Page 39 of Property of Rio

I’ve found over the years that most will go to the left to start, but my Gazer, she likes to go right. Using my thighs and calves, as well as a spare rein when needed, I allow my horse to have her head, grinning when we cross the electronic timer line again and the disembodied robotic voice intones, “Stargazer, Triple R Ranch, thirteen point four zero seconds.”

Shit, that’s almost two seconds shed from my personal best. It’s faster than the person who was sitting comfortably in first place. Guess me and Stargazer have upset the proverbial applecart. Again. It’s not the first time we’ve done it at a rodeo, and I doubt it’ll be the last.

“Fuck, Issy, you wereflying,” Rip says as I cool Stargazer down in the after-race corral. Rafe’s standing next to him, a shit-eating grin stretched across his face as he nods in agreement.

“She was in the zone today,” I reply as Gazer prances around, showboating like sheknowsshe won this time.

“C’mon, babe, the brothers are chomping at the bit for some rodeo food,” Rafe says, hopping the small fence and grabbing Stargazer’s reins, ready to lead her to our friend. “Luis will get her sorted out since I know you’re hungry too.”

“Yeah, I hate eating before a race because I still get that pukey feeling just before the buzzer goes off,” I admit, grinning down at him. “Stay, Gazer,” I command. Once I’m sure she’s not going to move, I let Rafe help me down then we walk her over to Luis who is grinning from ear to ear.

“Already sent my papi the video of you and Stargazer racing, Miss Issy,” he says, taking the reins. “He’s very proud of you both, as is mama.”

“Thank you, Luis. Y’all had a hand in her winning too, y’know,” I reply. “Good food, clean stall, regular workouts when I wasn’t allowed to ride. It all matters.”

He shakes his head then states, “We’ll agree to disagree. I’ve got her now, y’all go eat.”

TWENTY-TWO

Rio

I watch in amusement as Rip and Issy attempt to outdo one another with respect to eating cotton candy. Although in reality, the stuff melts in your mouth once it hits your tongue, they are determined to win. Why cotton candy? Who the fuck knows. I just know that my ol’ lady is on a major sugar rush, giggling as she crams more into her mouth while mocking the fact that Rip’s lips are blue from the cone he’s currently demolishing.

“When should we call it?” Abyss whispers while the other brothers are still placing bets on the pair.

“Soon,” I advise. “Issy’s good for three but because her stomach was already nervous about the race, she’s liable to start projectile vomiting at any second. Motion to Rip to ‘fall out’ so she wins to keep her in a good mood.”

Abyss smirks at me because heknowswhy I want her in a good mood but before he can do anything, Issy speaks up. “Ugh, Rip, I can’t eat another bite, dammit. Looks like you got me this timearound. But I reserve the right to call a rematch when we host at the Triple R later this year.”

Rip’s face is priceless right now. I think he was on the verge of tapping out himself, but now, he gets to claim bragging rights over her, at least until their next silly eating contest reconvenes. “Definitely, Issy, I’ll be ready for ya, girlie.”

“Rafe?” she asks, walking up to me.

“Yeah, babe?”

“I’m getting tired,” she admits before winking at me.

“I see,” I murmur. Looking around at the brothers, I state, “Y’all go have some fun, we’re heading to bed.” Most of them hide their snickers behind a cough as I wrap my arms around Issy. Leaning down I murmur against her ear, “They’re not buying it.”

“I don’t give a fuck. We need to celebrate,” she sasses, her expression gleeful. “Now, come on, Rafe. I need a shower and I can’t reach my back to scrub it.”

We’re out by the bonfire later on enjoying some barbecue sandwiches when Rip casually states, “I was worried about that windstorm that blew through earlier, cuz.”

“What storm?” Issy asks, falling right into his trap.

“The one that had y’all’s RV rocking so much I was worried it was gonna tip,” Rip deadpans.

As the brothers start chuckling, I see Issy’s face redden but my woman’s no pussy, she can give as good as she gets. “No worriesthere, it’salwaysanchored down well,” she sasses. “Methinks you might be a bit… jealous of Rafe since he’s got an ol’ lady now and you’re still as single as a pringle?”

“Nonsense,” Rip blusters. “Just making an observation is all.”

Issy starts to laugh as she nudges Rip with her shoulder. “Don’t you know I’m not easy to wind up and embarrass by now? I grew up around a bunch of redneck ranch hands and a club full of unruly bikers. My ability to truly be embarrassed was gone by the time I was eight, I think. Maybe nine.”

“So, during closing ceremonies tomorrow, we’re gonna mention our rodeo and the fact that it’ll be Gage Morgan’s final ride on Mississippi Hippie, who is slated to retire. I reached out to the owner, and he thinks it’s a fitting tribute to both Gage as a bull rider and the beast, as he called him, for an illustrious career,” I state.

Nods around the bonfire let me know that my brothers are easing into forgiving Gage for what went down. I felt that they would adjust their thinking once a little bit of time had passed. Being here this weekend, even though not everyone came, has gone a long way toward helping heal wounds.

“Good plan, Prez,” BamBam says. “I mean, he might’ve fucked up, but in the end, hedidsave your ass when that fucker tried to shoot you.”

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