Rodeo Riders Read Online Free PDF Page A

Now. Finally. Goal number one met. Number two coming up.
    “You’ll do fine. All you have to do is believe in yourself.”
    Cougar’s voice rolled over her. The earth-size knot in the pit of her stomach eased. Turning toward him, she took in his black outfit, especially the formfitting shirt with its silver snaps that played up the silver band on his cowboy hat. Even his boots carried out the same theme. Of course his horse was black, and a stallion. Not many rodeo participants risked having a testosterone-charged mount under them, but Cougar easily controlled the wide-eyed, prancing beast.
    “I didn’t expect to see you,” she said when, finally, she remembered how to make her voice work. “I figured you had enough to do behind the fences.”
    He guided his horse a little closer, then reined up, keeping the stallion a safe distance from Trixie, who obviously wasn’t in the mood for a suitor. “How are you feeling?”
    Pretty much like I’m going to fly off in a million pieces. “Rusty. Practicing at home isn’t the real thing.”
    “At least you’re doing it.” He dropped his gaze to her leg.
    “Cougar!” Crystal exclaimed, urging her gelding between Cougar’s and Jordan’s horses. “Fancy seeing you. Are you going to ride? No matter what bull you draw, my money’s on you.”
    Cougar had started out in the rodeo business as a bull rider and twice had qualified for the finals. He’d finished high both times, and Harney County residents still boasted of the local boy who’d made good. He hadn’t competed in a while, and she’d assumed it was because the contracting business took too much time.
    “Put your money away.” Cougar had been looking at Crystal. Now he returned his attention to Jordan. “Riding’s behind me.”
    “You sure you won’t reconsider?” Crystal asked. “There’s nothing like a stud riding a bull to the bell to ring my chimes, if you know what I’m saying.”
    Just then, the announcer called out the name of the next rider. Knowing she was set to go after Kari, Jordan shut everything else out of her mind. She’d practiced endlessly on the ranch and had been relieved to learn she hadn’t lost her skill or timing. Actually competing wasn’t that different from circling the barrels she’d set up herself.
    Liar. Cougar wasn’t watching you then. And Rampage wasn’t a short distance away.
    She rode two-handed when she competed, but Jordan had kept only one hand on the reins as she’d walked Trixie in circles prior to entering the arena. The switch had prevented Trixie from anticipating what was coming. Now, however, the sturdy mare shivered under her, prompting Jordan to sit back, shifting Trixie’s weight onto her hindquarters. At the same time, she pressed her knee against the mare’s right side, indicating she wanted Trixie to continue circling. Then a nod from the timer prompted her to stop. Heart hammering, she waited.
    The flag dropped. Leaning low, she urged Trixie into a full-out gallop.
    The first barrel. Close in on it, slow, lean as far as you can without losing your balance, circle, straighten, aim for barrel number two.
    Even as the wind created by Trixie’s hard gallop grabbed her hat, something snagged Jordan’s attention. She couldn’t say what it was, couldn’t make sense of the blur.
    Bull! her insane instinct insisted.
    Horse and cowboy ,her rational side countered.
    Rampage hadn’t gotten loose again. He hadn’t charged into the arena, wasn’t pounding toward her and Trixie. There’d be no collision, no terrified and squealing horse being knocked to the ground, no sound of snapping bones.
    Ride, damn you! Ride. Barrel number two coming up fast. Slow. Slow. Lean and turn. Straighten. Find number three and race for it.
    Once again a blur of movement slammed at her nerves. Time buckled back on her. Although it couldn’t be, she heard Rampage bellow, felt herself flying, hitting the ground, Trixie’s weight crushing her. And then, worst of all,