To Rodeo To Your Heart (COMPLETED)

Chapter 5

Gunner lays on the fluffy guest bed and stares up at the ceiling he could hear her talking on the phone and wanted to know just what she was saying. Although he didn't want to push her away by trying to get to know her more. Deciding he will make breakfast for them he climbs out of bed and heads towards the kitchen. As he passes her closed room door he hears her say, "Look Colton just don't tell him. I don't want to hear the lecture about how it could be me."

He frowns and wonders who 'he' is that her brother isn't' suppose to tell. Just what isn't suppose to be told? Shaking his head he tries to wipe it from his memory. Since the laying out of the rules it had become evident that her family was one more thing not to talk about. Her voice makes him jump as he pulls a carton of eggs out of the fridge.

"I'm going to go get fire wood from the shed."

He looks up and sits the carton on the counter. "Where is it? I should come with you and help."

She smiles slightly, though he can tell it is forced. "No it's fine. It's just on the other side of the barn who ever built this place wasn't very smart. I've really got it though. Eggs sound good though if you want to cook some."

By the speed of her comments and the way she twists her fingers together he can tell that something is bothering her. He nods. "Okay, yeah. Fried? Scrambled?"

"Either is fine," she says as she pulls on a pair of overalls and thick gloves.

He nods and watches as she walks out the door. Something is definitely bothering her.

Caisson sets a large stump on the ground and takes the ax in hand. She swings it down with perfection. Her mind swirls with questions as she picks up the hammer to drive the ax blade with. Why can't he see beyond rodeo? Do I have to be a champion barrel racer just so that he notices I'm being successful? Without realizing it she brings the hammer down on her fingers. She yelps with pain and throws the hammer to the side.

She sucks in a breath as she pulls off the huge glove and looks down at the now bleeding finger. It feels as if someone has ripped her finger nail off, but how can she tell with blood all over it? Grabbing the glove she turns to the door of the little shed and speed walks out. She ducks her head, partially against the  cold partially because it hurt. Before she knows it she has run smack dap in the middle of something hard and is on her way down to the cold hard ground. Strong muscular arms keep her from ever feeling the thud.

"What happen? I heard you scream."

She sucks in another breath. "Wow I didn't know I screamed that loud. It's nothing I just busted my finger up a little."

"We will see about that when we get inside," he mutters.

Once back inside the house he gets a wash cloth, warm water, and gauze. "Ready?"

She shakes her head. "As ready as I'll ever be."

He smiles at her before starting to gently wipe away the dirt and blood. At the first touch of the cloth she winces and sucks in a breath. The longer it goes the tighter she shuts her eyes.

"How long have you lived up here?" He asks trying to get her mind off the pain.

"About four years," she says through gritted teeth.

He nods. "All done now we just need to wrap it. Is it throbbing?"

She opens her eyes to look into his. "Nah it's good."

He chuckles and shakes his head. "Right because that's why you are about to grind your teeth to nothing. Now, keep it above your head."

She sighs and nods. "Ibuprofen is in the cabinet in above the stove, you grab me one?"

"On it."

She moves to the couch while he retrieves it. When he comes back with a glass of water and the pill he sits beside her and stares into the fire.

"What's on your mind?"He can tell she turned to look at him and can almost feel her gaze boring into his shoulder.  

"What makes you think something is on my mind?"

"You said you have been up here four years. You don't bust your finger up while chopping wood when you have been doing it for four years. Besides you totally blew me off this morning."

She sighs.

"I'm not going to tell anyone."

There is a long pause before she starts to speak. "My dad. He's so obsessed with the rodeo he doesn't care that I want other things in life."

"Like your business?"

She nods. "Yeah."

He turns to look at her daring to ask the question that will either break the ice or get him kicked out into the snow. "So you don't the rodeo?"

There is a very long time of silence before she stands and starts to pace in front of him. "I used to. It's all I knew until I started this. I was literally born on the rodeo circuit. Mom went to visit dad, against what the doctor said, and went into labor. A couple hours later they were parents." She stops talking and only paces for a few second. "I loved watching dad ride Broncs and rope when I was little. When I was five mom took me on the Little Britches circuit and dad stayed on the pros. When Colton came along we took a couple months off and stayed home."

Once again she pauses only this time he hands her a cup of hot chocolate. "It always helps."

She smiles and nods. "When he was old enough for little britches I was suppose to be starting the high school circuit. I had already discovered I didn't like competing much by that time only dad and mom wouldn't hear of me quitting. I got out of it because of Colton being in the little britches and dad still wanting to be on with the pros. I went with mom and Colton so I could still do my school. Four years of that and then when I was eighteen I moved up here and started my business." She takes a deep breath. "Ever since I haven't been able to put live the fact that I could have been a champion."

He waits a moment before speaking. "Wow." That's all he can think to say.

"I decided that I wasn't going to be like my dad and let my career be more important than my family."

He feels as if she is telling him that they would never work out. That he is just like her dad. As much as he wants to tell her that's not true he knows it's hardly the time. For now that would have to wait.

A/N
Dedicated to WranglerGirl97 for the awesome comments! Thanks for reading girl!! ☺️

Sooooo what's up now? Does he have the guts to tell her?