Rodeo Hearts

Epilogue

Almost if not every chapter I've written starts and ends the same way. With a short author's note thanking each and everyone of you for reading my book. It probably gets annoying to some of you, but I find that I just can't thank you enough. I've tried to think of different and more creative ways to say, "Thank you." There's really just no better way I can say it. When I first started this book in 2014, the most I hoped for was maybe 500 reads by the time I got finished, but 6,000 reads? I know that it's not a lot, but it is to me. This is my first book. I saw every vote and I've read every comment. I tried to reply to them all. Im so grateful to those of you whose been here since the beginning. Hopefully those of you who like this book will read more of my works in the future.

So, this is the last chapter of the book and the last time in this book I'll say , Thank you so much for reading! I hope you enjoy this chapter and have enjoyed this book!
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Brayden's POV

The National Finals Rodeo is where every bull rider, barrel racer, roper, bronc rider, etc... Wants to be. It's ten days of the toughest competition a person could ever face.

It doesn't feel the same, though. It just isn't how I thought it would be. Something missing. Let me rephrase that, someone's missing. I always thought they would be here to cheer me on. I looked down at my boots, then back up to the crowd. My eyes searched and finally landed on my family. My dad and my three brothers sat in the stands. Dad waved at me and I gave him a sad smile in return.

Mom. Mom was the one person who wasn't here to cheer me on. She passed away a few months after her accident. Dad still hasn't fully recovered from his loss. I'm not entirely sure if he ever will.

Thoughts of Mom running through my mind made me remember the box she left for that now sat under my truck seat. Blake found it in some of mom's things when he was helping dad box up some of her things a couple years ago. There was a note attached to it that said she wanted me to open it up when I finally made it to the NFR. She wrote it right before her accident when I was in high up in the standings. Chances are I would've qualified, that is if I hadn't took a year and a half off of rodeoing.

I walked out to my truck where I found the box under my truck seat. When I opened the box up I found a sleek black case inside. I ran my fingers over the lid before opening it. Blue velvet lined the box and sitting perfectly in the middle was silver buckle. The buckle was square shaped with designs engraved on the surface. My birthstone outlined the perimeter of the belt buckle. A bull encased in gold was strategically placed in the middle. I turned it over in my hand to find letters engraved on the back.

You'll always be my little boy- Mom

I felt my throat tighten and tears brimmed my eyes. The buckle that was already on my belt soon came off and was replaced with the one Mom had left me. I shut my truck doors and locked them. As I was walking back to the arena, my eyes landed on someone in the warm up the pin. A smile came across my lips as I looked upon the familiar face.

Aurora.

She looked just as beautiful as she did the first time I saw her. I remember the last time I saw her in an arena. It was the day of her accident. A bull broke into the arena as she was making her run. Eagle spooked as the bull charged their way and reared which resulted in Aurora falling off. The bull caught Aurora in the stomach and flipped her through the air. The bull wranglers and bull fighters herded the bull back into the corral before anyone was hurt. I was the first one by her side. I was so scared. Blood was everywhere. You could almost see the life draining out of her. She spent weeks in the hospital on life support. Once she was taken off the life support, she began to slowly recover. Aurora didn't ride again until about a two years ago. Eagle is still her main barrel horse, but every now and then Maybelline takes over to give Eagle a rest. She's been training a couple of younger horses for when retirement becomes something to think about for Eagle.

The bull that had almost cost Aurora her life and her career, was retired right after the incident. Now, he's on a ranch where he's being used for breeding. Hopefully his offspring don't inherit his temper.

I don't talk to Aurora as much as I'd like to. We never really tried to mend our relationship, but we are on better terms now. She comes over to the ranch whenever she's in town to visit Mom's grave. Mom wouldn't have it any other way.

Blake straightened up after mom died. I guess he realized it was time to grow up. I know that he still loves Aurora as much as I do. We've never mentioned the conversation we had when I came to apologize to Aurora. I was and still am ashamed at the accusations I made about Aurora. I was never really the guy for her. I guess I know that now, but that doesn't make anything easier.

Aurora is a strong willed, couragous, and selfless person who deserves so much more than Blake or I could offer her. I can tell by the way she looks at Blake, she still harbours feelings toward him. Whatever they had was unexpected and fast. It didn't last long, but maybe those moments they shared together are just enough to start something that lasts a lifetime.

Tonight, Aurora will be crowned World Champion Barrel Racer. She's so far ahead of the other competition that there is nothing they can do to catch up.

Later that evening as the World Champions were crowned, I stand beside Aurora awaiting my World Champion Buckle. I see Aurora look over to Blake, who was looking at her with longing. She gave him a smile so happy and bright that I was almost jealous it wasn't directed towards me. Aurora's gaze, then turned towards me where she gave me a equally bright smile. That small gesture was enough to hold back the little green monster called jealousy.

In that moment, I realized that chances are neither Blake or I will be the one Aurora picks. Who knows, she might confess her love to one of us down the road, but chances are the rodeo has her heart for now.

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The End.

I can't believe it's over. Hopefully you'll give this chapter a vote and please comment and tell me your thought about the book and maybe your favorite part.

If you have any questions, please ask them and I'll try to answer ASAP!