Epilogue
Axe
“This is crazy,” I huffed under my breath.
“You did this,” Kenzie said as she bumped her hip against me. “This is an amazing event.”
Exhaling, I glanced at the stands and all the cheering people. I honestly hadn’t anticipated the huge turnout. Every seat was full, standing room only everywhere outside in the parking lot.
The park was also full of people, the charity event drawing in crowds from hundreds of miles away. “Have you ever thought about going into the public relations business? This is all your doing.”
A photographer appeared, shifting in front of us.
As we’d done dozens of times, the two of us crowded together, smiling as if we were having the time of our lives.
I had to admit I was enjoying myself. The energy was crazy, my blood pumping.
I hadn’t been so psyched since the last rodeo event now in what seemed like a lifetime ago.
The grinning man waved and moved away and my smile faded. She turned me around, squeezing my jaws on purpose.
“No frowning. We did a good thing. From what the accountant said, my father will be able to pay off his loans. He’s not completely out of the woods yet, but…” She shifted her hips back and forth.
“What did you do?” I swung her around, pulling her close and drinking in her perfume.
“I booked several acts for the foreseeable future. The stadium is a hit. I think after today, the locals will be down for it.”
“Well, that’s good.”
“Oh, and bringing in the smokejumpers was a brilliant idea. They are hamming it up. They could almost do a calendar. With you as the centerfold.”
I burst into laughter. “Not a chance, Palomino Girl.”
When I lowered my head for a kiss, she pushed me away gently. “How many events are left?”
“We’re up to the bull riding in just a minute. We have the top contenders here from several years. Should be fun.”
“Should be.” She pulled a face and I had a suspicion she was up to something.
“How about a little time alone before the big event?” As I tried to pull her toward me, she pushed me away again. “Nope. I want to see the bull riders.”
“You would,” I teased. We took up a place by the fence close to where the riders were preparing. The crop of bulls was eager to toss their riders.
While the announcer came over the speaker system, announcing the final rodeo event, I only had eyes for her. If she only knew what my life was like now that she was safely tucked away in my bed at night.
I thought about what Jameson had told me the night of the barn fire regarding Will. Somehow, I had a feeling he was watching from above. Hopefully smiling.
The riders began, the crowd cheering from the sheer excitement. My blood pumped, so much so I was breathless. Even though I wasn’t riding, the thrill remained.
And the desire.
As she stepped onto the rungs of the fence, whooping for one bull rider after the other, I realized that I was one lucky man.
Commotion drew our attention, one of the people who’d volunteered to work with the riders running toward us.
“What’s wrong?” I threw out.
“The last bull rider is tossing his cookies in the bathroom.”
“What?” both Kenzie and I asked at the same time.
“Yeah, don’t know what the hell it is, but he’s not riding.”
I glanced at her. “You didn’t do this. Did you? If you did, you will be in so much trouble.”
She smacked me playfully in the stomach. “No, I did not. That’s terrible. What can we do?”
“The crowd is expecting another rider.” When the guy grinned, I realized she’d already heard the man was sick and had suggested me. “You don’t want to disappoint them.”
“I’ll fucking kill myself,” I told them both.
“Don’t try it, Axe man,” she said. “A little bird told me you got in some practice.”
Groaning, I looked away. “It was just one ride.”
The rodeo assistant held up his hand. With four fingers. “You came close to breaking your record,” he said. “Besides, if you can make it to ten seconds, you’ll win.”
“Ten? I haven’t done that in years. I barely made seven the other day and Marty Calhoun just pulled a nine point two.”
“Then do ten,” she suggested.
“You planned this,” I accused.
She backed away. “I’m not saying a word other than imagine the surprise you’ll give the rodeo associations, who are sitting right over there in our premium box.”
I followed her finger, gritting my teeth. “I didn’t know they were here.”
“I invited them. Don’t you remember? And no man says no to me. Including you.” She pulled my arm, pushing me toward the rodeo assistant.
“If I break my leg, what then?”
“It’ll heal.”
“I’m not supposed to be doing dangerous things as a smokejumper.”
She grinned. “I already ran it by the captain. Incidentally, he and his wife are in the audience.”
“You little…”
“Watch your language. Go.” When I didn’t budge, she pulled me closer with both hands. “Go free yourself of the demon inside of you. Only then will you be able to move into the future. With me.”
“With you, huh?” Hissing, I glanced at the crowd.
“I’ve heard that we have a real treat for you. The Bronco Bully himself, the three-time champion and local smokejumping hero, Stephen, the Axe, Beckett will be our final rider.”
Hearing the announcer, I cocked my head, staring into her lovely eyes as she blinked several times.
“You will get it for this.”
She backed away, shimmying her hips and blowing me a kiss.
Huffing, I stormed away, trying to figure out how I could be such an idiot as to do this. Even if deep down I was fucking excited. Ten seconds. I’d be dead in ten seconds.
As I headed to the gate, I was given all the appropriate gear, including the chaps and gloves. All the while, I grumbled under my breath. This was suicidal.
Once dressed, I took a few seconds, staring at the bull. He eyed me like I was his next meal.
Finally, I took a deep breath and was placed on the bull, the reins slapped into my hand.
As the announcer did his thing, the entire crowd cheered. I glanced over at Kenzie who was standing on the second rung of the fence, her smile lighting up the entire corral.
With another deep breath, I glanced at the clock and gave a nod I was ready.
How many bulls had I ridden in my life? Enough to know this was insane. But the moment we were out of the gate, the bull bucking so hard I was tossed back and forth, the same exhilaration I’d felt before rushed into me.
There was almost nothing like the rush of riding a bull, hearing the crowd in the background. The bull was a mean son of a bitch, twisting and tossing. Yet somehow, I stayed on.
With a throw of my hand, I was able to smile for the cameras.
Just before I was pitched off the bull.
The crew did their thing, rushing me to safety. Only then did I have a chance to look at the scoreboard. The crowd was on their feet.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we have a new world record of eleven point seven seconds.”
While the record wouldn’t be placed in any books, the score would remain the forefront of my mind.
Just as I headed back toward where the love of my life was standing, I noticed Bartholomew Sterling standing in the shadows. Not only did he give me a nod, he tipped his cowboy hat and smiled.
If he only knew how much that meant to me.
The cameras were rolling, the crowd still on their feet, and people were already rushing to talk to me. But I only had eyes for the woman standing in the tight blue jeans and sexy tee shirt.
And she was all mine.
As I swept Kenzie into my arms, I was rewarded with a huge smile.
“My personal hero.”
“Don’t you forget it, baby.” As I crushed my lips against hers, an image of Will’s face popped into my mind.
What do you know. He had been watching.
The End