Page 41 of Fall With Me (Sugarland Creek)

“Awesome.” Her gaze lowers to Ranger’s saddle before she grins wide. “Good luck.”

I know I should say something nice back likeyou, too, but I just don’t have it in me to return the condescending comment. So instead, I take Ranger’s reins and guide him to the front of the waiting pen since I’ll be the third one to race.

The emcee announces the trick riders and music blares as they perform. Delilah’s bright purple attire is easy to spot, and I genuinely smile watching her. Although I don’t know anything personal about the Fanning sisters, I do know they work hard and are focused on their careers, too. Delilah travels just as much as I do, but Harlow is still getting her name out there. I’m not sure how often they see each other, but it’s nice they have each other for support.

It’s the one thing I can’t buy or work harder at to achieve because the one person who loves and supports me unconditionally can’t be here to watch or cheer me on. Though I am forever grateful I have Noah and her family and am gladwhen my family can show up, it still feels different. Like my heart is never quite full because there’s always a piece of it missing.

As soon as the trick riders are done, I give Ranger his usual pep talk. We’ll be up in just a few minutes. The music starts playing again and he does little tippy taps as his excitement builds. “We’ve got this, buddy.”

The pressure is extra heavy tonight, but I try not to let it get to me as the first girl runs down the alleyway. The crowd cheers, the emcee announces her time, and then seconds later, the next girl starts.

“We’re up, Ranger. Let’s do this.” I give him a little kick to up his excitement as we exit the waiting pen.

“Three-time Southeast regional champion and three-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier, Ellie Donovan! Let’s hear it for a Sugarland Creek local and her twelve-year-old quarter horse, Ranger!”

He charges into the arena as soon as the music blares and perfectly rounds the first barrel.

“Good job!Go, go, go!” I hold out the reins as he sprints to the second and then grab the horn while he twists around it.

“One more, buddy.”

My eyes do a quick scan of the crowd when I hear Noah and Magnolia screaming for us. Landen and a brunette stand right behind them.

Just as I pull the reins to the side, my shoulder drops and Ranger goes too deep into the pocket, cutting the turn too soon. I slide my foot out of the stirrup just in time to raise my leg up and over the barrel so I don’t knock it down. The stirrup just brushes it but not enough to tip it.

Fuck, that was close.

“Hustle home, Ranger!” Clicking my tongue, I lean forward with the reins loose in my grip and listen to the crowd grow louder as we cross the finish line.

“That puts The Rodeo Princess in the lead with fifteen point eight nine two!”

Not the fastest I’ve run but not the slowest.

Once my foot’s secure in the stirrup again, I lead us out so the next rider can enter.

“Damn, that was impressive,” Sarah says as soon as I catch my breath. “Never saw anyone do that before.”

“My trainer’s had me practice for all kinds of situations.”

And stupidly enough, it was Landen’s idea when he was on my ass about my dislocated shoulder. Told Noah I should practice lifting my knee with and without the stirrup in the event Ranger shouldered too close. Of course she loved the idea and said it wouldn’t hurt to be prepared for everything and anything.

“You cut the turn too soon or you wouldn’t have had to do that,” Samantha chimes in, riding up next to her sister.

My jaw clenches. “I’m aware.”

The Smith twins are at least ten years older than me and think since I’m younger, I don’t know what I’m doing.

But funny enough, when the emcee announces them, neither of them has the wordschampionshiporfinals qualifierbefore their names.

Chapter Ten

LANDEN

Staying late at the rodeo and then getting up at seven for work the next day is killer, but if I want to muck stalls and feed the horses before Antonio’s roping event, I have no choice.

I’m still half asleep an hour later when I stumble into The Lodge for breakfast and nearly bump into Ellie at the buffet line.

“Shit, sorry.” I instinctively grab her elbow and then blink twice to clear the fog when her eyes meet mine. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”

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