Page 31 of The Cowboy’s Secret Lover

He left and Faith was suddenly too tired to sit up. Slumping in her chair, she said, “I’m surprised that this has all worked out. I have to ask you to sign all the consent forms for me. Otherwise, I’ll lose my job.”

“Why didn’t you ask me to sign them in the first place?” Kurt asked.

Faith shrugged. “I didn’t want to get your hopes up if it didn’t work out.”

Kurt reached for her hand. She looked up and met his gaze. Her mouth went dry.

“I thank you for this, Faith. Nobody else has offered Erin a chance like you. That’s a debt I’ll never be able to repay.”

“I don’t expect anything from you, Kurt. I’m happy to do what needs done for every patient.” In truth, Faith was. Yet, to her, Kurt was so much more than a typical patient. How could she tell him that she’d fallen for him all over again? Or really, that she’d never stopped caring?

“I hate to do this, but I have to ask for another favor,” he said.

“What is it?”

“I want you there when I ride today.”

“I’m not sure that I can watch you get thrown off the back of a bull.”

Kurt began to trace the back of her hand with a feather-light touch. “What if I promise to stay on this time?”

She should say No.

Milly was almost healed and would soon be driving—which meant that Faith need not stay in Texas anymore. In the next few days, she’d be gone.

More than that, continuing a personal relationship with Kurt brought emotions and memories to the surface that Faith had long kept hidden. Despite all the reasons she had to stay away, she found herself saying, “I’ll be there,” she said. Then without another thought, she brushed her lips on his cheek. “The kiss is for luck.”

She left Kurt standing in the middle of the room. Yet, with her lips tingling, she could no longer ignore the truth. Faith was in love with Kurt. Was it an emotion born only of the past? Or did they really have a chance to build a future?

* * *

Kurt had spentthe day filling out paperwork—nothing but drudgery, if you asked him. Yet, it kept him from worrying about Erin, or his next competition, or Faith. As promised, he’d signed all the consent forms for Erin’s surgery—ensuring that Faith would keep her job. He’d also had Faith’s car towed from Crawford’s Cove to a mechanic who specialized in classic cars.

Now, he was ready for the second round of bull riding at the Bear Creek Rodeo. Tomorrow—on the final night of competition—the bull riding would be the main event. But today, bull riding was scheduled for early evening, giving Kurt plenty of time to compete and get back to the hospital while Erin was in surgery.

He stood in the darkened corridor that led to the arena’s floor like he’d done since his first rodeo. He wasn’t a superstitious man, but he believed that this ritual—spending a few minutes of solitude before a ride cleared his mind—left room for a single thought.

Stay on the bull for eight seconds.

After yesterday’s fall, he had to complete the second ride. If not, he’d be eliminated from the Bear Creek rodeo.

Above, the stands were nearly full, and the crowd cheered as a rider was introduced. Kurt waited. His turn was next.

Vance Sosa, the rookie bull rider from Brazil, strode down the corridor. He wore the same kit of all bull riders. Jeans. Shirt. Cowboy hat. Chaps.

“Howdy,” he said, as the younger man came to stand at Kurt’s shoulder.

Vance nodded his greeting. He asked, “What are you doing here?”

“Just thinking. Getting my head on straight.”

“Sorry to interrupt,” said Vance. “I’m glad I found you. I was wondering about your daughter. How’s she doing?”

“She’s supposed to have surgery this evening.” Then Kurt thought to add, “Thanks for calling the ambulance. Your quick thinking saved my daughter’s life.”

Vance tipped the brim of his cowboy hat. “It was my pleasure.”

Was it Kurt’s imagination; or was there something in the way the younger man looked? Was Vance Sosa sweet on Erin? It didn’t seem right. She was young. Only twenty-years old and…