Page 57 of Final Escape
“Bad enough. Severe headaches. Lower back pain like no other. That’s why he’s our last resort as a raft guide, but you won’t ever hear him complain. He doesn’t talk much about his success, either. Two years ago he was the reserve national saddle bronc champion. Not that he was after the glory, but he has tremendous drive and determination, and every win helped our parents get back on their feet.” Penny’s voice hardened. “Last year, of course, he was out much of the season because of the trial. I still can’t believe he had to go through all of that based on such circumstantial evidence.”
“After getting to know him, I can’t, either. And I wasn’t even here.”
“This year he wanted a stellar year on the circuit. We could use the money. But he drew a rank bronc at his first rodeo. He made it to the eight-second buzzer, but got hung up in the saddle, and the pickup men didn’t get there in time. The horse doubled back and crashed into the chutes, then kicked him in the head and lower back while scrambling to its feet.”
Carrie felt a sudden wave of nausea, knowing the tremendous power of a panicking horse. The terrible damage one could inflict.
“He received a severe concussion, needless to say—and a hairline crack at the back of his skull. A few millimeters difference, and the docs say he would’ve been killed instantly. A couple of vertebrae were damaged. It’s why he only takes float trips when he has to and wears a back brace under his life jacket. You can bet that he’s taking Ibuprofen for a couple days after.”
“And he wants to gobackto rodeo?”
“He’s sure that the longer he’s out, the more he’ll lose his skill and sense of timing, and after his legal expenses last year, he wants to get back on solid financial ground. But the docs say another head injury—even minor—could result in permanent disabilities. The same with his back—it’s weaker now, and causes him a lot of pain. Even if he uses a brace, he could damage it further if he goes back to bronc riding.”
“Then it’s crazy to take the risk.”
“But try to talk him out of it,” Penny retorted. “I sure have.”
Carrie nodded. “I dealt with Billy long enough to know it didn’t do much good. Only in his case, he never did do all that well and the entire venture kept us in the red, year after next. He was always sure the pot of gold was right around the corner and wouldn’t quit. In his case, I think it was more of a Peter Pan syndrome.”
“Not all cowboys are like that.”
Carrie tried for a smile. “I know. For most, it’s a professional sport and they work as hard at it as any athlete. But Billy wanted the life of irresponsibility and being able to take off with his carefree buddies for months on end. And it wasn’t just that. Whenever he was off chasing his dreams, my heart would nearly stop whenever the phone rang. I was so afraid I’d hear that he’d been badly injured. Or killed. I could never go through that again.”
Penny nodded. “I love rodeo. I used to be a barrel racer, before my parents lost the ranch, so I have nothing against the sport. But Logan pursues it because of his stubborn sense of responsibility, and apparently Billy pursued it so he wouldn’t have to grow up. Both of them would have been better off if they’d just stayed home.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
On Tuesday afternoon, Carrie showed up for work as usual at one o’clock. After glancing into the office, she spied Logan and Penny by the boathouse and waved.
Logan watched her as she sauntered over. The cuffs of her bright red, open-collared shirt were rolled back, and with her slim white jeans she looked as pretty and fresh as the bright poppies growing near the river’s edge, though the signs of strain still showed in her sad eyes. No wonder, with the murder of her ex-husband still unresolved.
“Hey, guys. How is everything?”
Penny glanced at Logan, then shook her head. “I guess you’ve got a day off. We had four groups cancel today...plus eight individual reservations. We have just one float that’s half-full, Logan will be guiding a group of fly fishermen from Ohio on Wednesday. We hope.”
Carrie’s eyes widened. “Yesterday there was just one cancellation.”
