Chapter Fifteen
“You received this envelope,” Cheryl dropped the large yellow envelope onto Presley’s desk.
Picking it up, she scanned her name, the only thing written on the front. Curious, she ripped open the flap and pulled out the contents. On top was a check, signed by Urban. She sucked in a breath, picking it up to look closer. “Fifty grand! This check is written for fifty grand!”
Cheryl shimmied around the desk, looking over Presley’s shoulder. “What? Who’s it from?”
“It’s from Urban,” she whispered.
“Well, that’s some wedding present. What does the note say?”
With shaking fingers, Presley opened the folded paper and read…
“An early wedding present. Buy the equipment! There’s always another chance to win big. I’m behind you as we jump into this venture together. U.J.”
“When did this come, Cheryl?” Presley stared at Urban’s neat handwriting through tears.
“It was stuck in the payment box outside. You know, the one we don’t use. What’s the date on the check?”
The day I accused him of being an ass. Her chest tightened. “I think I made a big mistake.” She didn’t care about the money, but what she knew Urban did care for her.
“Please tell me you didn’t break it off with Urban?”
Looking up at her friend, she sighed. “He was right. I was scared and I allowed my uncertainty to muddle my brain.”
“We all make mistakes, honey. Just make it right. Talk to him after the rodeo event.”
“Yeah, I sh—Wait! Did you say rodeo event?”
Cheryl nodded. “Didn’t you hear? Urban announced this ride as his last before he retires. I assumed you knew since you two are engaged—or were engaged. It’ll be on camera for all to see.” She frowned. “Aren’t you going to the event?”
Presley jumped up. “What time does he ride?”
“Braise told me it’s at one.”
“What time is it now?”
“It’s noon.”
Racing around her desk, she toed off her muck boots and slid her feet into her cowgirl boots. “Think I can make it in time?”
“Maybe. Traffic will be backed because everyone wants to see Urban ride one last time.” Cheryl darted for the door. “Come on. What’s taking you so long?”
“What do you mean?” Presley asked.
“I have the Jeep. If we have to we’ll climb over anything that gets in our way to get you there for the ride.”
*****
“Wow, I didn’t think we’d see you here, Jericho.”
He didn’t have to look up from the rail to know who was speaking. “I think you mean you were hoping you didn’t see me. Right, Grimes?” Urban finally brought his chin up, nailing the other man with what he hoped was a death glare.
“I like a little healthy competition. It always makes winning the pot more pleasant.” He rubbed his hands together as a malevolent grin crossed his lips. “Then again, seeing that you’re retiring I guess the win for me will be even juicier.”
Urban refused to let the bastard get to him, especially before a ride. That was exactly what Grimes was attempting to do. “Next time you think about sticking your nose in my business you might want to consider the consequences. You’ve spurred me to feed you your words on a silver platter.” Looking over his shoulder, Urban spotted the camera and Adira standing close, her eyes wide at what was going down in front of her.
Grimes smirked and shrugged. “Nothing like being crushed for all the world to see.” He whistled as he walked away
“You sure you want to do this?” Weston asked from a few feet down the rail.
“You betcha I want to do this. Before it’s over I want to see that cocky bastard swallowing his own words.” Since he’d learned of Grimes’s pathetic attempt to cause problems, and the outcome, Urban was determined to teach the other cowboy a Jericho lesson. Today’s pot worth a hundred grand would be in his pocket when he walked out of the arena for the last time.
“You’re a hard-headed Jericho, bro. You got this.”
He gave Weston a side-glance. “Hopefully I’m harder-headed than the bull, but I have a fire under my ass.”
“Is her name Presley? Or is it that lens stuck in your face? Possibly even that bastard Grimes? If you don’t kick his ass in the arena, I certainly might.”
“All the above. I’ll be riding that sum’ bitch, Intolerance, but at least I know he’ll give me a challenge.” He pulled on one glove and used his teeth to drag on the second. He patted his hands together to make sure they were tight.
“Okay, bro. I’m going to go grab myself a seat with Sammie. She said to tell you she’s rooting for you. Give that bull hell at least for eight seconds.”
Urban wasn’t as focused as he should be facing a big ride, but he was hoping willpower would pull him through. He had a lot riding on this. Not only money, but a farewell to his life of the past. He had every intention of stepping into a brighter life with Presley. He had to believe that eventually she’d see that he had fallen in love with her.