Walker (Cordell Walker x Female!Reader)

Common Ground

(Name's) P.O.V
I didn't get much sleep last night, so I decided to do some research into the night the Davidson's barn burnt down, soon finding a news clip that was reporting the incident on YouTube.

"Yesterday, as families watched Jojo's comet pass above Austin skies, tragedy loomed just below. Local rancher, Marv Davidson, appears to have burned alive in his own barn late last night. While authorities have not yet identified the cause of the blaze, we were able to speak with Mrs. Davidson to recount the details of the gruesome scene." A reporter said as the cameraman films parts of the burnt down barn.

The camera then cuts to Gale, giving her story of what happened. "It figures that he would, uh, he would run into a-a burning building, you know, to protect those kids. He was... He was always sacrificing." She said, tears evident in her voice even though she wasn't shedding a single drop.

"The weight of the accident on your daughter must've been..." The reporter said. "Oh, it... it was, uh, it was no accident." Gale suddenly interjected. "I'm... I'm sorry?" The reporter asked, intrigued.

"Um... I shouldn't have said anything." Gale muttered, looking away from the camera. "If someone is at fault here, I think people have a right to know." The reporter said and Gale pauses for a couple seconds then looks directly into the camera.

"I believe it... it was, it was the kid next door who started this fire. I mean, his family's always been after mine. He's responsible. Cordell Walker murdered my husband."

I frown, grabbing the top of my laptop and slamming it shut, pushing it away from me. I know I'm pretty much a stranger in all of this... but I know for a fact, Marv's death isn't on Cordell.

I'm not just thinking that because it was an accident and Cordell shouldn't be blame for something he didn't do maliciously. Though obviously, if that was the case then he still shouldn't be at fault. I can't really explain it, but something doesn't add up here. I just feel like there's more to the story, I just don't know what.

Guess it doesn't really matter at the moment. With the race for the ranch coming up, I gotta stay focus. I'm in charge of making sure Cordell's horse and saddle are ready to go when it comes time for him to race.

I gotta push any thoughts about that the Davidson's barn, Marv's death, and most importantly Cordell and Geri's relationship out of my mind. Now is not the time to be occupied by anything else but making sure Cordell wins this race.

I pull myself out of bed to shower and get dress, so I can meet Cordell and Bonham at the stables. The horses neigh as I walk into the stables and over to Bonham, who was filling up one of the horses, Dean's trough.

"Morning." I muttered and Bonham looks up at from the hose he was using. "Mornin'. No offense (Name), but you don't look so good." He said. "I couldn't really sleep last night." I admitted, crossing my arms. "Worrying about this race?" He asked.

"Something like that." I muttered, keeping the real culprit behind my insomnia to myself. "Well, try not to worry too much. I wouldn't have asked you to help out, if I didn't think you were up to it." He said, pulling the hose out of the horse pen and I gave a slight nod.

"Hey. Morning. Sorry, uh..." Cordell said, joining us in the stables. "Well, there he is. You having nightmares again? You look God awful." Bonham said, putting the hose back. "Oh, that's very sweet. Thanks, uh... Coach." Cordell said, pointing to Bonham's hat that does indeed say Coach on it.

"Uh, I'm here. I'm ready. What-what's the play?" Cordell asked as the three of us begin walking through the stables. "All right, well, let me see. How about if we, um..." Bonham said, stopping in front of a black steed, named Chopper and knocks his knuckles on the fence.