November 6th, 2009 – Mandalay Bay Hotel, Las Vegas

Jack woke up before anyone else, his hip throbbing, making it impossible for him to sleep. Going into the bathroom, he dug around Elizabeth's bag, trying to find the Tylenol. Seeing that it was still sitting on the counter, he dropped three capsules in his hand, tossed them into his mouth and swallowed.

Quietly walking through the bedroom, Jack picked up the bag of water that was once ice and headed downstairs for more. He emptied it into the sink, pulled the ice tray from the fridge, and filled it with as many ice cubes as he could fit into the bag.

As he walked back up the stairs, Tom walked toward him, having just left his and Sam's room.

"What are you doing up?" Jack asked, trying to hide the bag at his side.

"Sam has a headache; I'm getting her a glass of water."

"Oh, that's too bad. Hope she gets to feeling better," Jack said as he attempted to walk back into his room.

Tom looked down at Jack's hand, seeing the bag that he had unsuccessfully tried to hide behind his leg.

"What's that about?" Tom asked, pointing at the ice.

Jack turned, lifted his shirt and pulled the waistband of his lounge pants down, revealing the black bruise that had grown since the night before.

"Oh, crap, Jack. That looks awful." Tom moved closer to get a better look.

"Yeah, it feels awful, too." Jack held the ice against his hip and pulled his pants up over the bag, holding it in place.

"Will you be able to ride?"

"Yeah. Probably hurt like crazy, but I've been through worse."

"Yes," Tom looked back toward his room, "I better get Sam some water."

"Alright. I need to try to get some more sleep anyway."

Tom patted Jack on the back as he passed him to go downstairs. After quietly closing the door behind him, Jack returned to bed, slowly sliding in next to Elizabeth, laying on his left side. Feeling mild relief from the pain reliever and the ice, Jack was able to fall back into a peaceful, nightmare free sleep.

…..

Waking to find a fresh bag of ice laying against his hip and Elizabeth's side of the bed empty, Jack rolled out of bed. Stiff and in pain, he managed to limp to the bathroom to take more Tylenol.

After getting dressed, Jack slowly made his way down the stairs, using the railing to take some of the weight off his hip. In the living room, Jack could see Elizabeth talking and laughing with Samantha and Rosemary. When the kitchen was in view, Jack saw his mother working alongside Grace, preparing a meal.

Jack lifted his finger to his lips, hushing Rosie and Sam, as he snuck up behind Elizabeth. Covering her eyes with his hands, he bent down and kissed her on the cheek then nibbled her ear.

Giggling, Elizabeth placed her hands over Jack's. "You better run and hide before my husband wakes up."

Jack dropped his hands and leaned over her, "Very funny." He bent down and kissed her mouth. "Good morning."

"Well, it's 12:10 so technically it's 'good afternoon.'"

Jack looked at the clock that hung on the wall near the kitchen. "Why didn't you wake me?"

"You needed the sleep, Jack. I know you woke up several times last night because of your hip."

"What's wrong with his hip?" Charlotte asked, passing through the front room, carrying a platter of vegetables to the dining table.

"Nothing, Ma. I'm fine," Jack said loudly so she could hear him from the dining room.

Returning to the front room, Charlotte stood with her arms crossed, eyeing her son.

"Fine." Jack turned, lifted his shirt and pulled the side of his pants down.

"Oh, my gosh!" Rosie yelled, loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Jack Thornton, why didn't you tell us it was that bad?" Charlotte said, raising her voice.

"Mom, there isn't anything you can do for it. It's just a bruise."

"Well, that's the nastiest bruise I have ever seen," she added.

"I'll be fine. I've been taking Tylenol and icing it. Nothing more can be done."

"That is pretty bad, Jack," William stated, joining the group in the room. "Will you even be able to ride?"

"Yes. I've ridden with a broken rib before. This is nothing."

"Jack Ashton Thornton. I don't even want to hear that," Charlotte exclaimed and left the room.

Shaking his head, he looked around the room at all the wide eyes staring at him. Lee and Tom were the only ones that didn't look like they'd just seen a ghost.

"Everyone, really. I'll be fine. It's part of the job. If we can get back on the bull after getting hurt, we get back on the bull." Jack shrugged like it was no big deal.

Sam stood and walked over to Jack, looking his bruise over. "I need to look at your hip, Jack. It's could be more than just a bruise."

Jack looked at Sam, slight concern entering his eyes. "Okay."

"We need to go to the other room." Turning to Elizabeth, "Beth, want to come with us?"

The three walked into Charlotte's room and Sam closed the door behind them. "Sorry, but you'll need to take your pants off."

Jack looked at Elizabeth, a slight look of horror on his face.

"It's alright, Jack," Elizabeth said.

"Keep your underwear on, just remove your pants." Sam stepped back, eyeing Jack's hip.

Jack reluctantly slid his soft cotton pants off and stepped out of them, wincing in the process.

Sam stepped behind him, placing her hands on his hips and carefully felt each side. She stepped back and compared one side to the other, looking at the height of each hip.

"Walk across the room, please," she said in her best nurse voice.

Jack obeyed and walked to one wall, turned, and walked back, his eyes looking everywhere except at Sam.

"It looks alright, but you really need to get that x-rayed."

Jack nodded and quickly picked up his pants and put them back on.

Sam stepped out the room, leaving Jack and Elizabeth to be alone.

"Well, that was embarrassing," Jack stated, pulling Elizabeth in against him.

"She's a nurse, Jack. She's seen it all."

"Not all of me!" Jack smiled, flashing his dimples and melting Elizabeth's heart.

…..

Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas

"We're a family here. Even though we are riding against each other, and we each want the highest score, our competition isn't with one another, it's with the bull." Jack stated, replying to William's comment about how impressed he was with the sportsmanship shown between competitors.

"It's really amazing to see, Jack. You just don't see that in any other sport."

"No, rodeos are a world all their own," Charlotte replied.

The group gathered around the chutes as Jack showed them a behind-the-scenes look of bull riding. William was fascinated with all the mechanics and teamwork that were involved as he and Frank walked across the platform and looked down into the chutes from above.

After showing them around and introducing them to a few of the riders, including Guilherme, everyone left to find their seats except Elizabeth, who stayed behind for a few minutes to be with Jack.

She leaned against the wall as she watched him interact with a group of young boys that had surrounded him, asking for his autograph. Jack was down on one knee, talking to them at eye level, giving them pointers and signing their cowboy hats with a sharpie.

As she looked on, a huge smile across her face as love and pride filled her, a tap on the shoulder brought her back and she turned to see who it was.

Standing behind her was Polly, a woman that Elizabeth had hoped to never see again. The smile left her face as she stared into the eyes of the woman who had caused her worst nightmare.

"Before you say anything, I just want to apologize," Polly started, her hands in front of her in hopes to stop Elizabeth from saying what was on her mind. "I am so very sorry for what I did. I had no idea that those men would take it that far. That was not my intention and I hope you can believe me. I would not wish that kind of treatment on any woman as I know what it feels like."

A cloud of fear and regret filled Polly's eyes as she spoke to Elizabeth, her voice cracked as the memory of that terrible evening flashed through her mind.

"I was mad, jealous, and feeling rejected. That was no excuse for what I did though." Polly looked down at the dirt, kicking it around with her boot. "I'm so sorry, Elizabeth. I really didn't mean for it to go that far. I have felt sick ever since I saw what they did to you."

Elizabeth remained silent while Polly talked, listening to her, measuring her sincerity.

Jack looked up, and seeing Polly talking to Elizabeth, he jumped up and ran to her. "What are you doing down here, Polly" He asked, his voice low and harsh.

Elizabeth raised her hand, pressing it against his chest to stop him, pushing him back behind her. She turned her head toward him, "Jack, stop. I've got this," she said in a low, level, quiet voice. She could feel him move his arm behind her, gripping the shirt at her waist, clearly trying to control his anger.

Looking back to Polly who was staring at the dirt again, she reached out her hand and held it front of her.

Polly looked up, seeing that Elizabeth was waiting with an outreached hand for her to take. Polly, with a shaky hand, placed it in Elizabeth's, who gently shook it.

"Let's just forget that it ever happened." Elizabeth said in a soft voice. Placing her free hand on top of their clasped ones, Elizabeth held tight, looking her in the eyes. "I believe you when you say that you didn't mean that to happen. I believe that you are truly sorry. And I forgive you." Elizabeth gently squeezed her hand.

A tear fell down Polly's cheek as she stared at Elizabeth with disbelief. "How can you do that? Just simply forgive me for something so awful."

"Because I have God in my heart. We are to forgive; we are not to judge. There is only one Judge. I do not know what is or was in your heart. It is not my job to know. What I do know, is that I can see the sincerity in your eyes and hear it in your voice. And I know to forgive is to be more like Jesus. God loves you, Polly."

Jack's grip on Elizabeth's shirt relaxed and he moved his hand to the small of her back.

"And Polly, I'm very sorry for whatever happened to you in the past."

Polly nodded her head, tears flowing down her cheeks. "Thank you," she said through a cracked voice. "Thank you." She glanced at Jack who was standing behind Elizabeth's shoulder, clearly in awe of his wife. "I'm sorry, Jack."

Polly slowly turned and disappeared into the darkness of the tunnel that seemed to swallow her up.

Jack turned Elizabeth to face him, cupped her face in his hands, and kissed her. "You are an amazing woman, Elizabeth Thornton. Absolutely amazing."

…..

Elizabeth found her family in her favorite spot, only a few rows up and on the end nearest the chutes. It was the perfect location as she could clearly see the arena as well as part of the back area where Jack would prepare for his rides.

With the announcer beginning, the audience was advised that Caleb, the rider who'd been stepped on the chest on the second night, was recovering well. As was the one that had been knocked out. They, along with a few others, were not returning to ride again due to their injuries.

After the third evening of competition, a few more riders had been eliminated with broken ribs, a concussion, and one with a broken hip.

Although Guilherme had a high scoring ride on the third night, the fourth night proved a tough one as he was thrown from Hannibal's Wrath, narrowly escaping the pounding hooves as the bull turned back to attack him. Jack had watched and studied the ride, seeing all the similarities from Fury that were still etched in his mind.

Lee, being thrown on his third ride, was knocked down by the bull as he was running toward the fence, leaving only a bruise on his back. Rosie watched without breathing as the bull charged Lee and hit him, only breathing once she saw him get up and run out. His fourth evening had given him his highest score of the week so far, moving him up the leaderboard slightly, just enough to be in the top fifteen for the final ride.

The two evenings had been rough on Jack, fighting through the pain of his hip. He had ridden both bulls, scoring high with each, but the pain afterwards sent Jack to medical for some pain relief. After an x-ray cleared him of any breaks, the medical director gave Jack a higher dose of pain killer and told him to keep icing the area.

…..

Later that evening as they gathered around the dining room table in the large suite, Sam carried in a plate of brownies and set them on the table.

"You're the only rider to have scored all four nights, aren't you, Jack?" Frank asked as he leaned in to take a brownie.

"Yes, I am," Jack smiled slightly.

"So, all you have to do tomorrow is stay on and you've got it. Right? No matter what your score is?" William asked.

"That's correct. I'm high enough up that even if I score low, I'll still be first. But if I don't score, Guilherme only needs to score a 79 and he'll take first."

"That's great, Jack." Frank added. "It's been quite the treat to see you ride. You, too, Lee. Both of you are amazing riders."

"Thank you, sir," Lee stated.

"What time does it all start tomorrow?" Frank asked.

"It's at 11:30, and only the top fifteen riders and bulls. It will go fairly quickly and then the closing ceremonies, but those won't take too long."

Charlotte turned to Jack, placing her hand on his, "Is Hannibal's Wrath part of the fifteen?"

Jack looked at her and nodded, "Yes, Ma. He is."

Charlotte squeezed his hand then slid her hand back to her lap. Frank moved his hand behind her and rubbed her back.

After a brief silence, William spoke up, "So, both of you are having your final rides tomorrow?"

"Yes, sir. It will be a bittersweet moment." Lee tightened his hold on Rosie's hand, looking over to her and smiling. "But it's time, just like Jack said."

"They will be starting team roping though," Elizabeth added. "That will be very exciting and fun to see."

"What exactly is involved with team roping?" William asked, leaning forward with his arms on the table.

Jack picked up the tablet that was beside him, pulled up a video, and handed it to William for him and Grace to watch.

"Well, that looks like fun," Grace said, "and much safer."

Jack chuckled, "Yes, definitely much safer." He moved his hand onto Elizabeth's knee and rubbed his thumb across it.

They visited a little while longer regarding team roping as Jack and Lee explained the rules. Grace and William gave them their complete attention as they continued to learn things about this sport that had been so foreign to them up until now.

The women all excused themselves and moved to the front room where they were all engrossed in their own conversations about what they might do the following evening after the event was over; including shopping, dining and the shark reef aquarium that was located in the hotel.

Feeling the throbbing in his hip growing with each second, Jack excused himself to turn in.

As he laid in bed on top of the covers, his hands behind his head, staring up at the ceiling as he was lost in thought over tomorrow's possible outcome, Elizabeth entered the room with a fresh bag of ice. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she laid it beside his hip, carefully pressing it against the skin.

"Thank you," Jack said, sliding his hand down her arm.

"You're welcome." Elizabeth bent down, kissing him softly on his lips, tasting the residual Sprite and Crown that covered them. "How are you feeling?"

"I'll be fine. It just aches a bit."

"I meant about tomorrow."

"What do you mean?"

"How are you feeling about it being your final ride now that it's really here?" She ran her hands through his hair, brushing it off to the side.

"I think I'm alright. Might feel differently tomorrow when it's over. I will be sad about it because it's all I've known for so long. It's who I was." Jack slid his hand along her cheek, cupping the back of her neck, he pulled her down and kissed her. "But now I'm your husband, that's who I am. And after this," he pointed to his hip, "I definitely know I made the right decision."

They laughed as she lowered her face to his, covering his lips with hers.

Jack slid his hands into her hair, "Have I ever told you that you're the best thing that's ever happened to me?"

Elizabeth giggled, "Yes, a few times."

"Well, I'll probably say it several more times because it's true." Jack pulled her down and kissed her. "I have to take a shower now."

"Okay," Elizabeth stood and pulled Jack to his feet. She sat on the edge of the bed and watched him as he began to walk toward the bathroom.

Turning, he held out his hand and said, "Join me?"

Elizabeth stood and laid her hand in his and followed him to the shower.

…..

November 8th, 2009 - Ford Tough Series, PBR World Finals – Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas

Jack and Elizabeth stood in a long dark hallway, his hands holding hers, Elizabeth's forehead against Jack's chest. Jack raised his right hand and lifted Elizabeth's chin until her lips met his.

"What are you thinking about?" Jack asked, cupping her face.

With tears forming and her bottom lip quivering slightly, she answered through a cracked voice, "Please come back to me."

Jack wrapped his arms around her tight, holding her against his chest, his hand on the back of her head. "I will, Beth," he answered softly before kissing her hair.

The couple remained that way, frozen in the moment, until it was time for Jack to join the rest of the competitors for the opening ceremonies.

Lee walked up, Rosie's hand in his, and tapped on Jack's shoulder, "It's time to go." Then Lee led Rosemary away to say their goodbyes.

Pulling Elizabeth back, Jack could see tears staining her cheeks. Cupping her face once more, he wiped them away with his thumbs, paused to memorize her face, then said, "I love you, Baby." He kissed her goodbye, a kiss filled with love and passion, before walking away, his own tears beginning to fall.

….

Elizabeth and Rosie met Grace, Charlotte, and Sam, who'd been waiting in the concession area for them. Grace saw Elizabeth's face and immediately pulled her daughter into her arms, holding her. Pulling her back and moving her hands to hold Elizabeth's, she looked into her daughter's face.

"Why don't you just tell Jack that you don't want him to ride, Honey?"

Elizabeth shook her head. "He needs to do this, Mom."

"I don't understand that. If both of you are troubled by this, which you obviously are, why not just pull out of the event?"

Charlotte stepped up next to Elizabeth, placing her hands on each of her shoulders. "Rodeo cowboys, especially bull riders, are a different breed of men. There's something in their blood that draws them in, that's the only way I can explain it. If Jack walks away now, he will never be the same."

"But if he rides, he may never be the same," Grace added, still holding Elizabeth's hands.

"Jack needs closure on this part of his life. Riding that bull will bring him that closure. If he quits, the 'what ifs' will eat him alive and drive him mad."

"How can you say that after what happened to your husband? What if he draws that bull?"

"I won't lie, Grace, this is killing me just as much as Elizabeth. But I know this life, and I know that my son has to ride that bull."

Sam and Rosie walked up and stood on the other side of Elizabeth, both nodding their heads.

"It's hard to explain and even harder to understand," Sam added. "My father and brothers were bull riders and they could never walk away from a ride."

"Yes, Lee would never do that either. It's not in them to do so," Rosemary stated. "It's like...it's like they'll feel defeated."

"Yes, it's a part of them, like the air they breathe. For some, it's like a drug, they can't function until they get their next fix," Samantha replied.

"Yes, what Sam said is a perfect way to describe it," Charlotte said. "We don't do it, so we can't fully understand what goes through their minds. But we've seen it, and we've learned to live with it because we know that they need it, like we need air."

Grace looked between each of the women as they spoke, nodding her head in understanding. "Well, I still don't get it, but I understand what you're saying."

The women all chuckled. "Then you are right there with us," Charlotte stated, draping her arm across Grace's shoulders. "Let's go find our seats."

….

In the center of the arena, amid the smoke and the fanfare, the remaining bull riders stepped forward, one by one, reaching into the blue velvet bag to pull out a wooden token with a number etched into it that would determine their fate that evening.

Jack, knowing that one number could lead him to the same fate as his father, nervously reached into the bag and pulled out the small piece of wood that would reveal that fate. Slowly opening his fingers to show Bob, the ringman, the number, Jack looked down and saw the number 13 staring back at him. Speaking on his walkie, Bob gave the announcer the information, who in turn, would announce to the audience what bull had been drawn.

"Well, folks. An odd chain of events has just occurred. As many of you know, Jack Thornton's father, Thomas, was a three-time world champion and loved by everyone that had been lucky enough to meet him. Unfortunately, Thomas was killed many years ago during a ride on Hannibal's Fury. Jack has just drawn Hannibal's Wrath, a descendant of Fury's. Jack is the only rider that has ridden every bull so far, so all he has to do tonight is stay on for the eight seconds and he will be our new champion. But Hannibal's Wrath has remained unridden all week."

As soon as Jack had seen the number, he knew what bull it was assigned to. As the announcer spoke, Jack stared at the dirt, his stomach churned, and his heart raced so fast it hurt. He swallowed hard against the lump that was taking residence in his throat, unable to budge it. Not wanting to see the look on Elizabeth's face, his gaze remained on the dirt floor.

Charlotte grabbed Elizabeth's hand as soon as they'd heard what bull Jack had drawn, and held it tight as they both watched Jack. Even from a distance, they could see the trepidation in his face, though he wouldn't look at them.

Frank slid his left arm across Charlotte's shoulders, trying to give her a sense of comfort during this trying time. Charlotte moved her free hand to rest on top of Frank's leg as he moved his right hand to covers hers.

William and Grace sat gripping each other's hands, saying constant prayers for their son-in-law and Lee.

"This draw has got to be difficult for Jack and his family. And to top it all off, tonight will be his last ride. Jack Thornton and Lee Coulter are both retiring from bull riding and we are all lucky enough to witness their final rides."

Gasps and statements of disbelief could be heard throughout the stadium as everyone watched Jack and Lee lift their hands, waving at their fans.

….

The riders began their final attempts at placing in the top five of the championships. Running in order of lowest scoring to highest, Lee was the fifth rider and Jack would be the last.

The first four took their turns, none of which had been able to stay on for the full eight seconds. Lee was up next, and with Jack by his side, he began his preparations for what would be his final ride.

"You've got this, Lee." Jack said, handing him the rope. "Go out there and show these youngsters how it's done."

Lee flashed his huge smile that he'd become known for in the rodeo circuit, finished wrapping the rope across his hand and nodded.

The bull twisted out of the chute, narrowly throwing Lee. But turning in just the right direction brought Lee back as he regained his center, and rode the bull to the buzzer. Letting go and flying off the bull, Lee landed on his feet and ran to the fence. Pulling his helmet off, he threw it in the air after hearing his score of 87 and with his huge smile, waved to the crowd and Rosie.

Rosemary celebrated with everyone, clapping and yelling for Lee, but in her heart, she was relieved that it was over and that he'd come through it mostly unscathed.

Once behind the chutes, Jack hugged him, smacking his back as they always did. Several more of their friends joined in with the celebration.

Jack and Lee stood off to the side, watching each bull and rider attempt to beat one another; mostly the bulls won, but occasionally the rider did. A few more horrible wrecks kept the bull fighters and medical team busy.

One of their close friends, Dustin, was up next, and Jack and Lee were by his side. Lee pulled the rope up tight while Jack grabbed his friend's vest, waiting to pull him to safety if needed. They watched as he nodded his head, the gate swung wide, and the bull exploded from the confines he'd been held in. Three hard bucks in, Dustin lost his grip and flew forward off the bull, hitting the dirt in front of the animal's feet that were still in motion. Coming down on top of Dustin, the bull lowered his head and continued to buck and spin, landing on the cowboy numerous times.

As the bull fighters ran in, smacking the bull in various areas of his body, trying anything to capture his attention, the beast finally honed in on one of the fighters. Chasing him toward the gate, he was secured out of the arena, away from Dustin who laid limp and unmoving.

Jack and Lee, along with a few other men, jumped down into the dirt and ran to their friend as the medical team descended upon him. Jack stood watching, his hat in one hand, his other running through his hair, as he saw blood dripping from Dustin's mouth. Carefully moving him onto a board, the team strapped him down and taped his head in place, all the while the director was knelt at Dustin's head, trying to get him to respond in any manner.

The announcer continued speaking, informing the crowd of how well trained the team was and that they would give Dustin the much needed treatment that he would require. Elizabeth, Rosie and the family looked on, holding their breath, waiting to see any kind of movement from the rider. Thoughts ran wild through Elizabeth's head; thoughts of the possibility of that being Jack's body, laying in the dirt, unmoving in just a few more rides.

Just as they were about to pick up the board, Jack saw Dustin's eyes flutter open and his chest rise and fall with large deep breaths. The team quickly lifted the board and escorted him out of the arena and straight to an ambulance.

Jack and Lee returned to the staging area where Jack paced, his hat still in his left hand, the fingers of his right hand was locked in his hair. Lee stood back, letting Jack work through his stuff.

As Jack's time neared, Lee grabbed his vest and pulled Jack until his face was inches from his own. "Jack, it doesn't matter what the bull's name is or where he came from. He's just another bull. You came here to win and you will do just that." He shook Jack slightly, still gripping the arm holes of the vest. "This bull is nobody. He doesn't know who he's about to try to throw, he doesn't know who he's messing with. You're Jack Thornton, son of Thomas Thornton. That is who this bull will be conquered by." Lee smacked the front of Jack's vest with his fists, Jack nodded as Lee had spoken and continued to do so after he'd stopped.

Their "pump up" ritual they had started years ago, had always helped Jack get centered in his thoughts. Lee had always known just what to say to get Jack out of his own head.

Sitting on the back of the platform with his legs dangling over the edge, Jack pulled his cowboy hat off and set it to the side. Picking up his safety helmet, he held it in his hand, staring at it. Turning it over and back again, thoughts of his father running through his mind. He looked back at his black felt cowboy hat, one just like his father had always worn, and picked it up. Holding both in his hands, he looked back and forth between the two. "I trust You, Lord, to protect me. I put it all in Your hands."

Jack stood and walked to the chute that now held Hannibal's Wrath, and looked down over the huge black and tan Brahma bull. Looking back at the helmet he'd left lying on the platform, Jack placed his cowboy hat on his head and zipped his vest, closing it around his black Wrangler shirt.

Lee stepped up beside him and looked up at his hat. "Taking it back to your roots?" He asked.

Jack smiled, "Something like that."

They stood side by side as they watched Guilherme prepare for his ride. As the gate swung open and Apollo burst out of the chute, they stared in amazement at the skill and balance that the Brazilian bull rider displayed. He was one of the best riders they had ever witnessed, and as the buzzer neared, Jack knew his score would be high. If Jack couldn't stay on Hannibal's Wrath, Guilherme would keep his title for the second time as World Champion.

With the championship within arm's reach, Jack heard the announcer share Guilherme's score of 90 to a roaring crowd. Jack knew that if he didn't make it the full eight seconds, that he would lose the title once again, never to reach it. Staring down at his own ride, Jack closed his eyes, brought his focus back to God...and to this bull.

Jack carefully lowered himself onto the beast. Feeling the tension beneath him, the bull felt as if he could explode at any moment. Shaking the images of his father's last ride from his mind, Jack stared at the back of the bull's head, drawing his focus from God and narrowing his thoughts to this one ride.

"It's come full circle right here folks. As Jack Thornton prepares to ride Hannibal's Wrath, show him how much you care!"

The stadium filled with roars of cheers, hand clapping and foot stomping as the audience cheered on one of their favorite cowboys.

With Lee's help, Jack quickly got the rigging into place and warmed the rosin on the rope. Sliding his leather gloved hand into the handle, he began to tightly strap it into place. Feeling Lee's hand on his shoulder, Jack looked up to see his best friend nodding at him; no words were needed.

Hannibal, growing impatient, turned his head up to eye Jack. Seeing his own reflection looking back at him in the mirrored gloss of the bull's eye, Jack narrowed his own, not allowing the beast to get into his mind.

Laying the rope across the palm of his hand, he closed his fingers around it and smacked the top of his fist with his free hand, securing the grip. Tossing the excess rope across the top of the bull's neck, Jack pushed his hat down tightly onto his head, said, "This ride's for you, Dad," and nodded.