The gun went off, and Cheyenne flew out of the gate with the other competitors. The team watched from the infield. Molly thought the field might spread out, but the pack was tight, six competitive riders staying within a length of each other. Oh, boy, it was going to be a serious race just to make it through the qualifier. Cassie and Molly held back as Kitty moved on the track in the middle lane waiting for the baton pass. All six horses were flying up the back stretch. Cheyenne was in the middle of the pack holding her own solidly in third place.
The pass from Cheyenne to Kitty went perfectly, and Molly marveled as Kitty took off. She was low and letting her horse fly. At the half way point, Kitty was in a battle with the lead two horses, but the horses behind were not more than a length back. Molly moved Ginger into position and awaited the baton. The crowd was deafening. Six really good racers flying neck and neck around the track. It was a terribly exciting race. Molly was pumped and ready.
Kitty came in hard and thrust the baton to Molly, who grabbed it and kicked Ginger. The burst of speed from Ginger was breathtaking. Molly lay as low as she could and let Ginger go. They slowly crept past the second place horse and were running neck and neck with the lead horse. Molly didn’t need to prod Ginger. She was flying and wanted to win. Coming around the back stretch, she saw Cassie waiting for the baton. Molly adjusted the baton in her hand so she was ready for the pass.
She came in hard and made a perfect pass to Cassie, who was off and running hard. Molly came in to the center field and high fived Cheyenne and Kitty, then trotted Ginger in a cool-down loop. They’d had three good legs and were in a horse race for the lead. The field had not separated. All six horses were within a single length. The crowd was on its feet screaming. It wasn’t possible to have a more exciting race. Molly wanted to check on the McKinnons in the stands, but she was too absorbed watching Cassie. Kitty had it right. That lady could flat out ride. She’d positioned herself beautifully just off the lead awaiting the stretch run. As the horses made the final turn, the crowd was going crazy as Cassie nudged Ruby into the lead. She let the beautiful chestnut mare have her head, and it was pretty clear that no horse was going catch her. She crossed the finish line a half-length ahead of the second place horse.
The blood was surging up Molly’s neck into her face. She was flushed and hot. Okay, then. They qualified for the finals.
Checking out the competition before the start of the finals, Kitty was the purveyor of bad news.
“I’m afraid we were in the weaker qualifier. I don’t know if that was random or intentional. But I know most of the ridersin the finals. They’re serious top flight barrel racers, the ones who compete every rodeo and are competitive to win every time. We’re going to have a much tougher race. These ladies can ride.”
Molly knew exactly what Kitty was talking about. She’d also checked out the other riders and their horses. For years, she’d been on one of these barrel racer teams with good friends on the circuit. They were professional riders with professional horses. Molly felt the stress meter go up. The team assembled for final messages. Nothing new. No mistakes. The baton passes were critical. They had fast horses and just needed to let them go.
The final heat didn’t start well. Cheyenne got off to a decent start, but the race was faster. Cheyenne ran most of the lap in fifth place, fighting for fourth place at the baton pass to Kitty. The baton pass didn’t go smoothly, and Kitty lost a second that moved her back to fifth, but she was flying. Half way around the track, she’d moved into third, but the lead two horses had a full length on her.
Molly moved out to the track talking to Ginger. “Okay, girl, it’s all we’ve got now. We’ve got to gain some ground for Cassie and Ruby. It’s you and me, girl. This is it. We’ve got to fly.”
Kitty came in hard and made a perfect pass to Molly. Molly kicked Ginger and sent every message that the time was now. Ginger responded beautifully with a powerful surge. Molly watched as they slowly gained on the horse in second. Her goal was to pass the baton in at least second place. Ginger was giving it everything she had. Molly was talking in her ear the entire way, “Girl, you’ve got this. It’s all you’ve got. We’re not holding anything back. You go, girl. You’re so beautiful. Okay, right now, let’s do this.” She gave the final kicks down the stretch,and Molly felt Ginger move into another gear. She had no idea Ginger had more, but she put on an amazing burst to pull them even with the second place horse.
The baton pass was smooth, and Cassie was off. She had a full length to make up, and she had a fast horse pressing on her flank. Half way around the track, she’d closed the gap to a half-length. The crowd was in a frenzy as the horses made the final turn. All six horses were within a length of each other. Cassie had closed to a neck as both horses were flat out down the stretch.
Molly, Kitty, and Cheyenne were on the rail screaming their heads off. Molly couldn’t take her eyes off Cassie and Ruby as they worked to close the gap. In the final twenty yards, Ruby gave a final burst and finished a nose ahead of the lead horse. The stadium was deafening. You couldn’t script a more exciting horse race. Molly watched as Cassie took Ruby halfway around the track for a cool down, then trotted her back to the infield.
The announcer made it official, “And it’s Team Mack, captained by our own Molly Omak, winning Ladies Unlimited by a nose.”
The team was off their horses, hugging and high fiving. Molly was enthralled. It just didn’t get better than this, beating the top barrel racers in the region in Ladies Unlimited with Bart’s family. The adrenaline was pumping, her body on fire.
Bart had no idea what was coming at him that night.
The men took over the barbeque operation, cooking steaks to request. Molly sautéed a huge pan of mushrooms, and Bart was in charge of the baked potato toppings—whipped butter, sour cream, bacon bits, chives, grated cheese, sea salt, and fresh ground pepper. The toppings were in heaping bowls. The partywas alive and festive. The Dixie Chicks playlist was on loud. The drinks of choice were Jack Daniels and Glenfiddich, and everyone was drinking hard. Glasses were clinking, toasts were festive, lots of high fives and hugs. It was a victory party. Team Mack had won the day. A loud, raucous western celebration.
Dinner was delicious, everyone seated around the table. Molly stood to offer a toast to Team Mack to loud cheers. Cassie stood and toasted Molly for hosting the McKinnons for a great weekend. Bart toasted Kitty on her farewell ride. Molly was having as much fun as she could remember. It was a hot, beautiful day. The food was great, the music festive. Bart was at her side bumping his leg against hers. She felt part of a wonderful family.
Molly had been planning to join the former Stampede queens in the morning parade, but hadn’t planned to join the Queen’s Ride that opened the rodeo. When the family learned she wasn’t planning to ride, the protests were too much. She’d have her queen regalia on from the parade anyway. She finally relented. More toasts, laughs, and noisy banter.
Cheyenne’s kids were in charge of s’mores over the fire late in the evening, roasting marshmallows, and serving them on squares of chocolate pressed between graham crackers. Molly helped them set up a production line. S’mores were served until no one could eat another. The fire was kicking high in the air, the evening breeze off the lake refreshingly cool after a hot August day.
It was a day Molly would not soon forget. Team Mack had won Ladies Unlimited in style against the best riders in the region.
Molly and Bart were cuddled naked in bed.
Bart said, “Is it okay if I just lie on my back, spread my legs, and let you do the work?”
Molly jabbed him in the side. “Be careful what you wish for.”
“Am I in danger?”
“I’m worried I might break your joystick off.”
“Damn, I hate it when that happens.”
“Okay, well, you better hold on tight cowboy, because it might get a little rough tonight.”
“Oh, boy.”
With that, Molly disappeared with a condom beneath the sheets. Bart lay on his back, legs spread, while Molly prepared him with both hands and her mouth. When all was to her satisfaction, she rolled the condom on, and positioned herself in the saddle cowgirl style.
