First and foremost, I am always for J&E! Jack is my favorite leading man and will remain so. That being said, please be patient with me through the beginning of this story. Jack has some demons he is working through and quite a scandalous past. But he will turn around to be the man that we all love. So please bear with me on this one. I hope you enjoy it as much as I've enjoyed writing it. And I'd like to tell Becky Sue "Thank you" for all your editing help and bouncing ideas off of you!
Disclaimer***I do not own the character of Jack, Elizabeth, Lee, Rosemary, and their families. They are creations of Janette Oke and When Calls the Heart. All other character are fictional and created by me.
...
November 6th, 2008 – Rocky Mountain Pro Rodeo Association Finals, Utah
The air was heavy with dust and they could feel it in their throats. The arena rang with excited voices cheering and screaming. The smell of manure filled their nostrils as they neared the chutes. The overhead lights lit up the arena like it was daylight and their eyes had to adjust to the brightness after coming out of the tunnel that opened up into the dirt-filled stadium. Almost every seat was filled tonight as the crowd cheered on their favorite cowboys. The men looked around into the stands, some looking for a spouse or girlfriend, others looking for a familiar face of any kind, and several looking for their next hot date. One cowboy, however, skimmed the crowd, not focusing on any faces, just soaking in the cheers and rumble of voices that he'd grown to love.
The rodeo clown was filling time by pulling up a rainbow-colored tutu and dancing along the fence to the song "I feel pretty." Laughter began to fill the arena and could be heard over the tens of thousands of people that were talking. He picked up his t-shirt cannon and began to launch shirts into the crowd; arms stretched into the air as high as they could, hoping to catch the next airborne prize.
The bulls were already loaded into the chutes as cowboys lined the rails, helping their fellow competitors and friends prepare for their next ride. The next line of men stood back, watching as chute after chute opened and cowboy after cowboy hit the ground. Occasionally, one would stay on for the necessary eight seconds.
Jimmy, the chute boss, called out, "Thornton, Brown, Heughan, and Greene, you're next!"
The cowboys pulled their gloves on tight, brushed them off, and headed to the chutes. One unfortunate cowboy stopped at the chute that held Tornado, the nastiest bull at the rodeo that evening. He had the unlucky draw that night and got the bull that no man had been able to ride.
As he stood on the platform that faced the bull, Tornado looked him in the eyes then reared up in the chute, almost catching his leg on top of the gate. The chute handlers got the pissed-off bull settled back into place and with the long metal hook, they pulled the bull rope under his belly. After removing the loop from the hook, they handed the rigging to the cowboy who finished placing the rope around the girth of the bull.
With his safety vest zipped and his mouthguard in, he climbed over the gate. Placing his hand on the opposite side, he lowered his foot onto the bull's back to let him know he was there. Tornado twisted his head and eyed the cowboy once more, letting out a loud snort that showered the other cowboys that lined the gate.
After a quick assessment that the bull was not going to rear up again, he carefully lowered himself onto the bull's back and handed the rope to his friend, Lee.
Lee held the rope taut as the cowboy slid his gloved hand up and down the rope, warming up the rosin until it was sticky. Tapping his fist against the rope, signaling to Lee that he was done, Lee loosened the rope and the bull rider moved onto the other section of the rigging. With the block laying on his knee, he slid his gloved hand into the handle and proceeded to warm the rosin. With the bells shaken down into their proper place and the rope positioned where the rider wanted, Lee pulled the rope as tight as he could and handed it to his friend.
The rider took the rope and laid it across the top of his gloved hand that was slid into the handle, pulling it tight. He then wrapped it behind and back across his palm again. He tossed the excess length of the tail of the rope across the bull's neck, sucked in a deep breath, settled down into his seat, pointed his toes forward, pulled his cowboy hat down tight, raised his free arm into the air, and nodded.
"Take him, Jack!" Lee yelled just as the gate swung open and the bull exploded out of the chute.
As the roars of the crowd faded in Jack's mind, leaving him with only the sounds of the bull's hooves hitting the ground, snorts from the bull with each powerful slam, and the bells jingling, Jack did everything he had been taught by his father. He could hear his father's voice speaking to him, giving him guidance and direction. Every motion, every caution, every bit of knowledge his dad had passed to him before he'd died, ran through Jack's mind in the first two seconds of his ride. He spurred with every motion of the bull, in perfect rhythm.
Tornado burst out of the chute and tried everything he could to get this being off his back. He spun to the right, then to the left. He bucked and kicked as hard as he could and then began the motion that earned him his name and title of the bull that no man could ride.
Jack dug in as Tornado began his famous spins, never knowing which way he might turn next.
And then it happened. The pair became one, they moved together as if it was a dance. Each time the bull would kick out, Jack moved his hips forward and kick his feet out. The bull would jump up, Jack would lean forward and slide his feet back. Spin after spin, buck after buck, Jack was able to anticipate every move Tornado made.
A loud buzzer went off and the stadium filled with roars, screams, and cheers. The crowd went wild over watching a record-breaking ride. Jack had done it. He had ridden Tornado for eight seconds.
His heart was racing with excitement, then just as quickly...it was replaced with fear. Reality was setting in as he realized that his hand was not releasing from the grip the bull strap had on it.
Tornado took one tight turn to the right and Jack fell to the left; his hand still attached to the bull's back; he was hung up. As the bull continued his attempts to free himself from this person that was slamming against his shoulder, Jack reached up and tried to pull his hand free. But each time he would grasp his wrist, the force of the bull's movements would send Jack flying, twisting his wrist and shoulder.
"Thornton is hung up!" The announcer unnecessarily yelled. Jack's fellow riders and the bullfighters were already on their way to help him.
Bullfighters were all around him, trying to distract the bull while others tried to free Jack's hand. Just before they finally succeeded, Jack felt it. Pain surged through his shoulder as if someone had just stabbed him with a hot branding iron.
The bullfighters got Jack freed and began to drag him away. Tornado stopped, spun around, locked his gaze on Jack, lowered his head, kicked a cloud of dirt into the air, and charged. Knocking one bullfighter out of his way before reaching Jack, he tipped his head down, hooked his horns under Jack's legs, threw his head up, and launched Jack into the air.
As Jack came down behind the bull, he felt a sharp pain on the back of his head, and then darkness slowly closed in.
…..
April 21st, 2009 – Sully Schools, Missouri
Elizabeth was putting away the last of the paint tubes when Rosemary, her best friend, walked into the classroom.
"Are you ready to go?" Rosie asked as she sat on one of the tables.
"Almost." Elizabeth picked up a pile of paintbrushes and dropped them into a can, bristles up. "What is it we're doing again?"
"My new horse keeps acting up. My neighbor, Mike, told me about some guy that is like a modern-day horse whisperer. I'm taking her to him for some training or adjusting or whatever you want to call it."
"And I have to go with you, why?" Elizabeth asked as she closed the cabinet and turned toward her friend, her hand on her hip.
"Because you love me?" Rosemary grinned and winked at Elizabeth.
"Oh, alright. Let's go."
Rosemary pulled out of the driveway in her Ford F-250 Super Duty truck with her 3-horse trailer in tow. Delilah, her new buckskin mare was loaded and not happy about it. She could feel the movement of the trailer rocking back and forth as she drove down the highway toward Melcher.
"Delilah is pissed right now."
"Is that what I'm feeling?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yes, she's back there kicking and pawing, rocking the trailer."
"Wow, yes, she is not a happy camper. Why did you buy her?"
"I made the mistake of going to a horse auction a few weeks ago. Delilah came out, wide-eyed, snorting, running around the ring. She was beautiful. The only person bidding on her was a kill buyer. I couldn't let that happen."
"A kill buyer? You are going to have to explain that one to me."
"They buy horses that no one else wants. They get so much money per pound of the horse. They are used for dog food, glue, something. I don't even want to think about it. I just couldn't let her go. There was just something about her. I don't know what it is though, yet. I'm hoping this trainer can help me figure that one out."
"Well, if you saw something in her, then there must be something there. You are amazing with horses, Rosie."
"Thanks. That's sweet of you to say." Rosie turned the turn signal on and slowed to prepare for the wide turn. "You need to ride with me more often. This once or twice a year just isn't going to cut it."
"I'll think about it. I do enjoy riding but they scare me a little."
"Scare you? What's there to be scared about?" Rosie made a wide turn onto the road that would lead them to Melcher.
"Oh, I don't know. A 1200 pound animal that can kill you in an instant."
"But they don't know that." Rosemary looked at her friend and grinned.
"What?"
"Most horses don't know that. You just have to earn their trust. Teach them that you aren't going to hurt them or lead them into danger. But at the same time, you have to let them know that you are the boss and they need to listen to and respect you. It's a fine balance."
"Okay, if you say so."
"I know so." Rosemary began to slow down. "Here we are."
"Already?"
"Yep. He just lives down this lane I believe." Rosemary turned the huge, red truck into the long drive. It was lined down both sides with apple trees and led to a large beige and grey barn. She stopped the truck in front of the barn and turned the diesel engine off.
The two ladies climbed down from the truck and walked toward the barn.
"Hello?" Rosie inquired as they walked through the big open doorway.
They stepped into the most beautiful barn Elizabeth had ever seen. The wide concrete aisle was lined down both sides with beautiful wooden stall doors. Without counting them, she thought there must be around twenty stalls. At least a dozen horses had stuck their heads out over their stall doors to take a peek at who had just entered. A few whinnied at them and one bobbed its head up and down.
Rosemary walked up to the head-bobbing horse and scratched it on its forehead. "Hello there, handsome. Look how beautiful you are."
"That's Harley, ma'am," a deep voice called out, startling both women.
Elizabeth spun around to find a good-looking man wearing Wrangler jeans, a dirty white short-sleeve T-shirt, and a white straw cowboy hat, looking down at her. "Hi there," he said, grinning at her.
Elizabeth could see dimples set into his cheeks when he smiled and she felt her knees weaken slightly. After regaining her composure, she finally replied, "Hello."
He stuck his hand out to her, "I'm Jack. You must be Rosemary."
Elizabeth put her hand in his, surprised by the roughness of his skin. "Hi. I'm Elizabeth." She turned and pointed to Rosie with her free hand, "that's Rosemary."
Jack nodded, smiling. "Can I have my hand back, ma'am?"
Elizabeth could feel her cheeks warm with embarrassment and quickly pulled her hand away.
"Hi, Jack. I'm Rosemary." She stepped in their direction, leaving Harley still bobbing his head.
"I hear you have a problem horse?"
"Yes," Rosemary told Jack about Delilah then led him out to the trailer.
As they approached the trailer, they could hear the mare pawing and kicking, snorting, and whinnying.
Jack stopped next to the window where Delilah was tied. The outside window was dropped open with just a few bars keeping the horse from sticking her head out. Jack stood and watched her, not speaking or moving. Rosemary and Elizabeth looked at each other and shrugged. Jack took one step closer, not taking his eyes off the horse. Delilah snorted and kicked at the wall in front of her.
Jack turned to Rosie and pointed toward the back of the trailer, "May I?"
Rosemary motioned to the trailer, "Help yourself."
The women stayed back and watched Jack at work. Elizabeth had only just met him, but she felt she was watching a man completely in his element.
Jack slowly opened the back of the trailer, then stood and watched the horse. After she settled down some, he stepped into the trailer. The women moved to stand behind the trailer so they could watch Jack work.
He approached the horse and carefully ran his hands along her body. He slowly unlatched the partition and swung it open. Delilah remained still, but was watching him out of the corner of her wide eyes, her shoulder quivered nervously. He reached up, pulled her rope loose, then ran his hand down her neck, over and over, speaking to her softly. Once her shoulder stopped quivering, Jack led the horse off the trailer.
Elizabeth watched him in awe. She had seen Rosie attempt to work with the mare but hadn't come anywhere near what Jack had already done in just a few minutes.
Jack stepped off the trailer with Delilah following him. As soon as she hit the ground, she took off, trying to run away. Jack planted his feet, grabbed the rope with both hands, and held on. The horse hit the end of the rope and spun around, almost pulling Jack over. She let out another snort and stood, staring at Jack. She shook her head and stomped one of her front hooves, kicking up a small cloud of dust.
Elizabeth had noticed Jack's face wince when Delilah hit the end of the rope and jerked Jack's arms. She saw him roll his shoulder after the horse stopped, tip his head and close his eyes briefly as if he was willing a pain to subside.
Once the horse began to settle again, Jack walked to her. Her head was raised high in the air and Jack scratched her forehead, then ran his hand softly over her eye, still talking to her in a whisper. He repeated this several times and with each slide over her eye, Delilah would drop her head down slightly. Once her head was lowered to Jack's chest level, he moved his hand down her neck and across her withers, softly scratching the peak of her shoulder. The women watched in amazement as Delilah dropped her head even lower and began to lick her lips.
"There it is," Jack said as he stepped away from the horse and let her stand alone.
"There what is?" Elizabeth asked, completely engrossed in the process.
"The lip lick," Rosemary answered.
Elizabeth looked at her friend, quite confused.
"That's correct," Jack continued. "When a horse begins to understand what you are asking of them, they will lick their lips. It means they are learning."
"Wow, that's really interesting."
"So, Rosemary, tell me what you know about this horse."
"I don't know any more than what I already told you. The owner dropped the horse off at the sale barn and left. Didn't give them any information on her."
"She has clearly been through some kind of mistreatment or trauma, but there is definitely potential here."
Rosemary clapped her hands together, "Oh, good. I just couldn't let her go to the kill pen. I could see something special in her."
"I'm going to call today a win and put her in the barn for now," Jack said as he turned the horse toward the barn.
As the women followed him, Rosie elbowed Elizabeth. Elizabeth turned toward her friend and glared at her. "What?" she whispered.
Rosemary pointed toward Jack's backside and answered quietly, "Wrangler butts are the best."
They heard Jack chuckle and Elizabeth smacked Rosie on the arm and shot her a look.
Once Delilah was settled in her temporary home, the trio stepped outside.
"I think she will be just fine with some work. Once I get her in the round pen and start some real therapy with her, I'll be able to see what she knows and hopefully, she'll tell me what her trouble areas are."
Elizabeth looked at Jack, obviously confused with his last statement.
"You're wondering how a horse will tell me something?" Jack asked her.
Elizabeth nodded and felt her cheeks warm slightly.
"A horse can tell you anything you need to know. You just have to know how to listen. Just like people, they use body language to warn you, signal you, show you affection. She'll talk to me in time."
Elizabeth listened intently, soaking in everything he said. "That is amazing, Jack."
Jack nodded, "Horses are amazing creatures."
He smacked the lead rope he held in his hand against his jeans and a puff of dust escaped into the air; evidence of his work from earlier that day.
"Thank you, Jack, for working with Delilah. I think Mike was correct about you being a horse whisperer," Rosemary flirted.
"I don't know about that, but I do know my way around the beasts," Jack replied, smiling.
Rosemary and Jack finalized some details then the women climbed into the truck and left. Once on the highway, Rosemary turned to Elizabeth, "Whoa. That was one fine specimen of a man."
"Really?" Elizabeth replied, "I hadn't noticed."
"What? You couldn't take your eyes off him."
"Was it that obvious?" Elizabeth asked, embarrassed.
"Yes, Liz, it was very obvious. I thought you were undressing him with your eyes."
"Rosemary!" Elizabeth exclaimed. "I did no such thing."
"No? Really? You weren't imagining at all what was under those Wranglers and white tee?"
Elizabeth felt her cheeks grow warm once again. "Well, maybe a little."
Both women began to laugh and continued talking about their new infatuation.
…..
April 23rd, 2009 – Hope Meadows Ranch, Missouri
Jack stepped out of the barn when he heard the familiar sound of his best friend's truck pull up.
"Hey there, Jack. How ya doin'?" Lee asked as he closed his truck door.
"I'm alright. How are you? What are you doing here?"
Lee walked around the rusted and beat-up truck and leaned against the fender. "Just stopping by to check and see how you're healing."
Jack moved his arm around, feeling the joint in his shoulder rotate. "It's actually feeling pretty good."
"You think you'll rodeo again?" Lee asked, crossing his arms across his chest.
"What kind of question is that? Of course, I am." Jack shot back.
"Alright, man. Just asking. Never know when one of us will get a brain and jump off this crazy ride we're on." Lee proclaimed.
"Well, I'm not ready to get off this ride. Not sure I'll ever be." Jack answered, kicking the dirt around with his worn leather boot.
"You know, Jack. You don't need to do this." Lee said with a softer voice.
Jack looked up at his friend, his forehead pinched and eyes squinted, "What do you mean? Do what?" he asked, sharply.
"Continuously trying to make your father proud. He's not here anymore, brother. And when he was, he was very proud of you. I just don't know what you're trying to prove."
Jack straightened and crossed his arms, "I'm not trying to prove anything to anyone. Where do you get off talking to me like that? You still ride and you've been hurt. How are you any different? What are you trying to prove?" Jack's words came out harsher than he'd meant, but he held his ground and didn't apologize.
Lee put his hands out in front of him, palms facing Jack, "Look, Jack. I wasn't trying to start anything. I didn't mean it like that. It's only that you seem to be chasing something ever since your dad died. Your riding style has even changed. You're doing great, but you've also gotten reckless. I hope you find what you're looking for soon. I don't want to see you hurt again or killed."
Jack relaxed and sighed. "I know. I don't know what it is. After dad's...accident, I've been...I don't know. Something. I don't even know what I'm chasing. The Win maybe. Because he didn't. I don't know, man." He kicked at the dirt again before returning his eyes to Lee. "What I do know is, I need to get back out there. I need to ride again."
"I understand you there," Lee commented. "Has the doctor released you yet."
"Not exactly. But I'm going to register for the one in Shelbyville next month."
"So soon, Jack. Are you sure? And what do you mean, 'not exactly'?"
Jack sucked in a deep breath and slowly blew it out. "Doc recommended that I never rodeo again. That the strain on my shoulder might damage it permanently. I don't care what he says, I'm riding."
Lee understood all too well how Jack felt. He was the same way when he'd gotten hurt. "I know how you feel."
"I know you do," Jack replied, nodding.
The two men visited a little while longer before heading to the barn. Once inside, Lee caught a glimpse of Delilah. "Who's this? You buy another one?"
"No. She belongs to some gal from Carlisle. Bought her at an auction to save her from the kill pen."
"Oh, one of them." Lee chuckled.
"Yep, one of them."
"Is she cute?" Lee asked.
Jack looked at his friend and shook his head. "Dude, you need to think about other things."
Lee laughed, "Why? What's the point?"
"Lee, sometimes I wonder about you." Jack laughed. "And yes, she was cute. So was her friend."
"What, there were two of them? Jack, you need to let me know when they'll be back. I need to meet them."
Jack laughed and shook his head again. "Let's get Harley and Duke out and go for a ride."
"Sounds like a great idea, Jack." Lee picked up a lead rope and headed towards Duke's stall.