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“Now, don’t get your panties all twisted up. It’s a good one.”
Bullet folded his arms across his chest and waited.
“Here’s the thing. My daddy isn’t too keen on the idea of raisin’ rough stock up at his place in Black Forest. The truth is, he isn’t too keen on what he refers to as modern rodeo.”
“Why are you involving him if he doesn’t want to do it?”
“Because we need the support in El Paso County. We’re partnerin’ with TZ Bucking Bulls in Larkspur, but that’s just bulls. We need a bronc operation too.”
Bullet shrugged his shoulders and looked off in the distance.
“You got an opinion? Now’s the time to tell me.”
“I’d say the land belongs to your daddy, and if he doesn’t want to do it, ain’t nothin’ gonna change his mind.”
“That’s where you come in.”
“Oh, no. No way. I’m not gettin’ in the middle of this. I hardly know you, let alone your family. Go fight your own battles.” Bullet walked away.
“Don’t you wanna know how this involves gettin’ you on bulls?”
He stopped. “How?”
“My daddy’s gonna be your trainer, and Flying R is gonna be your sponsor.”
Bullet turned around. “Is this another thing he ain’t too ‘keen’ on?”
“Nope, he’s all for it.”
Bullet walked back over to where Billy stood. “This doesn’t add up. If he’s against raisin’ rough stock because he’s against rodeo, why would he train me on bulls?”
“Guess that’s somethin’ you’re gonna have to ask him.”
“I wouldn’t walk in that water wearin’ your boots.”
“I don’t know what the hell that means, but I’m headed to Black Forest tomorrow. Renie and Willow are comin’ with me. You and your son can follow us. We’ll talk to my daddy and straighten all this out.”
Bullet didn’t see he had much choice. He worked for Flying R, and if one of the partners told him he had to go to Black Forest, then that’s what he had to do.
“Hey, Daddy, I’d like you to meet Ben Rice. Ben, this is my father.”
“Nice to meet you, Mr. McCullough.” Ben stepped forward to shake hands.
“Call me Hugh, and it’s nice to finally meet you in person. Can’t thank you enough for getting my girl home safe and sound
.”
“And this is my grandfather, Hugh McCullough Senior, although everyone calls him Gramps.”
“Hello, sir.” Ben shook her grandfather’s hand.
Her gramps then turned to Tristan. “Fancy stuff, little girl, travelin’ in a private plane.”
Tristan smiled. “Not something I plan to get used to.” She didn’t want Ben to think she expected door-to-door plane service on a regular basis.
“My pleasure. And it was necessary. I’ll do just about anything to put off comin’ to New York City. Havin’ another reason to fly east forces me to take care of business.”
Ben told Tristan his agent had been threatening to withhold his royalty checks until he made the trip. “He wasn’t serious. But that tells you how mad he’s been at me for avoiding the business side of my profession.” He told her how hard it was to leave Crested Butte. He hated being away from Liv, their little girl, and the two sons he had from a previous marriage. He knew touring was necessary for the band to continue to sell records, but anything else was easy to put off.
