The Cowboy's Prize

Chapter 2

A small breeze stirred against the cowboy as two clowns herded the bull into the pen area and the remaining one, the Groucho Marx look alike bent over the still figure.

His strong arms bent as he reached down to touch the still figure's shoulder. He shook it gently and the silent crowd heard his voice carry on the breeze. "Hey, Scott you OK?"

There was a slight movement as the man on the ground lifted one hand and then used it to hold his torso up as he removed his hat and ran one hand through his shock of white blonde hair. I inhaled sharply as I finally got a closer look at the face from under the hat, the face that was revealed as he allowed the clown to help him to his feet before he stood to face the crowd.

It was a striking face with a strong jaw, sun-tanned skin with the crinkles of a happy demeanour in the corners of the most gorgeous blue eyes I had ever seen. He must have stood at least 6 foot tall, as did the clown who was helping him stand upright. He raised his hat into the air and then his smile revealed the pearly white grin that made my heart kick into high gear as the crowd went wild.

"Oh, Jake." I breathed as I reached for his hand and grasped it in acknowledgement of my instant attraction.

Jake grinned at the two prime examples of male perfection in the ring and agreed wholeheartedly with my immediate attraction. "You can have the cowboy Henny," He said with a predatory smile towards the clown.

"All yours." I said with an amused smile at his enthusiasm. Knowing there was no guarantee that either would be available, let alone into guys.

I only had eyes for the man with the black hat on.

He walked to the side of the ring, stood straight and lifted his hat again, the crowd directly in front of him cheered fanatically and all the girls screamed as the hero of the hour acknowledged the acclaim of the crowd.

He grinned, stepping up to the fence and raising his hat again. 

The bull in the pen to our left snorted and slammed itself against the rails that shook the fence as he held on lightly and it caused him to lose his grip slightly. He was shook up already and the additional disturbance caused him to lose his grip for a moment. His eyes widened and met mine as the knowledge of his impending tumble crossed his face.

I met his rueful expression as I instinctively reached forward and grasped his arm, catching hold with one hand as my other swung round to smack against his reaching palm. Our hands met and I held him momentarily. Long enough for him to regain his footing and acknowledge the cheers of the standing crowd with one hand.

His hat, accidentally dislodged from his head with the jostling of his moving body and fell at my feet.

He looked at it then at me and our one pair of still clasped hands.  I slipped my fingers from his grasp and reached down to pick up the dusty hat, brushing it off against my leg before offering it to him. He shook his head with a grin, fabulous laugh lines lighting up around his eyes with his adrenaline quickened expression, turning my already lust affected legs to jelly. He placed the hat on my head, pushed it down over my eyes and said hoarsely, "You keep it Angel-Face."

My already racing heart quickly kicked up into high gear as the expression I read on his face made me dare to hope that my instant attraction might be reciprocated.

I smiled at him as he flung himself off the rail and landed back on the dirt floor of the arena. He acknowledged the crowd once more before being led off by the clown who had reached down to help him stand earlier. Then I noticed how his hand moved against the clown's and my hopeful heart fell as I understood he was already taken.  Well why wouldn't he be?  He was only the hottest thing on two legs there.

Jake and I looked at each other with affection and also slight regret, acknowledging the immediate attraction that was doomed before it even got off the ground.

"Ce la vie!" I said ruefully, watching the retreating backs of the twin Adonai as they headed for the marshalling area to wait for the Judges decisions. Another cowboy, the one who had made it to 8 seconds first as we'd watched moved over to congratulate the final victor. He and the taller blonde the clown had called Scott embraced and clapped each other on the back before he moved over to slap the clown in the arm. The clown grinned at the other cowboy before slapping him on the ass and clasping him to his chest.

"You did good too Avi." The clown said happily, hugging the shorter brunette tightly before releasing him.

"Hey, mine wasn't nearly as ornery as Scott's." The cute bull-rider said before removing his hat to rub his brow, revealing a long ponytail.

Jake and I looked at each other, my sudden hope fluttering against my chest as I considered the possibility that the clown and the other man were together rather than my cowboy.

My cowboy.

It was something I never in a million years thought I would ever have said. Not even in jest. It was completely unfeasible. I was a city girl, the man I was currently lusting after was a cowboy who probably lived on a farm somewhere. What on earth would we even have in common?

But all that probably didn't even matter. I mean yeah, he'd given me his hat. But that didn't mean it wasn't a loan. He was here with all of his friends, and while there might be a possibility that he was into guys, it didn't mean I was his type. Let alone that he'd be interested in striking up a conversation.

But in that moment I kind of whished he was.

I smiled as the announcer told the cheering crowd Scott was the night's winner.

Jake and I cheered along with the men and women who stood celebrating his victory. The people cheered and waved hats in the air. Everyone stomped and hollered, kids laughed and jumped up and down with excitement at the adult's acclaim.

Later trophies were handed out for the best three riders, my favourite and his friend Avi were 1st and 3rd respectively.  2nd went to another rider who snogged an obviously pregnant girlfriend and then everyone of age headed for the local watering hole while those with other commitments went home to put their children to bed.

Jake and I joined the throng headed for the pub and raised glasses of beer along with the happy crowd. We got caught up in the excitement, the raucous music and the scent of victory in the air. The people were happy, we got into the spirit of the whole thing and drank slightly more than we should have. Jake especially was feeling the free-flowing alcohol in his system and I knew it was time to take him home.

We walked to the door, arm in arm and as we hit the fresh, night air Jake turned a shade of green before running for the bushes at the front of the building. I walked quickly after him ready to rub his back once he'd finished hurling.

"Your boyfriend seems to have had a bit more than he should have." A baritone voice said behind me as I turned to find My Cowboy standing with an empty water glass, leaning against a rail in front of the house.

I couldn't stop thinking about him without that possessive pronoun popping into my head. From his smile, it didn't seem to matter.

Maybe he was just as interested in me as I was in him. 

Was there a hint of jealousy in that statement?