Gambling It All

Chapter Two

Apparently Cade wasn't kidding about the ridiculous amounts of money at his disposal, Dixie mused as the Town Car quietly glided over the asphalt ribbon of the highway towards Laramie.

He'd insisted on flying her first class into Denver, then insisted further that a driver pick her up and bring her directly to the Gamble Ranch, despite her protestations that she could drive herself and hunt up accommodations. He'd already assured her the ranch was sizeable and she'd have her own room to stay in, complete with her own bathroom and lots of privacy.

She knew from her work with other American Motorcycle Association riders and lower echelon MotoGP riders that Nicky's middle brother, Tommy, was riding full time in the AMA SuperBike circuit, so she knew he no longer lived at home. Likewise, Nicky's youngest brother, Danny, was going to college so he could find work after graduation with a team more on the production and testing side.

She'd learned from conversation with Cade that Nicky's father, Earl, owned the ranch, and that he knew nothing of Nicky's mother. He'd never mentioned her, just Earl and the great, positive influence he was on the careers of all of his sons.

Dixie busied herself reviewing the medical files Cade had had released to her regarding Nicky's injury and rehabilitation to this point, so absorbed in her work that she squeaked when the driver announced they were turning into Gamble Ranch. She put away her iPad, her notes and self-consciously patted down her auburn hair, tucking it behind her ears.

The car slowed to a stop and the driver jumped out to get her door. She took his hand gratefully and slid out of the comfortable back seat, gathering her purse and shoulder bag and mentally composing herself as she did anytime she met a new client.

"I'll bring the luggage, miss," the driver said, gesturing her towards the front door. She'd gone no more than two steps when the front door was flung open and Cade bounded down the steps like an exuberant Labrador going on walkies.

"Dixieland!" he hooted, wrapping his arms around her and swinging her around, her feet leaving the ground and the breath crushed from her lungs. "Took you long enough!"

"Your rider lives in the back of beyond. I'm surprised it didn't take two days, a mule train and a Conestoga wagon to get here," Dixie wheezed, grateful when Cade finally set her back on earth.

They looked at each other for a long second, grinning. "Hi," Dixie said. "You look like crap."

Cade laughed heartily. "Hi," he replied sunnily. "Racing season isn't all spa vacations and Zen moments like you have in sunny Cali, spoilt girl. I wish I could say you look like crap too, but you look great. You got contacts, right?"

Dixie nodded, looking embarrassed. "Glasses kept sliding down my nose during runs with clients," she said. "Speaking of, are you still running?"

"Only down pit lane with the bike breaks down," Cade deadpanned. "Or paddock girls chase me to my hotel room, eager to sample my hot bod," he said with a grin that split his tanned, handsome face as he tucked his blond "surfer curls" behind his ears.

Dixie snorted and picked up her purse and bag again, following Cade into the house. Moments later she was shaking hands with Earl Gamble, a formidable man in stature, but a gentleman in tone and manners. She liked him instantly, and only hoped his oldest son was as charming and easy to know.

But she had a funny feeling that wasn't going to be the case.

Earl escorted her to her new quarters, giving her a few minutes to get settled in. Cade had left the house, saying he was going to go find Nicky "on the back forty" and bring him back for introductions.

Dixie wasn't sure what the back forty was, but she was pretty sure she had a few minutes to freshen up and change into her workout gear before the boys would be back.