Page 42 of Worth the Fall
I smiled back. “I’d like to thank you for forcing me out of my comfort zone…Craig.”
“I can’t wait to see what you’ve come up with.”
~~~
That night, I got take-out from the restaurant I’d always wanted to try but was scared of the calories. I watched a movie while I folded laundry, took a long bath, and was lying down by nine.
I opened my phone and scrolled for a while, not wanting to try to fall asleep yet.
One video on social media caught my eye, and I clicked on it. The caption made my heart skip a beat.
Crazy showdown in Parowan
It was a low-quality video, shaky and far away, but I knew exactly what it was.
Harrison was shoving Colton, who stood in front of me. Colton barely took a step, and I realized he had caught himself before he bumped into me. Colton told Harrison to go home, and I saw rage take over Harrison’s face.
He turned, wound up his fist, and threw it clumsily. Colton ducked, and I watched myself get punched. I fell lamely onto my butt, and Colton dropped beside me.
I watched the video a few more times, addicted.
I forwarded it to Martha and saved it for evidence in my camera roll in case Harrison did end up coming after my job.
After my conversation with Mr. Sterling, however, I wasfairly confident he would be on my side.
Using my phone to calm my brain was a bad idea. I was more restless than ever. I pushed back my covers and threw open my closet.
The dusty cardboard box stared back at me.
A few silent moments went by while I debated whether or not to open that can of worms. If I did, there was no way I’d be sleeping tonight. If I didn’t, I’d probably toss and turn thinking about it for a few hours.
I crouched beside it in my silk pajamas. My hands were shaking as I pulled open the tabs.
On top was the picture I had placed there the last time I had been brave enough to open it.
Nine-year-old Allegra proudly smiled with her tooth gap and freckles. Her hair was in double braids, and she was wearing a denim dress and white-
I closed my eyes, already fighting back tears.
There she stood, leaning against the fence. Her dad was kneeling beside her, smiling wide under his worn cowboy hat. Their cheeks were pressed together. They had the same eyes and freckles, but his hair was as dark as night while her platinum blonde braids practically glowed under the sun.
I grabbed the picture out of the box. “I could really use some advice, Dad. Tell me what to do.”
Dad smiled back at me.
My phone dinged. I wiped away my stray tears and grabbed it, assuming Martha was replying to my video.
It was an address link and text from an unknown number.
Hey there, Allegra! Dennis Nash here! We can’t waitto see you in our hometown. Jo has insisted you stay with us while you’re in Oklahoma. If you don’t want to, I will warn you she’s very hard to say no to. Let us know when you make it, and we’ll have dinner ready.
I felt my breath hitch in my throat and looked back at the picture. I could practically see my dad winking back at me.
I closed the box.
This could be the most interesting rodeo yet.
Chapter Fifteen
