The Roper (Rodeo Nights) by Fancy Moore Read Free Book Online Page B

had nothing to with sex. Yeah it did but he loved her. All he wanted to do was put his arms around her, hold her close and know she trusted him.
      Pulling her boots on she grabbed her truck keys then left slamming the door behind her.
    He pulled his jeans on ran next door. Dressed he did his shirt buttons up tucking it as he ran down the stairs to his truck.
    Bobby looked over the parking lot. She was on her way to the barns.   Climbing in his truck he sped out of the parking lot.

    He saw Casey leading Gracie out of the barn and swing up on her. No saddle and no little crow hops he noticed. Gracie just stood there. Saddling his gelding he swung up, riding out the door in time to see her slowly riding down a narrow path into the bush. Following her he stayed far enough back that she couldn’t hear him or see him. She was going to the race track.
    He stopped, backed his horse into the trees when she jumped off Gracie, ran up a tall blond man, her arms around his neck. He lifted her off the ground, hugging her to his chest. Casey and the stranger led Gracie into the barn and were back in a few minutes later.
      Climbing off his horse Bobby leaned against a tree watching them sit close to each other talking, the stranger handing her a mug of coffee. The guy pulled his chair closer and held her hand then leaned over, his arm around her shoulders pulling her closer.
    Bobby relaxed a bit. He didn’t act or look like a lover. He was comforting her, not coming on to her.  
    A car drove up and old bent over man climbed out. Using a cane he walked over to Casey and patted her on the shoulder. The blond guy stood took Casey by the hand and walked into the barn with the old man. He waited, still watching. A little later the blond guy came out carrying Casey cradled to his chest. He sat and rocked her back and forth, comforting her, wiping her face. Dam it he should be there with her no matter what was happening. Leaving the cover of the trees he stopped.   The old guy came out, took Casey’s hand and led her to his car. When they drove out of sight the young guy stood and lifted his cup, looking right at him. Bobby swung back on his gelding and rode down to meet him.
      The guy sat on his chair watching Bobby ride towards him. He stood up, held his hand out shaking Bobby’s. “You must be Bobby. Casey told me about you,” he said.   “Have a seat I’ll get you a cup of coffee.”
      Handing him the coffee he said, “I’m Joey, kinda Casey’s much older brother.”
    “You were waiting for me,” Bobby said.  
    “Yeah saw you duck in the trees. You want to talk about Casey.”
    “I love her.”
    “Yeah. She thinks she loves you too. She’s hurting real bad right now. Maybe I think you’re too old for her. She’s twenty-three, you must have at least ten years on her.”
    “Yeah I do. If it doesn’t bother her you shouldn’t be concerned about it.” Bobby said looking him in the eye.
    “I’m not. She’s been alone for too long.”
    “How do you know Casey?”
    “ She was about a week old when they brought her to the orphanage. I was eight and started helping look after her. We grew up together.   Then when she was in college she worked for me here at the track,” he said.   “She was the best jockey I had. I gave her Gracie three years ago. She’s never had anyone but me, and I’ve never really had anyone but her.
    Bobby just looked at him waiting.
    “What’s with Gracie?”
    “ Casey called me from the clinic and asked Dr. Stevens to come out. Gracie had started bleeding from her nostrils. When it finally stopped she had a hard time breathing. Her heart’s failing fast. Old Doc Stevens just put her down and then drove Casey back to the motel.
    “Shit,” Bobby cursed running his hand over his face. “I know what Gracie means to her.”
    The guy looked at Bobby over the rim of the coffee cup. “She told me all about you and her.”
    “I didn’t do what she thinks.”
    “I know what she