mounted Black Lightning, and moved off toward the arena.
Watching her, he felt like it was his own reputation on the line. He didn’t know what he’d say to her if things went wrong again. It would be impossible for her to get back out there a second time, even if she was capable.
***
Sitting at the start line, Amber felt like she might throw up. It might even be the better option at this point. At least that would get her out of making the run. She’d claim food poisoning, and no one would ever know she’d chickened out. No one except her and Colt. She thought about him standing behind her, waiting to see how she did.
If she didn’t do this today, she’d never get back out there. It’d be too scary. Sucking in a deep breath, she cleared her mind. She pushed out the images of her last competition, of hitting the ground and being rushed to the hospital. All the rehab and the hours spent convincing herself to get back on her horse moved through her head, and she shoved them into the dark recesses of her mind. Then the more recent memories moved forward. Finally managing to run Black Lightning through the course while Colt watched her, encouraging and pushing her until she could actually see her dreams coming true. The nights spent wrapped in Colt’s arms, talking about nothing and everything at the same time.
When her cue came, she took off at top speed. As she rounded the first barrel, she felt her horse’s hooves slide in the dirt a little. Her whole body tensed up. What had she been thinking? She wasn’t ready to compete again. Not now and maybe not ever.
Colt’s words of encouragement flooded her head. His confidence in her overwhelmed her. Usually, the only thing she could think about while riding was winning. How fast were they moving? Was the turn tight enough? But this time, only an image of Colt holding out his arms for her stood at the end of the race. She’d had a million opportunities to admit her true feelings and that she’d forgiven him long ago, but her stupid ego kept holding her back. Still, he’d shown up. Not just at the rodeo, but by her side at her weakest moment.
She loosened up a little and let her horse do what she’d trained him to do. The lead-in to the second barrel was perfect, and Black Lightning made one of the tightest turns he’d ever managed. One more and they’d be on the home stretch.
As they made the last circle, she dug her heels in and urged her horse to make the fastest run back to the finish possible. She swore if she made it, she’d tell Colt how she actually felt. No more bullshit. She didn’t have time for that crap anymore, not if she wanted to have everything.
After she passed the gates, she slowed and looked up at the clock. Not bad, but not good either. Seventeen point eight. It got her up in the top ten, but if she wanted to win, she’d have to make up a couple seconds in her second run. She dismounted and took her horse over to the stables. He’d get a break for food and water until it was time for the second round.
As soon as his needs were handled, she turned and searched for Colt. She didn’t have to look hard.
“You did great.”
“It wasn’t my best, but at least I’m on the board.” At the moment, all she could think about was what she needed to say to him. She needed to get it out before the next go-around.
“Do you feel better?”
“I’m not sure I’ll feel better until the entire day is over and I can go back to the ranch and fall asleep.” Her shoulders slumped forward. “It’ll be another few hours before they announce the final results for the day. I’m on the leader board now, but there are a lot of people left to go in the first round and then we start over again.”
“You’re coming back?” He looked genuinely surprised.
“Only if the owner will take me.” She stepped back and looked up at him. At this point, she had no idea what to expect. She wouldn’t blame him for saying no. They still had a lot to
Watching her, he felt like it was his own reputation on the line. He didn’t know what he’d say to her if things went wrong again. It would be impossible for her to get back out there a second time, even if she was capable.
***
Sitting at the start line, Amber felt like she might throw up. It might even be the better option at this point. At least that would get her out of making the run. She’d claim food poisoning, and no one would ever know she’d chickened out. No one except her and Colt. She thought about him standing behind her, waiting to see how she did.
If she didn’t do this today, she’d never get back out there. It’d be too scary. Sucking in a deep breath, she cleared her mind. She pushed out the images of her last competition, of hitting the ground and being rushed to the hospital. All the rehab and the hours spent convincing herself to get back on her horse moved through her head, and she shoved them into the dark recesses of her mind. Then the more recent memories moved forward. Finally managing to run Black Lightning through the course while Colt watched her, encouraging and pushing her until she could actually see her dreams coming true. The nights spent wrapped in Colt’s arms, talking about nothing and everything at the same time.
When her cue came, she took off at top speed. As she rounded the first barrel, she felt her horse’s hooves slide in the dirt a little. Her whole body tensed up. What had she been thinking? She wasn’t ready to compete again. Not now and maybe not ever.
Colt’s words of encouragement flooded her head. His confidence in her overwhelmed her. Usually, the only thing she could think about while riding was winning. How fast were they moving? Was the turn tight enough? But this time, only an image of Colt holding out his arms for her stood at the end of the race. She’d had a million opportunities to admit her true feelings and that she’d forgiven him long ago, but her stupid ego kept holding her back. Still, he’d shown up. Not just at the rodeo, but by her side at her weakest moment.
She loosened up a little and let her horse do what she’d trained him to do. The lead-in to the second barrel was perfect, and Black Lightning made one of the tightest turns he’d ever managed. One more and they’d be on the home stretch.
As they made the last circle, she dug her heels in and urged her horse to make the fastest run back to the finish possible. She swore if she made it, she’d tell Colt how she actually felt. No more bullshit. She didn’t have time for that crap anymore, not if she wanted to have everything.
After she passed the gates, she slowed and looked up at the clock. Not bad, but not good either. Seventeen point eight. It got her up in the top ten, but if she wanted to win, she’d have to make up a couple seconds in her second run. She dismounted and took her horse over to the stables. He’d get a break for food and water until it was time for the second round.
As soon as his needs were handled, she turned and searched for Colt. She didn’t have to look hard.
“You did great.”
“It wasn’t my best, but at least I’m on the board.” At the moment, all she could think about was what she needed to say to him. She needed to get it out before the next go-around.
“Do you feel better?”
“I’m not sure I’ll feel better until the entire day is over and I can go back to the ranch and fall asleep.” Her shoulders slumped forward. “It’ll be another few hours before they announce the final results for the day. I’m on the leader board now, but there are a lot of people left to go in the first round and then we start over again.”
“You’re coming back?” He looked genuinely surprised.
“Only if the owner will take me.” She stepped back and looked up at him. At this point, she had no idea what to expect. She wouldn’t blame him for saying no. They still had a lot to
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