Page 57 of Rogue Cowboy
The girls high-fived each other and then hooked their hats over their horses’ saddle pommels before executing an arabesque pose on the horses, holding through the cheers and a few gasps and then each of them did a back bend before gracefully kicking their legs over their heads so they were straddling their horses again.Petal and Arlo donned their hats and waved at the cheering crowd and rode sedately down the next block.Riley and Cole followed them, and Riley couldn’t keep the hop out of her step.
“They did so well,” she gushed, holding on to Cole.“They’re so proud and accomplished.I want to feel happy like that again,” she admitted.
“You will.”Cole drew her hand to his mouth and pressed a kiss on her knuckles and then her palm.His dark gaze held hers.
“I will,” she agreed, a promise to them both.
I went shopping in Bozeman today with my mom.She wanted it to be special.Girls Day Out.I haven’t done that in so long with friends or my mom.We had tea with scones and those fancy cut up sandwiches that are one small bite each.I think she wanted to talk.But a woman my mom had known in school saw us and came up.She’d seen me on TV.She wouldn’t shut up about when my next record was coming out.I felt like I couldn’t breathe.
Your mom knows your heart.She understands.
His answer was utterly inadequate.Cole wanted to hit something.Thousands of miles away.Useless.But he didn’t have to stay gone.His re-enlistment was coming up.Riley might reach out to him via text now, but he needed more.She did too.He could learn the words to say so she’d see his heart.Know that it was hers.
I ruined tea.I let someone else intrude on our moment because I was scared.I didn’t want the moment.But I sort of did.But I wasn’t ready.I don’t know if I’ll ever be ready.And my mom was sad on the drive home.Quiet.It’s not fair to her.
Or you.You deserve your best and you can’t always control what happens in life, but you can take charge of your reactions and actions.You’re the boss.It just takes will.
Chapter Twelve
They walked alongthe parade route, hugging the buildings and holding hands.It would have been easier to cut down another street, but Riley wanted to keep an eye on Petal and Arlo.The next block the two girls stood up again, did low jump splits, landing flawlessly, then they turned to the side, grabbed the horn on the specialized trick-riding saddles and kicked into handstands, toes pointed before doing the splits again before dropping down to straddle the saddle again.
The applause was thunderous, and Riley could feel the girls’ energy and confidence soar.
“They’re feeding off the crowd,” Cole commented.
“I know what that feels like,” Riley said.“I may need to jump in.I told them not to dismount on the parade route—yeah it’s showy, but asphalt is more unforgiving than an arena, and I don’t want two horses without riders on a parade route.”
“Okay.Tell me how I can help.”
Just like that.He trusted her judgment and was prepared to plunge into a large, captivated crowd just to help her protect the girls from their own enthusiasm.
Courage.Confidence.
He had them both.She did too.She just needed to remember that.Riley angled into the parade, Cole following as both Arlo and Petal executed a shoulder stand.They kicked into standing on their horses’ rumps, did a front walkover before executing a showy turn synchronously.
“Won’t lie,” Cole commented.“Part of me wants to clap; the other wants to hurl.”
Riley laughed, relief coursing through her.She felt that whatever that electrified moment had been where the two girls had been synchronized and swept up in their performance, and temptation had nibbled, had now faded, and they seated again without trying the tail drag or suicide drag or a flip dismount.
Her heart settled.
Her father rode closer to her and tipped his hat, but her mother, smiling like the champion barrel racer and rodeo queen she’d been, never took her gaze from Petal or Arlo.
“You okay to head back to the rodeo grounds to meet them?The route is a few blocks more, and they’ve settled back into their routine.They have one last move.”
He nodded and Riley cut over a couple of blocks to get to the river path to save time.She moved fast, and he kept pace.
“You’re easy to be with,” she told him.
“Not sure if that’s good or bad.”
“It’s good.”She flashed a smile.He was so serious.She’d forgotten how still he’d been.Watchful.Deferential.Agreeable when she’d met him in LA.His somber tone had felt like a personal mission to her—to make him smile and have a good time.
He’d told her she brought the light.No one had ever made her feel that important before.
Riley pushed her way through the aspen, birch and ponderosa pines lining the Marietta riverbank.
“We in a race?”He kept pace.
