This Kiss

She shrugged. “I think everyone in Beatrice County knows the name Styles. They own that big ranch and rodeo camp near Otter Lake. And didn’t your dad win something like five championship titles for calf roping, and a few more for something else?”

Ethan nodded. “All-around cowboy three years in a row.”

“Even your mom has four gold buckles for barrel racing, right?”

“You get all that from doing homework on me? Or did you already know this stuff?”

“Half and half.”

“So you probably read about my kid sister.” His tone stayed noncommittal and his expression blank.

Nevertheless, she’d bet there were a lot of emotions bubbling under the surface. She’d definitely seen pride in his eyes, but she wondered if there might be some jealousy in the mix.

“Last December Cara won her first championship title on her twenty-first birthday,” he said. “She’ll be competing for her second title next week. She’ll be headed to Vegas with me. Assuming I get to go.” He jerked on the cuffs so hard the post shook.

“Ah.” Sophie nodded.

“Ah?”

“Sibling rivalry. I get it.” She didn’t have any siblings, but she could imagine the pressure Ethan was feeling. And a kid sister besting him? Ouch. “Well, I know barrel racing is a woman’s event, so I’m guessing that’s what she won?”

He nodded.

“Your dad won first place for tying up poor little calves—”

Ethan stared as though she’d just grown fangs.

“And your mom and sister got prizes for riding a horse around a few barrels without knocking them over.”

Ethan started laughing.

“I’m not finished,” she said. “And you’re a bull rider. Correct me if I’m wrong, but don’t you compete in the hardest, most dangerous event in rodeo?”

“Look,” he said, his laughter ending with a sigh, “I don’t know what your point is. I just need to make it to the finals.” His mood had soured again. “So, what’s it gonna take, Sophie? Tell me.”