The Bull Rider and the Bookworm (Snow Creek Ranch #2)

Prologue

“Hello, everyone, and welcome to the T&L Arena in Austin, Texas, for the Iron Spur Bull Riding League Finals! Bull riding needs a huge home and we’ve called the T&L home for over twenty-seven years.

My name is Jake Calder, to my left is Travis McKay, and to my right in his trademark white Stetson is five-time ISbr champion Tyler Boone.

As you know the big question buzzing around the paddock has been what shape will Hoyt Knox be in tonight? What are your thoughts, Tyler?”

“Well, Jake, he got hung up pretty badly two weeks ago up there in Ontario. Rumors ran wild about a separated shoulder but if he did sustain an injury he’s not letting it keep him out of the championship.”

“Hoyt is pure cowboy, Tyler. He’s going to ride until he can’t. Looks like they’re ready to kick things off now that the anthem has been played by the Gillespie High School marching band. Go Raptors! Travis, what do we think of Knox’s chances after that disappointing ride up in New York City?”

“Jake, I think he’s nursing a bad shoulder as well as some other things. We’ve all been there. We all want that buckle but Knox has been off his game for a while now, way before that hang up so I have to wonder if this will be his last season? He’s no spring chicken as my Granny likes to say.”

“I think all of us are wondering about that, Travis. Looks like the man himself, Hoyt Knox, is approaching his bull. I have to tell you that if he is nursing an injury, pulling Satan’s Cyclone is an unlucky pull.

That bull is pure hellfire on four hooves.

He’s bucked off every rider who sat on his back for the past two seasons and sent a dozen to the emergency room.

You rode him once two years ago in North Carolina, Tyler.

What are your thoughts as we watch Hoyt and his chute man Clayton Pike settle him onto Cyclone’s wide red back? ”

“I wish him luck! Looks like the gate is open. Okay, Hoyt looks stiff. The first thing he did was go back instead of going over the front of the bull to take its power away. He’s just hanging around on there hoping the bull will—Oh no!

Cyclone strikes again, throwing Hoyt to the ground for a zero.

Look at that bull! He is out for blood. He’s rolling Knox despite the bullfighters’ interference.

Oh no, that’s bad. Those hooves are lethal and one just came down on Knox’s collarbone.

I hope his vest helped to pad that blow.

Four bullfighters are in there now…Knox is not moving.

Oh hell—sorry folks—oh heck, that’s not good.

Medics are arriving now the bullfighters have gotten Satan’s Cyclone out of the ring.

Folks, let’s pray for Hoyt Knox as the paramedics tend to the fallen cowboy. ”