A collection of short stories for my Tyler Owens fic, "Sun To Me"! The story may be over, but I can still write the southern sweethearts ;) The short stories range from characters, to plot, to angst or fluff. However, I do NOT write smut or anythin...
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(Update: Removed some tags that overlapped with each other, had similar meaning, etc)
-- This idea comes from snippss !! Probably a favorite of mine so far. --
Lainey Peterson and her trusted quarter horse, Smokey, waited at the entrance to the bright rodeo arena. Tyler Owens leaned against the chute fence, his heart swelling with pride as he watched his girlfriend prepare for her run. Despite the nerves that always accompanied watching Lainey compete, he couldn't help but admire her focus and determination.
"She's got this," Boone said confidently, clapping Tyler on the shoulder. "Your girl's gonna smoke 'em all today."
Tyler nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah, she is."
The announcer's voice boomed through the speakers, introducing Lainey and Smokey. As the gate swung open, Tyler held his breath, watching Lainey urge her horse forward with a gentle squeeze of her legs.
The first barrel approached rapidly. Lainey and Smokey moved as one, executing a tight turn that had the crowd cheering. They cleared the second barrel with the same precision, kicking up dirt as they raced towards the third and final obstacle.
It happened in a split second. As they rounded the third barrel, Smokey's hoof caught the edge of the barrel's base. The horse stumbled, throwing Lainey off balance. She clung desperately to the saddle horn, trying to regain her seat, but it was too late.
Time seemed to slow as Tyler watched Lainey fall. She hit the ground hard, rolling several times before coming to a stop in a cloud of dust. Smokey, now riderless, continued around the arena before being caught by one of the pick-up men.
"Lainey!" Tyler's shout was raw with fear. Without a second thought, he vaulted over the chute fence.
"Go!" Boone yelled, practically shoving Tyler towards the arena. "Go help your girl!"
Tyler sprinted across the arena, his heart pounding in his ears. The medical team was already rushing towards Lainey, but all Tyler could focus on was the still form of his girlfriend lying in the dirt.
As he reached her, Lainey was starting to stir. She groaned, trying to push herself up.
"Don't move, honey," Tyler said, dropping to his knees beside her. "Just stay still until the medics check you out."
Lainey's eyes fluttered open, confusion and pain evident in her gaze. "Ty? What... what happened?"
"You took a fall, sweetheart," Tyler explained, his voice gentle despite the fear coursing through him. He wanted nothing more than to gather her in his arms, but he knew better than to move her. "Just hang tight, okay? Help's here."
