Page 36 of Rough Stock
“About seven years. She’s about twelve now.”
Amber nodded. “Good age for roping horses.”
“I ’spose,” Shyanna answered.
“You girls want to come over and sit with us?” Jensen asked, and Shyanna panicked. She tried to signal him with her eyes, but he wasn’t paying any attention. The girls picked up their food and drinks and made their way to the table, taking the other two chairs, SammyJo beside Jensen and Amber beside Shyanna.
“Thank you so much for asking us. We wanted to come over, but we didn’t want to ask,” SammyJo said, blushing a tiny bit. “We were afraid it would be rude.”
“Nah,” Jensen assured her. “We’re glad to spend time with you. Right, Shy?”
“Yeah. Absolutely,” she answered, feeling horribly uncomfortable.
“So, MissOwens, how long did you ride rough stock?” SammyJo asked.
“Not long at all. A little while in college. I’m just getting started again. You said you’d done a little bull riding,” Shyanna said, directing the comment toward Amber.
“Yes, ma’am,” she answered.
“Just Shyanna or Shy is fine,” Shyanna told the girl.
“Okay. Um, yeah. I did a little bull riding when I was in 4-H, but by the time I got here, it wasn’t something high on my priority list. It was too painful and my studies are too important. After I graduate, well, maybe then,” Amber said.
“What about you, SammyJo?” Jensen asked.
“Nooo. I’m not interested. I’m a roper, pure and simple. Never had any desire to ride rough stock.”
“What about steer wrestling?” Shyanna asked.
“Too small,” SammyJo answered.
“No you’re not!” Shyanna almost yelled back. “It’s not about size! It’s about technique.”
“She’s right,” Jensen added. “It’s all about technique. Are you interested in steer wrestling?”
“You really think I could do that?” SammyJo asked, her brow falling.
“Yes! You’ve got good upper body strength for your size. Get CoachPotter to teach you. And if I can help you, I’ll be glad to. Of course, we won’t be here long,” Shyanna reminded the girl.
“I’ll talk to him about it. Thanks!” SammyJo happily shoved two French fries into her mouth and Shyanna almost laughed. It was as though the girl was celebrating a victory with those fries.
They finished the meal, chatting and laughing, and when they were finished Jensen said, “We’ve got to get back. She’s got a full afternoon of bull riding. But thanks, girls. Thanks for the attention you’ve been giving our horses, especially ornery old Cobra.”
“We’re glad to,” Amber told him, and Shyanna could tell she wasn’t blowing smoke up their asses. The two girls were madefor the kind of work they were doing, and they were happy doing it.
The ride back to the university farm was relaxed, and for the first time, Shyanna was glad she was there, glad she was staying with Jensen and his family. They’d been nice to her, at least to her face. She had to wonder what they really thought of her, but so far, they’d said nothing.
At least as far as she knew.
“I’m not signing this,”Dale said and tossed the contract onto the hotel room desk.
“But it’s money for us,” Jimmy argued.
“Yeah. Too much money. There’s something wrong with what they’re doing. There’s no way they could get enough out of sponsoring us to justify the amount of money they say they’ll give us. There’s something else going on here,” Dale countered.
“Doesn’t matter. Did you read the contract?”
“Of course I did. Didyou?” Dale asked.
