At the Cowboy's Mercy by Emma Jay Read Free Book Online

sounded just as clueless as that teenager, too. She folded her arms over her chest and glared. "Why'd you kiss me like that?"
    He rocked back on his heels. "Maybe I was glad to see you."
    She snorted. "Maybe you were jealous because I was talking to Liam."
    His lips thinned and she knew she'd hit it.  
    "So why are you pissed? You kissed me back."
    "Because now everyone knows we're--we slept together." The kiss had said told her he wanted her, but she wasn't sure that was such a great idea. It looked like she needed to be the brains here.
    "So?"
    "So, they think I slept with you for a place to stay."
    He set his jaw. "You were going to sleep with Liam for a place to stay."
    Her entire body went hot, and she was certain she looked like a thermometer. Her fingers curled into her palms and she willed herself not to strike out.  
    "That's right, Luke. I was going to fuck Liam for a place to stay. But that's not why I fucked you."
    Aware people were watching, and a woman was covering her child's ears, Kennedy pivoted and race-walked down the fairway, back to the campground. But she couldn't bring herself to go into the RV, not knowing he might follow her and trap her there, not when she wanted nothing more to do than cry. Instead, she headed to the barns. Most of the stock was gone, waiting for the show. She closed herself in Rocky's empty stall, slid down the wall to the hay she'd just changed this morning, and cried until she was empty.
    She couldn't stay away from the rodeo, though. She had to watch him ride tonight, to see if he advanced to the next round. If he didn't...she still hadn't worked out what she'd do next. She hadn't figured out how to apply without a permanent address or phone. She should probably talk to Luke about that now that he was back in town. Still, she didn't have much time.
    Pushing the worry from her mind, she slipped into the arena during tie-down roping--Liam's event--and took a seat near the chutes. This time Liam and Luke weren't hanging out together. Luke paced behind the chutes, his shoulders tight. Damn, she hoped that didn't affect his ride tonight. Maybe she was being selfish hoping he'd move on to the next round, but she wanted it for him, too. He deserved the money, just for being a good--if clueless--guy.
    He turned, and as if he knew right where she was, met her gaze. She twitched her lips into a smile and waved. She might be imagining it, but she thought his shoulders relaxed a little.
    He tensed again when Liam's name was announced. He walked to the chute where his brother was mounting. She couldn't see Luke's face, but Liam nodded and grinned, then shot out of the chute. The rope circled overhead a couple of times before he sent it sailing through the air, right over the young steer's horns. He was out of the saddle before the animal took up the slack, followed the rope and tossed the steer to the ground, looping another rope around three of its feet, tugging it and stepping back, hands raised. His grin told her he knew already he beat his last time.  
    The announcer confirmed it, and after waving his hat at the crowd, Liam jogged back toward Luke, who embraced him. Kennedy teared up a little before anxiety took over as Luke's event approached.
    So much could go wrong. The hazer could fail to keep the steer in line, Luke could misjudge, he could get a bad grip and fail to bring the animal down. Kennedy's stomach knotted as the first rider rode out and the steer outpaced his horse. The next rider's time was almost five seconds--not terrible, but he'd gotten to this round with a faster time.  
    And then it was Luke's turn. Rocky moved back and forth in the chute, Luke gave a sharp nod and the steer lunged forward. When it broke the rope, Rocky followed. Luke was in the saddle only a second, but Rocky blocked her view. Her gaze moved to the overhead screen, and she had to orient herself. She forced herself not to look at the timer but to focus on his performance. Luke's heels dug into