Read Online Blame It on the Rodeo by Amanda Renee - Free Book Online Page B

their kids being on television. I certainly don’t want Ever involved in this.”
    “First, I didn’t say I was going ahead with it so give me a little credit,” Shane argued. “And second, we mainly teach the rodeo kids in the summer and talk about an instant career boost for them. The students over eighteen can make their own decisions.”
    “I wasn’t finished, Shane,” Cole continued. “There’s a major liability factor you’re not seeing.”
    “I haven’t even had a meeting with this guy to get all the facts yet.” Shane’s voice strained. “I’m sure the show would cover the additional insurance and the students already have to provide their own medical insurance before they even enroll. I’d never put your daughter’s reputation or anyone in this family’s in jeopardy.”
    “I don’t know, Shane.” Cole took a seat at the kitchen island and folded his arms across his chest.
    “I don’t, either.” Shane sat down next to him. “Instead of judging me or the show, let’s at least hear what they have to say.”
    Cole agreed and Shane felt his grip on his family tighten slightly. Since their father died he felt like he was always bucking against the majority. They called it obstinacy; Shane considered it thinking outside the box.
    “Have you seen what they do to the families on these shows?” Kay jutted her chin and firmly placed her hands on her hips. “They’ll make all of us look like a bunch of hicks. I’m not authorizing my image or likeness.”
    Shane shot his brother a look, and both tried to stifle a laugh.
    “What are you two giggling about?”
    “Listen to you with your image-or-likeness talk,” Shane mocked. “Hollywood’s already grabbed ahold of you.”
    “You two have five seconds to get back outside before I pummel you both.”
    The grown men ran to the door. Shane called to his mother, “Be careful, Mom, you wouldn’t want that to be caught on film.”
    “Go on and get out of here.” Kay turned and walked back into the kitchen.
    “Mom?” Shane stood in the doorway. “I’m asking you to seriously consider the show. It doesn’t have to be a bad thing and I think we have a shot of educating people on the rodeo and hippotherapy. It doesn’t have to be all about me...not anymore.”

Chapter Five
    Lexi awoke to the sound of her alarm. Her head pounding, she reached out to turn it off and swiftly met with the back of the couch. For a minute, she’d forgotten where she was. Fumbling in the dark, she followed the light beaming from her phone as it played a bluesy piano riff repeatedly.
    Feeling her way into Clay’s kitchen, Lexi swore as she stubbed her toe on one of the many boxes stacked along the wall. “Who buys a house and never unpacks?”
    Patting the wall for the switch, Lexi finally managed to turn on the lights. Silently, she searched the cabinets for a bottle of aspirin. She opened the fridge to look for something to wash it down with and found an open twelve-pack of Michelob Ultra and some individually wrapped cheese slices.
    “Typical bachelor.” Lexi closed the door and saw Clay standing in the doorway. “Crap! Don’t scare me like that. What are you doing prowling about at this hour?”
    “I might ask you the same thing, but I heard your alarm go off. Oh, and thanks for the new four-letter words even I’m unfamiliar with when you crashed into whatever it was in the living room. After that greeting, I’m officially awake for the day. Coffee? Don’t answer—it’s obvious you need it. Just sit down and try not to kill yourself.”
    Lexi wasn’t in the mood to argue with the man and a cup of strong black coffee was exactly what the doctor ordered after the amount of bourbon they drank. She watched Clay maneuver around the small, yet efficient kitchen. She’d only been in the house a few times when he first moved back to town. From the looks of things, that was yesterday. She knew Clay went through a rough patch a few years ago, and like he