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I was breathless when I pulled him up. “Fuck,” I breathed out.
The guys were hollering and grinning from where they perched on the rail.
“Damn, he’s fast,” I told them.
“It’s just that first barrel that’s the problem, eh?” Rhett observed, studying the horse. “That’s always where Kinsley had the issue too.”
I nodded. I took him around a couple more times, and the same thing happened.
“He takes off like a bat out of hell for that first barrel, but once he’s around it, he finds his focus and he’s good,” I explained.
“It’s not like he doesn’t know it’s coming,” Finn said. “I’m not sure how you can prepare him any more for it.”
“Maybe forcing him to take it real slow for a while?” Rhett suggested.
I wasn’t sure how well that would go over with Gambler, and going slow was a little counterproductive to the sport.
“I’m sticking to bulls,” Grady declared. “Horses are way too complicated.”
I wanted to argue, but I didn’t have a leg to stand on right now.
I patted Gambler’s neck, and he relaxed under my touch. “You are a conundrum, aren’t you?”
Chapter 16
Heart Like Mine - Miranda Lambert
Kinsley
“Why can’t I stay in my trailer?” I complained to my parents from the back seat of their truck. I’d just been released from the hospital and it couldn’t have come soon enough. I’d been going stir crazy in there.
“Because you’ll be all alone,” my mother replied. “You can spend a few days with us at the hotel, so we can watch over you.”
I sounded like a child, and I was more than old enough to make this decision myself, but it was hard to argue with your parents when they paid for everything. In that regard, I saw why Wyatt didn’t like taking money from people; that way, he didn’t have to answer to anybody. On the other hand, if you couldn’t go on without the help...
It wasn’t like I didn’t have any of my own money. I’d won a fair bit of prize money and gotten some sponsorship deals. I’d earned those, but I got that far because my parents had always gotten me the best horses, which didn’t come cheap, so I was very grateful to them.
“I won’t be alone if Abby stays with me,” I suggested, trying to find a compromise.
“Huh?” Abby sputtered from her seat. “I don’t think so.”
“Really? You’d rather stay in a hotel with them than on the rodeo grounds surrounded by horses and hot cowboys?” I teased, trying to tempt her with the allure of the rodeo life.
I saw both my parents smirking in the front seat; even they thought Abby needed to loosen up.
“Sounds like a fine idea,” Dad chimed in supportively.
“But—" Abby protested.
“It’s the rodeo, sweetheart, not a prison cell. The rodeo is in your blood; embrace it,” Dad encouraged.
I snorted, imagining Abby amidst the rodeo chaos in her fitted riding breeches and crisp polo shirt. She would look so out of place it wasn’t even funny, but whatever; it would be good for her.
Abby crossed her arms over her chest and slumped back in her seat, scowling.
“Watch your posture there, Dressage Queen, or you’ll turn into a hunchback.”
Abby shot daggers at me with her eyes. She was mad, but she’d get over it. We got along sometimes.
