Mickey danced sideways, backed up, and tossed his head.

Apparently he’d missed it too.

Tanna signaled him to go.

Her brain shifted the same time as her body and she was focused on getting back in the game.

After the fifth run, Tanna climbed off and gave Mickey a well-deserved break. When she wandered over to where Sutton stood, he had an odd look on his face. “What? Was I really that horrible? Because I did shave four—”

“No, that’s not it. You looked great. Better than great actually and that’s why I wanna talk to you about something.”

She swigged from her bottle of water. “Shoot.”

“There’s a breeder in Colorado who’d like to talk to you.”

“About?”

“About you considering using one of their horses for CRA competition.”

Tanna stepped back. More like she stumbled back. “I’m not sure I’m gonna compete again.”

Sutton stepped forward. “Don’t lie to me, but most of all, don’t lie to yourself. I saw you today. If you truly were walking away, then you wouldn’t have started running practice barrels. You’d be content that you’d just gotten back on a horse again. Am I right?”

She blinked at him.

“Alls I’m asking is that you consider meeting with these folks. They’re good people. Hard workers. They’re horse brokers as well as breeders. And I’ve gotta say, they’ve been breeding exceptional stock. In a few years, they’ll be at the top of the heap. How would you like to be one of the riders who put them there?”

“How hard did you have to lobby on my behalf, Sutton?”

He scowled. “Goddammit, I knew you’d say something like that. I didn’t lobby at all. I mentioned you were up here for the summer.”

“And?”

“And they asked how you’d fared after your injury. If you’d started training. What your plans were. They mentioned your accident. In fact, they called it a freak accident and said no one should be blaming you for Jezebel’s death.”

Why didn’t she believe him?

“Since I’m such a great guy,” he grinned again, “I said your plans were up in the air. That’s when they really put the boots to me. So I promised them I’d bring it up with you. And now I have.”

“They own your new competition horse?”

“Horses,” he corrected. “I couldn’t decide on one so I’m alternating them, I offered to buy them outright, but they wanna retain ownership for breeding purposes rather than selling. There’s something to be said for having a world champion depending on your stock.” Sutton bumped her shoulder with his. “Or a three-time world champion riding their stock.”

Tanna couldn’t help but ask, “Do they have a competition horse in mind for me?”

“A seven-year-old mare named Madera. Natalie Finch rode her for a year, and they were close to making the CRA finals, but Natalie busted both legs in a snowmobile accident, putting them out of contention. With no rider, they decided to breed Madera, so she’s been outta competition for two years.”

Tanna remembered hearing about Natalie’s bad luck and subsequent retirement. She’d competed against Natalie that year but she didn’t have an impression of the horse she’d ridden. “Someone has been working with Madera?”

“Their trainer. Natalie Finch was a decent rider but they’ve never had a barrel racer of your caliber put Madera through her paces.”

“Laying it on a little thick, ain’t ya, bulldogger?”

“Only because it’s true.”

“Look. I appreciate the props, but I’m nowhere near ready to try out horses.”

He leaned over the fence and spit a stream of tobacco juice. “Because you’re still scared?”

Disconcerting that Sutton had said the same thing Fletch had. “I can’t push the horse to perform on the level I need if I can’t push myself.”

“No offense, but this horse isn’t on your level. And you gradually increased your speed over only five runs, Tanna. Five. You do five more and you’ll keep getting faster. We both know it. Whatever issue you might’ve had with needing to build speed isn’t a factor anymore.”

When she didn’t immediately answer, his smug smile appeared.

“Aha, you can’t argue with me because you know I’m right!”

“Fine. I’ll do a few more runs today and see where I end up, time-wise.”

“Does that mean I can tell them you’re interested? Or will you at least look at the online footage of Madera before you say no?”

“You are such a pushy bastard, Sutton Grant.” She unhooked Mickey’s reins and led him along the corral. “But yes. I’ll consider it.”

Sutton pumped his fist into the air.

“Now get back in position.”

“Your wish is my command, Tex-Mex.” He grinned. “And at least try to go a little faster, huh?”

Tanna flipped him off.

Fletch parked on the far side of Eli’s barn. He hadn’t heard from Tanna all day and he’d gotten concerned, knowing that Eli and Summer had gone to an auction in Rock Springs.

Although she assured him she had a handle on her former fears, Tanna being alone with horses scared him. The demands of his job ensured he couldn’t be on the sidelines, cheering her on while she pushed her boundaries. He just hoped she wasn’t holding back because he couldn’t be with her every day.