CURTIS SMILED for the camera as he collected his big old check and his brand-new gold buckle. He wished he got a saddle like in Cheyenne; he’d give it to Stetson, because God knew the man could use some tack…. Where was that Cheyenne saddle anyway? At his mom and dad’s place in Colorado?
Who knew? Right now he didn’t need to care.
All-around champion. The number one cowboy in the country.
God, he’d worked hard for this, and he hoped Stetson was watching. He hoped Roper was proud of him.
He smiled and nodded and did the glad-handing afterward, but he didn’t linger for the party. He was already gone. His truck was waiting for him in the parking lot, packed up and ready. All he had to do was drive home. Ten hours and he could be there.
He hopped into the cab, then tugged out his phone. One last call before he got to see Stetson in person.
The phone rang once, and then he heard, “Congratulations.”
“Thanks, babe.” He frowned. “You sound pooped.”
“I’m so proud of you. You rode like a dream.”
“I did my best. It paid off finally.” He had enough put back now he could pay off some of Stetson’s liens.
“It did. I’m proud.”
Was Stetson drinking? He sounded a little slurred and a lot repetitive. “Is it too cold out there, baby? Do you need that hotel?”
“I’m home. In Taos. At the ranch.”
There was a dead finality in Stetson’s voice that hurt him, made him wince.
“Is she sleeping finally?” He didn’t think so. Dread settled in his gut.
“She’s gone. Yesterday morning, early.”
“Ah, Jesus, Roper. I’m sorry. So fucking sorry.” He managed to get on the highway and gun it. “You didn’t say, yesterday.”
“Wouldn’t have made her less dead, and you had a ride to make.”
The words made him smile. That was his Stetson, cowboy to the bone. Christ, Curtis hurt for him. “She’s in a better place, right?”
All of them believed that.
“Yes, God, yeah. You coming home?”
“I’m on the road now. Heading to you.” Yesterday morning. Stetson had so many arrangements to make. All those people to call about insurance if she had any, and debts and tax notifications.
“Not going to the after-parties?”
“No, baby. I want to get home to you.” He could help. He really could. Stetson would need him now more than ever.
“Yeah. Yeah, I’m all over that idea.”
“I thought you might be.” He would get that wee tree too, damn it. He could stop at a Target or something. Get a few sparkly garlands and some balls.
“I watched every second.”
“Did you? That last ride was just okay, but the check was worth it.”
“All you had to do was ride, and you did it.”
“I did. I—I’m on my way, Roper.”
“Thank God for that. I-I sorta…. I’m waiting.”
“Sorta what?” Stetson sounded so damned defeated.
“I’m just waiting for you.”
“I’m on my way. You got groceries?”
“I’ll go pick some up in the morning. You make sure you get some sleep tonight. Stop somewhere halfway.”
“I will.” Not. He was driving straight through. He would sleep with Stetson when he finally laid down his head.
“Okay. You stay safe. Call if you need me.”
“I’ll check in.” Hell, he would want to hear Stetson’s voice about every hour on the hour.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, huh?”
“You totally will.” Curtis couldn’t wait.
“Okay. Come home. I’ll make you stew.”
“Oh hell yes. Make biscuits? I’m off the diet until February.”
“It’s a deal, cowboy.”
“I’ll see you soon.” He had to hang up because he needed to get the air going and get his head in the game.
He had a long way to go and a cowboy to get home to.