Two weeks later - the Golden Cactus Ranch
Connor and Murphy walked in the kitchen as they headed for the table and they sat down. Connor scanned the others with his eyes when he noticed how they were dressed and he placed his forearms on the table.
"Why is everyone all dressed up?" Connor asked.
"We're going to the Junior Rodeo Competitions," Lisa explained as she placed the red coffee mug down in front of Murphy.
"Are we goin', too?" Murphy asked, taking a sip of coffee.
"Yeah."
"We look a little underdressed," Connor said, looking down at the white t-shirt, jeans and cowboy boots he was wearing.
"Didn't you see the shirts I placed on your beds?" Annie asked.
"Guess we were in th'shower," Murphy said.
"Then you better eat and get changed," Lisa said and they nodded.
"What is a Junior Rodeo?" Murphy asked then he placed a slice of sausage in his mouth.
"It's like a normal rodeo, but the competitors are teenagers and kids," Darcy explained.
"You mean they let kids get bucked off bulls and horses?" Connor asked.
"The teenagers, yes. The younger kids do things like calf roping," Annie said and she smiled at the light shining in Connors eyes.
"They also have rides, games, contests and food stalls," Mark said.
"And animal raising competitions," Peter said.
"Are any of you competin' in anythin'?" Murphy asked.
"I'm thinking about trying the pie eating contest," Mark said.
"I'm entered in the calf roping competition," Chandler said.
"I'm gonna do the roping competition," Peter said.
"What is a roping competition?" Connor asked.
Peter explained while Connor ate some scrambled eggs and a few slices of sausages and Connor nodded.
"What about you?" Murphy asked Nichole.
"I'm too little to do anything," Nichole said with a pout. Murphy felt sorry for her as he sipped on the coffee then placed the red coffee mug on the table.
"Are there any rides she can go on?" he asked, looking at Darcy.
"Yes. There are a few she can go on. And some games she can play," Darcy said.
"Then we'll do that," he said and Nichole nodded.
"Alright. Less talking, more eating," Lisa said.
"Speaking of eating. Has anyone fed Devil and Ebony?" Darcy asked.
"Not yet," Annie said.
Diego and Murphy got up when they headed for the cupboard and the gray wolf and the cat followed them. Diego got out a can of dogfood when he headed for the metal bowl, opened the can of dogfood and he scooped some of the dogfood into the metal bowl. Devil started eating as Diego placed the can of dogfood into the cupboard after placing the plastic cap on the top of the can of dogfood then he went to wash his hands.
Murphy opened the can of cat food when he placed the cat food in the metal bowl and Ebony looked at the cat food. Ebony sniffed the cat food, looked at Murphy and Murphy arched an eyebrow. The cat started eating as Murphy placed the plastic cap on the can of cat food, placed the can of cat food in the cupboard then he went to wash his hands.
Diego and Murphy walked back to the table when they sat down on the chairs and they started eating their breakfast.
After everyone finished eating their breakfasts, and Connor and Murphy changed clothes, they got into the cars as Lisa and Diego started the engines and the cars headed down the path.
Houston
The sounds of country music, the sounds of the rides moving, people talking and laughing and some farm animals calling out filled the air as the scents of food cooking moved by them and Connor and Murphy walked near Lisa and Darcy. Nichole wanted Murphy to push the stroller as she smiled up at him and he reached down to lightly ruffle her hair.
"What do we do first?" Connor asked.
"We're going to ride some rides. Wanna go with us?" Annie said, holding onto Diego's left hand.
"You wanna?" Connor asked Murphy.
"Sure," Murphy said.
"But I wanna go to see the baby animals," Nichole said with a pout.
"Mommy will take you," Darcy said.
"Ohhhhh-key."
Connor felt a small sense of guilt coming from his brother while they followed Annie and Diego and Connor lightly nudged him. Shrugging his shoulders, Murphy slipped his hands into the pockets of his jeans and he gave Connor a tiny smile.
Pie eating contest tent
Mark sat with some other kids as he looked at the small blueberry pie on the plate on the table in front of him then he looked over at the stands. He could just see his family as he sighed then he locked eyes with Murphy. A sense of peace moved through him as Murphy barely nodded his head and Mark nodded back.
"This is the first time he's competed," Darcy said and Murphy saw some sadness in her eyes.
"I'm sure he'll be fine," Murphy whispered and she saw the truth in his eyes.
The judge explained the rules while Mark looked at the blueberry pie and he was glad he hadn't eaten much for breakfast. He adjusted the plastic bib around his neck when the judge told them to start and Mark lowered his face toward the blueberry pie. He could just hear the cheering as he ate and he felt some of the blueberry sauce moved up his nose.
"Time!" the judge called and Mark sat back. He licked his lips as he glanced at the plates of the two kids sitting on either side of him then Mark looked down at his plate.
"Good thing I brought a change of clothes," Darcy teased as she looked at her son and Murphy nodded.
"Did Mark win, Mommy?" Nichole asked.
"We have to wait and see," she said as she looked at her.
Mark felt his stomach hurting as the judge talked then he listened when the judge told the crowd who won third place. Sighing, he looked at the plate and placed his elbows on the table.
"Second place goes to…Mark Turner," the judge said and Mark lifted his head. He heard a loud whistle as he saw Murphy cheering and Mark slowly stood up. Mark walked to the judge when the judge slid the silk ribbon around Mark's neck and Mark looked down at the shiny silver medal. "Well done."
"Thank you, Sir," Mark said as they shook hands and the judge's assistant removed the plastic bib around Mark's neck. Mark hurried back to the table as he sat down and the judge announced who the first-place winner was. Afterwards, Mark walked to the stands then ran to Darcy and Darcy smiled at him.
"Mom! I won!" he said as he showed her the medal.
"I saw that," she said then looked at Nichole. "What do you say to your brother?"
"Yay!" Nichole said as she clapped her hands and bounced on the balls of her feet.
"Great job!" Murphy said and Mark smiled at him.
"Now let's get you cleaned up," Darcy said and they headed for the bathroom. Murphy placed Nichole in the stroller then stood and he watched them go in the bathroom.
"Can we go get some ice cream?" Nichole asked and Murphy looked down at her.
"Aye. After they get back," Murphy said.
"Mister Murphy….," she said with a frown and crossed her arms over her chest. "You gotta use your other voice."
"Oh. Right," he said with a nod as he dropped his accent. Darcy and Mark returned a few seconds later and they headed toward the ice cream stand.
The calf roping contest was located inside a small brick building near one of the food stands.
After someone sang the National Anthem, Connor, Lisa, Peter, Chandler and the others went to sit in the bleachers as they watched the other boys and girls rope the calves and Connor saw how nervous Chandler looked.
"What's wrong?" Connor asked.
"I just nervous," Chandler said.
"Well…," Connor said in his surfer accent as they turned to face each other and Connor gently placed his hands on Chandler's shoulders. "I bet all of the other kids are feeling the same way. But you wanna know something?"
Chandler nodded.
"Winning is great, but having pride in what you do means a whole lot more. Win or lose. As long as you dig down deep inside you… As long as you put everything you have into it… As long as you do your best… Nothing else matters."
"It doesn't?"
"Nope."
"Will Chandler Baker please come to the arena?" came over the speakers.
"Go get 'em, Cowboy," Connor said, lightly patting Chandler's shoulders.
Nodding, Chandler got up as he moved by Connor and Connor gave him a reassuring smile. Connor watched Chandler go down the stairs. Chandler headed for the arena when he took the small coil of rope from the man near the opening of the arena and Chandler looked back at Connor. Connor nodded as Chandler got onto the horse and he held the lasso in his right hand. The bell sounded when the calf ran into the arena and Chandler rode the horse into the arena. He started twirling the lasso as the calf moved by him and he sighed. The calf dodged him a few times when Chandler swung the lasso and the lasso moved over the calf's head. Chandler held on while the calf tried to get loose and Chandler carefully pulled the calf to the ground. He got off the horse, tired the rope correctly around the calf's legs as the bell rang and the man walked to him.
"Great job," the man said with a grin.
Chandler nodded as he headed out of the arena and he went to sit next to Connor.
A short time later, the rest of the children finished their rounds and the man walked to the judges sitting at the far end of the arena. He walked to the microphone stand when he looked at the paper in his hands then he pushed the button on the microphone.
"The judges have made their decisions. These are the top five winners of today's competition," the man said as he read the names of the fifth-place ribbon and the fourth-place ribbon winners then the names of the bronze and silver medal winners. "The gold medal winner is… Chandler Baker!"
Chandler stood up as Lisa hugged him and Connor fist bumped with Chandler. Chandler headed into the arena when he received his medal and he shook the man's hand. Chandler left the arena as Lisa walked down the stairs and she knelt down to place the medal around Chandler's neck. They went to sit down and Chandler was surprised with Connor slid his left arm around Chandler's shoulders.
"I… I never came in first before," Chandler said as he looked down at the medal.
"Knew you had it in you," Connor said.
"Really!?"
"Yep."
Smiling, Chandler sat a little straighter and Lisa glanced at Connor. She wasn't sure, but seeing Connor's positive interaction with Chandler sent a small shiver move through her.
Outside
"You know these games are rigged, right?" Darcy asked as they headed for the game where you had to fire water into a clown's mouth and pop the balloon and Murphy nodded. They stopped near the booth while Murphy scanned the prizes hanging on the strings or sitting on the small shelves when his eyes caught the unicorn with the rainbow mane and tail. "There is no way you're going to win that'
"Never know," Murphy whispered.
"Wanna give it a shot, Cowboy?!" the carney asked while looking Murphy over with his eyes and Murphy nodded. Murphy paid him as Murphy picked up the water gun connected to the small hose and he noticed water was dripping from the hose. He glanced over at the other players when he held the water gun in his right hand, cupped his right wrist in his left hand and the bell sounded. The other players were either repeatedly pushing the trigger or missing while Murphy locked his eyes on the clown's mouth and he held down the trigger with his right index finger. The blue balloon quickly filled with water as the blue balloon grew larger and larger and the carney and Darcy gave him a shocked look. Before the carney could cut off the water to the water gun Murphy was using, the blue balloon popped and water exploded into the air.
"Damn!" the man next to Murphy said while Murphy placed the water gun back into the holder and Murphy looked at the carney.
"I'll take the unicorn," Murphy said as he curbed his accent.
Nodding, the carney removed the unicorn from the small shelf and he handed the unicorn to Murphy. Kneeling down on his haunches, Murphy held out the unicorn to Nichole as she smiled and she took the unicorn in her arms.
"What do you say?" Darcy said.
"Thank you!" Nichole said and Murphy smiled. The carney watched them walk away as he frowned, shook his head and he kicked some dirt with his right foot.
The roping competition was in a white cement building as they walked inside and Connor saw the look on Peter's face.
"Nervous?" Connor asked.
"Yeah," Peter said.
Connor noticed Peter looking at a boy with short brown hair. The boy was slightly heavyset and he was glaring at the competition.
"That's Benji Dean. He's won every competition," Peter said.
"Which means he thinks he's a big shot," Connor said.
"Yeah."
"An' a bully."
"Yeah."
Connor saw the heavyset man standing behind Benji as the man talked with some other men and Peter sighed.
"That's his dad," Peter said.
"Looks like an a…," Connor said, but grunted when Annie nudged him in the side.
"Let's go get a seat," Annie said.
After someone sang the National Anthem, they went to seat in the stands as the competition started and Connor glanced over at Benji. He noticed the intimidating looks Benji was giving the other contestants and the other contestants would make mistakes out of fear.
"Little shit," Connor grumbled.
"Who are you talkin' about?" Murphy whispered.
"See that kid over there?"
Murphy looked to where he was pointing and Murphy nodded.
"He's intimidatin' th'other kids," Connor whispered.
"Ain't that cheatin'?" Murphy asked.
"Only if someone catches him doin' it."
They watched the rest of the competition when it was Benji's turn and his father cheered as Benji walked into the arena. They watched Benji doing his routine when he messed up one part and his father growled.
"Do it again, You Little Shit!" Benji's father shouted.
Benji tried again, but he couldn't do what he wanted to do and he growled.
"Stupid rope!" Benji shouted, tossing the rope to the ground then he stormed out of the arena. His father walked to him as he looked around then he barely pushed Benji to the stands.
"Your turn," Lisa said to Peter.
Peter stood as he headed by Murphy and Connor and Connor tapped Peter's right upper arm.
"Listen," Connor said as he held up his right index finger. "When you get into the arena? I want you to ignore Benji. Just look at us. Win or lose? As long as you do your best… As long as you put in everything you got…. That's all that matters."
"Ok," Peter said with a nod. They watched Peter head for the arena as he glanced over at Benji and Benji was glaring at him.
"Ignore him," Peter repeated as he looked at the man and the man handed Peter the rope. Walking into the arena, Peter took a deep breath, let it out slowly and he looked over at Connor. Connor nodded when the bell rang and Peter started his routine. He concentrated on what he was doing when he finished his routine and he heard Connor and Murphy cheering. Peter walked to the man when he handed the man the rope and the man smiled.
"Well done," the man said.
Peter headed for the stands as he went to sit next to Lisa and he glanced over at Connor. Connor gave him a double thumbs up as Peter smiled and they watched the rest of the competition.
After the last competitor did their routine, the man walked to the judges at the end of the arena when he took the piece of paper from one of the judges then the man walked to the microphone.
"The judges have made their decisions. I will now read the names of the top five winners of today's competition," the man said. The man read the names of the fifth-place and fourth-place ribbon winners then the name of the bronze medal winner while Peter glanced over at Benji and Benji gave him a smug look.
"Ignore him." Lisa whispered.
"Silver medal winner is…Peter Baker," the man said.
"Me?!" Peter gasped and Lisa hugged him. Peter got up when he walked down the stairs and he walked into the arena. He listened to the cheering and applause when he turned to see Connor pupping his arms in the air and Peter softly laughed. He walked to the man when the man slid the silver medal around Peter's neck and they shook hands.
"Well done," the man said.
Peter walked back to the stands when Lisa walked to him and she hugged him. They went to sit down when Connor lightly nudged Peter's side, but Peter sighed, frowning.
"I… I never got a silver medal before," Peter said.
"Knew you had it in you," Connor said.
"But… But it's still second place."
"Gives you summat t'shoot fer next time."
"I guess."
"What's wrong?"
"Benji still won," Peter said.
The man looked at the piece of paper when he read the name of the gold medal winner and Benji's father stood up when the winner wasn't Benji.
"What the hell!? Why didn't my son place first?!" Mike Dean bellowed.
"He was disqualified," the man said.
"What are you talkin' about?!"
"He didn't finish his routine."
"So!?"
"Not finishing the routine is an automatic disqualification."
"Bullshit! My son won! You hear me! He won!"
Mike stormed down the stairs as the security guards moved closer and he pushed them aside. He headed into the arena while more security guards ran at him and he growled.
"Talk about a sore loser," Annie said.
"Yeah," Diego said, watching the security guards detain Mike then they led Mike out of the building.
"Are they going to arrest him?" Mark asked, looking at Darcy.
"Maybe," Darcy said.
Connor and Peter glanced over at Benji and his mother as Benji glared at them then he flipped Peter off.
"Let's go," Lisa said.
They headed down the stairs then toward the exit when Benji ran toward Peter and he pushed Peter back a few inches.
"Hey!" Lisa shouted.
"There is no way a loser like you won, Baker! You cheated!" Benji shouted, shoving Peter again.
"Back off, Kid," Diego said.
"Admit it!" he shouted again, pushing Peter into Connor.
"I said back off!"
Connor held onto Peter's shoulders as Benji growled and Benji balled his hands into fists.
"No wonder your dad left! Loser!" Benji shouted.
"At least I ain't an asshole!" Peter shouted.
"What did you say?!"
"You're an asshole! Just like your dad!"
Benji walked closer as they stood toe-to-toe, locked eyes and the fierce look in Peter's eyes made Benji back up.
"You're still a loser," Benji said, walking away.
They headed out the exit when a loud scream filled the air and they turned to see Benji sitting on top of the first-place winner. He started pounding his fists into the boy's face and stomach while the boy tried to block him and the boy's father was calling for help.
"Shit!" Murphy said.
He and Connor ran toward Benji as people gathered around Benji and the boy and the boy screamed louder.
"Guys!" Annie called out as they ran back to her and she pointed to the news crew heading for the crowd.
The crowd started moving back as the security guards ran to Benji and Benji's mother screamed for the security guards to leave her son alone. One of the security guards pulled Benji off the boy as Benji kicked the air and the EMT medics arrived.
"Mommy? He is gonna die?" Nichole asked with large tears in her eyes and Darcy held her in her arms.
"No. He's going to be fine," Darcy assured her.
"Are they going to arrest Benji?" Peter asked.
"I hope so," Lisa said then she looked toward the exit. Pointing, she headed for the exit as they followed her and the anger Murphy and Connor felt caused the blood to pound in their ears.
Later that night - the Golden Cactus Ranch
The cars stopped in front of the farmhouse as the doors opened and Diego and Annie got out of the car. Closing the door, they walked to the stairs. They went upstairs when Annie opened the screen door then she unlocked the front door and she turned the hallway light on. Devil ran to Diego as Diego ruffled the top of the gray wolf's head then he went back down the stairs with the gray wolf behind him. Smiling, Annie shook her head and she went inside the farmhouse.
Lisa, Connor, Peter and Chandler got out of the car as they closed the doors and they walked to the stairs. Lisa opened the screen door while they went inside and the screen door closed behind them.
The car doors opened while Murphy and Mark got out of the car and Mark was holding the unicorn in his arms. Darcy walked around the car to the door when she looked inside the car and she wiggled her finger for Murphy to come closer. He walked to her when he saw Nichole was sleeping in the car seat. He quietly opened the door while Darcy reached in and she removed Nichole from the car seat. Picking her up, Darcy held her daughter in her arms and Murphy closed the door. They headed for the stairs when they went up the stairs and Mark opened the screen door. They went inside as Murphy closed the front door and they headed for the stairs.
A short time later, Connor headed for the doorway when he looked at Mark, Peter and Chandler getting into bed and Connor knocked on the doorframe.
"Peter," he said and Peter walked to him. Connor locked eyes with him as Peter frowned and Connor tilted his head to one side.
"Sorry," Peter said in a soft voice.
"You don't have anythin' t'be sorry about."
"I wanted to pound his face in."
"But you didn't."
"Yeah."
"Go t'bed," Connor said with a small grin and Peter smiled. Connor watched Peter get into bed as Connor leaned on the doorframe, turned the lights off and he crossed one ankle over the other. "Right. Lips zipped. Eyes shut."
He watched them close their eyes when he pushed off the doorframe and he headed down the hallway. He stopped at the doorway to Nichole's room while he watched Darcy tucking Nichole under the covers and Murphy placed the unicorn on the bottom right corner of her bed. Murphy felt his brother's presence as he turned to look at Connor and Connor leaned against the doorframe.
Murphy headed for the doorway as Connor backed up and they headed down the hallway. Murphy stood at the doorway to his bedroom when he watched Connor lean against the doorway to his bedroom and Murphy saw the amused look in his eyes.
"You really are gettin' into this whole daddy thing," Connor said.
"I'm not her daddy. Or Mark's," Murphy said.
"True. But it's not stoppin' you from actin' like it."
"Like you're not actin' like Peter an' Chandler's daddy."
"Not sayin' I'm not," he said with a small laugh. "I fergot t'ask. Where did Nichole get that unicorn?"
"I won it fer her."
"Where?"
"It was one of those game where you have t'fire a water gun at a clown's mouth an' fill th'balloon with water until th'balloon breaks."
"Aren't those things rigged?"
"Yep. But it didn't matter. Th'ballon broke before they turned th'water off."
Connor snorted a laugh and Murphy smiled.
"Wanna know what she called it?" he asked and Connor nodded. "Rainbow."
"Of course," Connor said, rolling his eyes.
They stood in silence when Connor kicked off the doorframe and he headed into his room.
"Think we should say some prayers for Benji an' his family?" Murphy asked.
"I think we should," Connor said.
Nodding, Murphy headed into his bedroom when they closed the doors and the light came on from under the doors.