Mistletoe Rodeo (Welcome to Ramblewood) by Amanda Renee

few live-coverage news stories. Her composure was constantly resolute, even when they arrived on the scene of an accident along the interstate before the paramedics. Nola’s willingness to jump in and help the victims, not caring if she ruined her clothes in the process, had surprised him, although it shouldn’t have knowing her military background.
    George had remarked on her preparedness for any situation, explaining how Nola kept the back of the news van stocked with trauma-related items in case she needed them. Even though it wasn’t part of her job description to do anything other than report the news, George said that on many occasions he’d taken over as reporter and videographer while Nola lent a helping hand.
    Now Chase was supervising his students as they completed their required morning workout in the onsite fitness center. Training at Ride ’em High! included a comprehensive regimen that helped build the muscles a competitor needed to succeed in the arena.
    His shoulder felt better this morning, making him want to climb onto the back of a one-ton bull and ride out his frustrations. But as much as he’d love to demonstrate dismount techniques today, Chase knew the risk was too great and had handed control of the class off to one of his instructors.
    “Happy birthday, bro.” Cole slapped Chase on the back.
    “Don’t remind me,” Chase grumbled. Turning thirty wasn’t all it was cracked up to be, especially when facing retirement with a body that had seen more injuries than most people experienced in a lifetime. Thirty may not sound old, but it certainly felt it lately.
    “Don’t go getting all girly on me and pulling this I’m-over-the-hill crap, because I have five and a half years on you and I can still kick your butt. It’s just a number.”
    “You’re married with a seven-year-old daughter. You and Tess are actively trying to have another kid. Jesse and Shane have their families, too. Not for nothing, I’m a little jealous of what you have.”
    After Chase dismissed his students so they could clean up and grab breakfast, he and his brother started walking to the main house.
    “You make it sound as if you’re a troll living under a bridge,” Cole said. “You have plenty of time. None of us were married at your age.”
    “Maybe you weren’t, old man.” Chase elbowed his brother. “But Jesse and Shane were close enough.”
    “You’re just starting a relationship with Nola, whether you want to admit it to all of us or not. Give it some time to grow and see where it goes.”
    “I don’t really see things with Nola going anywhere. You’ve heard her talk. She’s made it clear that KWTT is just a stop along the way. She’s not going to quit until she’s sitting behind the anchor desk of one of the large news networks. Say this did work out—I can’t ask Nola to give up her dreams to live in a little Podunk town. I wouldn’t have given up my dreams for anyone, so why should I expect her to?”
    “Because dreams change,” Cole said. “You’re a prime example of it.”
    “No, I’m not.” Chase’s frustration grew. “That’s what you and Mom don’t understand. It was never my dream, it was Shane’s, and now I want more involvement on the Bridle Dance side of things. Would this have been the year I retired if it weren’t for my injury? Probably, but I’ll never know for sure.”
    “Okay.” Cole held up his hands in defeat. “But I think you should tell Shane when he gets in before Mom lets it slip. Enough about that for now. It’s your birthday. Jesse, Shane and I want to take you out tonight to cut loose a bit and have some fun.”
    Chase swallowed hard. “I didn’t think Shane was flying home until tomorrow.”
    “He was able to catch an earlier flight.” Cole stopped at the fence behind the house. “I have to head back to the office. What do you say about tonight?”
    “Sure, sounds great.” Chase unlatched the gate and a big black canine nose greeted him in