Page 2 of Memories of the Past

“I thought you had to work for your dad today?”

“When don’t I have work to do for my father,” I said under my breath. “If I’m late, so be it. He’ll have to deal with it.”

Trinity picked up the syrup and poured it over her stack of waffles, then dug her fork into them. “You’re not going to do anything stupid are you?” she asked, smiling.

“Like?”

“Oh, I don’t know, something along the lines of running away with the western circus?”

I chuckled. “No, Trinity, I’m not,” I said, placing my hand on her knee under the table. I didn’t want to upset her, but there was nothing wrong with going to see the demonstration. I knew she was worried about things between my father and me. She expressed her feelings numerous times over the past few weeks. She also knew how my father could be and how he may react to my being late. He was already strict enough without provoking him. “It will be fine,” I assured her. “Now eat up, before they get cold.”

Once breakfast was over, I walked Trintiy back to the small apartment that she shared with her aunt, which sat above Bluebird Books, her aunt’s bookstore. We stopped in front of the small bookstore and watched her Aunt Vi through the window, dealing with a customer. It took a moment before she waved at us. Trinity and I smiled and waved back, and then she turned to me.

“Will I see you tonight for the movie in the park?” she questioned, looking up at me with her big beautiful blue eyes.

“Of course. I’ll pick you up at the usual time.” I pulled her into me for a hug and felt her arms wrap around me. She rested her cheek against my chest, and I closed my eyes, relishing in the scent of her perfume and the fact that her body fit so well against mine. As she pulled away, I placed my hand on her cheek and met her lips, kissing her softly. “See you tonight,” I whispered, kissing her lips again before she left me standing there.

* * *

I stood against the fence at Darling Ranch, watching as men from all over Willow Valley tried out for the rodeo.

“Thomas, you decided to come after all,” I heard Jed’s gruff voice from behind me.

I turned to see Jed standing behind me, a smile on his face. “Hey, Jed, figured I’d come down and see what it was all about before I made my way back home. What I’ve seen so far looks pretty interesting.”

“Sure is. I’ve loved it since I left. Did you want to try out?” Jed asked, coming to stand beside me.

I glanced to the ring to see my good friend John holding on for dear life as the bull he was on bucked away.

“I don’t know,” I said, my voice full of hesitation. How would I explain an injury to Trinity, or to my father. Trinity just thought I’d come purely out of curiosity, and my father didn’t have a clue I was even here. In fact, I had been halfway home before I turned around and made my way to the Darling Ranch.

“What’s stopping you?” Jed questioned. “There is nothing wrong with trying out. Besides, I don’t think you want to stay in Willow Valley forever.”

Jed had left Willow Valley almost ten years ago and had a very good career up to this point. I’d followed his career closely; he was, after all, one of the guys who’d worked on my father’s ranch, one of the only ones who paid me any attention. So, I was genuinely curious to see how he’d made out. He’d left and done very well for himself.

“No, I don’t want to spend the rest of my life in Willow Valley. As a matter of fact, I’m itching to get the hell out of here.”

“Well then? Just give it a try. In this career, you’ll get to travel the world. See amazing places.”

“I know. It’s just Trinity and I have plans. We are going to spend our summer traveling, then at the end of the summer, before we return, we are going to get married.”

“Well then, it’s the perfect time. Bring Trinity with you. The rodeo needs some fresh blood. I’ll get your name on the list. I’ve seen you ride. You’ve got promise, Thomas.”

“You’ve seen me ride a horse.” I chuckled. “Besides, my dad will kill me.”

“Your father won’t even know. You’re simply trying out, not leaving with us tonight.” Jed turned and walked over to a man with a clipboard, spoke with him, then they both turned and looked at me. He scribbled something down on the clipboard; Jed smacked him on the back and walked back over to me. “All set. Eleven thirty, be at the opening of the chute. I’ll get you all set.”

* * *

I returned home shortly after two. Immediately, I made my way out to the barn in a rush to find my dad. I knew he would be angry. I was late, but I was so excited to tell him about the tryouts.

I checked the first barn only to find it empty, then I stepped into the second barn to find my father and two ranch hands down on the ground dealing with what appeared to be a very sick calf. The second he laid eyes on me he barked, “Where the hell you been?”

I was about to tell him about the tryouts when he held his hand up. “You know what, Thomas, never mind. You’re here now, and you’ve got work to do. The stalls in the main barn need cleaning. You also need to get the horses watered and fed.”

I looked at my father. “But, Dad, I have—”

“Whatever it is can wait. The horses can’t, nor can the stalls. You’re behind on your chores. Had you of been in here this morning like you were supposed to have been, I probably would have been alerted to this sick calf well before now. Instead, I was busy tending to all the things you do.”

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