Page 32 of The Cowboy’s Secret Lover

Well hell, that made Erin a year older than Kurt had been when she was born. Still, she was too young.

“I’ll tell Erin you were asking about her.”

Above, the crowd moaned as the rider was bucked. It was immediately followed by a cheer. Kurt knew that the rider hadn’t been hurt and he exhaled.

“It’s an odd thing,” said Kurt to Vance. “These men are our competition. There’s only one of us who can win. All the same, nobody understands how we live, except another bull rider. The fact that we walk the tightrope between life and death every time we step into the ring. Or that if someone gets hurt—we all feel the pain.”

“Yet, what you said is true. Only one of us can win,” said Vance. While clapping Kurt on the shoulder, he added, “But I wish you good luck.”

“Same to you.”

The younger man walked away and then; he was gone.

A producer from the Western Sports Network approached. “You ready, K.C.?”

“Ready as I’m going to be.”

Drawing in a deep breath, Kurt walked out of the darkened hallway and stepped onto the bright floor of the arena.

The announcer’s voice carried above the cheers of the crowd. “Welcome Bear Creek’s own son, and two-time national champion, Kurt Crawford.”

Kurt smiled and waved his hat. He scanned the crowd—just a blur of colors—but his eye was drawn to Faith. She sat in the front row. Looking in her direction, he winked.

He couldn’t be sure, but he thought that the color had risen in her cheeks. It warmed his heart to think that he had made Faith McGregor blush.

With a deep inhale, he shut out all the distractions and focused all his attention on his breath.

The bull, Doctor Danger, was already in the chute. For an instant, their eyes met—man and beast. What was the animal thinking? Did Doctor Danger see this as the ultimate combat? Or was it all instinct for the animal? The bull kicked and the metal clattered. Kurt didn’t look away.

Climbing the rungs, he settled onto the back of the beast. Wrapping his hand around a rope that was already tied to the bull, Kurt drew in another breath. He exhaled. The rest of his life would be decided in the next eight seconds. Sitting back, he lifted his free hand—the universal signal to begin. The door to the chute swung open. The bull shot forward. He kicked four times in a row. Kurt held tight and let his body absorb the impact.

One second.

Head down, Doctor Danger ran straight for the wall of the ring. He swerved a moment before impact. Kurt shifted to the side. His injured knee filled with fire. Gritting his teeth against the pain, he cursed under his breath.

Two seconds.

The bull ran in a circle, bucking as he went. Kurt kept his free hand high. One accidental touch, and his ride would be over.

Three seconds.

Doctor Danger slammed into the wall. Kurt took the impact in his shoulder. He saw a flash of white. Then his fingertips went numb.

Four seconds.

Bucking, the bull tried again to rid himself of Kurt. Holding tight to the animal’s side with his thighs, he stayed on.

Five seconds.

Buck. Buck. Head down. Lunge.

Six seconds.

Once again, the bull ran toward the wall. This time, he took the impact on his left flank. Kurt’s entire leg began to throb.

Seven seconds.

The bull ran in a tight circle. Kurt’s thigh lost strength. He didn’t know if he could hold on anymore. Yet, he refused to let go.