Page 45 of Headstrong Cowboy
Ryder tossed the covers back and strode over to the window.Pulling the curtain aside, he gazed out over Main Street.People were milling about, laughing and talking as they lined up, ready to get the tasty treats.The times he’d competed here, he’d attended the event put on by the Daughters of Montana and had feasted on a stack of pancakes before heading to the arena to get ready for his event.
Today, he wouldn’t be doing either.Instead, he’d be staying here in his room.He knew he’d disappoint Chrissy by not turning up before her event, but he needed time to think.Time to formulate how to tell her what had been going through his mind.What he’d known for a while but hadn’t wanted to accept—he wanted their land, but he didn’t want to kick them out.
Ryder let the curtain drop, his head beginning to thump from the lack of sleep and the way his thoughts were continually circling around until he was dizzy from the motion.
Perhaps a shower would help.Hadn’t he read somewhere that sometimes the best ideas occurred in the shower?He had no idea if that was true or not, but maybe it would wake him up.
How had things gotten so bad?
He slumped back on the bed and closed his eyes.He’d get up in a minute and take that shower and then he would man up and work on what he’d say to Chrissy, all the while praying that he wouldn’t wreck the best thing to ever happen in his life.Even better than seeing all those zeroes in his bank account.
Sadly, he was beginning to think that, with the way the rest of his life had panned out, that Chrissy, and the happiness they could have together were both going to be ripped away from him.
Chapter Twenty-Three
This was it.The moment she’d been working on for the last few weeks.The moment that would define what was going to happen to her and her family for the next few months.
Chrissy adjusted her seat on her horse, Ranger prancing a little beneath her.“Easy, boy.I know you want to get out there, but we’ve got two more riders before we’re up.”
As she’d finished first the previous day, she was the last rider.So far, the times she’d been hearing had been really impressive and were going to be tough to beat, but she had confidence in Ranger and herself that she was going to take it all.
The only dark cloud that hung around her, a cloud she’d determinedly pushed away, was that Ryder wasn’t around.He hadn’t answered her texts and, while it upset her, she was also grateful because she was a little embarrassed that she’d blurted out her family’s financial woes to him.
The second to last competitor’s name was called, and she raced off down the laneway.Nerves jumped around in Chrissy’s belly as if she were on a trampoline.She leaned forward and whispered in Ranger’s ear.“Whatever happens, you’re the best horse I’ve ever ridden and if I could afford you, I’d buy you and ride you every day.”
Ranger snorted as if he liked that idea a lot, and she chuckled.That was a pipe dream and one she could think about after she got through the next couple of minutes.
The other competitor came back toward her and Chrissy grimaced as she heard the time she’d achieved—15.510.It was better than the time Chrissy had done yesterday.She and Ranger would have to pull out a miracle, but confidence grew within her.
I can do this.I am a good rider.I am going to win.
Chrissy patted the pocket where she’d stashed Tilly’s gifted earrings again and gave Ranger the signal to go.
Nothing else registered.Nothing mattered, except her and her horse and the circuit they were barreling around.And like the previous day, once she was in the zone, nothing penetrated it.
With one last kick of her ankles, she spurred Ranger toward the exit of the arena, her heart pounding and blood roaring in her ears.This time, the announcement of her score didn’t register.She didn’t hear it.She had no idea what she’d done until she saw one of the marshals come up to her, clapping.Her silent bubble fell away and the sounds and smells of the rodeo filled her senses, along with her ragged breathing.
“That was one of the best rides I’ve ever seen.Congratulations on your win.”
It took a second for his words to sink in, but when they did, she sought clarification.“I won?What was my time?”
He laughed, as if this wasn’t the first time someone hadn’t absorbed their achievements.“You scored a 15.400.I swear I’ve never seen a rider and horse so in sync with each other until right now.Congratulations, Chrissy.You’ve done Marietta proud.”
He sauntered off, and she sat on the top of her horse in the middle of the laneway.“I won!”she whispered incredulously.
She’d done it!
The prize winnings weren’t large, but every bit helped, and now that the rodeo was over, she was going to do whatever it took to get the farm back into a more profitable position.As tempting as it could be to follow the circuit to try to get some more winnings, she wasn’t going to leave her family in the lurch again.
She slid down off Ranger and hugged him tight.“Well done, boy.Well done.I couldn’t have done it without you.”
Chrissy was quickly surrounded by her fellow competitors, all giving her hugs.
Whitney, the rider who’d come second, smiled at her.“That was one hell of a ride.Why aren’t y’all on the circuit?You would be winning everything.Which I don’t know why I’m saying that because that means you’d be beating me,” she finished with a laugh.
“Thank you.And a long time ago, I thought I might join the circuit.But life happened and here I am.As much as I loved this, I don’t think I’m ready to hit the road and do it on a permanent basis.”
“If you ever change your mind, let me know.”Whitney gave her a wave and walked away to catch up with some of the other girls.
