I loaded up my truck and told grandma and grandpa to watch over the ranch for me. The last thing to be loaded was Reno. She is my beautiful sorrel Appaloosa/Quarter horse.
Paige was married to a well-known city slicker who soon moved her to Chicago. I put my bronc saddle, chaps, gloves, and the horse and dog food into my living quarters. I whistled for Sullivan, my red border collie/Aussie mix.
He came bounding over to me and jumped into the front seat. I grabbed his John Deere collar with his tags and leash. I put the collar on and stuck the leash in the console. For two years I've been rodeoing. I've met several cowboys who have seen me as a barrel racer. Then, once I ride the broncs there, they want to sleep with me. Sully was the only thing stopping them from doing so. That is why I take him.
I said my goodbyes and hit the road. George Strait came on the radio. "All my exes live in Texas!"
All my exes live in Texas
And Texas is a place I really love to be
But all my exes live in Texas
and that's why I hang my hat in Tennessee
Rosanna's down in Texarkana
Wanted me to push her through
And sweet Ilene's never mean
She forgot I hung the moon
And Alison's in Galveston
Somehow lost her sanity
And Dimples, who now lives in Temple's
Got the law looking for me
All my exes live in Texas
And Texas is a place I really love to be
But all my exes live in Texas
and that's why I hang my hat in Tennessee
I sang along on my way to San Antonio. My stomping grounds are in southern Oklahoma. I saw several trucks with trailers on their way to rodeos. Every time I stopped for gas, I walked Sully.
Once, while I was stopped, this guy and his partner were filling up. I was in San Angelo at an EZGO. The man said that he'd walk my dog for me while I ran inside. I let him and when I got back, he was standing there with my dog. "Thank you for walking my dog for me," I said as I started filling my diesel tank. His eyes were a deep green, and he had almost red hair. "No problem, it gave me something to do while my partner was inside. I'm Max Hunter." "Hedli Drouten," I said as we shook hands.
"Like the bronc riding, Hedli?" "Yes, that's me." "Then what's the trailer for? Lodge?" "My horse. I barrel race too." "Nice. I bull ride and calf rope. Team and single." A man, I'm guessing, his partner, came out. "And this is my partner, Colt." The man glared at him with his stunning crystal blue eyes before getting into the driver's seat. "He doesn't like meeting girls on the road but sure loves to pick them up at rodeos."
"That I can understand." "So, how long have you been rodeoing?" "Two years. Started at age sixteen. Exactly six months after my birthday." "That would mean you're eighteen." "Mmhhmmm." My tank stopped. I squeezed the handle a few times before it was full. I paid and said goodbye to Max.
I climbed into my truck and hit the road. "Alright, Sully, let's get to San Anton." He yipped in response as Smile by Uncle Cracker came on the radio. We sang along to the radio. Once Backroad Song came on, we both were howling along with Granger Smith.
Sitting in traffic isn't as fun as most people would think it is. I looked to my left and saw a woman and a man dressed in pearl snaps and hats. They had a trailer with them. "Guessing they are going to the same place I am," I told Sully. I found an exit and took it. That may be the quickest way, but right now it's not.
I pulled in one of the first here. I took Sully with me to register. He's more of my mascot than a guard dog when I'm on the road. Once that was done, a few more trailers were parked alongside mine. I tied Sully to the side of the trailer while I got Reno out to stretch her legs. Another thing about Sully is that he's Reno's trailer companion during thunderstorms.
I gave them food while I put up my stock panels. Boots walked by. I looked up to recognize Colt. Suddenly, Reno got loose and took off. "Reno!" I yelled. Colt turned around just in time to catch her. I ran up to Reno. "Thank you for catching her; she loves to escape."
He was silent as I took my horse from him. He nodded before turning back to where he was heading. Something about those eyes made me feel uneasy. I took Reno back and put her bridle on. I put Sully up before I led her to the arena to practice.
One team of calf ropers was already there practicing. There was another ring nearby. There were some barrels set up. I trotted her through the course a few times before cantering her through.
Once I thought she was done for today, I rode her over to the gate. I slid off her bare back and walked her over to her miniature enclosure. I took the bridle off and replaced it with her bright light blue nylon halter.
I saw Max walk by with two horses. I'm guessing one was his and the other was his partner's. I put Sully out with Reno, knowing he'd guard my prized horse.
I went to watch to calf ropers to see if they were still practicing. I recognized Max on the bay, and I'm guessing Colt on the jet black horse. Once the calf shot out of the shoot, they took off after it. Max looped its head while Colt looped its heel. Then both horses reared up and threw them off. The calf got free of the ropes. Next thing I knew, this ringing sound went through the arena. Both horses were coming straight for me.
I quickly reached out and caught the black one, then the bay. I looked at the arena. Both men were having trouble getting up. I led the horses over to a hitching post. I stroked them, calming them down until their owners came out.
Once they were calm, I peered into the arena. Both men were up and looking around. "Where'd the horses go?" "I don't know, dude. Let's hope someone caught them. That was some ringing." I recognized Max's voice echoing. I untied the horses as I heard their boots scuff the dirt.
Once they had passed me, the bay went right up to Max and took his hat right off his head. I giggled, not realizing they didn't know I was there. Max jumped, thinking a girl had taken his hat to find his horse.
Colt saw me holding onto the black horse and jerked the reins out of my hands. "Thanks for catching them and calming them down," Max said. "You're welcome." I pointed at Colt as he walked away. "He doesn't like anyone to touch his horse, especially girls like you." Well, that's screwy.
Max walked me back to my trailer before walking to his own. "That's weird," I said to my horse and dog. The sun was setting, and the rodeo was about to begin. First barrel racing, then bull riding, and after that was bronc riding.
———————————–——–—–————————
I was sitting on top of my horse, waiting for them to call me for my turn. Across the ring, I saw Max and Colt standing near the last barrel. "Hedli Drouten." I moved up to the line. Reno pranced excitedly for the run.
"Go." The man yelled. I ran out of the shoots for the first barrel. I cut around it clockwise before kicking once to the next barrel. Finally going counterclockwise around that one. I kicked it to the third and kicked it home.
"Woo wee, that's gotta be the girl to beat, ladies. Fifteen point two." The announcer said.
I slid off Reno and led her to the trailer. I put her up and put my chaps on. I got my bronc spurs out of my bag and my bronc riding vest. I walked back to the arena. Several men cursed me out. Telling me I couldn't do it. I was back after about three-fourths of the riders had ridden. Max was the last tonight. That's what he told me.
"All bronc riders report to the chutes for riding."
I stood there in the back as the hat was passed. I didn't realize who was behind me as I drew my horse. Hellova night. I've seen this horse before. He's one mean BSTRD. I heard a man clear his throat behind me. "All right, who's got Hellova night?" The man asked. I went through the crowd of 'tough cowboys' up to the man. "I do." "Name?" "Hedli Drouten." Several of the men chuckled.
"You're up first, 'cowgirl'." That's fine, I'll just show them. The horse came into the shoot already with gear on. I got into the chute. Most of them were already making jokes about a girl who can't.
I nodded my head, and the gate was opened. The horse swung around. Every time the horse came down, my spurs connected with his sides. He was just getting angrier and angrier with every buck and spin.
Finally, the buzzer sounded. I got myself loose and slid off the horse and took off for the side. I didn't hear what the announcer said, only that that was some ride. I saw Max talking with Colt as I walked back to the shoots. "There she is," Max said. Colt had turned his attention back to the broncs.
"Give me my hat back," I said after he took my hat. "You know these spurs aren't just for the Broncos," I said as he held my hat up high. A hand reached up and got the hat from him and shoved it onto my head.
"Oh, come on, Colt, I was just playing." "You can play later." He said before walking to the chutes. I distanced myself from Max when Colt wasn't around. Something tells me he's going to cross me. I watched Colt ride his bronc. I waited for bronc riding to be over.
Finally, when it was the scores were given. Colt beat me by zero point two points. Yup, I came in second. Usually their, but this time it was second.
I walked back to my trailer. Before I could open the door, I was slammed into its side. A man who looked like he had been drinking had me shoved against it. He took my hat off and threw it. "What's a pretty lady like you doing riding those big, bad horses when you could be riding something much easier for you?" He ran his tongue over my neck.
He moved lower, unbuttoning my shirt. When he was at my collarbone, I felt completely disgusted. I kneed him in his groin. When he went to get up. He got spurred in the face.
I got into my built-in shower and scrubbed all the disgustingness off. Once I was done, I put on a comfy pair of rock n' roll jeans. The knees had holes in them. Then I put a sports tee on before going to bed.
Then I remembered my hat. I slid my boots on and stepped out. My hat was a few feet away from the trailer. I stepped out and got it. Hoping I didn't run into any more drunks.
Once back in the safety of the trailer, I ate a sandwich with chips while I cleaned my hat and spurs. A knock at my door startled me. I peeked outside to see Colt standing there. I opened the door and stood there. "May I come in?" "Sure." I let him in and offered him a bag of chips.
"So what brings you to my place?" "Max is with someone and we've made a pact that we can't be in there while the other is 'doing'." "Mm, so you needed somewhere to hang." "In a way, yeah." We were silent again for a few seconds. "You did well tonight. I didn't know you broke." "Yeah, it's a little hobby of mine." "Besides barrel racing?" "Yeah. You were great tonight." "Huh, never heard that from a girl before." "Well,l I could tell you what you did wrong when you were calf roping."
"Lay it on me." Never had that response from a calf roper. His blue eyes stared at me while I told him what needed to be fixed, and he gladly accepted it. "Thanks for the tips." "No problem." "Well,l I guess I'll be going." "See ya around." He let himself out of the trailer as I finished up. Once I was done, I went to bed on my pull-out bed.