Page 23 of Roping My Rival

Dane: Hey. A meeting sounds great. At the rodeo school or some place neutral?

I snort, and Pops raises an eyebrow. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah. It’s just… Dad got me into team roping, and I need to practice with this guy for only a couple weeks before we hit the road.”

“Really? He’ll be so happy to watch one of you boys team roping, Warren. I should probably dust off my cowboy hat and prepare for road trips. He’s going to want to watch you.” Pops smiles as he packs the cinnamon rolls into an oversized plastic container. “I feel like it’s been forever since we’ve followed you and Jesse on the road.”

“It’s been a few years.” Pops nods because he knows it’s when I asked Dad to stop watching. “I won’t ask him to stay home if that’s what you’re worried about. I’m better now. It’s okay.”

“You know he will if you want him to, Warren. He’d do anything any of you ask. If it’s too much knowing he’s in the crowd, just say the word. We both love you and never want to put you in a bad mental state.”

Pops never beats around the bush, and his frank words about why I asked Dad to stop coming to rodeos are a misplaced barb to my skin. “It wasn’t his fault.”

My phone buzzes again.

Dane: Can you decide soon so I can get on with the day, sunshine?

I stab at the buttons to reply.

Warren: at the school in an hour

Pops pushes the container to me with a smile. “He knows that. Have a good day.”

“Thanks.” Pops smiles at me, and there are a few more lines around his eyes and greys in his hair than the day I showed up here mad at the world. He let me be angry and take it out on him and Dad. I can never thank them enough for everything in those few shaky teenage years. “I love you, Pops.”

After a hug, I swipe the container and my coffee and head to the barn. Dad leans against a stall, petting a horse as he feeds it a carrot.

“Morning, Dad. Just checking if you needed help before I leave.”

“Morning, Warren. Just out here checking on the horses. I was thinking I’d take Maise out today on this fella, Maximus.” He speaks softly to the horse, and I stand next to him as I admire it. A rodeo horse he bought at an auction a few years ago, after his horse passed away. Poor Dad was lost without that horse, but when he went to a livestock auction and saw the single horse on the bill, he fell in love instantly.

Maximus was a cow-bred horse and a former barrel racer that took to Dad instantly. He probably paid more than he had to, but he said he felt this horse needed someone like him, and I’m inclined to agree. It’s rare that a horse of this skill set can settle with someone so easily, but Maximus did.

“Sounds like a great day. Pops made cinnamon rolls.” I hold up the container, and he stands taller.

“I’d best get in there before he gives them all away then.”

He doesn’t move, and neither do I, so I just spit it out.

“I want you to watch again this year. Rodeo, I mean. If I’m team roping, I want you to be there, Dad. I know I’m not a kid anymore, but…”

Dad doesn’t let me finish. Instead, he just pulls me into his arms and I almost spill my coffee down his back.

“You’ll always be my kid, no matter how old you get. Thank you. I can’t wait, but if it changes, you tell me, okay?”

“I will.”

“Okay. Get to work then.” He pushes me aside. “I’ve got cinnamon buns to eat and a husband to thank!”

Hopefully, he remembers his granddaughter will be here soon, and he isn’t still thanking his husband in the kitchen when they get here.

After a text from Jesse on my way to town to tell me he’d overslept and Maise was in a mood, I settled in the office at the rodeo school to get some work done before Dane arrived.

Jesse usually takes care of the big stuff, and I’m always careful to leave a note when I’ve left things half finished. My improvements since taking over from Dad in the office have been more helpful than hindrance, at least. Jesse and I make a great team.

After all the struggles I had in school, I’m proud of how I could get caught up and actually graduate. My reading is still slow, but when I have the time to read and process at my speed, I’m fine. Once we figured that out, I felt unstoppable. Dad and Pops lobbied for me and didn’t rest until I finally got what I needed.

A supervised exam for twice as long as most people. Not exactly glamorous, but I couldn’t process words in print like other people could, and it just took me longer.