Page 58 of Never Left You

Cash’s eyes flickered to me, the small, soft smile lingering on his tight lips. He gave me a small nod. “You’re the one who got me back on a bucking horse, you trying to talk me out of it.”

“No, no…” I shook my head, breaking the contact to watch as he laid the saddle on Blaze’s back. “Quite the opposite actually. I know you can do this.”

His smile grew. “Only if you’re there to watch me.

As if it were on cue, voices began to echo around the stables, coming in clearer as my brothers and Lachlan came into the arena. Stetson followed, leading two small calves next to him.

“You weren’t kidding when you said we’d do a full on rodeo?” I smiled, watching my son take the calves to the holding pen. “You gonna ride, Wyatt?”

My twin shook his head, shoving his hands in his pockets. “Hell no. I’ll open the chute and hype you guys up.” He looked over to Cash. “Well, except you.”

Cash winked at Wyatt. Wyatt’s eyes flinched slightly before he stepped away.

“Ah, the announcer.” I smiled. “Big boy pants remember?”

I loved my brother and his chosen career. At least I didn’t have to worry about him getting trampled by a…

Nope.

Wasn’t going to fall into the memory. I was going to be here and here only.

Cash stayed next to me as Rhett did a few runs, a large smile on his face the entire time. He needed this moment with Buckle. Just him and the rope between his teeth. His best time of the night was an eight point nine, and he took it proudly.

“Alright Callahan.” Wyatt’s voice dropped. “You’re up.”

Cash looked at me, his eyebrows waggling as his grin grew, then he made his way to the chute. Following him, I looked around for my son, who thankfully had settled himself on the gate, away from everything. Lachlan mounted Onyx and moved to the side of the arena, ready to be Cash’s pick-up man.

Cash climbed on Blaze’s saddle. He flexed his fingers a few times, loosening them up before wrapping the cinch around his palm. He shifted in the saddle once more before he stilled. He let out a long, low breath through rounded lips before finally giving the nod. Wyatt opened the chute, and Blaze flew out. Literally flew. He jumped, his hind legs kicked once, and twisted, Cash moving with him for each turn and each jump. Cash’s arm never once fell to his side, and his body was positioned perfectly. The look on his face was nothing short of determination. Even the small smile of enjoyment peeking out as he was bucked from side to side didn’t take that away.

He said he was weak. He said woke up every morning knowing that his leg would remind him just how much he had lost. He put on that mask, he put up those walls…weak. I saw anything but.

I saw him.

He was meant to do this.

The entire eight seconds, Cash was focused. He was shining brighter than I had ever seen him, and once the faint buzzer went off and Cash was able to pull Blaze into a gallop, Lachlan came up to his side to pull him off. I realized I never once had that twist in my stomach. I just loved watching Cash do what he was born to do.

Cash jumped from Lachlan’s horse, a slight limp to his first few steps, his eyes locked on me.

If he came up and pulled me into his arms again, I wouldn’t mind it.

I would relish it.

But he didn’t.

Instead, he walked up to the chute where I stood, his arms wide, his smile wider. His eyes locked on me.

“We gotta get that horse in the chute again,” he exclaimed, his shout echoing off the arena walls.

I chuckled. “Told you he was a bucker.”

He clapped his hands together and then rubbed his leather gloves against one another. He watched as Lachlan led Blaze back into the chute, and the horse gave a loud huff. And Cash? He was glowing. He was strong.

“You were wrong, you know,” I said, catching his attention.

“About what? One more ride? I don’t think so.” He cocked his grin. “Hey Lach!” He shouted, turning his back to me.

“No, not about that.” I reached out to grab his forearm, pulling him back to me. “You most definitely can ride again but…you were wrong.”

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