I stretched, warming up in the tent they set up for competitors. 'The Talent Tent' it was informally called. Clint was with Apollo, checking my gear for the hundredth time. The man was obesessed with my safety. And my happiness.

I knew he was doing it because he cared.

He'd shown me over and over again with his lips and hands and manhood. I blushed a little, glad no one could hear my thoughts. He had such amazing equipment… and it seemed to be hard all the time!

He said that it was because of me.

Last night he'd fed me dinner while I sat in his lap. He'd brought me breakfast in bed. And I'd spent the night curled up in his arms.

Well, after we'd made love on the bed, the chair, the couch and in the shower.

I was still smiling as I walked over to meet him. I wasn't competing for another hour. It seemed silly but I wanted to be near him, as much as I could.

He lit up when he saw me, grinning as I walked towards him. The frank male appreciation in his eyes nearly knocked me over. He did care for me- and more than a little. I didn't have a doubt in my mind.

Well, except for the L world. I couldn't seem to stop worrying about that. He hadn't said it, but I was on the brink of blurting it out.

I'd nearly said it last night. But my mama had told me never to say it first. Not that it had ever been an issue before now.

But I was more than sure I was falling in love with Clint McRae.

My stomach did a little flip. What if I was just a passing thing for him? What if I was reading all this wrong? He might think he was too old for me.

He'd even said so, in PJ's bar back home.

I was frowning by the time I made it to the waiting pen where Apollo was tethered. I don't know if Clint noticed, because something even more worrisome showed up right at that moment.

My cousins.

Two of them were descending on us. Jackson, the eldest and Daniel, the middle brother. Jake was off somewhere, God knew where.

Well, actually I knew where, because he called me once a week. But I knew that nobody else in the family had the slightest idea. And I was good at keeping secrets if need be.

"Phee!"

Daniel swept me up in his arms and lifted me, tossing me in the air. I squealed, my braid flying around like a rope. My hat had a little elastic band that fit under my chin, so thankfully that stayed put.

"Daniel!!!"

"Put her down, Daniel."

I was laughing nervously as he set me on my feet in front Jackson. The biggest Delancey was frowning down at me, looking me over.

"You look… different."

I smiled at him. The oldest Delancey was stern, but secretly a big ole Teddy bear. He had a nose for figuring out secrets though, so I poked his chest to distract him.

"You haven't seen me since last Christmas! Of course, I look different!"

He shook his head slowly.

"No, that's not it." He sighed as if I'd done something naughty. Well, I had, but it was better if he didn't know what Clint and I had been up to! "Who gave you permission to grow up?"

Jackson smiled and opened his arms. I was enfolded in a gigantic man hug. I squeezed him back, though he was so big it wasn't easy!

I realized Clint was standing there. I better get this over with… I did my best to act natural as I smiled at him apologetically.

"Clint, these are my cousins."

Clint nodded, looking at them warily. Daniel slapped him on the back and I winced. I was suddenly glad we'd decided against PDA. If they had seen us kissing or holding hands… that friendly slap would have been a punch.

I shuddered.

Our little fling had to stay secret. Until it was more official, if that ever happened. I prayed it would. I was pretty sure Clint wanted me to be his girlfriend, but he hadn't asked yet.

"Jackson Delancey. This is Daniel."

"Clint McRae. I've seen you two around."

I stared in horror as they gripped each other's hand- and did not let go. It looked like they were trying to squeeze each others hands off! I put my hands on top and tugged to no avail. Finally, I slapped my hands down on them.

"Alright, that's enough, boys."

They both grinned and squeezed harder.

"Come on Jacks- he needs those hands to set up my horse!"

Jackson narrowed his eyes and nodded. Clint nodded. And they finally let go.

I exhaled loudly, relieved. I couldn't imagine how bad it would be if Jackson had actually known which way the wind blew.

All hell would have broken loose.

I tried to picture what would happen if Clint introduced himself as my boyfriend. Daniel would be the peacekeeper, giving Clint a chance. He wouldn't like it, but he would listen.

Well, maybe he'd throw a punch or two first.

But Jackson? He would go to war. I grimaced, realizing we were lucky that Jake wasn't here. He was even worse.

Or at least, he was crazier.

Jake was the kind of guy who got into a fight he couldn't win. I'd seen the aftermath of him taking on a whole bar full of bikers. For fun.

He'd sit there grinning while I held a bag of peas to his face.

I smiled as my cousins wished me luck and wandered off to get something to eat. It meant a lot to me that they were here. Sure, they were famous horse breeders, so it made sense for them to go to shows, but this one was a long drive across multiple states.

They were here for me.

"You warm enough?"

I nodded, bouncing in place. It was almost time. Clint rubbed my shoulders as I closed my eyes and mentally ran my routine like he'd taught me to do, trick by trick.

Seeing it in my mind's eye clearly made me calm and reminded my body of what to do.

"It's time to show them what you got, darlin'."

I smiled at him and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek. I resisted kissing his delicious lips, just in case they were watching. I mounted Apollo and looked down at Clint. My man.

I hoped he was anyway.

He winked at me, his blue eyes shining with pride.

"Go get em' wildcat."