Reunited with the Bull Rider

by Christine Wenger

The sheep won.

  After a while, some men came out attempt to get them back behind the chutes. The men were as funny as the kids.

  Callie was bent over, laughing, trying to catch her breath as everyone tried to round up the sheep.

  “Open the gate!” Reed yelled, his hands cupping at his mouth. “Open the gate!”

  Finally someone listened and the sheep filed in.

  Everyone began wiping their eyes and the mutton busting resumed. It was almost as funny.

  Reed stole a glance at Callie. She was laughing and looked so ecstatic that he didn’t want to burst her bubble and tell her that he’d be leaving after the raffle ticket sales.

  The way things stood between them, she wouldn’t care.

  * * *

  CALLIE TOOK A seat in the arena after Reed left to get ready to ride bulls. She could sense the excitement building in the arena during the bronc busting and the calf roping.

  She loved to watch the ladies, dressed in sequins and sparkles, ride their beautiful horses around the barrels. She found herself holding her breath several times as barrels wobbled. If the barrel fell, it was a ten-second penalty, and basically, the cowgirl was out of the competition.

  RayAnne Warren, graduating with her brothers tomorrow, won the barrel racing.

  Then it was time for the bull riding. She wondered where Reed was, but she didn’t have to look far for him. He was bending over the chute gate and helping other riders pull their bull ropes.

  She enjoyed the sight, along with probably every other woman in the arena.

  His brothers and some of the other PBR riders had come in for the rodeo and bull riding. They added a significant buzz of excitement to the event.

  Suddenly a wave of sadness washed over her and she felt sick. She was going to lose Reed, if she’d ever even had him.

  It soon was Reed’s turn to ride. The arena announcer, Big Dan, introduced him and then he announced the bull: Cowabunga. Big Dan added that Reed had specifically asked for the bull.

  He must be crazy, Callie thought. Riding that bull resulted in his torn meniscus.

  What’s he doing?

  “Reed’s a real bull rider. He isn’t going to let that bull beat him again,” said one of the attendees.

  Or is it personal pride?

  She knew a lot about personal pride. It was hard to forgive her father for what he’d done to their family. It was even harder to forgive Reed for being like her father.

  Especially when she’d fallen in love with Reed again.

  Cowabunga blasted out of the chute and Callie held her breath. Reed was almost pressed flat against him, his riding arm straining. The bull leaped so high in the air, she could see the hooves above Reed’s head. Reed doubled over. The bull started spinning, which was always good for points.

  Cassie was still holding her breath when Cowabunga changed direction and Reed barely stayed on. The bull launched into his famous belly roll and somehow Reed righted himself.

  The buzzer went off. Reed had done it!

  Now it was time for him to get off the back of the bull and safely behind the chutes, just as the bull would be trying to do. Cowabunga would be getting fed. Reed would be trying to get away from the bull and awaiting his score.

  Reed leaped off and ran. Cowabunga ran in the other direction. Reed was safe, and Callie could breathe again.

  His score was ninety-one out of a possible one hundred.

  Callie screamed so loudly, she thought she was going to lose her voice.

  Now it was time for Luke.

  Like a good sport, Reed pulled Luke’s bull rope. Jesse was behind the gate, doing something to help. Callie couldn’t tell what.

  Big Dan spoke. “Luke Beaumont drew Triple Threat, a bull noted for being mean, and he’s a spinner, ladies and gentlemen. Luke had better hang on or he’ll be tossed clear to Oklahoma City.”

  Luke stayed on for eighty-seven points.

  Jesse rode his bull for eighty-eight points.

  None of them took the event. It was won by a cowboy from Missouri, Ross Clarion.

  The crowd filed out of the arena and lined up at the food trucks and the various stands offering everything imaginable. It was the alligator bites that had the longest line.

  As Callie waited for the pulled pork sandwiches, Reed appeared at her side.

  Excitement shot through her. She was so relieved that he was okay and realized how much she still cared for him. She always had.

  “I think a pulled pork sandwich sounds good,” Reed said.

  He’d no sooner got that out before a group of seven girls, giggling and elbowing one another, approached.

  “Hey, Reed. Can we get your autograph?”

  Three of them were wearing halter tops and Callie knew what was coming next.

  “Sure, ladies. What would you like me to sign?”

  Someone handed him a white paper plate and he signed his name with flourish.

  A girl with pink dreadlocks stared Callie up and down. “Hey, lady, are you his girlfriend?”

  Somehow that made Callie seem old. “We’re friends.”

  “So then he’s free to date.”

  “I think he’s free to date anyone over twenty. You have to remember that Reed is an old cowboy and you ladies are...what? Thirteen?”

  “Hey, we’re fourteen,” said another with purple and green hair.

  “Sorry, my mistake,” Callie said, watching Reed sign a straw cowboy hat.

  One of the girls approached and handed him a black felt pen. “What would you like me to sign, miss?” Reed asked.

  “My stomach.” She batted her eyes in an attempt to flirt.

  “I don’t sign body parts. And you are a minor, too. No, thanks. Find some paper and come back. I’d be glad to sign it then.”

  She made a noise with her tongue against her teeth. “Let’s go. This dude’s a drag.”

  “Nah, I want an autograph from him. I’ll find a paper plate.”

  “Me, too!”

  They all ran off in the direction of another truck. Someone must be handing out paper plates for autographs.

  Cassie turned to Reed. “Hey, dude! You’re a drag,” she teased.

  “That’s okay. When I see a gaggle of girls like that, I feel pretty old.”

  “I was just thinking the same thing,” she said, suddenly feeling that her dreams of having children weren’t going to happen. “Excuse me, Reed. I suddenly don’t feel like eating. I’m going to find a quiet place. Maybe I’ll even go home. It’ll be quiet there, since my mom and my brothers are here.”

  Reed looked dumbstruck. Just like the time she’d told him that there was no room in her life for another gambler or something like that.

  “Goodbye, Reed. See you around.”

  “Are you sick? Are you going to the graduation tomorrow?”

  “Am I feeling sick? Yes, but it’s not what you think. And I’ll be at the graduation tomorrow.”

  Walking away, she looked back. Reed was where she’d left him, but now he was flanked by Luke and Jesse, who were talking to him and then hustled him away.

  The local TV station had arrived and was covering the event. Undoubtedly, they wanted to talk to the Beaumont Big Guns.

  Callie smiled weakly. The publicity would be good for the weekend.

  As she walked to her car, she knew she was walking away from Reed once and for all.

  Chapter Fourteen

  The graduation party/reunion was a great success. Her brothers looked handsome and serious in their caps and gowns as they marched across the makeshift stage at the Beaumont County Fairgrounds.

  Callie and her mother clapped the hardest. Even her father looked like a proud parent, though he hadn’t been there while the twins were growing up.

  Tish Holcomb was sitting next to C
allie’s father and her face looked like a plastic mask. Maybe when the facelift settled down, she’d look more natural.

  Later, Callie had bar duty on the fairgrounds and therefore was able to talk to everyone personally.

  After checking IDs, she poured endless pitchers of beer and soda and had a wonderful time.

  “Would you like to dance?”

  She looked up from pouring a pitcher of ginger ale and saw Reed.

  “Um...”

  “It’s only a dance, Callie. We’re not going to solve the world’s problems or even ours.”

  “I’d love to dance,” she said. She pulled up the hinged board and exited the bar. “I’ll be right back, Juanita.”

  “Take your time and dance with the handsome cowboy, chica.”

  Reed took Callie’s hand and led her to the dance floor. He put his hand around her waist and heard her quick intake of breath.

  The music was slow—a twangy, country ballad of drinking, finding love, losing love, driving fast cars and more drinking.

  “Callie, I wanted to tell you that I’m leaving tomorrow for Nashville to meet my brothers. I’m ready to ride again in the PBR.”

  Her heart sank. “You’re leaving tomorrow?”

  He nodded. “I need to get back to work.”

  “But what about your work here? All the construction? It isn’t finished yet.”

  “It’s almost done, but my father is going to keep an eye on things.”

  “I see.”

  She looked into his sky blue eyes. “Actually, I’m finished at the ranch, too. I can work on my laptop at my house.”

  She was going to regret having to leave the beautiful house and grounds, but her home was fine to work in.

  “Are you looking forward to going back, Reed?”

  “Yeah. There’s nothing for me here at the ranch.”

  That was meant for her and she got his message loud and clear. Once they might have had something, but not anymore.

  “I wish you nothing but the best, Callie. Maybe I’ll see you at some of the PBR events.”

  “Maybe.”

  His hand was warm on her back and he navigated a quick turn.

  “Reed, we have some unfinished business between us,” she said.

  “Yeah, I know. But you’ll never give me a chance to explain my stock trading.”

  “I wasn’t thinking about that, but I was thinking about how you said that you’d do whatever I’d like—all I had to do was name it.”

  “I remember. Name it.”

  “Don’t play the stocks anymore,” she said, gazing into his eyes.

  “I meant that we’d do an activity—bowling, bar hopping, the movies, a restaurant—not that.”

  “If we have any chance together, you have to give it up.”

  “I’m going to give it up because you refused to understand.” He shook his head. “The money I make is mine. I use it to spread around, like manure. It’s not my savings account or anything, but just extra money.”

  “But you could lose.”

  “I really don’t lose. I’m careful.” He dipped her and his face was mere inches from hers. “I wish you could understand.” He righted her. “I wish things turned out different for us, Callie. You know I have feelings for you. I’ve always had feelings for you.”

  Her head was spinning and not from the dip. All she could say was, “Me, too, Reed.”

  “Goodbye, Callie. See you around.” He kissed the top of her forehead and moved away from her.

  This couldn’t be happening. It was too soon. He was leaving too soon.

  “Reed, no. Not yet.”

  But her voice was drowned out by the music and Reed kept on going, out of the building and off to Nashville, and he hadn’t even asked her to go with him.

  * * *

  “HERE’S THE OLD mope himself,” Jesse said as Reed walked into the lobby of the host hotel for the Nashville PBR event and joined his brothers.

  “He looks like an ad for a zombie museum,” Luke said.

  “Reed, Jesse’s right. You’re not yourself.” Luke gripped his shoulder. “You have to get your head right, or don’t bother riding, dude. You’re going to get hurt again.”

  “I know. I know.”

  “So why isn’t Callie Wainright with you?” Luke asked.

  “It’s complicated.”

  “That’s a cop-out. Uncomplicate it,” Jesse said.

  “She thinks I’m a gambler like her father.”

  Luke rubbed his forehead. “Did you tell her that you’re not like her father? That you just play the stocks like a gamer?”

  “Several times, but she doesn’t get it. Her father is a compulsive gambler, and she’s had it rough through the years.”

  “That’s a tough one,” Jesse said.

  “Why didn’t you just volunteer to quit?” Jesse asked.

  “I don’t know. Just being stubborn, I guess. She shut down, so I guess I did, too.”

  “And how far did that get you?” Luke asked.

  “As far as this hotel lobby,” Reed admitted. “And in the company of my ugly brothers.”

  “I’ve got company,” Jesse said. “She’s in my room.”

  “And Amber is waiting for me back in ours.”

  “Guess I’m all alone, huh?” Reed shook his head.

  “Call her,” Luke said. “Invite her to the next PBR event.”

  “Yeah,” Jesse said. “And show her a good time. Maybe you can have a good talk with her.”

  “We’ll talk to her, too. We’ll tell her all your good points,” Luke said.

  “Yeah. That should take all of five seconds,” Jesse joked.

  “Good night. Say hi to Amber, Luke, and a big hello to your special lady, Jesse. Anyone I know?”

  Jesse grinned. “Who?”

  “Whomever is keeping your bed warm,” Reed said.

  “I doubt that you know her.”

  Luke cleared his throat. “What Jesse is trying to say, Reed, is that Jesse, the party cowboy, doesn’t really know her yet, either.”

  Reed chuckled. “Someday Jesse will find the right lady.”

  “But it sure is fun looking!” Jesse laughed. “How about it, Reed? Did you find the right lady?”

  “I think I did, little brother. I think I did.”

  “Then go get her!” Luke said.

  “Right after I win the event.”

  “Win the event?” Jesse laughed. “In your dreams, Reed.”

  “When bulls fly, bro,” Luke added.

  And they flew.

  * * *

  A FEW WEEKS LATER, they were watching the bull riding in Nashville from Callie’s living room.

  “He did it! Reed won!” Callie jumped up from the love seat in her living room, clapping and high-fiving her brothers. “Yes!”

  “For someone who doesn’t care about him, you sure care,” John said.

  “No kidding,” said Joe.

  Her mother put her hands up. “Leave Callie alone, boys.”

  Her two brothers excused themselves and headed for bed. Callie was going to do the same until her mother said, “Let’s talk, sweetie.”

  “Sure, Mom. What’s up?”

  “I don’t know how to begin to say this, but I like Reed, and I know you like him.”

  Callie leaned forward. “I think I love him, Mom. I think I always have.”

  “What’s stopping you from being with him?” Her mother walked over to the love seat and held Callie’s hand.

  “I think he has a money problem, Mom. He’s too careless with it, I think.”

  “Is it a problem or is it something that he just enjoys doing?”

  “What’s the difference?”

  “A real gambler won’t stop. The mortgage isn’t pai
d and the pantry is empty because he’s gambled away every last time. Like your father. Reed might just like the challenge of the stock market.”

  “Mom, do you think I made a mistake?”

  She patted Callie’s hand. “Go and talk to him.”

  “I think he’s been trying to tell me that he likes the challenge of the stock market. He calls it his play money.”

  “Then go, sweetie. Go rope your cowboy!”

  “I don’t know—”

  Her phone rang and Callie didn’t recognize the number. “Hello? This is Callie Wainright.”

  “Callie, it’s Bill Waterson. I’ve been trying to contact Reed Beaumont. Do you think I could borrow a tractor to plant the hay for Reed? Mine bit the dust.”

  “Hay for Reed?”

  “Yeah, we have an agreement that I’d plant a hay lot for the Beaumont stock on my land. Reed’s paying me.”

  “Oh, I understand now, Mr. Waterson. I’m sure it’s fine. Slim Gomez, the ranch’s ramrod, is back, so give him a shout. I’ll give Slim a head up that you’re coming. The Beaumonts have several tractors for you to choose from, and since Reed asked you to plant a hay lot—”

  “Reed saved my butt, Callie. He saved my farm.”

  “How did he do that?”

  “Don’t you know? He handed me a check for twenty grand for the hay lot, to catch up on my mortgage and for first dibs at my animals.”

  “You haven’t sold Billy’s animals, have you?”

  “Not now I’m not, and I owe it all to Reed.”

  “Thank goodness. Billy would have been devastated.”

  “I know. But would you tell Slim that I’ll be over for the tractor tomorrow? I want to get started plowing and planting.”

  “Will do, Mr. Waterson.”

  “Bill. Call me Bill.”

  “Okay, Bill.”

  Callie looked through her spreadsheets that she’d had with her, and didn’t see a transaction totaling twenty thousand dollars. She would have remembered such an amount.

  Reed must have used his stock earnings.

  She remembered little Billy during the first-grade tour. He was so sad. She and Reed had talked about how to help the Watersons, and it seemed that Reed solved the problem.

  The Beaumonts certainly had enough land for a hay lot, but Callie knew that Reed had done it for the Watersons.