Riding to Win

Chapter 4: Living Nightmare (Violet)

~flash back~

"Daddy be careful out there alright," I say to my dad just before he gets in the chute to face Rango.

"Baby don't worry. I'll be just fine just like always," he tells me confidently.

"You better be right. If that bull doesn't kill you, mom will."

"I know princess. Wish me luck Vi."

"Good luck daddy," I say hugging him and kissing his cheek before he gets in the chute. I go to my normal place to watch him make the eight seconds. The gate opens and Rango bucks hard. He bucks so hard that dad's hand slips and he goes flying to the ground. The bull jumps around and starts pushing dad across the ground. Afterwards, he stops on him and he stands and tries to run. Rango proceeds to spear him sending a horn into his stomach. "DADDY!"

A few of his buddies run to his aid while his closest friend, Tucker, holds me from going in there. It takes a minute to get the bull away and when they do, I see my father's bloody face and his arm is bent the wrong direction. He is out cold when the doctors get to him. After a moment, he is pronounced dead and is loaded into a body bag. As they are doing so, I'm sobbing hysterically into Tucker's chest.

~flashback end~

"Wish me luck daddy," I say to the picture of my dad on the mantle in the living room. Today is going to be an interesting and terrifying day. My boss sent me the details yesterday and I was right. The company is joining forces with a rodeo circuit, so I have to travel with my boss and all the bull riders. I hate the fact that I have to break my promise, but I really need this job.

I lock the door of my apartment and quickly get in my car. Since the circuit is only a few miles away from my apartment, I get there in about half an hour. My boss is already there and waiting for me with a bag, donuts, and coffee on the tailgate of his pick-up truck.

"What the hell is the damn bag for," I ask feeling my heart in my throat.

"I'm glad you asked Violet. You see, we are in a location with a ton of literal bull shit, horse shit, and mud. So, to avoid stains and to blend in a little bit, I brought some clothes and checked with your mom to make sure I had the right size. So, change into these," He directs with a big goofy grin on his face. I reluctantly grab the bag and go to the nearest rest room.

I take off my good work pants, shirt, and shoes. Pulling a button up flannel out of the bag, I discover a pair of boots I haven't seen in years so I know my mother really did have something to do with this. I pull the jeans on and take a moment to button up the shirt. When my boots are on and hidden by the jeans, I exit the restroom.

"Alright, now that you're in uniform, he is a coffee and some donuts. I figured that it might make you feel a little better about coming to a touchy place like this."

"Thanks, so how long are we here for and then how long are we on the road for?"

"We are going to be here until the very end of the rodeo and we are going to be on the road about six months. Are you ready to get to business?"

"Can I take a nap first," I yawn. Jim laughs at me and starts walking. What part of that did he think was a joke?

We are on our way to the office when we pass a bunch of the guys riding tonight. They give me weird looks and I actually recognize one guy. He smiles and waves, so I return the favor and keep walking. Some of the riders look like they were ran over by a truck and others look afraid to touch dirt and bulls. For a minute, I forget where I am. I forget where I'm at that is before I hear someone scream 'watch out' and I'm getting tackled to the side by one of the riders.