Chapter 17
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Mina stared at the scene before her in wide-eyed amazement.
“Dadgum!” Slater yelled.
It was later that afternoon, and he was on the barrel again, only this time the three firefighters from town were there, along with their partner, Daisy McMillan. The firemen worked with Jackson, yanking on the ropes, and pulling the crude training device every which way.
“How are you staying on that?” Mina yelled up to him.
He didn’t answer right away, instead keeping one arm raised, his other on the rope secured to the front of the barrel, while he held on for dear life.
Okay, Mina thought, dear life might be an exaggeration. If he fell, he’d hit the dirt and leaves below. It might not be fun, but it wasn’t life-threatening.
If he were really on a bull, however…
The thought of him getting stomped on sent a chill up her spine. Maybe she shouldn’t have agreed to this. Perhaps she should rescind her support.
But did she really have a claim to him already?
He was the one who’d said they were a throuple earlier. But could they make this unique relationship work?
That was on her mind when she realized someone was standing beside her. She looked up to see Daisy.
Perfect, she thought. Just the person who could help. She’d only just met the other woman upon her arrival to the farm, but thanks to the unique dynamic she had with the firemen, Mina figured she might have some good insight.
And she could use some of that right about now.
“Hey, can I talk to you?” she asked.
“Of course.”
The women turned and walked away, going through the trees and coming out the other side to see the back of the old farmhouse.
“I hope I’m not being too personal. But how are things with you, Cane, Walker, and Austin?”
“You can ask me anything,” Daisy said. “And I kind of suspected we’d get around to talking about this.” Still walking, she looked at Mina with a smile. “I noticed you called Slater and Jackson Daddy earlier.”
“Yeah,” Mina admitted. “And it feels right. But… can it work?”
They walked a little closer to the farmhouse. Sir Dogsworth, laying on the porch, poked his head up and watched them approach. A moment later, as if the possibility of being petted was too much to pass up, he sprang to his feet and trotted eagerly down the steps, meeting the women in the yard.
As they knelt down and rubbed his belly and behind his ears, Daisy said, “I remember back before I confessed my feelings to the guys. I thought I was crazy. For a lot of reasons. First, they wouldn’t want me. They’re so hot! They could have any girl they wanted. Secondly, I was sure it wouldn’t work with three guys. Right? That was crazy.”
Mina shook her head. “You’re hot, too. Don’t sell yourself short.”
“Thanks. You’re sweet. But sometimes now, even with three doting Daddies, I have self-image problems.” She shrugged and then continued to pet the retriever. “It’s getting better, though.”
For whatever reason, Sir Dogsworth felt it was now time to roll around in the grass, so he got up, trotted a few feet over, and then fell on his back where he wallowed like a buffalo.
The women stood and continued the conversation as they watched the adorable yet strange creature. He groaned and snorted as he did whatever he was accomplishing.
“As far as thinking it wouldn’t work,” Daisy said, “I’ve been wrong about that! So, society says it’s wrong. Who cares? Anyway, that’s changing too. It’s far more accepted these days to be in an unconventional relationship like ours. Now, there’s even a name for it. Me and the guys are in what’s called a quad.”
Mina nodded thoughtfully, then gave her an apologetic glance. “Can I ask something personal?”
Daisy grinned. “No, the guys aren’t together,” she answered before Mina could ask. “They’re just all with me.”
“Gotcha,” Mina said with a giggle. “Sorry to pry.”
“Don’t be. Lots of people wonder that.” She grinned. “That’s not our dynamic. But don’t get me wrong—sometimes we all do stuff together. Or more they, uh… you know… do stuff with me … all together.”
Mina grinned, too. “I get what you’re saying.”
“Jackson and Slater are together, huh? And with you?” Daisy probed.
“Yep,” Mina confirmed. “And I’m with them. But part of me wonders if this is sustainable.”
Daisy put a soft hand on her arm. “You know what I love about today? As in, the times we live.”
Mina shook her head.
“We get to define the relationships we have. I’m not saying things are perfect. Society still has a long way to go when it comes to acceptance. But it’s better than it used to be. Now, throuple is a word that’s hit the mainstream. Influencers are honest about their relationships on social media. You even see it on TV shows, and they’re not making the people look like freaks.
“I’m not saying that means your relationship will work. But I’m saying you’re the one—along with Jackson and Slater—who gets to decide that. If it feels right, it very well might be. Why not give it a shot?”
Mina thought about her new friend’s words for a moment and then nodded. “You’re right. And it does feel right. So right .”
Daisy nodded. “Then that’s what you gotta go with. How it feels for the three of you.”
Mina hugged her. “Thank you, friend.”
“I’m here anytime you need to talk.”
Before the conversation could continue, Jackson appeared in the clearing of trees and called out, “Mina, honey, you might want to come see this.”
“Is everything okay?” she asked, taking off toward him in a full spring.
“Whoa there, little lady. Slow down. Everything is just fine. I don’t want you to stumble on a fallen branch or something and roll your ankle. Hold my hand.”
She accepted his hand and walked at a more measured pace, along with Daisy, back through the trees.
“Just thought you’d want to see how your Daddy—” Jackson paused and grinned— “Your other Daddy… is doing.” He trotted toward one of the ropes and said, “You ready, Slater?”
“Ready,” the cowboy atop the barrel said.
Mina watched as Jackson took a moment to look at the firemen the best he could from where they stood. “On the count of three, let ‘er rip, boys!”
He counted down and then the chaos started. The strong men had no trouble jerking the ropes and the barrel started bucking. Mina imagined it wasn’t anything like a bull, but it was sure a lot! She would have flown right off that thing.
Yet Slater was able to hold on, waving is black Stetson high above his head as he rode the frenzied storm with an athletic grace like Mina had never seen.
It was evident the man was a true bull rider, if there ever was one.
“Give it all you got!” he yelled. “Knock me off this damn thing!”
Jackson and the firemen picked up the intensity, and soon, Slater was sliding to the right as if he was about to topple off, but he jerked himself to the right at the last second.
Mina was amazed at how quickly he realigned himself in the center. It looked as if he might fall off a few more times, but somehow, he stayed on.
The men eventually slowed down, and Mina figured their arms had to be sore. She assumed Slater’s legs would be sore, too, because she’d noticed him squeezing them tightly around that barrel. It had to take a lot of muscle control.
“That’s amazing!” she cheered. “Daddy, you did awesome!” She threw her arms around his neck the second his boots thudded onto the ground.
He hugged her tightly and said, “Thanks, darlin’. Felt good to be back on.”
“Not to rain on the parade,” Jackson said, “but riding a barrel is a lot different than getting spun every which way by a fifteen-hundred-pound bull.”
Mina’s jaw fell slack. “They weigh that much?”
“Some of ‘em more,” Jackson confirmed. “Been on one that was nigh near two thousand. And that’s a fact.”
“Don’t go scaring her,” Slater said. “But you’re right. This doesn’t compare to the real thing.” He looked at Cane, Austin, and Walker. “Though I’m obliged to you boys for lending a hand.”
“Don’t mention it,” Cane said.
“We just hoped it helped a little,” Austin added.
“Oh, it did,” Slater said. “Still, Jackson is right. This is solid training. But nothing prepares you for the real deal.” He sighed, as if he was hesitant to add what was to come.
Mina waited patiently.
A moment later, he continued.
“There’s a small rodeo this weekend up in Guthrie. Still some slots open. Not a big purse. But a thousand bucks ain’t bad.”
Mina instantly looked at Jackson, wanting to gauge his reaction. As she’d suspected, he didn’t look thrilled.
That much was confirmed when he said, “You want to climb on the back of a bull this weekend ? You’ve barely been practicing!”
“Rampage gave me plenty of practice.”
“That was a horse!” Mina interjected. “Not a bull.”
“Listen to the cutie,” Jackson said, jerking his thumb toward her.
She smiled.
Slater did, too, but he said, “Riding a bucking bronc like that ain’t easy. Add jumping on it from a moving truck and, well, I’d say that’s some good practice.”
Jackson sighed as he rubbed the back of his neck. “I can’t talk you out of this, can I?”
“You know you can’t,” Slater replied. He then looked at the firemen. “I’d appreciate it if y’all kept this to yourselves. No sense in letting others know what I’m doing and why.”
Walker nodded. “This is your business to share.”
Mina wasn’t surprised. Slater didn’t strike her as the type of man who wanted folks to make a fuss over him. He’d try to win that money to help Big Cedar because he felt it was the right thing to do. But he wouldn’t make a show of it.
“Well,” she said, taking his hand and Jackson’s, “I guess we’re traveling this weekend.”
Slater patted her bottom with his free hand and grinned.
“That’s right. Guthrie, here we come.”