Chapter One: Unpopular Decision
Josephine “Joey” Preston
Josephine "Joey" Preston's long dark hair flew around her face as her hat soared through the air and landed in the dust. Her horse, Journey, raced across the arena, her hooves thundering in the dirt as she approached the first barrel.
"Tight turn, girl, just like we practiced." Joey shifted in the saddle as she let the horse take over.
Several barrels later and a time good enough to take first place, the crowd erupted in cheers. Joey patted Journey's neck and kissed her ear. "Great job, sweetheart. Perfect rodeo."
The rodeo owner and promoter, Percy Western, met her in the stables. Her skin crawled as he sneered at her.
"Good riding. That'll be a good payday for you."
She nodded her head and led Journey into the stall. "Thanks." Maybe he would go away if she just ignored him.
No such luck. "Are you leaving with us in the morning?"
"I told you, Percy. I was doing this rodeo to make a little money since you were right here in town, but I'm not travelling with you."
"I can make it worth your while."
"It's not worth my while. Mama is here, and I have to stay close. Just respect that."
"She doesn't even know who you are." Percy's tone grated on her nerves.
"Do you even realize how rude that is?" She tossed her hair over her shoulder as she loosened the saddle. "You are such a despicable man." She didn't want to admit that he was right. That wound was still too fresh.
"I'm not saying it to be rude. I'm saying it because she'll never know if you're gone for a week or so."
"Your circuit will take months, not a week or so. I don't want to be gone that long."
She breathed a little easier when he shrugged and walked out of the barn. Percy had been after her for weeks to join his circuit. While she had made rash decisions in her life, from bad decisions with alcohol to bad decisions with men, joining Percy Western was not a mistake she wanted to make. His corruption and greed were known throughout the world of rodeo. She hadn't even wanted to participate in this local rodeo, but the opportunity had popped up right when she needed a little financial boost.
"You be good. I'll be back to get you after I visit Mama."
Journey whinnied at her softly and nuzzled her shoulder. She smiled. “I love you, too, goofball.”
After a quick shower, Joey took a quick stroll through the house. Even though her dad had been gone for a couple years and her mom had been in Pine Oaks for over a year, the house still seemed empty without them. The estate lawyer had urged her to sell the house, but she had stuck by her determination to keep it in the family, even if it ended with her.
Joey grabbed a book off the shelf that had belonged to her father. It was autographed by the author, and “Coy Preston” was completely legible. With dementia stealing her mother away, Joey liked to take some memento of their life to try and yank back a memory. She ran her fingers over her father’s name.
“Well, Daddy, maybe seeing it spelled out will help Mama remember you.”
She drove to the home and braced herself before she went inside. It always took a toll on her to spend time with her mother and recognize that there was no recognition at all. Marcella Preston had been a strong, proud woman until Alzheimer’s stole it all away, and it was never easy to face no matter how many times she visited.
Joey had kept Marcella home as long as she could, but after her mother walked out of the house and got lost, it was too dangerous to leave her alone. Pine Oaks had been the best option and a great relief that her mother was safe.
She waved at the nurses as she headed down the hallway to Marcella’s room. Most of them knew her from the rodeo as much as anything; she had certainly provided them with enough free tickets. Marcella sat staring out the window when Joey tapped on her open door.
“Hi, Mama.”
Much to her surprise, Marcella turned right to her. “Hi, sweetheart.”
Joey’s jaw dropped. “You know me?”
A slight frown. “You shouldn’t tease me like that. Of course I do.”
Joey threw her arms around her mother. Any moment of clarity was treasured, and she wanted a hug before it ended. “I love you, Mama.”
