Page 10 of Holden: Bucked By Love (Crawford Ridge Ranch #1)
"I don't know what's going on, but I do know it's got to be his fault.
He lives with his head shoved so far . .
. " He glances down at the kids, suddenly remembering they're listening with big, open ears and eyes.
He bites his lip and coughs, and even though it might be unfair, I adore that he immediately blamed Holden for the issues. "Where's he staying? "
I find it satisfying that he assumes Holden would be the one to leave the house. It makes me feel like he sees me as someone strong and able to stand up for herself.
Mason answers. "In the camper in the yard."
Walker cracks out a laugh. "Good. I hope the water is cold."
"It is." Josi nods, her eyes big. "He forgot to plug it in and he doesn't even have lights." At this Walker shoots a funny face at me that has my lips tugging up in a smile. Why do brothers so enjoy watching each other suffer? We look back to Josi when she adds, "I hope he moves back in by winter."
Walker tugs at her braid again and she giggles. "I hope so too, Jo-Jo." He looks to me and nods, sincere once more. "I hope so too."
We fall into silence as Holden wanders back to our side. He no longer looks amused and relaxed. His no-nonsense, hard-nosed persona is back in force and I want to shiver at the chill of it. I do not like this guy. He's got the same body as my husband, but the soul is missing. Body snatched.
"Ooooh." Walker makes a show of shivering and rubbing his arms. "A chilly breeze just blew in."
I tamp down on a laugh and Holden ignores the obvious jab.
"We're on the list. I'm first, then you." Holden states in the same tone he uses to hand out work assignments to the ranch crew.
I can't help but salute. "Yes, sir."
I'm not about to mention that Josi wanted me to go first. I see his brows drop under his hat at my response, but he doesn't say anything, and we all watch the next two riders in silence.
Awkward, regretful silence. This had potential to be an okay experience, but it feels like too big an ask for us to play family right now in the midst of everything falling apart .
"Where are all your friends?" Mason asks Walker while we're waiting, and I'm grateful for the interruption to my inner meltdown.
It's only then I notice that Walker is alone. Strange. He's never alone. Everyone loves the guy. I glance his way, curious too.
Walker shrugs. "I'm supposed to meet some people for burgers and pizza, but that can wait. This is so much better."
When Holden's name is called, Mason and Josi clap and cheer, and Walker gives a booming "yee haw" that has people turning to see what's happening here.
Holden takes off his hat and sets it on Mason's head, which has him smiling big.
Then, with a subtle nod at me, he marches in the direction of the entrance to the inflatable bull ring.
Everyone else has entered with a laugh and a smile. Holden enters like he's off to battle and he will conquer this challenge. Our Buck-It List was supposed to be fun, but we're both treating it like a to-do item that needs to be crossed off in big, black marker, never to be revisited again.
He's in great shape and jumps onto the bull's back with zero effort.
I don't hate the way his muscled thighs look in his jeans, or how his forearm flexes when he grabs the strap.
He gives a terse nod to the operator, and he's off.
The operator must have been real impressed – sarcasm – with Holden's warm demeanor when he signed us up, because he has that bull take off like we're at a Professional Bull Riders event and Holden drew the meanest guy around.
Holden manages to get into the groove of the ride.
His free arm goes back and forth for balance, his thighs gripping the bull and before I know it, he's smiling.
Without his hat on I can see it stretch across his face and lift his cheeks, making his eyes into the tear-drop shapes that call to me.
A few seconds in and he starts laughing.
It sounds familiar, but not, at the same time.
Like I'm hearing something I should know, but have forgotten.
His laugh grows as the clock ticks toward the minute mark, and the operator continues to do his best to treat Holden like a man who needs a beating.
Mason and Josi start to cheer and clap, and Walker joins in with a few whistles.
Soon we're all laughing, and when the timer hits fifty seconds, the operator gives it one heck of a jerk, and Holden flies off to the side, landing face up on the soft, air-filled material.
He's still smiling when he turns his head to look over at us.
He raises his two fists and lets out a whoop, and I swear my heart whoops with it.
It's so incredible to see flickers of him again.
He jumps to his feet and makes his way out of the arena, offering the operator a friendly handshake before coming to my side.
"Think you can beat that?" he asks me with a taunting grin.
"Please," I playfully retort. "Stand aside and watch."
My name is called, and I tug down the front of my red linen button-down shirt as I walk to the operator stand and then on into the arena.
I may not be used to mounting animals, but I do enough yoga and strength training that I have the muscle to get up onto the beast without embarrassing myself. Thankfully.
I glance over at my crew and see that Holden has his hat back on and is resting a hand on the shoulder of each kid while watching me. I can't really read his expression from here, but his body language tells me he's excited to see what happens.
I offer him another salute, and he shakes his head, which makes me laugh as the operator counts me down.
He definitely goes easier on me than he did on Holden, and I appreciate it even if it irks a little.
How am I supposed to win the competition if I get a gentler ride?
I manage to keep my seat, and I'm proud of myself, even shooting glances at Holden that let him know I think I'm pretty great.
But, as usual, my sudden cockiness comes back to bite me when I call out to the operator.
"Is that all you've got?"
No, he had more. But I did not, because the second he cranks it up, I lose my seat.
My shoulder gets jerked as I try to hold on to the strap and keep myself on the bull, but I finally realize I need to let go and I fly away.
I soar so far that I hit the inflatable wall with my face and slide down, ending up on my belly, with a face full of blown-up plastic.
My shoulder aches, but other than that I'm fine.
In fact, I start laughing and push myself up a bit so that I can take in air, when I'm startled by being suddenly lifted to my feet.
I scramble to adjust, and plant my hands against a firm chest. I look up into hazel eyes I've known forever, and the concerned expression of my husband.
"You okay?" he asks.
I nod with a giggle. "I suppose you're going to tell me I lost?"
He smiles. "Depends on what the competition was."
I step back out of his hold, not quite ready to be so close even if my body remembers this feeling. "What do you mean?"
He steps back too, his smile slipping a little, but his voice stays amused when he answers. "If the competition was for most humiliating dismount, you won."
I scoff and laugh, shaking my head and rolling my eyes. "And if the competition was cowboy with the biggest attitude problem, you won."
He nods and chuckles. "Guess we're both winners today, then."
He offers me his hand and I take it, but only because walking across this bouncy-house style floor is hard when you've just had your backside handed to you by a smirking bull-ride operator .
I let go of his hand as soon as we're back on solid ground, and the kids and Walker come hustling over.
The kids offer me hugs and Mason can't stop laughing at the memory of me flying through the air.
It's real heart-warming stuff, and I'm super grateful he was too entertained to ask Walker to take video.
"What's next on the list?" Josi asks, clapping her little hands.
"A nap for Mommy," I reply quickly. "And a doctor for Daddy. I think he hurt his pride, falling off like that."
I'm gratified to see Holden grin. "I think we'd better get Mama some ice cream. She deserves it after the whole town watched her face-plant."
Walker laughs and, as Holden takes off with the kids toward the food stand, he puts a light hand on my shoulder. "How do I get in on watching you two complete this bucket list?"
I shake my head. "I'm not sure we will."
"You will."
"Why do you say that?" I ask, watching my family turn the corner.
"Because, you two are the best parents I know, and your kids are loving this. You'll do it for them, if for no other reason." And then he drops this parting nugget. "Plus, the way Holden raced over to make sure you were okay? Yeah, it's happening."