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do.
    And so when she finally pulled into the rodeo grounds in Llano, her thoughts were fixed on her research, on the study she needed to complete and the hope that her new roommate would like the trailer she had purchased. If Shari approved, they would need to stock up on supplies so that when the Llano rodeo was over, they would be ready to hit the road.
    “Hey, there!” Shari waved and called out as Patience drove the Chevy toward the place where the guard at the gate had instructed her to park. She had no idea how she was going to turn around and grudgingly surveyed the area in search of Dallas. She didn’t see him, but she spotted his fancy black Dodge dually and RV horse trailer sitting not far away.
    “I see you made it without a problem,” Shari said through the window of the truck.
    Patience smiled and cracked open the door. “Actually, the engine overheated or I would have been here sooner. Dallas Kingman stopped and helped me out.”
    “That sounds like Dallas. I told you he was nice.”
    Patience managed a smile. “Yes, that’s what you said.”
    Shari cast her a glance, but didn’t say more. “Pickup looks good. Can I take a look inside the trailer?”
    “Sure, come on.” They ducked inside the rig and closed the door. Fortunately, there were enough windows that it didn’t feel all that crowded. Still, it was hot inside. Patience reached up and turned on the fan above the bunks to stir up a little cool air.
    “This is great.” Shari tested one of the beds. “The kitchen has a stove and fridge, which is bound to come in handy, and you’ve got room in the dining area to set up your laptop.”
    “Yeah, that’s what I figured. I was hoping you would think it was okay.”
    “Are you kidding? I’ve stayed in a lot worse places than this. We won’t be inside much during the day and it’s a lot cooler at night. We can always rent motel rooms if we get to feeling claustrophobic. In the meantime, this will save us a lot of money.”
    Patience turned off the fan and they climbed down from the trailer. “I was wondering…by any chance, have you ever pulled one of these?”
    Shari nodded. “Horse trailers. This won’t be much different.”
    “I’m glad to hear it because I’m going to need a lesson in backing up.”
    “No problem. In the morning, I can—”
    “I thought I was supposed to give you a lesson.” The edge was gone from the drawl. The familiar deep voice made her stomach flutter. She turned to find Dallas Kingman leaning against the side of the trailer, his black felt hat shoved back, a stem of straw stuck between teeth so white he could have posed for a Colgate ad.
    “I guess I won’t be needing your help after all,” Patience told him, thankful it was true. “Shari can teach me whatever I need to know.”
    He tossed the straw away and his gaze moved slowly down her body. “Oh, I don’t know…I might be able to teach you a few things Shari couldn’t.”
    She didn’t say a word. Every spot those blue eyes touched was starting to tingle. She didn’t understand it. For heaven’s sake—they didn’t even like each other!
    She couldn’t help thinking of Tyler Stanfield. At first, she’d been attracted to him, too. Then she’d found out what a jerk he really was. Her track record with men was so bad it was embarrassing. Another figure appeared at the edge of her vision.
    “Well, if it isn’t Shari’s new friend Prudence.” At Jade Egan’s slur, Patience clamped down on her temper.
    “It’s Patience, not Prudence. And your name was…something to do with a rock, as I recall.”
    Jade stiffened, and Dallas tugged his hat down to hide a grin. “I guess you two have met,” he said.
    “Oh, we’ve met.” Jade’s smug gaze traveled over Patience’s clothes. “Dressed like that, I figured she was from Hollywood, but Shari says it’s Boston.” Jade flashed a phony smile. “I still haven’t figured out what an easterner who’s never been on a horse is doing on