3. Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Joy
A s soon as I step out of the barn, I see Rayna walking across the grass heading away from the parking area and breathe a sigh of relief. Being a ranch hand, no day is exactly the same. I’ve finished up in the stalls and with the odd jobs and need something to distract me from feeling out of place. I haven’t lived here long, moving only after Rayna convinced me to follow her to Cole County. She came here on vacation, met Wyatt, and never returned home.
“Is your man aware of how hot you look? Damn, girl,” I tease as soon as she’s within earshot. Her flannel shirt is tied at the front, and her bootcut jeans look like they were tailored to fit her. My boots complete the outfit. “I see you found my boots.”
“Are these the right ones?” She looks momentarily panicked.
“Yes, you’re fine. I wouldn’t care what pair you picked. But those are the ones I was talking about. I wore those back when I used to help out at my aunt’s stables. They should be nice and broken in.”
My work is complete for now, so I lead Rayna to the gate alongside where the competitors enter for the timed events and climb up to sit on the gate. She hesitates for a moment before climbing up next to me. I can’t explain why, but it’s this simple act that makes me feel at home on the ranch. My aunt runs stables where they board and train horses. Even though I grew up closer to the city, I spent so many summers with her, helping out where I could, that somehow, this ranch makes me a little less homesick.
Before we can continue the conversation, the screens on either side of the arena light up as the announcer gains the crowd’s attention. Goosebumps spread across my flesh as anticipation courses through me. This is my first time at opening night here, but even I can feel the excitement racing through the crowd. Glancing over at Rayna, I can tell she’s feeling it too as a grin spreads across her face.
Trinity is carrying the American flag as she rides up next to us to wait. I’ve been to enough events in general to have an idea of what to expect. Lights flash as a slideshow begins. I grip Rayna’s hand in pure excitement as grainy images of cowboys and barrel racers flicker across the screens. As the music plays, my eyes remain glued to the images. Highlights of years past. My breath hitches when they stop on a photo of a saddle bronc rider, one arm raised to the sky as he holds on to the rigging. Even with his hat hiding most of his face, I can practically see his scowl of concentration. I know that face.
When they announce the last year of Boulder Ranch under ownership of the Miller family, the crowd gasps. I’ve barely registered what’s been said when Trinity leads her horse around the track, flag held high, as a voice begins singing the National Anthem. The crowd stands in silence, keeping their eyes on the flag as the woman finishes singing.
“Not going to lie; I’m beyond excited,” Rayna squeals, gripping my hand.
The announcer begins speaking, but I’m not really paying attention. The fact that I’m here and a part of the event that brings the town together is more than I’m ready to think about. I’m from the suburbs. Even though a lot of things seem to be the same no matter where we come from, there’s nothing quite like the excitement of a small town.
The announcer begins introducing each contestant, including those competing in the next day’s events. From what I gathered, opening night features all but the pro roughstock competitors. A group of men and women line up, stepping forward as their names are called.
“Tate Garrison,” the announcer continues, as the next person in line steps forward, removing his hat and waving it toward the crowd.
“Wait a minute,” I hiss, quickly gaining Rayna’s attention. “That’s him. That’s the asshole who backed into me.”
“Tate Garrison?”
I snap my gaze to my friend. “Yeah?”
“Tate. Garrison.” She enunciates each syllable, causing my skin to crawl. “Oh, my god.”
At this point, I’m annoyed that I seem to be missing something. Why does she keep repeating herself? Yes. Tate fucking Garrison. It’s obvious by the way she stares at me that the name is important. In no mood for any back and forth, I wait for her to get to the point.
Before she begins her explanation, my gaze drifts back to the lineup and straight into Tate’s whiskey-brown eyes. I could get lost in them even at this distance. He gives me a nod before turning to exit the arena with the rest of the group. And I’m left trying to figure out why I’m suddenly breathless.
“Tate Garrison is the best bronc rider this arena has seen. And he only competes here because he retired from bull riding. He’s a Pbr World Champion.”
My eyes snap to the arena and back to Rayna. “How do you know this? You’ve never even been here before. And you just moved here!”
She laughs and shrugs her shoulders. “I work at the only local doctor’s office. I know everything. But seriously, everyone knows that. He’s basically a local legend.”
Of course he is. And I was a total bitch to him. I groan inwardly, trying to figure out how I haven’t seen him around the ranch. Most of the riders who compete throughout the season stop by to at least ride during the week, and I would have remembered him. Before I can say anything in response, the pickup men make their entrance through the gate, riding in at an easy trot. It’s Tate and another equally attractive man.
“Damn.”
“Right?” Rayna agrees, letting me know I said that out loud. “Those two are brothers. That other guy is Grayson. He’s a bull rider. And they don’t get along.”
I laugh. Of course, Rayna knows all about what’s going on at a place she’s never even been. I watch as Tate sits relaxed on the horse, holding the reins with one hand, and resting his free arm across his lap. There is something about a man on a horse…
“I’ll never understand why people seek medical advice only to ignore all said advice.”
I look down to find the rodeo doctor standing with her hands on her hips, glaring daggers at the Garrison brothers. It’s obvious one, or both, shouldn’t be out there. I look back toward the guys in time to see Tate flexing and unflexing his right hand. The hand that was covered in a bandage when he left the doctor’s office.
“I take it Grayson was also advised to take the night off?” Rayna asks with a laugh.
“You know I can’t talk about it. But how stubborn can two people be?” Dr. Thompson replies before heading off to the other side of the arena.
I assume whatever they are talking about must have to do with Tate being at the doctor’s office earlier. If it’s drama, I’ll hear about it. I might keep to myself because I don’t know anyone very well, but no one else around the place seems to keep anything to themselves. Ever.
The events get started but I’m having a hard time watching the anything other than Tate’s body as it sways on the back of the horse. Or the way he twirls the rope while wrangling the livestock that aren’t interested in going back into the pen. If it wasn’t for the occasional question from Rayna, I wouldn’t be paying any attention to the actual events at all.
“So? Are you going to treat me to the whole experience, or what?” Rayna asks, snapping me out of my haze as the night draws to a close.
I blink at her, having no idea what she’s talking about. Dr. Thompson, who has joined us where we are now standing along the gate, is also watching me expectantly. “I don’t know, what’s the whole experience?”
“The Thirsty Pony! Drinks. Line dancing. Cowboys,” Rayna explains, as if I should know this already.
“Is that really a thing?” I ask in surprise.
I hear a chuckle and see Dr. Thompson trying her best not to laugh. “I assume you must be going, Dr. Thompson? Since you’re over here laughing at me.”
“Oh, no. Please call me River. And I didn’t really plan on it…”
“You should totally come. Enjoy the ‘whole experience’ with us,” I invite. “We’ll meet you there as soon as I finish up here.”
“Okay. I guess,” she answers as Rayna silently cheers in the background.