Chapter 2

Stevie was standing with Xander smiling, holding rodeo awards, and posing for photos in the center of the ring.

"Mom, I'm so proud you're my mom. A lifetime achievement award from the Rodeo association! That's fantastic! I bet all the other blokes I'm competing against wish their mom and coach were getting honored with that." said Xander.

"Thanks honey, but it's been quite a while since I competed. I much prefer being your coach these days. I'm really proud of you, too. First place in the Steer Roping competition and second place in roping overall. The boy who beat you is a couple years older too. He won't be in your age group for much longer," said Stevie as she gave Xander a hug.

"Yeah, Joey Lawlor is really good. He's fifteen. I'm glad he doesn't live near us or else I'd have to see him at all of the rodeos we go to. There was another boy, Danny Cosak. He came in right behind me in both events. He's really good, and I've seen that name before at some of the events out by Fisher. He's someone to watch out for as well, and he's the same age as me, so I'll have to compete against him every year. There is some pretty stiff competition. I think I need to start working harder." said Xander

"Honey, you already practice everyday. You're thirteen, you don't need to treat this like a job, but you know I'll help you as long as you're happy doing it."

"I know Mom, I just want to be the best. I want to become a rodeo legend like you are." said Xander.

Stevie felt embarrassed standing there holding the plaque, but proud her son was willing to work so hard to achieve his dreams. "Come on, the show's over, let's get Rufus loaded up and hit the road." she said to Xander as she walked towards their ute and trailer parked in the competitors' staging area.

As they got Rufus loaded into the horse trailer, Stevie thought about the ten hour drive that was ahead of her. She had driven all this way partly because she was being honored and it would be rude not to come, but mostly because Xander wanted to get some additional practice before competing in the district finals that served as the qualifiers for the State Championship next week, This was the first year Xander was old enough to compete at the state level and qualifying for the competition was his top priority.

"Xander, is Rufus all settled back there? We have a long trip ahead of us and I don't want to have to stop much if we can avoid it," Stevie asked

"Yeah Mom, he's all good. I double checked the latch on the float. He did great today."

"You both did. You looked strong out there. Calm, confident. Exactly like you need to be to win in this sport. It was nice to see some competitors we haven't seen before." she added "I guess that's what you get for driving so far from home."

"Yeah, thanks for taking me out here, Mom. I know you could have gotten the rodeo association to do your presentation at the Fisher rodeo next week instead, but I liked seeing some of the competition outside the district." acknowledged Xander.

As Stevie was getting into the ute, a tall, thin, good looking man, with light red hair approached them. She recognized him from the crowds of Xander's events and the awards ceremony.

"G'day, I'm James Lawlor, Joey Lawlor's dad. I thought I'd introduce myself. I've been trying to keep track of Joey's biggest competitors, and clearly, your son is one of them. I also admit I didn't want to miss an opportunity to meet a real life rodeo icon," James said.

Stevie was anxious to hit the road and get back to Killarney. She didn't like being away from the farm overnight, but it had been necessary to stay over last night with the distance, and she certainly didn't want to have to stay another night. She didn't want to get roped into some long conversation right as she was set to leave.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Xander's mom, Stevie Hall-Ryan. We aren't from around here, but Xander wanted to get an extra competition in before his district finals coming up in Fisher. We have a long trip home I'm afraid."

James had been interested in meeting Stevie as soon as he saw her in the stands for the roping events, but when he saw her being honored with a lifetime rodeo achievement award, he knew he had to make his way over to her.

"So Joey was really excited you were here. He was too shy to meet you, but he said you were one of the best campdrafters to ever compete. Congratulations on the award."

"Thanks, but I don't compete anymore, I just coach my son now."

"Do you offer coaching services for other competitors? The truth is, I know Joey is really good at this, but I know almost nothing about rodeo and I'd love to get him some help from someone who knows so much." said James.

"I'm sorry I don't do that sort of thing, I just coach my son. I'm not sure Xander would be thrilled with my helping his biggest competitor. How did Joey get so good if you don't know anything about rodeo? It's usually a family sport," said Stevie

"Oh, well it was a family sport. Joey's mom, my ex wife, knew rodeo. She used to compete in barrel racing and campdrafting as a teenager. Rodeo was Susan and Joey's thing. I'm from Melbourne, so I didn't grow up around this stuff. Susan passed away a few months ago, and Joey loves rodeo, so I'm here trying to help him continue his passion."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear about your wife. I hope Joey is okay." said Stevie

"She was my ex wife, we hadn't been married for many years, but Joey just lost his mom and his coach, I'm just trying to be here for him. I can drive him to competitions and be here and support him, but I can't actually help him get better. That's why I was hoping you might be willing to help him out. He is really passionate about this."

"Mr. Lawlor, I'm sorry, I live very far from here, and I can't see how I would be able to coach him, but maybe I can think of someone who lives closer to you that would be a suitable coach for Joey." said Stevie.

"Please, call me James, and that help would be great. I'm pretty clueless about all of the rodeo stuff, and I wouldn't even know who to ask. Has Xander qualified for the State championships yet?" asked James.

"No, not yet, he had his district finals coming right up in Fisher next week. I hope he makes it. He really wants it." said Stevie.

"Well this untrained eye thinks he will make it. Joey was talking about trying to compete in Fisher, but it's quite a drive for us. He already qualified for States last week, but he just wants to continue competing to stay sharp. Here is my business card, give me a call if you think of any coaching options for Joey, and Stevie, it was great to meet you." said James as he handed her a business card.

"Well thanks, but we really need to get going. Long drive and all. Nice to meet you James." said Stevie as she climbed into the ute and started the engine.

"Nice to meet you, Stevie." said James as he closed the door and headed off.

"Mom, who was that guy? It seemed like he was hitting on you," Xander said.

"How do you know that expression?"

"I'm thirteen now, Mom. I'm not a little kid anymore. Was he hitting on you?"

"I'm not sure, Wombat, but, I don't think so." Stevie answered.

Xander thought about the bloke who had just chatted up his mom. It happened all the time. So many men seemed to like his mom, and he understood why. He knew his mom was beautiful and awesome. She went on plenty of dates, but she didn't seem to ever like any of the men she dated enough to let them stick around for more than a few months. Xander didn't really mind. She didn't usually let him meet the guys, so he didn't get attached to them, and between Ben and Uncle Marcus, he had blokes he knew he could turn to if he didn't want to ask his mom about stuff. Xander just thought it would be nice for his mom to find one person she really liked or even fell in love with and wanted to marry, because to him, she seemed lonely.

"Do you like him? Did you want him to be hitting on you? Are you going to go on a date with him?" asked Xander.

"I don't know. He seemed nice enough, but that was Joey Lawlor's father. He actually asked me to coach Joey. Don't worry, I declined, but James said he doesn't know anything about rodeo himself and wanted to know if I could recommend someone else, someone closer to where they live as a coach for him."

"How did Joey get so good if he doesn't have a coach and his father doesn't know about this stuff?" asked Xander.

"Well, Joey's parents were divorced and his mom was his coach, like I am for you, but she passed away. So he lost his mom, but also his rodeo coach. His dad is just trying to help as much as he can," said Stevie.

"Oh. poor Joey. I know he's a rival, but I think you should help him if you can. He is really good and deserves a good coach. Do you know anyone around here that could coach him? I don't want to win by beating a guy who lost his mom and coach and didn't get any help. Where's the glory in that?"

"Okay, well, he gave me his number. I'll look into it and call him back if I can think of anyone," said Stevie.