The Rough and Ready Rancher by Kathie DeNosky

couldn’t train horses anymore?” Cooper finally asked.
    â€œI haven’t really given it a lot of thought,” she answered. “But I suppose I’d try to stay involved with horses in some way.”
    Her hopes rose as she anticipated what he was about to tell her. She’d prayed the day would come when Cooper stopped competing, stopped gambling with fate. He’d been a successful rodeo cowboy for a long time, but the odds were stacking up against him. Fast. Riding the rough stock took its toll, and at the age of thirty, he was considered a seasoned veteran.
    He propped his forearm on his bent knee and stared out across the open prairie. “I’ve never thought much beyond getting to the next rodeo, paying my entry fee and making the eight-second whistle. Riding bulls and saddle broncs has been my life for over twelve years. It’s all I know.” When he turned to face her, his eyes mirrored his anguish. “I’m going to have to quit, little sister.”
    Her brother had lived and breathed rodeo all his life. It was a part of him—who he was. To take that from him would remove a vital part of his identity. It had to be devastating.
    â€œHow did you come to your decision, Cooper?”
    â€œI’ve lost my edge.” He stared out across the prairie. “I’ve had a few close calls lately.”
    â€œOh, God!”
    Cooper put his arms around her. “It’s all right, honey. I shouldn’t have said anything. It still bothers you, doesn’t it?”
    â€œIt always will.” She pulled away from him, her eyes anxious. “When do you plan to quit?”
    â€œI’ll make my last professional ride next week in Amarillo.”
    â€œYou’re not waiting until the end of the season?”
    Cooper shook his head. “I’m too far down in the standings to make the finals this year, and it’s getting harder to scrape together the entry fee.” When he tried to smile, it looked more like a grimace. “No sense blowing money on a lost cause.”
    All rodeo cowboys had a competitiveness few other sports matched, and Jenna knew what this confession cost her brother. For years he’d pitted physical strength and mental capabilities against the most rank bulls and wildest horses the stock contractors could deliver. Now to admit he’d lost his edge was like admitting defeat. He had come out the victor in a few battles, but the war was over. The beasts had finally won.
    â€œI think you made the right decision,” she agreed. “Only a fool continues to play when he knows the game is over.”
    â€œThat’s what I figure.” Cooper plucked another blade of grass and thoughtfully chewed on the end. “Are you going to come watch me take my last ride?”
    It was Jenna’s turn to stare off into the distance. “You know I can’t do that, Cooper.”
    They remained silent for several minutes before Cooper spoke again. “You can’t keep blaming the rodeo for all the things that have gone wrong in your life. Mom left because she always wanted bigger and better. It wouldn’t have mattered where we lived or what Dad did for a living. She never would have been satisfied.” He threw the blade of grass into the stream. “I think Dad always knew she’d take off one day. He just didn’t know when.”
    â€œBut if it wasn’t for rodeo, he and Dan would still be alive,” she said, suddenly angry.
    Cooper shook his head. “You don’t know that. Accidents happen. They could have been hurt crossing the street or falling down a flight of stairs.” He captured her chin between his thumb and forefinger, then forced her to meet his eyes. “Fate plays a big part in whether or not your number’s up, little sister. If it’s meant to happen, it will. And there’s not a whole lot you can do about it.”
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    Small puffs of clouds skittered past