Colton wanted to practice, and I wanted to ride a horse, so he let me saddle Gracie up and led me to the practice arena.
Colton was doing his best, but I could tell his nerves were starting to get the best of him. He was constantly on his phone, refreshing it every fifteen minutes. After the number popped up, he’d rub his hand and clench his fist, as if he were fighting intense doubts.
I wished I could take away his anxiety.
Jimmy, Alan, and Dean all suddenly gained an intense fear of missing out on the practice and joined. That, of course, meant the rest of the gang would be there too.
I couldn’t imagine having this much support for something as simple as a practice ride.
The kids were off playing in the yard, with the sandbox and new sand castle toys Jo had bought to keep them busy.
Miley was on her own horse ride today, and Erin was soaking in the kid-free time, so it was just me and AnnaJane with the boys. In the most gorgeous practice arena I had ever seen. 37,000 square feet of dirt, a few stadium seats, stalls for the animals, chutes, and, of course, gates.
It was a cowboy’s dream to have this in their ownbackyard.
AnnaJane was just as good on a horse as the boys. She had a gorgeous Criollo horse she called Goose, who was obviously her pride and joy.
Colton was in the practice chute, nodding at Dennis’ advice. Alan and Dean stood at the gate, ready to open it.
AnnaJane and Jimmy were the judges.
And me? After Ellie and my adventure, I was the designated pick-up man, assigned by Dennis.
I was so nervous for such a big job, but sitting on Gracie, on a horse, made me feel like a giddy kid again.
“You’re so tense, bud,” Dennis was saying. “You need to breathe and loosen up. I don’t need you pullin’ something right before you qualify.”
“I know, I just feel like I’m waitin’ for a bomb to go off,” he said shyly, glancing at me.
I led the horse next to AnnaJane’s. “Is there anything I could do to ease the pressure?” I whispered.
She sighed, looking at her husband across the arena. “Oh, sweetie, I wish. They get so intense right before they qualify, and you gotta ride out the storm. You’re sweet to want to try to help him.”
It was hard to watch Colton be so nervous.
“Colton’s probably the most sensitive out of all the boys. He feels the wins and losses really hard, which can be a curse and a blessin’. He falls off, and he wants to fight harder to be better. He wins, and he wants a better score,” she went on. “He’s gonna go far, with his talent, but it’s gonna be really hard for him emotionally.”
I rubbed Gracie’s neck. “I just feel useless.”
AnnaJane laughed. “Get used to that, Ally!”
“Take a breath, say your prayer, and give the signal, Colt,” Dennis was saying. “You gotta be loose.”
Colton took a long, deep breath, bowed his head, mumbled some soft words, and looked up at Alan, giving a sharp nod.
Alan threw the gate open, and the horse went crazy.
Colton’s spine snapped like a whip, throwing him harshly. He was grunting, something I had never heard in the overpowering sounds of the real arena. His hat flew off as his back was turned hard to the left. He slid slightly but hung on until Jimmy let out a loud, “TIME!”
That was my signal.
I whipped the reins and sped up next to Colton’s horse, becoming neck-to-neck in no time. He put his hands on my saddle and slid to the dirt floor.
It was a gorgeously dangerous ride.
My mouth was dry. This was getting harder and harder to watch.
“NICE!” Dennis’ voice echoed across the arena. “That was much better.”
