Monica and the Crushworthy Cowboy

by Diana G. Gallagher

Jon pointed at two posts spaced several feet apart. “That’s the start and finish line,” he said. “The timer starts and stops when the horse goes between the posts.”

  I watched the first few riders closely. The horses that stayed close to the barrels had faster times.

  “Here we go,” Jon said when Jillian entered the ring.

  Jillian’s horse was ready.

  MoJo exploded into a gallop when she kicked him forward. He was still going full speed after he rounded all three barrels. A horn blared when they crossed the finish line.

  “Thirty point three seconds,” the announcer said.

  “Yeehaw!” Jon yelled. He waved his hat.

  One horse was faster, and Jillian came in second. Still, that was fantastic for a big rodeo. Everyone was thrilled.

  “That was really great. Barrel racing looks like fun,” Chloe said when Jillian walked back over to us.

  “Do you want to try it?” Jillian asked us.

  “Yes!” Chloe and I answered.

  Jillian took us to the outside warm-up area. The practice barrels were still set up. Chloe and I each rode the course twice, but we didn’t go very fast. Barrel racing was just as scary as it looked.

  Chloe grinned as she dismounted. “The next time Megan and Lydia make fun of us, let’s challenge them to a barrel race!” she said.

  “Ha!” I said. “That sounds like a great idea.”

  Chloe went to get us some snacks. I found the boys where we’d left them.

  “So, my bronc-riding event is up next,” Jon told me.

  “Cool!” I said. “I can’t wait to watch.”

  “So. I’ve been wondering. Can I have a kiss for luck?” Jon asked.

  Without even thinking about it, I said, “No!” and stepped back.

  Jon looked so disappointed I felt sorry for him. So instead of kissing him, I took a dollar from my pocket and kissed that. “For luck,” I said, smiling.

  “Oh. Thanks a lot,” Jon said. He smiled and added, “My lucky charm.” He put the folded bill in his pocket. Then he winked at me and walked away.

  I felt kind of stupid. A really cute, really nice guy wanted to kiss me, and I didn’t want to kiss him back. What was wrong with me?

  When he asked if he could kiss me, all I could think about was Rory.

  When Chloe came back from the bathroom, I decided not to tell her what had happened.

  Soon, Chloe and I were settled in our seats. Jillian sat down next to us. “Can you tell us about bronc riding?” I asked. “I don’t know much about it.”

  “Well, the riders hold onto the strap with one hand,” Jillian said. “They can’t touch the horse with their other hand.”

  “How do you know who wins?” I asked.

  “You have to stay on for eight seconds. Then you get scored from zero to fifty points,” Jillian said. “The horse is scored, too. A bronc that twists and bucks hard gets more points.”

  The riders went in one by one. Chloe and I winced every time someone got bucked off. A lot of riders stayed on for the whole eight seconds. After the horn sounded, cowboys on horses helped the riders get off safely.

  “There’s Jon!” Jillian said. She pointed toward the chutes.

  Jon looked grim as he gripped the strap.

  My heart leaped into my throat when the chute opened and the bronc burst out. The horse twisted and kicked, bucked and spun, but Jon stayed on. We all cheered.

  “And that’s an 83 for Jon Wheeler,” the announcer said.

  I frowned. “That’s not as high as some of the others,” I said.

  “But it’s better than most,” Jillian said. “Jon will be happy he did so well.”

  We saw Logan walking toward us when we got back to the barn area. He was checking stall numbers.

  “Logan!” I called, waving.

  Logan waved back. He looked relieved to see us. “Are you and Chloe ready to go to the Plaza?” Logan asked. “I’ll take you to my favorite restaurant for dinner.”

  “I forgot you were going to the Plaza,” Jillian said.

  Chloe and I exchanged another look. We were having so much fun that we had forgotten, too.

  “We kind of made plans to go swimming,” I said.

  “Oh,” Logan said. He nodded, but he sighed.

  Suddenly, I felt awful. Logan brought me to Kansas City so that we could spend time together. I had spent most of my time with Chloe and our new friends. I had to fix that. Quick!

  “But I’d rather go shopping with you,” I said.

  “So would I,” Chloe said. She smiled at me.

  “Me, too,” Jillian blurted out. She turned red and added, “Sometimes a cowgirl just wants to be a girl.”

  “Then you should come with us, Jillian,” Logan said. “I’ll go clear it with your parents.”

  “Your stepdad is pretty cool,” Jillian said after Logan walked away.

  “I know,” I said.

  Jillian grinned. “I wish my dad knew more about teenage girls,” she admitted.

  Chapter Nine

  Girls’ Day

  Out

  Chloe, Jillian, and I window-shopped for hours. Logan wasn’t interested in clothes, but he waited patiently until we moved on. So we didn’t complain when Logan stopped at the Electronics Universe window display.

  “That’s what I want for my birthday,” Logan said, pointing at some weird gadget. “A pocket satellite TV. Tell your mom.” He winked at me.

  I gasped when I looked at the price sticker. “It costs nine hundred dollars!” I said.

  “I’ll chip in,” Logan joked.

  When I spotted Be In Tweens, I smiled at Logan. “You might want to buy a newspaper,” I told him. “We’ll be here a while.”

  Logan took my advice. He sat in a comfy chair and read the Kansas City Star while we tried on clothes.

  Everything I tried on looked great, but it was all really expensive. I didn’t think Logan knew what he was getting into. So instead of picking out an outfit, I chose gloves that matched my Ginger Snap bag. They would be perfect when it got cold out.

  Chloe bought a star-shaped charm for her silver bracelet. Jillian found the perfect dress for a school dance she was going to back at home.

  We were all starved when we finished. “Are you hungry?” Logan asked.

  I nodded. “We should get some BBQ,” I said. “Everyone says it’s the best here.”

  Logan slapped his forehead. “Kansas City is famous for BBQ! Glad you thought of it, Monica.”

  At the restaurant, Logan asked for a table in the courtyard. We all ordered barbequed ribs with French fries and sweet coleslaw. The food was so good I ate every single bite.

  “I’m stuffed,” Chloe groaned when we were finished.

  “Too stuffed for cheesecake?” Logan asked.

  “I’ll make room for that!” Chloe said, grinning.

  “Eat up,” Logan said. “We’d better hurry. We’ve got three tickets for the rodeo tonight.”

  “Oh!” Jillian said. “I thought you guys could sit with us in the exhibitor seats.”

  “That sounds amazing!” I said. Chloe nodded.

  Then I saw the hurt look on Logan’s face.

  “Of course,” Logan said. He smiled tightly.

  “We don’t know anything about rodeo,” Chloe explained. “Jillian can answer all our questions.”

  “You’re invited too,” Jillian told him.

  “Thank you, but I’ll pass,” Logan said. “There are other things I can do tonigh
t.”

  I didn’t believe him.

  Chapter Ten

  All Logan’s

  Fault

  Logan called me about twenty minutes after Chloe and I got to the rodeo. I didn’t hear my phone ring, but I listened to the voicemail.

  Logan sounded happy. “Good news!” he said. “I was just, um, wandering around at the trade show, and I overheard someone saying they tried to get tickets to the rodeo. Turns out it’s a guy I know, Warren Schwartz. He owns an electrical supply business, and we’ve worked together before. Anyway, he and his kid, Mitchell, are going to go with me tonight. So if you were feeling bad, please don’t. I’ll try to find you at the rodeo. See you later. Have fun.”

  That was a huge relief. I had been feeling bad. Now I could just relax and enjoy the rodeo.

  But Chloe wasn’t relaxed. While we watched everyone getting ready, she was worrying about Bobby’s bulldogging event the next day. “Steers are so big! Isn’t wrestling them dangerous?” she asked.

  “Nope,” Bobby said. He grinned. “Cowboys always win, and steers don’t hold a grudge.”

  Everyone laughed, except Cory. He just looked nervous.

  “Riders get points at every rodeo,” Ty said. “The Rodeo Association adds them up and keeps track.”

  “If Cory wins tomorrow, he’ll be Regional Champion,” Joann explained.

  Cory was too nervous to sit. “Hey, Chloe, let’s go get hotdogs for everyone,” he suggested.

  Chloe smiled. “Okay,” she said. She smiled at me as she and Cory walked away.

  A few minutes later, Logan brought his guests over to meet us.

  “Mitchell is having a great time,” Mr. Schwartz said, pointing at his son. “He wants to be a cowboy.”

  “I want to be a rodeo rider,” Mitchell said. “Just like Jesse Thomas. He’s the best. He’s a National Rodeo Champion!”

  “Jesse is an old friend of mine,” Ty said. “Would you like to meet him?”

  “Yes!” Mitchell said. He looked thrilled.

  Ty and Jillian took Mitchell to find Jesse. Logan and Mr. Schwartz stayed behind to talk to Joann. Mr. Schwartz had lots of questions about rodeo life.

  “Mitchell is only eight,” Joann said. “He might change his mind about wanting to ride broncos when he grows up.”

  “That will be up to him,” Mr. Schwartz said.

  I smiled. I knew that Logan and Mom felt the same way about me. Even before I’d ever ridden a horse, I’d always wanted to be an Olympic rider or a jockey. They just wanted me to be happy.

  “Dad! Look!” Mitchell yelled. He broke away from Ty and Jillian, walking back to us. He ran toward us, waving a photo of Jesse Thomas.

  Cory and Chloe were coming back with boxes of hotdogs at the same time. Mitchell ran right in front of them.

  Cory stumbled and tripped. He tried to save the hotdogs, but he fell on his arm.

  Everyone rushed over. “Are you okay?” Ty asked, kneeling down next to Cory.

  “My wrist hurts,” Cory said. He winced when he moved his hand.

  Joann reached over and gently felt his wrist. “It’s not broken,” she said.

  “That’s great news!” Chloe said hopefully.

  “A sprain could be just as bad,” Ty said. “Cory needs two good wrists to rope, throw, and tie off a calf tomorrow.”

  “I’m taking him to the hospital,” Joann said.

  “I’ll come with you,” Ty said. They rushed off.

  That kind of put a damper on the night. We decided to go back to the hotel and watch a movie instead of staying at the rodeo.

  No one blamed Mitchell for the accident. But Logan blamed himself. He was quiet the whole way back to the hotel. When we were in the elevator, he said, “Well, I feel just terrible. That was all my fault.”

  “You didn’t make Cory fall,” I said.

  “But I brought Mr. Schwartz and Mitchell to the exhibitor area,” Logan said. He held up his barn pass. “I was showing off.”

  “You were trying to make a little boy happy,” I said.

  “Which worked out great,” Chloe said. “Thanks to you, Mitchell met his favorite rodeo rider.”

  “Thanks to me, Cory may not be able to ride tomorrow,” Logan said. He sighed. “If he doesn’t win, he won’t be the Regional Champion.”

  Chloe and I sighed too.

  Logan was right.

  Chapter Eleven

  One More

  Helper

  We didn’t take a tour of the trade show on Sunday. Logan didn’t even ask if we wanted to go. Instead, he went to the rodeo with Chloe and me. When we got there, Joann was in the tack stall cleaning bridles.

  “How is Cory’s wrist?” Logan asked.

  “It’s not sprained,” Joann said, smiling at us. “Cory is good to go.”

  “I am very glad to hear that,” Logan said. He smiled back. Then he sat down on a folding chair. “What a relief.”

  “Would you girls take this bridle to Cory?” Joann asked. “He’s in Laramie’s stall.”

  “Do you want to come?” I asked Logan.

  “No, thanks,” Logan said. “I’ll just be in the way.”

  I started to protest, but then I changed my mind. Logan was nervous around horses. Staying away was the smart thing to do. Still, it was too bad he didn’t want to join in.

  We found Cory quickly. “Hey!” I said as we walked up. “I heard you’re all better. What a relief!”

  “No kidding,” Chloe said, smiling shyly. “I was so worried about you!”

  “Aw, thanks, you two,” Cory said. He winked at Chloe. “Did Joann send that bridle over?”

  “Yeah, she did,” I said. “It looks great.”

  “That bit sparkles!” Cory said when we handed him the bridle. He carefully hung it on a hook outside the stall.

  “Laramie’s coat is just as shiny,” Chloe said.

  “That’s sweat,” Cory said. “It’s hot in these stalls. I’d better turn the fan on.”

  A box fan was hanging on a hook above the door. It pointed down into the stall. When Cory reached to turn it on, the fan fell. It hit the floor and stopped working.

  “Oh, no. That’s really bad,” Cory said. “I don’t want Laramie to get overheated, and we didn’t bring a spare fan.”

  “We could run to a store for you and buy a new one,” Chloe said.

  “There’s not enough time to find a store and get back before my event,” Cory said. “Shoot. This is really bad news.”

  Suddenly, I had a great idea. “I’ll be right back,” I said. I picked up the fan and hurried back to the tack stall. I explained the problem to Logan.

  “Can you fix it?” I asked hopefully.

  “Let’s see,” Logan said. He took out his pocket knife. He used the screwdriver blade to gently open the motor casing.

  I crossed my fingers, but I wasn’t really worried. I knew Logan could repair every electrical device in our house. And I was right. He fixed the loose wire on Cory’s fan.

  “Here you go,” he said, passing the fan to me.

  “You should bring it to Cory,” I told him. “He’ll want to thank you in person.”

  Cory’s eyes lit up when Logan brought the fixed fan back to Laramie’s stall.

  “Logan fixed it,” I said. “I knew he could.” I smiled up at my stepdad.

  “Thanks, Logan!” Cory exclaimed. “You’re a lifesaver.”

  “Glad to help,” Logan said. “Good luck today. I have a feeling you’ll do great.”

 
Just then, another rider walked into the stall. “Could I borrow your clippers?” the man asked. “The cord on mine got cut in half.”

  “Sorry, Bruce, I didn’t bring clippers,” Cory said. “I trimmed our horses before we left.”

  Bruce sighed. “Then I’ll have to ride a horse that needs a shave.” He shook his head and added, “Knew I should’ve brought a spare.”

  “My stepdad might be able to help,” I said.

  “I think I can!” Logan said. He smiled and followed Bruce to his horse’s stall.

  A few minutes later, Bruce came back. “Your dad spliced the cord back together,” Bruce told me. “These old clippers work as good as new. Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome,” I said, smiling. “Where’s Logan now? Back at the tack stall?”

  “Oh, he told me to let you know he had to go back to his trade show,” Bruce said. “He said he’ll see you later.”

  I didn’t ask why Logan left. I thought I knew. Fixing things didn’t make him feel like part of the rodeo crew.

  Instead, it reminded him that he didn’t fit in.

  Chapter Twelve

  For

  Luck

  Logan came back an hour later and found me in the tack stall, waiting for Cory’s event. Logan was all smiles.

  “What happened?” I asked. “You look happy.”

  “Mr. Schwartz called me,” Logan explained. “He heard about a deal on wire. I had to order at the trade show to get the super-low sale price.”

  “That’s great!” I said. “You’re having a pretty good day. You saved the fan, the clippers, and a ton of money for Granite Electric!”

  “That’s right!” Logan said. He grinned and gave me a hug.

  Chloe ran into the stall. “Calf roping is starting!” she exclaimed.

  We hurried out so we’d be able to watch. Chloe led us to an area where all of our friends were watching the event.

  As we watched, the first calf shot out of a chute. A rider galloped after it and threw a rope around its head. When the boy jumped off, his horse kept the rope tight. The boy put the calf on its side and tied three legs with a smaller rope.