Pulling the slack out of the rope, Hayden dallied as Peanut turned the corner. Keenan followed closely behind, his own rope flying through the air to catch the steer’s hind legs.
“Give ’em five-point-four seconds! Things are starting to heat up here in Billings, and we’re not done yet!”
I watched as Hayden led the steer out of the arenathen met up with Keenan on the fenceline to ride their way out as the next roping pair got ready to rope.
“Nice run, boys.” I congratulated them as they passed by on horseback.
“Don’t let us down, Skippy. Bring us home some hardware tonight.” Keenan winked.
“Plan on it.” I grinned, offering him a mock salute.
The next few events flew by in a blur, and before I knew it barrel racing was on deck.
“Sierra,” a high-pitched voice muttered my name behind me.
Spinning around, I came face-to-face with Michaela.
“Michaela.” I looked her up and down.
“Good luck tonight,” she said, but I knew it wasn’t sincere because of the jeering tone to her words coupled with the mocking grin on her face.
“I don’t need it, but thanks,” I retorted, pushing past her to get to Lucky. We were near the end of the lineup for barrel racing, so I had a little bit of time to catch my bearings. I wasn’t going to let her intimidate me or throw me off. I had a race to win.
“For all of you rodeo fans watching tonight, we’ve got a real treat in this next cowgirl. She’s been making waves all season long. Racing on her horse, Ace’s Lucky Charm, we’ve got Sierra Bayley!” The announcer called out my name as I led Lucky into the alleyway, keeping him as calm as possible. I’d taken several deep breaths to slow my heart rate, and I was locked in.
Hooves pounded the dirt as Lucky raced down the alleyway toward the first barrel. I gritted my teeth as we cut around it, getting a little too close for comfort. I almost clipped it with my foot but was able to brush by withoutknocking it over. That was the last thing that I needed to happen in such a high-stakes race.
We adjusted well as we turned around the second barrel, dust flying in the air in a hazy cloud around us.
“Come on, come on, come on,” I urged Lucky on. The last barrel was right in my sights, and then we’d be home free.
“Help her on home, folks!” The announcer’s voice rang in my ears as we made it around the last barrel without a hitch, and Lucky took off into a gallop at top speed back toward the time barrier and alleyway.
My hair blew back behind me, the little tendrils that had fallen out of my brain whipping me in the face, but I wouldn’t slow down, wouldn’t waver.
Victory was so close, I could practically taste it.
“Fourteen-point-two-seven for Sierra Bayley and Ace’s Lucky Charm! Now that’s how it’s done. Atta cowgirl!”
I glanced up at the jumbotron, relief rushing over me. The camera panned over my face, and I flashed a smile as we exited the arena and headed over to do an interview.
“So, Sierra. How are you feeling heading into the end of the season?” the reporter asked.
I took a deep breath, plastering my most convincing smile on my face. “Great. We’re sitting in a good position in the world standings. Anything can happen, but I’m hopeful that we’ll be headed to Vegas this year.”
“Wonderful! What about the competition here tonight? Do you have anything to say about them?”
She was goading me; I could tell. But I would stay professional and not give her any ammunition to start drama.
“There are some incredible barrel racers out theretonight. Whatever happens, any one of us deserves a spot in the top fifteen. Thank you.”
With that, I took Lucky to one of the temporary stalls to get his equipment off and decompress from the day.
An unsettling tingle crept up my spine as I walked through the concourse of the arena after the rodeo had wrapped up. Somewhere in the last thirty minutes, I’d lost Hayden, Keenan, and the rest of the group. They weren’t out by the trailers when I went out there to load up Lucky, so I came back inside to try to find them.
My eyes flicked to the right and then to the left as I passed by closed-up concession stands, but there was no one around.
I didn’t want to turn around in fear that someonewasfollowing me, but curiosity won out, and I stopped, looking over my shoulder.
