Page 39 of Cowboy Seeks Husband

Walker located another catfish hole less than five minutes later. “I’m pretty sure there’s one in here. Nothing else. Hopefully…” He grinned, and Roan rolled his eyes. “Just plunge your arm in and wiggle your fingers. The catfish will attack and bite, then feel around fast for his gills to hook your fingers into and yank. I’m right behind you, and I won’t let you be dragged under.”

Roan nodded and took a couple of deep breaths. He flexed the fingers of his right hand. “Here goes nothing,” he muttered, and plunged his hand into the darkness. “Oh jeez, oh jeez, oh jeez, I feel something, oh my GOD!” Something slimy wrapped around his hand, and his first instinct was to yank his hand away, but Walker was shouting encouragement behind him and more shouts came from the river bank.

John better be filming this shit because his mom would never believe him. He gritted his teeth, oh hell, and hooked his fingers around a small opening he found, and yanked.

The catfish yanked back, and he felt something scrape his hand. Before he could even open his mouth to shout for help, Walker was already there, arms around Roan’s waist. “Did you get it?”

“It’s huge! I can’t get it out.” The mud was fighting him too, sucking harder the more he pulled.

“Don’t let go,” Walker said, “I’ve got you. Jesus, what—John, get in here!”

Roan didn’t look up to see what was going on, but he heard John say something to the sound guy and then a splash.

“Make sure he doesn’t go under,” Walker said, then his touch was gone. Roan’s muscles screamed in protest as he strained. “Rock with it a little bit. Give and take. I’ll help.”

Roan gasped when Walker disappeared under the water completely. He rocked with the movement of the fish, which was gnawing at his fingers. He startled when something else touched his leg, until he realized it was Walker. The fish continued to struggle and then suddenly it gave way.

He stumbled back, and Walker resurfaced with a gasp. He shook his head so a large arc of water sprayed through the air, and he was swearing loudly. John yelled something at the crew, but Roan didn’t hear him. Because right there in his arms was the biggest fish he’d ever seen.