by Casey Peeler
Forgetting we’re in a room full of people, I wrap my arms around his neck and stand on my toes to kiss him. As we fall in a rhythm, I feel eyes on me. We pause mid-kiss and see Bryndle standing there along with our families.
“Did you know?” I ask her.
“Maybe,” she says with a huge smile. Turning to her, I open my arms and she runs into them.
“I love you, Mama. Is it okay if I call you Mama?”
“Absolutely, Sweet Peach!”
Chapter 34
Weston
The moment that Timber became my wife, my life was perfect. I now have a woman who loves my daughter and me. Our family is complete. There will never be another rodeo dance to top this one.
We spend the remainder of our night on the dance floor, and I’ve never had so much fun. Watching Bryndle and Timber out there together makes me wonder what Hannah is thinking. Taking a sip of my beer, I feel someone walk up beside me. Dad.
“You know she’s smiling down, right?”
“I know Mama is.”
“Oh she is too, but I meant Hannah. Weston, her heart has to be full tonight for Sweet Peach and you. You did good, son,” he says as he pats me on the shoulder and then excuses himself to hit the dance floor. He strolls over to my two girls and dances with them. Who would have thought my dad would be out there like that?
The song turns to a slow one and I make my way there as well. Dad takes Timber by the hand and begins to two-step as I take Bryndle by the hand and dance with her. She looks up to me and smiles. She’s happy and so am I.
“Daddy, I think Hannah would be happy, don’t you?” It’s the first time she’s called Hannah by her real name and it catches me off guard.
“I have a feeling she’s not been this happy since the day you were born.”
Bending down, I pick her up and twirl her around and she laughs out loud. Placing Bryndle on my side, I take Timber in my arms and we dance together as a family.
When the song ends, Bryndle hops down and leaves us on the dance floor. I take Timber in my arms and pull her close. She looks up into my eyes and they tell me all I need to know. Bending down, I kiss her lips and try my best not to take things too far on this dance floor. I might be kicking myself in the ass on this one because Bryndle and Dad are both with us tonight. She pulls back with a smirk. “Wanna get out of here?” she says.
Looking to my dad, he nods and knows we’ll return. After leading her out of the dance, I can’t keep my hands off of her once we’re out of Bryndle’s sight. Scooping her into my arms, her lips don’t leave mine as I open a door and shut it behind us. I don’t give a damn where we are.
As I press her against the wooden door, I slide my hands under her skirt. When my hands find a tiny piece of material I assume are panties, I pull them down in one swift motion. She unbuckles my belt and slides her hands to my ass and my mind goes haywire. I tell myself to go slow, but when she moans as my hands travel her body, I say fuck it. Quickly, I lift her to my waist and enter her. She looks into my eyes and holds my gaze the entire ride. As we both fall to pieces, we can’t get close enough to each other. When our breathing slows, I place her on the ground and we get ourselves together.
As she starts to open the door, I grab her by the hand and pull her back to me. Kissing her lips, I can’t get enough. She runs her hands under my shirt, and I have to tell myself to slow down because we’ve got to get back to Bryndle. As if she’s reading my mind, she slows her body and pulls back.
“Let’s get out there, Cowboy.”
Timber
There are no words to express what happened tonight. I can try and talk about the best surprise of my life, but it won’t do it justice. As the final song is played at the dance, we all head back to the camper. Tomorrow is going to be a long day, but knowing we’re doing this as a family is mind-blowing.
When we arrive back at the campsite, Paw starts a fire. After I help Bryndle get ready for bed, we all sit around outside for a little while. We talk about tonight, what’s to come tomorrow, and just enjoy our first night as a family. My parents and brother come by to hang out as well before going to their campsite. This night is damn near perfect. The only thing that would make it better would be if Weston wins tomorrow.
Looking at Bryndle, I see she can hardly keep her eyes open. “Come on, Sweet Peach, let’s get you to bed.”
She stands, kisses Paw and Weston goodnight, and then I take her inside. Once she’s in the bed, I say her prayers with her and then walk back outside. We sit around a little while longer before Paw goes to bed, leaving us alone.
Weston wraps his arm around my shoulder and pulls me close. Looking up into the night sky, I silently thank Hannah for giving me these two to love.
Chapter 35
Weston
Waking up next to my wife is something that will never get old. Looking at the clock, I know it’s time to rock and roll for both of us. Nudging Timber, she reluctantly moves. “Rise and shine, it’s rodeo time.” She smiles as her eyes open.
“Say it again.”
“It’s rodeo time,” I say, kissing her lips quickly before sliding out of bed as the excitement begins to rush through my body. As I finish sliding on my shirt, I turn around to see her propped up on one arm staring at me. “What?”
“I love this.”
“Oh me too,” I say as I slide back to the bed and kiss her gently.
As I stand, I start to beat on the camper walls and hoot and holler. Timber begins to laugh, Paw is yelling, and Bryndle is begging for him to stop so she can sleep. Timber starts getting dressed as I walk into the living area.
Bryndle has a pillow over her head and Paw is laughing. “Bryndle, you might as well get moving. It’s rodeo day, and this madness isn’t going to stop,” Timber tells her as she starts a pot of coffee. “He’s always been like this on rodeo days.” We all eat a quick breakfast then I fill a travel mug with coffee for Timber and kiss my wife bye as she hurries out to the clinic and the stalls for final well checks.
Once Timber is on her way, I make Bryndle breakfast and then go outside to check my bag one last time.
“Daddy, what you doing?” she questions.
“Making sure that everything is where I put it.”
“Um, if you haven’t touched it, shouldn’t it be?”
“Yes, silly goose, but it’s one of those things. I have to check for the hundredth time.”
“Can I watch?” she questions.
“Why don’t you help me?” Her eyes beam with excitement as she walks toward me and helps me count every item on my list. When we finish, she smiles at me.
“You’ve got this, Daddy.”
“Thanks, Sweet Peach,” I say, lifting her off the back of the truck. Paw comes outside and we talk a few minutes before I head into the arena to draw my number, sign in and get ready for the ride of my life.
Timber
The moment I walk out of the camper and toward the clinic, my excitement begins to build. There is something about this life and everything that goes along with it that makes me a happy girl. After I walk into the medic clinic, I do a final run through of materials and check a few last minute animal entries, then I prepare myself for what I’m about to face. Today is different. It’s more than looking after animals. It’s about making sure the number one man in my life lives out his dream.
After checking the last calf, I walk toward the pens and take a look at all of the beautiful animals waiting to put on the show of their lives.
“Which one you think I’ll draw?”
I smile as I recognize the voice behind me. “It doesn’t matter. You’ll ride no matter what.”
Weston slips his arm over my shoulder and pulls me in to kiss the top of my head. Looking up at him, I feel pride for all he has accomplished in his lifetime. It’s time he gets to ride because he is worth it. This ride will be worth the wait; I can feel it.
“You know how to make a man feel good, don’t ya?”
“Really, Cowboy?
” He starts to laugh and I turn to him. “You know if I didn’t love you so much I might let you get caught in a tornado about now.”
“Well, that’s never stopped you before.”
“True, but today’s your day. So how ‘bout that eight-second ride?”
“I’m ready for that one and one later once we’re home.”
“I like the sound of that but it better be longer than eight seconds,” I say with a wink. He bends down and kisses my lips before excusing himself to get ready for the ride.
Chapter 36
Weston
The moment I kiss those warm lips I know that today is different. This ride isn’t about making it eight seconds. It’s about living out my dream, but instead of doing it alone, I’ve got the people that matter most cheering me on.
I head toward the contestant’s area and go through those riding rituals that I had put on the back burner. Once our numbers and broncs are chosen, I take a few minutes to visit the bronc I drew. The horse reminds me a lot of Scarlett. She watches me as I stand there. I talk to her and then get ready to go back to the contestant’s area when I hear someone call my name. Looking down the open way, I spy Bryndle headed in my direction with Paw.
“So this who you got?” she questions.
“Yeah, her name’s Midnight Sue.”
“What kind of name is that?” she says with a laugh. Looking at the horse, Bryndle assesses her and then looks back to me. “I think you got this one, Daddy.”
“I know I do. Nine seconds, right?” I say with a grin.
“Nope, you know it’s eight and not a second longer.” Picking her up, I hug her like my life depends on it, then I place her back down and Dad gives me a pat on the shoulder. They make their way to the stands as I go back to the contestant’s area.
The wait is killing me, but when I spy a perfect rodeo cutie coming my way, I can’t help but smile.
“Hey there, Cowboy, you ready?”
“You know it. So I was wonderin’, after this is all over, you think I can take you out?”
“I’d love to but I’m not sure my husband would like it.”
“Oh I think he’d totally go for it,” I wink. She smiles as she takes a step toward me, places her arms around my neck, and kisses me.
“Let’s see if that ride’s worth it,” she says.
“Oh you’re definitely worth the ride.”
She pulls away and kisses me quickly once more. As she leaves me to fulfill her rodeo duties, my name is put on the board. I take a deep breath and prepare my gear. I double-check my vest, chaps, saddle, and rigging, making 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 Midnight Sue into the chute, the saddle is placed on her, and she’s not happy. As the saddle is carefully positioned, I take a deep breath and then look toward the stands. I scan the crowd and see my dad and Bryndle smiling from ear to ear. When I look over my shoulder to the right, I see Timber grinning as if she can’t contain her excitement as much as me. I give her a wink, and she blows me a kiss.
When they give me the okay, I saddle up, check my rigging, place my spurs above her shoulder, and give them the green light as the gate is swung open. As Midnight Sue spins out of the gate, I keep my spurs above her shoulders. After the first buck, they move. I keep my feet in the stirrups because I know that’s a deduction. After that, I anticipate each move perfectly. My body moves in sync with the bronc, and as I hear the buzzer sound, I jump from the bronc, letting go of the rigging, and hurry to the gate as Midnight Sue exits down the chute.
Waiting for the score, I know that the ride was a good one and my mind replays Midnight Sue’s half of the ride. As the announcer begins to speak, I feel arms wrap around my waist. Looking to my side, I see Timber and hold her tight as we wait for the numbers. “An eighty-eight for Weston Parker riding Midnight Sue.”
She starts to holler and so do I. When her eyes meet mine, we pause and I kiss her in front of God and the entire rodeo. As a few hoots and hollers erupt from the stands, I continue to kiss her for the world to see. Maybe having both of my girls here is exactly what I needed.
As we pull apart, I look toward the stands and see Bryndle and Dad jumping up and down. Damn, I love those two. But then I notice something is wrong. Dad grabs his chest and looks as if he could pass out. I let go of Timber and she must see it too because we both take off for the stands. As we run she uses the walkie-talkie to call over first responders.
“Move!” I yell to anyone and everyone in my way. As I jump the fence and hustle up the steps, I grab Dad. Forrest helps me get him out of the stands and to the medics.
“Daddy, what’s wrong with Paw?” Bryndle begins to cry.
“It’s gonna be fine, Sweet Peach. I promise,” I tell her and pray that it will. If not, this will be the last damn time I ever rodeo.
As the medics put him on a stretcher, he looks at me.
“Ride, Weston. Don’t worry about me. I’m going to be fine.”
“You promise? Don’t you damn croak on me, old man.”
He starts to laugh but pauses and his face contorts with pain. I hold his hand as they push him from the arena and do my best to not completely lose it in front of Bryndle.
Once he is loaded in the ambulance, I turn to see Timber holding Bryndle, who’s crying. Rushing over to them, I bend down to her and hold her tight.
“He’s going to be fine. I promise. He wouldn’t have told me to ride if that wasn’t the case.” Bryndle nods in agreement.
“How will we know?” she questions and I look to Timber.
“Maw Jane is going. You know she’ll keep him straight and let us know what’s going on.”
“And as soon as I ride, we’ll go to the hospital. Are you okay with that?”
“Yeah, Daddy. I’m so scared though. I can’t survive without my paw.”
“Me either, Sweet Peach.”
I look toward Timber and she reads my mind. “I really think he’s going to be okay. I mean, I’m not a human doctor, but the fact that the medics got to him so quickly was a big help. Although he might have to lay off the Paw juice and steaks.”
“Oh no. That’s not going to be fun,” I say as we all laugh. Within two hours, we’ve gotten an update from Jane and he’s doing great. They seem to think he suffered from a mild heart attack but with minor surgery and a change in diet he should be fine. Relief washes over me as I look to my girls.
“Everything’s going to be okay,” I say to them, and as those words leave my lips Bryndle holds on to me and Timber doesn’t let go either.
As Bryndle pulls away, she looks up at me. “Now let’s go ride.”
Walking into the arena, the finals are underway. As I make my way back to the contestant area, I say a little prayer thanking God for keeping my dad safe, allowing my family to grow, and giving me one more shot.
When my name is called, I go through my rituals once more and take my place in the chute, ready to mount Midnight Sue. 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 gets aggravated, which means a great score for us.
When the buzzer sounds, I hop off and hurry out. Bryndle and Timber are waiting for me and the smiles on their faces ensure that it was a ride like none other. They both hurry into my arms and as we hear the score, I don’t believe my ears. “Wow, what a ride from our very own Weston Parker on Midnight Sue with a score of ninety. That’s going to take the cake, folks. I don’t see another score like that happening tonight.”
The announcer was right and that evening I won first place in saddle bronc, but more importantly, I got to share it with everyone that I love. I waited my entire life for this ride, and it was worth the wait.
Epilogue
Weston
8 years later
As the plane lands, I let out a breath of relief when we come
to a stop. Man, I hate these things.
Timber takes my hand. “Told ya it would be fine.”
“I know. I’d have rather driven.”
“I know but Las Vegas isn’t a day trip. Plus, Bryndle’s got everything covered.”
“I hope so.”
“Could you imagine our little man in a truck for a couple of days?”
Looking at Bronx, I know she’s right. There’s no way in hell a three-year-old is going to make it across country. Hell, I wasn’t sure about him coming on this trip, but everyone we know is coming to the National Rodeo Championships this year.
Timber unbuckles him as I stand to grab our carry-on items and then his car seat. Walking out of the terminal and toward baggage claim, I’m glad Bryndle is picking us up.
Once we gather our bags and walk out the automatic doors, I scan the loading zone for her. I don’t see her, but I hear the rumble of my Dually engine in the distance. “Here she comes.” Timber looks at me like I’m crazy. “What? I’d know that truck anywhere.”
She shakes her head in disbelief as Bronx starts to point. “Daddy’s truck! There’s Bryn. Daddy was right.”
As she pulls up so we can jump in, Bronx takes off toward the truck with Timber fast on his heels. Bryndle hops out to meet her brother and lets me drive.
“I’ve missed you this week,” she says as she picks him up. “Isn’t that right, James?”
“You know it, little man. How was the flight, Mr. Parker?”
“Cut the shit, James, it’s Weston for the hundredth time.”
“Yes, sir,” he says. I shake my head as I walk around the truck, toss the carry-on bags in the back and get in the driver’s seat. I still can’t believe my sweet peach is dating James Sellers and I have a feeling one day he’ll be my son-in-law. Honestly, I don’t even want to think about that because each time I do I want to pick her up, toss her over my shoulder, and lock her in her room. I’m sure that’d go over well.
