Page 3 of Faith for the Cowboy
Lawson chuckled. “I guess not. I’m sorry, though. I wasn’t paying attention.”
She brushed her long, strawberry blonde ponytail over her shoulder, causing it to sway across her back. “No harm done. But if you’ll excuse me, I need to get back to work.”
Lawson was too surprised to say anything else, so he moved quickly to the side and watched her pass him. Her ponytail fell over her shoulders as she bent down to unzip her camera bag to swap out her lens. Straightening, she effortlessly attached it and swung her bag behind her back before she stepped up on the railing and hooked one elbow over the fence. She pointed her camera at the arena and began snapping pictures.
Without a doubt she was a professional, not just a girl with a camera hobby. When she turned slightly, he caught sight of the badge that read “South Central Rodeo Association Photographer.” Lawson rubbed his chin and continued to watch her. What kind of woman made a life out of photographing rodeo cowboys? He grinned, sure that he would like whatever kind of woman that was. As she moved around taking photos, Lawson’s nerves fell away as he saw how confident she was in her work.
All too soon he remembered that he needed to focus on his upcoming ride. Suddenly he wondered what this mystery woman would think about him when he entered the arena. Would he stand out in the group of competitors? Or was she involved in rodeo because she already had a cowboy for a boyfriend? Lawson shook his head. Where did that come from? He wasn’t here to win over a lady friend. This was for him. Rodeo was the one thing he had that didn’t have anything to do with his brothers, Whispering Oaks, or the Macklin name. He was going to make his own name. And that started tonight.
He couldn’t let himself be distracted by a woman he didn’t even know.
Moving down the entry to the staging area, he narrowed his eyes and turned his attention to the upcoming event. He would compete in broncs first. That was the event that had first caught his attention as a kid. Those big horses trying to throw a cowboy. A memory unfolded of the first rodeo he attended. He must have been around five or six when he sat in awe of the cowboy who held on for the eight second ride. Then he jumped off while the horse was still kicking his feet high in the air. Lawson had watched as the cowboy slung his hat into the air, and he hoped right then that one day he would do the same.
Of course, his mom had shot that down pretty quickly. Lydia Macklin, as the wife of a rancher and the mom of seven boys, was her own version of sweet and tough. She had endured a lot on the ranch. But she couldn’t see the point of putting yourself in harm’s way for entertainment or sport. She had let each of her boys know she didn’t want them getting involved in rodeo. And Lawson had respected her opinion all these years. But it was time to be his own man. He was responsible for his own health, and his own medical bills.
Taking his spot among the group of competitors, he waited and watched as the other competitions commenced.
“Macklin,” a loud voice boomed.
Lawson raised his hand and moved toward the man. He tugged his hat on tight, hoping it would survive the ride. It was his favorite.
When the competitor before him finished and the bronco was through the exit gate, Lawson climbed up on the platform to the chute and stared at the horse in front of him. The nameplate on his side read, “Inferno.” Lawson put on a brave face, but inside he shuddered. The horse was big and shook his head to show he was already mad.
Lawson mounted the horse and looped his hand through the rein and held on tight. He looked up and nodded. His heart thudded hard against his ribs, and his brain shrieked at him to stop this madness as the horn sounded and the gate flew open.
He thought he would always remember his first rodeo performance. Instead, a few moments later, he heard the buzzer announcing he had lasted the eight seconds, and the pickup man on the horse beside him tugged him off the bronco. Lawson had no idea what had just happened. The seconds were a total blur.
The crowd cheered, and Lawson took a deep breath as he looked around, stunned. As he climbed down and walked to the exit of the arena, a slow smile crept over his face.
He had done it. His first real rodeo event. And he couldn’t wait to do it again.
3
Lawson watched from the exhibition barn, where Sierra held equestrian trainings, and the ranch had started hosting events. Today was a big event day. Katie had convinced Sawyer a few years earlier that the ranch needed to diversify if they wanted to grow as a business and support all the brothers and their future families. At the time, Sawyer had no idea that Katie would be part of that future family.
Sierra coming to start the training facility had been part of the growth of the ranch. Then she met Jenson and joined the family too.
Event days were exciting. Lawson looked forward to having other people at the ranch, and doing something other than chasing cattle all day. Today was a family-friendly event, and Lawson was overseeing the children’s mock rodeo events. As he carried a bale of hay to the feeding trough, the rumble of an approaching SUV caught his attention. Lawson squinted against the sunlight as the vehicle pulled to a stop in the yard.
The driver's side door opened, and a woman stepped out. She was tall and slender, her long, dark strawberry blonde hair caught the sun, showing off the reddish tint. She wore a worn-in pair of jeans, a faded rodeo T-shirt, and a camera bag slung over her shoulder.
The rodeo photographer.
Lawson's heart quickened as he watched her approach. She didn’t smile as she came near. Lawson couldn't help but feel a spark of curiosity and a flutter of nerves. He couldn’t believe the same woman who had drawn his attention at the rodeo was now standing in his yard.
“Hi,” he said, his brain unable to come up with anything more creative.
“Hello,” she said, tilting her head as if waiting for him to say more.
Lawson realized in that moment that if she recognized him, she might spill the beans to his family.
“I’m Lawson Macklin,” he said, reaching out to shake hands.
“Harper Sullivan,” she said, gripping his hand. “I’m here to photograph the event.”
“Great,” he said, sounding a little too enthusiastic. “My family owns the ranch.” Why did he say that? Did he sound as nerdy as he thought?
She nodded, looking unphased as she glanced around. “It’s a nice place.”
