Rodeo Reunion Read Online Free PDF

before.” Lacie’s husband, Quinn, kicked at the dirt. “I played hockey in school and only signed up to help out since Max is playing. I’m totally not qualified to coach. In fact, I’m still learning the rules.”
    â€œI might be willing.” The man with the potbelly scanned the parents. “But I don’t have any experience.”
    â€œI appreciate that, Sam.” The coach studied the parents as if hoping for a better solution. “I’m really sorry about this. If I’d known I would be deployed, I’d have never signed up to coach.”
    â€œIt can’t be helped.” Raquel tried not to let the disappointment show in her tone. “We appreciate your willingness and your service to our country.”
    â€œAsk around and see if you can come up with anyone. I’ll do the same. Sam, you think about it and we’ll see what happens.”
    The move had been harder on Hunter than she’d expected. Especially since her brother, Brant, was gone so much. Hunter had looked forward to the move because of his uncle. But Brant’s frequent touring was wearing thin. If his baseball team lost all season, Hunter would miss his old friends and teammates even more.
    She cleared her throat. “I might know someone.”
    All eyes turned to her as if she’d saved the day.
    And she had. If she could convince Slade.
    * * *
    Lunch at Moms on Main had gotten Slade out of the house. Made him stop watching the clock. Made him stop waiting for Raquel to come home. And the meal had been much better than anything he could have come up with in his rental-house kitchen.
    Saturday was usually the busiest day of his week, as he prepared for the rodeo and his sermon. Now the weekend stretched before him.
    â€œSlade Walker?” A man met him on the sidewalk pushing a baby stroller with a petite redhead on his arm.
    Slade’s eyes widened. His chest constricted. The fair-complexioned woman from the clipping in his pocket. His sister. And her husband.
    How does he know me? Had the lawyer let it slip?
    â€œHave we met?” Slade cleared his throat.
    â€œNo. I followed your career with the Rangers. I’m Brant McConnell.”
    â€œOh.” Slade’s relief poured out in a trickle of sweat down his back. Despite the early-March chill.
    â€œYou just passing through?”
    â€œActually—” his gaze strayed to Tori…his sister “—I’m here for a few months.”
    â€œI’m Tori.” She stuck her hand toward him.
    He clasped her delicate hand. “Nice to meet you, ma’am.” Who’d have ever thought he’d have a redheaded sister?
    â€œMy wife.” Brant stated his dibs out loud.
    And Slade realized he was still holding her hand.

Chapter 3
    S lade dropped Tori’s hand as if burned by fire.
    Great. It looked as if he was hitting on this guy’s wife. Hitting on his sister. Ugh. Come on, brain—kick into gear.
    â€œCongratulations.” His gaze settled on the baby dressed in pink. Probably six months old or so. His niece.
    But his brain did the math. He knew from the clipping in his wallet that Tori and Brant had gotten married on Thanksgiving Day. Which meant she’d been hugely pregnant or had already had the baby by the time their wedding came around.
    â€œThanks.” Tori’s smile trembled. He’d made her uncomfortable hanging on to her hand because she had no idea who he was. Great.
    â€œIt was nice to meet you.” He tipped his hat at Tori and kept walking. Before he did something stupid. Like punching her husband for taking advantage of her. Before telling her right then and there who he was.
    * * *
    She’d been gone most of the day and set Slade’s imagination on edge. Where had Raquel been? On a date? Had she dropped Hunter at a sitter’s and gone to dinner with someone?
    He needed something to do other than sit around and think about Raquel’s