Blame It on the Rodeo by Amanda Renee Read Free Book Online

disappeared. Squatting down on the grass next to the pen, she feigned fumbling through her bag. Confident she’d regained her footing, she stood and tried to cover her bewilderment. “I must have left my camera in the truck. I—I thought the school would draw mostly a local crowd.”
    “Next door or the next continent, I think Hunter would follow Shane wherever he taught,” Kay continued. “You should hear the child prattle on how Shane’s his hero. When Hunter heard about the school, he begged his parents to send him here. Good heavens, are you all right?”
    “It must be the heat.” Lexi’s knees betrayed her and she found herself back on the ground. “I just need a cold shower and I’ll be fine.”
    The events vividly replayed in her mind. Years ago, in late October, Shane surprised Lexi and whisked her away for a romantic weekend at the Devil’s Thumb Ranch Resort, a stone’s throw from her college campus. They didn’t emerge from the cabin until Monday morning, and she barely made it to her first class. Perfect in every way imaginable, their getaway reassured Lexi that they could maintain their relationship while she continued school.
    A few weeks later, when Lexi discovered she was pregnant, she rationalized that it had happened for a reason. Planning to have a family one day, Lexi wasn’t sure she wanted one now. When her doctor confirmed a July due date, she put faith in perfect timing. She’d be able to continue with college in the fall without missing any classes. Not wanting to discuss it with Shane over the phone, she decided to wait and tell him in person, during winter break. Only he had a surprise of his own.
    Devastated by his infidelity, Lexi was scandalized by his quick decision to marry Sharon Vincent, so she immediately returned to school. Clearly showing by spring break, Lexi lied to her family and said she’d enrolled in an internship to avoid coming home. She hated the deception, but after hearing how happy Shane was with his son, Lexi didn’t want to ruin his new family. The entire town knew he didn’t have an ounce of love for Sharon but Shane tolerated her for Dylan’s sake and Lexi resolved that someday he’d learn to love his wife.
    Determined to move forward with her career, Lexi painfully gave her baby up for adoption immediately following his birth, believing he’d have a better life with a strong, stable family. It was the hardest thing she’d ever had to do. A mother should never have to give up her child, but it was a sacrifice she willingly made for her son’s future.
    Not wanting to wonder if every child she saw on the street was hers, Lexi transferred to New York’s Cornell University.
    A day hadn’t passed when she didn’t think of him, but she refused to doubt her decision. When she found out Dylan wasn’t Shane’s, the realization that they could have been a family if he hadn’t cheated on her drove her to pieces some nights.
    On her visits home, she avoided him at all costs, fearing he would know what she’d done. No one questioned her attitude, since his betrayal was public knowledge, but the guilt she felt whenever someone told her how shattered Shane was and how much he’d changed from a family man, to being wild and reckless since Tab took Dylan away, almost killed her.
    Not allowing herself another glance at the boy again, Lexi took Kay’s outstretched hand and managed to stand. This can’t be happening.
    * * *
    “S OMETHING ’ S WRONG WITH Lexi.” Shane started to walk toward his mother and Nicolino as they escorted Lexi to her car. “Ever, stay right there and don’t go near the rails. Hunter, will you watch her for a minute?”
    “Come on, bro.” Chase beckoned to him from the arena. “Let’s show them how it’s done.”
    “In a minute.” Shane headed in Lexi’s direction until he heard her car start and saw Nicolino pat her trunk, seemingly unconcerned as she drove out of the parking area.
    A few hours in this heat was enough to