Prologue

“Let’s hear a big round of applause for our two competitors.”

The roar of the crowd drowned out the pounding of Charlie Yates’s heart as he listened to the overly dramatic host on the stage of the Las Vegas arena.

“But one of these fine cowboys will be going home tonight.”

Charlie sure hoped it wasn’t him. He’d worked his tail off to get on The Next Cowboy Star and he knew that if he kept going just two more weeks, he’d have the break of a lifetime. A contract to perform in a remake of Silverado with some big name Hollywood stars, plus personal appearances at the best rodeos in the country.

A man couldn’t compete in calf roping his entire life. He had to plan for the future. Besides, hadn’t he been told often enough that with a face like his, he should be in the movies? He wasn’t so vain that he believed everything a buckle bunny or a drinking buddy said, but he figured he was just about as good-looking as half those guys who made the big bucks. And most of them couldn’t ride, rope or show a girl a good time on the dance floor.

“Charlie and Bill,” the host continued, “you’ve competed in last night’s events, you’ve worked with our esteemed acting coach, and now it’s time to see what America says about you.”

A damp arm fell like a vise across Charlie’s shoulder—the injured one that had halted his rodeo career—as the three of them stood way too close for a man’s comfort. He didn’t have anything against the other cowboy, Bill, but Charlie figured Bill was too young for a movie career. Hell, he was barely shaving.

“Bill and Charlie, Charlie and Bill. Our vote was so close, but tonight…” The drumroll from the speakers pounded in Charlie’s ears as he waited, and waited, and waited, for the end of the sentence. “Tonight, I’m sorry to say, Charlie, you’re going home to Texas!”

The pounding increased as he pasted on a smile and shook hands with the beaming and slightly dazed-looking young cowboy from Wyoming. And then he got a hug and weak handshake from the host and a round of applause from the audience.

Great. Just danged great. Now what was he going to do?

Well, one thing was for sure: he wasn’t going to give up his chance for a Hollywood career just because one decision didn’t go his way. He’d find the next best route to success or his name wasn’t Goodtime Charlie Yates.