Page 44 of The Scars We Heal

“Just some food for thought,” Bec interjected.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

jake

Up next we’ve got a local Montana cowboy from just down the road in Silver Creek. His name is Jake Flynn. Folks, he’s here to show you all what he’s made of, so make sure he can hear you!”

An uproar from the crowd combined with the rumbling of rock music drowned out anything else the rodeo announcer was going to say.

I closed my eyes for a moment and inhaled a deep breath, letting the fresh air fill my lungs. The scent of dust, sweat, and livestock hung in the air, and adrenaline coursed through my veins, blood pumping in my ears in a steady thrum.

My eyes scanned over the arena once in a quick pass before I readied my rope and gave a curt nod to the chute operator. On signal, the calf ran out of the chute, sprinting ahead to the other end of the arena. My horse and I followed shortly after, and I swung my rope over my head, anticipating the perfect timing to release my grip and toss the loop toward the calf.

Gaze locked on the honda, I threw the rope, and it floated over the calf’s head before I quickly dallied my rope, pulling out the slack. The calf jerked backward as I dismounted my horse, piggin’ string secure between my teeth.

Sweat beaded on my brow as I ran toward the calf to lift it then set it down on its side, giving myself access to the legs to tie them together.

My fingers worked rapidly as I bound three of the calf’s legs together, securing it with a hooey before throwing my arms in the air. I sprung to my feet, patting the dirt and dust off my jeans as I ran back to my horse, mounting to ride him forward to loosen the rope and wait for the six seconds to pass before I received my time.

“Seven-point-two seconds for Jake Flynn!” The announcer called out my time.

Congratulations from the floor floated around me, and I dipped my chin in thanks to each of them as I exited the arena.

“Nice run, buddy.” Colter patted me on the shoulder when I rejoined him, Reid, Hayden, and Mikey behind the chutes.

I offered him a nod. “Thanks. That one felt good. I’m gunning for another NFR appearance this year.”

“Now we’ve just gotta get Hayden out to Vegas. I think this will be your year, man,” Colter said to Hayden and his roping partner Keenan.

They’d done well last year, but they were just starting to rope together again for the first time since high school, so it had taken some adjustments to get used to each other’s style and nail down a routine. They appeared to have gotten back into the swing of things pretty seamlessly, though.

“Skippy’s been telling us the same thing,” Keenan replied, using Sierra’s childhood nickname. “Rodeo power couple, those two. Although, I like the sound of a power trio a bit better.”

“All you’ve gotta do is just keep a level head and focus on the day. It’s easy to fixate on the view from the top, but one wrong step and before you know it, you’re falling back down the ladder. One step, one rodeo at a time, baby,” Reid added. His words of wisdom were worth something, given that he and Colter were the reigning world champions and had made several appearances at the NFR.

“How’s Ellie girl doing?” I changed the subject, turning to Colter. “Baby should be coming any day now, right?”

He nodded, wringing his hands, slick and gleaming with sweat, together. “Any day now. I’m just hoping it’s not today. I’m not particularly in the mood to break all the traffic laws to get back home.”

“I’m sure it’ll be okay.” Sierra walked up to us at that moment. “She’s not due for another week, and last I checked with her, she wasn’t having any contractions or seeing any signs the baby would be coming early.”

Colter took off his hat and raked a hand through his hair. “Yeah, I know. I just worry about her, you know? This is our first time doing this. I just don’t want anything to go wrong.”

“Well, you’ve got all of us to support the two of you,” I reassured him, throwing an arm over his shoulder. “Neither of you have to do this whole parenting thing alone.”

“Thanks, man.” He dipped his chin as if to show his gratitude. “Speaking of parenting, I heard the guest house has a new four-legged resident.”

“Yup.” I snorted. “Cheeto the orange kitten.”

“How did Caitlin convince you to do that?” Reid asked.

“Are we sure Caitlin had to convince him to do anything?” Mikey chirped with a suggestive eyebrow wiggle.

I ignored his comment. “Whitley found him.”

A chorus of ah circulated around the group, my statement clearly enough of an explanation.

“Still, I’m surprised Caitlin agreed to it.” Colter chuckled.