Page 6 of Lady Luck's Kiss
Beth locked arms with her and yelled “Bye!” loudly towards her roommate, whom Charlie had yet to meet or see. The two practically ran to Charlie’s truck, excited to be on their way.
The rodeo wasnothing like Charlie had ever seen before.
So many vendors and booths crowded the line of tents circling around the arena. Charlie had thought it would be outside and she was shocked that it was big enough to command the need for usage of the large arena. Beth bought herself a large turquoise set of earrings and a pair of much daintier ones for Charlie.
“In exchange for the ticket,” she explained.
“I thought you said beer was the price you’d pay,” Charlie said with a grin. She really didn’t indulge except occasionally.For her to have two beers in a week was unusual and it sounded like Beth had planned on Charlie setting a record today.
“I meant beer, too!” she affirmed and grabbed her by the hand, dragging Charlie to another vendor who gave them each a large plastic boot with a handle on the side. Each was filled with the cold, foamy, bitter liquid. There was no selection, it was what they had on hand and it was honestly pretty darned smooth, surprising Charlotte.
Several air horns went off and a loud announcement over the speakers announced that the rodeo would be starting in the next thirty minutes. This was their signal to make their way to the seats. Glad she had thought to braid her hair once they arrived, she was surprised at the difference between the outside versus the inside of the arena. It was cool inside and a pleasant difference from the hot September sun.
They went through security and down deep inside the bowels of the large arena that was lit with fluorescent lights. She could see the dirt floor below as well as several metal gates on large stalls. The stalls sat empty for the time being but would soon be occupied. The seats were amazingly close and just behind the metal stalls.
“Great, they are fantastic seats. We get a bird’s eye view of a horse pooping!”
“Ha, ha,” Charlie teased back. “I didn’t pick them, but it’s pretty neat to be so close. I can do without the horsey-doo, thank you very much.”
“I’m just yanking your chain,” Beth joked. “I’ve never been this close up before.”
“Me neither,” she agreed and silently toasted her friend with the half-empty boot. Her head was spinning already from the foamy, tart brew. She vowed that she was going to refill her boot with water or anything else other than a beer.
“This stuff is strong. Want to finish mine?”
“Live a little, you prude. Drink the beer, watch the show and hook yourself up with a little something hot to trot! You asked for the beer and you deserve a bit of fun,” she teased as the crowd began to roar excitedly.
4
CHARLIE
Charlotte stared, fascinated at the scene unfolding in front of her. Several people rode out in a line, carrying an assortment of flags. The flags were the six flags that had flown over Texas throughout the years. It was a reminder of where they came from and where they were now as the United States flag finished the line, instantly drawing the crowd to its feet.
Standing, they looked at each other and quickly put their hands over their hearts. A lone woman walked out between the horses and up to a single microphone.
As she belted out the National Anthem, Charlie felt herself blinking back tears at the sight of the cowboys, the horses and the flags. It was humbling and made her feel proud. The loud “yee haw” that the woman yelled into the microphone made her jump as suddenly the exhibition hall exploded in a flurry of activity.
“Here we go!” Beth yelled over the din, jumping up and down excitedly.
Nodding, she stared as a stream of others followed out on horseback. They circled the dirt floor easily, bouncing up and down in their saddles. Several men and a few women, thisshocked her. She had always assumed rodeos were a man’s sport – but the same could be said for turning wrenches, too. The cowboys tipped their hats charismatically towards the crowd and waved them, causing the flurry of noise to increase to an amazing roar that was sure to deafen them all.
Rodeo clowns poured out of an entry just opposite where they sat, and she watched as their follies caused several to laugh, including herself. They were diving in and out of hollowed barrels, left and right. Several bumped into horses or pretended to tip their own hats, only to have confetti sprinkle to the ground. A few shirts were shot into the crowd with an air gun. While Charlie had never been to a rodeo before, she found herself itching to catch one as a souvenir.
Just then, the clowns began to chase the horses back off of the arena floor. Several men swaggered out from the gate, raising their hands in salute. The announcer rattled off names of what must be cowboys, and what must be their bull’s names, too. She and others laughed aloud as one was called “Pudding” and another was “Gus”. There were fierce names, too, that left her wondering. Diablo, Reaper, Crusher, and Vamp.
Vamp, according to the announcer, was sure to draw blood and cause quite a disturbance as he warned those with small children.
“Seriously? This comes with a warning?” Charlie yelled towards Beth, who only nodded happily. Mystified, she watched as the cowboys slapped their hats back on their heads from where they had been waving and began to jog towards different points around the arena. Each stepped onto a platform by a large steel-tubed corral.
A corral that happened to be directly in front of where Charlie and Beth sat.
“Oh, hot-diggity! We are going to get a bird’s eye view!” Beth exclaimed, and Charlie just nodded absently as she stared, fascinated, at the handsome cowboy nearby.
He was ruggedly beautiful with striking looks. Tanned skin, golden-brown hair, a hint of a five o’clock shadow and a set of sculpted lips that were smiling…at her!
Pale eyes were locked on to hers.
The cowboy had climbed onto his platform. And when he removed his hat to wave to the crowd, she was spellbound.
