Page 186 of Lost Trust

His face lights up.

We get him back into the chute.

This time, he grips the rope correctly without instruction. Thumb over the top. Fingers underneath. Free arm high.

“Remember what we talked about?”

He nods.

“Look where you’re going.”

“Six seconds!” he bellows.

I grin.

“That’s right.”

The gate opens.

The sheep tears out.

Ryder rides.

The buzzer sounds.

He leaps off, rolls through the dirt, and springs back to his feet.

“Six!”

He screams it like he just won a gold buckle.

I laugh.

“You did it.”

“Again!”

I shake my head, but I give in faster than I should.

“One more.”

He nods.

Then his whole expression changes.

The laughter disappears.

The little man looks at me with absolute determination.

“Give me the rankest one.”

I bite back a chuckle.

“I’m staying on eight this time.”

“Eight?”

He narrows his eyes.