Chapter 24
Chapter
Twenty-Four
FIRST RODEO
Ella
“You wear the hat, you ride the cowboy.”— S
A midst the dusty arena of the town’s annual rodeo, where the air is thick with the scent of hay and excitement, I stand watching everything around me with a beaming smile and wide eyes.
God, I love this place.
I love everything about it.
Everyone is having so much fun here while they participate in the activities or as spectators.
Today, I ditch the summer dresses for tight blue jeans, a white tank top, and brown cowboy boots.
I fit right in with everyone else here.
“This is everything,” I whisper to myself. “This is incredible…” I lean forward on the wooden rail and take a photo of myself surrounded by a sea of spectators, their cheers blending in with the enthusiasm as cowboys and cowgirls prepare for their rides. The arena stretches out before me, ringed by weathered wooden fences adorned with banners and flags fluttering in the breeze.
This is all new to me and it proves to be more than I had imagined. As a child, we didn’t get to go camping or get dirty in the mud like most kids do during hot summers. That wasn’t the type of activity my family enjoyed, and I don’t really feel like I missed out. But being here, witnessing this type of American tradition and culture, fills my heart with joy and wonder. It makes me feel somehow closer to him.
My gaze darts from the bronco-busting chute, where riders mount restless horses, to the roping arena, where cowboys skillfully lasso calves against the ticking clock. Each event captures my attention fully and leaves me in awe of such talent.
The sun hangs low in the big Montana sky, casting a golden hue over the scene and causing the dust kicked up by the horses’ hooves to dance in the air like pretty gold glitter. The scent of popcorn and cotton candy mingles with the earthy aroma of horses, creating a unique atmosphere that is both thrilling and comforting.
Tucking my camera back into my purse, I watch as a gray bronco bursts from its gate, its female rider gripping the reins with determination as the horse bucks and twists beneath her. The crowd roars with every move, their cheers adding to the adrenaline that pulses through the arena. I find myself clapping along, caught up in the infectious energy of the rodeo. It is empowering to watch a woman handle a horse so effortlessly.
Close by, a group of children stands with wide eyes, their faces painted with various designs as they cheer on their favorite riders. I can’t help but smile at their enthusiasm. They look so content to be here. One little boy, with tousled blonde hair and expressive eyes, catches my attention as he flashes a toothy grin in my direction, melting me on the spot. My heart can’t take the cuteness. His resemblance to Shaw pulls at my heartstrings.
I continue watching the riders as the evening progresses and the sky slowly darkens. The arena lights flicker on, casting a glow over the scene. “This is what I’m missing,” I think to myself, taking in the vast Montana landscape stretching beyond the arena.
“Found you,” Shaw says in a husky tone as he appears behind me, his presence commanding attention in ripped jeans that hug his legs, a crisp white tee emphasizing his broad shoulders, and sturdy brown cowboy boots that echo with each step. Perched atop his head is his cowboy hat, casting a shadow over his rugged features.
My breath catches in my throat as I look at him, struck by the sight of a man who seems to embody a wild, untamed spirit yet holds a gentle warmth in his eyes whenever he looks at me. His rough hand comes to my waist, holding me in place. Time seems to suspend as I find myself speechless, captivated by his undeniable charm and the magnetic pull between us.
God, he’s so beautiful in a way that’s difficult to put into words.
Wanting to save the memory of him, I reach for my camera, intending to capture just how handsome he looks. I fumble slightly before pointing my polaroid camera at him. With a quick press of the button, the camera whirs and ejects the photo. I hold it in my hands, the image developing before my eyes, capturing Shaw’s essence standing there in all his rugged charm and cowboy glory. It’s a moment frozen in time, a memory I want to hold onto forever. “What took you so long?” I tease with a grin.
“Did you miss me, darlin’?” Shaw’s lip quirks upward.
“I always miss you,” I blurt out, unable to contain my emotions.
He offers me a small smile. That perfect smile of his sends butterflies into a frenzy in my stomach. Will that feeling ever fade? I don’t think so.
I gaze at him with adoration shimmering in my eyes, my heart fluttering at the sight of him. In a soft whisper, I breathe out, “You’re the most beautiful man I’ve ever laid eyes on.”
I quickly blush, feeling like a lovestruck fool.
Shaw’s expression softens, but a shadow crosses his face as he gently replies, “Beautiful isn’t a word many would use for me.” His words carry a touch of sadness, revealing a vulnerability beneath his rugged exterior. My heart tugs painfully as I look at him. He’s so used to being seen as tough and strong that perhaps beauty seems foreign to him.
“But you are… so beautiful, Shaw,” I insist, tracing the constellation of freckles on his face.
“And you’re too damn sweet, princess,” he chuckles before lifting me off the wooden rail and setting me on my feet. He then gently takes my small hand in his, his touch firm yet tender, as he guides me towards the bustling area where the bareback riding contest is about to begin. His hand feels warm and reassuring against mine. I look at our joined hands and smile wide, loving the way he looks so big compared to mine.
“Did you really used to do bareback riding?” I ask, my voice tinged with worry as we walk together. I glance up at him, noticing the strength in his features and the determination in his stride. After our time at the lake, where he made me his in every way that counts, something shifts between us. Something monumental, and he proves it this morning when I wake up to him knocking on my door with a tulip in hand, asking me to join him for a day at the town’s annual rodeo. With a full heart, I accept and spend the rest of the day counting down the hours to see him again.
Although we made love at the lake, he hasn’t said more about the status of our situation now, but I don’t need words. These are the moments that whisper all the secrets of his heart to me. This is what counts—him holding my hand as he shares something he clearly enjoys.
“I did.”
“Oh…”
“What is it?”
“It just seems a bit dangerous.”
“You worry about me?”
“I always worry about you,” I frown, looking up at him in concern.
“It’s fine, baby.”
Baby… my insides turn to goo.
Reaching up, I trace my fingers over his overgrown beard. “I always want you to be safe,” I whisper.
His warm eyes soften as he bends over and drops a kiss on the tip of my nose. No matter how many times he does that, I’ll never believe it’s real. This all seems like a dream I’m too afraid to wake up from.
“Come with me, yeah?”
The way he asks me, I would follow him anywhere. To the depths of hell if he asked me to.
“Anywhere,” I blurted out, making him smile. He then grabs my hand tighter and leads the way to the contest area. Once there, we find ourselves among a crowd of spectators eagerly waiting for the contest to start.
A man dressed much the same as Shaw suddenly appears in front of us, clapping Shaw on the back in a familiar manner. Shaw’s initial reaction is a tense, almost instinctive response, his demeanor briefly reflecting a hint of anger before he quickly masks it. He then nods tersely at the man, clearly recognizing him.
The man with black hair, blue eyes, and a sleazy smile grins broadly at Shaw and remarks, “Well, well, Golden Boy. Looks like you finally crawled out of the hole you were in. Hope you’re not thinking of competing.” His gaze then shifts to me, his tone mocking, “It’s a shame for such a pretty lady to see you lose.”
Shaw’s jaw tightens slightly at the man’s words, a flicker of annoyance crossing his features. Despite the cocky man’s taunt, Shaw remains composed, his focus solely on me. The arrogant man is completely forgotten as Shaw turns to me.
Holding onto his hand tighter, I ask, “Do you know him?”
Shaw nods tersely. “Boone McAlester. A bitch from the past.”
I snort, and he smiles broadly, leaving me breathless. “Are you competing?”
He shakes his head. “I don’t do that anymore.”
“You should.”
“Yeah?” He grabs me by the waist and pulls me closer to his body. “And why is that?”
“I would love to see you kick his ass,” I grin.
“You’re so sure I can beat him?”
Raising my tiptoes, I wrap my arms around his neck. “I would bet all my lucky stars on you, Shaw Banning.”
He glances down at me with tender eyes, saying nothing as if he’s contemplating the idea. It takes him only a second to make up his mind. Nodding once, he takes my hand firmly in his and leads me towards the sign-up tables for the bareback riding contest. I follow him, and amid the bustling crowd, I watch him fill out the forms and sign up for the competition. He looks so cocky that it makes my heart race. God, he’s so hot without even trying.
Once registered, Shaw steers us away from the busy area, seeking a quieter spot where we can have some privacy. Finding a secluded corner away from prying eyes, he gently removes his weathered cowboy hat and places it carefully on my head. With a slight adjustment, he ensures it shields my features enough to prevent easy recognition. “Well, look at that… a perfect fit.” Liar… the hat is too big on me. Still, I can’t help the butterflies that dance in my belly.
I beam at him, touched by his sweet attempt to shield me from prying eyes. No matter what happens between us, he always keeps my safety his top priority.
Feeling a surge of affection for him, I stand on my tiptoes again and plant a gentle kiss on his chin. His reaction is swift yet tender; he catches me by the back of my neck, drawing me closer. Our eyes lock in an intimate exchange as he leans in, his lips meeting the tip of my nose in a soft, lingering kiss.
Time seems to slow around us, the world fading into the background as we share this brief moment. Shaw’s touch is gentle yet possessive. His warm gaze holds mine before he leans in close to my mouth and whispers, “I’ll be back.” He reaches into his back pocket and retrieves something, holding it out to me.
A taser.
“If someone gets near, use this on them and scream,” he instructs quietly, his eyes locking with mine to emphasize the seriousness of his words. “You scream bloody murder and I’ll be at your side in no time, yeah?”
I nod as I take the taser from his hand. “Yeah,” I affirm softly.
Shaw gives me a nod of assurance and a quick kiss on the lips before stepping away, his intense gaze lingering on me briefly. With a final glance over his shoulder, he continues on his way, leaving me watching him leave like a lovesick fool.
I watch him stride confidently towards the horses, my gaze following him until he disappears into the bustling arena. As the bareback riding contest commences, I find myself immersed in the excitement, cheering on each contestant with fervor while keeping a keen eye out for Shaw.
Time seems to stretch as I eagerly wait for his turn. When Shaw finally emerges into the arena, mounted atop a powerful horse, my heart skips a beat. He looks every bit the magnificent figure I know him to be, his presence commanding attention and admiration from the crowd. Both men and women cheer him on, their eyes shining with excitement.
I can’t contain my own excitement as I scream Shaw’s name at the top of my lungs, my voice blending with the cheers and applause of the large crowd. With my polaroid camera in hand, I capture moments of his performance, each snapshot a memory saved forever.
Shaw handles the horse like a pro, his movements fluid and precise. The crowd erupts into cheers as he navigates the challenges of the ride, showcasing his strength and talent. I watch with awe and pride, recording every moment, my support unwavering as I root for him from the sidelines.
As the crowd roars, I lock eyes with Shaw, a million unspoken emotions passing between us in that fleeting moment of connection. In his gaze, I see a million emotions but one that makes the air slip from my lungs is… adoration. He looks at me the same way I looked at him. Could it be?
At that moment with his gaze fixed on me, while he expertly maneuvers the horse, it feels as though he can hear me cheering amidst the noise, sensing my unwavering support.
“Wohoooo!” I scream louder with the biggest smile on my face not caring if people around me think I was crazy. I was… crazy about that man. “You go, Shaw Bear!”
His brown eyes stay fixed on mine as we share a look that transcends the chaos of the arena. In this moment we create our own little private galaxy amidst the rodeo’s excitement. But all too soon, the moment had to end.
With a nod and a last glance filled with unspoken promises, he turns back to the task at hand. I watch Shaw go, my heart swelling with pride and admiration for the man who had captivated me with his big heart and admirable strength.
As he navigates the arena one last time, his figure becomes smaller in the distance, yet the imprint of our shared gaze lingers in my mind and heart.
Soon after the winner is announced.
I scream and howl louder.
Sha won.
I had no doubt in mind that he would.
The man is made of gold and steel. He can do anything he set his mind to.
I was coming to realize he was everything hard and soft.
Rigid and pliant.
Rough and tender.
So beautifully multifaceted.
Each imperfectly perfect, layered surface coming together to create this amazing and beautiful man.
When he was done he make his way toward me ignoring the crowd congratulating including the man who challenged him earlier. He walks toward me with a look of desire and dare I say something more in his eyes.
Once he is standing before me, he takes my face in his large palm and rests his forehead against mine. “You’re real.” He says it as if convincing himself that I am.
Breathing him in, I whisper back, “I’m real and so is this.” I tap his chest where his heart is. He knows what I am referring to. I don’t need to utter the words.
Shaw leans forward and presses a painfully slow kiss to my lips making me moan aloud, desire coursing through my body and heat making me pussy throb for him.
Too quickly he breaks the kiss, to stare into my eyes. Grinning, at my reaction he says, “That’s my good girl.”
Later in the evening Ella and I wander hand in hand through a maze of colorful, lighted tents and bustling crowds. The air is alive with the twang of country music, drifting from a makeshift stage where a lively band plays under strings of glowing lights.
It has been a long time since I last participated in any of this town’s events. After Ma died I stopped caring about anything other than the ranch. My life was what was left of her legacy and my purpose was to keep it afloat as if somehow it meant keeping my mother’s memory alive.
“This is just like the movies,” My girl whispers as she takes in everything with shining eyes.
“What is?” I mumble while holding onto her hand tighter as we walk by a tent where they’re selling fried foods.
“This rodeo! This town!” She turns and looks up at me beaming. Fuck, so pretty. “I used to watch romantic comedies with my sisters when we were little while we stayed at my Aunt Mila’s home. Most of the movies took place in charming small towns and the heroine always fell for the rugged and grumpy hero.”
I snort. “Is that so?”
“Yup.” She nods with a grin on her face.
“This is not a movie, princess.”
“I know,” her eyes soften and her smile widens. “This is better.”
“Ella…” I say in a husky tone, feeling way too much at a time.
Ella squeezes my hand gently and nudges me with a playful grin. “I’m having the best time, Shaw.”
“Good. That’s good.” I look down at her while she looks around like a kid at his first rodeo.
Ella’s eyes light up as she catches sight of couples twirling and two-stepping on a wooden dance floor. She gently tugs at my arm. “Shaw, look! Let’s go dance!” Her voice bubbles with excitement, as she bounces on the balls of her boots, already swaying to the music.
Ahhhh…
I glance at the dance floor with reluctance and disdain. I hesitated, my cowboy hat pulled low over my brow, hiding a smile. I wasn’t much of a dancer, and being the center of attention wasn’t my style. But then I glance at Ella, her cheeks flushing with joy, eyes sparkling with the idea of sharing a dance. I hate dancing and I hate spending time with other people yet her happiness at the moment was infectious. I can’t resist her. “You wanna dance, cupcake?”
“I really do, Shaw.”
“Let’s dance then,” I concede with a small grin, “but just this once.”
“How about two?” She tilts her face, her black curls being blown on the wind and a teasing smile.
I narrow my eyes and it only makes her smile grow bigger.
“Fine,” I grumble.
“Yes!” Ella laughs and pulls me toward the dance floor, weaving through the crowd with an ease that hinted at her familiarity with country dances. We find a spot among the swirling pairs, and I tentatively take her hand as we fall into the rhythm of the music.
“Show me how it’s done cowboy.”
And so I did.
Ella’s laughter rings out as she spins under my arm, her movements graceful and free. Her voice join the chorus of the band, singing along to the familiar tune with unabashed glee. I watch her, a softness in my eyes that betrays the tough exterior I usually wore.
But not with her.
Not with my girl. At least not anymore.
I made her mine yesterday and there’s not going back. One taste of Ellaiza Kenton is not enough. It will never be enough.
As we dance under the twinkling lights, Ella sings aloud to a song I’ve caught her listening to back home many times. A song about a girl asking Romeo to take her someone they could be alone. She sings and dances as if there is no one around us.
And there isn’t. She is the only thing I see.
I don’t sing along or laugh out loud like Ella did, but there is a quiet contentment in my expression. I feel a happiness that I hadn’t felt in years. I feel like maybe life wasn’t all that bad because how could it be when someone as lovely and magical as her exists?
I move with her, my steps steady and sure, my hand warm in hers.
When the song draws to a close, Ella twirls one last time before coming to a breathless stop in my arms. She looks up at me, cheeks flush and eyes shining.
“Thank you, Shaw,” she says, her voice filled with genuine gratitude. “This feels like pink.”
“Pink?” I ask, confused.
“Yeah,” she whispers as she looked up at me still in my arms. “Pink is happiness and here with you is the happiest I’ve ever been.”
Thud.
Thud.
Thud.
My chest aches as her words infiltrate my soul and sprinkle my existence with her perfect and joyful essence.
“Likewise, princess.” I say feeling vulnerable as fuck yet sure of what I was saying. I’ve never felt this happy… this free.
“One more dance?” She holds me closer and smiles.
Right then, I would give her all my dances for the rest of my life if she only asked.
As the words got stuck in my throat, I simply nodded, a half-smile playing on my lips. I don’t need to say anything to her because somehow she always reads my mind. My mind and my heart.
As we held each other, the band started to play the next song. And as I held the lovely heiress in my arms while the sky shone down on us and the crowd of dancers faded into the background, I know this moment I would never forget.