Page 55 of Catch Me, Cowboy
“I have to catch up with someone.”
“Me, too.” She touched his face. “Good seeing you, Ty.”
A second later she was gone and Ty was working his way through the crowd.
“Ty Harding.”
He stopped as he heard his full name drawled. Buck Creighton. Standing alone at the edge of the crowd, a drink in one hand. “You got a minute?”
“Actually, I’m on my way to meet with someone.”
“Then I’d like to set up a time to talk tomorrow. After your ride. I liked what I saw out there.
“It felt good.” Ty jerked his head toward the side street, when the band started playing again. He’d lost sight of Shelby and would have to start the search again. “I’ve got a couple minutes now.”
“We’d like to cover your comeback.” Ty tilted his hat back. Not what he’d expected. Buck took a slow sip of his drink, watching Ty carefully. “Rodeo is a tough game.”
Ty gave a small snort after Buck stated the obvious. “No shit.”
“You’ve come back from one hell of an injury to ride for over ninety points and those were tough judges. They didn’t give you any mercy points.”
“I wouldn’t want them.”
“I know.”
“We’re making a documentary.Rodeo Tough. We’d like you to be part of it. Your expenses would be paid for as long as you’re on the circuit. If you have a debilitating injury…” Buck shrugged, telling Ty he’d be on his own then. “We’re showcasing a rider new to the circuit. One who’s in the middle of his career and one making a comeback.”
“That could be me.”
Buck smiled faintly. “That will be you if you agree. Hell of an opportunity. Our dream is that you come back to win a national title.”
“Mine, too.” Ty shifted his weight. “How much does my dad come into this?”
“He called to tell us that you were attempting a comeback and suggested that we might want to write a human interest piece. Things snowballed from there.”
“Good old dad.” Buck frowned at his dark tone and Ty said, “He’s kept an eye on my career. He was a rider once himself.”
“I’m aware,” Buck said. “Your dad had a lot of talent.”
Ty nodded. He’d seen the videos.
“It’s a shame he never pursued his career.”
Ty saw no point in mentioning his father’s bitterness had colored his life and the lives of those closest to him. Yes, everyone wished he’d pursued his career.
“You have some time to make a decision,” Buck continued. “Day or two.” He gave Ty a look that indicated he already knew what his decision would be. And why wouldn’t it be a big fat “yes”? Getting his tour paid for and all he had to do was to let a viewing audience witness his victories and defeats—exactly as he did every time he climbed onto a bronc.
“I got to go and catch up with my assistant,” Buck said. “I’ll touch base with you after tomorrow’s ride.” He took a couple steps, then turned back. “One of my camera guys is coming in tomorrow to shoot some preliminary footage, but it’s a just-in-case deal. I wish we hadn’t missed today’s ride, but the local crew got it on tape. Problem is, I have to pay them for it.”
“What if I blow the ride tomorrow?”
Buck’s eyebrows went up. “That’s part of the game, son. You don’t have to win it all for this film… but we’ll provide you with the resources to give you a good shot at taking that title back.”
Which was exactly what he wanted.
Right?
*
