You always do,” Dolly said, waving before turning away to hurry off somewhere, while she typed furiously on her phone.
Reba wasn’t too surprised to see Lou and Shane in the bullpens, observing the set-up situation as the other bull owners and the rodeo staff milled around the paddocks where the bulls were waiting for her and the vet staff.
She and Shane exchanged a glance. She gave him a tiny finger wave, feeling a little ridiculous. Part of her wanted to go up to him and give him a good morning kiss, but he was in business mode and she didn’t want anyone to start gossiping about them.
Grabbing her kit, she headed to the first section of bulls to get the blood samples she needed. She worked her way down the list and was just about done when one of the bull riders came jogging up to her.
“Ma’am, I need your help.”
