Ellie had barely stepped foot onto her porch the next morning when she spotted a familiar figure riding up her driveway.
Wyatt Callahan.
Of course.
She sighed, tilting her coffee mug to her lips, savoring the last bit of warmth before bracing herself for whatever nonsense he was bringing her way today.
Wyatt slowed his horse to a stop just a few feet from the porch, tipping his hat in that cocky way that set her teeth on edge. "Morning, Bennett."
Ellie leaned against the porch railing. "You show up on my property more than the mailman. Should I be concerned?"
He smirked, swinging out of the saddle with easy grace. "Just figured I'd stop by, see if you've given any more thought to the rodeo competition."
Ellie rolled her eyes. "I told you, I'm not planning to win."
"That's quitter talk," Wyatt said, climbing the porch steps like he had every right to be there. "And from what I've seen, you're too stubborn to be a quitter."
Ellie crossed her arms. "I'm not quitting. I'm just being realistic. I've been running this ranch for five minutes, Wyatt. I'm not about to make a fool of myself in front of the whole town."
Wyatt's smirk deepened. "You're worried about looking bad?"
"No," she said, too quickly.
His gaze flicked over her face, seeing right through her. "So what you're saying is, you're scared?"
Ellie scoffed. "I am not scared."
"Prove it."
She blinked. "What?"
Wyatt leaned in just slightly, just enough to set her pulse skittering. "Compete in the rodeo. You and me. A bet."
Ellie narrowed her eyes. "You want to bet on the rodeo?"
"That's right," he said easily. "You enter, I enter. Whoever places higher wins."
She studied him, wary. "And what happens when I win?"
Wyatt chuckled, a low, rich sound that made her stomach do something stupid. "If you win, I'll personally help you fix up whatever part of your ranch you want—no questions asked."
Ellie's lips parted slightly. That… wasn't a terrible deal.
But she knew better than to agree without hearing the other half. "And if you win?"
His smirk was pure trouble. "If I win, you have to come to dinner with me."
Ellie almost choked on air. "Dinner?"
"That's right," he said, tipping his hat back just enough for her to see the challenge dancing in his eyes. "Just one. You can even pick the place."
She should say no. She should laugh in his face, tell him he was out of his mind.
Instead, she said, "Fine."
Wyatt stilled, like he hadn't actually expected her to agree so quickly. "Fine?"
Ellie nodded. "Fine. You're on."
He grinned. "Glad to hear it."
Before she could rethink her life choices, Wyatt turned and walked back to his horse, mounting in one fluid motion.
"I'll be see you in the arena, Bennett," he called as he rode off.
Ellie stood there, staring after him, realizing she might have just made the dumbest decision of her life.
The problem with making a bet with Wyatt Callahan was that now she actually had to train.
Ellie spent the next few days working with her cattle, practicing groundwork, and—thanks to Claire's not-so-subtle pushing—even attempting to ride one of her uncle's horses.
It went about as well as she expected.
"No, no, no—" Ellie clutched the reins as the horse beneath her decided she was more of a suggestion than an authority. "Can we not go that way?"
Jim Hawkins, who had taken it upon himself to oversee her training, chuckled from where he leaned against the fence. "He's testing you."
Ellie shot him a look. "Oh, I know. We're just in a battle of wills right now."
Jim nodded sagely. "Well, he's a thousand pounds of muscle, and you're about a buck thirty. My money's on him."
Ellie groaned. "Great. Thanks for the vote of confidence."
But she wasn't about to let a horse—or Wyatt—win.
She worked harder than ever, spending every free moment in the arena, pushing herself to get better. She didn't need to win the whole rodeo. She just needed to place higher than Wyatt.
That was doable. Right?
On the morning of the rodeo, Ellie stood in front of her mirror, braiding her hair back with shaky hands.
Claire sat on the edge of the bed, watching her. "Nervous?"
Ellie exhaled sharply. "Nope. Just regretting every decision that led me to this moment."
Claire smirked. "You know, for someone who claims to hate Wyatt, you sure spend a lot of time thinking about him."
Ellie shot her a look. "I do not."
Claire arched a brow.
Ellie groaned. "Okay, fine. Maybe a little."
Claire laughed. "Just try to have fun. And if you lose…" She waggled her eyebrows. "You get a free dinner with a very attractive cowboy."
Ellie glared at her reflection. "That is not motivation."
Claire just grinned. "Keep telling yourself that."
The Wildwood Rodeo was a big deal.
The fairgrounds were packed with spectators, vendors, and competitors, the air buzzing with energy.
Ellie made her way to the competitors' area, trying to ignore the nerves twisting in her stomach.
And then, of course, Wyatt had to make his entrance.
He strode toward her, looking completely at ease, wearing a dark button-up shirt and jeans that fit way too well.
"You ready, Bennett?" he asked, that familiar smirk in place.
Ellie lifted her chin. "I was born ready."
"Good," he said, stepping a little closer. "Because I intend to win."
Ellie crossed her arms. "You're awfully confident."
Wyatt's gaze flicked over her, lingering just long enough to make her heart stutter. "You have no idea."
Before she could come up with a response, the announcer called for the competitors to get ready.
Ellie took a steadying breath. This was it.
She was going to beat Wyatt Callahan.
Or die trying.