“You’re being intentionally cruel, but it’s not working. You and I were on a collision course from the moment we bumped into each other in Bandera.”
“That’s what they said about the last meteor coming toward Earth. But before it got caught into our gravity, its orbital path suddenly missed us and flew in another direction.”
“Your metaphor doesn’t apply to us. We got caught in the gravity you and I created together. There’s no greater force. You can take off for South Dakota, but we’ll never be able to escape each other’s pull.”
“I pray you’re wrong,” she said with tears in her voice. “Goodbye, Cy. As I heard Vic say to you, watch your back. Might I add, keep Sylvia close. She gets to go with you wherever you go because she has no issues. She even gets to sleep under your pillow and will be with you to the end. What a lucky woman.”
Kellie... Kellie...
He reached for his jacket and tie. “Will you walk me to the door?”
“I’d rather not.” She clung to the chair back. “Is this new case going to take you to Brownsville?”
“Maybe, but it’s nothing for you to be concerned about.”
“You see what I mean? Already I’m sick with worry because there are so many killings down there and you haven’t even left my house.”
“I’m sorry you heard me on the phone.”
“So am I. Forgive me for being so awful to you, Cy. I wouldn’t be alive today if you hadn’t come to my rescue. Please go before I make everything worse.”
She was in so much turmoil, he realized there was nothing he could do right now. “I’m leaving.” He crossed through the living room to the door. After opening it, he waited to see if she would call him back, but it didn’t happen. The evening had turned into a nightmare of new proportions.
Cy pushed in the night lock and shut the door. After reaching the car, he sat there behind the wheel for a few minutes. Kellie loved him. But after what she’d lived through, if he asked her to marry him, then he needed to get into a different line of work.
The thought of leaving the Rangers tore him up inside.
The thought of losing Kellie ripped his heart out.
Chapter Ten
“This is Lydia Olson from Rider Rodeo Connection in Rapid City, South Dakota, for the Black Hills Pro Rodeo. The reigning champion barrel racer for tonight’s win is Kellie Parrish with a l3.90 score. You’re just racking up the wins, girl. Congratulations!”
“Thank you so much.”
“I had to pull out my cheat sheet to list all your stats. You’re a Wrangler NFR Qualifier ten times, a College National Finals Qualifier two times, the National High School Rodeo Finals Qualifier four times, and the Pro Wrangler Finals winner in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, three times. And this year has been the best for you so far.”
Kellie nodded. “It’s been a good year for me.” A year that had changed her li
fe in ways she would never have imagined, but she didn’t want to think about Cy right now. “My horses have been terrific and I’m hoping to do well at Finals in December. There’s a lot of money to be won and the competition is tough. You’re only as good as your last win, so you can’t let down. I’ve got six more rodeos to go before I head to Las Vegas.”
“You’ve thrilled the folks tonight and I wouldn’t be surprised if you come out number one in Las Vegas.”
“I’m excited to try.”
“Where are you headed next?”
“Cheyenne, Wyoming.”
“Well, we wish you luck. Thank you for talking to us for a few minutes. What plans do you have to celebrate tonight?”
“I’m going to go pet my horse before I do anything else. She was perfect tonight.”
“There it is, folks! Kellie Parrish, who stunned the crowd on her champion horse, Trixie.”
“Thank you.”
Kellie left the arena and hurried to the rear of the pavilion to see Trixie. Cody had already taken care of Starburst.