Carolina Blue

Part 26

Lukas POV

Once I got back in the barn 'Lina had finished putting the tack away and was standing in front of Duke's stall. I could hear her softly talking to him, "We can do this buddy, you and me, we can do this. For Cope we got to try. Lord knows he would be laughing at me if he was awake right now."

"I think Cope would admire your determination, and be happy to see you picking up rodeoing again," I interjected into her and Duke's conversation.

'Lina turned her head and softly looked at me and nodded. "Yeah, he would be happy about that."

I nodded, Cope had now been in a coma for over two months, the reality that he may never wakes up again has been hitting harder each day.

"When we talk to him do you think he can hear us?" Lina asked me with her forehead knitted in thought.

I curled my lips in, I've had my own share of conversations with Cope over the last couple months that I've wondered if he were to wake up would he remember? "I'd like to think so, but honestly I'm not sure. Some people say they wake up from their coma and they remember and others say they don't. So I guess it's hard to say."

"Yeah, I keep praying that one of these times I'm sitting there holdin' his hand he's gonna wake up squeeze my hand so hard and say somethin' like, that was a crazy ride and laugh about it."

I gave 'Lina a soft sad smile, "Yeah that would be amazing."

"Yeah, but unfortunately these days my hope for that keeps dwindling."

I wrapped an arm around 'Lina, "I know it's hard, but you know what I do have hope in?" I asked trying to lift her spirits.

Lina asked inquisitively, "What?"

"You 'Lina, I know you're going to do so well tomorrow."

'Lina laughed and shook her head, "I don't know about that, Duke and I are gonna try our best though."

"And your best will knock the socks out of everyone there."

Carolina smiled up at me, "I think that's your job at the rodeos, or more so drop the panties by smilin' at all the pretty ladies."

I couldn't help but laugh at 'Lina's comment, "Hey now, I can't help it if the ladies like what they see." While gesturing my hands down my body.

Carolina smiled a genuine smile that as long as I live I'll do anything to keep on seeing. "Well either way between you and me, you're the one that has more the for sure chance at winnin' tomorrow."

"Don't count yourself out so fast 'Lina," I countered her in all seriousness.

"I'm tryin' not to, but this is different for me."

"I know and you're gonna kick ass."

She smiled again, "Fine, but you'll kick more."

I smiled back at her, "Okay."

Carolina's lightness went away and was replaced with a serious one instead. This conversation was the closest we had came to discussing being around bull riding since Cope's incident. "I think it goes without saying, but be careful out there tomorrow alright?" She ended with tears in her eyes. Tomorrow was going to be hard for her in so many ways.

"I will 'Lina I promise, but I can't guarantee, but I'll try my darnedest."

A small tear escaped 'Lina's eyes, "I can't lose you too, Lukas, if I lose you I don't know what I'd do. You've been the one getting me through.." Carolina was full on crying at this point.

I wrapped her up in my arms and rested my head on top of hers, "shh 'Lina you're not gonna lose me, remember what I told you at the beginning of summer?"

I paused a moment, and noticed that Carolina's crying was starting to slow down a bit, she quietly asked, "Kinda"

I pulled back slightly to look at her, "I told ya I was born for this 'Lina. That one day I may die doing it, but that ain't going to stop me. I love ridin' bulls 'Lina." I wiped a tear from her cheek, and felt 'Lina lean into my touch.

"I know, I just get worried is all."

I nodded, and lightly kissed the top of her head, "I know and I appreciate you caring about me." She squeezed me tight in response.

"I hope you can get some sleep tonight 'Lina, and if you need me you can call me or show up, I'm here no matter what."

'Lina looked up at me, her tears had stopped falling, but they were still glistening. "Thank you, for everything."