Page 116 of Worth the Fall
Colton was practically pressing his nose against the window to get a better view outside.
It was the Cowboy Capital of the World, and it had turned off the pain receptors in Colton’s mind. He had completely forgotten he was so sore he could barely breathe this morning.
I was completely frustrated and unbelievably relieved at the exact same time.
Folding my arms, like a child, I leaned back against the seat and looked out the window. “Do you guys know what the plan is tonight?” I asked as Jimmy started taking backroads toward campgrounds.
“I’m sure Mamma and Dad are gonnago out,” Jimmy answered. “They werekindahintin’ at it in Amarillo. Other than that, I’m not sure.”
It was only three in the afternoon, since we had left so early and only stopped once, we made fantastic time.
I’m sure when you’re literally traveling the country by truck and trailer, you get pretty good at nonstop road trips.
Jimmy pulled into an RV park.
Colton raised his arms and stretched far enough that I saw the dark blue splotches glaring back at me.
I put my arm on Colton’s. “How are you feeling?”
He looked back and smiled. “A lot better. Thanks, Ally.”
A freaking miracle, I guess. He was not feeling better; he was just excited to ride in the Cowboy Capital of the WorldRodeo.
Colton popped my door open before I realized he had climbed out.
“How was the ride?” Jo asked as we climbed out. She was busy tucking a sticky note into a thick book.
“Quick,” Colton answered, throwing his arm around my shoulders.
“Easy for you to say,” Jimmy laughed. “You were asleep most of the time.”
Jo smiled at me. “Were they nice to you?”
I pursed my lips up at Colton. “It got a little stinky a couple times, but other than that, they were perfect gentlemen.”
Jo lightly whacked Colton, then Jimmy, with her book. “Boys!”
“I’m just kidding,” I assured her.
Jimmy shook his head. “No, she ain’t.”
“Feelin’ better?” Dennis asked as he climbed out of the driver’s seat of his truck.
Colton patted his ribs, wincing slightly. “Great.”
“All it takes to get these boys back to themselves is the idea of a rodeo,” Jo said, clicking her tongue. “Alright, well, let’s get these poor horses out of the trailers and into the pastures.”
Alan and Dean were already on it, having the trailer unhitched from the truck and the door open.
Dennis threw his arm around his wife. “Remember, y’all are on your own tonight. Mamma and I are going out and stayin’ out.”
Jo nodded excitedly. “Yup. We even booked a hotel, sowe’ll see you guys in the mornin’.”
Good for them. Even though she didn’t ride in the shows, it was obvious Jo had to do the most work to keep the season running smoothly. Jo cooked every meal, with her boys’ help, of course, cleaned the bedding and clothes, and booked the campgrounds with pastures for the horses.
She took care of her kids as if it were her purpose in life.
Imagine who I could’ve been if my mother had treated me with even a tiny bit of the love Jo had for her family.
