Gambling It All

Chapter Sixteen

"I have to say, before I hooked up with you and the team, I'd never given much thought to the expression 'globe trotting' before, but after flying back and forth to Europe on such short notice, I kind of feel like a globe trotter," Dixie remarked, settling further into her first class seat next to Cade.

"And just think of the massive frequent flyer miles you're banking," Cade replied. "Enough to travel on for years to come."

"I get to keep those?" Dixie asked, incredulous.

"Sure," Cade said easily. "Perk of the job."

Dixie sighed. "There have been a lot of perks, but I'm wondering..."

"Just because some dumbass Spaniard dicked you over doesn't mean it gets to overshadow the perks," Cade said in response to her unasked question. "And did I mention the hotel loyalty points? That and frequent flyer miles, I mean c'mon... dude."

Dixie laughed, and then smiled at Cade. "You've just cheered me right up."

"And there's your birthday party to look forward to yet," Cade said, settling into his seat and closing his eyes. "Surprise," he deadpanned.

Dixie looked at him askance, not sure she heard correctly. "Huh?"

"Your birthday in day after tomorrow, yeah? And we're on a two week break, yeah?" Cade said. "And so, instead of having you fly to California where no doubt you would work that day and all the days leading up to race week in Mugello, we're flying you to Laramie for a party at the ranch. Earl promised to bake a cake, there's going to be another bonfire, I heard, and Jackie is flying in from California, but that's less for your birthday and more for me to mack on her."

"Mack on her?" Dixie echoed, biting back a smile. "1989 called and would like its phrase back."

Cade flipped her the bird, eyes still shut, and Dixie giggled. "You really planned a party for me?" she asked. "Why?"

Cade shrugged. "Jackie said you always spend it alone, or at work, so I thought it would be better to be around the gang. We're good times."

Without thinking, Dixie glanced at the prone form of Nicky, dozing several seats away. "Yes," Cade said. "Even him."

"How did you..."

"I am all seeing and all knowing. The sooner you get hip to that fact, the better," Cade said with a grin.

"But..."

"You're one of us, Dix. And we're celebrating your birthday, all of us, together in Wyoming. You cannot escape."

"At least you didn't make it a surprise party," Dixie agreed.

Cade smiled coolly. "I think you've had enough surprises lately, and I didn't want to get decked for giving you another one."

"Smart boy."

**

Dixie sat on a felled log near the long dormant site of the bonfire held on Gamble Ranch, gosh, so many weeks ago, she thought, her arms wrapped around herself, though the evening was hardly chilly.

Cade had promised a party, and a party had been in full swing from the time they landed until right now. The beers were flowing, the cake was cooling by the stove, a lot of laughter and loud music could be heard, and Dixie had heard promise of an epic poker game and possibly some karaoke as the night progressed.

Not only was Cade the ringleader, but countless team guys, Earl, Nicky's two brothers, and a huge handful of people Dixie didn't know were all milling around the house, the porch, the barn and the property. Guys and gals, all smiling and flirting, arguing about everything from fuel gauges and drag ratios to zodiac signs and the relative genius of Journey's music.