Page 2 of Faith for the Cowboy
“I never said it wasn’t nice. It’s what we had growing up. But I’m still happy to have my freedom.”
Garrett entered the barn and the conversation. “I thought the same thing, but I wouldn’t trade life with Elise for anything.”
“Alright, that’s enough of the pushing. Titus and I can make decisions about our own romantic lives.”
Hawk busted out in a laugh. “That’s what you think. Just when you think you can control it, God will throw a curve in your plans.”
Lawson tugged on his cowboy hat. “We’ll see about that. I’m off to dinner boys, see you there.”
As he walked to the main house, Lawson thought about Hawk’s words. He had been brought up to believe in God, and he still did. But more and more he wasn’t sure that God was interested in his day-to-day life. Sure, his brothers had found their happily-ever-afters, and he was happy for them. But Lawson needed his own path. Maybe God wouldn’t be that happy with him keeping a secret from his family about wanting to compete in rodeos. Maybe He didn’t care. Lawson shook his head. No, he wasn’t going to think about this now. God was great in church on Sunday and all, but that was enough for him. If it comforted his brothers, fine, but Lawson had outgrown the idea that God was always with him working His plan.
Lawson was ready to find his own way.
2
Harper Sullivan lifted her camera and snapped a few photos before holding it down again to look at the images on the screen. It was often a challenge to get the lighting right when she was working a nighttime rodeo. The stadium lights could be tricky. She wanted to get in a few practice shots before the crowds arrived, so she clicked a few more images of the horses and riders trotting around in a circle. The distinct smell of dirt, sweat, and animals mixed together and tickled her nose.
Everything about the rodeo was as familiar to her as her own childhood home. It had practically been her second home since her teenage years. Some of the memories she would rather forget, but mostly being here made her feel like a kid again.
“Hey Harper,” Riley Kennemer called out, walking toward her with a clipboard. Riley was the arena director over multiple rodeos since Mr. Rawlings retired last year.
Harper smiled as he neared. “Hey Riley, it’s good to see a familiar face.”
“I’m glad to see you too. Amelia is up in the booth. She’ll want to say hi,” Riley said of his wife. “We were excited to hear you were coming to our part of the world.”
Harper lifted her camera. “Happy to be here. I can’t believe I haven’t worked this event before, but then again, I was mostly based in Kentucky when I was working for Cassie,” Harper said of her former boss. “South Central Rodeo Promotions hasn’t quite been the same since Loranna took over. I asked to travel a little more.” She didn’t give the real reason for that.
“I hope we’ll see you at a lot more of our events,” Riley said. “Do you need anything from me?”
“I don’t think so. I’m just getting in some practice shots. I would like to talk with the announcers and get some shots with them before things get started tonight. And if the entertainer has anything in particular he wants me to capture…” she paused and laughed, “or any danger I need to stay away from, just let me know.”
Riley laughed too. Rodeo entertainers were known for cooking up some mischief. “As far as I know, there aren’t any fireworks involved tonight.”
Harper nodded. “Good to know.” She winked as she knew he was thinking of the performance gone wrong at a rodeo a couple of years ago. “We wouldn’t want to set the merchandise table on fire.”
“Exactly. Well, if you need anything, let me know. I’ve got a few more things to take care of.” He tapped his clipboard before he walked away.
Harper watched him go and thought how different he seemed than the reckless bull rider she had known only a few years ago. That was an exception rather than the rule. Most rodeo cowboys didn’t like to grow up.
She took a while longer to walk around the arena, checking out all the angles and finding the best spots to stand. A good view of the entrance was a necessity. She glanced around at the empty stands and imagined just a couple hours from now when the crowds would fill the seats. She would be sure to get plenty of photos of the audience. Nothing showed the fun of a rodeo like people laughing and smiling, or with their mouths wide open in shock.
Harper winced and hoped there wouldn’t be too much shock at tonight’s event. She shook her head to remove the images that flashed in her mind. No, tonight would be great. She would focus on the fun and excitement of the sport she loved to capture. Even if sometimes it also terrified her.
Lawson tugged on his belt as he stood watching the ceremony begin. He had attended enough rodeos as a kid to know the drill. Horses paraded around the arena in a circle ridden by some of the competitors. Many of them were cowboys who were younger than Lawson, but much more experienced than him. Not necessarily in riding a horse. He’d been in the saddle since he was practically a toddler. But at the rodeo events, he was still a novice. He and his brothers had played their own version of rodeos as kids. They would pretend to perform for a crowd and time each other to compete at roping cows. But this wasn’t his parents' ranch, and he wasn’t a kid anymore. Tonight, he would climb on a real bull and hold on for dear life in front of a crowd of people. Tonight, he would be a real rodeo cowboy.
His heart threatened to pound out of his chest at the thought. It was equal parts thrilling and terrifying. Lawson squeezed his eyes shut for a moment and tried not to think of his mother’s face if she knew what he was doing.
Then a rider bearing the flag rode into the arena and the first few notes of the “Star- Spangled Banner” played over the loudspeaker. Lawson stood at attention and whipped his cowboy hat off his head and over his heart. When the anthem ended, he took a deep breath and moved away from the fence. He wasn’t sure he could stomach watching the other competitors before it was his turn.
He might get some good sense and walk away.
As he turned away to walk away, suddenly he bumped into something and stumbled back a step. Blinking in shock, he tried to focus on the woman now standing in front of him. “I’m sorry, ma’am,” he said quickly. “Are you alright?”
She barely glanced up at him. “I think so.” Her gaze was on the large camera lens in her hand.
“Oh no, is it damaged?”
She lifted her chin, looked him up and down, and then smiled in amusement. “Is my camera lens damaged from bumping into you? What do you think you are, the Hulk?”
