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She tore out of Ty’s in Buck’s pickup and came running into the house. Daphne handed her the envelope, a big smile on her face.
Hands quaking, Daisy opened the letter, read to the middle, and whooped. “I’m in! I start in September!”
Daphne grabbed her in a death grip clutch and both sister’s screamed, jumping in the air. Tears ran down Daisy’s cheeks. “I’m finally gonna do something with my life, Daph!”
“Oh, honey, I’m so happy for you, so proud! Good for you!”
Daisy took the next day off, so Daphne could take her shopping for school clothes. She still tried to get over to McGreers three mornings a week to work the young horses, but the headaches came every day, usually in the afternoon and sometimes at night.
They sucked at her, draining her energy. She knew she had to focus on getting stronger, getting ready for school now, but she missed Hank.
It nagged at her, but she couldn’t let the headaches or her disappointment over Hank get the best of her.
******
Daphne’s magenta-booted foot pressed the clutch of Buck’s Chevy. She took one hand away from her death grip on the steering wheel and placed it on the stick to downshift. The gears of Buck’s truck ground against one another in protest. “Shoot, Daize!” she screeched, “When am I gonna get the hang of this?”
“Soon, I hope,” Daisy laughed. “Or we’ll be paying Ralph to rebuild the transmission and engine all over again next year. We got almost six hours of driving ahead—gotta get to Jacksboro in time for warm-ups, y’know.”
“Yeah, this is exactly why I’ve spent my life avoiding anything related to “pickup truck” or “horse”, Ms. Barrel Racing Queen!” Daphne protested hotly.
“Just focus on those new boots, Daph. They’re beauties. All I got’s this poor old truck,” Daisy grinned.
Daphne raised an eyebrow. “We’re pullin’ a brand new trailer that’s got A/C/ cold enough you could build igloos, you got your Lucky horse ridin’ in back, and—because I love you—I’ll be spending this entire weekend in the hot sun wading through horse manure. I shoulda thought twice before breaking out my brand new boots!”
“You could be home tending bar!”
“Hell, no. The doctors said I need to keep an eye on my Daisy-chain. Remember, you’re still supposed to be takin’ it easy? Besides, I’m here to meet a hot cowboy,” Daphne insisted, breaking into a wide grin.
When they pulled onto Jacksboro’s rodeo grounds, the sun was low in the sky, its glare full on the dashboard. “Look! That’s Kelsey’s rig,” Daisy cried. “Pull through there!”
“As long as I don’t have to back this darn thing up,” Daphne muttered, pulling up alongside Kelsey’s truck. Cutting the engine, she turned to Daisy. “You’re probably gonna see Hank, you know. I think he’s coming up tomorrow to watch you ride.”
Daisy’s stomach looped. “I know. I just can’t think about how I’m gonna fix things between us right now, Daph. I gotta focus on this buckle. I’ve got five more chances to finish in the money before the season is over. I sure can’t win, but third spot’s open behind Hasty and Jillian. Lucky and I might still be able to pull it off.”
“That’s what we’re here for!” Daphne exclaimed, thumping the steering wheel. “Whew, that drive was stressful. Show me what we need to do to take care of the hairy beast back there and then let’s find a cold beer!”
********
Next day, Hank fed Gypsy and made it to Jacksboro in time to watch Daisy warm up Lucky.
While she’d recuperated, he’d worked Lucky himself, making sure there wouldn’t be a repeat of the bucking and rearing. Lucky had been calm and responsive, giving more and more of himself in training. The gelding looked good today: real fit and plenty fast and nimble.
As he watched, Daphne stood next to him, leaning on the rail in a skimpy pink sundress and god-awful bright magenta tall-shafted boots embossed with yellow and white flowers. He thought she looked like a floosy in the church choir, but it would be too much, worrying over Daisy alone. He was glad of her company.
Daisy and Lucky were among the last in Saturday’s lineup. She rode as focused and determined as ever, but she was thin and her face grew white with the strain of it. Still, she managed her second best time of the season, 16.48.
Coming through the gate, Daisy burst into a smile and patted Lucky’s neck before swinging down. Kelsey and Trina and Becky were right there, fist-bumping and slapping her back, wrapping her in hugs.
“Here,” Hank said gruffly, handing Daphne an ice-cold water bottle. “Daisy needs a drink when she comes outta there. It’s too hot and dusty for her. Take this over.”
“Aw, Hank,” Daphne said, kissing his cheek. “You are so damn good to us.’
He was glad Daphne took it. He didn’t want to interfere; it would hurt too much if Daisy didn’t want him there. Besides, it didn’t feel like he belonged anymore. He had no right to be close to her.
Daisy sucked on the water and waved to him as she walked Lucky by, shoulders square, fine shorn hair tucked under her hat, jeans still loose on her butt and thighs.
For a minute, he hoped she’d motion him to follow. But she didn’t, and the ache of it made his chest catch and squeeze something painful. He knew it was for the best but he almost couldn’t stand it, watching Daisy walk away, back to the trailer alone.
