“Hey, you broke old blacksmith, would you like a hand?”
Jack wobbles around to face me. “Hey, Knox! Good bull ride tonight.”
“Thanks, Jack. What did you do? Bust the bull rope back out?”
“Hell no.” He laughs. “A horse broke it. Always love when clients don’t work with their horses.”
Isn’t that the truth?I like to say I’m a parttime farrier. I don’t really need the income, but I’ve known how to shoe a horse since I was a kid, so I’ve always thought of it as a good backup gig.
“I hear ya. I’m just thankful I still ride well enough that I don’t need to be bent over slapping on iron all day.”
Jack laughs. “Lucky bastard, keep at it and you’ll be back at the big show for the fifth time.”
“That’s the plan. So, what’re you doing down here? Thought you were in Colorado these days.” I take a sip of my drink.
Jack leans one crutch on the railing next to us so he can drink his beer. “Oh, I am, but since I broke my leg, I figured I’d head to the stockyards with the boys for a few days. When we heard Lawton’s Extreme Bulls was tonight, we decided to hop over here on the way down.”
“Well, hopping is all you’ll be doing for a while.” I grin.
“Hilarious.” He squints at me. “Hey, are you busy the next few weeks? I know April and May are your slow months.”
“I’ve got a few weeks off. What’s up?”
“Well, I’ve got some clients who need horses shod. I’d pay for your fuel and you can stay in the apartment above my barn if you would cover for me.”
I take a drink to give myself a second to think through my schedule. I know I don’t have any rodeos coming up soon and I’m not against helping Jack out.
I’d be breaking colts and probably putting shoes on at the local ranch I day work at, anyway. Plus, I know he’d do the same for me—he’s supported me and helped me out a lot over the years.“Yeah, I could do that. A little hard labor will only make me want to win that much more at the next rodeo,” I joke.
“Atta kid. Thank you, Knox. I’ll call you Monday; I’ll be headed back north and we can work out the details, but the sooner you can head west the better.”
“Yessir. I can drive out Monday or Tuesday. Good seeing ya. I’m going to head out before it gets too rowdy here.” I set my empty glass down on the railing.
“You, too, and congratulations on the win!”
Turning toward the door, I see Trey with his arm around the buckle bunny at the bar, and I chuckle.
No way he’s going to the gym tomorrow.
Good thing we drove separately tonight.
It’s a three-hour drive back to Savanna, Oklahoma. I don’t mind it, though. I’ve never had an issue being alone. I actually prefer it. Chasing women, alcohol, or drugs doesn’t do it for me. I prefer to stay focused on my goals.
Chasing a gold buckle is what I live for. I’ve come close a few times, finishing third and fourth in the world. Now at thirty, older for a bull rider at my level, I have to stay fit to prolong my career. I feel like I’ve gained wisdom I didn’t have when I was twenty-two at my first National Finals and I know this will be my year. Maybe shoeing a few horses first will be the perfect reset before the summer run.
Chapter 3
Kacey
My phone rings, I see it’s Jack.
“Hello!”
“Hey, Kacey, I wanted to let you know I have a friend coming up from Oklahoma to cover for me for a few weeks. He’ll be here Tuesday and should be able to fit you in Wednesday afternoon.”
“That’s perfect. The jackpot is on Saturday. Thank you, Jack.”
“Good deal. I’ll have him call or text you when he knows a rough time.”
