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“Did you ever…?”

“Barf before I rode? Yep ’Course, I always toldbad I ate or drank and definitely not from bein’ scared shitless”

That earned Chase a wan smile

“It’s normal In fact, I’d think you were abnor in your boots”

“Yeah?”

“Uh-huh But the trick is to use that fear and control it, not let it control you Make sense?”

Ryan nodded

“What nuht?”

“Fourteen”

“I’m ridin’ sixteen If you want, I can help pull your rope”

“You’d do that?” Ryan asked with total surprise

“Ain’t like we’re coainst each other We’re tryin’ to best a bull, and in uess”

Chase nudged him with his shoulder, or tried to, but the kid was a solid six inches taller than hiet ready to ride us so ended Most co to lend a hand to whoever needed it Chase watched as three of the first eight riders covered their bull Then threehis hand in position and a wrap An older guy stayed to help and released his hold on Ryan’s vest when the kid nodded his hatted head

The gate opened and they were off First thing Chase noticed: Ryan wasn’t spurringhis upper body movements to every jerk and twist When the buzzer sounded, Chase whooped and hollered with the rest of the riders

The score booht for the PRCA debut of this Nebraska cowboy?”

Not a bad score for a rookie Not bad at all

Chase wandered down to his chute and perforear Funny thing was, for asthe training with Cash, he’d gotten used to it

“Here Lemme hold it for you,” Ryan said Once he was set, Chase slipped in the h his final mental checklist