Total pages in book: 248
Estimated words: 236036 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1180(@200wpm)___ 944(@250wpm)___ 787(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 236036 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1180(@200wpm)___ 944(@250wpm)___ 787(@300wpm)
Or maybe a week without having his wife in bed with him had driven him insane.
Either way, he’d look like an idiot if he backed out now. He took a deep breath, blew it out and then started running toward Quicksilver. The horse was well-trained, and he knew what to expect. When Carter matched his stride and grabbed for the saddle, Quicksilver didn’t shy away or skid to a stop.
For a second Carter faltered, but instinct and memory kicked in. With a skipping step, he threw his leg over and hauled himself onto the horse’s back with one move. A shout of triumph burst from him and he heard someone in the audience whistle.
When his weight settled into the saddle, Quicksilver tried to slow to a walk, but Carter kicked his heels and the horse erupted into a fast trot. He laughed from pure exhilaration, and guided his mount in a quick circuit around the ring. When he passed Phil, he threw out his hand to catch the rope that was tossed to him.
It was already tied into a lasso, and Carter took a minute to adjust it in his hand as the horse made another circuit. Finally, he gave the signal. A gate at the far end opened and a hefty beef cow was ushered in. For a moment the cow stood there making a plaintive lowing sound, and then the ranch hand gave it a solid smack on the flank, startling her into a run.
Given her preference, the cow would have staggered to a stop and began looking for a place to graze, but the sight of a cowboy riding her way was enough to keep her moving. He began to swing the rope over his head, but it took two passes before he felt comfortable casting it in her direction.
He missed by mere inches. She ducked away, changing her direction, and thundered off. From the audience there was a mix of shouted advice, laughter, and one loud “You’ve got this, Carter!” from his wife.
He ignored all of it, focused on reeling the rope back in and preparing for another try. What had once been second nature, now took real effort. The skills were still there, but they were rusty. He pressed his heels into the horse’s sides and Quicksilver stepped up the pace.
This time Carter stood in the stirrups when he began to swing the lasso. He took his time spinning and when he finally threw it out … it dropped down neatly over the cow’s head. She let out a startled moo and immediately tried to run away faster.
But it was too late for that. He wrapped the rope around his saddle horn and began pulling in the slack. As he slowed his mount, she was forced to come to a standstill with them. “Not my fastest work, but not bad considering how long it’s been,” Carter said as he swung his leg over and slid to the ground.
He gave the cow a friendly pat and then released the rope. She made a snorting sound that almost seemed indignant and trotted as far from him as she could go. He was laughing as he turned to face the audience. There was a mix of emotions among the men who worked on the ranch, and he saw money being exchanged.
Clearly there had been some betting that he wouldn’t be able to do it, which was fair. He hadn’t been sure he could do it either. Some of the men gave him a respectful nod as he walked over, others grumbled, probably over lost spending money.
Carter wasn’t greeted like some conquering hero by them. It was nothing they hadn’t seen before, and most of them could do better. Roping was a time-honored cowboy skill after all, and this wasn’t an especially difficult challenge for someone who worked from horseback every day.
But the ones who’d been put off by a guest getting way too involved with actual work were now mollified, which was why he’d decided to risk the embarrassment in the first place. Now they knew he wasn’t just a tourist, at least.
The cheers from the guests did take him by surprise. Most of them still found it hard to mount without help. Riding at more than a walk made them nervous, and the idea of trying to do something with a rope while staying in the saddle…it all seemed like magic to them. As he climbed over the fence he was surrounded by the other couples and the compliments flew hot and heavy, while he ducked his head and muttered thanks. Allegra shoved through the crowd and threw her arms around his neck as she slapped a big kiss on his lips. “That was brilliant!” she blurted.
“Aw shucks, Ma’am. All in a day’s work for this cowboy,” he said, using a deliberately cheesy western accent. His arms wrapped around her waist, and he swung her off her feet.