Chapter 59

'Jessie, time to wake up.'

Jessie groaned, feeling a hand on her shoulder that gently shook her, trying to wake her up. 'Five more minutes.' She grumbled, pulling the blankets over her head as she tried to get back to sleep. 'Five more minutes.'

Lisa chuckled. 'Okay honey but you'll be late for the rodeo.'

'Mmmhmm.' The girl mumbled, not really caring for what she had said. Rodeo. Suddenly her mind made sense of what Lisa had said. Yes, it was rodeo day, wasn't it. 'No, no, wait.' She rolled over, kicking back the covers as both Lisa and Cindy laughed. 'I'm up, I'm up.'

'I was just going to jump on top of you but Lisa wouldn't let me.' Cindy giggled as the older girl sleepingly staggered out of bed. 'Not fair Lisa.'

'You look like you had a good sleep honey.'

'I did.' She mumbled as the woman gave her her morning hug. 'I had the best sleep I've had for ages.'

'I'm glad to hear that.' Lisa kissed the girls head, smiling as the girl blinked in the bright light. 'Now you two get dressed and ready, breakfast is almost on the table and we've got a big day ahead of us.'

'Mmmhmm.' She mumbled again as Lisa left the room, closing the door behind her and she flopped back down onto her bed again, burying her face in her pillow. 'Ugh, morning comes too early.'

Cindy laughed, jumping on top of the bed beside her. 'And you said Lisa was the one who couldn't get started in the morning.'

'I know. I'm normally awake at this time but I had a really, really good sleep that I didn't want to move from.'

'Well, I know what will get you moving.'

'No,Cindy, no.' Jessie shrieked as the girl started to tickle her, laughing as she tried to roll away from her. 'No.'

'Oh come on Jessie, you know you want it.' She teased. 'Come on Jessie, wakey wakey. Rise and shining.'

'I'm awake.' She replied grumpily, grabbing her pillow and hitting her with it. The younger girl laughed, jumping out of reach and she flopped back down on her bed again. 'I'm awake. Just give me a minute. Please.'

'Alright, alright.'

'Thank you.'

'I'll get dressed but you'd better be up by the time I'm ready or else-'

'More tickles. I know.' She interrupted, her face down on top of the covers. 'I'll be up in a moment.'

'You better be.'

Jessie chuckled as she heard Cindy grab her things and head out to the bathroom, closing her eyes as she tried to catch a few more winks. The day of the rodeo was finally here, all she wanted was a little more sleep before she got up and started her day.

'Oh Jessie.'

'You can't be ready already.' She muttered as Cindy lent over her, whispering in her ear. 'You just left.'

'I was gone for ten minutes, I know. I timed it. Now, you know what happens-'

'I'm up, I'm up.' She replied, sitting up quickly. Yawning, she rubbed the sleep from her eyes and glanced at the clock. 'I'll be ready in a moment, you should go start on breakfast.'

'I'm awake to your games Missy. As soon as I walk out this door you're going to be asleep again.'

'No, I won't. I promise.'

'You better not, we have to go eat and get ready.'

'I know, I know.' Jessie stood up, heading to her dresser where her working clothes were folded. Both her and Cindy would change into their outfits before they left so they didn't get dirty while they prepared the horses for the day. Yawning again she began to unbutton her pajamas, glancing back at Cindy. 'Go on, I'll join you in a minute.'

'Okay, I'm holding you to it.'

She chuckled as Cindy walked out, quickly changing into her clothes and ran a brush through her hair. She tied it back, out of the way and looked in the mirror at the dressing table. It would do for now, Lisa was going to do her hair before they left anyway. Grabbing her watch off her bedside table she clipped it on, smiling. Except for when she slept she never went anywhere without her watch. It meant everything to her, it was almost as important as Warrior was.

Slipping her phone into her pocket she headed out of the room, the sound of laughter ringing out from the kitchen. She skipped into the room, jumping up on a chair next to Cindy. 'Where's the party?'

'Oh we were just talking about you.'

'All good I hope.'

'Yes, all good.' Lisa replied, flipping the pancakes from the pan onto plates for the girls. 'Here you guys go, enjoy.'

'Mmm, they smell delicious Lisa.' Cindy complimented, drizzling some maple syrup over the top then handed the bottle to Jessie. 'I love pancakes.'

'Lisa makes the best pancakes.' She smiled then lent down next to her when Lisa's back was turned. 'Even though they come from a box.'

The girl spluttered in the middle of a bite, laughing. 'Oh Jess, that's mean.'

'What's got you two in such a cheeky mood today?' Lisa took a seat, placing her pancakes down on the bench to eat. 'Care to share the joke?' The two girls looked at each other, giggling then shook their heads. 'Oh well-' She motioned back at the stove. 'I guess I'll just eat the rest by myself.'

'You might have too.' Jessie replied, pushing her plate aside. 'I'm full.'

She frowned, Jessie had barely touched her food. 'You sure honey? You're not feeling sick are you?'

'I'm full of butterflies at the moment, I don't think they want to make room for pancakes.'

She chuckled knowingly. 'We'll get something later hey?' The girl nodded then glanced up at the clock as Cindy pushed her plate aside as well. 'Butterflies too?'

'Yes mam.'

'Alright then you two, go get your horses ready. I'll clean up here.'

'You sure Lisa?' Jessie questioned as she took her plate to the sink.

'I'm sure. I'll come out and help you guys once I've cleaned up in here. We have to get you two ready don't forget.'

'We won't.'

'Thank you for breakfast Lisa.'

'No problem Cindy.'

Jessie breathed in deep of the air as she walked out the front door, waiting for Cindy to put her boots on. Her stomach not only felt like it was full of butterflies, it felt like it was doing cartwheels and somersaults as well. She breathed in deep again, trying to push her nervousness away but it didn't really work.

'You okay?'

She smiled as she nodded, turning to Cindy as the girl closed the door behind her. 'Just nervous I guess.'

'Me too.' Cindy admitted with a chuckle, following her down to where Warrior and Cruze were penned next to each other. 'But I'm excited too, I can't wait!'

'That's me as well!' She exclaimed, laughing. 'I'm so excited and scared to death at the same time.'

'Do you think our horses know something is going on?'

'They probably can catch onto the idea.' Warrior knickered softly, meeting her at the gate as she walked in. 'Hey boy.'

'Oh Cruze!' She laughed as the gelding nudged her, whinnying softly as he sniffed at her pockets. 'You big baby.'

'You guys get along so well.'

'We do. Don't we boy?'

'Alright.' Jessie rubbed Warrior's neck as she led him up to the stable. 'Let's get you looking all nice and spiffy.'

'They look really good.' Lisa exclaimed as she came out of the house a little while later, smiling as she saw the girls grooming their horses side by side. The sun was just above rising, the horses coats shining as the light glimmered off their fur. 'Bathing them yesterday really makes them look brilliant.'

'Yes, that was an adventure, wasn't it?' Jessie cast a look towards Cindy who chuckled and ducked under Cruze's neck to the other side away from her. Bathing the horses had ended in a water fight for the two of them, it had been rather funny honestly though and they'd had fun. She ran her hand over Warrior's back again, smiling. 'Well, I think this guy is ready.'

'I'm almost finished with Cruze too.'

'Alright then. Why don't you rug Warrior and we'll quickly do your hair and makeup while Cindy finishes. That way we'll be ready to leave on time.'

'Okay, sure.'

'Here you go.'

'Thanks Cindy.' She took the light summer sheet Cindy passed her, placing it on Warrior to keep him clean. His bath yesterday had kept him looking good, only a quick go over had been required but she didn't want him going and getting himself dirty. 'Now, be a good boy Mister.' She cautioned, patting his neck. 'I'll be back soon.'

'Cindy really seems to get along well with Cruze.' Lisa exclaimed as they walked back to the house. 'What do you think?'

'He's perfect for her. I think it's a really good idea, and now when she comes to visit we can go riding together without her having to borrow a horse.'

'That's what I was thinking.' She replied, placing her arm around the girls shoulders. 'You nervous?'

'Slightly.'

'Just slightly?'

Jessie laughed, taking off her boots outside the door. 'Okay, maybe a little more than slightly. Is it always like this before a competition?'

'Yeah, kinda. Doesn't matter what competition it is either.'

'Did you used to compete when you were my age?'

'A little.' They walked into the bathroom where she'd set up everything to get the girls ready. 'But not rodeo, I did a little bit of showing and a little bit of jumping but I didn't after my mom died.' Her face clouded for a moment as Jessie sat down on the chair but she quickly brushed it away. 'Alright, let's quickly do your face first.'

The girl nodded but her reaction to the question didn't go unnoticed. 'What about racing? Did you ever go in a race?'

'I did, but that was a very very long time ago.'

'Why did you stop?'

'It's not something I'd like to talk about honey.' She replied softly. 'Let's just leave that conversation for another time maybe?'

'Alright.' Jessie gave in, looking up at Lisa in the mirror. She could see something in her eyes, something that looked like pain and grief and she felt bad for asking. The woman quickly hid her emotions away as quickly as they had come, settling down at the task at hand. 'Sorry Lisa.'

'It's not your fault sweetheart.' She assured her gently, placing the final touches of makeup on the girls face. 'What do you think?'

'It looks good.' She chuckled. 'I like it.'

'Now we'll quickly do your hair.'

The girl sat quietly, pondering her thoughts as Lisa began curling her hair. Did it have something to do with the photograph of her and that horse. And why did that horse feel familiar to her? Why did it feel like she knew her? What had happened? She glanced up at Lisa, watching her work. Somehow she could tell she had just as many secrets and a past just as vivid as her own, something inside herself knew. Something that she couldn't explain but knew was true.

'How's that?'

Jessie nodded, jolted out of her thoughts at the question. She smiled, looking at her reflection. 'Brilliant Lisa. Thanks so much.'

'Your welcome honey, you better go get changed now.'

'You look great Jessie.' Cindy exclaimed as she stopped in the doorway, the girl getting up from her seat to head to her room. 'Like something out of a fairytale.'

'Why thank you madam.' She teased in a posh voice. 'You better let the fairy godmother work her magic on you, we don't to be late.'

'No, we don't.'

Lisa chuckled at the girls exchange, smiling as Cindy took a seat and she set to work. She glanced up at the doorway after Jessie had left, something inside her knew the girl knew something but what? What did she know? Jessie had unknowingly touched an old wound she had thought had healed yet just the slightest mention of it brought fresh pain. As quickly as it had come though, it passed. She had work to do.

Jessie quietly looked in her reflection in her room a little while later, smiling as she placed her hat on. If someone had told her a year ago that she would find a loving home and people she called family, let alone be competing in a rodeo, she would have told them they were crazy. It was only thanks to Jack and Lisa that she had this new life, had this chance at a life she'd never had before. A life that didn't even exist in her wildest dreams, a life so wonderful her dreams failed in comparison.

Her smile widened as she took the last item she needed to put on off the dresser. The belt Jack had given her. Almost reverently she pulled it out of the box, still taken in awe at the beauty of it. It really was a gorgeous belt but just because it was pretty wasn't the real meaning she loved it so much. Jack didn't have to have given it to her, the belt he had bought for his wife years ago yet he had chosen to give it to her. Why? Because he loved her. She ran her fingers over the conchos, it made her feel so special that he had given it to her. Another glance at the clock prompted her out of her daydream and she quickly put it on, taking one last look in the full-length mirror on the door of the wardrobe. She giggled, looking at herself. Just wait till Lou saw her! She'd hardly recognize her.

Grabbing her good boots from their box she headed out into the living room to wait for Lisa and Cindy. Cindy had just finished getting her face and hair done and was getting dressed in the bathroom while Lisa quickly got ready herself. She glanced around then went back over to the bookcase to look at the photograph. Placing her boots down she picked it up, again running her fingers over the horse. Where do I know you from? She asked herself, trying to make sense of why the horse felt familiar to her. I know you, I've seen you, but where?

'Look at you sis.'

Jessie placed the picture frame back again, turning as Cindy walked into the room. She chuckled as she went to meet her, placing her hands on her shoulders. 'You look absolutely gorgeous Cindy.'

'Thanks.' The younger girl tossed her hair back over her shoulder. 'I do clean up pretty well if I do say so myself.'

'Oh you.'

'And look at you Jessie-' She continued. 'If we are both dreaming, don't wake us up.'

'I know what you mean.'

Cindy sobered, thinking back to events that felt like a lifetime away but hadn't taken place that long ago. 'It's a far cry from that foster home. That dreadful man-'

'Sssh, it's okay.' She consoled, placing her arm around the younger girl. 'He's in jail now, he can't hurt us again. That's over and done with, we don't have to worry about that anymore.'

'But what if Grandma doesn't make it through this operation? What will happen to me then? What if I end up in a place worse than theirs?'

'That's not going to happen, I won't let it. I promise you that.' Jessie looked the girl squarely in the eyes. 'When I made you that promise that I wouldn't let anything happen to you back at the home, I meant it and I mean it now. You are my sister, I'm not going to let anything happen to you. Your grandma is going to be fine.' She wiped a tear from the girl's cheeks. 'I think she'd want to see a pic of us, don't you think?'

She nodded, sniffling back tears. 'I really hope she's going to be alright.'

'She will be sweetheart, she'll be okay.' The older girl wiped the remaining tears off her cheeks then grabbed her phone from her pocket. 'I've finally figured out how to do a selfie with this thing.'

'Took you long enough.' Cindy giggled as they took a photo together.

'Hey, I haven't been around technology as long as you have but I'm catching on.' She teased back, sending the photo to Cindy's phone so she could send it to her grandmother. 'There you go.'

'Alright girls, ready to go?'

'Yep.'

'I'm ready.' Jessie agreed as Lisa joined them in the living room, dressed up in a similar outfit to the one she had worn to the cattle drive. She smiled, seeing her wearing the jacket she had made her. 'Glad to see you're wearing that, and you've got a new hat! Hey, isn't that the same as Jack's and mine?'

Lisa chuckled. 'Yep.'

'Oh Jack is going to laugh when he sees that.'

'It's the same as mine too.' Cindy exclaimed with a smile. 'We all have matching hats.'

She glanced up at the time again. 'Alright girls, I think it's time to get this show on the road.'

'Yes!'

Jessie laughed as Cindy took off to the front door, and she picked up her boots from where she'd left them, then her and Lisa started to the door but by the time they'd reached it the girl was already off and running towards her pony. 'That girl.'

'I know. Reminds me of someone else I know.' Lisa nudged her playfully as the girl put her boots on.

'It's partly the reason why we get along so well.' She grinned as they stepped out, the woman locking the door behind them. 'I'm worried about her though Lisa, she's really terrified of going back into foster care if something happens to Eleanor. What would happen to her if something does happen to her?'

She placed her arm around the girl as they walked to the horses. 'Eleanor has got something in place so that won't happen, you don't need to worry about that happening. Cindy will be looked after if something were to happen to her.'

'That's a relief.'

Lisa smiled, kissing her head as they stopped at the pen. 'I'll go get the trailer, I'll be back here shortly.'

'Okay.' Jessie turned to Warrior as he nudged her and she laughed. 'Hey! I don't want your slobber on my shirt.'

Cindy giggled as she untied Cruze, leading him out of the pen to wait for Lisa. 'This guy tried to do the same with me. I think he likes me.'

'I think he does too.' The stallion nudged her again as she untied him, patting his neck as Lisa drove up and stopped on the drive not far from them. Warrior snorted, his head up as his body tensed. She ran her hand down his neck again, holding onto his lead firmly. 'Woah boy, it's okay. We're heading out for the day.' He snorted, backing up as Lisa got out of the truck and lowered the ramp into the trailer. 'Woah, woah, easy boy. Easy. It's okay, it's okay.'

'Do you want me to load Cruze first? Maybe Warrior will be happier to load if he's in there.'

'Sure Cindy but let Lisa help you.'

'Okay.'

'Easy boy.' Jessie soothed again as the stallion took another couple of steps back, watching intently as Lisa and Cindy loaded Cruze into the float. 'See, it's okay. He's not at all worried.' She ran her hand over his neck, the cotton fabric of the rug he was wearing tickling her hand. He tossed his head, flaring his nostrils. 'It's okay mate, it's alright.'

'He's in.' Lisa announced as her and Cindy walked out of the trailer, giving the girl and her stallion a wide berth so she could attempt loading him. 'It's all yours.'

The girl ran her hand up Warrior's face, rubbing underneath his forelock as she spoke softly to him. 'It's okay boy, nothing is going to hurt you. You're alright.' She took a step forward towards the trailer, encouraging the horse to do the same. 'That's it, good boy.'

Slowly she led him forward, letting the horse take his time but still keeping him moving towards the trailer. The stallion stopped as they got to the ramp, sniffing at it suspiciously and she patted his shoulder again. 'It's okay boy, see. Your buddy is in there enjoying his haynet, don't you want some too?'

Warrior snorted then walked onto the ramp, calmly walking into the trailer. Jessie smiled, patting him as he stood quietly beside Cruze. 'That's a good boy.' She tied him up, the stallion happily sharing the haynet with Cruze as she walked out of the trailer and helped Lisa lift the ramp back up again. 'See you shortly boy.'

'Alright.' Lisa exclaimed as she secured the ramp. 'Let's get this show on the road.'