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“Yeah, and there were so many people connected to it and families that had been torn apart because their loved ones were forced to participate that numerous arrests occurred. It opened up a full investigation by the government. It’s all over the newspapers and on television across the United States.”
“I thought…I thought I’d never see you again,” she stated in a dry, raspy voice before coughing.
“Shh, you’re okay and we’re right here with you,” Tommy whispered as he poured some water into a cup and placed a straw in it. Vic tried to help her sit up and she cringed in pain.
“It
hurts.” She clenched her eyes tight.
“Well, fighting off an animal like Tagart has a price. But we’re so proud of you, baby. We love you and we’re going to help you get through this,” Vic told her.
She took a sip of water.
“I love you both, too. I didn’t want to leave you. I fought him off because of you both. I wanted to see you again and be with you.” She started crying some more as Tommy eased her back down so she was lying back on the pillow.
“Rest, baby. We’re here and we’re not leaving.” Vic leaned down and kissed her softly on the lips. Tommy held her hand, brought it up to his lips, and kissed it.
“Close your eyes and rest. You have a lot of visitors waiting to see you.”
She closed her eyes and looked a bit more peaceful. Tommy looked at Vic.
“It will be all right. The three of us, together forever.”
“Together forever. I like that,” Vic said then looked at Elise and smiled.
Chapter 13
Elise insisted that she wanted to attend the final round of the championship bull-riding event at Dixie Chix. It had only been two weeks since the incident of Tagart trying to kill her. She was still bandaged up and her bruises looked terrible, but she didn’t care. She wanted to be there for Keith and Corey.
Sally and Ava were sitting next to her as the bull-riding event continued. It appeared that Keith would be the big winner with Corey coming in second place. Either way, they would both be winners. When people found out about what had happened to them and how their lives were threatened, donations started pouring in. Over a dozen television and radio stations had interviewed Elise. She talked about her story and how she lost her boyfriend to the violence behind illegal bull-riding events. Her tragedy went viral across the Internet and more stories of hardship and criminal activities were reported. Dudley Farms offered to help any cowboys affected by the Tennessee event, and Elise and Ava volunteered to provide room and board since all the women in their house except for Ava were practically living with their men anyway.
Vic and Tommy offered to help, too, and expand on their own land and build a training facility for bull riders. Elise suggested using the donations they received, as well as corporate sponsors, to build living quarters for the riders and their families so that even when the riders were away at rodeos, their loved ones would be cared for and never alone.
Of course the women wanted to be part of it, too, and the bull-riding training facility would be an extension of Dixie Chix.
“So, I see that Vic and Tommy are finally giving you a little bit of space here,” Sally teased as Elise and Ava looked over a few feet away where Tommy and Vic were talking to Mason and Steven.
“They are, but to be honest, I love them being around me. I feel safer somehow.” She lowered her eyes and felt the emotion and commitment she had to her men.
“That’s great. They love you so much,” Ava said and Elise looked up and smiled.
Sally had her hand over her belly. The cute baby-doll-type dress was sexy and Elise noticed the small bump.
“Are you showing already?” Elise asked as she reached over to touch Sally’s belly and Sally beamed with joy and excitement as she nodded her head.
“Oh God, that is awesome,” Ava said and Elise looked at her. She hoped that Ava wasn’t sad at remembering her loss. As if reading Elise’s thoughts she squeezed her hand and smiled.
“I may need your help to go shopping in a few weeks,” Elise whispered as she held Sally’s gaze, and Sally squinted her eyes.
“Shopping?” she asked.
Elise covered her belly with her hand. “Shopping,” she repeated and Sally smiled wide. Ava squealed low as she hugged Sally’s arm.
“Really?” Ava asked. Elise looked toward Vic and Tommy.
“I haven’t told Vic and Tommy yet. Things have been moving slowly in the bedroom, if you know what I mean.”
“Oh yeah, I know. They worry they might hurt you or bother your injuries,” Sally stated.
