American Pyramid

All Good Things Come to an End

Victoria

"Now we go on to Victoria Mackey out of Springdale, Utah. You may have seen her on Travel Channel's Ghost Adventures, but some of you know her from her band. This is her first time here at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, and her horse runs like she left the gate open!" 

"Thirteen point seventy-two seconds for the cowgirl tonight on round five! That puts her into second place for the round!" 

I still couldn't get the announcer's words out of my mind. Arson and I have completed five rounds of the National Finals, and I still have yet to stop feeling so anxious and giddy that this finally happened. It's like I'm still in awe that I finally made it to the National Finals in the first place! Zak was by my side the entire time, standing in the alley with me up until it was time for me to make my run, and I couldn't be any more grateful that I had him in my life even when I didn't deserve him. 

I had brought home a couple of good checks for Arson's performance at the Finals, and a good majority of that was going into his "treat tax" for being such a great horse. 

Tonight was round six of the National Finals, and the day felt so perfect already. Barely a breath of wind, the high being roughly sixty-five degrees, and not a cloud in the sky. 

The perfect day to go out riding and exploring this new piece of property that I would soon call my home. 

"What do you have planned today?" I asked Zak after he and I sat down at the table to eat the breakfast we both made. 

"I'm going to go and talk to this realtor about Ted Binion's house that's been put up for sale. I won't be out long, though. I have an important event to be at tonight." He smirked. 

"Still looking for a house to turn into a museum?" I guessed. 

"Yeah, I'm hoping that this one doesn't fall through. But if it happens, it happens." 

"Well, if it doesn't happen for you, it just means that it wasn't meant to be and the perfect thing will catch your attention." I encouraged him. 

He had been talking about buying a historic house in Las Vegas for a few months now, wanting to have a permanent place to host guided tours to tour not only his collection of haunted artifacts, but to tell the history of the house those artifacts reside in. But so far, he hasn't had much luck, but I believe that the perfect opportunity will fall right into his lap when he wasn't looking. 

"I hope so. What're your plans today?"   

"I was thinking about taking Arson out for a ride where we don't have to worry about turning three barrels in fourteen seconds." 

"Trail riding?" 

"More like exploring." I grinned. 

"Well, I'm sure you know this already, but please be careful. The desert can have some surprises out there." 

"I will, babe. I won't be out long. Maybe an hour or two just to enjoy the day. Hollie texted me saying that she might swing by later if that's okay. I left my boots at the arena last night and she found them." 

"That's fine. How'd she know they were yours?" 

"My initials were on my spur straps." 

"Makes sense, then." He chuckled, taking a bite from his toast. 

After we had finished our breakfast, I patiently waited for Zak to finish getting ready before I was to make my way outside to tack up Arson and check on Dallas and Dakota for the day. He was in his casual clothing, not even bothering to do his hair as he was just running a couple of errands. "I'll be back in a few hours. Fingers crossed that this deal doesn't fall through." He sighed, placing his hands on my hips to pull me in closer, closing the gap between us as he trapped my lips with his. 

"As long as you're back by five is all I'm worried about," I giggled. "I'm sure you won't have a problem with finding a house for your museum." 

"I won't miss being back at five for the world, sweetie. Call me if you need anything, okay?" 

"What if I just want to call to talk your ear off?" 

"That's fine, too," He chuckled, unable to resist kissing me again. "I love you. 

"I love you, too." 

≪ °❈° ≫

The day was perfect. Arson and I had been out for about an hour now, exploring the desert that wrapped around Las Vegas, guided by little trails of brush and rock. Arson's ears were relaxed as he seemed to be enjoying this as much as I was. I decided to ride him without a saddle, the only thing giving me control was the lead rope attached to his halter. 

He had always been a good horse with very rare quirks, but I trusted him completely. My phone was pinned between the waistband of my leggings and my skin, my loose-fitting shirt flowing in the wind. I didn't care that the lace from my sneaker was coming loose after I had seen it flowing in the wind as well. Besides, it's not like I was going to be getting off any time soon to fix it. 

And yes, ask any equestrian - we all ride in casual clothes sometimes. Even pajamas! 

"Angel In Blue Jeans" by Train was now playing from my phone's random playlist I had, and the song was really growing on me. 

So much in fact, I didn't pay attention to the potential danger I was putting myself in... 

Just in case you didn't know, Arson is a Mustang who was rounded up in Nevada by helicopter, and I was ignorant to the fact that Las Vegas hosts helicopter tours... 

Day and night. 

"Easy, buddy." I cooed at Arson, his demeanor now completely changing. He heard the hum from the chopper's blades far before I realized what was going on. He began to get antsy - wanting to gallop away, but I wouldn't let him, and that was for his own good because I knew he wouldn't stop and likely get us hurt. 

As the chopper got closer, Arson began to panic. He tried to buck, but I pulled as hard as I could on the reins to keep his head from getting between his knees. When that didn't work, he jerked his head down, ripping the reins from my palms and knocking me off balance before he darted to the right, slinging me over his left shoulder and onto my side. 

Before I could even register what had happened, the last thing I saw was the bottom of his hoof before total darkness.