“I think that’s a great idea. It’d be an extensive project and ongoing work for someone to maintain, but I bet the return on the investment would be good. And we could keep the older, retired horses there. What does my dad think?”
“I don’t know, I haven’t talked to him about it yet. I wanted to get your opinion first. I’m going to put some numbers together and run it past him.”
I don’t think I’ve ever heard Chet sound so excited. And he wantedmyopinion. I think I’ve misjudged him and taken out my own insecurities on him this entire time. All he did was accept a position, and he’s done a damn good job at it. He clearly only wants to do what’s best for the ranch.
“Okay, let me know if I can help with anything. This is a good idea, Chet.” I offer him a genuine smile and head inside.
I breathe a little easier, realizing we aren’t enemies. Maybe these cabins can be a fresh start for Chet and me.
Later that night, as we sit on the loveseat on my porch, Knox leans in and kisses my temple. “I don’t think I ever thanked you.”
“Thanked me? For what?”
“For loving me. I didn’t know it was possible to feel so loved and supported until you. When I was riding great, horrible, or wrecked out in the hospital, you never wavered. And I know it’s hard—the rodeo lifestyle is the highest of highs and the lowest of lows—from the injuries, to months on the road, it never gets easier. But all season long you stuck by my side; I couldn’t have done this without you. I love you so much.”
I gently wrap my arms around him, careful of his chest. “You’re easy to love, Knox Ward. Thank you for never making me question my worth, for loving me for who I am. From the first day you showed up on this ranch, you showed me how much I mean to you. Even when I was stubborn and didn’t want to see it, you never gave up on me.”
He kisses the top of my head, and we stay like that, holding each other until the stars shine bright in the night sky, and my feet grow cold. And for the next two months, Knox and I start to build a life together, waiting on his chance at a world title.
Chapter 47
Knox
National Finals Rodeo, Las Vegas, Nevada
“One more, Knox. You’ve got this,” Trey encourages from the chutes above me.
I’m taking my wrap on my last bull of the national finals. The crowd is so loud I can barely hear the announcer.
“Forty-six men have tried this next bull, and forty-six have failed to ride him, but tonight Knox Ward is tying his hand to him. He’s sitting number one in the world. Ridden six out of nine bulls so far and as of this moment, he’s sitting second in the average. Can he ride the unridden to win a gold buckle?”
The crowd inside the Thomas and Mack arena roars even louder.
This is it, this is my chance. It’s my time.
I wouldn’t be in the situation I’ve always dreamed about without Kacey. She has been my biggest supporter. I hadn’t been on a bull since the last weekend of September, and I’ve been extremely sore here in Vegas. But Kacey has been my massage therapist every night, she’s got ice for ice baths, and she comes early with me every night so I can go to Sports Med.
Not to mention, she took care of me the entire time I was laid up, all while still working at the ranch. I’ve never known such a driven, genuine person, and I’m so in love with her. She has made me a better man. Even if I don’t win a world title, she’s far more important to me than a gold buckle.
I exhale, and all I can hear is my own heartbeat thumping in my chest. I slowly slide up to my rope, letting out one more deep breath, and nod my head.
The bull explodes out of the box, and when he hits the ground, he sucks back, and his head disappears from sight. I flex my lower back and lift on my bull rope. Pulling my knees up slightly, I keep myself from teetering forward, keeping my shoulders square. He blows up again, I push on my rope driving up on my legs. He hits the ground kicking so hard I nearly get whiplash, but he’s in a left lead, so I pull my chin back down and look at his left shoulder as I lower my free arm, transitioning my weight to my left leg.
We make another round and a half to the left when he explodes back into the air. I make sure I draw my knees up again, because when his front feet hit the ground, I know there’s going to be a monster kick to follow.
I will not let him raise my chin again.
As soon as he reaches the full extension of his kick, I feel he’s changing direction, but my weight is on my left leg, so I immediately throw my free arm over my head and pick up my left foot to move my weight to my right side.
I’m still a tick behind.
“Keep moving! Keep moving!” I hear Trey yelling from the chutes.
The bull rears, and I try to drive over him, but I’m too late. As he’s transitioning from rear to kick, I shove my hips over to the right and throw them to my rope as hard as I can, hoping I don’t get jerked down when he kicks. Everything is moving fast, and this damn clock seems to take an eternity. By the time he hits the end of his kick, I’m back in time with him. He makes one more jump and I hear the whistle blow.
It wasn’t fucking pretty, but I made it. I grab my tail and yank it free from my hand, kicking my hips to the left, using the bull’s momentum to throw me away from him. I stick the landing, planting both heels in the arena dirt, walking backwards, as I watch the bull run out of the arena. I’m sure I could break a record for how big my smile is right now. I pull off my helmet and blow a kiss up to where I know Kacey is sitting in the stands.
“He rides the unrideable and with that, he is your new World Champion!” the announcer bellows.
