Page 190 of Lost Trust

The crowd starts to stir, and a wave of anticipation flows through the spectators as he keeps going.

“At only twenty-one years old, she was already a three-time world champion and one of the biggest stars this sport had ever seen. Six years ago in Las Vegas, she broke the record for the standard pattern on a regulation course with a blistering sixteen point forty-seven seconds—a record that still stands today.”

Ryder grabs my good hand. “That’s Mommy.”

I smile. “Yeah, little man.”

“And she also shattered the prestigious Calgary Stampede arena record during her final year of competition, along with several other individual arena and event records.”

The crowd gets louder.

“After stepping away from the circuit for a few years, she’s back. And if her recent performances are any indication, she’s stronger than before.” The announcer pauses. “Welcome back to the arena … Marina Kincade!”

The place explodes, and Ryder screams at the top of his lungs.

I scoop him up with my good arm before the people in front of us can block his view.

“There she is!” he cries.

And then I see her.

Marina sits tall and proud on Rowdy, looking as confident as ever. Like she never left.

The gate opens.

Rowdy launches forward, and everything slows down as she rounds the barrels with clean precision before charging for home.

Just horse, rider, dirt, and instinct.

She crosses the finish line, and for one second, Marina looks straight toward us.

Straight at me.

And winks.

The timer flashes, and the crowd erupts. I don’t even need to hear the number. I know.

“Mommy won!”

I hold him tighter as pride fills my chest.

The woman I fell in love with is back where she belongs.

And she is better than ever.

Marina

I don’t remember getting off Rowdy.

I don’t remember walking out of the arena.

And I sure as hell don’t remember most of the interviews.

One minute, I was crossing the finish line, and the next, there are microphones in my face.

“Marina, what does this win mean to you?”

“Did you ever think you’d make it back?”