Wednesday Billy wasn’t available because the body shop called and the part had come in and Tommy would be able to pick up his truck later that day, so Billy and Tommy planned to return to Idaho Falls after they worked out their horses and did some training. The brothers dropped by the motel on their way out of town, spending fifteen minutes playing with Beck before they climbed back in Billy’s truck.
Erika wouldn’t say she fumed as they drove away from the motel, but she was definitely anxious, and frustrated. She’d really wanted to get some solid work done this week, and so far, nothing. Beck wasn’t helping matters by deciding he wouldn’t nap for longer than thirty-minute stretches meant she couldn’t get anything done. She knew Billy had an appearance or something tomorrow, but surely there’d be some time in there where he could take care of Beck so she could focus for three or four hours.
But Thursday was just like the rest of the week, and Billy had sponsors who wanted to take him to breakfast and then he’d been invited to a local Rotary lunch where he’d been asked to say a few words to the group, thanking them for their support to the local charity all these years, a charity that Billy cared about, too. Thursday afternoon he needed to exercise his horses. Thursday evening he had an event to attend.
Friday he managed to squeeze in breakfast with Beck before he had to show up for Boise’s annual rodeo parade. He had an autograph session and another VIP something and then the rodeo itself that night, followed by a party after. She didn’t go to the Friday night rodeo. It was too late for Beck and she was too annoyed by Billy’s sense of self-importance. If every week was like this week, when would he have time for his son?
When would she get anything she needed done?
But Saturday morning arrived, and the sky was a gorgeous clear blue, and the sun shone brightly and Erika woke up feeling hopeful, optimistic despite the challenging week. Since the rodeo was a day event today, she also thought maybe she and Beck should go. She’d finally see her first rodeo, and perhaps she’d have a better idea of just what it was that Billy did.
She sent Billy a text that she and Beck would be heading to the rodeo grounds, and he replied that he’d left a ticket for her at WILL CALL.
Erika left the car seat in the car, strapping Beck into the baby carrier instead. She adjusted him in the carrier, making sure he was comfortably seated and strapped in, before locking the car and heading toward the entrance. Like Tucson, people were dressed up in western wear, denim and leather-fringed coats, jeans and boots, and of course lots of cowboy hats from expensive-looking felt Stetsons to the straw kind that looked as if they’d be found on a beach in Cancun.
Her ticket was waiting for her as promised, and she and Beck entered the grounds, and then bought a program because it seemed like the right thing to do. It would be Beck’s first souvenir of his dad’s career and Erika looked forward to leafing through it, too.
Her phone vibrated in her pocket and she pulled it out and checked the text message. Billy wanted her to come and say hello when she arrived. He told her to walk to the back where the livestock was and he’d be on the lookout for her.
She texted that she was on her way now, and she made her way through the throng to the pens with the horses and bulls. She eyed a big red bull warily. He gave her an equally unfriendly look.
She spotted Billy before he saw her. He was talking to a pretty cowgirl in skintight jeans, flashy white fringed chaps, and a snug turquoise western blouse. Her hat was the same color as her chaps and her long blonde hair hung in feminine ringlets down her back. The cowgirl was laughing a lot as she batted her thick false eyelashes at Billy. Apparently he was hilarious. Erika rolled her eyes, thinking he wasn’t that funny. But girls and women loved him. They couldn’t seem to get enough.
Billy saw Erika then and gave her a faint nod.
She tried to smash her irritation. She shouldn’t let his popularity bother her. She wasn’t interested in him. And she shouldn’t judge him. It wasn’t a good thing to do… with anyone.
She didn’t know what Billy said to the cowgirl, but the girl gave him a light pat on the chest and moved away, but not without shooting Erika a curious look. Her expression changed when she saw the baby. Erika didn’t know if she should feel vindicated or not.
“Glad you made it,” he said, reaching out to adjust the knit cap on Beck’s head. “Have any trouble getting in?”
“No.” Erika glanced at the back of the flashy cowgirl. “Is that woman a barrel racer?”
He followed her gaze, shook his head. “No. She’s part of Boise’s equestrian drill team.”
She arched a brow.
“Like flag girls without a flag. They perform choreographed routines on horses.”
“I’ve entered a world I knew nothing about.”
“And for your information, Lily was asking about Sam. She had a soft spot for him. I broke the news that he’s married now. No longer on the market.”
Erika shrugged carelessly. “I wasn’t worried.”
“You looked jealous.”
“I looked jealous?” She made a soft scoffing sound. “Not at all. Who you see, and what you do, is none of my business.” She glanced down at Beck who was squirming against her, his small feet reminding her that she needed to use a restroom soon. “I should find a restroom before I sit down. Do you know where any are?”
“There are portable toilets everywhere, and then some regular bathrooms under the stands. They’ll probably have long lines, so just be prepared.”
She dreaded taking Beck into a dirty bathroom, let alone a porta-potty. “Would you mind holding him for me while I go? Hopefully it won’t take too long, especially if I use one of the porta-potties.”
“My first event is coming up soon. I need to get ready.”
“You really don’t have ten minutes?”
“I wish I did. But I need to warm up and stretch, get focused—”
“You’re serious?”
“You could use the bathroom in my rig if you want. It’s a bit of a walk, but you’d have privacy and a clean place to put Beck.”
All week long she’d waited for him to step up and help out. All week she waited for him to think of her, and what she needed to do. All week, she’d tried to be patient, telling herself he’d eventually be there for her, but no, not once. It was only ever about him.
“So that’s a no,” she said quietly, flatly.
“Erika, my entire event lasts eight seconds. It’s a hard eight seconds. I’ve got to prepare—”
“You’re always going to have an excuse.”
“What does that mean?”
She’d heard how his voice dropped, a hard edge to his words, but she was too frustrated to care. “It means you will always come first—”
“Sorry, sweetheart, but this is my job. When I’m at work, work comes first.”
She was already angry, but when he called her sweetheart, in that condescending, insulting tone, talking to her as if she was stupid, a goodtime girl who needed to be put in her place, she just saw red. “You’re the big man. Gosh, it must feel good to be you.”
“You’re sure you want to be a therapist? Do you hear how you talk to people?”