A/N: Here is the first chapter of the rodeo, remember there are links in my profile to the rodeo events I am covering if you have any questions please do not hesitate to pm me. I hope you enjoy it!
Thanks again to my girl Steph, she is the cheese to my toast.
Garth Brooks owns the song Rodeo.
Stephenie Meyer owns all that is Twilight.
Chapter 19
Gilbert FFA Open Rodeo Part One
Rodeo by: Garth Brooks
His eyes are cold and restless
His wounds have almost healed
And she'd give half of Texas
Just to change the way he feels
She knows his love's in Tulsa
And she knows he's gonna go
Well it ain't no woman flesh and blood
It's that damned old rodeo
Well it's bulls and blood
It's dust and mud
It's the roar of a Sunday crowd
It's the white in his knuckles
The gold in the buckle
He'll win the next go 'round
It's boots and chaps
It's cowboy hats
It's spurs and latigo
It's the ropes and the reins
And the joy and the pain
And they call the thing rodeo
She does her best to hold him
When his love comes to call
But his need for it controls him
And her back's against the wall
And it's So long girl I'll see you
When it's time for him to go
You know the woman wants her cowboy
Like he wants his rodeo
Well it's bulls and blood
It's dust and mud
It's the roar of a Sunday crowd
It's the white in his knuckles
The gold in the buckle
He'll win the next go 'round
It's boots and chaps
It's cowboy hats
It's spurs and latigo
It's the ropes and the reins
And the joy and the pain
And they call the thing rodeo
It'll drive a cowboy crazy
It'll drive the man insane
And he'll sell off everything he owns
Just to pay to play her game
And a broken home and some broken bones
Is all he'll have to show
For all the years that he spent chasin'
This dream they call rodeo
Well it's bulls and blood
It's dust and mud
It's the roar of a Sunday crowd
It's the white in his knuckles
The gold in the buckle
He'll win the next go 'round
It's boots and chaps
It's cowboy hats
It's spurs and latigo
It's the ropes and the reins
And the joy and the pain
And they call the thing rodeo
It's the broncs and the blood
It's the steers and the mud
And they call the thing rodeo
BPOV
The ride over to Gilbert flew by and before we knew it we were driving through the front gates. Even though this is a smaller rodeo there is still a crowd but we are directed to the trailer parking area. Once parked we busily start unloading the three horses; Phoenix came off first, then Stoker, Jasper's calf horse and last but not least, Punchy, Emmett's dogging horse.
Edward starts helping me brush Phoenix before I saddle her, he then walks around to the tack compartment and comes back with my saddle. I gasp when I see him carrying my saddle. I know he's just trying to help and I appreciate it, but I am borderline OCD when it comes to putting my gear on my horse. I have a certain order and method to the way I tack up my horses.
I gingerly walk over to Edward, not to hurt his feelings; he is trying to help after all, "Here I got this. Could you maybe get my duffle bag out of there also? It has her leg gear in it." Leg gear is an important part of my tack; it goes on Phoenix's front legs to protect against strains, sprains and over-reaching.
Edward furrows his brows, I don't think I have fooled him, "Bella, why don't you let me get the saddle and you get the leg gear? Besides, I want to help."
I sigh, "I know you want to help sweetheart, it is just that I am pretty fanatical when it comes to putting my saddle and stuff on my horse. I know you understand, right?" Edward hands me the saddle and turns towards Jasper mumbling something about damn barrel racers under his breath. I chuckle to myself as I slip into my pre-race routine of saddling Phoenix. Once I have all of her tack on, I look at my watch and realize I need to get up to the rodeo office to pay my entry fees. I turn to the others to let them know where I am headed.
Rose turns to me "I'll go with you. I need to get with the stock contractor anyway because I'm supposed to carry the American Flag during the Anthem and the Grand Entry." We leave Alice and the boys at the trailer drinking beer.
We make our way to the rodeo office Rose finds the person in charge of coordinating the flags and I find my way to the entry table. As I stand in line I recognize a lot of familiar faces I haven't seen in years I take a minute to look around…God I have missed this, the unique smells, sounds and the togetherness. After paying my entry fees and finding out they currently have thirty-five entered in the barrels. The rodeo secretary said they will post a draw, or running order, in about thirty minutes.
To kill a little time I walk over to the arena fence crossing my arms, propping them on one of the pipes while resting my foot on a bottom one. It is a huge outdoor pen with deep, dark brown dirt there are sponsor banners hanging all along the fence line. The roughies or bull riders and bronc riders are busy by the chutes getting their ropes and gear ready. The arena workers are separating bulls, horses, steers and calves into the appropriate pens. I am so engrossed in my surroundings I didn't hear Edward walk up behind me. He wraps his arms around my waist and leans in to whisper in my ear, "You missed this didn't you?" He kisses the spot right behind my ear.
I sigh contently, "More than you will ever know. I do need to start back to the trailer though, I want to warm Phoenix up and I'm going to ride in the Grand Entry." Edward grabs my hand as we start making our way back. Once at the trailer I notice another couple, the guy is talking to Emmett, he is rather stocky built with black hair, the girl has her back turned to me as she chats with Alice and Rose. There is something familiar about her, then she turns and I hear Edward groan beside me. I glance at him and then back to her, which is when I realize it is Lauren. I chuckle to myself knowing how Lauren has tried to flirt her way into Edward's bed. For all intents and purposes I really do like her sure she is a bit superficial but a good girl none the less. I walk over to the girls as Edward lingers back he is such a coward, I laugh to myself.
"Lauren!" She turns to look at me and the expression on her face when she sees Edward holding my hand is priceless.
"Bella, I was wondering if I would see you here. I usually don't do rodeos but I have been talking to Eric here for about a week." She taps the guy that is with her on his shoulder, "Eric Yorkie this is Bella Swan, I work with her at the High School." I extended my hand to his; he does the same then turns his attention back to Emmett who is apparently telling a rather funny story about a strip club down in El Paso. "Eric's a Steer Wrestler and invited me to come with him tonight since Lucky abscessed this week and couldn't go to New Mexico…I said what the heck?" Lauren's eyes then cut between Edward and I, she narrows them and steps closer to us, "Well, hello Edward, I am surprised to see you here."
Edward nervously clears his throat, "It is good to see you Lauren. I actually came to watch Bella run tonight we having been dating for about a week now also." He then starts circling his thumb into my palm.
I can tell Lauren is mulling something over in that head of hers, "Hmmm that is funny, I saw Bella just Monday at the in-service meeting and she didn't say a word to me about it. Isn't that right Bella? As a matter of fact you were getting kind of cozy with the track coach, Mike Newton." She raises her eyebrow at me and cocks her head to the side.
THAT BITCH! I take back every good thought I have ever had about Lauren Mallory.
I mentally try to compose myself I really want to cuss this bitch for all she is worth. "Well Lauren, I guess you missed where I tased Mike in the balls in the parking lot after you left the meeting. Seriously that guy was way gross and could never hold a candle to Edward. It's actually not really your business but yes, Edward and I are dating."
Emmett ceases talking about pole dancing in El Paso at the mention of a taser and balls. "Bella, you have to be fucking kidding me! Why didn't you tell us about it? That has to be the funniest shit I have heard in a long time, little ole you tasing someone in the family jewels. What the fuck did he do?"
Everyone's attention has pretty much shifted to me, "Well he kind of fell to the ground in what looked like a seizure. I really couldn't make out what he was saying, except for 'Oh fuck, my balls'. That is about it."
Edward starts laughing along with everyone else, "So Bella is that why you were late Monday to the vet appointment?"
"Yeah, actually it was." I look over at Lauren who is clearly pissed that she didn't get the reaction she was looking for.
Lauren grabs Eric's hand and stalks off, "Come on Eric, I want some cotton candy from the concession."
"What a bitch!" Rose blurts out.
"Rosie, language!" Emmett chastises her.
Rose punches Emmett in the stomach as she rolls her eyes, "Oh fuck off Em, and you're one to talk. Come on Bella lets go, the Grand Entry starts in twenty minutes." Rose turns walking towards Punchy she is going to use Emmett's dogging horse to carry the flag on.
I shrug my shoulders at Emmett, while he is still rubbing his stomach where Rose punched him. I walk around to the other side of the trailer where Phoenix is tied, and start tightening her saddle, clasping her breast collar and putting her bridle on. I do not carry a whip on Phoenix she is a free runner and doesn't need encouragement. I put one foot in the stirrup and swing myself into the saddle adjusting it as I settle in. I ride around to the other side of the trailer where Alice, Emmett and Edward are standing; Jasper and Rose are sitting on Stoker and Punchy waiting on me.
Edward walks over to me and places his hand on my knee, "We're going to sit in the stands, come find me after you are finished with the Grand Entry."
"Okay, I'll do that." I lean down placing a short but passionate kiss on his lips.
Rose, Jasper and I ride up to the back of the arena where the alley is located, everyone is lining up for the Grand Entry. A Grand Entry at a rodeo is symbolic of the old time rodeo that used to have parades down the main street of the towns they were performing at. Most of the contestants ride through the arena in a line, sometimes the flag carrier's will make a pattern that everyone weaves around, but for the most part the Grand Entry is lead by the flag carriers and the Stock Contractor or the person putting on the rodeo.
Rose is carrying the American Flag, she is dressed in a beautiful red, white and blue sequined top, it actually looks like an American Flag, and the pants are a matching red, with a white Stetson her Ms. Rodeo Arizona crown is placed on the brim. She looks beautiful with her blonde curls cascading down under her hat. The arena director signals for Rose to get ready to enter the arena for the American Anthem, she walks up to the mouth of the alley waiting for the girl that is singing the anthem to start. Upon the first line "Oh say can you see" Rose ques Punchy into a walk and enters the arena with the flag unfurling behind her in the slight breeze that is blowing. As the song continues she picks up the pace to a slow lope around the arena while the spectators stand with their hats off and right hands over their hearts. Once the song comes to the end line Rose asks Punchy for more speed and runs straight up the middle of the arena and slides to a stop, the crowd goes wild. It really makes you proud to be an American.
Rose exits the arena and takes her place at the head of the Grand Entry line, as the announcer booms over the microphone, "Ladies and gentleman I want to welcome you to the Gilbert FFA Open Rodeo, please take this opportunity to welcome the cowboys and cowgirls who will be performing tonight for you in the rodeo." The announcer puts on some quirky sounding music as the line starts to move into the arena. I have lingered back I always like to go last during the Grand Entry, this way I can stay out of the way of some wrecks and bottlenecks that always seem to occur. Jasper rides up beside us, "Are you ready Bellarific?"
I quirk my eyebrow at him as I kick Phoenix forward to start my way into the arena, "Hell, Jas I was born ready." He chuckles at me as we walk side by side into the arena.
Once in the arena, Phoenix is prancing and shaking her head, she is just as excited as I am to be at an actual rodeo. I look up in the stands trying to find my friends, which isn't hard because Alice is jumping up and down waving at me and Jasper. I return the wave and blow a kiss at Edward who is sitting next to Emmett. I notice a couple of bleachers down from our group is Leah and Jake, I wave at them also as I ride by. Phoenix is starting to get anxious as the end of the Grand Entry is approaching, so I let the grip I have had on the reins relax some allowing her to move at a faster lope than before, she takes advantage of this and runs right out of the arena into the alley. I get her slowed as Jasper and Stoker follow behind. Yup Phoenix is definitely a rodeo atmosphere horse.
Jasper and I ride back to the trailer to dismount and loosen the girths on our horses; we have awhile until our events so there is no used in staying mounted the whole time. Rose has already taken care of Punchy and is back up at the stands signing autographs and taking pictures, oh the life of a rodeo queen.
As I walk through the gates leading to the bleachers I notice Mom and Phil standing in line at the concession stand, Jasper continues towards where Alice is sitting. I slowly make my way over to them through the crowd of people, "Hey you two, I thought ya'll were going to dinner?" Phil turns around smiling at me, while Renee orders something from the girl working the counter.
"We did, but your Mother here insisted on some popcorn. Who am I to deny her anything?" Phil smiles as he wraps his arm around my Mom. I really am happy that she found him, he really does love her.
"Bells how are you and Phoenix feeling? Do you think you are going to need my help behind the alley when it is your turn to run?" She glances inquisitively at me. All my life Renee has always been behind the alley before I run giving me last minute instructions and encouragement, I have missed that.
We start walking towards the stands, I can hear from the crowd that the Bareback Riding event has gotten underway, "We are good, just a little anxious to get on with our run. I would love if you would come back there to help me, it may help with the nerves."
Renee puts her arm around me as we walk past the spectators watching a cowboy get lawn darted off of one wild looking bucking horse in the arena, "Of course I will be back there. Do you know what number you run?"
I gasp remembering that the draw should be posted, I totally forgot to check it, "Ugh, Mom I need to walk over to the Rodeo Office to check I will be right back." I point out where everyone is sitting and start jogging to the table where the draw was supposed to be. I scan the names and notice that there are forty runners total, ten in the show and thirty in the slack. Slack are the contestants that they can't fit into the rodeo performance, these individuals will actually run after the last event in the performance, slack can make for some really late nights. I drew up during the performance, fifth in the running order actually. I scan down to the Calf Roping and Steer Wrestling to see where Jasper and Emmett ended up. Jasper drew slack while Emmett ended up drawing third in the performance. I groan internally knowing we are going to be here until the cows come home.
~*~*~*~*~
End Note: Hope you guys like the first chapter like I said I will not be going into this much detail for every rodeo. If you like what you are reading leave me some love, I would totally love it if we could get over 100 reviews. (Hint Hint)
