Riker had forgotten how much he loved the rodeo. The tingle of excitement in the air. The earthy smell of livestock. The sound of horse hooves pounding the dirt. The roar of the crowd. Tonight, the hype was even greater because the rodeo was combined with a carnival for a Founders’ Day celebration. He caught the scent of popcorn and hamburgers from the concession stand, causing his stomach to rumble. Maybe he’d get something to eat before meeting Trisha in the stands.

He continued the internal conversation he’d been having with himself all day. Should he have agreed to meet Trisha here tonight? Was he ready to start up something with her again? Riker and Trisha had been an item in high school, but things fizzled out when he went to college at Texas A&M.

Last summer, after breaking up with Emily his girlfriend of two years, Riker and Trisha went out a few times. Then he broke the news that he wasn’t ready for another relationship, not when his career was commanding so much of his attention.

Being the starting quarterback for the Texas Titans wasn’t easy. Maybe after he got the first season under his belt he’d feel better about things. Whenever Riker started getting overwhelmed, he reminded himself that football was something he knew as well as his own breathing. In college, he led the Aggies to numerous victories and was named the Affiliate Press College Football Player of the Year. This put him on the Titan’s radar. Having grown up here in Silver Creek, a few short miles from Ft. Worth, he never dreamt that he’d one day play for the Titans. Hometown Boy Strikes Gold sort of thing.

As he neared the concession stand, he noticed a group of teenage girls staring at him. Rounds of giggles circled through them when they realized he’d noticed them.

“Hi, Riker,” one of the braver girls cooed. “Looking good.”

They exploded in laughter and ran off.

Riker shook his head, smiling, as he got in line. Oh, to be that young again. Then again, as much as Riker enjoyed his childhood, he didn’t want to go back to that time.

“I see you’re stirring up trouble, as always.”

Riker turned, surprised to see his former high school principal Mack Swanson standing behind him.

He thrust out his hand to shake. Mack grabbed it and pulled him into a hug, giving him a hearty pat on the back. “Good to see you, Riker,” he boomed.

“Good to see you too.” Even though Principal Swanson had a stern demeanor, Riker had always liked him. Well, he liked him for the most part, but he still didn’t appreciate Principal Swanson sending him to detention for a week when he got in a fight with Joe Benson in the cafeteria, especially considering Joe was the one who started it. But that was a lifetime ago.

“I haven’t seen you around these parts lately. Where are you living now?”

“In Dallas.” When he signed with the Titans, Riker purchased a condo near the Titan Sports Complex so it would be easier to get to the stadium once the season got under way.

Mack let out a low whistle and leaned closer. “Are you going to buy a house in the Reserve where Ace Sanchez, Kade Kincaid, and Xavier Newton live?” He let out a conspiratorial chuckle. “I suppose you could afford just about anything you want with the four year, 38-million-dollar contract the Titans signed with you. And 19 of that is guaranteed money. You did well for yourself, son.”

The hair on the back of Riker’s neck rose as he eyed Principal Swanson. “Well, you certainly know your stats.” Living life in the public eye was hard, especially when people threw it in his face.

“I keep up with all my former kids.” Mack’s brows drew together as he scrutinized Riker. “You’ve got some big shoes to fill. The Kincaid brothers left quite a legacy. But with Kade’s retirement and Anthony going back to the Sentinels, it leaves the field wide open for you to shine. Folks around here have high hopes for you, Dylan. Don’t let us down.”

He scowled at the reference to his last name. It was on the tip of Riker’s tongue to tell Principal Swanson that he didn’t give a crap what the folks in Silver Creek thought about him or how he played football. This everybody in your business mentality was getting old. In Dallas, people sometimes recognized Riker, but it wasn’t an everyday occurrence. Here in his hometown, he couldn’t sneeze without someone knowing about it. Before he could respond, Principal Swanson laughed, patting him on the back.

“Didn’t mean to ruffle your feathers, Dylan. I’m just joking. I know you’ll do great. The Titans are lucky to have you. You’re by far the most talented player that ever came out of this town.”

“Thanks.” He relaxed, laughing a little at himself for getting worked up over something so trivial. They made small-talk until Riker got to the front of the line.

The fifty-year-old woman flashed a large smile, her light eyes twinkling. “Well, well, Riker Dylan. It’s good to see you. How ya been, Sugar?” She leaned across the counter and pinched his cheek.

“Hey, Beth. Great to see you. How’s Bill?”

She made a face. “As ornery as ever.” She gave her gum a go-around in her mouth. “I keep telling him if he doesn’t shape up, I’ll stick him out in the pasture with the goats.”

Riker chuckled. Beth and Bill Pace lived on the same road as his family. Beth was known for being outspoken. Riker’s mother had dubbed her The Mouth of the South.

Beth made a point of looking him up and down. “Look at you all muscular and tan with that thick head of sun-streaked hair. Football life serves you well.”

“Thanks.” Heat crawled up Riker’s neck as he tugged at his shirt.

Beth laughed in delight at his discomfort. “What can I get you to eat and drink, honey?”

“I’ll have a hamburger, cheese jalapeño nachos, and a coke.”

“That’ll be eight seventy-five.”

He pulled a ten from his wallet and handed it to her.

She placed the change in his hand, the corners of her lips turning down. “I haven’t had a chance to tell you, but I’m so sorry about your mama. She was a good woman.”

The emotion caught Riker off guard as he nodded, swallowing the lump in his throat. The rodeo had been his mom’s world.

Beth perked up. “But James seems happy with his new wife.” She blinked, an innocent expression in her eyes, as she held out the tray of food to him. “That was quick. How many months was it after Irene’s death before your daddy got remarried?”

Four lousy months! That’s how long it took Dad to forget his wife of thirty-one years and fall into the arms of another woman. “I can’t remember,” he barked, practically snatching the tray out of Beth’s hands.

“Poor thing,” he heard Beth say as he offered a parting nod to Principal Swanson, then stomped away. Leave it to Beth Pace to make a big deal out of his dad’s marriage. It was a sore enough topic as it was. Riker didn’t need Beth announcing it to the world, then pretending to feel sorry for him.

“Hey, Riker, think fast.”

Crap! A kid had thrown a football at him. When it came to a choice between the ball and the food, there was only one feasible option for this quarterback—save the ball!

He tossed the tray in the air, sending the food flying, as the kid and his buddies cheered in awe. “Touchdown!”

And that’s how it’s done. Riker flashed a triumphant smile, holding up the ball. He tossed it back to the boys. Then it occurred to him that amongst the cheering, there had been a shriek. He saw the horrified expressions of the boys as they gaped. He turned and saw the woman standing directly behind him, her white, rhinestone-button shirt covered in Coke and nacho cheese.

His eyes bugged as he stood there, his tongue strangling any words.

She glared at him, her face turning as red as her hair. “Are you kidding me?” She barked out a laugh, throwing up her hands. “I can’t believe you just threw food all over me.”

“I’m sorry.”

Her voice rose as she stepped up to him. “All for a stupid ball!” She jabbed a finger into his chest. “Jerk!”

A disbelieving laugh sounded in his throat. This was worse than one of those nightmares where he was back in high school standing by his locker without a stitch of clothes on, while everyone laughed and pointed. Her eyes flashed with fury and all he could think was that they were such a vivid green—emeralds streaked with sunlight.

She stepped even closer, so close he could feel her breath on his face. “You think this is funny?”

“I’m so sorry. I had no idea you were behind me.” His mind whirled as he took in the scope of her. Riker was about to apologize again, but the words died on his lips, Red hair spilling from underneath a turquoise cowboy hat, fiery green eyes aimed at him, bright red, full lips. She was spectacular! The kind of woman that had men running off to fight wars. Heck, he’d go to battle for this woman any day.

“You didn’t care who was behind you because you were too worried about being a big shot!” She rolled her eyes. “Well, congratulations, you caught the ball.” She eyed him, waiting for a response.

A goofy grin spilled over his lips as he looked at her shirt. “I’m sorry, I don’t know what to say. I’m just trying to process all this.” It was a stupid response, but all that would come out of his mouth right now. Dang, she looked great in those jeans and turquoise boots.

Her features went rigid, her nostrils flaring as she tossed back her head, her hair flying like flames behind her. “All right, funny guy. You obviously find this amusing. Well, process this,” she growled, punching him in the gut.

He grunted in surprise, doubling over. For a girl, she was surprisingly strong. He couldn’t stop laughter from gurgling in his throat. “I can’t believe you just punched me,” he lamented, holding his stomach. The siren had just lambasted him, then socked him. He straightened back up, realizing her face was boiling with anger. “Hey, don’t be like this. I can buy you another shirt. I told you I was sorry,” he added.

“Yes, you are sorry!” She pushed past him.

“Wait!” He couldn’t let her leave like this. “What’s your name?” he yelled. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been so taken with a woman and he didn’t even know her name.

She paused for half a second, casting a scathing look over her shoulder as she hurried away, her copper hair bouncing jauntily on her shoulders.

Riker had to fight the impulse to go after the siren. Forget that he’d ruined her shirt. Forget that he was supposed to meet Trisha right now. Forget that he’d told himself he didn’t have time for a relationship with his career.

He really wanted to get to know this woman. Was she new to Silver Creek? Or just passing through? He was supposed to meet Trisha, but now that he’d seen the redhead it would be hard to concentrate on anything else.