Cowboy’s Trial (Shiver of Chaos #4)

PROLOGUE

ANDI

“Las Vegas, let’s welcome back Ms. Andrea Forbes from West Lafayette, Indiana!

Defending her world champion title, she’s chasing another win tonight for Forging Forbes Ranch.

And here she comes now, riding her trusted partner, Raine.

Keep your eyes on her, folks. She’s one of the fastest barrel racers in the arena.

Leading with the most wins and highest purse so far, a victory tonight will cement her championship for a second consecutive year. ”

Before the announcer even finishes saying my name, Raine and I are down the chute, ready and waiting.

She explodes forward like she’s been shot from a gun.

Her hooves thunder across the arena as we surge toward the first barrel.

As I swing around it, I know something is wrong.

Raine knows it too. The saddle slips, and my heart clenches. This is going to hurt.

We race toward the second barrel, and as we make the turn, Raine slips as the belly strap slides back.

I come down hard on the top of the barrel.

Pain bursts through my forearm and ribs, but I can’t stop.

Stopping means losing. Then the other cinches on the saddle give.

I roll sideways, every muscle in my thighs screaming to hold on.

Raine fights to regain her footing, and my head barely misses slamming into the barrel.

Air rushes past me, then I hit the ground.

My hat goes flying. My braid whips me in the face.

My boot is stuck, and Raine bolts forward, leaving me dangling for a moment before the saddle finally gives completely.

All I see are horse hooves. My worst nightmare is happening right in front of my eyes.

I try to roll away so my mother doesn’t have to watch me die on a horse.

Something slams into my forehead above my left eye.

Pain erupts through my body, and my mind reels.

Then I hear the worst sound I’ve ever heard.

Raine’s high-pitched, agonized neigh cuts through the fog in my head.

Her cry is exactly what I need to jolt me into action.

I stagger to my feet, but I can’t see anything.

Everything goes dark for a moment. Then I see Raine limping away.

Rodeo personnel descend on me as I try to comprehend everything that just happened. My body aches, and my vision blurs as blood drips down my face. My left arm hangs useless at my side. My brain is muddled, and my trusted companion, Raine, is hurting too.

My shot at a repeat championship is over, and all I can think about is my horse.

I care more about the damage done to her than about my own injuries.

It isn’t until I see my mother and stepdad rushing toward me that I finally let the tears fall.

Then everything goes dark as my body crumples to the dirt.

My last sight is Raine falling too. My beautiful girl is still crying out, and then another cry echoes through the stadium. I don’t know where it’s coming from. The cold, peaceful pull of unconsciousness drags me into its arms.