“Not try. We're gonna do it and we’ll figure it out from there. Honestly, I want to be at the ranch as bad as she does,” Denton says.
“I guess you are a real cowboy,” Johnny says, patting Denton on the shoulder. “It’s part of your life now.”
We all smile at him, being sincere and not being sarcastic for once.
“It is. I’m not giving up on singing, but I have some decisions to make about my career.”
I thought I was the reason he was hesitant about where his career was going and how it was taking off but from what he’s saying it sounds like it isn’t only because of me. That's a huge relief because I don’t want to be the reason he doesn't follow through on anything. Then in twenty years he resents me for holding him back from being a huge star. Even still, I won’t let him give up on his dreams. Whatever they may be now. He was there for me when I needed him and I’ll be here for him. Even if that means steering him in the right direction.
“I know somehow I can have the best of both worlds. The ranch and music. I’ve just got to figure it out.”
I smile and nod, “I’ll support you in any way I can babe,” I tell him.
“I know you will, darlin’.”
We say our goodbyes and I cry all over again. Gosh, I’m going to dry up from losing so many tears. Denton picks up Dash and gives him a few scratches behind his ears.
“I’m gonna miss you, buddy, but I’ll miss your mama even more.”
I take Dash from him and put him in the front seat. Charli is already in the driver's seat and the engine of her diesel truck is roaring. Her and Johnny’s goodbyes weren’t nearly as emotional. They’re more in the hot and heavy phase, unable to keep their hands off each other.
“Well, I’ll see you soon?” I ask Denton.
“You will. I’ll figure out a way to come see you even if we have to move some things around. I love you, Sorrel Saxxon.”
“I love you too, Denton Reed,” I say, getting on my tippy-toes to kiss him goodbye.
He holds me in a firm and long embrace and our mouths come together—tongue and all. I can’t get enough and I want to remember the way he tastes. Fuck, this is going to be hard.
We finally pull apart when Charli honks her horn. I leave without turning around and I can feel him watching me as I climb into the pickup. When we finally drive off, I look back through the rear windshield and he’s still standing there watching us. He gives me a small wave and I give him one back as a stray tear slides down my cheek.
We get on the highway and begin the twenty-hour drive back to the Saxxon Ranch.Home.
It’s been nearlyfive months since I left Fort Worth to go home, back to the Saxxon Ranch. Right after I left, Denton moved around a few shows and was able to fly out and spend four days at the ranch. I traveled to him the next time and met him in Telluride, Colorado, around Christmas to meet his mom and sister.
We all stayed in a cabin together and went snowboarding, drank hot chocolate, and played cards by the fire every night. It was a blast. They’re spending a week at the ranch with us this summer and we can’t wait.
Denton has a show in Arizona tomorrow night, and the Cave Creek pro rodeo is the same weekend so Charli and I decided to enter. I love the cold Montana winter, but this Arizona sun sure does feel good.
I was starting to go stir crazy in my cabin. When he said he was going to be on the west coast until spring, I jumped at theopportunity to enter a few pro rodeos out west. Charli and I made the long haul to Arizona and we’ve been here for a few days now. We have a blast traveling and entering rodeos together.
Charli is almost up to run and I can hear Johnny whooping and hollering from the stands. They’re still paired up and it makes it easier that we can both complain about our long-distance relationships.
Johnny got to Arizona early and had booked him and Charli a romantic date night. It was fucking adorable. I felt like I was her dad when I answered his knock on the trailer door, here to pick her up. I even played the tough guy act and everything. Told him to have her home by eleven. Let’s just say she never came home that night.
I’m mounted on Duke and we’re sitting behind the arena fence, waiting our turn to run. I take it all in, the fans in the bleachers, vendors set up selling hats, tack, and more. The smell of fresh kettle corn in the air. Kids are playing and roping dummies, some of them with a rope in their hand for the first time. I love this way of life. I couldn’t imagine it any other way.
Charli’s up to run now. She’s running her mare Dolly. She’s a short and stocky buckskin mare, who’s wicked fast. They look badass, storming into the arena. Charli pushes her hard to the first barrel and she slips a little getting around it. Fuck, that will cost them some time. It doesn't faze them though. She’s bent over the saddle horn, arms out and legs kicking to the next barrel. Their last two barrels are clean and she pushes her mare home. What a great run.
Duke and I trot over to them as she cools Dolly off.
“Fuck yeah, good run!” I tell her.
“Thanks, babe, your turn. Turn and burn, baby!”
I chuckle and pull my hat down on my head—making my way toward the arena entrance.
Just like every time I run, my stomach twists and Duke can feel the anticipation. He’s prancing and rearing and I have to hold him back until the buzzer sounds. It goes off and I send him forward.
