38. Chapter 38
Chapter 38
Grayson
I t seems like time is flying by with no purpose, or maybe it’s propelling us to where we are now.
Guiding me toward peace and excitement, I thought I once knew. I didn’t. Not like this. Not the kind that made me want to wake up each day and never sleep.
The ranch is thriving. River bought a mini highland cow she found online. A week later, she brought home a stray puppy she found on the side of the road. The scrappy mutt yapping day and night if she’s not petting him.
Her partners have kept their distance. They consult her properly and have even sent her cases she’s best equipped to operate on. It seems that in the wake of losing her, they have found some modicum of respect. Too little, too late, in my opinion. Now they’re realizing what they’re losing.
Every patient informed that River will be leaving the practice has been eager for information on her new location. The athletes she has treated for years have also vowed to follow her wherever she goes. Each one recounting how she put them back together so they could do what they love. Funny, River did the same for me in a way.
She’d been quick to reach out to the guy closing his practice. Instead of involving a realtor, they decided to handle the matter themselves with the help of a lawyer. River officially owns the location and will be able to take up residence in about four months.
She deserves this. Even some of the staff are planning to join her over there once she gets things in order and the remodel is complete. She’ll be able to retain her privileges at the hospital, too. A concern that almost made her eat her words. But I wasn’t having it. It wouldn’t serve any of us well for me to show up there and tell those guys off daily.
“Hey Gray,” a voice calls out to me. “Transfers are here.”
Moving out of the horse stall I’d been in, I make my way out of the stables. A structure we’re going to have to expand since River keeps finding stray animals to bring home.
I couldn’t care less, though. It makes her happy.
She’d seen an ad online while researching the things she’ll need for her practice that said donate, otherwise they’ll put these horses down . Of course, she took that to mean, “How do we adopt them?” Hence, the seven extra horses arriving today.
With the increase in responsibilities around Boulder, I’ve had to hire more help around here. But Tate understood when I told him I wanted to be here today to receive River’s new babies.
A task that won’t make me late for the rodeo tonight. I’m not sure anything could.
It’ll be my first time back on the circuit since the accident, and I’m itching for another wild ride. But my family comes first. This family. Me, River, and our endless troop of mouths to feed. Hopefully, after the wedding in a few months, we’ll have a different one, but I’m not pushing. She’s finally openly talking about marrying me, wearing her ring every day, and making plans for the wedding.
We’re having it right here on the property. She said she couldn’t imagine the cows not being there. Fester would be upset. Her new favorite since she rode him. Now, once a week, she takes him out to the ring, gets on his back, and lets him walk around until he nudges the gate, letting her know he’s done.
One by one, we lead the tired, mangled, and scared horses toward the back of the stables. The group settled at the opposite end from those who have been here for a while. They’re going to take a lot of work. Their health will be the priority, then earning their trust before we integrate them with my other rescues.
I’m a sweaty, dirty mess by the time we get them unloaded, washed, and inspected.
“Thanks for your help today, Beau.” We clap hands and hug before he heads off. He’ll be at Boulder tonight. We all will. Everyone is ready to witness my return.
I better give them a damn good show.
Tonight is the first night since Tate returned from the pro circuit that I’ve walked out for announcements without him by my side. I miss our bickering and his presence beside me. Over the weeks, we’ve had more conversations, slowly working through our shit.
Our road to friendship is slowly being forged with each interaction.
Well, my shit. He didn’t really have any. It was him responding to my behavior, mostly. Feelings I had to figure out on my own. River was part of that. Without her, we wouldn’t be here. None of us would.
“And back for the first time in two months, Grayson Garrison!” the announcer booms. My grin breaks wide across my face, my hat waved in the air as the crowd goes wild. Every chant of my name only swells my heart. The hand gripping the rim of my cowboy hat resting right over it.
Stepping back into line, I spot River and Joy by the gates. My woman smiling like a fool as she whistles for me.
Thinking back to the moment I met River, I would have never expected this fun-loving woman lived inside her. I knew she’d be tough, and she is. That hasn’t changed, but she’s done well letting go of so many of those restraints she bound herself to.
We’re led to the back once the announcements are complete. The guys and me all bickering and laughing about nothing. I’ve missed this. But even someday when I retire, I’ll still be here at the place that made this all a reality for me.
The night progresses as they often do. The bull riders are always pulling up the rear. The danger and excitement associated with what we do keep the crowds in their seats until the end.
“Gray,” Tate calls my name as I’m making my way to the chutes.
“What’s up?”
He quirks a grin. There’s no contention in my tone or his face. A new normal we’re slowly finding. “You be safe out there.”
Pulling my brother into a hug, he’s slow to hold me back. We don’t share any other words, just a few seconds of an embrace before I climb up to the platform.
That nervous energy I’d had getting on a bull the first time after the incident doesn’t find me tonight. My limbs are relaxed. Head on straight. I’m ready for this. I was born for this.
Somehow, I’d pulled one of my old nemesis bulls. A bastard that has knocked me off twice throughout my career when I was only a few seconds from making the eight.
“You ready, son?”
I nod, tightening my rope. That same deep breath funnels into my lungs before I release it. My next nod coupled with a “Let’s go.”
The crack of the gate opening spikes my heart rate. The crowd instantly going wild.
We whip and turn before changing direction. The high kick shifting me forward and to the left before I correct myself, squeezing for dear life. This bull isn’t knocking me off tonight. Tonight, I come out on top. I walk out of this ring no matter what.
He makes another sharp change in direction, dipping low before jumping high. One final spin before the buzzer sounds, and I jump high in the air, log rolling off to the side.
The bull fighters round up my competition mate as I race for the gate, right where River is standing, clapping and cheering. Climbing it, I wave my hat in the air. The cheers in the arena only growing louder.
My heart is so full.
I’m quick to exit the ring, racing straight for River, and scooping her up into my arms, spinning her as she kisses me with tears in her eyes. “I’m okay, baby. Not even a scratch.”
“Dammit. Gray. You did so good!” She kisses me again before I set her down, only for a throat to clear behind me.
“Grayson Garrison?”
“That’s me,” I breathe heavily.
The guy sticks out his hand, short stubby fingers clasping around mine as we shake. “Will Mortimer. We’d like to talk to you about getting back on the pro circuit. Maybe even joining one of the teams.”
River presses into my side, and I can feel her eyes on me.
Looking down at her, there’s a whole future in her eyes. The crowd still roars around me, and I can’t help but take that in too. My home. The place that made my dreams come true, even if that wasn’t how I originally saw it.
“Thank you, Mr. Mortimer, but I’ve got everything I need right here.”
I pull River into my arms again, kissing her indecently before she grabs my hat and puts it on her head.
“Let’s go for a ride, cowboy.”