by Debra Kayn
“Are you sure?” He studied her, seeming to understand what she was doing.
“Yeah.” She pushed him toward the horse. “I’ll be there in a little bit.”
She watched him ride away until he disappeared behind the rolling landscape. Numb and uncertain about her future, she started walking. She thought the end of their time together would be different, that they’d make promises and plans. Their time together left her more confused. She was losing him. If she even had him in the first place.
Chapter Nineteen
Three days back on the rodeo circuit in Wyoming, and Florentine’s muscles protested her every move after jumping back into her regular workout routine. The only part of her not hurting was her head. She paced the outside length of the trailer waiting for her name to come across the loudspeaker.
“Hope you don’t break a fingernail, McDougal.” Tom Greer walked by, packing his supplies.
“Better guard your dangling bits, Greer. Never mind. I forgot you lost them during the last event.”
Tom shook his head. “Say what you will, but there’s no way in hell you’ll make it past the first round. Women are made to sit in the stands and rub our buckles.” He patted his crotch. “I’ll make sure I wave to you up in the bleachers during the rest of the event.”
She let the insult slide. Let him think he got the best of her. A little reverse psychology might even be a good thing.
If the other riders grew cocky, they’d lose their game face and leave her alone to concentrate on her ride. She’d learned the hard way that men were a fickle group, one day hitting on her and the next condemning her for riding in a man’s sport. She showed them, though. No one could doubt she was one of them. Her sex didn’t matter when she was just as willing to put her life on the line as they were.
Reggie stuck his head around the corner. “Half hour ‘til ride time! I’m going over to the arena now. You need anything before I head out, McDougal?”
“No. I’m good.” She waved him away and slipped on her vest.
She reached up to pull her lucky hat down lower, and came in contact with the brain bucket instead. Yesterday, the UPS truck showed up outside her trailer and delivered the safety helmet she’d ordered while at the ranch. It was a small thing, but she hoped it would be easier for Cole to watch her ride despite his reservations.
When Cole hadn’t shown up yesterday, she almost threw the hat in the pile of boots she kept in her trailer. The circuit left the choice of wearing a helmet up to the individual rider, and in her drive to show the other bull riders she was tougher and more skilled then they were, she’d made a statement with her cowgirl hat.
After she thought about it more, she hung up her hat and decided to err on the safe side. If Cole loved his daughter enough to make sure she always wore a helmet, she could do the same. Someday, Sarah might watch a recording of her riding, and she wanted to be a good example.
It was time to roll.
She turned, covered her cheeks, and squealed inside. Thirty minutes and she’d have one of two rides done. That was all she had to do—sit tight for eight seconds and nail one landing. Holy hog spit! Focus. Focus. Focus…
A bullhorn blasted. She flinched, closed her eyes, and tilted back her head. The tightness in her chest she’d tried to ignore all morning came back with a vengeance. She was ready for it, expecting it even. In. Out. In. Out. I will beat the bull.
Anticipation seemed to put her senses on high alert. Even her shoulder screamed at her for trying to make up for the days she’d recuperated at the ranch.
Chantilly ran up to her. “One more hug for good luck before you have to ride.”
Florentine squeezed her twin tight. “I’m so glad you’re here!”
“Of course we came. Everybody’s up in the stands, except for Val and Sam. But they told me to tell you to kick ass.” Chantilly jumped in front of her. “I can’t believe my sister is going to be a professional bull rider.”
“Keep those fingers crossed.” Florentine laughed. “Eight seconds never seemed so long before.”
Chantilly kissed her cheek, knocked on her helmet, and grinned. “Daddy would be so proud of you.”
She rechecked the buckles on her chaps. “Thanks. That means a lot to me. I can’t help thinking about him today, wishing he was here.”
“I know.” Chantilly waved at someone behind her back. “Cole’s here. I’ll let you have some time with him and go make sure Jack hasn’t given my seat away.”
Florentine turned. Cole stood off to the side in his black shirt, black jeans, and black hat. She couldn’t help smiling. Up until this moment, she wasn’t sure he would come.
She struck a pose and pointed to her helmet. “Whataya think? Sexy?”
He laughed, walked over, and scooped her up in his arms. She grabbed for his neck and closed her eyes. She had missed him. Every hour without him made her more determined to do whatever it took to keep him near.
“Thank you.” He set her on the ground, kissed her, and smiled. “That’s a nice surprise. I’m glad to see you wear it. How are you feeling?”
Now? She felt fine, and it showed. No nerves, no worries, and best of all, she looked forward to the final ride.
She grinned. “I’m going to win. There’s no doubt in my mind, so don’t question me. At least, not today, anyway. So far, this is the biggest thing I’ve ever done in my life, and I can only be thankful I’ve made it this far.”
Cole brushed the back of his hand across the oval emblem with the name Turner Grain on her vest. “Whatever happens, you’re a helluva bull rider.”
She raised her brow and looked him up and down. “Okay, what have you done with Cole Reardon?”
“Did that earn me a kiss?” He grinned.
“Darn right.” She laughed, and then grew serious. “I want to thank you, Cole. For everything. Every moment.”
“You’re welcome,” he said. Then he kissed her.
The combination of heat, the excitement, and the thrill of having Cole in her arms gave her confidence. She grabbed his shoulders to keep him close to her. When his tongue swirled around, moving over her tongue, she gasped with pleasure.
He straightened. She inhaled and dove back in. A lick, a caress of her lips, and her body sizzled. With Cole, the tingling along her limbs was a good thing and had nothing to do with fear.
She pulled away. He opened his mouth to speak, but she covered his lips with her fingers. “I know. Don’t say anything.”
He pulled her hand away and held her palm to his mouth, kissed it, and whispered, “I—”
“No, Cole. Please, trust me.” She smoothed the worry off his forehead. “Everything will be fine.”
His mouth tightened. “It will be. You’ll do great.”
He talked about the ride, but she had other things on her mind. Today was about her. What she wanted. That’s what she’d been searching for all season. She’d become distracted, blamed the unsettled feelings on finding her place within a man’s sport, questioning herself, and trying to find what would make her satisfied. Cole had asked her what would make her happy before, and she’d had a lot of time to think about what she could do.
She now knew with absolute certainty.
She smiled. “Yep. I’m gonna win.”
Cole reached out and framed her face with his hands. “I’m going to leave you to get ready. Do you need anything before I go?”
She shook her head. “Not anymore. I’ve got everything I need.”
Cole walked away. She pivoted and came face to face with Quint. She held her position, ready to defend her right to be here.
Quint sneered. “What are you doing, hosting your sponsor now? Maybe next season you can get real backing without sleeping your way—”
Cole flew in front of her and smashed Quint against the side of the trailer. “Apologize to the lady.”
“Cole. Stop. He’s not worth it.” Florentine pulled on the back of Cole’s shirt.
“I know that, darlin’. The th
ing is, the woman you’re talkin’ shit to is someone I care about, asshole. I believe she has earned her right to participate, the same way you have. I don’t want to hear you bad mouthing her again. Do we understand each other?”
Quint nodded, though anger blazed from him. “Yeah. I won’t say another word.”
“Good.” Cole pulled him forward. “Now apologize and get the hell out of here.”
“Sorry, Florentine,” Quint mumbled, cast a hateful glance at Cole, and then proceeded to jog across the lot.
No one had ever stood up for her before with the other riders. Since the beginning of her career, she’d forbidden her daddy and family members to get involved, telling them she could handle the smart aleck comments and verbal abuse by herself. She’d gotten so used to deflecting the comments by herself, she’d forgotten how nice it was when someone had her back. She stared up at Cole with the biggest smile she could muster. He’d reduced Quint to a momma’s boy with a few quiet words.
“Are you okay?” He slipped his hand behind her back and pulled her against him.
She laughed. “Did you see him? He almost wet himself.”
“He needs his ass kicked for treating you that way. Does that happen all the time?”
She wrapped her arms around his neck. She kissed him fully on the lips, and ended with a loud smack. “You, Cole Reardon, are my hero.”
“I didn’t do anything.”
“Oh, yes you did.” She reached out and grabbed Cole’s arm, turned his wrist, and peered at his watch. “I need to be at the pen in ten minutes, or Reggie will be looking for me.”
“I’ll carry your bag, since I’m going that way.” Cole picked up her gear.
Florentine walked beside Cole, carrying her vest and bag. The cozy way Cole made her feel special brightened her day even more. She slipped her fingers in Cole’s hand. Joy filled her when he gave her a squeeze.
“Nervous?” he asked.
“No.” She smiled. “Excited. Winning means everything to me. I want to show the world that bull riding is a dream any woman can try to reach.”
Cole stopped. “You’ve already done that. You’re here. You’re riding. What more do you need?”
“To win.” She lifted her chin. “I want validation that women can do anything if they try hard enough. Do you know how many—”
Cole’s phone went off. He glanced at the screen and scowled. “Hang on.”
She waited while he answered the call. The future held so much promise, so much she could do for others. She had a new direction in life. “What?” Cole dropped her bag and patted his pockets. “When?” He cussed. “Is she…?”
All the excitement drained out of Florentine. She grabbed Cole’s sleeve, suddenly very afraid.
“Ok. I’m heading there now. What about the horse?”
He squeezed his eyes closed. “Okay. Tell Sarah…I love her and to hang on.” He quickly hung up, and shoved his phone back in his pocket, staring at the ground.
It took three rapid beats of her heart to get her breath back. “What happened?”
He snapped his head up and stared through her. His eyes glowed with fear. She laid her hand on his chest. His heart beat wild beneath her hand, faster even than her own.
“Cole?” She raised her voice. “You’re scaring me. What’s going on? Is it Sarah?”
His eyes came back into focus, and he glared at her. “I’ve got to go.”
“Wait.” She held onto him. “What happened?”
He jerked his arm out of her clutch. “Sarah snuck away from my dad, got on one of the horses, and tried to ride to the neighbor’s place. A car coming around the corner hit her.”
“Oh God.” She covered her mouth. “Is she…?”
“The ambulance took her to the hospital. The neighbor found her first, and she was already gone in the ambulance by the time Dad got there. He called me on his way to the hospital after stopping to put the horse down.” He patted his pockets again. “I need my keys.”
“I’ll go with you.”
He shook her off. “No. Go ride. That’s what’s important to you. Get it done and find a new sponsor for next season.”
The last she saw, Cole hit the exit at a run.
Chapter Twenty
Florentine’s chest hurt, but the pain came from her heart breaking. How could this happen?
Sarah was little and so fragile. Florentine moaned, hugged her middle, and sat down in the dirt in the middle of the parking lot. She wanted to go to Sarah, to offer her help.
The vision of her small body atop a horse, and a car coming up on her made her sick. She covered her mouth and rocked back and forth. Cole had no idea if Sarah was okay or if—
Her heart cried for Cole and Sarah. Even in the small amount of time she’d been around the little girl, she cared about her. Sarah reminded her of Cole in so many ways.
She’d fallen in love with both of them.
It was all so unfair. Sarah was an innocent, a good kid. Bad things shouldn’t happen to a child.
Reggie ran toward her, but she couldn’t stand yet. “Kick it in gear, McDougal. They’ve announced your name at the waiting gate already.”
She trembled, and shook her head. “I-I can’t.”
“Yes, you can. Now get off your ass, and come on.” Reggie picked up her bag.
She stood up. “I really can’t, Reggie. C-Cole’s daughter…she’s hurt, and in the hospital. I need to find out where she is and go to her.”
“What?” Reggie wrapped his arm around her, pushing her forward. “You’ve got an eight second ride. It can wait.”
She sobbed. Everyone was telling her she couldn’t go, and that was the only thing she wanted to do. She didn’t care about the bull ride. Sarah’s life was in danger.
“Suck it up, girly. Put your head in the ride, or you’ll be the one in the hospital.” Reggie pulled her along at a jog.
Cole was alone, driving to God knew where, and scared to death. He shouldn’t be alone. She should be with him. Why wouldn’t he let her go?
Was it her fault? Had she given Sarah the idea that she could ride by herself despite the new rules Cole had devised? She moaned. Cole had talked with Sarah at the ranch. He’d promised her if she always wore her helmet and rode with an adult, she could ride more often. She was excited about getting more chances to ride her daddy’s horses when she went home. Oh God. I convinced him to do that.
Roy Lee and Craig leaned over the front of the bleachers with their arms out. “Go, Florentine!”
She gazed at them, taking in their smiling faces, their hope, and it was wrong. They should be praying for Sarah. No one should be here. She should be at the hospital.
She broke away from Reggie and ran toward the grandstand.
“Hey!” Reggie called after her, but she ignored him.
She sprinted toward her family members and didn’t stop until she arrived at the end of the bleachers. Roy Lee jumped over the railing and grabbed her. She cried on his shoulder.
“Whoa there, darlin’.” Roy Lee held her head against his chest. “Did something happen to Val? The baby?”
She shook her head and pulled back, wiping her nose on her sleeve. She gasped out the words. “Sarah was hit by a car. She’s in the hospital. You have to take me to her.”
“Jesus!” He blew out his breath. “Is she okay?”
“I don’t know. Cole doesn’t know anything. He wouldn’t…. He hates me.”
Reggie joined them. “McDougal. It’s time. You’re going to be disqualified if you don’t get in that pen, now.”
Roy Lee grabbed her shoulders. “Listen to me. Go ride. I’ll call around and find out what hospital she’s at, and then I’ll take you. You don’t want to blow your chance. Pull yourself together. Do it for Sarah, and Cole.”
She nodded. “Call.”
“I will.”
“You’ll take me?”
“Promise.”
She turned to Reggie. “Let’s go.”
Desperat
ion and worry for Sarah moved Florentine forward. She stood outside the pen and let Reggie zip her vest up and snap her helmet on. Eight seconds was too long to wait to leave. She could be too late.
“Focus, girly. You’re worrying me.” Reggie rubbed her cheeks and forced her to look at him. “Don’t make me pull you out. You’ve worked too hard to quit now.”
“I’m scared.” She grabbed his arm. “Tell me she’ll be all right.”
“Of course, she will.” Reggie squeezed her upper arms. “Think positive, and let’s go.”
One ride today. That’s all she needed, and then she could go be with Sarah. She lifted her chin and stepped toward the pen. I can do this for Sarah.
The bull snorted and butted his head against the pen. She climbed the fence. Her breath came faster than the bull’s, and she inhaled deep to calm herself. She exhaled slowly. Eight seconds. Breathe.
She stretched out her leg and straddled the bull. Reggie gripped her wrist. His words rolled over her, and she nodded out of habit. She went on instinct, and the moment he let go, she dropped into position on the back of the bull.
Reggie put the end of the pullaway rope in her hand, and she tied herself to the bull. One loop, two loops, cinch, hold. She put her left arm in the air, nodded, and the gate swung open.
The bull shot out, twisted right, twisted left. She bent her knees, and sank her spurs into the animal. She was ready for the kick, and leaned back. Come on, come on.
The bull sprang in the air, raised his head, and twisted his stomach in a forty-five degree angle, lifting his hind legs perpendicular to the ground. She bit down on her teeth guard, ready for all four hooves to hit the ground. Her spine compacted, and she threw her arm back. Her butt planted flat on the bull’s back.
In one last-ditch effort, the bull gave two back kicks in a high show of fight and dropped its front. She grunted, putting every ounce of strength into the toughest move for a bull rider to come out of intact. She did it for Sarah, for Cole, for Daddy, and for herself. She would go all the way, win the championship, and find her dream.
