Page 134 of Worth the Fall
Riding tonight would cause him more pain, a lot of pain,but wouldn’t damage his body.
You can’t promise that.
He was cleared to ride.
I know it’s horrible, but a tiny part of me was hoping he had a tiny crack in his ribsand he would have to sit out tonight.
Which would crush him, and then I would feel horrible, so in the end, I wasalmostas relieved as Colton.
“How yafeelin’, bud?” Dennis asked as the door closed.
Colton took a breath, not able to hide the smile on his face. “I’m ready.”
Jo hugged her son, already misty-eyed. “Colton, I couldn’t be prouder of you. I can’t believe we’re here! You made it to the top twenty!”
Colton nodded enthusiastically when she released him. “Thanks, Ma. I wouldn’t be here without you.”
“You’re gonnado great,” Dennis promised. “We’ll be ready to celebrate with you as soon as the whistle blows.”
“Thanks, Dad,” Colton said, goosebumps starting to cover his arms.
“We’ll let you get ready,” Jo said, pulling Dennis out and shooting a glance at me. “Allegra, we’ll save you a seat?”
I held up my expired all-access pass. “I’ve still got some work to do,” I lied.
She nodded and hugged me quickly, whispering, “He’s gonnabe okay,” before she released me.
I fought back tears and watched them leave.
Colton opened his legs and gestured for me to come closer.
I obligedand stood between his knees, my thumb rubbinghis cheek. “You’re ready?” I asked, my voice shaking like a leaf.
He looked at me, his brown eyes soft under his strong eyebrows. His smile was softer now, but still there. “Eight seconds, Ally. Then I’m all yours until Vegas.”
He leaned his forehead against mine, holding the back of my head tightly. I could smell his peppermint gum, a hint of rosin, and his sheer stubborn determination.
“Eight more seconds,” I whispered breathlessly.
“Eight more seconds and then I’m done till December,” he confirmed. “I’ll be the most borin’ cowboy you’ve ever met till then,” he promised.
I laughed, but it came out wet and shaky. “I’ll hold you to that.”
He was so excited, I could feel it in his entire body. He was shaking, his smile impossible to take off his face, and he kept taking short breaths. I hated that I couldn’t be just as excited for him.
“Ally?”
I blinked as I realized I had been staring at him in complete silence for the last sixty seconds. I nodded. “Yes?”
He pushed a single piece of hair that had fallen out of my bun and tucked it behind my ear. “It’s gonnabe okay. I’mgonnabe okay, and then you won’t have to worry.”
I had watchedhim sleep last night, breathing in and out so slowly. He was so peaceful, so safe.
When he rode, I felt like a piece of my heart was outside my body.
I just nodded, blinking hard. “I know you can do this.”
That was never the question. Colton was one of themost naturally skilled riders there ever was. He had a gift that couldn’t be taught. I knew he could ride.
