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Merry Anna fought back hertears when Zan told Adam to hold on tight. She thought about the night Zan clung to that sheep as though her life depended on it.
The difference was, Merry Anna knew that in this case, Adam’s life could depend on it.
Her heart raced. At least he wasn’t at the end of the lineup this time. She didn’t know how many buckoffs she could take waiting to get through his ride.
He’s a pro. He’s going to be fine.
She took Zan’s hand in hers and smiled gently, hoping to calm her.
The announcer opened the ceremonies. Everyone rose for the national anthem and Pledge of Allegiance, and every cowboy came out into the riding ring and held his hat to his heart for the whole thing.
Zan pointed to Adam. She’d been able to pick him out of the whole line of men in chaps.
Tonight’s announcer sang out the announcements like he was calling the rounds in a boxing match.
“Are you ready to rumble?”
High-energy music cranked through the air, and the bulls were clanging through the gates into the chutes.
The first rider covered his bull, staying on the full eight-second ride. When the buzzer rang out, he came off so gracefully that it looked like a gymnastics dismount. Merry Anna clapped, and Zan did too.
The next rider was off the bull before its front feet hit the ground. He ran right back into the chute, making it look as if the bull got out and caged the cowboy for good measure. It was worth a chuckle, but the cowboy wasn’t laughing as he stomped out of the ring.
Merry Anna was focused on the bucking chute. From her seat, she could see Adam rosin his rope. Zan didn’t seem to realize he was getting ready to ride, so Merry Anna played it cool, hoping it would all be over, except the celebrating, before she realized it.
The other cowboys hung over the chute, helping Adam get set on the bull. With one boot on the fence, a cowboy gave Adam’s rope a powerful tug.
Adam gave the nod, and the chute shot open with a bang that sent Zan to her feet.
Merry Anna helped Zan stand on the bleacher so she could see over the crowd. She held her close to keep her from wobbling off the boards that gave a little every time someone moved. Focused on Adam’s ride, the red bull slung slobber as he spun in a compact circle. Merry Anna held Zan in one hand and her own heart in the other, wishing now she hadn’t agreed to this one more time.
The seconds ticked off on the giant digital clock on the scoreboard.
Adam rocked and spun with the bull, his hand high in the air. It looked like easy money.
Thank You for giving him a safe ride.
Rocket Fuel looked so much smaller than the one shewatched him ride last time. The bull stumbled forward and turned in the opposite direction a half step, then back the other way.
Merry Anna watched Adam slide toward his hand, then spur the animal. The bull sprang into the air and lurched forward.
The buzzer sounded. She whooped a joyful holler, so thankful he’d made the eight seconds.
But Adam was in the air over that animal’s back. The powerful thrust from the bull forced Adam’s body forward, and in a single nasty nanosecond, Rocket Fuel lifted his head, catching Adam in the skull.
Blood flooded the right side of Adam’s face.
Merry Anna couldn’t tell for sure, but the way Adam seemed to fold over his own arm and hang from the side of the animal, he may have been unconscious.
Zan screamed.
Merry Anna spun her around and pulled the little girl into herself in a hug, hiding her face from the commotion and wishing she also could look away.
The bullfighters did a deadly dance with the bull, who wasn’t showing any sign of slowing down. Clearly, this bull didn’t understand that the buzzer meant it was the end of the ride.
One of the bullfighters teased the bull while the other finally worked Adam loose. Adam fell to the ground in a heap.
