Honoring Freedom (Cowboys of Sagebrush Rose #3)

Chapter One

“Still breaking hearts and bulls, huh, cowboy?”

LB Ryder flicked his eyes open and stared at the tent wall. He’d fallen asleep on the bed in the sickbay at the arena after a game of Cowboy Poker. The aches and pains, and the tweaking of an old back injury, were worth being the last cowboy sitting at the table. He took home the gold, and honor, of winning the final event at the annual Wildflower Rodeo Olympics.

Hell, the ass whoopin’ he got from the bull was worth watching Cruise Thorn lose. The son-of-a-gun had taken home the win three years in a row and thought the bull would be a Duck Spinner. Bad mistake. The meanest bull in the lot was drawn.

“Lookin’ good,” came the soft female voice again as the sheet over his backside lifted.

“Hey? Do I know you?” He was slowly coming more awake and aware that something wasn’t right. “I’m waiting for sports med.” The lady working the desk at the front of the tent told him a fellow would be examining him when the other cowboys, who got it worse, were finished.

Holding onto the ice bag against his temple, he lifted his head to get a look at who was in the room and caught a glimpse of dark hair.

“I am sports med. I’m helping Drew because it looks like the bull was the only thing that walked away from that event with his pride intact.” He caught the sarcasm in her tone.

Something about her voice sounded vaguely familiar. He started to sit up, but her fingers dug into the sore muscles of his back, causing him to grunt in pain. Damn, he didn’t realize how badly he’d hurt himself. He clenched his teeth as the pain radiated down into his legs.

He was getting too old for the rodeo.

“Does this hurt?” She moved her kneading to another part of his back.

“Not as much as the other side.” He relaxed.

“Congratulations on winning, by the way.” She buried her knuckles into the muscles on either side of his spine and he felt an instant release. He’d expected to get a bandage and a shot of cortisone, not a massage, but he wasn’t complaining.

“Thanks.”

“This is definitely an event aimed at cowboys who have more brawn than brains.”

LB squinted at the remark. “You don’t like charity events, or just cowboys in general?”

“I wouldn’t call four men sitting around a table, playing poker, in the middle of an arena with an angry bull stalking around them being very smart. I could think of a hundred other ways to contribute.”

He laughed. “And miss the friendly competition? What fun would that be?” The competition was anything but friendly. Cowboys took the annual event seriously.

He’d participated in every event from roping cattle, riding broncos, barrel racing, hot pepper eating contest, even a chili cook off, and a line dance competition. The Wildflower Rodeo was a veritable cowboy triathlon, some events tested a cowboy’s endurance, and some were included to make spectators laugh. All proceeds were donated to the charity of choice. Through most of the events, LB and the eldest Thorn brother had been neck and neck in points, but the Cowboy Poker pushed LB ahead because Thorn was sent packing by the bull.

Her fingers were now on his shoulders. “You’re a bit tense.”

“Yeah, it’s been a bit of a tiring two days.”

“You unfortunate thing. I’m sure it has been. I can give you a shot for inflammation and another for pain. You don’t mind needles, do you?”

He sensed animosity in the woman’s words. Angry women and syringes never mixed well in his experience. “A couple of pain pills, some rest, and I’ll be good as new come tomorrow.”

“Then let me see if I can work the tension out of these muscles. We wouldn’t want our star cowboy hurting, now, would we?”

LB opened his mouth to respond, maybe even suggest he didn’t need her services, but she dug her fingers into his shoulders. Even though her bedside manner left a lot to be desired, he enjoyed the brutal massage. Most therapists were too gentle.

He eased his body into the bed. “You have a magical touch.”

A gasp fell off her lips and her hands paused. “Are you flirting with me?”

What the hell? “No, I was only complimenting your skills.” Curiosity rose in him. His instincts were going off like fire-alarms. “Did my brothers put you up to this?”

“Did your brothers also convince that bull to toss you over the rail?” Her voice reeked of cynicism.

LB had patience. Growing up with a house full of brothers, he’d built a wall of strength. Over the years, Bend, Rip, Dean, Raven, and Whiskey had all loved a good joke and any and every opportunity required a prank. LB could see any one of them sending in some random woman to give him a tough time. Hell, he might even have found this funny if he wasn’t banged up by a pissed off bull.

The sheet was pulled away and cooler air swept over his bottom. Now he wished he’d kept his jeans on and dealt with the cut on his butt cheek himself. “Did you say Drew was around?” LB would rather stick with someone he knew.

“He’s somewhere around here, I’m sure.”

He started to push up from the bed, but she pressed her fingers into his glutes, pushing him back down onto the hard bed. She did seem deceptively strong.

Now this was something new.

“About flirting, it’s okay if you can’t control yourself. I know how to manage men who get carried away. You wouldn’t be the first I’ve had to teach a lesson,” she said close to his ear.

LB swallowed hard. He’d never, in all his thirty-one years, taken advantage of a woman. His Pa would tar and feather any of his sons that would dare step a toe out of line with a female. They were taught respect and manners. “I’m feeling much better now. Thank you, but I’ll be heading on my way now.”

“Was it something I said?” she said in a sweet, innocent voice.

“Yeah, I believe it was.”

“Well, please accept my apology. I’m a bit new to this. Will you give me one more itty-bitty try?”

Reluctantly, he nodded. “Sure. It would be best if we don’t talk.”

“My lips are sealed,” she said perkily.

He heard the rustling of paper then she practically smacked a bandage on the cut. At least he didn’t need stitches.

Then her fingers were on the backs of his thighs, kneading the tight muscles. God help him, he couldn’t quite remember the last time he’d received a massage that was both blissful and torture all at the same time. He didn’t know whether to relax or anticipate the next time she’d find a pressure point and cause him bittersweet agony. LB decided to lay his head down and close his eyes. She knew better than he did what he needed for his injury.

“So, Cowboy,” she purred. “What made you decide to participate in the Wildflower Rodeo Olympics? I haven’t seen you around in a few years.”

He thought they weren’t supposed to talk.

“Two things. Helping my charity and taking home the title of best cowboy,” he mumbled against the sheet he had his face buried against. He’d leave out the small detail that he enjoyed beating Thorn at something the man had always been good at.

“I’d say it’s pretty lucky that you took first place. If my mind doesn’t fail me, I remember that other fellow, Cruise Thorn, almost winning.” He could hear a lid being opened, a squirting sound then the wet slapping of her hands.

LB stiffened some, couldn’t help himself. “Winning has nothing to do with luck. You’re either skilled, or you’re not.” He wouldn’t say he knew from the beginning that he had the win in the bucket, but he’d kept his nose to the grindstone and stayed focused. From the get-go, all bets were on Thorn. He and his family were well-known in Wildflower Ridge as billionaire superstars.

“Are you saying that Cruise isn’t skilled? He has an entire row of accolades that say otherwise.”

Why were they talking? LB stared at a spot of dirt on the wall. “I didn’t say Thorn wasn’t skilled. I’m only stating facts. Thorn’s not as tight in the saddle as he was last year, or the year before. His grip is loose and he’s keeping his back too straight. I’d take a gander that it has something to do with the bad fall he took off a bronco last year. A near death experience can cause any man to fear the beast.”

Her fingers rested against his calf. “Did you sign up because you saw his weakness? Thought you could take him down?” She moved back to his stiff shoulders, rubbing them gently which was quite contrary to how she’d been running the show up until then.

He lifted to his elbows. “I’m not a man who preys upon another man’s weakness to win. Now, if the tables were turned, any one of the Thorns would pounce on an opportunity. They’re all opportunists.” He couldn’t hide his distaste for the pretentious family that walked around like they owned Montana. Since he could remember the Ryders and the Thorns had been feuding for one damn reason or another. Their ranches were separated by Wild Weathers Ranch, Wildflower Creek, and the county lines, and still too close. Sure, LB taking home the Wildflower Rodeo Olympics win might make them angry, but he hoped they weren’t sore losers. And if they were, too bad.

She pounded her fists into his back, moving slowly downward to his waist. Now she was using him as a punching bag, and weirdly it felt damn good. “It’s well known all over Second Chance and Wildflower Ridge that the Ryders and Thorns have never gotten along. I’m sure they have a lot to say about you and your brothers too. The Thorns are good people. I’ve known them for years.”

He narrowed his gaze. “Are you a representative for the family?”

“Of course not. I’m only saying that as a …” there was a short pause, “sports meds therapist, I hear a lot of talk. Rumors really. There’s just something about rubbing a man that makes him divulge his soul.”

He could hear the smile in her voice.

It’d take more than a massage for him to bare his soul.

“Rumors? Are you hinting around that you’ve heard something about me?” Now why did he go and ask a question when he couldn’t care less about the answer? He’d never put much stock in what others said or had to think. Yet, a small part of him was curious if the Thorns had been yapping their mouths. Cruise especially. LB had noticed the oldest Thorn had been sniffing around the Shaw Farm, and a few other properties, in Second Chance, which seemed a bit odd. The Thorns lived in Wildflower Ridge so what business did any of them have in the Ryders’ neck of the woods?

“I don’t listen to such gossip. Yet, sometimes, I can’t help but partake in some innocent tongue wagging. I did hear through the grapevine that you and Ashley Rae, that little blonde with blue eyes, were swapping spit. Now, I’m not one to make assumptions, but wasn’t she seeing Cruise?” she said in a saucy country twang.

“Now what did you say your name is?” he asked.

“I didn’t.”

LB chuckled. She certainly was a mystery. “I don’t know what Thorn’s been saying to people, but he’s just trying to start some—”

“So, the answer is no ? You and Ashley didn’t hook up?” The therapist lightly caressed his skin causing every hair on his body to lift.

He squinted. “Lady, I don’t kiss and tell.”

"So that’s a yes then?”

Feeling a bit like he was being interrogated, he carefully thought over his next answer. “Ashley isn’t my type.”

“Oh, really? Why is that? A little too much for you?”

“She’s not my type because she’s a Thorn’s type,” he said with a snort.

“Isn’t that a bit prejudicial? Not being into a woman simply because she’s affiliated with a Thorn is very narrow minded,” she practically cooed.

“Trust me, been there, done that, and won’t do it again,” he growled.

“Hmm. Interesting.”

"Glad you think so.”

“I’d just like to say for the record…your ass is still tight. Too bad you have the personality of a turnip,” came her grunted reply. “My name is Haisley. Ring a bell, cowboy?”

He twisted and jumped off the table so fast that he about face planted on the cold, dirt floor. He clumsily dragged the corner of the sheet over his front and locked gazes with the prettiest, palest blue eyes he ever saw. Unfortunately, they belonged to a Thorn and the one woman he could have gone the rest of his life without seeing again.

Haisley Thorn stared at him through a fringed gaze.

She was the woman he’d loved and lost.

~~~~~

Earlier.

In the heat, the cherry snow cone melted before Haisley made it to the center. She drank the melted remains from the paper cup, then tossed it into the trash can before jogging to catch up to her best friend, Lucy, who was trying on hats. They were killing time by perusing the rows of farm stands set up under a large tent. The shade helped some, offering them a brief reprieve from the humidity before they headed over to the arena.

Haisley picked up one of the hats and put it on. “What do you think, Lucy?” She struck a model pose.

“Looks like you’ve been shopping in my grandma’s closet.” Lucy wrinkled her nose.

The woman sitting behind the booth, wearing an identical hat, appeared very offended. Haisley returned the hat she’d tried on and offered the woman an apologetic smile, then dragged Lucy away from the table.

“Ooh, look. Free fans.” Lucy picked up two and handed Haisley one.

Fanning her face, she stopped at a jewelry table and skimmed the selection. It was too hot to even bother. She’d been out of town for a few days and had missed the annual Wildflower Rodeo Olympics, except for the very last event. She didn’t care to watch Cowboy Poker, but she felt obligated because her brother had made the illogical decision to enter the dangerous event. In fact, she found it quite ridiculous. In her career, she saw many cowboys with life-altering injuries from participating in the rodeo.

“Can I get you something out of the case?” the brunette offered.

“How about the earrings?” Haisley picked out a pair, held the diamonds up to her ears and looked into the mirror. “I’ll take these.” She fished out some bills from her back pocket and laid them down on the glass counter. The young woman placed the earrings into a delicate sachet case and handed it to Haisley.

“Let’s go check out the desserts.” Lucy looped her arm through Haisley’s once the purchase was completed.

They walked to a table of pies, cakes, and other confections and her mouth watered.

“Would you care for a sample?” The lady wearing all pink sitting behind the table asked, holding up a tray full of a variety of cakes.

“I’d love one.” Haisley picked out a cake with lots of icing.

“That’s the Earl Grey cake and lavender icing.”

Biting into the moist cake, Haisley savored the unique taste. Polishing off the tiny sample, she licked her fingers, grabbed a business card, then turned to say something to Lucy but she wasn’t there…

“Are you looking for your friend?” The cake lady pointed.

Haisley searched and found Lucy near a smoothie booth chatting it up with a handsome young man.

“Ready?” Haisley joined Lucy. “The event will be starting soon.”

“It was nice meeting you, Rico.” Lucy gave him a flirtatious wave. “Call me,” she mouthed before she was dragged away by Haisley. “Did you have to do that? I was just getting around to asking him what his favorite smoothie flavor is.”

“I know his type and he isn’t for you,” Haisley said confidently.

“Are you being judgy?” Lucy rolled her eyes.

“Did you not see his wedding band? I’d say that’s his wife.” Haisley protruded her chin toward the table where the smoothie man was smiling at a cute cowgirl in a cropped top and tiny shorts.

“All the good men are taken. Oh, my gawd, Hay!” Lucy squealed.

“What? What’s wrong?”

“Isn’t that one of the Ryders?”

Following Lucy’s gaping stare, Haisley’s breath caught. The tall, dark, insanely handsome cowboy was indeed one of the Ryder brothers. “I think that’s Raven.” They all looked alike and had a confident stride. Women near the hat section stopped to watch him walk by, giggling like they were teens again.

“What is he doing here?” Lucy looked about as shocked as Haisley felt.

“I have no clue, but let’s hope none of my brothers see him.” Once the cowboy was out of sight, Haisley fanned her face with restless energy. Normally, the Wildflower Olympics was one of her favorite things of summer, raising money for charity and supporting great, innocent fun, but temperatures had hit nearly a hundred and five and her clothes were sticking to her damp skin. Beads of sweat trickled between her breasts and down her back. She’d secured her thick hair up on top of her head, but little good it did. Even in the shade of the tent she was still uncomfortable.

“Let’s go grab a lemonade and head over to the arena,” she told Lucy, and they left the tent, heading straight for the drink shack that boasted they had the best lemonade around. Haisley walked to the back of the lengthy line. A group of cowboys standing in a semi-circle near the livestock barn whistled, staring belligerently. Lucy waved and offered a big smile, but Haisley ignored the attention. She just wanted a lemonade.

“How will you ever find a man if you always treat them like they don’t exist?” Lucy whispered.

“I’m not looking, and if I were I certainly wouldn’t want to tell my future kids that I met their father when he catcalled me at the rodeo.”

“Because that would be so wrong,” Lucy droned.

Haisley dragged off her sunglasses. “You do you and let me do me, okay?”

“Fine. But you must admit, the one in the blue shirt looks like Chris Hemsworth. Come on, you can’t tell me Chris doesn’t make your va jay jay—”

“Shh!” Haisley pushed her sunglasses back on. “There are children standing close.”

“A little education in the female anatomy never hurt anyone.”

“You’re terrible, Lucy.”

Once they had their drinks, they took a shortcut through the grass, between buildings, and into the musky arena that was hustling and bustling with spectators pushing and shoving their way for an advantageous position. The heat hadn’t deterred folks from making it to the newest event in the Olympics, Cowboy Poker, to root on their favorite cowboy.

Squeezing through the crowd, Haisley searched for her brother, Aja, who promised to save them seats. “There.” She pointed into the bleachers where he was sitting underneath the shade of the tin roof. She climbed the stairs and dropped down beside him, giving herself a startle when the warm metal touched the backs of her bare thighs. Finally able to sit comfortably, she slurped up lemonade through her paper straw, then leaned in to ask, “Have you seen Nate yet? He said he was going to be here to watch too.”

“I think he got sidetracked.” Aja pointed at a spot near the fence where their brother seemed quite absorbed in a young blonde who had her gaze rooted on him. He was like a male version of Lucy.

Haisley groaned. “Anyway, I sure hope Cruise doesn’t get himself killed today.”

“He’ll be fine.” Aja shrugged. “He has enough spit and vinegar to scare the bull.”

“I hope you’re right. He hasn’t healed entirely from his last injury. He shouldn’t be pushing his limits.”

“Hi, Aja.” Lucy stretched her neck around Haisley.

While Lucy chatted with Aja, Haisley scanned the crowd and almost choked on her lemonade. The group of cowboys sitting across the arena didn’t belong in Wildflower Ridge. She tugged on Aja’s sleeve to get his attention. “Did you see who’s sitting over there?”

“I noticed,” he grunted.

“What are the Ryders doing here?” She quickly looked for one Ryder in particular, but he was the only one missing from the clan.

“That’s right. You have no clue, do you?” Aja chuckled. “LB Ryder has been competing in all the events. He and Cruise have been neck and neck in points, and this last event will determine who will take home the win.”

Haisley didn’t realize she was squeezing her cup until some of the lemonade shot out onto her shirt. Having the Thorns and Ryders in the same vicinity was like a tornado meeting a tsunami. The families had been enemies for a long time, but things had calmed down when John Ryder and Crue Thorn made a peace pact. With the Ryders showing up on Thorn territory, this could change things.

“Mmm…I like the view,” Lucy purred. “That’s a lot of masculinity in one spot.”

“You might want to grab a napkin and dry the drool from the corners of your mouth,” Haisley teased. Although secretly, she agreed. The Ryders were all handsome, and their pale blue eyes and heart-stopping grins should come with a patent. They were lethal and she knew this firsthand.

“Can you tell me you don’t get all tingly inside when you look at them? I’d watch them ride all day, any day.” Lucy spoke loud enough to gain the attention of a silver-haired woman sitting two rows in front who looked back with a disgruntled eye.

In true Lucy fashion, she waved and blew a kiss. The older woman huffed and scurried to turn back around.

“I’m not interested in hearing about the Ryders.” Aja groaned.

Haisley allowed herself another peek of the broad-shouldered cowboys who took up an entire row of bleachers to themselves. They were about the only cowboys who were as burly and intimidating as her brothers.

“You didn’t know LB would be here?” Lucy whispered.

At the mention of his name, Haisley felt her cheeks warm. She wasn’t ashamed of the past, but sometimes she was flustered when she thought about that summer when she spent most of the hot, steamy days over at the lake. At eighteen, inexperienced and challenging every boundary, she’d been knocked off her feet by LB Ryder. What had started as innocent flirting, turned into a forbidden, whirlwind romance that tattooed every moment of that summer into her memory.

She’d fallen for him, but like most summer flings, it ended as quickly as the changing of the seasons. When Cruise had found out about Haisley and LB, he’d blown his top, threatened to tear LB from limb to limb. She knew he’d only been exaggerating, but soon all her brothers had heard the news and were involved, as well as their father. A circus ensued. They demanded that she stop seeing LB. Under pressure and unsure of herself and her future, she never saw him again.

Weeks later, she left Wildflower Ridge for college and spent the next few years focused on earning degrees in sports physical therapy and psychology, then interning in San Antonio, working at a hospital to gain experience, before coming back to her childhood home where not much had changed.

She’d done an excellent job of dodging LB for the last two years. The county line seemed like an invisible wall that neither of them crossed, until now.

Looking back, she realized what they’d shared could never have been more than a fling. Two teens who found themselves and each other for a brief time. She’d been immature to think their families would have ever agreed.

That was the last time she allowed her family to dictate her life.

“There they are.” Aja extended his chin toward the direction of the gate. The crowd erupted into applause, hoots, and hollers as four cowboys strolled out, heading for the table and chairs set up in the center of the arena.

The soft hairs on the back of her neck raised and her breath caught. Her gaze found LB first. At six three and wide shoulders contained in a blue checked button down, he would be hard to miss. Her heart plunged into her cowgirl boots when he looked into the stands, searching the crowd, then what seemed like a long pause when his gaze looked on her. There was no way he could see her though, and yet she wanted to turn away, pretend she didn’t see him. She was frozen despite the heat goosebumps scattered across her skin. He’d changed, and still, he hadn’t at all. He’d gone from a young man to a mature man. More rugged, tougher. Bigger. Still cocky and confident.

He swiped off his hat, ran his fingers through the mass of dark hair and smiled…like he knew a secret that he wanted to share.

“Still no tingling?” Lucy teased.

Her friend carried Haisley out of her thoughts. She felt tingling, of course, but it wasn’t from desire. She hadn’t realized how much hurt she still carried around until now. They’d been young and stupid. Caught in shallow waters of emotion. For someone who graduated high school and college in the top three percent of her classes, she should have been smarter. Should have denied herself the temptation. Protected herself from the pain.

Everything seemed to slow to a crawl as she sat watching.

He sat down in one of the chairs at the table and dealt cards to the other participants. He was no longer smiling. Neither was Cruise. They were snarling at one another.

Haisley didn’t know all the gritty details about why the two families became enemies, but the feud started before she was born. Her father had met a girl, Kate, when they were teens. After they broke up, she met John Ryder and they married. Crue had also married, but the feud between the men had remained.

The feud only got worse after Kate passed away and Crue had asked for a painting back that his mother, Helena, had given to Kate. The family refused to return the painting.

Haisley guessed wars were waged for far less.

As kids, she and her siblings were warned to stay away from the Ryder family. So, of course, she and her brothers had to find out why. Did they have horns for ears? Green, scaly skin? The Thorns were surprised to learn they were normal kids. After getting caught sneaking across Wildflower River, they were forbidden to step foot into Second Chance again. Haisley had obeyed, until much later. She and her brothers had inherited a silly feud and to this day she had no clear-cut reason as to why.

When she was just starting high school, a bit older and braver, she and Lucy would go into Second Chance to watch baseball games, grab ice cream or a movie, just for the thrill of it. During one of those visits she ran into LB. He and his friends joined her and Lucy, uninvited, to watch a movie. Haisley couldn’t remember what they were seeing because she’d taken an instant liking to his rogue attitude and smile.

She wouldn’t see him again until years later. LB and a couple of his brothers had started venturing into Wildflower Ridge to crash parties or visit the lake where kids would spend time together, listen to music and drink beer they’d snuck from their parents. She’d run into him on occasion, but she dodged every attempt he made to speak to her.

Until the night after high school graduation. She and her friends were at the lake celebrating and LB and his brothers showed up. They’d been like sweet oxygen to parched lungs. Haisley hadn’t met a boy in Wildflower Ridge who enticed her as much as the Ryders, especially one in particular. She’d ignored LB’s multiple attempts to get her attention, but he was a force to be reckoned with. During a friendly game of seeing who could hang from a tree branch the longest, he'd fallen and hit his head. She’d been quick to come to his aid and touching him had weakened all her defenses. He’d invited her to a party across Wildflower River the following weekend and her curiosity had gotten the better of her.

She planned to show up and make some excuse why she couldn’t stay, but instead they sat by the fire talking all night, making s’mores, laughing so hard that her sides hurt for two days.

When he asked to make plans with her again, she’d made it clear they could only be friends. One day turned into a week, then a month of seeing each other before he’d brazenly kissed her…or she’d kissed him. Either way, a complex issue had been opened that neither could close. They entered foreign territory and started a secret relationship.

She’d found herself walking through each day like a robot, counting down the hours, minutes, until she saw LB again. Every day they spent together, they grew closer, learned more about each other, until she knew she had done something she should never have done. She’d fallen for him.

Unfortunately, some things weren’t meant to last.

A horn sounded, drawing her attention back onto the brave men in the arena. The bull darted from the gate and in what seemed like slow motion, he charged and took out one contestant right away. A moment later, the bull came racing back toward the table, his head lowered, his nostrils flared, and head butted the chair of another contestant. The cowboy came flying upward and landed in the center of the table, sending his hat in one direction and the deck of cards the other. He slid off, wobbling, and managed to reach the upended chair while the bull was momentarily distracted. Seconds later the bull was pawing the dirt, huffing and puffing, then charged again. The contestant must have seen his life flash before his eyes because he pulled the white flag from his pocket, tossed it into the air as a sign of forfeiting, then sprinted for the bull chute and jumped over the rail in one fell swoop.

Bullfighters, dressed in bright purple and pink, came running toward the bull, raising their arms and yelling to get its attention. Now that they had its focus, it took off after the bullfighters, but at the last second it switched course and bumped the table. LB held on, but Cruise was shoved up under the table. He managed to slide out and sit back in the chair while the bull stared menacingly.

Neither LB nor Cruise showed any fear as the bull seemed to contemplate its next move.

The bullfighters engaged the bull, but it wanted no part in entertaining the crowd. It wanted to take out the contestants. He rammed the table and the edge caught Cruise at the right place, sending him up into the air like a ragdoll. He landed hard and dust rose like a thick cloud. He slowly stood, watching the bull, and took leisurely backwards steps, reaching his chair that only had three legs left.

The bull now had its eye on LB who sat alone at the table. He looked calm, but Haisley noticed that his jaw clicked. The bull shook its head, thumped its heavy paw on the dirt, then charged the table, sending it upward before landing in a splintered heap.

But LB remained seated.

Cruise was sitting awkwardly in the broken chair but when the bull came running, he jumped up and dashed for the fence, springing over it. He kicked the fence and punched the air in anger.

The crowd cheered as LB stood up, turning to the right and the left, keeping his gaze planted on the bull as the beast stood within fifty feet. He’d won the event, but it wasn’t over yet. He needed to make it to safety.

LB backed up, slowly.

The bullfighters stayed close, moving between LB and the bull, but it wasn’t having it. A ton of sturdy muscle and wide torso, and the pounding of his hooves on the dirt floor that vibrated the entire arena, the beast raced for LB. He widened his stance, and just as the bull reached him, he swung left, but not before he was swiped on the side, knocking him down.

He jumped up, squinting, then ran.

Finally, he made it to the gate, which quickly opened for his entry, and once he was safely on the other side, he swiped off his hat and waved it through the air, arms flying above his head, as he celebrated his win.

Haisley didn’t realize she was holding her breath until her lungs started to ache. She drew in a deep breath, listening as the crowd grew louder with more applause and cheers.