Amanda Renee - Blame It on the Rodeo

“Allow me to introduce myself.” A man held out his hand to Shane. “I’m Ryan Hammershimer, from Keeping it Reel Pictures, and we’d like to build a reality show around you and your rodeo school.”

Shane laughed. “You want to give me a television show?” Wait until his brothers heard about this.

* * *

“WHAT ARE YOU doing?” Mazie peered over Lexi’s shoulder. “Are you taking pictures of that kid?”

“What kid?” Startled, Lexi quickly saved the photo of Hunter to her phone. “I—I’m trying to get a shot of those statues. They’re truly a work of art. I can’t believe they were commissioned this quickly.”

“What are you hiding?” Mazie insisted. “That was no picture of a statue. What’s up?”

“I’m not hiding anything, and even if I were, why would I tell you?” Lexi snapped.

“Well, thanks a lot.” Mazie turned her back on Lexi and started to walk away.

“I’m sorry Mazie, I didn’t mean that.” Lexi caught up to her sister and grabbed her arm. “I have a foal on my mind. I truly am sorry.”

“You need a vacation, sis,” Mazie said. “You can’t worry about work all the time.”

“This coming from someone who eats, sleeps and breathes the Bed & Biscuit.”

“That’s different and you know it. I happen to live there. You don’t live in a stable.” She turned to leave. “I’m going to get you something to eat, you look like you need some sustenance.”

Angling away from her sister, Lexi tried to move closer to Hunter without him noticing. When he laughed, her breath caught in her throat. He has my laugh. A mother dreamed of the day she heard her child’s laughter for the first time. Today she heard hers.

Lexi watched Shane and Hunter pose for a series of photos for a man she’d never seen before. The stranger looked out of place in perfectly creased jeans and a snap-front shirt that was probably fresh out of the package. Side by side, Hunter looked almost identical to Shane at that age. How could someone not question this child’s paternity, especially after knowing Shane’s reputation when it came to women?

Lexi had lived wondering about her son for too long. She wanted proof the boy in front of her was hers, but swore it wouldn’t change anything. She needed the confirmation for her own peace of mind and sanity. Nobody else needed to know. She turned and stumbled over one of the folding chairs as she tried to escape the confines of the crowd.

“Lexi?” A strong male hand lightly touched her shoulder. “Are you all right?”

Clay Tanner. It had to be fate, Lexi thought. “If I retain your services it’s illegal for you to disclose my case to anyone, right?”

“Private investigators don’t have that privilege in this state, but you wouldn’t have to worry.” Clay ushered Lexi outside the tent and away from prying ears. “You don’t have to hire me, Lex. Just tell me what you need and I assure you it will remain confidential.”

“Promise me, Clay,” Lexi pleaded. Her heart beat wildly in her chest. Her throat began to close, tears threatening to spill with one more blink of her eyes. “I need your help.”

“You have it. Sit down before you pass out and then you’ll really have some explaining to do.”

Lexi looked toward the facility and the people gathered around the Langtry family, Hunter still by Shane’s side.

“Tell me what you need.” Clay said.

Lexi breathlessly gripped her friend’s arm. “I need you to find out if Hunter’s my son.”

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