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Climbing onto the real bull, the difference is immediately apparent. The sheer power and unpredictability of the animal beneath me send a thrill through my body. Bill and Jack flank the pen, their eyes locked on me.
“Remember what you’ve learned, Tyler. Move with him, not against him,” Bill advises one last time.
The gate swings open, and the bull erupts into motion. Each buck feels like an attempt to launch me into the stratosphere, but I hold on, every muscle straining with effort. Bill’s training flashes through my mind, grounding me in the chaos.
Seconds feel like hours as I ride, my focus undivided. When the buzzer finally rings, signaling the end of the ride, I dismount, knees shaking but triumphant.
“Good job,” Bill says, a rare smile on his face. “Welcome back, cowboy.”
Sarah rushes over, her eyes shining with pride. “You did it, Tyler! You’re back!”
I take her hand, feeling the thrill of victory coursing through me. “We did it,” I corrected, smiling down at her. “Couldn’t have done it without you—or Bill.”
Bill nods, tipping his hat ever so slightly. “You got potential, kid. Keep working hard, and there’s no telling how far you’ll go.”
I feel grateful and confident that my career isn't over as we leave the arena. I'm back on track, but this is just the start. With Sarah and Bill by my side, the future looks promising.
Hours later, we head to the dining hall for dinner. The aroma of pulled pork and hickory baked beans greets us as we walk through the doors. There's a comforting familiarity to the scene, the communal tables filled with fellow ranch hands sharing stories and laughs. Sarah and I find a spot near the window, the twilight casting a warm glow over our table.
We grab our plates, heaping them with pulled pork sandwiches, hickory baked beans, and mashed potatoes smothered in rich gravy. I take a bite, savoring the tangy, smoky flavors that remind me of home. Sarah looks at me with a soft smile, and for a moment, everything feels perfect.
“Sarah, I know I’ve come a long way since the accident,” I begin, setting my fork down. “But there’s something I need to tell you. I still have this fear... this gnawing doubt that I could easily get injured again once I go back to bull riding. My knee—it’s just not the same.”
She reaches across the table, taking my hand in hers. “Tyler, you’re getting better every day. You'll return to your career once your knee is fully healed. You’ve got this. I believe in you.”
I shake my head, the weight of my worries pressing down on me. “Sarah, that’s the thing. Even with a healed knee, it probably won’t be as sturdy as it used to be. I can’t shake off the fear that I’m more vulnerable now, that any wrong move could end everything again.”
Sarah’s grip tightens, her eyes locking onto mine with a fierce determination. “I get that you’re scared, Tyler. But you’ve always known the risks. This injury doesn’t define you. It’s how you come back from it that will. Besides, you’re not alone in this. You’ve got Bill, the whole ranch supporting you, and you’ve got me, Timmy, and Mrs. Carolyn.”
Her words are a balm to my troubled mind, but the doubts linger. “I just don’t want to let anyone down. What if I’m not as good as I used to be?”
She smiles, the kind that reaches her eyes and makes me feel like everything might be okay. “You’ve already proven your strength by making it this far. You’ll keep working hard, and we’ll support you every step of the way. I know you’ll figure it out.”
I look down at our joined hands, trying to draw strength from her unwavering belief in me. "What if I’ve lost my confidence, Sarah? What if I freeze up in front of everyone? I’ve never thought about stage fright, but what if it’s different this time? What if it’s so bad that it leads to a serious injury all over again?"
Her gaze softens, but I can see the resolve in her eyes. "Tyler, it’s okay to be worried about that. It’s completely natural. You’ve faced a life-changing injury. Anyone in your shoes would have doubts. But I believe that when you’re up on that bull, with the crowd cheering your name, it’ll all return to you. Bull riding is second nature to you—those instincts won’t disappear."
I sigh, feeling the gnawing uncertainty claw at me. "I’ve been out of the scene for so long. It’s hard to imagine getting back out there in front of everyone with all eyes on me. What if I can't handle the pressure? What if I’m not the same Tyler everyone remembers?"
Sarah squeezes my hand tighter, her eyes never leaving mine. "You are not the same, Tyler, and that’s not bad. You’ve grown stronger through this, mentally and emotionally. The people who matter, the ones who support you, we know that. And the crowd? They’re there because they love the sport and the riders. They’ll root for you because they see your passion and determination."
I nod, but the turmoil inside me doesn’t settle quickly. "It’s just—sometimes I feel like everything has changed. Like, maybe I’m not cut out for this anymore."
"You’ll never know unless you try. And I’ll be right there with you every step of the way. We’ll face those fears together."
Her words are a beacon of light in my cloudy thoughts, but the path ahead still seems daunting. "What if I fail, Sarah? What if I get hurt again, and there’s no return from it now?"
Her fierce determination flares again, and she shakes her head. "Then we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. But Tyler, I refuse to believe that’s how your story ends. You’re a fighter. You’ve overcome so much already. You’ve got everyone here, at the ranch, believing in you, and most importantly, you’ve got to start believing in yourself again. One step at a time."
I take a deep breath, feeling a bit of the weight lift from my shoulders. "I guess I just needed to hear that. It’s been hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel."
"We’ll get there," she says, with a confidence that almost convinces me. "And when you do, it’ll all be worth it. The crowd will go wild, and you’ll feel that rush again. Remember why you fell in love with bull riding in the first place."
I allow myself a small smile for the first time in what feels like an eternity. "You always know what to say, don’t you?"
She grins back at me. "That’s what partners are for. Now, let’s finish dinner and plan out your rehab for tomorrow. One day at a time, remember?"
I gaze out the window, the stars beginning to dot the night sky. “You always know the right thing to say,” I whisper, squeezing her hand. “I’m lucky to have you.”
