Page 32 of Roping the Rodeo Queen
Chapter Eighteen
New Horizons
The Las Vegas event is incredible.I haven't even watched Jo doing her thing, and she hasn't seen me doing mine.We've been too excited about the rodeo and its unstoppable energy.But now, with my events finished and Thunder cooled down, I'm making my way to the barrel racing section to catch Jo's final run.The crowd's energy is infectious, and I can hear Buck revving up the arena as I push through the spectators.
"Next up, folks, we have the incomparable Jolene Callahan, riding Blaze!"
I find a spot along the rail just as Jo bursts out of the gate, and damn if she doesn't take my breath away every single time.Blaze moves like liquid fire beneath her, and Jo's body flows with the horse's rhythm in perfect harmony.She leans into the first barrel turn so low that her knee nearly kisses the dirt, but they clear it clean and tight.
"Look at that form!"Buck shouts."Callahan's on pace for yet another record!"
The second barrel is even tighter.Blaze's hooves barely skim the ground as Jo guides the mare with nothing more than the slightest shift of weight and pressure from her legs.Jo and Blaze thunder toward the final barrel, and I find myself gripping the rail so hard my knuckles turn white.
"Come on, Jo," I whisper, though she can't possibly hear me over the noise.
She takes the final turn with surgical precision, Blaze's body curving around the barrel like they're part of the same organism.There's a moment---a fraction of a second---when I think they might clip it, but Jo shifts her weight just so, and they clear it by a whisper.
The race to the finish line is pure poetry.Jo's hair streams behind her like a battle flag as she gives Blaze her head, and the mare responds with an explosive burst of speed that has the crowd on their feet.
The timer flashes: 15.2 seconds.Another new arena record.
The deafening cheers of the crowd fill the arena, but all I can focus on is Jo's face as she brings Blaze to a sliding stop.Pure joy radiates from her like sunlight, and when her eyes find mine in the stands, grins and blows me a kiss.I do the same for her.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Buck exclaims with genuine awe, "that's not just an arena record---that's a Nevada state record!Jolene Callahan has just made rodeo history---again!"
I'm moving before I consciously decide to, vaulting over the rail and jogging toward the exit gate where Jo's walking Blaze in cool-down circles.She sees me coming and slides off her mare, rushing over to greet me.
"Did you see that?"she laughs, throwing her arms around my neck just as I reach her."Did you see that last turn?I thought for sure we were going to clip it, but Blaze---God, she's incredible!"
"I saw every second of it, baby."I lift her off her feet and spin her around twice right here in the dirt."You were perfect.Both of you."
She crushed her lips to mine.Our tongues tangle, and I grasp her ass while she mashes her body against me.When we break apart at last, she's still beaming, her cheeks flushed with excitement.
"Fifteen-point-two," she breathes against my lips."I can't believe it."
"I never had any doubts."I set her down but keep my arms around her waist."You've been building to this all season.That wasn't luck, darlin'---that was pure skill."
Blaze nudges my shoulder with her nose, and I reach up to stroke her velvety muzzle."You too, girl.You're the best partner Jo could ask for."
Jo laughs, rubbing Blaze's neck affectionately."We've got a pretty good team going, don't we?The four of us, I mean."
"The best team ever, darlin'."
Thunder's waiting back at the stables, probably wondering where his post-ride treat is.I make a mental note to stop by the concession stand for an apple on our way back.
"McKendrick!Callahan!"Buck's voice cuts through the crowd noise as he hustles toward us, his microphone still in his hand."Get yourselves back in the arena, pronto!The sponsors want a photo with our record-breakers!"
Jo rolls her eyes, but her smile doesn't fade."Duty calls.Ready for your closeup, cowboy?"
"As long as I'm standing beside you."I glance down at my dusty clothes."Though I should probably clean up first.I look like I've been wrestling steers all day."
"You look gorgeous, Clay."She fluffs my hair with her fingertips."Pure rugged cowboy with a touch of windblown sex appeal.The cameras will love it."
Buck's already herding us back toward the arena, chattering excitedly into his headset about photo opportunities and sponsor obligations.The crowd's still buzzing from Jo's record-breaking run, and I can see the Western Heritage Brands crew setting up their equipment near the winner's circle.
"There's our golden couple!"The campaign director, a sharp-dressed woman called Miranda, waves us over with the enthusiasm of someone who's just struck oil."That run was absolutely perfect for our authentic Western lifestyle brand!"
Jo handles the attention with her usual grace, answering questions about her technique and giving Blaze all the credit while cameras flash around us.I stand by her side, one hand resting on the small of her back.The subtle tension in her muscles that tells me she's starting to tire of the spotlight---for today.We've committed to whatever Western Heritage wants from us.
