Trust the Cowboy

Chapter Eighteen

"So...?" Tatum asked me.

Did I really want to? I didn't feel like getting hurt again. I knew in probably a week or so Tatum will move on to the next cowgirl, until she gives him whatever he wants. And I didn't want to let that happen to me, not again. Which is a shame because I really enjoyed our date.

"We'll have to see Cowboy," and with that I shut the stall door and made my way out of the barn. Silently hoping that Jordan was back with dinner.

"That hurt Gem!" I heard Tatum yell after me. I rolled my eyes at him.

I turned around, "Good," I then gave a salute as my farewell, and made my way towards my trailer. As I got closer I noticed that my truck was back and I could see Jordan in the window, at the table. Thank goodness.

*********

The audience was buzzing with excitement and the animals were stomping their hooves in anticipation. I didn't compete until tomorrow night, but Jordan did. The rodeo only started about 20 minutes ago and barrel racing was the third to last event. So, we had at least a half hour to spare until she had to go warm up Cora.

The crowd was laughing at something the rodeo clown said and I smiled. Never, ever, underestimate the power of a rodeo clown. Jordan and I were currently in line for elephant ear scones. I love scones with a burning passion. Someone brushed passed me and I winced. One of my scars opened up the other night and the person just bumped it.

"What's wrong?" Jordan asked me.

"Nothing."

She just rolled her eyes and told the lady what she wanted. After the middle-aged woman took her order and told the cook, she looked to me, silently asking what I wanted to have.

"One Elephant Ear Scone please, with honey butter."

She nodded her head, "That will be $8.00." I pulled out my wallet and handed her the money in cash, and then stepped aside. After a couple of minutes they handed Jordan and I our orders, and we went to go find a spot to sit down.

We sat down on one of the many round tables and dug into our food. I moaned at the warmth and amazing taste of the scone.

"Jeez, calm down," Jordan laughed.

I stuck my tongue out at her, "Never underestimate the power of good, delicious food." She just rolled her eyes at me.

We finished our food and Jordan checked the time on her phone.

"I need to go get Cora ready. I'll call you in case I need you to walk her in." Jordan informed me.

"Okay, I'm going to find a place to sit," I said. She nodded and we both went our separate ways. I walked up the stairs to locate a spot and found one that was close to the calf chutes and alleyway. I sat down and noticed that they were doing team roping. I heard a cat whistle and rolled my eyes.

"Heya Cowgirl!" I didn't recognize the voice and I knew that it was directly behind me.  I didn't feel like turning around because I knew that I would start shouting profanities and there were too many innocent children in this section of the stands. I heard the same voice and whistle and glanced around hoping against hope that they were whistling at someone else.

"I know you know I'm talking to you." the same creepy voice said. I turned around and stared the man right in the eyes.

"What do the hell do you want?" I asked him.

He smirked, "Well I want you of course." I rolled my eyes.

"The only way you will ever get laid, honey, is if you crawl up a chicken's ass and wait," I told him. He went white realizing that and his friends quickly got over their shock and laughed at how their friend just got turned down. I sat back down and faced the arena and watched the heeler missed the back hooves because he threw too late.

The header let the calf go and they both exited the arena. I took this time and studied some of the crowd. Some kids and their families seemed like they either compete in rodeos or they've grow up with animals. Others, you could tell they've never been to a rodeo once. I heard my phone beep and I glanced at it:

Jordan: I need you to come help me with her.
Amber: I'll be right there.

I stood up and walked away from the stands. I headed towards the warm up arena, figuring that she most likely was right there. I stood on the fence and attempted to look for Jordan and her semi-wild mare.

"Looking for me?" I recognized that voice instantly, the one and only Tatum West. I rolled my eyes and glanced at him.

"Don't flatter yourself," I told him. My eyes went back to the arena and I found Jordan in the far right corner. Cora was getting to jumpy and every once in a while it can frustrate Jordan. I climbed over the fence smoothly and left Tatum slightly gape mouthed. I quickly walked over to Jordan.

"What's going on?" I ask her. She gives me an incredulous look.

She takes a deep breath before responding, "She is super jumpy. Every time a horse passes by she flips out. She's never acted like this Ams. It's worrying me," she concludes, and I give Cora a once over. I noticed the tail cocked and the slight scent of urine on her, she birthed every time a horse came by.

"She's in heat Jord," I tell her, "She'll be fine competing but we need to get her ready somewhere else where she can focus on you." Jordan nodded her head and we walk out of the arena. I didn't see Tatum anywhere and it had me questioning where he was. There was a separate arena that was empty, it wasn't in the best of shape, but it'll do.

Jordan started the warm up process with Cora and I went to go check the line up. As I walked over I noticed a group of kids, varying in genders, ages, and heights all surrounding one person. And if course that person had to be Tatum West. I mentally rolled my eyes at that thought. Seeing his smile made me think of our date and I smiled softly at that.

Tatum was the sweetest when it came to everything. But I had to remember that I still barely know him and I shouldn't get my hopes up. I continued onward and they check in guy said that they still had to more pairs of team ropers to go. Jordan was in the middle, so we had a few minutes.

After the tractor finished working the arena, Jordan circled since she was in the hold.

The rider before her finished and Jordan took a second until the opened the gate, and she took off. She knocked the first barrel, but other than that the rest was a clean run.

Jordan exited the arena and came straight to me. She had a sour look on her face. Before I opened my mouth she spoke first, "It's my fault," she mstarted, "I didn't check her before the barrel and I pushed her too early and-" I remained my hand to signal tat I was cutting her off and stopped talking.

"You did fine Jord," I told her, "You know what you did wrong and what not to do next time." I could tell that she was still beating herself up about it. "Why don't you go take care of her," I said, "And then later we can go get some ice cream or something, okay?" She nodded her head while dismounting and walked to the stalls with Cora trailing after her.

I shook my head and walked back to my spot from earlier in the stands. I took notice that the annoying guy from earlier and his friends were gone. Thank goodness. I sat down and started to play with a hairband and that was on my wrist.

"Alright ladies and gents! We have tie down next and Blake Larsen is up first!" The announcer said, as his voice poured out of the speakers. My head instantly flew up towards the arena at the sound of 'tie-down'. I watched as the guy settled his sorrel gelding down and backed him into the box. He fit his rope ready and nodded. The calf was let loose. He looped the calf, hopped off, but when he tied his legs he missed to if them. While he made his run the crowd would either gasp or cheer.

I went to check my phone while some of the next runs were being made. While I was scrolling through they announced the next competitor and I don't know how to feel about that name. Ecstatic or dread.

"Up next we have Tatum West!"

*****

Author's note: I hope you have enjoyed it this far. Please comment your thoughts and let me know what you will happen in the next chapter!

Until next time!