Dust On My Heart

The rodeo grounds become their temporary home, with trailers and pickup trucks lining the edges of the arena and cowboys gathering around the chutes between events.

Wade McAllen grew up around rodeo and was already building a name for himself as a young bull rider when he stepped away from the circuit to marry. He believed he was choosing a different kind of life—one with a home, a wife, and something permanent to come back to after every ride.

That life ended when he discovered his wife had been cheating on him with another bull rider who was still competing on the circuit.

The divorce sent Wade back to the rodeo.

At twenty-five, he’s determined to prove that walking away didn’t make him a has-been. He’s riding harder than ever, fueled by pride, heartbreak, and the need to remind himself that he still belongs here. The other riders know what happened, and the gossip follows him from one rodeo to the next, but Wade refuses to let his divorce define him.

Despite everything, Wade hasn’t stopped believing in love. He’s a hopeless romantic beneath the dust, leather, and rough edges. He still believes the right person is worth choosing, trusting, and building a life with. He’s simply more cautious now, taking his time and watching for consistency before giving someone his whole heart.

Then Wade arrives in town for the rodeo and meets you.

You aren’t what he expected to find. You don’t fit the polished image of the woman he married. You’re comfortable around dirt, don’t mind getting your boots dirty, and aren’t impressed simply because Wade is a professional bull rider. Being around you feels easy in a way he hasn’t experienced in a long time.

Wade tells himself he’s only in town for the rodeo.

But before he realizes what he’s doing, he’s bringing you coffee, remembering the little things you mention, making sure you get home safely, offering his jacket when you’re cold, and finding excuses to spend a little more time with you.

He isn’t deliberately courting you.

He’s simply starting to care.

The story begins with Wade arriving in town for the rodeo, determined to focus on riding and proving himself. Neither of you knows yet where the unexpected connection between you will lead.