A/N: Entry for Heather's half-page challenge at BCRU: Write a half page short story that includes the following: at least one Merry Man, one of the four seasons, an exciting event, and four specific phrases. Just a shortie. Hope you enjoy. Characters not mine/not making any money
"I had no idea Oklahoma would be so freaking hot," I thought to myself as I juggled my ice cream cone and my super-size coke. One or the other had to lower my body temperature to just below boiling. My name is Stephanie Plum and I had ventured out of New Jersey to watch my boyfriend Daniel Woodward, better known as Woody, compete in the bull-riding event at a rodeo. I was used to the smog-filled Jersey summer, but this hot, dry, relentless heat was almost more than I could take, much to the amusement of my new favorite Merry Man.
Woody and I had been dating for just over six months when he asked me travel back to his hometown for this event. Apparently, he participated in the bull-riding every year. I wound my way past a group of college frat boys yelling insults and shoving at one another. "You wuss! I can't believe you won't sign up to ride a bull! The rest of us did!" I had the feeling there was quite a bit of liquid courage involved in the discussion and privately thought the "wuss" was the smartest of them all. The loudspeaker crackled to life with the announcement that the bull-riding event was about to begin. Woody was riding second, so I quickly made my way to the side of the arena.
The first bull was released with a clang of the metal gates. Being a city girl, I had never been this close to an animal this large. The thing was huge and bucking and jumping like it was possessed. "Oh, shit," I thought, "I hope Woody is as good as he says he is." I was momentarily sidetracked by my firsthand knowledge of exactly how good Woody is at riding of a different kind. I was brought out of my mental musings as I heard the college boys yell, "woohoo!" as the first rider was thrown from the beast. Woody was next. I was nervous and sweating, and not just from the heat. I could see him getting settled on the bull and he told the guys he was ready. The horn sounded and the bull burst into the arena. I don't think I took a breath the entire time he was being tossed around by the bull. More than once, it appeared he was going to be thrown off, but he regained his balance every time. An hour later, or so it seemed, the eight-second horn sounded and Woody let go and flew off the bull. He got up, dusted himself off, and found me in the crowd. He made his way over to where I was standing at the side. He laid a super-hot kiss on my lips before he whispered, "How was that for getting you hot?"