Before leaving Cheyenne, Violet wanted to say goodbye to her dad again. This time, she fall to the ground or cry. She leaned against me and just closed her eyes.
"Should've known that he was too good of a rider to have a freak accident like that," she comments. Standing around the grave are Tucker, Dale, Dan, Jim, Violet, and myself. Since Cheyenne means so much to her and so does the rodeo, Jim and Violet decided that they are going to stay with the circuit and continue their sponsorship with us.
"You are right about that sweetheart," Tucker said. "He would be thrilled to hear the current news about you."
"Yeah, I know," Violet says putting a hand on her belly. She has a small bum there already and everyone is thrilled to accept another addition to the circuit. We had to stay in town for awhile after Tom was arrested and executed so we did a couple more shows. Two of which we dedicated to Violet's dad and the late great Lane Frost. After we got back to the hotel after everything was done the night Tom was caught, Violet and I had a little celebratory fun and Violet ended up pregnant.
"How are you feeling Vi," Jim asks.
"I feel like there is finally peace with my dad being gone. He may have passed a long time ago, but he is now at peace fully."
"Thanks to you Violet," Jim responds.
"No, it's all thanks to you guys. I would be dead and he would've gotten away without all of you. Tyler, I'm sorry you had to spend some time out of commision."
"He obviously wasn't too upset because he did put a baby in you," Dale says. Everyone laughs.
"Let's get on the bus, we have a lot of road in front of us," Dan comments.
"Bye daddy, see you next year," Violet says with a sigh.
"Wait a minute," I say turning Violet to face me. I grab her hand and go down on one knee reaching in my pocket with my free hand. She puts her right hand up to her mouth and I know Tucker is smiling. "Violet, you are the most beautiful, smart, amazing, and kindest woman I have ever met. Not doing this here in front of your dad would be a crime and so would leaving without this being done. I love you to the moon and back and I want the world to know that. So, Violet Anderson, will you marry me and make me the luckiest man alive?"
"Yes," she says with a tear going down her cheek and her right hand down on her tiny bump. I stand up after sliding the ring on her finger and give her a big hug and kiss.
"Now we can go," I say holding the hand of my future bride. As we walk out of the cemetery, the sun is rising giving the white stones a pinkish tint. We all say a goodbye until next time to Ryan and climb onto the bus. We all sit in a cushioned seat either at a table or on the bench. As we pull away, Violet lays on my shoulder and falls into a light sleep.
"You did good kid," Tucker comments. "I'm willing to bet Ryan would be more than happy to call you his son in law."
"Thanks Tucker. What does this mean from here on out?"
"No more tears about what happened until his birthday or until Violet misses him. The truth is Tyler, he is always going to be with us. Watching over us until be join him behind those pearly gates of heaven. I'm close to my time being up, but you and Violet are just getting started," Tucker responds.
As we drive further down the road, I think about the time from the day I met my bride to be to now, having her on my shoulder. My life is going to be so much better than it ever was with her here. Sitting with her on my shoulder with my baby in her belly, I guess I truly was riding to win.
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This is a short one, but that doesn't do it any justice. The epilogue follows soon. So keep reading. Thank you!!!!!!
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Riding to Win
Fiksi UmumTyler Thompson is a kid from a small town that has a big dream. After so many years as riding as an ametuer, he finally gets a chance to ride in the big leagues like his idol growing up: Lane Clyde Frost. His only fears are going out like Frost did...
