The Cowboy's Promise (UNDER HEAVY REVISION)

The Rodeo pt. II

*Red's P.O.V.*

I immediately check Sam's pulse and breathing. Thankfully, those seem to be okay. I move aside when a medic appears. He checks over Sam and deems him shaken. Now we just have to wait.

It seems like an eternity before Sam opens his eyes, but it's only a few minutes. He sticks his hand out for me to help him up. I do, and he walks out with the medic. He may be leaning heavily on the man, but he's walking on his own two feet.

"He's okay, folks!" the announcer states. The seats erupts in cheers. I smile, finally realizing the crowd was dead silent worrying about Sam.

"Next is another local, Blake Dodge. At 32 years old, he's no newbie, but he dropped out a while because of medical issues with his head. He's from right here in Silver Springs and riding Twist N Shout. Give him some love folks!"

I pale when I realize Blake is next. I hadn't even realized that. Overhead, a murder of crows cry out as they fly. I've always heard crows mean death. Whose soul have they come to collect?

It's torture waiting for him to come out. When he does, Twist N Shout shows no mercy. He makes Twister look like a kiddie ride. Right out of the pen he spins right. He bucks viciously, but my brother holds tight. Twist leaps into the air and kicks his hind feet into the air. Blake's ride goes a lot smoother than Sam's.

The bull bucks and spins and kicks under Blake. I watch him as he sneaks a glance at the clock. He relaxes when the buzzer sounds, but only slightly. He's still on top of a one-ton killing machine. He jumps off, expertly avoiding the hooves and horn. He lands on his knees and jumps up, darting to the panels and climbing up.

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. Blake's ride gave him 91.3 points, putting him at the top. I holler the loudest for him, and he flashes a thumbs up and mouths Good luck at me.

€*€

Blake and I are next. Faith is after us with barrels. Then, later on, is El with steer wrestling. I really need that good luck now. I'm nervous, and Witch knows it. That's never a good thing, especially with my high-strung horse. She tosses her head and dances lightly on her toes. I get her settled, and the chute is opened. Grenade is first out, and Blake wastes no time roping the calf's neck.

It's my turn now. I stay right with Blake and the calf, trying to rope it's back feet. I've done this a thousand times. Should be easy, right?

Wrong.

When I throw the loop out, my hand slips, and I miss. I groan as Blake lets go of his rope and I coil mine back up. We ride to the group of riders who have already or are waiting their turn.

"Hey, it's all right," Blake assures me, laying a hand on my shoulder. "Everyone messes up."

"Yeah. Maybe it'll work out next time."

€*€

I'm shocked when barrel racing starts. There's one name in the line up I never expected.

Thalia and Fool's Gold fly out of the alley, Fool's white mane shining under the lights. She guides him in a tight turn around the first barrel, coming so close the barrel rocks for several seconds. Unlike others, Thalia isn't continually swatting Fool's Gold with the reins. He's already running as hard and fast as he can. They sweep around the second barrel without touching it. I let out a low whistle. They streak towards the last barrel, and everyone's holding their breath. Fool scrambles around the blue barrel, and Thalia pushes him to the alley. Everyone claps as they disappear. I can't help but whistle again at their time. 10.30 seconds.

"Excellent run by Thalia Haws on Fool's Gold. Next up is Faith Dodge on her pinto Mustang, Wartime in the East. Wish her luck, folks."

The intro to Walk This Way by Aerosmith blasts through the speakers as they gallop out. Faith guides her mare carefully around the left barrel before going to the right one. Her stirrup clips it, and it wobbles before settling back in place. I can see her check to make sure it didn't tip, and Wartime flicks an ear back, her stride faltering. Faith realizes her mistake and pushes the mare to the last barrel. Wartime's legs pick up speed as she hurtles around the barrel and flies to the alley. The music cuts out, people clap and cheer, and the announcer cuts through as they disappear.