The Bull Rider. Helen DePrima

      “I’d like to. Would you mind?”

      He shrugged. “I guess not.” He checked his watch. “It’ll start getting busy back here so I’m kicking you out. But we’ll see you before we head back to Colorado.” He walked her to the exit and then turned back into the maw of the building.

      * * *

      JO FOLLOWED SOPHIE down the steep steps to the fifth row near the chutes and took the seat between her and Mara. Susie and Barbara waved to her while other women one row below turned to look with curiosity. Jo guessed Sophie had already spread the word she was gathering material for a book.

      “These are better seats than front row,” Sophie said. “You can see over the rail and you’re not as likely to get dirt kicked in your face.”

      “OKC is one of the best events of the season,” Susie said. “Oklahoma is real bull country—you’re seeing all the best buckers here.”

      “Including Gunslinger,” Mara said. “My husband is hoping to get on him today.”

      “Not my Len,” Sophie said with a laugh. “He’s too smart. He’ll pick a bull he’s got a better chance of riding—let someone else go for the glory.”

      “Luis can forget about Gunslinger, Mara,” Susie said. “If Tom gets first pick, he’ll grab him again. Right, Jo?”

      Jo shrugged. Even if everyone knew she was here to research a writing project, the wives seemed to assume a more personal relationship between her and Tom Cameron.