hotel room was empty. Jesse’s truck sat parked outside the room in the same spot where they’d left it after lunch at Daisy’s café. When James left for the parade, Jesse stayed on the bed, watching the sports channel. James should have known something was up by his brother’s casual response.
“I’ll meet you there bro. I want to relax for a few minutes.”
Relax, my butt. Jesse’d probably hooked up with some chick and blown off the rodeo. It wouldn’t be the first time, James thought bitterly. Jesse didn’t have a reputation for consistency in the industry. Lately it was affecting the venues that would accept his application to ride. Rodeo sponsors couldn’t highlight riders who didn’t show for their rides even if they were two time champions. James had been able to calm Jesse’s major sponsors, but it meant putting Jesse on a tight leash — one set to choke him if he started this crap up again.
The rodeo world was too small for Jesse to even blow off a local competition without causing ripples. His sponsors paid for the trips, the clothes, and a salary for both brothers. Not showing up would be a breach of contract, which could mean having to claw their way to Vegas for the championships without sponsorships or money.
James had to find his brother. He only hoped he could find Jesse sober within the hour.
James headed to the lobby. After an exchange of pleasantries with the young, blonde receptionist, he asked about Jesse only to be told he’d left an hour ago.
James grimaced. “Did he say where he was going? Was he with anyone?”
The girl shook her head. “He didn’t say where he was going, but he was with this older lady looked like she thought she was still a rodeo queen. Wore a pink hat with a tiara on the front.”
James ground his teeth. Damn it. “Angie.”
“Yeah, that was her name. She had it plastered on her butt in rhinestones. Do you want to leave a message for him?”
Yeah, just not one I can say in polite company.
“Only if he shows up in the next hour. Tell him he’s missing the rider’s meeting.” James slapped the counter. “Thanks.”
The girl nodded. “I hope you find your brother in time.”
“Me too,” James said as he walked out the door.
So, he took off with Angie.
James jumped into the truck and cranked the engine. He’d need to cover ground fast to check all the bars and restaurants and get back to the rodeo grounds with his wayward brother in time.
Fifty-five minutes later, after walking through the entire town, including the quilt show at the high school and the grocery store, James gave up. He drove to the rodeo grounds and stood at the bull pen, no Jesse in sight. Wherever his brother had gone, he’d hidden his tracks well. And from what the hotel receptionist said, Angie should be easy to spot in that outfit. He took off his hat, running his fingers through his hair.
“Damn it, Jesse.” James threw his hat on the ground. He was done. If Jesse wanted to play these games, he could manage his own career. James had other people to worry about.
A pair of booted feet appeared in James’s range of sight and Jesse picked up James’s hat and brushed it off. “You shouldn’t throw around your hat like that. You’ll break the brim.”
James grabbed the hat. “Where have you been? They’ve disqualified you from riding. All your fees are forfeit and you might as well forget about the country store endorsement. Those sponsors didn’t drive all the way up here from Salt Lake to see the other riders. They came to see you.”
“Calm down. I’ve already made nice with the committee. I’m scheduled to ride tomorrow at two. And yes, I’ll be there.” Jesse slapped his brother on the back. “You worry too much.”
“Jesse, sometimes, you … .”
Jesse held out his hand. “Hold up, they’re announcing your competition.”
“What are you talking about?”
“It’s mutton busting time. Aren’t you riding?” Jesse deadpanned.
“It
“I’ll meet you there bro. I want to relax for a few minutes.”
Relax, my butt. Jesse’d probably hooked up with some chick and blown off the rodeo. It wouldn’t be the first time, James thought bitterly. Jesse didn’t have a reputation for consistency in the industry. Lately it was affecting the venues that would accept his application to ride. Rodeo sponsors couldn’t highlight riders who didn’t show for their rides even if they were two time champions. James had been able to calm Jesse’s major sponsors, but it meant putting Jesse on a tight leash — one set to choke him if he started this crap up again.
The rodeo world was too small for Jesse to even blow off a local competition without causing ripples. His sponsors paid for the trips, the clothes, and a salary for both brothers. Not showing up would be a breach of contract, which could mean having to claw their way to Vegas for the championships without sponsorships or money.
James had to find his brother. He only hoped he could find Jesse sober within the hour.
James headed to the lobby. After an exchange of pleasantries with the young, blonde receptionist, he asked about Jesse only to be told he’d left an hour ago.
James grimaced. “Did he say where he was going? Was he with anyone?”
The girl shook her head. “He didn’t say where he was going, but he was with this older lady looked like she thought she was still a rodeo queen. Wore a pink hat with a tiara on the front.”
James ground his teeth. Damn it. “Angie.”
“Yeah, that was her name. She had it plastered on her butt in rhinestones. Do you want to leave a message for him?”
Yeah, just not one I can say in polite company.
“Only if he shows up in the next hour. Tell him he’s missing the rider’s meeting.” James slapped the counter. “Thanks.”
The girl nodded. “I hope you find your brother in time.”
“Me too,” James said as he walked out the door.
So, he took off with Angie.
James jumped into the truck and cranked the engine. He’d need to cover ground fast to check all the bars and restaurants and get back to the rodeo grounds with his wayward brother in time.
Fifty-five minutes later, after walking through the entire town, including the quilt show at the high school and the grocery store, James gave up. He drove to the rodeo grounds and stood at the bull pen, no Jesse in sight. Wherever his brother had gone, he’d hidden his tracks well. And from what the hotel receptionist said, Angie should be easy to spot in that outfit. He took off his hat, running his fingers through his hair.
“Damn it, Jesse.” James threw his hat on the ground. He was done. If Jesse wanted to play these games, he could manage his own career. James had other people to worry about.
A pair of booted feet appeared in James’s range of sight and Jesse picked up James’s hat and brushed it off. “You shouldn’t throw around your hat like that. You’ll break the brim.”
James grabbed the hat. “Where have you been? They’ve disqualified you from riding. All your fees are forfeit and you might as well forget about the country store endorsement. Those sponsors didn’t drive all the way up here from Salt Lake to see the other riders. They came to see you.”
“Calm down. I’ve already made nice with the committee. I’m scheduled to ride tomorrow at two. And yes, I’ll be there.” Jesse slapped his brother on the back. “You worry too much.”
“Jesse, sometimes, you … .”
Jesse held out his hand. “Hold up, they’re announcing your competition.”
“What are you talking about?”
“It’s mutton busting time. Aren’t you riding?” Jesse deadpanned.
“It
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