Page 128 of Worth the Fall
Dennis took a breath, and to my astonishment, simply nodded.
Colton noticed his reaction and tilted his head. “Dad…did you know?”
My chest was heaving, but no air was getting in my lungs.
Jo snapped her head toward her husband. “Denny?”
Dennis looked around to make sure no one was listening. I pushed my back harder into the fence, but they didn’t spot me. “Colt, I need you to listen with an open mind.”
Colton looked like he was ready to explode in anger, but he opened his hands for his dad to go on.
“The minute I saw her, I knew,” Dennis said, crossing his arms over his chest. “She looks so much like him,” he croaked.
“How well did you know Clay?” Jo asked so quietly I barely heard her.
Dennis was looking up, blinking hard, and it took me a minute to realize he was trying not to cry. “I knew him very well. We rode the same circuit for almost five years.” He moved his gaze to the dirt and kicked it.
Colton was shaking his head. “I can’t believe you, Dad!” He yelled, throwing his hands up. “Why wouldn’t you tell me?”
“Because I knew what you’d do if I told you,” hesaid in an urgent whisper.
“Which is?”
“Exactly what you’re doing now,” he declared. “You two were in love the second you met, and if I told you her father died doing what you do once a week, you would’ve quitright then and there.”
Jo put her hand on Dennis. “Darlin’, we don’t know that.”
Dennis gestured toward Colton. “Tell me you’re not thinkin’ about quittin’.”
Colton took off his hat, staring inside it.
“Don’t you dare quit now!” Dennis ordered. “You are two rides away from the finals, from winnin’ this whole thing.” He put his hands on his son’s shoulders. “I know how deeply you care about her,nothin’ makes me happier than seein’ you two in love. But I need you to hear me when I tell you, if you quit right now, you will blame her for it for the rest of your life.”
I couldn’t listen anymore. I pushed myself away from the chute and wandered away.
~~~
“Stephenville, are you ready for a rodeo?!” The announcer started.
I was leaning against the light post, just outside the arena. My head felt like it had been stuffed with cotton balls. I was so tired of crying.
“We are down to the heavy hitters in the bareback ridin’ tonight! Coming out of Chute Number Four, a young man whohas been climbin’ the standings like a mountain goat... He’s got the blood of the legends in his veins and the heart of a lion in his chest! Let’s hear it for the Pride of Oklahoma–COLTON NASH!”
The crowd roared in response.
“He’s matched up against a big, mean piece of business calledNightcrawler. This horse has a spin like a tornado and a kick like a mule. Colton, you better have your chin tucked and your heels dug in, ‘causethis rideain’tfor the faint of heart!”
The announcer was not helping tonight, and I wanted to slap him.
No, it wasn’t his fault. He was doing his job to hype up the crowd and let them feel the danger the cowboys were going to experience.
But it made me want to do something violent.
I looked at Chute Four.
Colton was climbing on the horse, closing his eyes and breathing heavily.
I ached for him. I wanted to storm past the gates, throw my arms around him, and let him hold me for hours.
