Oklahoma Love

Always In My Heart

LJ and I drove down a back road. It wasnt really dark out. It still in the evening. There was still plenty of daylight still left. We drove and then I stopped. I turned the truck around and backed it up.

I pulled up to an old friend. The friend I had knew since I was a kid. The friend I relied on. The friend that has taught me so much in life. The friend that made me who I am. I visited my best friend 'Rio'. The best and greatest horse we ever owned.

"Hey there ol' boy.. I know I should've been visiting you more often. With your help, I've got a full ride rodeo scholarship. I wouldn't have done it without you my friend. Not a day goes by that I don't think of you. I miss you dearly. You were my shoulder to cry on. The smile on my face. Oh God, if only you stayed longer. I know God needed a horse like you. He saw you live your life. He saw you give it your all on every run. He saw you run a million steers. He saw you take me to the pay window. He saw how much you love doing your job. Most of all he saw you as the greatest gift he has given us. I know you would've loved Oklahoma. But I pray every day and hope we get another great one like you. I didn't see you as any horse. I saw you as a friend, son, leader, and teacher. When dad was unable to help me practice, you showed me my mistakes. Where I should be all the time. Stark and Chancey are taking good care of me. Most of all I wish you were here to enjoy this journey I am on. Rio you will be in my heart. Continue to run in paradise my friend. I love and miss you very much"

I was crying in between this speech. After I got done talking, I felt a breeze. I miss him so much. He taught me a lot. He was the best thing that came into our lives. He never gave up on anything. Always gave it his all. I sat on my tailgate and looked at the sunset. All these memories of Rio and I came flooding back.

Him and I won our first JR rodeo together. Winning rodeos and ropings left and right. Take off running in the middle of the night. Playing games with one another. Telling him my secrets. Asking him random questions and he would nod with a yes or a no. Rio was a very smart horse. Sometimes he would bail himself out from the barn. One time, he opened all the gates and let all the horses out. He never like dogs though.

I sat their thinking about him when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked to see LJ, with sad puppy dog eyes.

"You ok Jade" he asked.

"(Clears throat) yeah"

"You really miss him don't you"

"Very much.. Not a day goes by that he is not on my mind"

"Awh.. Babe he will always be with you.. Right there" he said and pointed at my heart.

"I know.. It hurts.. That I'm thousands of miles away and I can't visit very often"

"Jade.. It does hurt but you gotta stay strong... Do understand" LJ said and lifted up my chin.

"I do.. But losing the best thing you had is not easy to drop"

"Babe... You just said my exact words"

"What you mean"

"Jade.. Of all the times we have fought.. I thought I was gonna lose you.. And like you said 'losing the best thing you had is not easy to drop' "

"I.. I.. I just can't let go. He's not just a horse LJ.. He was like a human being. He had the brains of one"

"Babe.. I'm not saying you should let go.. What I'm saying is cherish the moments you two shared. Carry on the teachings, he taught you."

"LJ... Everything I do is because of him. He is the reason why I spoil my horses. He is the reason why I consider my horses as my own kids. He is the reason why Im on a rodeo scholarship. He has always been there for me.. Day in and day out. He has been there for me all the time. He taught me how to ride and rope. He's..." I said and put my head down and let the tears fall.

LJ stood between my legs and held me in a tight embrace. I was drowning myself in tears. I haven't cried like this in a long time. It did felt good to have his comfort. He rubbed my back. He slowly pulled away and kissed my cheek.

"Jade..babe.. Look at me" he commanded.

I looked up at him with my watery eyes. Every time I blink, tears will fall. He would wipe em away.

"Babe.. He is in a much better place. I'm sure he would want you to live the life you wished for. He helped you reached the first step to life. Now it's your turn to continue making your own steps, to the life you want. Jade, he will always be with you, wherever you are. He will always be in that heart of yours. Ok?"

"Ok" I said and then gave him a weak smile.

He leaned in for a kiss. I gave him a peck. I still had the truck on, well only the music. We sat on the tailgate telling each other stories about our lives. Until that one song came on, LJ pulled me off the tailgate and we slow danced. With him having me in his arms is the best comfort. He always turns a negative thing into a positive one. That's what I like most about him.

"You ready to go home" he asked.

"No"

"Why"

"Cause Im enjoying this and it's to early to head home"

"Thought you'd say that"

I looked at him and smiled. He leaned his forehead against mine.

"You know what I think" he said.

"I think... Rio brought me into your life"

"Oh really? how so?"

"One.. Because he helped you get into the school you applied to.. Two, I was lookin for help.. And you called.. Three.. Without his help, we wouldn't have met"

"Hmmm? I guess you can say that"

"What other way do you see it"

"Oh.. I just fell in love with a handsome cowboy. I can't live without him.. I love him so much"

"I love you too Jade"

As the night continued on, we were still dancing. But like I said Rio was there day in and day out. He will always be in my heart.

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I know short chapter. Honestly I about cried writing this chapter. But Rio does exist. He was my brothers favorite horse. They accomplished so many things together. I wanted to dedicate this chapter to Rio.

Run In Paradise my friend! :'(