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fingers numb from the cold, he meandered back toward the house, realizing he could use something hot to
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Cat Johnson
drink, maybe even a bite of food since dinner wouldn t be for a little bit. The kitchen was his end goal, but
the Collins s car parked in the driveway had him frowning, wondering what was up.
Maybe Chris s mother was over visiting his mom. That made sense, though he knew from experience
this was usually the time both women would be in their respective kitchens, starting to get dinner together
for the night. Maybe Mrs. Collins had needed to borrow something. In any case, he d know the answer
soon enough. Not really all that concerned about it, Luke continued his stride toward the back door.
The sight that greeted him when he stepped into the kitchen had him pausing in the doorway. He
finally realized he was letting all the heat out and the cold in and closed the door behind him. Um, hey.
He scanned the room. The entire Collins family and his mother filled the kitchen. Chris stood while
Lilly and the three parents sat in the four chairs surrounding the table. The collective serious looks on their
faces as he glanced from one to another had his chest tightening. Luke s heart began to pound.
Um, Mom. What s everyone doing here? Did someone else die? Did one of the guys get hurt or
killed on the way to the event? Were they all here to break it to him?
We just want to talk to you.
Talk? About what? What s wrong? Luke s stomach twisted with fear.
Nothing s wrong, sweetie. His mother glanced around, as if looking for help.
This is an intervention, Chris supplied.
A what? Luke s brows shot up. Chris had definitely been watching too much television. Come on.
I don t drink that much. A few beers while watching TV
It s not the beers, man. I drink just as much. The problem isn t with your drinking. It s with you.
Luke stared at Chris, confused.
His mother rose from the chair and stepped up to him. She touched his forearm. Luke, sweetie. We
want you to go back to riding.
Luke s gaze swept the room. Everyone s undivided attention was upon him as he tried to absorb what
his mother had just said.
He looked back to her. But the ranch. Luke s gaze shifted to Mr. Collins. Amid the confusion, a bad
thought niggled into his brain. For the first time in his life, he was suspicious of a good friend s motives.
Did Mr. Collins want the Carpenter land so badly he had convinced both families that it was the best thing
for Luke to go back to riding? His eyes narrowed at the older man. I told you, I don t want to sell.
Mr. Collins nodded. I know and I understand that. I think we ve worked out a way you don t have to.
Chris, you want to explain it to Luke?
Chris nodded from his position against the counter. How many years you figure you got left riding in
the pros?
Luke shook his head. I don t know and it doesn t matter. I m retired.
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Hooked
Okay, get off that now. Let s pretend you re not retired. That last year never happened. If you were
riding pro still, how many years would you have left?
Luke shrugged. At the level I was at when I retired? With no major injuries, I could keep winning for
a few more years, but I d probably be struggling to stay in the top forty rankings in another five or six, at
most seven years.
Now tell me what you were going to do when you retired from touring with the big guys in another
six or seven years.
You know all this, Chris. You ve heard it all before. Luke s frustration radiated in every word he
spoke. This discussion was pointless. As pointless as this supposed intervention.
I know, but I think maybe you forgot. Chris s eyes remained focused on Luke.
He finally gave in and answered the question. I wanted to start raising bucking stock.
Mmm hmm. And what did I want to do? Chris raised a brow and waited.
Luke sighed. You wanted to breed and train roping horses.
And we were going to do it together under the L&C brand. Remember? For Luke and Chris&
Luke let out a short laugh. The boys they d been when they hatched this plan hadn t been all that
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