The crowd gasped as Kenny rode over the rhythm section and cheered wildly as he nailed the last jump, flew down the home stretch, and came to a stop before them.
Kenny took off his helmet, beaming at his parents as they, and a mass of other people, went to talk to him. They’d prepared Kenny for that, and from the whoops and applause coming from Dare’s and Billie’s parents, he knew they were just as proud of Kenny and Billie as he was.
Dare squeezed Billie’s hand. “You did good with him, babe.”
Billie was smiling from ear to ear. “He’s amazing, isn’t he? He’s a natural.”
“He sure is,” Dare’s father said. “And so are you, sweetheart.”
“Thank you, Tiny, but my time in the spotlight is over.” Billie glanced at Kenny, who was surrounded by people as he answered questions and talked to little kids. “Kenny’s time is just beginning, and he has so much to look forward to.”
“So do you, honey,” her mother said. “You’ve got a wedding to plan and a honeymoon in Spain to enjoy.” They’d decided to go to Spain for their honeymoon next July and watch the running of the bulls.
“And we couldn’t be happier about all of it.” Billie looked at Dare, their secret twinkling in her eyes. They hadn’t wanted to wait to get married, but their parents were so excited to throw them a wedding, and their sisters were over the moon about planning it with Billie. They hadn’t wanted to disappoint anyone, including themselves, so the week they’d gotten their casts off, they’d snuck over to a courthouse three towns away to apply for their marriage license and had secretly sealed the deal the following week with just the two of them, and Treat Braden, the son of one of their father’s oldest friends. Treat was a real estate mogul who lived in Weston, Colorado. He was ordained, and more importantly, a master secret keeper. He’d married Billie and Dare at midnight in the barn where they’d shared their first kiss. But they were still looking forward to having a real wedding, and Dare couldn’t wait to see his beautiful bride walk down the aisle.
“I’ve been thinking that maybe your time in the spotlight isn’t over,” Tiny said.
“Believe me, Tiny. I’m an old lady by pro-circuit standards. I can’t race anymore.”
“I’m not talking about racing, darlin’.” Tiny eyed Manny, who nodded, and Dare wondered what they were up to. “You’ve done so much for Kenny’s self-esteem, I thought you might want to consider taking on more students. Maybe kids from the ranch who show an interest.”
“Or kids from nearby towns,” Manny added. “Who knows where it might lead.”
Dare couldn’t believe his ears. “Are you shitting me?” He shook his head.
His father glowered at him. “No, son, we’re not. We think Billie has what it takes to run her own program.”
Billie looked at Dare with a furrowed brow. “You don’t think I do?”
“No, baby. I know you do. What kid wouldn’t want to train under Billie ‘Badass’ Mancini? But I thought I had an original idea, and I’d hoped to surprise you with it tonight.” He pulled the folded piece of paper out of his pocket and handed it to her.
“What’s this?” she asked as she unfolded it.
“The sketch of the clubhouse I want to build, and the entrance from the main road I want to put in on the other side of the track, so you’ll have a place to teach and take on students without having to bring them through our yard.”
“Are you…?” Billie’s eyes teared up, and their mothers’ did, too. “But I’ve only taught one person.”
“And you helped change his life,” Dare pointed out. “I know you love managing the bar, and I’m not suggesting that you give that up. But, baby, you light up when you’re around the track, and you’re a gifted teacher. We all know what you’re capable of. The only question is if it’s something you’d like to do. If you want this, we’ll build it. If you don’t, that’s okay, too.”
She looked at him, and at their parents, her eyes damp but brighter than the sun. “Of course I want it! Thank you!” She threw her arms around him. “I love this idea.” She looked at their fathers. “Thank you all for believing in me.”
“You make it easy, sweet pea.” Her father hugged her.
Dare’s father eyed him. “Don’t you think you should’ve clued me in on your plans, son?”
“I didn’t think I needed to until I knew if she wanted it or not.” He cracked a grin. “Besides, you’re a softy for my girl. There’s no way you’d have an issue with it, and since you tried to steal my thunder, I believe I was right.”
Everyone laughed.
“Great minds, Pop.” Dare winked. “Although there is one more thing I should mention. Billie and I have been tossing around the idea of expanding the ropes course. It’s a great way to work off frustrations for kids and adults.”
Manny nudged his father. “Why do I have a feeling this is just the beginning of an overarching Daredevil plan?”
“Because you know our kids.” Dare’s father said with joy in his eyes.
“Well, I think they’re both wonderful ideas,” Alice exclaimed.
“Me too,” his mother said. “But now we have a lot to coordinate. It’ll take time to build the clubhouse and put in the entrance, and you’ll probably want a fence to keep riffraff off your property, and you’ll need a business license.”
“And a name for your school,” Alice added. “There’s so much to do, and we want to be sure to have enough time to plan your wedding…”
As their mothers went on a planning spree, their fathers shook their heads and headed back up to the festivities. Billie stepped in front of Dare and wound her arms around his neck. “You never fail to amaze me, Whiskey.”
“I’m just looking for extra nookie points.”
She laughed, and he kissed her.
“Hurry up, Mickey. Mancini is right there!”
They both turned to see who the chirpy voice belonged to.
A little blond girl, who looked to be about six or seven years old, was stomping toward them in cowgirl boots and leggings, dragging a dark-haired boy behind her. The little girl looked up at Billie with wide brown eyes. “Are you Billie Mancini? We want to learn to ride motocross, and that boy on the bike told us to talk to you.”
“I am Billie,” she said sweetly. “Who are you?”
“I’m Eddie, and this is—”
“Your name isn’t Eddie,” the boy said. “It’s Edelyn!”
Dare and Billie stifled laughs.
Eddie’s eyes narrowed, and her lips pinched. “Call me that again, and I’ll give you a knuckle sandwich, Mickey.”
“Whoa, darlin’.” Dare put a hand between the kids. “There’ll be no knuckle sandwiches on this ranch.”
“How about we go find your parents and talk to them about riding bikes?” Billie suggested.
“Okay. Come on, Mickey!” Eddie took Mickey’s hand, and they took off running.
Billie grabbed Dare’s hand. “Let’s go, Whiskey. You’re getting slow in your old age.”