23. Riley
twenty-three
Riley
I t’s so wonderful to see my aunt looking less frail.
She’s only a few days post surgery, but she’s more herself. With her improvement, a large slice of my stress slides away.
“Is Jackson picking you up today?”
She’s moved out of bed with my help to sit at the table for her supper that should be here soon. She’s stronger than I thought she’d be and seeing her already adjusting to her new walker, even with a casted arm, further eases the worry I’ve carried since her fall.
“No, Gabe will. Jackson is already at the rodeo grounds. They do this big meet and greet thing and because he’s a hometown competitor, he takes part in anything they ask.”
“That sounds like the boy I know. He really is a wonderful man, Riley.”
“He is.” My sigh is almost embarrassing, but my aunt only smiles bigger, and I don’t remember ever feeling this light and happy over another man before.
“Knock, knock.” Gabe enters my aunt’s room with a giant houseplant and a happy face balloon. “I’m not interrupting, am I?”
“Not at all, Gabriel.” My aunt hugs Gabe when he leans in, and I take the plant to set it where she can see it from her bed .
“I just stopped by your place. It appears a few local cowboys have already started some renovations for you.” He peers over her head at me. “You didn’t tell me you had so many attractive friends, Riley.”
My aunt chuckles and I shake my head.
“Gabe, we aren’t talking about this right now and you don’t live here, anyway. I don’t need you breaking hearts and making my friends sad.”
He mock gasps, but I know Gabe. He’ll never commit and while he’s always up front about it, I always feel bad for the men he leaves behind.
“Are you staying in town much longer?” my aunt asks as he squeezes her hand.
“Just a few more days. Riley is all set, and I approve of Jackson, so I feel better leaving you two now that I see it’s under control.”
He winks at me, always teasing me about having to give his stamp of approval. I don’t even hate it, because his approval means the world to me.
But I don’t tell him that.
“I think there’s a compliment in there somewhere.”
He grins. “There is.” My aunt laughs as Gabe sticks out his tongue as I reach for my jacket.
“Anyway, we’ll let you get your supper in, Auntie, and I’ll be back tomorrow.” After kissing her cheek and Gabe making her laugh with bawdy cowboy jokes, I shake my head at their antics and we leave the hospital.
“Do you have to get back to the office soon? Not that I don’t appreciate you being here for me, but I feel bad. You’re probably behind at work. ”
Gabe’s smile fades as he glances my way.
“No…not behind. I can work from anywhere usually. I have to appear in court next week, but most of my work I can do anywhere.”
Gabe doesn’t look at me. Instead, he peers off in the distance and if I didn’t know him as well as I do, I wouldn’t recognize his body language.
“I feel like you’re leaving a few things out.”
“Not really. It’s all unknown, so I’m not leaving anything out. But don’t worry about my work. It’s fine.”
I also know that he’ll share when he’s ready. We have enough going on with my aunt, my business, and now being involved with Jackson. If he doesn’t want to add to the pile right now, I’ll respect that.
We reach Gabe’s rental vehicle, which is a huge SUV, and I need to use the handle to pull myself up and inside.
“Are you missing the Lexus yet?”
Gabe groans as he buckles in.
“You have no idea. The rental place only had trucks and SUVs. When the hell does that ever happen?”
“When you live in a country town, Gabe. It’s just how it is here.”
“I suppose if you live here, you get used to it, but I miss my luxury car.” He steers us out of the parking lot and bumps the curb with a curse. “Are you excited to see your man in action tonight?”
My belly swoops and what must be the loopiest smile ever forms on my lips. “Yeah. I can’t wait. I’m sitting with his parents, and I think his mom wants us married already.”
Gabe laughs softly. “I told you if you let go of hating what Chase represented, you’d find the prince you’ve dreamed of. You’re so happy, Rye. For the first time in…god, years, you’re truly happy. I love that for you.”
“It’s all happening so fast. Some days it feels like it’s not real.”
Which is the understatement of the year. I thought once I finally opened up and let Jackson in, we’d have this slow, warm romance. Like sipping hot apple cider on a chilly fall day. That he’d do exactly what he said he would and romance me off my feet as we slowly and sweetly fell in love.
Instead, he blurted out his feelings in the most simple yet poignant way and had me spewing my emotions right back. None of it scripted like the events I plan or written on cue cards by nervous lovers. All of it in real time, straight from the heart.
It wasn’t perfect, but it’s perfectly Jackson and I wouldn’t change a thing.
Even if Aunt Agnes hadn’t fallen and Jackson didn’t charge into my condo in the wee morning hours, it would have happened in the easiest way. Because that’s who Jackson is. Easy like lazy mornings in bed or the snuggle of a puppy.
Gabe parks in the overflowing rodeo lot, somehow squeezing the giant SUV into a space with a satisfied grunt, and together we amble across the lot to the fairground entrance. Much like the rodeo I went to in Big Rock, this one is huge. The riot of noise carries from the midway, complete with the aroma of deep-fried foods. To the left is the entrance to the rodeo grounds, and gradually the scent of fried foods dissipates as we walk, only to be replaced by the smell of animal shit, leather, and something unique to rodeo that I can’t quite name. But I love it.
Earlier today, Jackson showed me where to find his parents and, as odd as it seems, this rodeo has a boxed seat section. The Sutherland family sponsors it every year just so they have guaranteed unobstructed seats to watch Jackson and his friends all weekend. Dean and Linda hold court like royalty in the special grandstand seats that have comfortable chairs with backs and not the bench seating of normal stands.
Every year, the Sutherlands donate rodeo tickets to the Boys and Girls Club so kids who can’t afford to come could experience a real rodeo in as much luxury as a small-town rodeo can give. It shouldn’t surprise me that Jackson’s parents are still involved in the community. Like Jackson, they’re kind people and love to help. When Linda notices me climbing the stairs with Gabe, she waves off the person checking for our entrance wristbands.
“This is my future son-in-law! He’s fine to allow in.” She rushes over to pull me into a hug. “I’m so happy you’re here! How’s your aunt today?”
Her son-in-law comment pulls a chuckle from Gabe, and I have to stomp on the butterflies rioting in my gut. “She’s so much better. Still on some pain meds, but she’s more herself today.”
“Wonderful to hear. She’s a lovely woman.” Dean chimes in and motions to a chair next to them. Gabe shakes their hands and takes a chair behind me, chatting to some teenagers sitting in the back hosted by the Sutherlands.
“Jackson is awfully excited you’re here,” Linda says as she squeezes my hand.
“I am too. He’s a natural.”
“He wasn’t always,” Dean chimes in from the other side of Linda.
“What do you mean? ”
“When Jack was little, he was so fearful. We didn’t know why, and we just accepted that was his personality, but it was so hard to watch him miss out on things because of it.” Linda’s gaze is wistful as her eyes roam the rodeo ring for Jackson, who isn’t around yet. “He just had this odd fear of new things. Almost like he refused to believe he could succeed, so he never tried.”
“And he was just like that from the beginning?”
Dean nods, but with a smile. “He was a very sensitive boy. We just accepted it and tried to make him comfortable while gently introducing him to new things. It wasn’t until one of the neighbours’ horses got loose when Jack was maybe thirteen. He saw the horse and just went to it. Somehow, he got over whatever the fear was and threw a rope around its neck to walk it home safely. I remember him telling us what happened and how he almost grew right in front of us. He was so full of pride from helping that horse.” Dean glances at Linda, who nods in agreement. “He came out of his shell more after that and finally tried rodeo the following summer.”
My mind plays a movie of a cute young Jackson just growing into himself and helping a creature who couldn’t help itself. My heart nearly bursts thinking about how brave he had to be just to do that. Perhaps that’s what started him on the version of Jackson I know.
Now he throws himself onto running cattle and bakes cakes when I need him. He still blurts random facts when he’s nervous, but he has the confidence now that he clearly lacked early on. Is this where his reluctance to have someone on their knees for him comes from too? I wouldn’t doubt that it’s related. A fear of maybe upsetting someone he cares about .
And while I’m not about to ask his parents, the insight is powerful.
The rodeo announcer’s voice blasts over the speakers and our conversation comes to a halt as we all focus on the ring. A local musician sings the anthem and an older gentleman leads us through the cowboy’s prayer.
I’m barely paying attention to the events happening before Jackson’s turn arrives. My mind keeps wandering to life with Jackson in the future. Dogs, dates and cheering him on ringside until he decides it’s time to become a spectator. When the clown finishes his show, there’s movement in the chutes at the end of the ring, and I search for Jackson.
There’s no sneaking into the ring this time. A hometown boy, just like many others tonight, gets the spotlight and is introduced. Of course, Dean and Linda are mad proud, and hoot and holler as the announcer makes Jackson and Hunter wave.
Jackson waves and when his gaze finds mine, it’s like the rest of the world doesn’t exist. The cheers of the crowd vanish and the only thing in this world right now is me and the most amazing man on the back of his chestnut horse. A cowboy, a steer wrestler, and the man who deserves a thousand stars served to him because I’ve never known a better person.
Jackson’s lips tilt in a small smile as he glances away.
“You just made the cowboy blush, Rye,” Gabe whispers in my ear and I swat behind me to shut him up. “But who’s the guy next to him?”
Turning quickly, I gape at Gabe. “His best friend and hazer. That’s Hunter.”
“I’m just looking, Rye. Calm down. ”
I know Gabe and he’s not just looking, but I’ll think about that more after.
This rodeo is much larger than the last one for the number of competitors and they’ve been divided into groups to wait behind the chutes. The competition is steep. Many of the cowboys have travelled farther than usual to get a shot at the very rich pot of prize money.
I know this because, during my online searches for information on Jackson, I fell into a rabbit hole of steer wrestling stars. Maybe that makes me an official groupie, but I’m not at all ashamed about it.
“These guys are super good, Linda.”
The times posting early are all below four seconds and only one team missed out with a penalty and eliminated themselves.
“They sure are, but Jackson always does great here. He’s in the zone. He’ll have a great time.” She squeezes my bouncing knee. “You’ll see.”
Four more teams go out and post four more incredible times. Two sit tied for first place and my anxiety blooms bigger for every extra minute I have to wait for Jackson. Finally, his and Hunter’s names are called, and I see them both moving their horses in the chutes.
The noise settles around us as most of the spectators ready themselves for the hometown duo. Clear as a bell, Jackson’s voice stands out over the murmur of the crowd.
“Yep!”
My heart lurches into my throat along with the steer that bursts from the chute with Hunter and Jackson alongside it. Jackson slides off his horse, smooth as butter melting on a pancake and the steer is on its side with feet in the air before I have time to take a breath.
Dean and Linda jump to their feet with cheers, and I do the same, because how could I not? I don’t even know the time, but it has to be in contention to win. With my cheeks aching from smiling and my throat raw from cheering, Jackson does something that makes my knees weak.
He smiles that boyish grin and points at me before tapping his chest and forming a heart with his hands.
“Jesus, Rye. I’m not even romantic and that made my heart pitter patter,” Gabe whispers in my ear, and I can’t even argue with him. Because the announcer booms out the time as it flashes on the board.
“Ladies and gentleman, give our hometown boy a standing O because he just broke the Kissing Ridge rodeo record with a time of 3.1 seconds and is your new leader!”
Jackson’s mouth parts in surprise as the crowd grows impossibly louder, and this time when he points my way, I know what he’s saying.
That’s for you, Rye.
When Jackson is finally out of the ring on his horse, I plunk back in my chair and savour what just happened.
My cowboy boyfriend just broke a record and in front of all these people, told me he loved me, and that he did it for me. Then he rode off on his horse in his perfectly worn denim jeans with a tip of his hat.
Holy fucking swoon. Top that, Disney.
“That’s the most technical I’ve seen those two in years. Such a perfect execution.” Dean is smiling and slapping me on the shoulder and shaking Gabe’s hand like he just found out he’s a grandfather.
“That was amazing.” Gabe’s voice sounds far away, and I shake my head to come back to reality. “I’ve never paid much attention to rodeo before. It wasn’t my thing, but I can see why it’s popular.”
Gabe and Dean talk about rodeo and Linda bumps my shoulder.
“You’re good for him. Thank you for being there for my son.”
“He’s good for me,” I murmur, and Linda pulls me into a hug.
This rodeo can’t end fast enough because it’s not his mother’s arms I want around me.
I want my cowboy.