Chapter 71 Cluttered Expectations
Her body was responding as she thrust her hips up into him. His hands continued to caress her as they moved in the passionate rhythm of lovemaking they had perfected over the past month. She felt so complete when she was with him. Every movement and every touch was designed to provide her with the utmost in pleasure. She felt the moans rising out of her chest as she opened her eyes to look up at him, but she didn’t see RJ’s eyes; she saw Evan’s. The sudden start brought her out of the dream, and she was clutching the pillow as she looked up at the ceiling in her room back at Evelyn’s ranch.
What the hell was that about? She shook from waking so suddenly. She hadn’t thought about Evan in forever. RJ had completely taken over all her thoughts and her heart. Evan was no longer there. She had let go of him. She didn’t even think about him when she went out to ride anymore. Why had he suddenly come back into her thoughts, even her most intimate dreams?
Sometimes, RJ reminded her of Evan; the smooth, easy way about him and the way that they both could look right through her with their blue eyes.
There were actually several similarities between them. After she had calmed down and was able to think things through, she could list plenty, but there were a few that were different. Evan was lonely and isolated. He seemed to avoid being around too many people and enjoyed being alone. He was one with nature and seemed to be an integral part of it. RJ was wild, honest, and free, but was tied up in the limelight. His humility saved him from being one of those who basked too much in the fanfare and hype, but deep down, he enjoyed the attention. He was realistic in his understanding that his streak wouldn’t last forever.
“Are you ready to get a move on?” Evelyn called from the other side of the door.
“Yeah,” she replied. “I’m just getting up. Give me a minute.”
They had to leave well before dawn to start their trip. They had stayed at the ranch an extra night just so that they could take some time to unwind. Alexandra had gotten on Dash and had a good, long bareback ride. Riding bareback seemed to be even sweeter than riding with a saddle. She enjoyed the direct connection with Dash. She wished she could take him with her on the road. She was pretty sure Evelyn wouldn’t let her.
Alexandra was dressed and out in the barn in time to help Evelyn catch Sonny and Ali. The two of them were leggy geldings that could run like the wind, but were also athletic enough to turn the barrels. She had seen their American Quarter Horse Association papers, and according to Evelyn, they both had some great bloodlines for running. Their names were a lot fancier, but Evelyn had decided to name them after two boxers. She wanted something easier, but she wanted them to be tough competitors, too.
They were loaded and on their way long before the sun came up. They planned on having breakfast whenever they stopped for fuel. After all, who wanted to eat at zero dark thirty in the morning? Evelyn had, however, brewed a pot of coffee and had the two giant, thermal mugs full and sitting up front within easy reach when they started off from the ranch.
The week apart had been difficult. Alexandra had hated the idea from the beginning. She didn’t want to be away from him for an hour, let alone two weeks, which seemed like forever. He had called her the night before, letting her know that her luck had stayed with him, having won the largest purse of the season, and had sealed his place in the finals. She had been excited about it, wishing she could be with him to help celebrate. He promised to celebrate with her twice when she got to Cheyenne. That was the last thing she had thought about as she was drifting off.
She could hardly wait to be back in RJ’s arms. It had been a long two weeks, and she could think of nothing else but being with him. They had talked on the phone several times while they were apart, but it just wasn’t the same as seeing those penetrating blue eyes and that overwhelming smile.
Evelyn was pushing her truck to the limit the entire time. She wanted to be in Cheyenne with a little bit of time to spare so that she could get ready for the first go-round. Alexandra was afraid that she was going to have to stay with them, but Evelyn had a neighbor who would look after them, and they were turned out to pasture with the other horses on the place.
They were traveling faster and lighter this time. They had the smaller, two-horse trailer, and they rode together. Before, Evelyn had the six-horse trailer attached to the diesel, which she drove, and Alexandra pulled the airstream with the other pickup. With Evelyn’s winnings, they would be able to pay for motel rooms and move along with the circuit to hit all of the big shows. Alexandra was as excited as Evelyn as she moved up the rankings, and she knew that Evelyn was about to take over the top spot. They had done pretty well in the horse shows, and Evelyn told her that she had more than enough work to last through the off-season. Because of that and because she was so close, the two of them had decided to just work the rodeos for the rest of the season.
She was waiting around the motel that afternoon, expecting a call from RJ at any moment. He told her that he wasn’t sure when he would be getting in. He was traveling with another buddy, and his buddy was making all of the arrangements. He told her that he would call her as soon as he hit Cheyenne.
“Are you coming with me?” Evelyn asked.
“Are you leaving already?” she asked.
“Yeah,” Evelyn replied. “I’m getting kind of restless sitting around here. We can at least head to the rodeo grounds together. It will save you a cab fare. He’ll be along some time.”
“He’s on the list to ride tonight,” Alexandra responded.
“Yeah, I know, you’ve had me check it at least six times,” Evelyn chuckled. “Come on, sitting around here isn’t doing either one of us any good.”
“You’re probably right,” she replied. She went into the bathroom and checked her clothes, hair, and the light amount of makeup she used. She was satisfied that she was looking her best when she headed for the door.
“Let’s get a move on then,” Evelyn said.