Page 65 of Alive and Wells

“Shots?” Denny cocks a tempting eyebrow.

“Should probably take it easy until after I have to try and wrestle an animal that’s at least twice my size. Beer’s fine.”

“Just make sure you have enough so you don’t tense up if you get hit,” Red says. “Trust me, it hurts a lot less the next day if you’re allloosey-goosey.”

What the hell did I agree to?

25

Austin

WhatthehelldidI agree to?

My presence at the Wells Canyon rodeo is pretty firm evidence I’ll do anything Cecily asks me to. When she asks, I actually find myselfwantingto do all the things I swore I never would.

A flood of memories hits the moment I step out of the truck, and I nearly hop right back in and drive home, but I can’t do that to her. Not when I promised I would come. If I explained why I couldn’t be here, I don’t doubt she would understand. But I would rather suffer silently than admit I don’t want to face memories of the way my family used to be. Back when my grandpa and mom were alive, my dad was around, and I didn’t have the weight of a multi-generational ranch on my shoulders.

I stroll through the vendors, taking it all in for the first time in more than a decade. This used to be my stomping grounds. I slept all weekend in my truck, still attached to the horse trailer, and didn’t have a care in the world beyond possibly bringing home a shiny buckle and some cash. Before I lost the most important people in my life in a span of less than six months. Then nothing mattered except keeping the ranch running and my brothers taken care of.

A hauntingly recognizable voice carries through the grandstand rafters and out across the field. I blink away the pinpricks in my eyes. George Shaw, Wells Canyon’s rodeo announcer for the past three decades, maybe longer. It stops me in my tracks. With a town of 2,000 residents, I see him often. But he uses a lower, authoritative tone over the crackly microphone. That’s the voice I haven’t heard since he had everybody stand for a moment of silence twelve years ago. Just after both Grandpa and Mom passed.Two vital members of the Wells Canyon community, both of whom were also past presidents of the rodeo association, lost in the same year.No mention of my dad in George’s heartfelt speech, even though he was gone, too.

I manage to spend enough time saying hellos to people I know to completely avoid watching any roping events. Almost as if I had planned it this way. Just as the steer riding is wrapping up, I enter the grandstands and stare out at the crowd.

“Austin!” A voice yells my name from somewhere to the far left of the arena.I should’ve known they’d be in the beer gardens.

“How’s it goin’?” Red slaps my back as I approach the group. “Surprised you showed up this year. It’s good to see ya here, boss.”

“Where’s Cecily?” I look around at the faces in the crowd. Plenty of girls. None are her. The only way I’m going to make it through this fucking rodeo is with her hand in mine. It’s not a matter of being a jealous or possessive boyfriend.

I need her.

Colt and Levi exchange a sideways glance and Red shrugs at me with a down-turned smile.

“Where is she?” The friendly tone in my voice is long gone. I’m not playing anymore.

George’s announcer voice comes over the speaker, declaring that the steer scramble will be starting in one minute.Don’t tell me.

“Where the fuck is she?” My words spit at Red as I step into him. “If you assholes put her up to this, I will hang every single one of you by the goddamn testicles.”

Colt’s face scrunches up. “We didn’t put her up to it. She wanted to.”

Red smacks him hard on the shoulder. I’ll deal with these motherfuckers later.

Blood whooshes past my ears, drowning out the music and raucous rodeo noise as I shove through the throng of people trying to get into the beer gardens. Once I’m free from the crowd, my feet hit the dusty ground harder, sprinting along the side of the arena.

I trusted her. I trusted them. And I’m a piece of shit for not coming here sooner. If I’d been here, she wouldn’t be putting herself at risk like this. Preparing to go toe-to-toe with a massive steer that finds fun in tossing people through the air like ragdolls. Broken bones, puncture wounds, concussions…

Fuck. Thank God I made it here in time. Thank God I didn’t turn around and go home. If anything ever happened to her…

She’s the love of my life. I know that without a shadow of a doubt now.

Driven by overwhelming fear and anger, I can’t even tell whether my feet are still under me, but I guess muscle memory’s carrying me to where I need to go. I weave through barrel racers lined up for their event and climb over the fence next to the roping chute. For once, it’s a blessing I know the layout like the back of my hand. I storm clear across the arena, ignoring the drunken cheers from Red, Colt, and the rest of them. They’ll be lucky if they have jobs—or lives—by the time I’m through.

Denny.Of all motherfucking people, I thought he wouldn’t be this stupid.

“Where the fuck is she?” I yell at him, charging full force toward the gate he’s leaning on.

“Shit. Relax, Aus.” My brother smiles.

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