Chapter 75

It took a few days, but Stevie had kept her promise to Xander about helping Joey Lawlor with a rodeo coach. She had called around and had gotten in touch with an old friend from her rodeo days. He had been a professional rodeo rider while she was on the circuit and he lived right outside Renmark. She had spoken to Tony and he was willing to take on Joey once she had vouched for his talent.

She took out her phone and her wallet. In her wallet was the card she had gotten a few days earlier at Xander's rodeo. Stevie pulled out the business card she had received from James Lawlor a few days earlier. She looked at it. "James G. Lawlor, Solicitor."

"Hi James. It's Stevie. Yeah, Xander's mom, from the rodeo," said Stevie into the phone.

"Hello! I wasn't sure if you would call," replied James.

"I didn't forget to help you with the coach for Joey. Xander wanted me to help. He reckoned someone as good as Joey should have a good coach helping him. I put some calls in and I found a really good option for you. I spoke with him yesterday and he said he would be willing to help Joey, although the two of you will need to discuss financials on your own. His name is Tony Gillis. He used to compete in professional rodeo with me back in the day. He is now retired and living near Renmark. He knows his stuff and he could certainly help Joey," said Stevie, glad that she had kept the promise she made to Xander and helped another member of the rodeo community out.

"I'm glad you called," said James into the phone. "Thank you for helping me with the coach situation. It's really kind of you to help a competitor. Joey really appreciates it. So do I. Thank you Stevie."

"Speaking of competitors, I was wondering if Joey had decided if he was going to ride in the Fisher rodeo," asked Stevie.

"Actually, I don't think we'll make it. I have to travel for work tomorrow, and have to drive really far, so I just can't drive like that twice in just a few days. I'm sure Xander will do well though," said James. "Why do you ask?"

"I was just wondering if Xander needed to worry about him this weekend. With Tony helping Joey, he'll be even tougher for Xander to beat," said Stevie.

"Stevie, I have a confession to make. I didn't give you my card just because I needed a coach for Joey, although I will definitely be calling Tony. I went to talk to you after the rodeo because I think you're beautiful, and I'd love to take you on a date, but I was a little intimidated by you. You're this gorgeous rodeo legend, and I am a total greenhorn. I saw you in the stands cheering during the events, and I wanted to meet you, but then I saw you being honored as an icon in the sport and I, honestly, I chickened out on the date part. I'm going to be in Fisher for work tomorrow. I have a client there and I need to represent him and go over some contracts on a business deal he is making before he signs it. Could I buy you a cup of coffee in Fisher after that?' asked James.

Stevie was surprised. She had been happy to help James out with the coaching contact for Joey, but she hadn't anticipated a date with him. James was nothing like the men she usually dated, but his sincerity intrigued her.

"I've got a sheep buyer coming tomorrow around noon. What time were you thinking?" she asked.

"It's going to take me about six hours to drive there, so I wouldn't be there till the afternoon anyway. I'll be staying the night in Fisher before heading back the next morning. Could you do dinner, instead of coffee, after you take care of your sheep?" asked James.

"I'm not sure, James. Fisher is still a long round trip for me. I'm looking at nearly four hours each way. That's a long drive home after dinner." Stevie realized she actually really did want to try to make the date work, although she wasn't sure exactly why. "Hmm, maybe if I just crash in Gungellan for the night on my way back. Maybe I could make it work. I'd only have half the drive that night and I could rush back in the morning for the chores." Stevie realized she was thinking out loud on the phone. "Sorry, James. I was just playing through scenarios that could make this doable for me. I would like to have dinner with you. I'm just trying to figure out the logistics."

"You know what? I'm already driving six hours. What's another one and a half? How about I meet you in Gungellan for dinner tomorrow night? I'll stay in Fisher for the night, so I'd have a one and half hour ride back that night and you'd have about the same back to your home," offered James. "It's like we're meeting in the middle."

"It's not exactly the middle for you. Are you sure you're okay with that? It's an extra three hours of driving for you," said Stevie.

"The way I look at it, I can stay in Fisher, and have dinner alone in a random restaurant, or I can drive a little further after my contracts are signed and have dinner with a beautiful woman instead. Plus, it saves you from an extra three hours of driving. It seems like an easy trade off to me. One thing I've learned about living in the country is that everyone drives far all the time," said James.

"If you're willing to take the trip to Gungellan, I'd like to have dinner with you. Gungellan is pretty small, there are only a couple restaurants, but why don't we plan on meeting at the Gungellan Pub? Would 6:30 work for you?" asked Stevie.

"It should. If anything changes, I'll call you to let you know," replied James. "now that I've got your number."

"Okay, then it's a date. I'll see you tomorrow." Stevie realized she was smiling as she spoke.

"I'm looking forward to it. Thanks, Stevie. I'll see you tomorrow," said James as he hung up.