To Rodeo To Your Heart (COMPLETED)

Chapter 28

Gunner hobs along beside Colton as they look over an arena that is for sale about fifteen miles away from Caisson's house. It is one of the two properties that were large enough to house an arena let alone has one on it already. "So I guess you know your parents hate my guts now," he says glancing up at Colton for a split second.

Colton laughs as he closes a gate behind them. "Don't worry about them." Then he takes a deep breath and shakes his head. "I own you a lot. I never liked how they treated Cais just because she wouldn't rodeo, but I never had the guts to stand up to them and tell them. You did."

Gunner isn't really sure what to say. Of course he would stick up for her, he loves her, but then again he doesn't want to put Colton down. He himself knows what it's like to be shy about standing up even for yourself. "No problem, I would do anything for your sister."

"I know that now and it makes me very happy. She deserves nothing short of the best." Colton's voice has a sea of different emotions in it. First anger at himself, then thankfulness, and now almost a little bit of a threat.

For some reason, unknown to Gunner, it makes him happy to hear Colton say that, even with the tone of his voice. Maybe, because it is so true and now he knows that if something ever happens to himself he can count on Colton to make sure Caisson has the best and nothing less. He nods and slips his hands in his pockets as they continue around the arena.

Once they get to the calf chute he nudges Colton and nods towards the roping boxes with the chute in the middle of them. "Does that look fancy enough for you?"

With a beaming smile Colton runs his hand over the shiny blue paint. "Man, some of the rodeo grounds that I have competed at don't even have that nice of one."

"So you are saying you are sold?" Gunner asks hopefully with a grin on his face.

Colton looks over his shoulder and shrugs lightly. "Well, we haven't seen your chutes yet, but I think I could handle being around this everyday."

Gunner laughs. "I'm sure you wouldn't. While you drool all over that new fancy rig I'm going to go check out the big boys."

With a playfully dramatic roll of his eyes Colton nods. "Don't get lost!"

Holding up a thumbs up over his shoulder Gunner hollers, "No problem man!"
***

Caisson places a mug full of hot chocolate in the hands of her niece, Grace and then her sister-in-law Tiffany. "There y'all go. Now house hunting we go!"

They gather together on the couch with Caisson's laptop in the middle of them. Once on the Eagle's Crossing real estate website they type in all the qualities Tiffany and Grace could possibly imagine in their dream house. A big yard, two car garage, three to four bedrooms, two baths, an open living dining room area, and of course a big kitchen.

"So, Caisson, are you excited about your man being right here all the time?" Tiffany says in a flirty tone.

Cheerfully she laughs. "I am, I know that it will bring challenges, but I'm excited to see where it goes. I know he will be great with the kids."

"Well it's good to know one of them will. I'm honestly a bit worried about Colton teaching kids five days a week. He's great with Grace, but that's his kid," Tiffany admits her worries with a sigh. "Is it bad that I am doubting my husband?"

Caisson places a hand on Tiffany's shoulder. "No, you aren't doubting you are just worried about his sanity." This makes them both laugh.

Grace snuggles closer to Caisson and lays her head on her aunt's shoulder. When Caisson looks down she smiles and gently removes the mug from the little hand. Leaning forward ever so slightly she places it on the coffee table in front of them. "I'm sure Colton will get in the groove of it within a couple months. However, until then I do feel sorry for you."

"Tell me about it! Your brother is painfully grouchy when he doesn't his life in line like he thinks it should be."

Caisson laughs and shakes her head. "Oh you have no idea what he was like growing up! If his grades weren't like he thought they should be he was horribly hard to live with. If he got an eighty or lower on a single you couldn't pry him out of his room to save his life and you might as well just forget that he lived there for a little while, because if you disturbed him you were in for a world of hurt."

Knowingly Tiffany nods. "He doesn't go into hibernation now he just takes his slow sweet time making everything that he physically can absolutely perfect."

As if on cue the back door can be heard opening along with the sound of heavy steps. The girls look at one another and grin. "You speak of the devil long enough and he will arrive," Caisson whispers.

Tiffany giggles and goes to be wrapped in her husbands arms. "How did the grounds look?"

Gunner hobbles around the end of the couch until he has his arm around Caisson's shoulders. Planting a kiss on her temple he breathes in her minty smell. When Colton starts to tell of the rodeo arena he looks up and listens like everyone, except Grace, is doing.

"I am in roper's heaven there! A brand new shiny cute is perfectly placed and everything!" He chuckles and nods to Gunner. "Now, if I can just get my partner as happy."

Now their gazes are on Gunner as he grins at Colton's remark. He places a kiss on Caisson's forehead before beginning his side of the story, "Oh, yes, Colton has it great there. The outside and set up is great too, lots of room for parking, a great announcers stand, and great pens in the back."

Looking up at him Caisson presses him on, "But?"

"Let's just say that whatever family has been around that place for the last while hasn't bucked anything out in a couple generations. The bucking chutes are pretty much rusted to pieces."

Caisson's hand moves to his cheek to make him look at her. After placing a feather kiss on his lips she shakes her head. "Oh, Care Bear, I'm sorry. Is there anyway that they can be fixed? At least temporarily?"

He can't help the smile that graces his lips at her concern for him and the new career he has dived into. "Pine Cone, bucking chutes aren't something you fix temporarily. For them one bull is temporary." He holds up a finger to keep her from speaking. "But, Dad and I built the ones at the house and I know where I can get pipe at a decent price, so I figure we can have some up in a month or so. I will need your help though."

Eagerly she nods with a smile on her lips. "Anything."

"Can you find me some bright paint, any color you want, and help me paint them when they are all done?"

With a mischief fill grin on her face she nods. "You have no idea what you just got yourself into, Gunner Pate."

Laughing Colton bops Gunner on the back of the head as he walks by the back of the couch. "That is so true. She is a nightmare with paint. You might not be a white man when she gets done with you. In fact, I'm surprised that my skin is still it's natural color."

"Well, none of you have seen me with it, yet." A grin spread across his lips and his raises his eyebrows in Caisson's direction before winking at her.

Just as the words fall out of Gunner's mouth Caisson raises her eyebrows at her brother. "Do I need to change the fact that it is?"

"No ma'am, I am quite alright just the way I am."