by Ali Spooner
†
Twenty minutes later, she rolled back into the emergency room exam room to wait the results of her CT scan.
When Dr. Tully entered the room, she looked at Coal. “How is the headache?”
“Easing off some, thankfully,” she answered.
“That’s good news. Your scan looks good and there’s no sign of a concussion. I’d recommend wearing sunglasses as much as possible while you’re outside and by all means no more head-butting.”
“Not a problem,” Coal said.
“If that headache continues, feel free to come back and we’ll take another look at you,” she said and offered Coal her hand. “Good luck at the rodeo.”
“Thanks, Doc,” Coal said as she shook her hand.
“Have a great rest of the weekend,” Cindy said as she took them back to the waiting room.
Melissa and Del stood when they approached. “Let’s get out of here,” Melissa said.
“Let me make arrangements for the bill,” Coal said.
“It’s handled. Let’s go,” Melissa said. “The boys will be competing soon.”
They walked out to the truck and made it back to the rodeo arena in record time.
“Here, put these on,” Mary Leah said, pulling out a pair of Ray-Ban’s
Coal slipped them onto her head and sighed. “That’s better already.”
“Good, let’s go check on the boys, and then we’ll find a seat in the stands,” Melissa said.
†
“Are you all set?” Coal asked Gene.
“Oh yeah, I can hardly wait.”
“It won’t be long now.”
“This should be interesting,” Mary Leah nodded toward a bear of a man approaching them.
Melissa turned to see what her sister was referring to and smiled at the man as he stopped near them.
“Melissa, Miss Mary Leah, it’s been a long time, how’re you?” he asked.
“Doing well, Big Bob, and you? How’s Bubba feeling?”
Coal realized then that Big Bob was Bob Brewster, father to Shelly and Bubba. She winced.
“He needs some dental work, but from what I heard, he’s lucky that’s all he needs.” He turned to Coal. “Are you Ms. Bryan?”
“Yes, sir,” she answered.
“I’d like to apologize to you for the behavior of my children,” he said. “What they did was unforgivable, but I hope you will accept my apologies.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Is there anything I can offer to make this right?” he asked.
“You can reimburse me for this,” Melissa said as she pulled out the bill for Coal’s medical attention.
Big Bob looked at the total. Without flinching, he pulled out his wallet, and took out twelve, one-hundred-dollar bills and handed them to Melissa. “I hope you will allow me to pay for a nice dinner for you ladies as well,” he offered.
“This will cover it nicely,” Melissa said.
“Thank you and I hope you have a great rest of the weekend,” he said and started to turn away.
“Mr. Brewster,” Coal called to him.
He stopped and turned back toward her. “Yes, ma’am?”
“There is one other thing you can do.”
He looked at her with steel-gray eyes. “What would that be?”
“Teach your daughter to ride properly. Her mare is wicked fast and she shouldn’t receive punishment for the failure of her rider. If Shelly will lower her hands and give the mare her head, she will run much faster than being whipped with her reins.”
“I agree, and will see to it,” he said.
“Thank you, sir,” Coal said and offered him her hand.
Bob shook her hand and nodded, then turned and walked away.
“You handled that well,” Melissa said.
“So, where you taking us to dinner?”
“Are you sick of the Saltgrass yet?”
“I would love to try out their ribs,” Coal said.
“That was easy enough,” Melissa said. “Let’s go find a seat.”
“Good luck, boys,” Coal said and followed the others out of the stables.
†
She stopped at the trailer to remove her chaps and then joined the others in the stands. Her headache was finally beginning to ease off, but she kept the sunglasses on to shade her eyes from the bright sunlight. As she walked past a trailer, a sultry voice called out to her.
“Nice riding this morning, cowgirl. That wasn’t a bad kick either, from what I’ve heard. I’m glad someone has finally found out how to shut Bubba’s mouth.”
Coal turned at the sound of the voice and stepped toward the woman coiling a rope. “Thanks. I’m not proud of kicking Bubba’s teeth out, though,” she answered.
“That’s been coming for years,” the woman said. She stepped forward and reached out her hand. “Stormy Braxton, I have worked for Big Bob for a year now, so I’ve seen how the dynamic duo behaves.”
“Coal Bryan, I ride for the MC2,” she said, taking the woman’s hand. She took a good look at her well-muscled physique and charming smile. Her close-cropped dark hair and dark skin made her wonder if she had some Native American blood in her.
“Yes, I know. Very impressively too, I might add. Your horse is gorgeous and his rider’s not too bad either,” the woman said obviously flirting.
She blushed and smiled. “Thanks.” Not knowing what else to say, she smiled again and said, “Have a great one.”
“You too, Coal,” she answered and returned her smile with a wink of her deep blue eyes.
Coal found the crew in the stands and began to climb toward them as the event was about to begin.
†
“There you are. We were just contemplating a burger for a late lunch,” Mary Leah said.
“That actually sounds good,” she said.
“Sit tight and watch the competition. Del and I will grab some burgers and drinks.”
“Thanks, sweetie,” Coal said as she sat beside Melissa.
“How’re you feeling?”
“Like I was hit by a bus, but I’ll live,” she said with a cockeyed grin.
“You don’t have to compete tomorrow if you don’t feel up to it.”
“Are you kidding, nothing will keep me from roping with Gene tomorrow.”
“Okay, okay, I was just making a comment,” Melissa said, throwing her hands up in surrender.
Coal relaxed. “I’m sorry, boss. This competition means so much to Gene. I wouldn’t dream of letting him down.”
“You wouldn’t be letting him down. You know he worships you, Coal.”
“I know, and that’s more the reason I won’t back out on him.”
“We will make it an early night so you can get some rest for tomorrow then,” Melissa said.
“That sounds good to me. What draws did the boys get, do you know?”
“Lucas is fourth and Gene is seventh,” she answered.
“He’s going to be a bundle of nerves.” Coal grinned.
†
She was surprised when the announcer introduced Stormy as the third contestant in the steer wrestling competition. “I didn’t know women could compete in the steer wrestling,” she said.
“Title Nine made a difference in all sports, even rodeo. Women cannot be banned from competition in any event,” Melissa explained.
“Interesting,” Coal said.
“Just don’t get any ideas of entering the bull riding competition,” Melissa warned.
“No way, boss, I’m content riding and roping.”
“Good. I’ve seen many great cowboys ruined by bulls; young men crippled and maimed for life,” she added.
“I hear you. I’m glad Lucas and Gene are staying away from that event.”
As Del and Mary Leah climbed back toward them, Coal leaned forward to watch Stormy’s run. The steer released from the chute at a dead run and her horse burst through the barrier in hot pursuit. She held her breath as Stormy launched her body from her hors
e, grabbing the steer by the horns as her boots dug into the dirt. Her raw power turned the steer’s head back toward his hindquarters and she pulled him to the ground. “Damn, that was quick,” she said, letting out a low whistle.
“Great run,” Melissa agreed.
They both looked up at the scoreboard to see that Stormy had moved into first place.
“Here you go,” Mary Leah said, handing out burgers as Del passed around drinks.
“Thanks,” Coal said, placing the burger and drink next to her. Lucas was up next and she leaned forward in her seat as he backed his horse next to the chute. “Here we go,” she said as Lucas nodded his readiness to the cowboy working the chute.
The steer barreled out of the chute and Lucas’s horse exploded through the barrier in pursuit. Lucas launched his body after the fleeing animal and the force of his momentum and perfect timing drove the steer to the ground. Lucas jumped up and pumped his fist in the air realizing he made a great run. He looked up at the scoreboard to see his name flash into first place, bumping Stormy to second.
“Woohoo! Way to go Lucas,” Coal yelled and immediately regretted her actions. The flare of pain in her chin reminded her of her injury and she grabbed at her face.
“Are you all right?” Mary Leah asked when she saw her wincing in pain.
“Remind me to not holler,” she said with a grin. “It hurts like hell.”
“Better put that mouth to better use,” Mary Leah said with a smirk and handed Coal her burger.
Coal chewed on her burger until it was Gene’s turn for a run, then she wisely placed it in the seat beside her. “Come on, Gene, give it a go,” she said and crossed her fingers as he backed his horse beside the chute.
Gene nodded. The steer burst from the chute and immediately took a right turn, but Gene was prepared and launched himself at the steer. His improved strength allowed him to wrestle the steer to the ground easily. He bounced to his feet and looked up at the time, disappointed to see his was a tenth of a second behind Lucas’s, but still in second place. The right-hand turn by the steer had cost him additional time.
She watched as Gene jogged over to his horse and mounted, before riding to the end of the arena to exit. “Damn,” she said. “I’ll be right back.” She climbed from the stands to go in search of Gene.
Coal kept an eye on the arena for the last three contestants to compete as she made her way to the end of the arena. The next cowboy overshot the steer and ended up with a mouthful of dust. “That had to hurt,” she spoke aloud as she reached Gene and Lucas.
“Great run, boys,” she said. “Let’s hope they hold up.” She stood next to Gene and watched as the next steer took four strides from the chute and then reversed directions. Several seconds elapsed before the cowboy could turn him back into position, virtually eliminating him from the competition. “Only one more to go,” she said.
Gene dismounted and stood next to her as the cowboy backed next to the chute.
She reached down and held his hand as she held her breath. He squeezed back with his hand and she knew he was also holding his breath.
The steer blasted out of the chute and the cowboy took off in hot pursuit. He worked fast and had the steer on the ground extremely fast. He had the time to beat both Gene and Lucas until they looked back at the chute to see the cowboy was being assessed a time penalty for breaking the barrier prematurely.
When they saw the yellow flag flying, Coal grabbed Gene in a hug. “You two did it,” she said. “You took first and second.”
“Not bad for a day’s work,” Harley said as he slapped Lucas on the back, nearly sending him flying off his horse.
Gene looked up at Lucas and smiled. “We really did it.”
“Congratulations, boys,” Stormy said as she walked up to them.
“You had a great run too,” Gene said as he shook her hand.
Lucas finally dismounted and looked at her. “Are you competing in the bronco riding tomorrow?”
“Don’t you know it,” she said with a lopsided grin.
“Me too,” he said. “You’ll have another shot at an invite to Austin.”
She flashed him another grin. “I’ve already got an invite. I went to Amarillo a few weeks ago and placed second in both events, so I will see you there.”
“Awesome,” Gene said.
“The boss is taking us to dinner if you boys want to get your horses settled for the evening,” Harley said.
Gene and Lucas walked their horse to the trailer to remove and store their tack. “Good luck tomorrow, if I don’t see you in the morning,” she told Stormy.
“You too. I understand you and Gene are team roping,” she said.
“Yes, we are,” she answered with a grin.
“Have a great dinner and get some rest,” Stormy said then tipped her hat and walked away.
“Thanks, you too,” Coal answered and went in search of Mary Leah.
†
Mary Leah, Del, and Melissa were walking toward her as she turned around. “Who is that with Coal?” Del asked.
“Stormy Braxton, she rides for Big Bob,” Melissa said.
“Oh,” Del said.
“Hey, ladies,” Coal said as she met them. “The boys are getting their horses settled.”
“Do you all want to go get cleaned up before dinner or go ahead and eat and call it an early night?” Melissa asked.
“My vote is to eat,” Coal said. “I forgot the rest of my burger.”
“Yes, you did,” Mary Leah said with a scowl.
Coal did not miss the look Mary Leah shot her, but turned back to Melissa. “Are we presentable enough to go to dinner with you?”
“If you were covered in mud, I’d still be honored to go to dinner with you,” Melissa said, looping her arm through hers. They started to walk to the stables. “How are you feeling?”
“Sore, but good, and hungry too,” she answered.
“Well, let’s go get some grub,” Melissa said as they walked to the truck to wait on the others.
Del took Mary Leah’s arm and held her back. “I saw that look you gave Coal. Trust me when I say you have no need to be jealous. That woman is completely in love with you,” she told her friend.
Mary Leah smiled weakly at Del. “I know, but I wonder sometimes if I’m enough for her.”
“You and Coal are perfect together, so don’t let your imagined jealousy screw it up,” Del said. “Trust is a very important thing.”
“Yes, of course you’re right,” Mary Leah said.
They walked over to the group. “Hey, Coal, would you ride with me?” Del asked.
“Sure, Doc,” she said and walked with Del to her car.
When they fell into place behind Melissa, Del turned to Coal. “How are you feeling?”
“Sore and embarrassed as hell for losing control,” she answered.
“The wounds will heal, and we will get you back in control. My opinion, though, is the asshole got what he deserved for his behavior. A lot of people could have been injured.”
“Is that your personal opinion or a professional one?” Coal teased.
“Both,” Del said with a grin.
†
Coal pushed back her plate. “Those ribs were good, but they don’t hold a candle to yours, Harley.”
Harley smiled at her compliment. “Thanks, Coal, but you’re jaded.”
“Maybe so, but I’m not and I agree with her completely,” Del said.
“We will have to cook out again soon then, Doc,” he said.
“Count me in,” Del said with a grin.
“Will you be coming back tomorrow to watch?” Gene asked her.
“I’ve decided to stay over and booked a room at the hotel,” Del answered.
“Even better then,” Gene answered.
“Do you want to swap out and sleep at the hotel tonight and I’ll stay with the stock?” Lucas asked him.
Gene grinned at him. “No, I’m having way too much fun talking with the other riders.�
��
“Is there anyone in particular?” Coal asked.
“Maybe,” Gene said but didn’t elaborate.
“Well, don’t say I didn’t offer,” Lucas said.
“Oh, I won’t,” Gene said with a grin.
“Are you ladies ready to go?” Melissa asked after paying the bill.
“Yes, ma’am. I’m ready for a hot bath and a comfortable bed,” she said.
Chapter Seventeen
After soaking in the bathtub until her skin pruned, she climbed from the tub and dried before slipping into shorts and a tank top. “Can I get another Tylenol?”
“Is your head still hurting?”
“Yeah, but it’s a dull ache, nothing like before.”
Mary Leah walked to her purse and pulled out the pill bottle Cindy had given her at the hospital. She took out a pill and poured Coal a glass of water. “Here you go, sweetheart.”
“Thanks,” Coal said. She took the pill and downed it with a long drink of water. “Are you all right, love? You’ve been really quiet tonight.”
“Yes, I’m fine,” she said as she lay down on the bed. “I have to confess I had a moment of jealousy today when I saw you with Stormy, but Del’s threat to kick my ass brought me out of it.”
She climbed in beside her lover and chuckled. “There is no need to be jealous. I am completely in love with you.”
“That’s good to hear, but you have to admit she is handsome in a very androgynous sort of way.”
“If you say so, I wasn’t looking at her in that way. We were just talking about the competition and the Brewster brats, as she calls them.”
“She definitely nailed that one.” Mary Leah chuckled and Coal relaxed.
“Yes, she did. Now are you going to snuggle with me or not?” she teased.
“Of course I am, silly. Turn out the light,” Mary Leah answered.
†
After meeting for breakfast the following morning, the crew packed their bags and drove out to the rodeo grounds. The bronco riding was the first event scheduled, and it normally took several hours or longer to complete the two events, so Coal decided to check on Shadow while Melissa, Del, and Mary Leah took their seats in the stands.