Page 57 of Big Daddy Bull Riders

They did just that, and she took the lead once they’d all gotten down from the stands.

Walking down another staircase, they entered the bowels of the massive arena and eventually came to the large, cavernous room where the competitors were all waiting. Mina led the Big Cedar group to where Slater sat at a plastic folding table, his boots up on it as he leaned back in his chair.

Jackson was close by, his hip resting on the table itself, facing Slater, so he didn’t see the group as they approached. But Slater did, slapping his boots down and jumping to his feet.

“What are y’all doing here?”

“You thought we’d let you ride the big one alone?” Walker said.

“No way we’d do that,” Cane added.

“We looked at the lineup,” Quinn said. “There are some beasts in there. Did you draw your bull yet?”

Mina watched as Slater and Jackson looked at each other. She could tell by their facial expressions that it wasn’t good news they were about to share.

Sure enough, Slater said, “Son of Satan.”

“What?” Mina cried. She stepped closer. “I mean, I don’t know anything about these bulls. But that name doesn’t sound good!”

“Hey, maybe it’s like one of those things where everyone calls the huge guyTiny,” Alyssa said with a hopeful glean in her eyes, putting a hand on Mina’s shoulder.

But Slater winced. “Not exactly. He’s, uh, one of the worst as far as reputations go.”

“Son of Satan,” Mina repeated softly, speaking more to herself than anyone else.

Slater tried to brush it off. “Hey, I’ve probably ridden worse.”

Mina didn’t think he sounded very convincing.

Quinn stepped forward. “Slater, are you absolutely sure?—”

Slater shrugged the question off. “Guys, I’m fine. I promise.” He laughed, but it seemed forced to Mina. “This bull is just the son of Satan. I’ve ridden Satan himself before, and he couldn’t throw me!”

No one else laughed.

“Well, we’re rooting for you,” Marsha said. “And when you get back to Big Cedar, your first meal is on the house. So you three come on into the café.” She let her eyes fall from Slater to Jackson and then to Mina.

Mina smiled and nodded appreciatively, but it was all she could do to keep from crying. Fear had gripped her, and it wasn’t letting her loose anytime soon.

Not until after Daddy finished that ride.

Assuming he finished it in one piece and alive…

“We’ll be cheering for you really loud,” Mindy said.

“Yep,” Grace agreed. “Yelling your name and everything!”

Belinda spoke up, adding, “Just be careful!”

It felt strange to Mina to see the woman dressed in “big girl” clothes and without her trademark pacifier. But being as how they were out in the “real world,” none of the Littles had on their usual frilly dresses or pink rompers.

The group all shook Slater’s hand, patted him on the back, and then filed away back toward the stands.

“I, uh, better go with them,” Mina said.

She turned but didn’t make it very far before running back to Slater, jumping into his arms, and sobbing into his chest.

“Daddy! You have to be okay! Promise me you will be!”

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