Chapter 15 Brian
FIFTEEN
brIAN
The music vibrated through the speakers placed around the rodeo grounds as participants lined up for the grand entry.
One by one, riders galloped into the arena carrying flags or banners.
The trick riders wove in and out in an intricate pattern that could be incredibly risky if the timing was off for any one of them.
More and more competitors joined the procession with the announcer introducing everyone and providing commentary on their skill levels and planned events. A rainbow of flags and banners lined the arena and snapped in the morning breeze.
Next came representatives from Pop High’s ROTC, marching out in their dress uniforms and holding the American flag, the state flag with its bright red C, and various military branch flags.
“Would everyone please stand for the National Anthem,” the announcer called out and those sitting in the stands all rose while those milling around the rodeo grounds came to a halt and turned toward the arena.
In the center of the ring, Pop High’s choir stood in a half circle with the choral instructor, Mrs. Pollack, standing with her back to the spectators, ready to direct the students all dressed in matching outfits.
The canned accompanying music started up and the chatter ground to a halt as everyone joined in to sing.
I adjusted my ear bud, the sudden influx in voices coming through much louder than expected.
I couldn’t let it distract me when I needed to keep a vigilant eye on everyone.
We’d already had an altercation at the livestock auction and another between two of the competitors, and the rodeo events had yet to start.
If we managed to make it through the weekend without any arrests, I’d count us as so lucky that I’d go buy a lottery ticket.
As the national anthem came to a close, a loud cheer went up in the stands.
The procession filed out as the announcer welcomed everyone to the Poplar Springs Rodeo and went through a series of announcements.
I’d been given the list ahead of time and only half-listened, making sure nothing had changed since yesterday.
“And now, without further ado…”
All those months of planning and working was finally here and the first event—barrel racing—started.
It’d been years since I attended a rodeo and I would’ve loved nothing more than to sit in the stands with my family and cheer on all the competitors.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t an option, even if it meant missing seeing my half-brother compete.
Earlier this month, it’d come out that this would be Cal’s last rodeo. He planned to retire in style by participating in several events and ending on the last day with bronc riding.
By late afternoon, I was flagging by the time I met up with Sofia and her older brother, Rafael. Rafe taught US history at Pop High, but he was a former rodeo competitor and a longtime friend of Cal’s. He was the reason why Cal had agreed to participate in the charity event.
“I can’t believe how well this turned out,” Rafe said, pumping my hand in an enthusiastic handshake. He was all smiles.
“Thanks in part to you,” I said. Rafe had used his connections to call in favors and had spent time cajoling vendors and sponsors to get rate reductions for everything from equipment to souvenirs.
Without him, the cost to put on the charity event would’ve been significantly higher.
And on a personal level, if it hadn’t been for his connection with Cal, my family never would’ve known we had another brother, and Amy might never have met and fallen in love with Cal.
“Happy to help,” Rafe said. The announcer called the next event and Rafe gave us a big smile. “Oh, this used to be my event. If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to watch.” He jogged off before I had a chance to respond, and I looked at my deputy who shrugged and laughed.
“You can take the cowboy away from the rodeo and all that,” Sofia said.
I chuckled at Rafe’s enthusiasm and we strolled around, nodding to the attendees, many of whom were already making their way to the parking lot.
Tomorrow would be another full day of events, ending around four pm with the awards presentation and closing speech.
When the rodeo closed for the day, I met with the deputies and the team of volunteers who worked so hard to make sure everything ran smoothly. From the sweaty faces staring back at me, it was clear that everyone was both tired and thrilled over how well it went.
“I know everyone is eager to get home,” I began. I was too. I’d hoped to run into Caitlin but if she was here, she’d chosen not to sit in the stands with my family.
“Tomorrow will be another long day. The temps are slated to be warmer than today, so make sure you’re wearing sunscreen and a hat, and be sure to stay hydrated.
” I got nods all around. I went over the last-minute changes for Sunday and fielded some questions before excusing everyone to go home and get some rest.
Driving back to town, I contemplated checking in at the office, but I worried that if I sat down at my desk, I’d fall asleep. Instead, I went home to find Caitlin in the kitchen unloading to-go boxes from Bite and Brew.
“Hi! You finally made it home,” she said, giving me a smile that made my heart beat faster. “I figured you probably didn’t have much of a chance to eat, so I brought food. Hungry?”
“Starved, actually.” I looked down at my uniform, which was sweaty and dusty. “I need a shower and then we can eat. Sound okay?”
“Definitely. Do you want to eat here or in the living room?” I suspected that if I got comfortable on the couch, I’d be asleep before I finished eating.
“How about the kitchen,” I said, and she nodded her agreement.
Excusing myself, I left Caitlin to set the table and went to take a hot shower.
I groaned when the pulsating water hit my tired muscles.
When I first bought this place, I had to redo some of the plumbing and had chosen to install massaging showerheads.
I appreciated it now as I stood under the hot spray, feeling myself relax for the first time today.
I was reluctant to get out, but I also knew Caitlin was waiting for me.
Toweling off, I pulled on my old UT sweatpants and a T-shirt and joined her in the kitchen.
“Wow, that smells amazing.” She’d set the table and our plates were laden with slices of steak, roasted potatoes, and what looked like Marc’s legendary corncakes.
My stomach growled loud enough to echo in the kitchen, making her laugh as she set a frosty bottle of 4 Noses porter in front of my plate with a flourish.
“Shall we eat?” she asked.
I collapsed into the chair with another groan and took a long sip from the bottle, enjoying the taste. With all the hours I’d been keeping at work, I hadn’t had a beer in more than a week and it felt good hitting the back of my throat.
We both dove into our food and I’d cleared nearly half my plate before I could bring myself to pause long enough to speak. “Wow, I was definitely hungrier than I realized.”
Caitlin was watching me eat and she had frown lines that I had the urge to brush away. “Did you eat anything at all today?”
I had to stop and think about my answer. I vaguely recalled grabbing a hotdog but I couldn’t remember if I actually ate it. There had been a scuffle at the port-a-potty, and…oh yeah, I’d ended up tossing the dog when the stench hit my nose.
“Well, I meant to,” I admitted. I changed the subject. “I didn’t see you at the rodeo. Did you work all day?”
“Some of the other workers wanted to attend, so I offered to hold down the fort,” Caitlin said.
That didn’t feel right to me but before I could say anything, she continued.
“It wasn’t that busy. Other than Mitch and Charles, the only orders we had were for Marc’s to-go sandwich boxes.
Tomorrow, Marc asked for everyone to come in early to help put the sandwich boxes together to sell at the rodeo, and then he’s going to close the diner for the day so we can all attend. Isn’t that nice?”
“It is. Are you planning on attending?”
“I don’t know. I mean, it’s not something my parents would attend, but…” Their friends might, I filled in what she didn’t say. “So I thought I might stay home.”
That wasn’t going to happen. I reached for her hand and took it in mine.
“If that’s what you want to do, darling, then fine, but please don’t stay away from the rodeo because you’re worried about what might happen.
My family will be in the stands cheering Cal on.
I’d love it if you sat with them. The Caffertys will be there too. Lots of friendly faces.”
“I don’t know, Brian.”
I squeezed her hand, pleased that she hadn’t pulled away yet.
“No pressure. If you decide to go, know that you’re always welcome in my family.
” Caitlin turned her hand around to give mine a squeeze and gave me a small nod.
“So, that’s a yes? You’ll go or at least consider it?
” I didn’t want to jump to conclusions, and I wasn’t going to delve into how happy it would make me if she did sit with my mom and brother.
“That’s a yes,” she said with a small smile and I resisted the urge to cheer.
We finished our dinner, making small talk.
I told her about some of the events I’d managed to catch.
There was a pre-teen trick roping event that had had everyone in the stands cheering.
I also told her about the livestock auction and how the auction caller narrated the escape attempt of a pair of emus, much to everyone’s enjoyment.
She laughed along with me. “Did they catch them?”
“Eventually. But it was touch and go for a while. One of my deputies got too close to one of their beaks and the onery bird tried to take a chunk out of his hand.”
Mack would be okay. He was more embarrassed than anything else. He’d jokingly referred to it as a “badge of honor” since none of the other deputies had a similar injury. Not that any else had been foolish enough to get too close to an emu.
After dinner, I was reluctant to leave the table. As exhausted as I was, it felt good spending time with Caitlin, and I didn’t want to break the happy bubble we were sitting in. But then her head dropped and she snapped it back up. I realized she was ready for bed, too.
Pushing back from the table, I set our dishes in the sink while she protested that she could do it. Then I pulled her to her feet. When she lifted her head to look at me, I wanted nothing more than to sweep her into my arms and carry her upstairs.
Forcing my desire down, I pulled her into a hug and kissed the top of her head.
“Thank you for bringing dinner home for us, darling. I appreciate it—and you—more than you know.” I was the one used to taking care of people, which I enjoyed, but the fact she was concerned about me reminded me of how good things had been between us before I’d broken things off.
Reluctantly putting space between us, I steadied her before indicating the stairs with my head. “But we’re both about ready to fall asleep and we’ve got another big day tomorrow. So, up you go. I’ll see you in the morning.”
I watched her go up to her room and a part of me wanting to go with her. The idea of spooning her in bed while we slept appealed way too much to me. I had to keep reminding myself that nothing could happen with her. Not if I wanted to protect my heart.