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up?”
    “I know we don’t know each other that well. But really, you’re my only friend here. I’m actually surprised you remembered me yesterday.”
    “How could I forget the woman who beat me in that race?” Dusty smiled.
    “You should have won.”
    “Nah. It turned out the way it needed to turn out. Sometimes it takes a while to see the ultimate plan, but it eventually surfaces.”
    Does it?
    The last five years had been a both a blessing and a hardship. Sydney wasn’t sure where she was going next. At least she wasn’t marrying Rod. That whole relationship had been a mistake, further evidenced by his visit this morning.
    “I’m glad you see it that way.”
    “I do.” Dusty patted Sydney’s arm.
    The warmth of friendship infused her. Could she really talk to this woman? After all, she was Sam’s sister. But she had no one else, and she needed Sam to know the truth. Or at least part of it. She’d start with Dusty.
    “I suppose it’s no secret that your brother and I met five years ago in Denver.”
    “Yes, I remember. We all sat together for a few minutes at the Bays’ party at the Windsor.”
    Sydney nodded. “Sam and I, we spent that night together.”
    Dusty remained silent.
    “I hope that doesn’t shock you.”
    “Shock me? Goodness no. I know my brother’s not a monk. I just don’t really know what to say. But truly, I don’t think less of either of you for it.”
    “Thank you. I appreciate that. The thing is, we hooked up again last night, but…”
    “But what?”
    “You may think less of me now.”
    “Why is that?”
    “Well, someone showed up this morning and interrupted us.”
    “Why would that matter?”
    “Because of who it was.” Sydney cleared her throat. “My fiancé.”
    Dusty’s eyebrows shot up.
    “But please believe me,” Sydney continued, “Rod and I were over. I was going to break up with him as soon as I got home. In fact, I should have done it sooner. At any rate, it’s done now. We broke up this morning.”
    “He ended it because he found you with Sam?”
    “No. Oddly, he was okay with that. If you knew his family, you’d understand. I was the one who ended it.”
    “Why?”
    “Because I don’t love him. I never did. Rod is the heir to a huge hotel business in Carson City. He offered financial security.”
    Dusty nodded. “I understand.”
    “You do?”
    “Yes, I do. Believe it or not, I was once in financial trouble myself. I know how it feels. I nearly sold my Regina to get money I needed.”
    “Regina?”
    “My barrel racing mare.”
    “Oh! She’s a beautiful horse.”
    “Thank you. Yes, she is.”
    Sydney sipped her coffee. “Rod came into my life by accident. I applied for a job at his office. I didn’t get it, but I caught his eye. He recognized me from a magazine article on the WPRA. He wanted a woman who had a recognizable name and a good face and body to be arm candy. He also liked the fact that being a barrel racer, I wasn’t all that financially secure. That was evident when I applied to work at his company.”
    “I see. So he asked you out?”
    “Yes. It was a whirlwind courtship. I think his daddy told him it was time to get married or something. Within a month, my face was plastered all over the society pages in Carson City. Hotel heir Rodney Kyle and his fiancé, barrel racer Sydney Buchanan. We were the talk of the town.”
    “Did you love him?”
    Sydney shook her head. “No. And I found out today he never loved me either. This was to be solely a business arrangement.”
    “Do you still need money?”
    “Yes, but I’m hoping to win a purse here.”
    “I think there’s a good chance of that.”
    “I sure hope so.” She sighed and took another sip of coffee. “I’m sorry I hurt your brother. I never meant to.”
    “Sam’s a big boy. He’ll be okay. Just talk to him.”
    “That’s the thing.” Her voice cracked and she steadied it. “I can’t talk to him. I can’t ever see him again.

Chapter Five
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