Chapter Thirteen
Shit and shinola, it was hotter than a two-dollar pistol out here. Landon jogged back to the chutes Beau and Mr. Sam had jerry-rigged and grabbed four waters from the bucket. One went to Gramps, one to Nate, and the other to AJ Gardner, who was pulling gate.
Then he sucked his down, the liquid so cold it made his belly cramp up but good. He swallowed convulsively, trying to keep it in while he listened to the steady stream of words Andy Baxter was shooting at Jason Scott. Blind Jason Scott. The man really couldn’t see.
This shit was hard. Beau had AJ bring a couple of rank bulls and, hell, he’d been playing safety man just on the class three bulls and they were full of piss and vinegar. Maybe they hadn’t been bucked in too long, but it sure seemed like they had it in for everyone, those beasts. They kept putting their heads down and trying to gore everyone.
“You all right, Nutbutter?” AJ called, grinning at him from across the pen.
“Uh-huh. Running my heinie off.” And he was used to this weather.
“It’s like a big old sponge out here.” AJ came from where it was way drier, out San Angelo way.
“Yessir.”
“Come on, kids. My head’s hurting. Let’s run a couple more and then get in the chilled air.” Gramps was plumb wore through.
“Yeah. I’m about done.” Jason, he was turned green. Landon had found out if Jason kept his eyes open he was okay, but closed eyes made him sick. He really did get spinny, so Adam hadn’t lied to him about that.
“Y’all want some water up there?”
“Thanks, man. Gramps says you’re a Cajun like Bo-Bo?” Jason stared right through him, or so it looked like. The dead gaze was a little unnerving. He wondered if Jason would be willing to go see Sister or if the man would poo-poo her like Brian Taggart.
“Yessir. Bayou to the bone.” He passed up two waters. “I’m a neighbor, me.”
“Well, I sure appreciate the help,” Jason murmured.
“Anything you need.”
“Come on, Landon, get up on the horse.” Nate was like a lathered horse himself, panting and wiping his forehead.
“Surely do.” He mounted up, ready to get the next one down.
It took forever for Jason to get set, the bull crouching low and being a shit. Nate was cussing and poking and AJ got up on the gate to help. The bull kicked and rolled and the gate popped open, AJ going flying.
“Shit! Nattie.” Coke Pharris bellowed, and everyone moved, including Landon. His heels hit the horse’s sides before he even thought.
Jason was tied in the rope, and the bull was pissed as hell, hooves sending Nate cartwheeling. Shit. Shit. Coke was fighting the rope, Jason just dangling and Landon judged the distance,flying off the back of the horse and slamming onto the bull’s neck.
The big old beast snorted and rose up, trying to hit him in the face. Oh, no. No breaking him. Sister needed him.
“Kid! Kid! Here!” Coke had a pocketknife out and Landon grabbed it by the blade, then turned it, sawing at the bull rope.
Jason was flopping like a rag doll, Andy Baxter danced in front of the bull like a chicken with its head off, and Coke and Nate whapped the bull’s ears, hollering, distracting him.
The rope came loose with a snap and Jason went down and suddenly he was the only idiot still hanging onto a bull.
“Ooeee!”
He hung on as hard as he could, because if he went down now, he’d go in the well and hit those horns. He could hear Coke yelling, but none of the words made no sense, and he was sliding.
Landon slipped free and crashed, right into the dirt, which churned under the bull’s hooves. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw AJ crawling toward the fence, tore up but good.
He made himself as tiny as he could, giving the bull’s hooves less chances. They stomped the ground right next to his head, making him wince. Jesu, that was close.
A rope flashed through the air, wrapping around the horns and tugging, dragging the bull off as Coke’s hands wrapped around him and pulled him up and off the ground.
He flew a little, a wild sound ripping out of him as the wind whistled in his ears. He staggered, trying to find a fence.
