For a long while, she hadn’t been able to resign herself to the fact that he’d walked out of her life, that he hadn’t wanted her. She’d clung to the hope that maybe, once he was gone, he’d realize how much he missed her and would return to tell her he couldn’t live without her.

But as the weeks had passed into months and the months into years, the hard truth had taken up residence and crowded out any hope that was left—Jericho had never cared about her and wasn’t coming back.

“We got Roman-style riding next,” Mack Custer said to Jericho. “Saved the hardest for last. Wanna join in for old time’s sake?”

Jericho was silent, and she was tempted to turn around and gawk at him.

“Winner gets a whole dollar.”

If Jericho raced, what if he ended up beside her? She hadn’t changed all that much during his absence. With her luck, he’d recognize her and blab her identity.

As his silence stretched on, her muscles tensed.

“Thanks for the offer.” Jericho’s voice was low and cautious. “Maybe next time.”

She didn’t wait around for him to say anything else. And she sure as heaven wasn’t waiting for someone to question why she and Jericho shared the same last name. When she’d picked the alias, it’d been the only surname she’d been able to think of quick-like. Clearly she should’ve tried harder to find a different one.

Now it was time to hightail it on home. As much as she wanted an extra dollar to add to her winnings, she couldn’t risk the exposure.

She made her way across the corral toward the barn entrance, hoping to disappear inside before any of the fellas noticed she was gone. Unfortunately, one of the Elkhorn Ranch cowhands saw her coming and slapped her on the back so hard she almost winced. “You nailed it out there, Buster!”

“Yep.” She lowered her pitch, trying to make herself sound like a man.

“Got my bets placed on you for the next event too.” The cowhand strode alongside her.

Another of the fellas fell into step. “You aimin’ to ride with saddles or without?”

One thing was for blamed sure. She wasn’t about to get away from the competition unnoticed. Every fella around was itching to watch her race. And why shouldn’t she stay? Jericho had no right to come strolling back into South Park and prevent her from earning more money for her new ranch.

Stiffening her shoulders, she veered toward the horses already waiting for the contestants. Six horses meant only three riders. She’d have no trouble winning the contest this time. Maybe she oughta make things fair-like and ride bareback.

“Let’s take them off.” She eyed the horses, the most docile Elkhorn Ranch had. “Might as well give everyone the show they paid to see.”