Return to Tacoma Falls

Saddle up

Dalton's POV

Pa and Sawyer went with me while Harper and Cass were at school. I had to meet with my slimy ex-manager and equally sleazy owner James. Always better to be safe than sorry when getting hoodwinked in a situation like this.

The three of us walked inside. Being country boys, we had muscle on us from all the ranch work we did. We walked to the arena and stood there. Mickey saw me and made a beeline for me. Can't say I was happy to see him.

I stood there with my thumbs in my front jeans. He approached us, "Dalton! My main man!"

He held out his arms and I raised my hand up, "settle down. First of all, I am not your main man. I'm only here to honor an agreement. Where is that scum at," I asked with irritation.

"Damn you sound just like country bumpkin," James said as he walked towards us like the snake he is.

Pa took exception to ma being refer to as a country bumpkin and promptly hit James. He stumbled back as he grabbed his jaw and chuckled.

"I can't wait to get you on a horse," he smiled evilly.

"Cut the shit James. I'm here to finish one ride and a grand finale. Consider it my last ride," I told him.

"I'm counting on it," he smirked.

"When," I asked.

"Friday," he said grinning like the cat that ate the canary.

"Friday?! That's four days away," Sawyer exclaimed.

"Awww look the little country bumpkin can add. Your parents must be so proud," he faked pouted causing Sawyer to get pissed.

Pa stopped him. He looked at James, "go ahead and laugh. When we're done you walk away with your tail behind your legs or I will break you like a stead."

I watched James smirk leave his face.

"Do we have a deal," James asked.

"Deal," I said as I held out my hand and he shook my hand. I knew he was king size snake but sometimes you have to do what you have to do. What I needed to do was get in the swing of things and quickly.

We left there, walking out of the building. We walked to the truck.

"Do you really think this is a good idea," Sawyer asked me.

"Doesn't matter. If I don't do this, James will never leave me alone. I just want to be done with him," I said simply.

"Dalt, people like James don't walk away easily. They hate to lose," he warned me.

Pa didn't need to tell me what I already knew. I knew it too well. I had to ride Friday and a month later was the grande finale.

As we drove home, I sat in the truck thinking to myself. I love horses. I grew up with them. The rodeo had always been my dream but after dealing with the seedy side of it, it killed my dream. As for my love of horses, they couldn't kill that. I wouldn't allow it.

When we pulled up, I got out and made my way to the stables. I needed to some time alone.

Ma came out of the house and walked over to pa, "how did it go," she asked.

"He has to ride this Friday and in a month he has to ride in the grand finale. I got to tell you darlin, I don't have a good feeling about this," he told her.

"That's why we are going to be there. If anything happens to Dalton, I will shoot James myself," she said matter of fact.

"I have no doubt," he chuckled as he pulled her to him and hugged her.

I placed a saddle on Rusty, securing it tightly. I decided to go for a ride. I needed to clear my head. I mounted the stead and commanded him to move.

We exited the stables and took off.

"Dalton!" I heard pa yell but I didn't care. This was the only time I could be free. I rode Rusty as hard as I could. I needed the freedom of the open land and nothing else.

I needed to think. I found a quiet spot and dismounted the horse tying it to a tree. I. Took a seat under the shade, leaning with my back against it.

I knew which horse James had planned. It was the only one no one could ride. He was forceful and wild. Any rider risked their life when they mounted him. I never did. It was suicide.

Then I thought about Harper. I had fallen in love with her and this just complicated things. I didn't want to hurt her but something happening to me. It wasn't fair to her.

As I sat there pondering my thoughts, I heard rustling in the grass. I turned to see another horse. Looking up, I saw Harper dismount the horse.

"Hey," I said.

"Hey yourself." She took a seat next to me.

"How did you find me?" I gave her a look.

"It's not hard. You love horses and you love a quiet place. Plus you brought me here to talk to me alone," she said bumping my shoulder.

"I was just thinking about everything," I sighed.

"Us?" She looked at me questionably.

"Part of it but I'm also thinking about what will happen if things don't go right at the rodeo. Darlin it's dangerous. People have gotten stomped to death," I said to her.

Her brows furrowed.

I reached over and took her hand in mine.

"Dalton, you look at me," she said as I turned to her. "You are going to do what you have to do so you can return to me."

"Darlin."

"Dalton, you need to return to me," she looked at me as I looked at her. "You need to return because I love you," she told me.

"You love me?" I was taken aback.

"So much," she said as she placed her free hand on the side of my face and pulled my face to hers until our foreheads were touching.

"Good because I love you too darlin," I said and I leaned in and gave her a sweet kiss.

I knew at that moment, I would do what I had to then return to Harper. I would end my career with the rodeo and leave it in the past. Harper was my future. I knew at that moment what I wanted in my life. A family.

Being on the circuit wouldn't benefit me if I wanted to settle down. Even though I loved horses. I loved Harper Lang even more. I wanted what anyone wanted.

A home.