The buzzer sounded, signaling he’d made his eight seconds.
“Jesus,” Joanna said breathlessly.
“That was unbelievable. No man could stay on a bull like that.”
“Unless he’s a world champion.”
The score was announced.
Eighty-eight.
The crowd roared, up on their feet, cheering the cowboy and his ride.
Jean-Claude was yelling at the top of his little voice.
The ovation went on for a full minute. It finally quieted when the bull rider was handed his first-place check and given the microphone to say a few words.
“Thank you, folks,” Stevenson said in a soft Texas drawl.
“Thanks for coming out and being with us tonight.”
The female announcer next to Stevenson asked, “That bull gave you a plenty tough ride, didn’t he?”
“They don’t come much tougher. He had some really good moves, and I was lucky to stay on.”
“Webb, I know you’ve got a message for a special friend of yours.”
“I sure do,” Stevenson said and pointed up to the seats where Jake and the Blalocks were sitting. ” I want to give a big hello to my partner and friend who comes all the way from Paris, France. He’s a real cowboy, folks. Let’s hear it for my buddy, Jean Claude
The crowd applauded politely. Then the spotlight was put on Jean-Claude. He stood on his tiptoes and took off his hat and waved it cowboy style.
The crowd went wild.
Jake chuckled and shook his head.
“He’s all Blalock, isn’t he?”
Joanna laughed at him and snuggled up close to Jake, her chin on his shoulder.
“I have one more question for you?”
“What?”
“When you were shot and in the ambulance and thought you were dying, you told Farelli to tell me something if you didn’t make it. What was the message?”
Jake hesitated, thinking back. After a pause he said, “That I loved you. That I always had and always would.”
Joanna studied his face, staring into his eyes.
“There’s more, isn’t there?”
Jake nodded.
“I told him to tell you that I’d wait for you in the next world.
Even if it took you a thousand years to get there.”
Joanna smiled.
“Why is it so difficult for you to tell me sweet and tender things?”
Jake put his arm around her shoulder and drew her closer.
“If I said it easy and often, it wouldn’t mean as much. Now, would it?”
Joanna nestled her head against his chest and sighed softly.
“Oh, Jake.”
Lethal Measures Page 38
