Just then, Pappy walks in. “There’s my pretty girl,” he says, giving me a kiss on top of my head. “Make sure you put a lot of cheese on that pizza. That’s my favorite part!”
“You got it, Pappy!” I say, dumping the rest of the cheese on top of the pepperoni star.
We eat pizza while we watch our movie. I want to stay up real late, but by the time the movie ends, my eyes are starting to feel real heavy, and I keep accidentally falling asleep.
Pappy carries me up to the pink room and Granny tucks me in. I open my eyes one last time to see the dark, starry sky out the window, but the next thing you know, it’s morning!
It’s early! The chickens are barely awake, and the rooster hasn’t even crowed yet when Granny taps on the pink room’s door. “Time to get up, honey pie,” she says. “We have a lot to do!”
I get dressed fast. After a breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, and biscuits at Suzie Q’s Diner, Granny and I are off to Boots Western Wear.
Knowing how to be a barrel racer is just one part of being in the rodeo. I have to look good, too!
“I bet we’ll be able to find a pink bandana,” Granny says as we walk over to Boots. “Boots has everything a little cowgirl could want.”
Inside the store, a salesgirl comes over to us. Her nametag says “Estrella.”
“Can I help you two find anything?” she asks.
Granny smiles proudly. “My granddaughter is going to be barrel racing in the rodeo next weekend,” she says. “We need a shirt, chaps, and boots.”
“I can help you with that,” Estrella says. She smiles at me. “How exciting to be in the rodeo!”
Right away, she finds a real cute pink shirt on a rack.
She holds it up to me and says, “I think this is your size.”
“I love it!” I tell her. “Now let’s look for a pair of boots.”
On the way to the boots section, Granny picks up a bandana. It’s just the right shade of pink. She twirls it in the air. “I told you they’d have a pink one,” she tells me, winking.
All of the boots smell just like my new saddle. I see red boots, blue boots, black boots, and some boots with designs on them. Then I see the perfect pair. They are pink with black stitching and little black stars on the sides. “Let me find your size,” Estrella tells me.
I wait on a bench until Estrella comes back with a box. When I slide my feet into the beautiful boots, I feel like Cinderella when she tried on the glass slipper.
“They fit me perfect!” I whisper.
Granny nods. “They’re perfect in every way,” she says.
I don’t want to take them off. Estrella can tell I love them.
“You can put your old shoes in here,” she says, handing me the box. “I can tell you’ll be wearing your new boots out of the store!”
Granny carries the box, the shirt, bandana, some chaps, and a belt, to the counter.
Estrella smiles at me as she rings everything up. “You’re going to look like a real, true rodeo queen!” she says.
I gasp and look at Granny. How did Estrella guess my dream?
On Sunday, it’s time to practice again. Momma, Daddy, T.J, and Ugly Brother all come to Lickskillet Farm to watch. They stand next to the fence with Pa while I show Star my new boots. She loves them! I can tell because she whinnies really loud when she sees them.
Sitting straight and tall in my saddle, I wait for Nanny’s directions. We only have five days left to practice, so we need to get down to business.
“Remember, the fastest rider wins,” Nanny tells me.
“Yes, ma’am!” I say. “I aim to be the fastest rider at the rodeo, so don’t you worry!”
Pa calls over, “You look the part. I thought you were a regular cowgirl when you got out of the car!”
Daddy has Ugly Brother on a doggie leash. If we let him go, he will chase after me and spook Star. Then I could fall or get hurt.
“Sorry, Ugly Brother,” I holler. “Doggies can’t ride horses. You just watch me, okay?”
He barks, “Ruff, ruff.” That means yes.
Star and I run through the barrels, making careful, small loops. If you make your circles too big, you lose time. The fastest rider wins, I tell myself. The fastest rider wins.
Momma smiles and gives me a thumbs-up. When I finish, she claps. Daddy claps too, and yells, “You’re fantastic, baby girl!”
T. J. shakes his head as I ride over to the fence. “I can’t believe it,” he says. “You’re going to win.”
My eyes go to Nanny. She’s the one who knows what a real rodeo barrel racer needs to do to win.
Nanny’s face is stretched into a huge smile. “You get two gold stars for the fastest time yet!” she tells me.
“Let’s try it again!” I say.
I keep on practicing until it’s time to go home for supper. Every time I’m away from Star, I miss her. In the car on the way home, I ask, “Can we keep Star in our backyard?”
Daddy laughs. “That would be fun, wouldn’t it?” he says. “But I don’t think our neighbors would like it too much.”
“I know you’re right,” I say sadly. “She might try to eat Miss Clarabelle’s flowers or swim in Cole’s swimming pool.”
“That’s right, honey,” Momma says.
“I guess she can stay at the farm,” I decide.
On Monday after school, Cole comes to the farm with me. He watches while I ride through the barrels. I do it ten times. Every single time is as perfect as can be!
Cole looks surprised. “You really did it, Kylie Jean!” he says. “You learned how to do a rodeo event.” Then he adds, “You’re really good at it, too!”
I know he didn’t think I could do it. I don’t care. I proved him wrong!
* * *
On Tuesday, Uncle Bay comes out to watch me practice. Star and I are ready. We put on a great show.
When Uncle Bay comes over to help me down, he says, “You look just like Nanny did when she was a girl. Don’t tell her I said so, but you’re even better than she was!” He winks and smiles at me.
“Thanks, Uncle Bay,” I say. “I learned everything from Nanny. She’s the best! But I won’t tell her what you said. It can be our secret.”
* * *
On Wednesday, all the farm hands from Lickskillet Farm come to watch me practice. They’ve been watching me learn to race. Nanny watches with them.
After I’m done, one of them says, “Ma’am, you’re a great teacher. Miss Kylie Jean is fast enough to win. I wouldn’t be surprised if she sets a record!”
“Nanny is the best teacher in the whole wide world,” I tell him. “She gets two gold stars!”
* * *
On Thursday, Granny and Pappy are at the farm when I come over after school. Granny winks at me. “You look like a true cowgirl,” Granny says. “But you can’t fool me, Kylie Jean. You’re doing this just so you can be the rodeo queen!”
I shake my head. “It did start out like that,” I tell her. “And I do want to be queen more than anything. But I truly love barrel racing!”
“You’re the cutest little cowgirl I’ve ever seen,” Pappy says. “You’ll be the rodeo queen. I just know it!”
* * *
On Friday, Nanny and Pa watch me practice. I hardly notice them at all. I’m too busy riding my horse.
Star and I were meant to be friends and ride in the rodeo. She knows just where to go, and I know how to make sure we get there super fast. We make a great team.
But then something happens. I don’t know what, but quick as lightning I find myself sitting on the ground, and Star is riding on ahead.
“Whoa, Star!” I shout. “Stop! What happened?”
She stops. I can tell she feels bad that I fell.
Pa runs over and grabs her reins. “I’ll take her back to the barn,” he tells me. “Looks like she needs a rest.”
Tears spring to my eyes. Everything was perfect. Now I don’t know if I’ll even be able to ride in the rodeo.
�
��Don’t you do that,” Nanny tells Pa. “That horse is fine.” She rushes over to me. “Are you okay, sugar?” she asks, helping me stand up.
“I think so,” I say. “What happened, Nanny? Why did I fall?”
Nanny shakes her head. “I don’t know for sure,” she says. “I blinked and you were on the ground.”
“What if it happens at the rodeo?” I ask quietly.
“It won’t,” Nanny says. “But if it does, well, that’s because people fall while they’re barrel racing all the time.”
“Not rodeo queens,” I say. “Not you.”
Nanny laughs. “You think I never fell?” she asks. I shake my head. “Why, Kylie Jean, I’ve fallen more times than I can count,” she tells me.
“What do you do when you fall?” I ask.
Nanny smiles and gives me a hug. “You get back on,” she says. “And that’s all there is to it.”
I nod. “Okay,” I say. “I can do it.” And I do.
The next morning, Ugly Brother wakes me up by licking my face. Finally, it’s the day of the big Wild West Rodeo!
My nerves are jumpy as a jackrabbit. It is just getting light out as Daddy and I head to Lickskillet Farm. The sky is streaked with pale blue, gray, and gold. Daddy and I don’t say much. It’s too early for talking.
When we get to the farm, Pa is sitting on the porch. He’s holding Star’s brush, a bucket, and some special soap.
I hurry to Star’s stall in the barn. She looks just as nervous as I feel.
“Today’s our big day,” I whisper. “You’re gonna want to look pretty.”
She whinnies. “I think that means she’s ready to get prettied up,” Pa says.
First, we wash her. Then I brush her on the low side and Pa brushes her on the high side.
After we’re done, Pa stands back. “She really looks like a star today,” he says. “Well, your daddy better get you home so you can get a bath and put on your cowgirl clothes.”
When we get home, Momma drags me upstairs and dunks me in the bathtub. I scrub the horse smell off of me.
Once I’m dry, Momma braids my hair in one long braid down my back.
I put on my clothes, tie on my bandana, and buckle my belt. Then I slip on the boots with the stars. Next come the spurs and chaps. Finally, I put on my pink cowboy hat. I’m ready!
Daddy has his famous pancakes, bacon, and juice waiting for me in the kitchen.
“You rodeo stars need to eat, too,” he tells me, placing the plate in front of me. “I don’t want you to be tired when they announce the new queen.”
Under the table, Ugly Brother begs for some of my tasty bacon.
“Sorry, Ugly Brother,” I tell him, giving him a scratch behind his ears. “I need to eat up today. I need lots of energy!”
Ugly Brother whines softly. Then he walks out of the room.
“Are you excited for today, Kylie Jean?” Daddy asks.
“I sure am,” I say. “I really hope I win.”
Momma frowns. “Honey, I hope you win, too,” she says. “But if you don’t, you know you need to be gracious. And if you do, you need to be kind to the other girls, and tell them they did a great job, too. Okay?”
“I will, Momma,” I say. “Should I tell their horses, too?”
Momma smiles and replies, “Yes. Horses too. Now eat up. We better get a move on.”
“Can I ride in Pa’s horse trailer with Star?” I ask.
Daddy laughs. “No, puddin’. You’ll ride in the van with me and Momma.”
“We’ll meet Pa and Star at the rodeo,” Momma tells me.
At nine o’clock on the dot, we get to the rodeo. Nanny, Pa, and Star are already there.
The place is packed! Cowboys and cowgirls are everywhere. Everyone is rushing around. I see horses and ponies and cows and bulls in trailers.
The air smells like fresh hay and horses. I hear music playing and people laughing.
I’m so excited!
After I sign in, Nanny gives me a program. “Barrel racing is in the second half of the show,” she tells me. “First we’ll watch the roping events. After that are the timed events, like goat tying and steer wrestling. Barrel racing is one of the timed events, too.”
“After that, is it over?” I ask.
Pa shakes his head. “The last events are the rough-and-tumble ones,” he explains. “The most exciting and most dangerous ones, like bronco and bull riding.”
“The Grand Entry is first,” Momma tells me. “You better get ready!”
Pa leads Star to me, and I mount up. Momma holds up a mirror so I can make sure my hair looks just right. Then I wave to my family. “We’re so proud of you!” Daddy says.
Music starts playing. I pull the reins to turn Star around, and we line up with the other riders.
The people watching all cheer and whistle as the Grand Entry begins. I’m near the end of the line, so I have to wait a while before Star and I start moving.
There are three celebrity riders at the beginning of the line. They carry the flags, just like in the parade. One of them is last year’s rodeo queen.
I lean down and pat Star’s neck. “Next year we’ll be the ones carrying the flag,” I tell her. “When I’m the rodeo queen!”
When Star and I finally get moving, I feel my heart start to pound. It’s kind of scary riding in front of so many people.
I see Momma, Daddy, Pa, Nanny, Granny, Pappy, T.J., Miss Clarabelle, Cole, and all my aunts and uncles and cousins in the stands. I even see Estrella, from Boots Western Wear! She waves when she sees me.
Since I see so many friendly faces in the crowd, I feel better. I don’t have to be nervous.
After the Grand Entry, we have to wait for a long time. Finally, a voice booms through the arena. “Riding Star, it’s Kylie Jean Carter!” We’re next!
Star goes to the center of the arena. “We’re going to go around the barrels just like we practiced,” I tell her. “Pretend we’re in the pasture at Lickskillet Farm. You don’t have to be scared. Just pretend it’s me and you, nobody else. We can do this!”
We’re off! I nudge Star, and we race to the left.
After a quick loop around the barrel, we gallop around the barrel to the right. Then we arc around the barrel at the top. It feels just like riding at the farm.
Before I know it, we’re at the finishing line.
I pull the reins gently. “Whoa, Star!” I call. “It’s time for our big finish!”
Smiling, I turn to the judges. I give my beauty queen wave, nice and slow, side to side. Star raises her head and tosses her shiny, golden mane.
The crowd goes wild!
I look for Nanny in the stands. When I see her, she’s holding up ten fingers. Pa is next to her, holding up two fingers.
That means twelve seconds total racing time. That’s a record-breaking time! Yeehaw!
I am so happy. Even if I don’t become the rodeo queen, I made my best time ever. This is a great day!
The announcer says, “Folks, we have a brand-new barrel-racing record of twelve seconds flat for Miss Kylie Jean Carter. She’s only eight years old! Can y’all believe it? This little gal is something else!”
Everyone cheers and claps and whistles for me. I am so happy!
I brush Star, and then give her some hay. Then I head into the stands.
When I get to my family, Pappy gives me a high-five. Everyone is so proud of me.
Momma, Granny, and Nanny keep on hugging me, and Daddy tells all the people around us that I’m his little girl.
We watch the bronco riding and bull riding. It’s exciting, but I can’t really pay attention. All I can think about is being the rodeo queen. Finally, the last rider finishes. There are no more events. It’s time to find out who the next rodeo queen will be.
“How long does it take them to decide on the queen?” I ask Nanny.
“It’s never taken this long before,” she replies. Her face looks worried.
I bite my bottom lip. Momma pats me on my back.
“Now, you know that they usually pick a grown-up girl for rodeo queen,” she tells me. “So don’t be disappointed if —”
But the announcer’s voice drowns her out. “For the first time ever, folks, we have a little rodeo queen. She stole our hearts when she gave us that wave at the end of her event.”
Momma gasps. Granny smiles. Nanny claps. Pa takes his hat off. Pappy whoops. Daddy grabs my hand. Even T.J. looks excited. My heart practically stops!
The announcer continues, “That’s right. Miss Kylie Jean Carter is our queen. Come on down here, Kylie Jean!”
Before he finishes talking, I run down to the center of the arena, shouting, “It’s me! It’s me!”
The Yellow Rose of Texas plays real loud over the loudspeaker. Everyone in the whole arena stands up.
The rodeo queen from last year takes off her sparkly tiara. The front has pretend diamonds and other pretty jewels. She sets it on top of my pink cowgirl hat. Then she whispers in my ear, “You’ll be a wonderful queen, Kylie Jean.”
I give the folks in the stands my best beauty queen wave. Everyone cheers.
Then Daddy walks out to the center of the arena. He’s leading Star and carrying a bunch of yellow roses. “I knew you could do it, baby girl,” he tells me. “You’re going to be a fantastic rodeo queen.”
I give him a big hug. Momma blows me kisses from the stands. Even T.J. is standing up and cheering.
Daddy helps me into my saddle. I lean down, careful not to crush my beautiful roses, and kiss Star on the neck. Then I slip her two lumps of sugar.
“We’re both stars now,” I whisper. “You’re the best pony ever. Thank you for helping me win.”
We lead all of the cowboys, cowgirls, and riders around the arena.
I wave and blow kisses to the crowd. The folks go wild, chanting, “Kylie Jean, Kylie Jean!” And Star lifts her head high as she carries me around the arena.
Kylie Jean Rodeo Queen Page 3
