CHAPTER 42

“That horse nearly throd you clean into the funeral parlor, boy.”

Whoops of cowboy laughter cut through the dusty air.

Gemma Jansen hung on the edge of the trash-talking bronc riders, waiting for a break in the conversation. The rodeo announcer’s voice reverberated through the arena stands as he pumped up the crowd for the next event: steer wrestling.

“I didn’t break nothin’, but he shore loosened my jaw so’s I tasted some dirt.”

Another round of male laugher.

A baby-faced kid shoved a plug of tobacco in his cheek. “I’d rather have a bucker like him than the last one I had. Shoot. That bronc couldn’ta tossed off a baby blanket.”

Gemma jammed her hands in her jeans pockets and sauntered closer to prop a hip against the muddy tailgate. “Afternoon, boys.”

Immediately slouched postures straightened. A couple of the younger fellas even removed their hats. Aw. Their mommas would’ve been proud at their show of respect.

Still, it made Gemma feel…old.

Feel? Hell, she was old enough to be any o