The Rodeo Rider. Roxann Delaney

      “Try talking to him.”

      Tanner opened his mouth to tell her he’d been trying to do exactly that. Instead, he shut it, his anger gone, replaced by something that was close to admiration. She was gutsy enough to stand up to him. But hadn’t he realized that earlier?

      She laid a hand on his arm, and he felt a warmth go through him like a shot of whiskey before she jerked her hand away. Apparently she’d felt something, too.

      “You’re upset,” she said in that same, smooth voice. “Let me talk to him.”

      Too busy trying to figure out his reaction to her touch, Tanner nodded. He watched her approach Shawn and heard her lowered voice as she spoke to the boy. Tanner shook his head, amazed to see Shawn nodding at whatever she was saying. Lately, agreement from Shawn was rare. Tanner was even more surprised when his nephew walked to the pickup and got in it without an argument.

      “He’ll be okay,” Jules said when she returned. Her lips curved into a smile. “Try talking to him tomorrow when you’re both calmer.”

      The warmth of her smile muddled his mind. And it wasn’t from the one beer he’d shared with Dusty. The woman had an intoxicating effect on him that he couldn’t seem to shake.

      “What did you say to him?”

      She shrugged and glanced toward his pickup, where Shawn waited. “I told him that it’s late and we’re all tired. Maybe tomorrow would be a better day to discuss things.”

      “That’s it?” he asked.

      Her smile was sweet but tired as she nodded, then turned away. He watched her walk to a late-model sedan, knowing he was a fool for letting her distract him. Shawn and qualifying for National Finals Rodeo were his only concerns. But he hadn’t counted on meeting a woman like her. He was sorry he probably wouldn’t see her again.

      Chapter Two

      Jules regarded the opulence of the Grand Ballroom in Oklahoma City’s Waterford Hotel, then reached for a glass of champagne from a passing waiter. She turned to Beth. “This is beautiful. I’m glad you invited me. I’m finally beginning to feel like I’m on vacation.”

      “I wish I weren’t so busy,” Beth answered with a regretful smile. “As soon as Doc Waters gets back, we can spend more time together and have a real vacation.”

      “Don’t worry about it. Just getting away from everything is good.” Taking a sip of her drink, Jules wrinkled her nose at the bubbles and surveyed the crowd. Strains of music from a small orchestra drifted softly throughout the room, while an occasional peal of feminine laughter could be heard above the buzz of conversation. “I didn’t know you traveled in such impressive social circles.”

      Beth tipped her head back and laughed. “Thank Michael for that. Being the soon-to-be-wife of a professor does have its perks. Now that Oklahoma State has opened a campus here in Oklahoma City, things are really happening.” Leaning closer to Jules, she lowered her voice. “Everyone is nice, but still, I’m glad you’re here to share it with me.”

      Even though she didn’t know anyone, Jules enjoyed watching the people. Jewels sparkled and dresses shimmered. Having grown up in a home considered wealthy, she was aware of the power of money and pleased to know this was a fund-raising event for the local arts council. Her parents, who had always been known for their philanthropy, would be happy to learn she was attending something worthy.

      “Where is Michael, anyway?” she asked, still perusing the room.

      Beth craned her neck to search. “He’s here somewhere.” She chuckled and shook her head. “He probably bumped into someone and is deep in conversation, while the two of us stand here like a couple of lost souls.”

      Seeing a group in obviously expensive, custom-tailored tuxedos, Jules scanned the knot of men for Beth’s fiancé. The back of one particular figure caught her attention and she gave a small, involuntary gasp.

      “Is something wrong?” Beth asked.

      Jules shook her head and silently laughed at herself. Of course it wasn’t who she imagined. How ridiculous! But the resemblance was uncanny. Her gaze took in the black hair and traveled down the wide expanse of exquisitely tailored broad shoulders. Lowering her blatant scrutiny, she checked out his shoes. Black, shiny patent leather. Not cowboy boots. Not even close. She breathed a sigh of relief.

      “I just thought that man over there was—”

      He turned around, causing Jules to swallow a second gasp. What was Tanner O’Brien doing at an arts council fund-raiser? And looking so magnificent?

      Slipping her arm through Beth’s, she turned her in the opposite direction and led her away. “Maybe we should look for Michael.”

      “What’s wrong?”

      “Wrong?” she asked, doing her best to look and sound innocent. “There’s nothing wrong at all. I just think we should find Michael.”

      “But you said something about a man.” Beth started to turn back in the direction they’d come from.

      “Oh, yes, well…” Jules steered her through the maze of people in the ballroom. Hoping they’d gone far enough to lose themselves in the crowd, she stopped and took a deep breath, letting it out slowly, while she scolded herself for being so silly. Tanner O’Brien was nothing to be afraid of. She needn’t go running off at the mere sight of him like a schoolgirl with a crush.

      “Evening, ladies.”

      Jules swung around at the sound of the smooth drawl and found herself gazing into a pair of ice-blue eyes. Eyes she thought she’d be safe from encountering again so soon, if at all.

      Beth thankfully took over. “Why, Tanner, what a surprise! I didn’t expect to see you here. I thought you’d be off riding a bronc somewhere.”

      “Just doing my civic duty.” He grinned at Beth, and then his gaze traveled back to Jules, running slowly from her eyes downward.

      Jules felt the heat of a blush and hoped it didn’t show. Forcing her best smile, she greeted him. “Hello, Mr. O’Brien.” Somehow she needed to calm the butterflies he’d set to fluttering in her stomach. His wide grin forced her to do some quick thinking. “I almost didn’t recognize you out of uniform. He cleans up real good, doesn’t he, Beth?”

      Tanner’s smile froze on his face, and then he laughed. “Will you excuse us, Beth?” he said, taking Jules by the arm. “This little lady owes me a dance for that remark.”

      “No, really, I can’t—” Jules protested.

      Beth was no help. “Of course you can, Jules. You two have a lot in common.”

      “What’s that?” Tanner asked.

      “We do?” Jules asked at the same time.

      “Tell him about how you help troubled kids, Jules,” Beth said. “Oh, and about horses, too. Now go on, you two. I think I’ve spotted Michael.”

      Jules silently groaned and let Tanner lead her through the crowd to the other end of the ballroom. Of course Beth would locate her fiancé too late to get her out of this predicament. She’d just have to get through it as best she could.

      On the dance floor, amid the other couples moving to the music, Tanner drew her into his arms. She swallowed hard at the warmth of his body so close to hers and prayed he didn’t notice her accelerated heartbeat.

      “Relax, darlin’,” he whispered. “I don’t bite. Although you do deserve to be bitten for that sharp tongue of yours.”

      Searching her mind for a retort, Jules found herself without one. Months of speech therapy wouldn’t help in this situation, not when her mind had gone completely empty. Even her years of experience before judges weren’t helping.

      It took her a moment to feel