Chapter 19
Take Me to the Rodeo - Chris LeDoux
Kinsley
“ W hat the hell do you think you’re doing?” Wyatt’s voice rang out as he and Finn pulled their horses up beside me.
I halted Cher and patted her neck, offering them my most endearing smile.
The previous night’s argument with Abby still lingered in my mind, leaving a residue of tension that I was eager to shake off.
“You’re not supposed to be riding yet,” Wyatt said.
“I think the deal was that I don’t ride him.” I pointed at Gambler, who looked half asleep under Wyatt. “I’m walking around, not running barrels, and it’s Cher. She’s always good.”
Wyatt didn’t look pleased, but he didn’t argue either, so I counted it as a victory. After last night’s creek escapades, I wasn’t sure where we stood. One minute he was pushing me away, the next flirting. It was hard to keep up.
“You’re putting my horse to sleep.”
Wyatt shrugged and slouched in the saddle like a defeated cowboy, which wasn’t a good look for him. “He’ll perk up once we get out in the field.” He smoothed down Gambler’s unruly mane.
“More trail riding? I think he needs more of a challenge,” I suggested.
“Let’s go rope some cows,” Finn chimed in.
I kept a straight face, even though Wyatt shook his head.
“What for?” Wyatt asked, sounding unenthused.
“Because it’s fun?” Finn replied, not convincingly.
I groaned inwardly. “I was told he was trained on cows before they started racing him,” I added. “I bet he’d enjoy it.”
“Please?” Finn implored, sticking out his bottom lip and batting his eyelashes at Wyatt, who couldn’t help but laugh.
“Fine, just don’t look at me like that,” Wyatt conceded.
“It’s turning you on, isn’t it? The whole ‘damsel in distress’ look?” Finn teased.
“Yeah, no.” Wyatt urged Gambler forward. “Let’s go.”
Finn shot me a triumphant look, clearly pleased with himself.
The guys warmed the horses up in the arena while I talked some wranglers into helping us out with some steers. I parked Cher and myself at the fence to watch. I wasn’t quite ready to get out of the saddle yet, and I welcomed the distraction from the restless thoughts of my sister. She and my parents had left that morning, and I wasn’t sure if I was happy to see her go or not.
I relaxed in my saddle and played with strands of Cher’s coppery mane as Wyatt and Finn prepared for their run. Gambler pranced in place in the box, ears perked forward, almost like he knew what was coming.
A small smile tugged at the corner of my mouth—this was Wyatt’s element. His shoulders were relaxed, the constant crease between his brows smoothed out. For once, he didn’t look burdened by the weight of the world.
The wrangler nodded, opening the gate to release the steer. Finn surged forward, his loop sailing through the air to catch the horns. I held my breath as Wyatt followed, his rope flying, catching the steer’s heels and snapping taut. Gambler didn’t even flinch; he was locked in and focused like I’d never seen before. He dug his haunches in, muscles rippling beneath his black coat as he held the steer steady.
A whoop escaped my lips.
Wyatt glanced over, his face split by a grin that reached all the way to the crinkles around his eyes. In that moment, he was lighter, happier. Free.
“Holy shit!” Finn hollered. He patted his horse, Ghost, on the neck.
Wyatt rode over to me. “Did you know he could do that?” He leaned back in his saddle and ran his hand over Gambler’s hindquarters.
I shrugged. “I guess he likes cows. Go again.”
They ran it a few more times, each as flawless as the last. Gambler was a completely different horse, calm and responsive to Wyatt’s cues. It was like the steer grounded him and gave him purpose beyond running in circles.
I couldn’t help the pang of jealousy that twisted in my gut. My horse went better for Wyatt than he ever had for me. All those dreams of championships, of making my family proud, slipped further away with every perfect run Wyatt did.
But then Wyatt caught my eye, that smile still playing on his lips, and maybe—just maybe—it would be worth it.
“Alright, Cher, it’s you and me again. I’m sorry I was being so stupid and let a handsome boy come between us. Girl power all the way.” I patted her.
Cher turned her head and touched her nose to my foot, signaling her forgiveness. She probably even appreciated the break, knowing I would come back to my senses eventually.
“Now, to convince Wyatt of this plan…”
That might not be so easy. Sure, we had convinced Wyatt to mess around and try Gambler, but now we had to persuade him to rodeo with the horse, and Wyatt was stubborn.
They rode out of the arena, breathless and smiling.
“Wow,” I said. “Impressive. It’s like you guys have done that before.”
“I know, right?” Finn replied, laying it on a little too thick. “It’d sure be nice to have a partner again for the team roping event next weekend.” He looked directly at me as he said it.
I feigned surprise and pretended to consider it.
“Finn, no—" Wyatt began.
I interrupted. “Sure, why not?”
Wyatt, taken aback, turned to me. “Kins, he’s your horse.”
“I’m not riding him right now. Besides, after seeing that, I’m not sure I have him on the right career path.”
Those words were harder to get out than I’d thought they would be. It was obvious Gambler was a cattle horse but handing him over to Wyatt was like giving up a part of me.
I swallowed hard, forcing a smile onto my face as Wyatt’s brow furrowed.
“Are you sure about this, Kins?” His eyes searched mine, always able to see right through my bravado.
“Of course,” I lied, praying he wouldn’t call my bluff. “I’m not riding him right now. He should be kept busy, and he obviously enjoys this.”
Wyatt studied me for a long moment before nodding slowly. “Alright, if that’s what you want.” He reached over, his calloused fingers brushing my cheek in the softest of caresses. “Thank you.”
My heart fluttered at his touch, warmth spreading through me. This was worth it, I told myself. Seeing that look of pure joy on Wyatt’s face as he rode Gambler was all I could ask for after the heartache we’d been through.
Finn cleared his throat, breaking the moment. “Well, I’m going to go get our entry in.” He swung off Ghost and headed towards the registration booth.
Wyatt turned Gambler to follow but paused, glancing back at me over his shoulder. “You coming?”
I shook my head. “I’ll catch up in a bit. I want some more time with this girl.” I patted Cher’s neck, her coat’s familiar scent calming me.
Wyatt’s expression softened. “Don’t be too long.” With that, he nudged Gambler forward, falling into step beside Finn.
An ache settled deep in my chest. Cher shifted beneath me as if sensing my unease.
I leaned forward, burying my face in her mane to hide the tears that threatened to spill over. “I’m doing the right thing, aren’t I, girl?”
I pulled back from Cher’s mane, wiping at my damp cheeks with the back of my hand. What was I thinking? How could I hand over Gambler like that? He was my horse, my dream.
Finn shot me a subtle wink over his shoulder, letting me know he was in on the scheme to get Wyatt roping again.
I couldn’t help but wonder if we’d thought this through, though. Wyatt wasn’t an idiot. He was bound to figure out eventually that Finn and I had cooked this whole thing up behind his back. I imagined the stormy look that would cloud his face when he realized we’d manipulated him, even if our intentions were good. That crease would appear between his brows, and his jaw would tighten in that way that meant he was fighting to keep his emotions in check.
He hated feeling out of control or like decisions were being made for him. It went against every fibre of his being. I knew that better than anyone after our years of being ... well, whatever we were. He would see this as me overstepping again, trying to control his life.
It wasn’t like that at all, but I understood why he might view it that way, given our history. I was trying to give him a new lease on the rodeo life he loved so much, a chance to rekindle that passion I saw burning in his eyes when he rode Gambler.
Then again, maybe I was getting ahead of myself. Maybe Wyatt would surprise me and be grateful for the opportunity, not getting bogged down in questioning the intentions behind it all. Maybe he’d accept this gift with grace instead of second-guessing every motive.
I knew that was just wishful thinking. I could only hope the risk would be worth it.
I sighed, resting my forehead against Cher’s neck as I tried to push those doubts aside. Only time would tell how Wyatt would react when the truth came out. For now, I had to focus on being supportive, on not letting my selfish desires get in the way of his potential for happiness.
If giving up my prized horse and risking my own rodeo dreams for a little while was what it took, well ... I’d have to woman up and deal with it. Wyatt’s smile was worth that and more.