Page 68 of Rainwater
He walked toward the ring and climbed on the fence, looking down at the black-and-white bull. The time without Jennifer and Ellie had been so devastatingly lonely. He hadn’t slept at night. The hotel room was like a prison.
“Trying a little of the hair of the dog that bit you, huh, Rainwater?” A man’s voice broke into Corey’s thoughts.
Corey met the other man’s unflinching gaze. “Yeah. I’m going to bite him back.”
The man smiled and Corey straddled the bull, slipping his hand under the rope and binding it securely. That was all thatanchored him to the animal. A piece of rope, a bell and sheer unadulterated guts. Sweat trickled down his face and he turned and nodded at the man holding the gate. “Let ‘em go.”
“He’ll be okay, Mommy,”Ellie said as they sat down, ready to watch the rest of the rodeo.
Jennifer smiled at her daughter and put her arm around her. “Who’s the mother here and who’s the daughter?”
Ellie smiled. “Do you still love him, Mom?”
“Yes, Ellie. I love him very much.”
Just then his name was called and she heard the chute open and her breath caught in her throat. She’d never seen him so magnificent. Raw power against sheer brute strength. She and Ellie watched transfixed as he rode the bull with the skill and determinations that was a deeply ingrained part of him. She watched as the buzzer rang, the eight seconds gone and still, he rode.
“Mom,” Ellie said very softly, “I think he’s riding for us now. He doesn’t even know we’re here, but he’s riding for us.”
Jennifer knew it was true. It was just like him. When he slipped off the bull with ease and grace, she and Ellie rose with the other people clapping and shouting and giving him his due. Suddenly he turned and stared straight up at her, the deep green of his eyes hot and possessive, and she felt the bond between them tighten and solidify. She blew him a kiss and he stared one more minute before he turned and exited the ring.
Somehow he knew they would come. That was why he’d ridden for as long as he could. For them. He stood outside the gate, breathing hard, leaning against the fence for support. He could walk away from the rodeo because now he had builtnew foundations. Foundations that were forged by a beautiful woman with integrity and a warm, giving heart, and a little girl with innocence and grace who had taught him that being a father was a most natural and rewarding pursuit.
Now he needed only them, wanted only them. He looked up to the stands and could easily pick out Jennifer. A woman with fire in her hair and fire deep down in her heart. A fire for him that she had set and he needed to tend and nurture so that it never went out. Burned for all his life. Standing in the bright sunlight, he knew that he would only be whole with her. Her and her sweet daughter. Walking away from his old life, turning his back on the rodeo, facing his fear was something he’d had to do. Now that it was done, he had a life and a home. He had a future.
Slowly, he sifted through the memories. Ellie’s need for his approval and advice. The numerous times she had shown him innocent, heartfelt affection.
Ah, then there was Jennifer’s understanding, her desire and her love. Jennifer had shown him that touching didn’t have to hurt. He craved her with a powerful desire built upon a carefully constructed foundation of love.
A foundation both strong and enduring.
Jennifer and Ellie had taught him what loving was all about.
Corey climbed up to where Jennifer and Ellie sat, watching the other bull riders in the ring make the effort to oust Corey. When Jennifer’s eyes met his, all the desperation and loneliness of the past days evaporated. There was no remorse, no accusation, nothing but love in her eyes.
“I decided that what I had to prove to myself was that I could get on him if I wanted to,” he said. “I’m willing to try, Jennifer, because I want to so desperately, because I can’t imagine going on without you, because I’m more afraid of being without you. Because I love you.”
She looked up into his eyes. “Oh, Corey. I love you, too. I love you so much.”
He caught her as she launched herself against him, hugging her so tightly he never wanted to let go. “I love you, darlin’. I was just too lost to know it.”
Over Jennifer’s shoulder, his eyes met the piercing green gaze of her daughter.
“What do you say, Ellie? Want a daddy?”
Ellie’s eyes filled with tears. “Only if it’s you, Corey. I sure love you like you were my very own.”
“Come here, sweetheart.” He drew her into his arms and hugged them both against his heart where they would stay.
“I couldn’t have wished for a more perfect family. My two beautiful girls. Come on, let’s go home.”
“But,” Ellie said, “don’t you want to see if you win?”
He pulled on her braid and smiled. “I already have.”
A week later,Ellie, Jennifer and Corey sat around the kitchen table planning the wedding. When there was knock at the door, Corey got up and opened it.
“Mr. Rainwater?”
