by Nancy M Bell
Laurel shook her head. “Nope, we’ve got everything. I’m just worried about Coll and Chance riding together.” She twisted a loop of hair around her finger.
“Why are you worried about that? Your dad’s a good driver.”
“I’m not worried about Dad’s driving. It’s just Chance has been …I don’t know…weird lately. Sometimes he actually scares me,” she confessed.
“Laurel! Why on earth would you be scared of that boy? You’ve been friends since you were in diapers, for heaven’s sake.”
“I know, Mom. But ever since we got back from Cornwall, he’s been different.”
“Different how?” Anna slowed to negotiate the turn at Fort McLeod onto Highway Two.
“I don’t know exactly. It’s hard to explain. I catch him looking at me when he thinks I don’t see and his expression gives me the creeps. It’s how he looks at the roping horse Mr. Cullen bought him. Like he thinks he owns me or something.”
“I’m sure you’re just exaggerating, honey. It’s no secret that boy has it bad for you.”
“And Dad would like nothing better than for him and me to hook up.” She sighed. “I know, I just don’t feel like that about Chance.”
“Does he know that? Have you made it pretty clear? I would think after that episode after the school dance he should get the picture.” Anna prodded.
“I have. At least I think I have.”
“Well then, he’ll just have to accept your decision, won’t he?” Anna smiled at Laurel.
“What if he doesn’t? You know how stubborn Chance can be.”
“If he gives you any trouble again, you come to me. Clear?”
“Yes, Mom.”
“Now, aside from the fact you think Chance is acting odd, why are you worried about Coll riding with him and your dad?”
“No reason, I guess. It’s just he always tries to put Coll at a disadvantage and make him feel like he’s an outsider. Like he has no business even being near me or my friends. I’m worried he’ll pull some stupid stunt.”
“I’m sure he won’t do anything that would result in injury. And Dad’s with them, so try not to worry.”
Laurel stared out the window and chewed on her bottom lip. Dad might be there, but she knew very well where his loyalties lay, and they weren’t with Coll. Before many more minutes passed, she sat up straight when the RV pulled into the rodeo grounds. She waited while Anna found out where to park and once they were situated got busy helping with the slide and unrolling the shade canopy on the side of the vehicle. She waved when the familiar truck and trailer pulled into the grounds. Dad drove toward the stabling area and Laurel hurried to join them.
By the time the horses and equipment were unloaded and stowed away, Laurel was starving. She fell into step beside Coll and caught his hand in hers. He smiled at her but the worried furrow in his forehead returned as the smile faded. Exasperation tinged with anger gritted her teeth.
“How was the ride?” she asked trying for a light tone.
“It was…interesting,” Coll replied.
“Interesting, how?” Laurel stopped and turned to face him.
“It was nothing, Laurel. Let it be.”
“No. Tell me what happened,” she demanded.
“It was nothing, honest.”
“Coll, if you don’t tell me I’m going to go make Chance tell me what the hell he did or said to put that frown on your face.” She glared at him.
“Laurel just leave it. I said it was nothing.”
She let go of his hand, pivoted on her boot heel and strode toward where Chance was leaning on a stall door talking to his dad. He glanced up as she approached, the smile on his face fading as she got closer.
“Hey, Laurie,” he said. “What’s up?”
“Don’t you ‘hey Laurie’ me, Chance Cullen! What nonsense did you spew at Coll?”
“I didn’t say anything, Laurie? Why, what’s your friend been tellin’ you?” He glared over her head at Coll who silently joined the group.
“You accusing my boy of something?” Cory Cullen growled and took a step toward Coll.
“It’s not him, Mr. Cullen. It’s me and you’re darn straight I’m saying he was causing trouble.” Laurel wasn’t backing down.
“You should mind your tongue when you’re talking to your elders, missy,” Cory slapped a hand on his thigh for emphasis.
A shiver of unease rolled over her, and she turned her back on the older man and focused on Chance. “Well?”
“We were just funnin’, Laurie. You’re always saying I don’t treat your friend like one of the guys and then when I do, you get all crazy on me.”
“Laurel, I told you it was nothing. Let it be,” Coll spoke from behind her and took her arm, pulling her away from the two men.
Frustrated and knowing she was getting nowhere, Laurel glared at Chance once more before turning away. After a few paces she swung back and pointed a finger at the object of her ire. “It’s Laurel, not Laurie! Don’t ever call me Laurie.”
“Sure, Laurie. I mean Laurel.” Chance laughed, and his father slapped him on the shoulder.
“That’s my boy, don’t take no guff from the women, son.”
Laurel started to go after them, but Coll caught her by the wrist. “It’s not worth it, Laurel. Let it go.”
“Fine.” She heaved a sigh of frustration. “What was Dad doing while Chance was just funnin’ with you?”
Coll shrugged. He didn’t say much. I mean there wasn’t much he could say. It was all kinda harmless but there was a thread of meanness underlying everything. He was warning me to stay away from you, like you belonged to him or something.”
“Stupid idiot, jackass…” she trailed off for lack of words. “Just because we’ve been friends forever and his dad put the idea in his head he’d like it if we got married so the two properties could merge…”
“And your dad thought that might be a good idea too?” Coll finished.
“I think he did at first, but I know Mom’s talked to him about pushing me at someone I’m not interested in. I think he’d like the idea, but only if it’s what I want too.”
“What do you want, Laurel?” Coll started walking again.
“Right now, I want you.” Laurel took his hand and fell into step with him. “You and me, together. That’s what I want.”
“What about when I go back home, though? You’ll be here, and I’ll be way over there…”
“And Chance will be here? Is that what you’re worried about? I love him like a brother, nothing else. He’s just gonna have to figure that out. Him and his dad.”
“Laurel!” Carly came around the side of the RV. “Where’ve you been? Your mom’s looking for you. Hey, Coll,” she added joining them.
“Arguing with your stupid brother,” Laurel growled.
“No doubt.” Carly shook her head. “Sorry, I couldn’t ride with you guys this morning.”
“What happened? Did your dad leave a horse behind to make room for yours?” Laurel asked.
“He just crammed her in. I’m not too happy about it, I can tell you. But she seems to be okay.”
“How come Chance needed a ride then?”
Carly sighed and refused to meet Laurel’s gaze.
“Carly?”
Coll let go of Laurel’s hand. “I’m gonna go help your dad at the stables. See you in a bit.” He loped off back toward the barns.
“Carly?” Laurel persisted.
“I might as well tell you, you’ll figure it out anyway. Him and Dad came up with the idea. The plan was for you and Chance to ride with your dad, give him some time alone with you. I’m sorry, Laurel. I don’t know what’s the matter with him anymore. He’s like obsessed with you or something.”
“I might have known it was something like that. I don’t know what else I can do to make him see that I’m not interested in him that way. You got any ideas, Carly?”
Her friend shook her head. Laurel decided to let the subject drop and spent the
rest of the afternoon helping her mom and schooling her horse with Carly. The rodeo started at five and she hunted down Coll beforehand. Together, along with Carly, they found places along the rail to watch the action. Chance was competing in the novice saddle bronc. He came by on the way to the chutes and hooked a hand in the back of Laurel’s jeans and pulled her off the rail into his arms. Before she could react, he kissed her hard and fast and set her back on the fence.
“For luck,” he said hurrying off grinning.
“For God’s sake!” Laurel rubbed her hand over her mouth and turned to Carly. “He’s been drinking, I can still taste it.” She scrubbed at her face again.
“I’m sorry, Laurel,” Carly muttered.
“It’s not your fault,” Laurel said patting her friend’s hand. “I’m gonna have to get Mom to have a few words with Dad. He’ll straighten that idiot out.”
Coll shifted on the fence beside her. “Do you want me to speak to him?” His fists were clenched on his thighs.
“Let me handle it, please?” Laurel leaned into him. “I don’t want you getting into any trouble with the cops. Mr. Cullen wouldn’t hesitate to call in the law if you and Chance had a tilt.”
“I don’t like it, Laurel. He reminds me of Gort’s uncle, he has the same look in his eye.”
“Forget him, let’s watch the rodeo, okay?”
“Sure,” Coll mumbled, but he didn’t look very happy.
Carly gripped Laurel’s hand hard when Chance took his place at the chute. The bay bronc rolled its eyes and battered against the side of the chute making the metal ring. Mr. Cullen and Laurel’s dad were with him, setting the saddle in place and fishing the cinch up and tightening it. The bald-faced bay reared up, front hooves striking over the front of the chute.
“Oh God,” Carly moaned. “It never bothers me unless it’s Chance’s ride.”
“He’ll be fine. He always is, you know that.”
“That horse seems a bit rough,” Coll said his eyes glued to the chutes. “Blokes do this because they like it?”
“More like they love it,” Carly said. “They get addicted to the adrenaline rush and the chance to prove how tough they are. I don’t know, maybe they all have a death wish or something.”
“You think he’s trying to prove something to your dad? Like he’s as tough a cowboy as your dad was in his day?” Laurel frowned at her friend.
“Maybe. Dad tells that story about him breaking a leg coming off a bull and walking out of the arena on it every chance he gets. Especially when he’s been drinking.”
“Look! He’s ready I think.” Coll pulled their attention back to the arena.
Chance was straddling the chute over the big bay who stood head high, nostrils wide, below him. Laurel held her breath with Carly while Chance lowered himself onto the heaving horse. He measured the head rope and took a good grip before jamming his hat down lower on his head.
“Oh God!” Carly whispered when her brother nodded to the chute boss and the gate clanged open.
Instead of leaping into the arena, the bay reared back and almost tipped over. The men in the chutes yelled and waved hats at the beast who dropped back to all fours and shook his head. Chance remained leaned back and braced with his spurs up at the horse’s shoulders ready to spur him out. In a blink the bronc exploded out of the chute, head down and grunting with each jump. He sunfished and switched ends with Chance grimly hanging on and trying to get his spur stroke in rhythm with the horse’s leaps. He managed to stick until the buzzer and reached for the pickup man who came up beside him. The big bronc had one last move and slammed his head back when the cowboy leaned forward to grab the back of the pickup man’s saddle.
Chance slithered down the far side of the pickup horse and stomped toward the chutes, blood staining his shirt from a split lip and bashed nose.
“He should get a re-ride,” Carly said. “I hope he doesn’t take it. Look at his face!”
“He gets what?” Coll leaned across Laurel to speak to Carly.
“A re-ride. Another horse.”
“How come?” He scratched his head.
“You explain. I’m gonna go see how Chance is.” Carly slid off the rail and headed for the chutes.
Coll slid closer to Laurel and hooked an arm around her waist.
“The horse didn’t leave the chute when it should have, and it didn’t buck well. He won’t get a good score because the livestock didn’t perform. The score they give is fifty percent the cowboy and fifty percent the animal. If the animal doesn’t perform the cowboy doesn’t have a fair chance to show his skills. The committee can award a re-ride if they think it is warranted. I think Carly’s right, they’ll give him a re-ride.”
While they talked another cowboy got tossed into the dirt and limped back to the chutes slapping his hat on his chaps. At the end of the go Chance and another rider were awarded re-rides. This time the paint horse he drew blew out of the chutes and bucked hard. Chance stuck him for seven seconds and came adrift, hitting the ground just before the buzzer sounded.
“Oh Lord, he won’t be happy about that,” Laurel remarked. “Let’s steer clear of him until he cools off.”
“Works for me,” Coll agreed.
Laurel caught his hand. “Come on. Mom will have BBQ ready. We have time to eat before the chucks at seven.”
“I’ve never seen chuckwagon racing. Not even on the telly. We sometimes get bull riding, but it’s nothing like seeing it in person.”
“They call the chucks the Half a Mile of Hell. The big show is at Calgary in July, but the same drivers and rigs compete all year. You get to see them up close here and at the smaller events. There’s big money on the line at Calgary and the drivers have to qualify to compete at the Stampede. It’s a lot of fun and super exciting.”
“Can’t wait.” Coll swung her hand in his and when they passed behind a building away from the crowd he leaned down and kissed her.
* * *
Laurel paused in helping her mom clean up after supper at the sound of raised voices coming from the Cullen camp next door. Dishcloth still in hand, she peered under the gooseneck of her trailer. Chance stood backed up against the truck rear fender his face carefully devoid of emotion. Mr. Cullen gripped his son by the shoulder and loudly reviewed the bronc ride. Laurel winced in sympathy as the man’s voice rose and fell in a litany of Chance’s faults. Apparently finished with his tirade, Cory Cullen shoved his son hard against the truck before striding away, pausing to shoot a stream of tobacco juice into the grass. Laurel ducked out of sight before Chance could catch sight of her. Chance pushed his hat back on his forehead and scrubbed his hands over his face. Setting his hat firmly on his head, he rubbed his shoulder before moving off toward the barns.
“Who are you spying on?”
Her mom’s voice startled Laurel so she dropped the dishcloth. Stooping to retrieve it gave her a moment to marshal her thoughts.
“Chance and his dad.” She paused and looked up. “Mom, what’s wrong with Mr. Cullen lately? It seems like he’s mad all the time and he just chewed Chance a new one for not making his ride in the saddle broncs. I mean he came off, so did some of the other guys.”
Anna slid her arm around her daughter’s shoulders and gave her a quick squeeze. “I’m not sure exactly. I think things are bit tight at the Cullen place this year, but that’s no excuse for the way he’s been behaving. I know your dad is worried about him.”
“Carly is acting funny too. Like she’s afraid to say something wrong and she’s nervous all the time when her dad’s around. I don’t like it, but she says everything is okay.”
“I’m sure she’ll tell you about whatever is bothering her when she’s ready. Now come on, lets go find the men and get a good spot for the chucks.”
Laurel walked beside her mom toward the track, the evening sun sending slanting rays of gold and pale orange across the prairie. She tipped her head back to watch a hawk spiral in the immense blue sky. Coll came up beside her as they neared
the grandstand and caught her hand in his.
“Having a good time?” She smiled up at him.
“It’s brill, Laurel. Your dad let me tag along and I met a bunch of real cowboys…I mean not that your dad isn’t a real cowboy…” His face flushed red as he trailed off.
“I knew what you meant.” She laughed. “Think you’re ready to get on a bull?”
Coll stopped dead and stared at her. “Have you gone Bodmin? You couldn’t get me within a mile of one of those things!”
“I was only kidding, idiot. Even if you wanted to, Dad would never let you near one. Your grandmother would kill us if anything happened to you.”
“There’s your dad, he’s got seats for all of us. I think Carly’s with him.” Coll pulled her toward the spot on the bleachers where her mom had already joined her husband.
Laurel and Coll climbed up beside Carly. “Where’s Chance? I heard your dad yelling at him earlier.” She glanced at her friend.
Carly shrugged. “I don’t know. Probably with some of the boys. Mom and Dad were really going at it when I left the trailer. He says she babies Chance and she says he’s too hard on him. I couldn’t stand it anymore.” She looked down at her hands twisted in her lap.
“Do they fight a lot?” Laurel put her arm around her friend.
Carly nodded and bit her bottom lip to stop it trembling. “That’s all they do lately. I just try to keep out of the way.” She looked up. “I know Chance has been acting weird, but it’s harder on him. Dad expects so much from him and he tries so hard, but nobody’s perfect and it just seems like there’s nothing he can do that is right.”
“I’m sorry, Carly. If I can do anything to help...”
“Thanks, but there’s really nothing anybody can do. Maybe things will get better once…” She broke off and Laurel waited for her to continue. Instead Carly changed the subject.
“Look! Here come the wagons for the first heat!”
Four wagons with tarps rippling in the breeze created by the teams of four thoroughbreds pulling them rattled onto the track. Each outfit accompanied by two outriders. One to throw the barrel that represented the old cook stove which each chuckwagon would have been supplied with in the days of cattle drives, and one to hold the heads of the lead teams.