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“Colby knows rodeo stock?”
Gemma nodded “Cash and Colby competed on the same PRCA circuit for years They quit around the same time, but the love of rodeo never really left the bulls for a couple years We’re doing things pretty unconventionally regarding stock trials Seen Chase needed help with his ridin’ the same time Cash and Colby needed an experienced rider to test new bulls”
Male shouts cohter,” Geht until he settles down But he could be too tired to buck and they won’t have an accurate idea of his bucking ability After Chase rides him today, they’ll probably need a re-ride tohter is an extra danger to the rider A lot of injuries happen before the gate opens”
“Does that thing he’s wearing, a modified catcher’s mask, prevent that?”
“Not all riders wear those protective helmets, but Cash makes the steel and ht now?”
“God no They’re waitin’ to see if the bull cal this on tape”
Eventually the huge bull, an ugly two-toned yellohite with splotches of brown, calain, Chase didn’t reach the eight-second mark before his ass met the dirt A less forceful buck off than the last one, but the pohen his body iround had to rattle his bones and jostle his brain
The idea of Chase constantly being subjected to skull fractures from a horn or a hoof to the head made bile rise in her throat She bent down and retrieved the water bottle fro the lukewarm liquid slowly, half-afraid she’d toss her cookies, half-tempted to force herself to hurl so she had a valid excuse to leave
Suck it up You willingly signed on for this and you can’t quit the first day
Ella tugged on her pant leg “Miss Ava? Will you play with the kitties with ht now
Gemma squeezed Ella’s shoulders “Maybe later, sweets Ava is taping Chase’s rides so he can watch ’eht”
“’Kay” Ella raced to the old barn
“How coo somewhere but I can’t?” Ryder complained
“Because she could care less about the bulls You, my curious son, would be back there pullin’ Chase’s bull rope if you had the chance Here we go”
Ava resituated the caate opened, the bull shot out like a rocket, zigging and zagging Halfway across the arena, Chase bailed off, slipping sideways and landing on his hands and knees Even from this distance she could see the hard set to his jaw, the stiff angle to his shoulders He yelled, “Set ’e one this time”
Gemma said, “You know, it’d help if we recorded the buck-off ti”
Bull number five leapt out of the chute like a two thousand pound ballet dancer and Chase went flying like a trapeze artist from Cirque du Soleil He rolled to his feet after he landed on his shoulder Dust followed behind hipen from Peanuts as he moseyed to the fence Ava snickered, until she zoomed in on Chase’s pained face He was hurt But that wouldn’t stop hiet on today?