Page 28 of Headstrong Cowboy (Montana’s Rodeo Cowboys #2)

T his was it. The moment she’d been working on for the last few weeks. The moment that would define what was going to happen to her and her family for the next few months.

Chrissy adjusted her seat on her horse, Ranger prancing a little beneath her. “Easy, boy. I know you want to get out there, but we’ve got two more riders before we’re up.”

As she’d finished first the previous day, she was the last rider. So far, the times she’d been hearing had been really impressive and were going to be tough to beat, but she had confidence in Ranger and herself that she was going to take it all.

The only dark cloud that hung around her, a cloud she’d determinedly pushed away, was that Ryder wasn’t around. He hadn’t answered her texts and, while it upset her, she was also grateful because she was a little embarrassed that she’d blurted out her family’s financial woes to him.

The second to last competitor’s name was called, and she raced off down the laneway.

Nerves jumped around in Chrissy’s belly as if she were on a trampoline.

She leaned forward and whispered in Ranger’s ear.

“Whatever happens, you’re the best horse I’ve ever ridden and if I could afford you, I’d buy you and ride you every day. ”

Ranger snorted as if he liked that idea a lot, and she chuckled. That was a pipe dream and one she could think about after she got through the next couple of minutes.

The other competitor came back toward her and Chrissy grimaced as she heard the time she’d achieved—15.510. It was better than the time Chrissy had done yesterday. She and Ranger would have to pull out a miracle, but confidence grew within her.

I can do this. I am a good rider. I am going to win.

Chrissy patted the pocket where she’d stashed Tilly’s gifted earrings again and gave Ranger the signal to go.

Nothing else registered. Nothing mattered, except her and her horse and the circuit they were barreling around. And like the previous day, once she was in the zone, nothing penetrated it.

With one last kick of her ankles, she spurred Ranger toward the exit of the arena, her heart pounding and blood roaring in her ears.

This time, the announcement of her score didn’t register.

She didn’t hear it. She had no idea what she’d done until she saw one of the marshals come up to her, clapping.

Her silent bubble fell away and the sounds and smells of the rodeo filled her senses, along with her ragged breathing.

“That was one of the best rides I’ve ever seen. Congratulations on your win.”

It took a second for his words to sink in, but when they did, she sought clarification. “I won? What was my time?”

He laughed, as if this wasn’t the first time someone hadn’t absorbed their achievements. “You scored a 15.400. I swear I’ve never seen a rider and horse so in sync with each other until right now. Congratulations, Chrissy. You’ve done Marietta proud.”

He sauntered off, and she sat on the top of her horse in the middle of the laneway. “I won!” she whispered incredulously.

She’d done it!

The prize winnings weren’t large, but every bit helped, and now that the rodeo was over, she was going to do whatever it took to get the farm back into a more profitable position.

As tempting as it could be to follow the circuit to try to get some more winnings, she wasn’t going to leave her family in the lurch again.

She slid down off Ranger and hugged him tight. “Well done, boy. Well done. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

Chrissy was quickly surrounded by her fellow competitors, all giving her hugs.

Whitney, the rider who’d come second, smiled at her. “That was one hell of a ride. Why aren’t y’all on the circuit? You would be winning everything. Which I don’t know why I’m saying that because that means you’d be beating me,” she finished with a laugh.

“Thank you. And a long time ago, I thought I might join the circuit. But life happened and here I am. As much as I loved this, I don’t think I’m ready to hit the road and do it on a permanent basis.”

“If you ever change your mind, let me know.” Whitney gave her a wave and walked away to catch up with some of the other girls.

“Let’s get you sorted, huh?” Chrissy stroked Ranger’s long nose. “You’re going to get all the treats.”

She took a couple of steps when she heard her name being called. She had two seconds to brace herself before Tilly crashed into her like she had the previous day.

“You. Were. Unbelievable. Chrissy, so fantastic. I held my breath because you and Ranger got so low, I thought for sure you were both going to slide to the ground,” Tilly gushed.

“Thanks, Til. It’s all a blur again for me. In the past, I could always remember each run, but these last two... I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to remember them.”

“I’m so proud of you, Chrysanthemum. Your dad would’ve been too.” Her mom came up and gave her a more sedate hug than Tilly’s. Tears shone in her eyes.

“Thanks, Mom. We’ve got a lot to talk about, but that’s tomorrow’s job.

” She didn’t want to say any more, but her mom got the message, because she gave a tight nod, the spark in her eyes dimming a little before she straightened up.

“Yes, it is. I’m just going to sit over there?

” She pointed to a row of seats that were used for the competitors while they waited for their event.

In the background, Chrissy heard the buzzer sound and the crowd roar. Someone had nailed their bull ride, which made her think of Ryder. Had he come, after all? She looked around, but couldn’t see him.

“He’s not here, sis,” Sunny commented as she wrapped her arms around Chrissy and gave her a tight hug, as if she knew that her sister was disappointed that Ryder was a no-show.

“I’m sure he’s not too far away,” Sunny whispered.

“Like Til said, you were amazing. I’m so proud to be your sister. Thank you.”

Tears blossomed in Chrissy’s eyes. Sunny knew exactly how important the win was and why. “I love you, Sunny. And everything will be okay.”

They broke apart, both of them sniffing and wiping at their eyes. “If it’s not, we’ll be okay.”

“Yep.”

“I’ll let you go. I know you’ll have the presentations soon.”

“Oh my God, I forgot about that. You’re right.” Chrissy laughed. It had been so long that the ceremony for all the winners slipped her mind.

Would Ryder surprise her and turn up for it? Or would she have to chase him down at his hotel room and tell him that she’d won?

*

Chrissy tucked the winner’s check into her bag and hooked it over her shoulder. She’d said her goodbyes to Ranger, as Riley was taking him back to her ranch, with promises that she’d come see him soon. Riley had laughed and said she was welcome anytime.

Now she was going to meet up with her sisters and Mom and, together, they were going to head over to the party at Three Tree Ranch. Every year, the Ballantynes hosted everyone as a nice way to end the rodeo. Maybe Ryder would be there and she’d be able to see him then.

Her sister and Mom were all standing with a woman. She had her back to Chrissy, so she didn’t who she was, but by the look on Sunny’s face, she wasn’t happy that they were all chatting.

“Here she is, my champion daughter.” Her mom’s voice rung with praise and Chrissy smiled.

“Hey, thanks, Mom.”

“Chrissy, this is Lucinda. She’s a Realtor,” her mom said.

The smile on Chrissy’s face wilted. Now she knew why Sunny looked tense. This had to be the agent that was hoping to sell the farm. Had mom signed the listing agreement Sunny had seen? Or was it still unsigned and Mom was telling her the potential sale was off?

“Hi, Chrissy. That was a fantastic ride. Congratulations.”

“Thanks.” An awkward silence fell around the group, and Chrissy tried to catch her mom’s eye. But she was looking everywhere else but at her oldest daughter.

The happiness and high from winning was fading quickly as reality sunk in. Mom had signed the papers. She was too late. The money she’d won, while a nice windfall for her, was useless now when it came to the farm.

“Oh! Ryder! This is a nice surprise,” Lucinda exclaimed, and Chrissy whirled around to see Ryder a few feet from them, a look of shock and despair on his face. His attention was locked on Lucinda.

Chrissy looked back at the agent, her excitement at seeing Ryder plain to see.

What was going on here? Had Lucinda and Ryder dated in the past? Or maybe they’d had a one-night stand. She knew that there was plenty of that going on at rodeos. She’d never partaken in one because of Beau, but there had always been gossip around when she’d been competing before her marriage.

Wait! Ryder wants to buy some land.

The conversation she and Sunny had had a while ago hit her again.

You don’t think he wants to buy the farm? She’d fobbed Sunny’s question off, not allowing the idea to take root in her mind. But now, what if she was right?

Oh no. No! No! No! He wouldn’t do that to me, would he?

Chrissy closed the gap between her and Ryder. “Please tell me what I’m thinking isn’t right? That all of this hasn’t been a game to you. That you weren’t using me.”

“I’m sorry, Chrissy. I can explain everything. Please let me do that.” He reached out a hand toward her, but she stepped back.

Chrissy didn’t want to hear anything else. She didn’t need to. She’d gotten the message loud and clear. Ryder wanted their farm.

“I-I...” She swallowed, attempting to keep the sob threatening to erupt from her down. “I have to go.”

She rushed past Ryder, ignoring the calls of her mom and siblings. Before she turned the corner, she looked over her shoulder. Ryder stood with his shoulders slumped and his head down.

Chrissy cupped a hand over her mouth and all but ran out of the arena. She’d given her heart to another man and he’d used her in a way she hadn’t been used before. Her inexperience in reading men had been her downfall.

As the distance between her and the arena grew, Chrissy tried to let go of the dream of her and Ryder together, but it stuck to her heels like a clinging vine, ever hopeful that the outcome could be different.

Was anything she and Ryder had shared real? Or had it all been a lie?