Worth the Ride

by Casey Peeler

  “It’s me, silly,” Bryndle says as she hugs me tighter and looks up at me wearing a damn pink hat. Dang Dad. I look up and glare at him.

  “Hey, what Sweet Peach wants she gets with Paw. You knew that when you sent her.”

  “Right, but let’s see if that works in ten years when she wants some fancy car.”

  “Of course it will.”

  Shaking my head, I pull on my vest and turn my full attention to them for a few minutes.

  “Who’d you get?” she asks.

  “Black Jack,” I say calmly.

  Her eyes go wide. “He’s mean, Daddy.”

  “No, he’s just got a mean streak. There’s some heart in there somewhere, and I’m gonna find it.”

  “You better. You pinky promised.”

  “You bet I did. Plus, I’ve got my best cheerleader right here.” Dad must sense where this is going and cuts into the conversation.

  “Alright Bryndle, let’s let your daddy get ready. We’ve got to find a good seat.”

  “Okay,” she says as she looks at me. “All you need is eight seconds, Daddy.”

  “How ‘bout I make it nine?” She smiles and I pull her in for a hug. “I love you, Sweet Peach.”

  “Love you too, Daddy.”

  After they make their way to the arena, I finish getting ready to ride. With my helmet in my hands, I take a moment to visit Black Jack and have a come-to-Jesus meeting. It’s time to focus on what’s at stake, and I’m going to ride that damn bronco for nine seconds.

  Stepping up to the holding pens, I focus on him. As his eyes meet mine, he looks at me with power and control. I stare back into his eyes as he begins to buck and I know this ride is going to be one for the books. I continue to stare at him until he turns his head from me in his pen. I stand there motionless for a little while longer. I want him to know who's boss. When his eyes meet mine again, I know he knows. Making my way back to the contestant’s area, I wait.

  There are twenty-five contestants in this event today and only twelve move on to the finals. The top three are then moved forward to the next round in the circuit. I’m number twenty-two, which sucks. I have to stand here for the next hour and wait. I’ve never been good with waiting. As each rider mounts the bronc and the bronc becomes agitated, it makes me crave the ride even more. My heart beats faster as my mind begins to wander to Black Jack and the upcoming ride. I want to ride now, and the wait kills me.

  As my ride approaches, I take a moment to double-check my vest, chaps, saddle and rigging. I make sure that the length is just right. As they call my name to get ready, I take one deep breath, say a little prayer and run through my riding to-do list.

  They pull Black Jack into the chute, the saddle is placed on him, and he’s not happy. I take a deep breath and look toward the stands. It’s as if I can feel her perfect little eyes staring at me. I look in her direction and give her a wink. She smiles and I know it’s time to show her what her daddy was meant to do.

  When they give me the okay, I saddle up, check my rigging, place my spurs above his shoulder, and give a thumb’s up as the gate is swung open. As Black Jack spins out of the gate, I keep my spurs above his shoulders. After his first buck, they move. I keep my feet in place because I know loss of stirrup is a deduction. I anticipate each move perfectly. My body moves in sync with the bronc, and as I hear the buzzer sound, I hold on. I promised her nine seconds, and by God, that’s what she’s going to get. One one-thousand. Letting go of the rigging, I jump from the bronc and haul ass to the side of the arena as he runs toward the exit chute.

  Waiting for the score, I know that only half of the ride is on me. The other half is up to Black Jack. He gave me a good ride, but was it enough to impress the judges?

  As the announcer begins to speak, I pause. All I need is an eighty-five or higher. “An eighty-seven for Weston Parker riding Black Jack.” Yes!

  “Whoo!” I let out as I throw my fist into the air. Bring on the finals. Looking toward the stands I see Bryndle jumping up and down, and can’t wait to get my arms around that little girl. Dad is giving me a big grin, and damn, it feels good to be back in the saddle.

  As the final round starts, I feel more at ease knowing that I’ve already made it through one round with Black Jack. When my name is called, I perform my rituals once more. For the past hour, I’ve been trying to decide how to score a ninety. I guess I’m going to have to make him buck more this round.

  When I’m up next, I check everything once more and take my place in the chute, ready to mount Black Jack. Giving the go-ahead, the gate swings open. I hold my spurs in above his shoulders and, after that first buck happens, it’s on. I dig my spurs in deeper and he begins to kick with more intensity, and it fuels my fire. The more he kicks and spins the more I want to ride, but when the buzzer sounds I count that extra second for Bryndle.

  One one-thousand. As the thousand echoes in my mind, I let go of the rigging and begin to pull my feet from my stirrups when I feel my left foot catch. Shit! I pull my left foot again and realize that my boot is stuck in the damn stirrup. Keeping myself as calm as possible, I grab the rigging to help me stay on the bronc and look toward the rodeo clowns, praying they can help me out. They recognize the fear in my eyes, and we all know that this could get dangerous.

  We all work quickly to deescalate the situation, and within moments, I’m off Black Jack and at the gate. A sigh of relief fills my lungs from knowing I’m safe. When I look into the stands, the look on Bryndle’s face shows how proud she is. She’s hollering and jumping up and down. She loves this excitement, but has no idea what could have happened. Right now, all I want is to hug my little girl. I run across the arena and climb the gate to the stands.

  My heart begins to pound out of my chest as I approach her. Taking the steps two at a time, I scoop her into my arms and look into her eyes. “I’m fine, Sweet Peach. Nine seconds just like I promised.”

  “Daddy, that was more like twelve, and don’t ever do it again! Eight! You only need eight seconds,” she says with an innocent smile.

  “Fine, only eight.” I give her a quick kiss and the announcer calls out my score. Eighty-eight. Yes, that’s got me in the top three for now. Only one more rider to go.

  “Dad, y’all want to come on back with me?”

  “What do you say, Sweet Peach?” he asks, looking at her.

  “Yup, I don’t think I want to watch the last one anyways. Daddy’s gonna beat him.”

  “Let’s hope so,” I say as we make our way to the contestant’s area.

  As we head back to my stuff, I can hear the crowd going crazy. My heart begins to sink as I know what’s coming; I’ve lost my spot to move on. There’s nothing like knowing you’ve lost your dream, but when I look down at Bryndle, I know I gave it all I had. The best part is that she got to watch.

  Chapter 2

  Timber

  Present Day

  “Hey Daddy!” I say, answering the phone. “What’s up in Peach Town, USA?”

  “Awe, you know, I love you a bushel, a peck, and a hug around the neck.” This man stole my heart from my first breath, and has taught me so much in life.

  “I love you too, Daddy. Now tell me, what’s really going on?”

  “You might want to sit down for this one.”

  “Awe, hell naw. Spill it.”

  “Watch your mouth, young lady.”

  “I learned from the best.”

  “Good point, and speakin’ of points, I’m retiring at the end of the summer.”

  “You’re what? You? Doing nothing all day? Yeah right.” There is no way in the world that Lyle Sellers is going to sit around his house on his rump all day.

  “I didn’t say I was doing nothin’. I said I was retiring. This old man is tired of working all the time. I want to go fishin’ when I want and take your mama on a cruise.”

  “Okay. I’m happy for you, but what does that mean for the clinic? Is that part-time vet working out?”

  The line goes silen
t, and I know what is coming.

  “Actually, I fired him. He was a pain in my ass. Kept questioning everything I was doing and had all these new gadgets. I told him I knew of someone better and to hit the road.”

  “Um, hum.” Taking a deep breath, I look around my fancy downtown Houston apartment and wait for the words to hit me.

  “I want you to take over the clinic. A Sellers deserves to take over this place. Timber, you’re the best vet I know and well, you know how I feel about city folk.”

  Laughing, “I know, Daddy. I mean it’s not often I have to inseminate a cow around here, but thank goodness I get to feed my large livestock addiction at the rodeo.”

  “I know this is asking a lot, but it has always been my dream… and yours at one time. What do you say?”

  Pausing, I look around my modern studio apartment. I freaking love this place and being in town. Never in my wildest dreams did I picture I’d be living like this. For as long as I could remember my dream involved peaches and livestock.

  “Daddy, I’d love to but…”

  “No buts, Tim. It’s either all or nothin’, sweet girl.”

  “I’m in. You know that’s all I’ve ever wanted to do. Plus, you know I’d do anything for you BUT I have to tie up a few things around here first.”

  “Oh honey, I get that, but the sooner the better. I’d love to show you how things have changed over the past few years.”

  “Oh, I bet.” I say with a slight giggle.

  “I’ll turn in my notice and let my landlord know. My lease is up next month and I just renewed it. Hopefully, they’ll understand.”

  “I’m sure they will. Aren’t people beating down the doors to live on top of each other there?”

  “You’re exactly right. I love you, Daddy.”

  “Back at you, Tim. See you soon.”

  Hanging up the phone, I take a seat and let our conversation sink in. Growing up, I vowed to never leave home. I planned to work side by side with my daddy. However, an acceptance to one of the top veterinary programs in the country changed that. I am a proud graduate of Texas A&M. What I didn’t realize at the time was how much I’d fall in love with this state and the city of Houston. Upon graduation, I accepted a position at a large vet clinic on the outskirts of Houston and scored this amazing apartment minutes from downtown and the nightlife. It is every single girl’s dream. Of course I missed home, but living here, with all of these opportunities, was exactly where I wanted to be. Dad’s call changed that, and I’ve known in my heart of hearts that I wouldn’t live in the city forever and that this was a small blink in my life’s journey. It’s time to go home.

  Walking into work on Monday, I’m dreading having to tell my boss I’m leaving. “Dr. Miller, you have a minute?”

  “Sure. Come on in, Timber,” he says as he looks at a chart for an upcoming surgery. “What’s going on?”

  “I’m moving back home.”

  Pausing, he looks up from the file. “When did you decide this?”

  “This weekend. My dad is retiring and wants me to take over his practice.”

  “I see. And what do you want?”

  “I want to follow in my father’s footsteps at his practice. It’s all I’ve ever wanted to do. Growing up, Houston was never on my radar.”

  “I see. Well you are a very talented young woman and I’ll miss having you here. I’m sure the rodeo will miss you too.”

  “I know, but maybe I can come back for that or get on the circuit in our area.”

  “When do you leave?”

  “I’m giving you my two weeks’ notice.”

  “I understand dreams and if this is what you want to do, I wish you all the best. Thank you for your time here.”

  He doesn’t take it as hard as I thought he would. Now I hope things go just as well with my landlord so that I can start packing. It’s time to live it up before heading home. I give my girls a call and we plan one last hoorah before I leave for the life I was destined to lead.

  Chapter 3

  Weston

  Two Weeks Later

  “Want to go grab a beer at Brandy’s tonight?” Forrest questions as we remove the last basket of peaches from the trailer.

  “Wish I could, but I promised Bryndle we’d go fishing this evening.”

  “Damn man. Who’d ever thought?”

  “What’s that supposed to mean? This has been my life for ten years now,” I say, turning toward him.

  Forrest tosses his hands up in the air, taking a step back like he’s throwing in the towel. “Nothin’, just wish you could go out every now and then.”

  “Well, I can’t.”

  “Damn. Calm down. I just wanted to ask. That’s all. It might do you some good to get out every now and then. Shit, all you do is work on this damn peach farm, tame a horse or two, and cater to Bryndle’s every need.”

  “Believe me, I get it but I can’t back out. Not to mention she actually wants to do something with her old man.”

  “Shit. Please don’t tell me.”

  “Oh no. It’s like she’s growing up, and doesn’t need me to help her do anything. I’ll spare you a few details, but she takes forever to get ready in the mornings, she asked me to buy her a poster of some little pretty boy for her room, and she even called me Weston one day.”

  Forrest starts to laugh, “I bet that last one put you over the edge.”

  “I fixed that real quick, but she’s definitely not a little girl anymore.”

  “Thank goodness I’ve got James. I’ve only got to worry about one dick in town.”

  “Shut the hell up. I never want to think about that and Bryndle. Some little boy would be minus his junk if he touched my daughter.”

  “I don’t know what I’d do with a girl.”

  Chuckling, I pause for a moment, “And you think I did? Hell, at this rate my well’s gonna run dry from her damn showers and she’s not even an official teenager yet.”

  “Guess it’s a good thing you got the pond?”

  I toss the basket toward him and he hushes. That’s enough girl talk. Don’t get me wrong, that little girl is everything in the world to me, but damn, I didn’t know it would be like this. Over the past three years, I’ve watched her change from being my sweet little country girl that didn’t care about mud, her hair, or if her clothes matched to a real life Barbie doll. Did I mention she’s not even a real teenager yet? I swear, every night I pray for her to stay little for just a little while longer because honestly, I can’t do this alone. This is where I cuss Hannah Cole Parker for leaving us alone. I know we weren’t meant to be, but dammit, I didn’t sign up for this girlie shit.

  “Hey Sweet Peach, you ready?” I holler as I walk in the house, setting the tackle box and fishing rod on the table.

  “Comin’,” she says, running downstairs in a pair of shorts that obviously are missing about three inches in length. Where did she get these? I soon realize she cut them herself. I take a deep breath and keep my comment to myself. I’ve learned over the past year to let a few things go, and today this is one of them. I want to enjoy an afternoon with my sweet peach.

  “I’m ready, Daddy.”

  She grabs each of us a drink from the refrigerator and out the door we go.

  Walking toward the pond, neither of us says much, and silence fills the air as we begin to fish. After a few minutes, she turns in my direction.

  “Daddy, what was Mom like?”

  My body stiffens as she asks this out of the blue. What do I even say? It’s not that I didn’t know the basics about Hannah, but I didn’t truly know her.

  As a fish nibbles on my line, I tighten the line and pause to see if he bites. When it doesn’t, I turn my attention back to Bryndle.

  “Bryn, your mom was something special and she loved you.”

  “Did you love her?”

  I feel a lump in my throat. How do I answer this? Do I tell her the truth or do I lie? I wasn’t in love with her, but she was a good person. “I don’t know i
f love is the right word.”

  “Y’all got married because of me, didn’t you? You know it’s supposed to be marriage then babies right?”

  “Yes, and I know that’s how life is supposed to go, but sometimes it doesn't work that way.”

  “Was Paw mad?”

  A smile crosses my face as I think back to that day, “Yeah, he was ticked. I went to tell him and Memaw. He was thinning the peach trees. He started throwing them at my head. He got over it the moment he met you though.”

  “Do you ever regret it?”

  Turning to look at her, I place the fishing rod on the grass beside me. “Never. Bryndle, you are the most important person in my life, and I wouldn’t trade you for the world.”

  “Not even another shot at the rodeo?”

  “Nope.”

  “Tell me about the rodeo. I mean, like before the time I went.”

  “For as long as I can remember, Forrest and I were on a horse, and one day a wild mare was brought to the Sellers’ Clinic. Lyle told us not to get anywhere near it, but the moment he was out of our sight, we were making a plan to ride that crazy horse.”

  “Did you?”

  “You better believe it.”

  “Did you make it eight seconds?”

  Laughing, I remember the ride. “Nope, but that ride made me realize I needed the rodeo.”

  “But because of me you never got your shot.”

  “No, I got my shot, but it wasn’t the way my life was supposed to go. There’s a reason I didn’t make top three that day. I’m not sure if maybe it would have been too much on you and me. Life has a way of workin’ out. It might not be what we envision for ourselves, but it’s how it’s supposed to go. Always remember that.”

  “What would you say if I wanted to rodeo?”

  Hearing her say those words makes me want to say yes, but the father in me isn’t letting it happen. “You’d do awesome barrel racing. The way you ride Poncho and how you’ve tried a time or two, I know you’d do great.”

  “No Daddy, I want to saddle bronc.”

  Oh shit no. That’s no place for her. I try to keep my voice calm because I know if I don’t she’ll get pissed off. “Sweet Peach, it’s too dangerous.”