Worth the Ride

by Casey Peeler

  “Sweet Peach, you know the best way to the Grand?”

  “Yeah, you sure you want to drive?” Narrowing my eyes at her in the rearview, she giggles. “Just askin’, Daddy. Follow the signs out and then it’s pretty much a straight shot. There’s nothing but desert out here.”

  “Ya think?” James says, and I laugh. Bryndle elbows him in the ribs.

  As we make our way toward the Las Vegas strip, I try to take in everything around me. This place is insane and I’m honestly not sure how I feel about it. I’ve dreamed of this town and event for so long. As I’m looking at everything around me, I realize Timber asked me a question. “What’d you say?”

  “I asked what you’re thinking because I can see that mind going a million miles a minute.”

  “Um, this place is like Myrtle Beach on steroids.”

  The entire truck busts out in laughter, and I shrug my shoulders because it’s the truth. “Tell me I’m wrong. Heck, I know it’s the desert, but you know what I mean.”

  “Cowboy, it’s alright. I totally see it too,” Timber says as she laces her fingers with mine. Damn, I love this woman.

  As we arrive at the hotel, we let the valet park the truck because this place is tripping me out. I’m sure I could figure it out, but honestly everything we already need for the rodeo is at the convention center.

  Arriving in the room, we take a few minutes to get settled when there is a knock at the door. I open it and see Forrest and his wife Mandy, along with Timber’s parents.

  “Bout time y’all got here,” Forrest says as they come into the room. “I’m starving.”

  “Of course you are,” Mandy says as we all agree on a place to grab some lunch before heading to the arena. “I’m ready for Jake Bryant tonight. What about you, Timber?”

  Timber pauses in her tracks. “Girl, I can’t wait to see him shake it in those jeans.”

  “Me either!” Bryndle squeals.

  “Thank goodness Belle Montgomery is opening for him. Isn’t that right, Dad? She’s hot,” James says as every female in the room turns to stare at him.

  “Son. Haven’t you learned?” Forrest says, shaking his head. “We don’t talk or look at other women.”

  “I knew I married you for a reason,” Mandy says as she pulls Forrest in for a quick kiss.

  “Mom, you think Bronx is going to be okay?” Bryndle asks.

  “Of course, and if not, we’ll figure something out.” In other words, I’m staying home with the little man or heading back with him at some point.

  Timber

  I love how Weston can read my mind. He knows Bronx isn’t going to make it all night, but he also knows that Bryndle and I have been looking forward to this concert since we found out we were coming to the championship. I promise I’ll make it up to him later.

  As we arrive at the concert, we’re stopped over and over again by people wishing us luck this weekend. Taking our seats in the front row, we know this is going to be well worth the money.

  Looking over at Weston and Bronx, my heart skips a beat. Those two boys have my heart like none other. Weston catches me looking in his direction, and he tips his cowboy hat as Bronx copies his daddy. Seriously, there is nothing sexier than a cowboy holding his baby. It makes me want to have another one.

  When the lights dim and the announcer begins to speak, I get excited. Belle Montgomery takes the stage and she owns it like the soon-to-be headliner she is. She took country music by storm, and hasn’t looked back.

  When she says goodnight, I look to see how Bronx is hanging in there. He looks sleepy and I hold my arms out for him as Weston wraps his arm around my backside and slides his hand in my back pocket. Looking up to him, I feel happier than I ever thought possible.

  “I love you, Weston.”

  “More than Jake Bryant?”

  “He doesn’t even compare,” I say as he bends down to gently kiss my lips.

  “Welcome, rodeo fans!” I hear and can’t help but smile as we break our kiss and see Jake Bryant take the stage.

  Weston leans into my ear. “Are you sure about that?”

  “Oh I’m sure and I’ll make good on my promise later tonight.”

  “Let’s go, Jake!” Weston hollers and I start to laugh. “Shake it for my wife right here.”

  “Oh my goodness, you’ve lost it, Cowboy.”

  “Maybe you make me crazy?”

  Jake Bryant begins to perform and Bronx holds on for as long as he can. I start to sit with him but Weston pulls him from my arms. “You and Bryndle have fun. I’m taking the little man back to the room.”

  “You sure?”

  “One hundred percent. I’ll see you in a little bit.” He kisses me once and tells Bryndle to behave herself tonight. I can’t believe he’s letting her stay with James. I guess they’ve been together all week, but it’s just a big pill for him to swallow. Hopefully, having Forrest and Mandy in the room with them will prevent any hanky-panky.

  Once Weston and Bronx are gone, Bryndle and I spend the remainder of the night enjoying an up-close view of the best booty in country music. We sing along to each song, and have the time of our lives.

  Arriving back at the hotel, we all say goodnight and prepare for a long day ahead tomorrow. One filled with hopes, dreams, and making rodeo history.

  Weston

  Thank goodness that Bronx sleeps like a rock because Timber sure as hell made good on her promise. I don’t think I realized how much I needed a little one-on-one time with her. My stomach has been in knots all week and there’s no better way to relieve stress than sex.

  Saturday morning I wake up extra early and shower before Timber and Bronx wake up. There’s so much running through my mind today. I honestly think I’m going to puke. It’s just the rodeo and one event. That’s what I tell myself, but somehow it’s so much more. As I make myself a cup of hotel room coffee, Timber begins to stir.

  “Mornin’, hot stuff,” she says as she tosses the covers off and walks toward me. She kisses my lips as she takes the coffee from my hands, brings it to her mouth, takes a sip and smiles before handing it back. “I’m going to get ready. Will you get Bronx up in about ten minutes? Oh and don’t forget his Team Parker pearl snap.”

  “Got it.” The moment we knew the championship was in our future, Timber went nuts with Team Parker apparel. Everyone we know has a Team Parker shirt, hat, and pearl snap. She even made Bryndle and herself matching dresses. It’s insane, but I’ll let her do her thing with this one.

  When we’re ready, we meet Bryndle and the Sellers family in the lobby. The elevator doors open and I have to keep my emotions at bay when I see my sweet peach standing there as a grown woman. She’s stunning, and looks so much like Hannah when we were that age that my throat goes dry. Timber loops her arm in mine.

  “Wow, she looks amazing.”

  “Where did my little sweet peach go?”

  “Cowboy, she’s still there. She’ll always be your little girl.”

  “Daddy!” Bryndle says with a smile. “Y’all look awesome!”

  “So do you.”

  “Daddy, you okay?”

  “Never better. Now let’s get this rodeo started.”

  Arriving at the convention center, I can’t keep my emotions in check. What the hell is going on with me? I shouldn’t be this nervous. Hell, never in my entire career have I felt like this. I do my best to shake it off.

  After showing our pass at the gate, we find our parking stop for riders and pile out of the truck. Walking to the back I grab my bag and we walk into the convention center as a family.

  As we walk past other riders, we exchange head nods and acknowledge each other. Arriving at check-in, I feel a lump in my throat as Bryndle steps up to the official.

  “Bryndle Cole Parker.” The official pauses and looks at her.

  “The saddle bronc rider?” he questions.

  “That would be me, sir.”

  “Well, it’s an honor to meet you, miss.”

  “Tha
nk you.”

  As we all start to walk to the contestant’s area, all eyes are on Bryndle and it’s starting to piss me off. I knew today would be hard, but hell, that’s my baby.

  When she finds her spot, I drop my bag. Gosh, I’ve got to quit calling it that. As I’m about to start going through our rodeo rituals, Bronx grabs me by the leg.

  “Daddy, you riding too?”

  Shaking my head, I pick him up. “No, little man. Today is sissy’s day. I’ve already had my turn.”

  “Go sissy,” Bronx says as he throws his arms in the air.

  “You got that right.” Putting him down, I turn to see Timber taking it all in.

  She smiles. “Can I have a minute, Weston?”

  “Come on, little man. Let’s go check out the broncs.”

  Bronx stops. “Bronx? There’s more of me?”

  “No, you silly. Let’s go see the horses.”

  Timber

  “Thank goodness you sent him away, Mom. He’ll drive me crazy for the next two hours.” We both laugh.

  “I know that’s why I rescued you. What do you need me to do?”

  “Can you braid my hair?”

  “Absolutely.”

  Bryndle and I spend the next hour getting ready and talking about what lies ahead of her. This might have been considered a guy’s sport, but this girl has it in her blood. However, that doesn’t mean going out there looking like a bum. Her hair is perfectly styled in a fishtail braid, her makeup is on point, and her outfit is as trendy as possible. It is, however, hard to snap up a rodeo vest with all of those dang sponsor patches. When we finish, I take a step back and look at her.

  “You look amazing, Sweet Peach.”

  “Thank you.”

  “No problem.”

  “No… thank you for everything. You didn’t have to do all of this,” she says, motioning around.

  “I didn’t do this. You did.”

  “I couldn’t have done it without you. You helped me wear Daddy down. But seriously, I wouldn’t be the woman I am today without you. You stepped in when I needed a female in my life the most. I don’t know what we would have done without you.”

  “You’d have managed. Your daddy would have made sure of that.”

  She starts to laugh. “What’s so funny?”

  “Just thinking about how things would have been different if you weren’t around. Could you see Daddy going to buy me a bra? Not to mention, Daddy would have probably made me wear camo to prom.”

  There is a lot of truth in those statements. Weston was struggling with the female changes going on, but I also know that he would have done what he had to for her.

  Weston

  After taking Bronx to look at the horses and around the backstage of the arena, I know I’ve given them a long enough time to get the girlie shit done. Thank goodness for Timber. Looking down at Bronx, I see him trying to put his arm in a gate.

  “No Bronx, these aren’t pets.”

  “Why not?”

  “Cause they’re different. They’re wild.”

  “But Sissy rides them.”

  “Yes she does.”

  “I want to ride one,” he pouts.

  “Not today.” His eyes light up and I know that look. I might as well throw in the towel now. Looks like we’re a saddle bronc family, and it’s not going to change any time soon.

  Arriving back at the contestant’s area, I stop when I see my girls. They are stunning. When Bronx sees them he lets go of my hand and takes off toward Bryndle. She bends down and scoops him into her arms.

  “Sissy, you gonna ride wild horse?”

  “Yes I am.”

  “I ride too.” Timber shoots her eyes in my direction. “One day. Daddy said I could.”

  Bryndle shakes her head. “Glad I could wear him down for ya, buddy. Let me see that shirt,” she says as she puts him down. “All the girls are going to love you, Bronx.”

  “Girls? Yuck.”

  We all stand around a few minutes and then Timber and Bronx excuse themselves to find their seats.

  “Ready to go through the ritual?”

  “You know it.”

  From the first rodeo that Bryndle entered, I showed her my ritual and we’ve been doing it ever since. I think it puts me at ease to know her gear is all up to par and that I get to be the last one to see her before she enters the arena.

  “Alright. This is it, Sweet Peach. Paw would be so proud of you.”

  “Yeah he would. What do you think Hannah would say?”

  “She’d be proud of the strong woman you’ve become. You only need eight seconds.”

  A smile escapes her lips and she gives me a hug. We both know it’s time to get going.

  “Hey Daddy, let’s make it nine.”

  Bryndle

  “Bryndle Parker, you’re up in two.”

  I take a moment to double-check my vest, chaps, saddle, and rigging. I make sure that the length is just right. Taking a few deep breaths, I think about my mom and Paw. I say a little extra prayer that they’ll help me out, and as I finish I hear someone talking to me.

  “Good luck,” a guy with teeth as white as pearls and a smile the size of Texas says to me. Shit, that’s Oliver Fox. He is the best bull rider around.

  “Thanks. Same goes for you.”

  As they call my name to get ready, I take one deep breath, say another prayer and run through my riding to-do list. I’ve drawn Twenty-One to ride today, and part of me finds it humorous. Black Jack and now Twenty-One. I can promise you he’s going down.

  I hear the announcer, “Next up, number twenty-three, Bryndle Parker, riding Twenty-One.”

  Once he’s in the chute, my saddle is put in place, and it’s on. When they give me the okay, I saddle up, glance into the stands for my family, check my rigging, place my spurs above his shoulder, and give them the green light as the gate is swung open.

  As he spins out of the gate, I keep my spurs above his shoulders. Heck yeah! After his first buck, they move. I keep my feet in the stirrups but always use caution after Daddy’s incident. With each move, my body flows with him. As he turns abruptly, I do my best to follow in rhythm. I can feel the energy of the crowd as eight seconds approaches. With the sound of the buzzer, I hold on for one more thousand, kick my feet out of the stirrups, let go of my rigging, and dismount the wild beast.

  The bronc makes its way toward the exit chute as I wave to the crowd. I can hear the announcers talking about me. It’s a crazy moment. The ride was a good one, Twenty-One and I both did our part, but it’s up to the judges.

  Then I hear the words I never imagined I’d hear. “A ninety-one for Bryndle Parker riding Twenty-One. We’ve got a new champion. Bryndle Parker is the first-ever female saddle bronc rodeo champion.”

  Looking into the stands, I can’t contain my excitement and neither can my daddy. In this moment, I realize how mistakes mold our lives into unique and perfect artwork. I know I changed my daddy’s life in ways he never planned, but there’s no doubt that this is what Hannah Cole Parker dreamed for her little girl.

  Worth the Ride Playlist

  “Tomboy” - Miranda Lambert

  “One Thing Right” - Ryan Follese

  “Don’t Stop” - High Valley

  “Fast” - Luke Bryan

  “Juju on that Beat” - Zayion McCall & Zay Hilfigerrr

  “All On Me” - Devin Dawson

  “Skin & Bones” - Eli Young Band

  “Wild West”- Runaway June

  “They Can’t See” - Michael Tyler

  “God Made a Woman”- Jerrod Niemann

  “Hey Pretty Girl” - Kip Moore

  “In Case You Didn’t Know” - Brett Young

  “Better Place” - Kane Brown

  Acknowledgements

  What a ride it has been on this journey called life. Since the moment I started writing until now, life has changed. Throughout it all, I couldn’t have done it without my family. The countless hours I’m typing away, promoting, or marke
ting, they have stuck by me and are my biggest cheerleaders. With that being said, I’m their biggest fans as well. No matter what, I’m going to be cheering each of you one in your own specific life journeys!

  To my readers, I can’t thank you enough. You are the reason I continue to write. I love hearing your stories, discovering how you found me, and how my words impacted your life. Your stories always leave a mark on my heart, and I will be forever grateful.

  To the bloggers, thank you for always supporting me by a review, post, like, or comment. You are so much more than a blogger. You are a support system for authors like myself and we wouldn’t be where I am right now without each and every one of you! <3

  To Jennipher, Chauna, Lauren, Jessica, Beth, & April, than you so much for listening to my crazy ideas, reassuring me that I’m right on track, and for being amazing people in general.

  To Neda, thank you for your support and willingness work with me. You are truly amazing!

  About the Author

  Casey Peeler grew up in North Carolina and still lives there with her husband and daughter.

  Growing up Casey wasn't an avid reader or writer, but after reading Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neal Hurston during her senior year of high school, and multiple Nicholas Sparks' novels, she found a hidden love and appreciation for reading. That love ignited the passion for writing several years later, and her writing style combines real life scenarios with morals and values teenagers need in their daily lives.

  When Casey isn't writing, you can find her near a body of water listening to country music with a cold beverage and a great book.

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