Page 67 of Worth the Fall
I laughed in surprise. “Really?”
AnnaJane laughed. “You think we just adore watching the boys get thrown off dangerous animals? NO! But, it’s what they love, it’s their passion.”
Now I felt silly. I smiled. “That’s comforting to know I’m not alone.”
“It’s frustrating,” Erin said quietly. “When they’re hurt, and all you want to do is scream, ‘maybe try a less violent sport!’ But then you see them before a show or right after a ride, and they are in their element.”
What I was feeling was normal. It didn’t have anything to do with my past.
Right?
~~~
“Right there…oh yeah, just a little left, perfect, that looks great!”
The booth was set up in the middle of the dusty stadium, the perfect spot. The floor was bustling as the arena transitioned from a rodeo to a festival. Tables and stands surrounded us, all trying to sell services or gear to the exhausted cowboys and jazzed fans.
The show was much less stressful after Colton’s ride. Alanand Dean had placed third in team roping; Erin and Miley had gone crazy, whooping and whistling; and Jimmy had been one of two bull riders to stay on for the full eight seconds. AnnaJane screamed so loud I thought my eardrums would burst.
They made the rodeo even more exciting, if that was possible.
Billy was swinging her camera around like a madwoman, trying to get footage of all the different brands. “Is the board coming to see the booth? We should get a picture of them all together for the website.”
I was scanning the crowd, biting the tips of my fingernails. “Oh, yeah, that’s a good idea.”
There he was.
Colton walked through the crowd, accepting high-fives and handshakes that came his way. His hat was dusty from landing in the arena during his ride, but the rest of his outfit was spotless.
The proof of a flawless ride.
He caught my eye and started jogging.
To me?I wondered, or hoped.
He threw his arms around my middle and spun me around.
Yes, to me!
I laughed in surprise. “Howdy!”
He set me down, a grin as wide as his dad’s spread on his face. “I missed ya.” He bent down and kissed me hard and fast; the smell of fresh cologne surrounded me.
I tucked my hair behind my ear and blushed like a schoolgirl. “That was an incredible ride, Mr. Nash.”
He sighed happily. “That horse was fightin’, but I’ve been checkin’ my stats, and she really bumped me up.” He pulled out his phone and swiped.
The top fifteen cowboys in Colton’s event would go to the NFR. The season was winding down, with only a few more rodeos left to qualify. If he has a bad ride and drops below the top fifteen, he’s out.
He was going to be on high-wire anticipation until after the season was over.
I leaned over his shoulder to peek at the screen.
Colton was number ten.
He was killing it.
I grinned up at him and playfully hit his arm. “Are you kidding? That is incredible?”
