I remember the first bull I got on; it was on my brothers back in Grandma’s front yard. I bucked off and hit my head on the water-meter cover that resulted in a trip to the doctor, where I got five stitches and a proud moment; I was five years-old …

Chapter 1- Freedom

Buc could hear his Fathers truck coming around the corner, which sounded like thunder and the cavalry coming to save him; he sat in front of his counselor for the last time. Buc had come to like his counselor because he had been through so much hardship and yet, here he is helping others who were going through something similar. Buc could not believe it: he was going home after spending 4 months in a minimum security prison. It felt like a new beginning to Buc, and he was excited for the future; the counseling had helped. Still, there were a few questions that remained before Buc could be confident in his future: where would he choose to live? What would he do for a living, and would he make it off parole and go to college some where? Most importantly, would he ever find love again? This was the question that haunted him the most because he needed a woman that could keep him straight: his two DWI’s and his smart mouth had landed him in prison. Would he mess up again? He had a great support system in place with his family.

Buc had something going for him: he knew Jesus. Well, Buc was saved when he was seven years-old, but somehow had drifted apart from God; Buc had been rebelling against the world, and he was sure God was not happy with him, but then Buc thought of the story in the Bible “The Prodigal Son” and he felt as if God would forgive him if he asked for it, and if he changed his ways. Buc did ask for forgiveness, and asked Jesus to come into his heart once again; it was a fresh start for Buc, and he knew with Jesus’s strength he could accomplish anything as long as he believed.

Buc grew up in a small town in North Carolina. When Buc was a child his Father worked 3rd shift at a mill where he was a supervisor. Buc’s Mother was an Insurance Agent; a career she has been doing since she was eighteen. Buc had two older brothers he was close to, though they had done their share of wrestling and fought some; well, boys will be boys. Buc shared a room with his brother, Ron, and his older brother Steven had his own room. Buc remembered he and Ron lying on the bedroom floor at bedtime, as they watched their father getting out of the shower because the door was cracked open. Buc and Ron laughed hysterically as they watched while trying to be quiet as possible; however, just when they thought they could not laugh any harder, their father broke wind and Buc thought he would die from laughing or from getting caught. Buc got a chuckle thinking about that moment in his childhood. “Where has the time gone?” Buc said to himself.

Buc’s Father, Ross, was a great Father: he was hard-working, strong, intelligent, courageous and sensitive. Ross had no problem disciplining his boys when they were out of line: sometimes it was the hand, and sometimes it was the belt. Once, Ross made Buc pick a switch off a bush for a whipping. Buc thought how the anticipation of getting a whipping was actually worse than the whipping itself; that was the case most times but I guess it depended on what occurrence took place. Buc and his brothers were very close to their father, Buc used to ride horses with Ross before he got into trouble. Ross grew up around horses on a small farm with his younger brother and his parents; Ross’s father trained horses. Buc loved being around horses and riding them; although, a few of the horses he rode would spook and run back to the barn with him, but eventually Buc kind of learned to anticipate when the horse might spook by watching their ears and by watching the other horses, so Buc could check the horse before it could take off running.

Ross had a horse named Champ; he kept Champ at one of his best friends stables, as Ross did not have the land to keep Champ at his place. Buc went with Ross to the stables almost every day; Buc enjoyed being around the older guys because they were fun to be around, and of course, they were wise and Buc knew he could learn a lot from them. Stuart was the name of Ross’s friend; he was a fine upstanding Christian and an Army Veteran that served in Germany. Stuart would let Buc ride one of his horses when they went trail riding. Buc enjoyed riding with his Father and Stuart; it made him feel like a cowboy because his Father and Stuart were definitely cowboys.

One night Ross took Buc to an event called, “Bull Riders Only”. Buc loved it, and he could knew he had to find a way to try it; there was something so awesome about bull riding. The cowboys were so courageous riding 2000lbs of anger and muscle, and their hand suspended in the air was what appealed to Buc the most; its as if they were saying I am wild, and I am free!

When Buc told his Father he wanted to ride bulls, Ross regretted taking Buc to the bull riding event because Buc had determination in his eyes. Ross did not argue with Buc because he knew Buc had to prove something to himself. “Perhaps Buc can figure out life by risking life and limb”, Ross thought. Ross figured he would wait and see what happened, and he decided to support Buc to the point of introducing him to a guy named Adam who could help him get on a bull. Buc’s Mother, Lou, did not feel the same as Ross and thought Buc was crazy for wanting to ride a bull; little did she know Buc had plans to ride more than one.

Chapter 2-Written In The Stars

Buc sat out on the balcony at the high rise hotel at Myrtle Beach, SC at the age of eighteen. Buc had been staring up at the star-lit sky as tears streamed slowly down his face. Buc had been up all night praying for an unusual request: he wanted God to take his life. Buc was at the beach to celebrate graduation, and he had been partying all week until he had enough. Buc did not want to commit suicide; he was tired of living his life and struggling with who he wanted to be and what he wanted to do. Buc sat on the balcony until the stars faded into the morning light before deciding to go to bed.

While Buc was sleeping, something happened to him; it seemed like a dream, yet it was so real. Buc had never experienced anything more real in his life. This was Buc’s experience: the sky turned jet black and he saw something moving within the clouds, and all of the sudden white horses with wings dropped down out of the dark sky; the horses were beautiful as they filled the atmosphere. Then, just like that, Buc took off at what must have been warp speed, and that is when he saw Jesus; Jesus was too far away for Buc to get a good look at Jesus’s face, plus there was no time to see his face because he was flying too fast. Jesus was flanked by angels and Buc flew right into him. As soon as Buc flew into Jesus he entered a light of sorts; it was unlike any light he had ever seen. Buc had never felt anything more powerful, safe, or peaceful. Buc could also hear his thoughts vividly telling him he was not ready to die, as he wondered what his family and friends would think and say. Then Buc decided he did not want to die; after those thoughts in the light, Buc took off at warp speed again, but he could not tell if he was going forward or backwards; then, he opened his eyes and his hands and arms were stretched out over the bunched-up, white sheets just like they were in the light. Buc could also feel the pull he felt inside the light, as he heard one of his friends ask, “Is Buc up yet?” It was Buc’s last day at the beach, but Buc thought, “What a way to go”, as he was still in shock.

Buc knew he had just witnessed something incredible, whether it be a miracle or divine intervention that gave him reason to want to live for Jesus, because Jesus for whatever reason showed him he did not want to die. Buc knew God had a plan for him, but he also knew that his life would be a struggle; however, in the end will be a new beginning to a new eternity. Every part of Buc wanted to be in heaven, but he knew he would have to rely on that and the Holy Spirit. Buc also figured if Jesus awoke his soul, that life would be interesting.

That same morning, Buc found two friends to ride with to get home; he was so tired he dreaded the long ride home. Bucs friends stopped to get something to eat, but realized he did not have any money left, so one of his friends said he would cover him; Buc declined and his friend asked if he was okay, and Buc simply replied, “I saw Jesus.” Buc’s two friends looked at each other as if he had lost his mind, yet they walked to the restaurant doors while Buc laid in the back seat thinking about things.

When Buc got home from the beach, he wondered what his next move would be; he wanted to take classes at the local community college and enter the college transfer program. Although Buc had not been very studious in high school, he still wanted to try; Algebra was what really scared him as a student, but he knew if he could get passed Algebra he would probably do well at a four-year institution. Buc was not very optimistic about his chances of getting in at East Carolina University where his brothers were attending college. Buc did have to repeat 8th grade after all. Buc thought back to the time when he had a conversation with a guidance counselor, and he told him he would have to repeat if he was not careful, and Buc said, “I have not failed yet” and brushed it off as if he were invincible.

Chapter 3- 8th Grade

Buc was walking up the inclined, gravel driveway to his house when he opened his report card and he was stunned to see he had failed 8th grade. Buc knew he had to tell his parents if they did not already know; “Parents can be sneaky”, Buc thought. Regardless of whether Bucs parents knew or not, they would not be happy; “I’ll be lucky if I am not grounded for the summer”, Buc thought to himself.

There was another side to the story however; Buc was constantly picked on, laughed at, ridiculed, and just plain bullied by his classmates in 7th and 8th grades; so Buc was grateful to get away from them, as they would move on to high school. Over the summer, Buc grew a few inches and developed a few muscles; he became popular with his new classmates, and life was good. Buc’s grades were still subpar, but at least he did not have anyone calling him “Pudgy” because the year before his nose was doing a pug thing. Buc’s nose had also grown out some, as His Father was half Italian and had a large nose. Buc’s nose did not quite look like his Fathers, but it was more like a combination of his Mothers and his Fathers. Buc was self-conscious about his nose, so he knew he would have to live with jokes from his friends; his friends called him big nose, or Pinocchio. Some of Buc’s friends even called him Jaws; like if he were swimming on his back it would look like a dorsal fin, which is actually pretty funny.

Buc liked to think of himself as Cyrano De Bergerac: extremely smart and good at fighting, and he would laugh when he thought of this. Buc wondered when he would find his Roxanne because he did want to start a family some day; he wanted a relationship similar to his parents because they loved one another unconditionally. Sure, Buc’s parents had their share of arguments, but they knew how to communicate and to forgive each other of their shortcomings. Buc hoped to find a woman one day with his mothers characteristics: loving, sensitive, intelligent and passionate. Buc had to find someone capable of taking care of him and keeping him out of trouble; he wanted a sweetheart he could share his life with. “After all, do I not deserve happiness?”, Buc thought.

Chapter 4- The Actual Ride

Buc took a deep breath as he stepped over the chute for the first time, as his dream was about to become reality; he was fixing to ride a bull for the first time. The bull was called Red Kennedy and was relatively small.

Buc was nervous as he heard the announcer murder the pronunciation of his Italian last name; Buc rolled his eyes at the announcer as he straddled Red Kennedy. Buc was using borrowed equipment, except for his rawhide left handed glove, arm pad and bull rope. The denim protective vest he wore was loaned to Buc from a cowboy watching from behind the chute.

There were three cowboys assisting Buc while he sat on the bulls back: one of them was pulling the bull rope tight enough to cut off the blood circulation in his hand, and then the other cowboy was talking in Buc’s ear telling him, “You are going to ride this bull; just slide and ride”. The third cowboy was also assuring Buc he would fine. In the mean time, Ross sat in the bleachers watching, and he must have been as nervous as Buc if not more so.

Finally, they got the bull rope tight enough, and Buc pulled the excess of the rope across his hand and took hold of it as tight as possible. Then all of a sudden Red Kennedy tried to jump out of the chute with Buc strapped to him, but after a few seconds the bull settled down. Buc abruptly nodded his head and said, “Okay!” to let the gateman know he was ready to ride. The gateman threw open the chute gate and Red Kennedy blew out of the chute as if his tail were on fire; Buc lasted about two jumps before he came crashing to the hard earth, and he jumped up and ran to the fence where he gasped for the air missing from his lungs. All the while Buc is smiling ear to ear; he knew he was hooked to much of his Fathers dismay. Even though Red Kennedy was a small bull, Buc was glad to come out of the ride unscathed.

Chapter 5- Wildfire

Amber Bryant, a barrel racer from southern Maryland was getting ready for her next rodeo, as she was packing tack, gear, and equipment for her horse Wildfire; named after the song “Wildfire” by Michael Martin Murphy. Amber loved the song Wildfire, but not as much as she loved her horse, Wildfire. Amber loved Wildfire more than anything, except Jesus and her parents. As far as people were concerned, Amber did not care for them much because her heart had been broken time and time again, but still she would give someone the shirt off her back as long as she is wearing a bra.

Amber is eighteen and beautiful, graduated Valedictorian, and she is also high spirited just like her horse with radiant, bluish green eyes; many young men could not handle her disposition which was brutally honest and sometimes quite grouchy. Amber had plans to go to college someday, but right now she would compete with her horse.

Wildfire is a 7 year-old Quarter horse gelding that stands at sixteen hands; his coat is a beautiful chestnut, with a white blaze and four white socks. Wildfires coat was about the same color of Ambers beautiful, long straight hair.

Amber is an only child, so she spent a lot of time with horses growing up. Amber is a World Champion Barrel Racer with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association(PRCA) even at her young age. Every cowboy at every event wants to date her; even some of the ones that are married. Ambers parents enjoy traveling with her from state to state, as they are retired and enjoy the sights and making friends each state has to offer.

Ambers Father, John, went from elected Sheriff to an elected Judge during his career, and her mother, Lee, works for a real estate firm and trains horses on the side. Amber is very intelligent just like her parents.

Amber knew she wanted to raise cattle someday; she just had to win enough money to save up to buy a ranch, and she was well on her way to making her dream a reality. Amber also wanted a man to share her life with; a man that is strong, intelligent, funny, and does not take crap from anyone.

Amber broke up with her high school boyfriend that she dated for seven months, and was not particularly looking for a man at the present time; however, that is usually when love finds you. Ambers ex’s name is Vincent, and he is now in College at the University of Maryland. They usually had a good time together, as they would trail ride, go to movies and such, but Vincent cheated on Amber, and that was it for her: she was done! There is no way I would ever marry that man-whore, Amber said to herself as she thought of Vincent.

Amber is a Christian, and her relationship with Jesus Christ is the most important thing in her life; she claims her faith in God contributes to her work ethic and success in barrel racing. Amber wants someone to spend eternity with; it often feels as though she would never find that special man, even though she is young.

Amber never had aspirations to travel abroad; she was afraid if she did, she would fall in love only to be heart broken. Amber sometimes dreamed about a man she felt very close to, though she has not even an inkling who he could be. Now, Amber envisions a fantasy of holding the man she loved in her arms; she thinks about it constantly, but there is one escape, and that is to ride Wildfire.

Amber did not have a best friend on the rodeo circuit, except her Mom. Amber could tell her Mom anything, and usually did, but there are some things she wants to keep to herself; especially the man she dreamed about every so often. Amber did not bring it up to Lee because she felt foolish dreaming of a man that so far, did not exist. Well, Amber has a glimmer of hope deep down that a man did exist for her.

Chapter 6- 8 Seconds

Buc was in Creedmore, NC at a jackpot bull riding event at Stallings Farms. He was with Adam, a friend who told him about the event. Adam also kept his horse, Rusty at Stuart’s stables, and so he knew Ross. Ross was the one that told Adam about Buc wanting to ride bulls, so that is how it came to be. Adam was a bull rider as well, and he thought he could help Buc out some.

Buc had drawn a bull called Danny Boy; Danny Boy was a huge Brahma bull, and his back was almost as high as the chute gate. Danny Boy was unridden for the season so there was a bounty for whoever could last 8 seconds on him. Buc knew he had to ride him to make a name for himself so he could get his PRCA card.

Buc was decked out in his bull riding gear: black leather protective vest, black leather chaps with red trim and white stars, black square-toe riding boots, spurs, spur straps, and boot straps. Buc also wore a belt buckle he had won at a bull riding school in Charlotte, NC; he was ready to ride to say the least.

Buc stepped on the large bulls back to let him know he was getting on; there was feces and gnats all over Danny Boys bottom, but Buc just ignored it as it was nothing he had not seen before. Buc was hunkered down on Danny Boys back, and after Adam had pulled his rope, Buc pulled the excess of the rope around the back of his hand and took a tight grip on his bull rope; this is what is called a full wrap.

Buc was ready to ride, so he nodded his head and the chute-gate flew open; Danny Boy came busting out of the chute and started spinning to the left into Buc’s riding hand. Buc was riding Danny Boy down, but 8 seconds was like time standing still on a bull of this caliber. In one final effort to get Buc off his back, Danny Boy dropped his left shoulder; however, Buc was stuck to him as if someone had poured glue on Danny Boys back. Finally, the horn blew, and Buc let go of his rope and swung his leg over as Danny Boys rear-end hit him and he landed on his feet and ran to the fence.

The crowd was cheering as Buc was catching his breath, and he took off his cowboy hat and held it up for a second and put it back on; he was trying not to, but he could not help but smile, as Adam came out into the arena to congratulate him. “That was one heck of a ride cowboy!” Buc smiled at him and said, “Waffle House is on me!” Adam laughed as they climbed over the fence. Not only had Buc scored a 90 point ride, but he won the event and the bonus for riding Danny Boy, which came out to be $3000.00.

After riding for a year, Buc had earned enough money and earned enough points in the Southern Rodeo Association to get his PRCA card. Buc wanted to be a world champion so he could make enough money to buy a cattle farm, and that would suit him just fine and dandy.

Although Buc wanted his own farm, he needed a woman smarter than him to help him run it. Buc knew it was a matter of time before he met that special lady; “Shoot! There are cowgirls al over the rodeo circuit, so I am bound to fall in love with one of them.”, Buc thought to himself.

There is a big rodeo that takes place in Cheyenne, Wyoming once a year; it is called the granddaddy of them all for a reason; it is a big deal to win there because of the top-notch competition, plus the payout is huge if you can win there.

Amber had won enough money to where she could travel to Cheyenne for the big rodeo; she was confident she could win big there and collect enough money there to buy some livestock for their farm in Maryland. Ambers love for horses is what drives her to compete.

Amber loaded up her two horses, Wildfire and Tilly, after some preparation for the trip to Cheyenne. Amber’s Mom will travel with her to help out, and keep her company. Amber is excited because she gets to hang out with her Mom, and her Mom is humorous, witty, and sassy, but she loves her daughter more than anything.

Amber and Lee finally hit the road after getting everything loaded up. Lee started to sing a Willie Nelson song, On the road again” as they made their way down the highway. Amber looked at her Mom and said,” I love that song!”, and Lee smiled and said, “Yes I know.” ; they both giggled. After hours and hours of driving and singing countless country songs on compact discs; they had finally reached their destination. Amber and Lee decided they would camp on the rodeo grounds so they could keep close watch on the horses; they finally got some shut-eye in their black Chevy dually after feeding the horses.

Buc had arrived in Cheyenne as well after driving his dark blue Chevy truck more miles than he wanted to. Adam traveled with Buc as Adam was entered in the rodeo as well. Finally, Buc and Adam got to their hotel close to the rodeo grounds, yet Buc had trouble sleeping as he was nervous; however, he was also excited and confident he would do well in Cheyenne. “Perhaps I could win the whole thing”, Buc thought as he drifted off to sleep.

Chapter 7- Cheyenne

Buc was talking to Adam when Amber rode up on them riding Wildfire, as she looked straight at Buc and said, “Excuse me!”. Buc replied, “Excuse you or the horse?” Amber looked at Buc with a scowl on her face and said, “Both of us.” Then Buc said ,”Then it is excuse us!” Buc smiled as he and Adam slowly moved aside; Amber rolled her eyes as she started to ride through and muttered under her breath, “Bull riders.” Adam looked at Buc and said, “You are lucky she did not come down off that horse and whoop you. “Yeah”, said Buc, but she sure is feisty and pretty to boot!” Buc watched Amber as she rode away, and he noticed she looked back at him; about that time, Buc tripped and fell backwards over his equipment bag, and Amber could not help but laugh.

Buc watched Amber laugh as he lied there feeling embarrassed; Adam, while laughing put out his hand to help Buc up and once he got up he kicked the dirt. Adam said, “You sure are the smitten kitten”, and Buc smiled and said ,”Shut up! Let’s go get something to eat”.

Amber could not get the bull rider out of her mind; “He has attitude just like me”, Amber thought. Amber also thought he was easy on the eyes; as she recalled, he was wearing a nice blue brush popper shirt, faded wranglers that he filled out nicely, and a buckle that looked like it had been won at the rodeo, and it was all topped off with a straw cowboy hat with a black ribbon hatband. Amber could also not forget his build, his dark complexion, his wavy, dark brown hair, and his big, dark blue eyes. I could think about him all day, Amber thought to herself with a grin on her face.

The rodeo started at 1pm and lasted until 6pm. Once the barrel racing event came up, Amber was ready to go, as Wildfire was all tacked up, and Amber was looking good in her cowgirl outfit and feeling good about her chances to win; besides, “There was not a horse there that could match Wildfires speed and control”, Amber thought to herself. Still, Amber did not want to be cocky; she just wanted to win!

Amber is already in 1st place in the PRCA standings, but there is a lady by the name of Holly Fields and her horse, Rocky, not far behind her in a close 2nd. Holly was not a world champion but always landed in the top 5 year in and year out; she was chomping at the bit to catch Amber, and take her down and give her a dose of humility. What Holly did not know about Amber is that Amber is humble, and she worked hard to make it to the top.

Amber was riding 5th in the barrel racing, and it was her turn to let Wildfire loose. Wildfire loved to compete as well and had never lost a race with the other horses. Tilly, who was Wildfires best companion out in the pasture was really fast as well, which is why Amber brought him along just in case Wildfire got hurt.

Amber was focused as she waited for the announcer to say her name and where she was from, and as soon as the announcer finished, Amber gave Wildfire a kick and off he went; they both had the desire in their hearts to make the best time. Amber took a deep breath as she approached the first barrel and made a very clean turn, as Lee was cheering her on from behind the arena she shouted, “Turn and burn!” Amber made it to the second barrel and made another clean turn, and finally, Amber made it around the third barrel; she did exactly what Lee cheered her on to do: she turned and burned and made a time of 16.17 seconds as the crowd cheered. Amber had just taken 1st place as Holly looked on in disbelief.

Chapter 8- Buc’s Ride

Buc had drawn a bull called Black Jack, and Buc heard he was a rank bull. The chute-gate flew open, and Black Jack was bucking hard, twisting, turning and belly rolling to get Buc off of his back, but Buc just bared down even more to stick with Black Jack. Finally, the horn blew and Buc made the 8 second count, but just as he was letting go, Black Jack bucked really high and threw Buc off and he landed on his left arm. Buc got up and ran to the fence holding his arm up to his chest, and while he was on the fence he made eye-contact with a lady in the stands and smiled at her. Buc knew his arm was probably broken, and a trip to the local ER would be imminent; though his arm was messed up, he scored an 86 point ride, and that was good enough to put him in 2nd place. Buc was not a happy camper at the moment because he wanted 1st place, but at least he got to ride.

Adam was to ride next, and he drew a bull called Break Down. Adam yelled, “Okay boys!”, and the gateman threw open the gate as quick as possible; Break Down came out spinning into Adams left riding hand, and Adam stuck with him jump for jump while spurring the bull with his right leg until the horn blew. Adam scored an 88 point ride that put him in 1st place. Buc was happy for Adam, and he was glad Adam was his traveling partner.

After Buc watched Adam ride, he drove himself to the local ER to see what was going on with his arm. In the meantime, Adam walked over to the concession stand to get a Mountain Dew, and who was standing behind him in line but the barrel racer who got sassy with Buc. Adam turned around and spoke to her and said, “It seems I am in the way again”. Amber said, “No you are fine”. Adam nodded and turned back around; suddenly, Adam turned back around and looked at Amber and said, “You know, my friend likes you”. Amber looked at him in amusement and said, “Really?” Adam said, “Yes! He would kill me if he knew I told you that, so you did not hear it from me.” Amber asked. “Why won’t he ask me out then?” “Well”, Adam said, he is at a little place called the hospital getting his arm looked at since he thinks it is broken. Amber made a pouty face and said, “Poor guy”.

After three hours in the ER, Buc finally came in the hotel room where Adam was lying there watching TV. Adam could not believe it when he saw Buc in a cast all the way past his elbow and wearing a sling. “What in the world!”, said Adam. “Broke in two places”, Buc replied. Then Adam said, “Well, now your heart is going to be broken because I talked to your girl”. Buc looked at him with confusion on his face, and it then occurred to him who Buc was talking about. “Oohhh”, said Buc. “You talked to the sassy barrel racer?” Adam replied, “Sure did, and she is into you.” “No way!”, said Buc. “You know her name is Amber Bryant and she is the reigning World Champion barrel racer”, said Adam. “Yeah”, said Buc; “That is what I heard”.

Buc decided right then and there he was going to ask Amber out. “What is the worst that could happen”, Buc thought: “I get my heart broken for the umpteenth time, or I take out the girl of my dreams, and we end up getting married and having a house full of kids?” Buc thought marriage may be stretching it a little, but decided she had to say yes to the date first before any future details were logical. So, Buc went to the rodeo grounds to look for Amber, as he was decked out in his best cowboy shirt and wrangler jeans to try and make the best impression he could. There she is, he saw. Amber was brushing down Wildfire and Tilly when she looked up and saw him standing there. Amber thought Buc look so handsome in the evening sun, as Buc started walking slowly toward her.

Buc walked up to Amber and said, “Amber?” Amber said, “who wants to know?” “Never mind”, Buc replied. As Buc turned and started to walk away, Amber said, “Wait!” Buc stopped in his tracks and turned around to look into her pretty, sunlit eyes. “Where are you going Buc?” “You know my name?”, Buc said. “I sure do”, said Amber. “Would you like to go to Outback with me?”, Buc asked. “I would love to Amber said”: I am starving!” “Okay”, Buc said. “Is That your Mama?”, Buc asked as he smiled and waved to Lee, and Lee smiled back. “Yes sir”, that is my Mom”. “Does she want to come with us?”, Buc asked Amber. “No. I will bring her something back”. So, Buc and Amber walked to Buc’s truck, and Buc opened the door for Amber and once she was in he shut the door. Amber noticed that the inside of Buc’s truck was nice and neat, and she liked that. As they pulled off, Buc sang “On The Road Again”, and Amber suddenly became nervous.

Chapter 9- First Date

Buc and Amber sat in the booth at the Outback Restaurant, and they found out a lot about one another. Amber learned Buc had aspirations to attend college someday; though he had no idea what he would major in at this point and time. Amber also learned that Buc liked to read novels and write poetry. Buc told Amber about his immediate family and how close he was to them; he also told her about trail riding with his Father and Stuart, and how he did not have a horse of his own yet. Although Buc was embarrassed, he told Amber about his four months in prison; he was afraid Amber would be wary of him, but she did not seem to mind at all.

“Enough about me”, said Buc; “It is my turn to ask the questions”. Amber smiled and said, “Okay, fire away”. Buc proceeded to ask Amber questions about her family and where she grew up. Buc was surprised to find out Amber was from Southern Maryland , but he was not surprised she grew up on a farm. “So, you have been riding horses a long time?” “Yes”. Amber said; “All my life”. “Wow”, Buc said; “It is no wonder you handle your horse the way you do”. “Well, thank you”; as Amber could feel her face turn red. “So why barrel racing and not team roping?”, Buc asked Amber. Amber said, “I love to go fast: turn and burn!” Buc laughed and said, “Turn and burn!”

“Well, I suppose I should get back to Adam”, said Buc. “Yeah, I need to get this food to Mom before she starves to death”, Amber replied. Buc and Amber were relatively quiet as they were heading to the rodeo grounds; once they got there, Buc asked, “Was that what you call an awkward silence?” “I don’t know what that is called”, Amber replied. Buc pushed his cowboy hat up and gingerly moved in for a kiss, and Amber kissed him back like she had known him all her life. Once they stopped kissing after about 10 seconds, Buc said, “Man, that ahi tuna sure was good.” Amber laughed and punched him in his good arm, and she said, “Ewww gross!” “Woah! Don’t break my other arm”, Buc joked. Amber busted out laughing and gave Buc a hug, and she got out of the truck. “Hey!”, Buc said; “I have something for you. I wrote a poem while waiting in the ER, and I want you to have it. Amber took the poem, and smiled as she walked away. Buc hoped he would get to see her the next day, but who knows?

Amber sat in her Chevy Dually with the dome light on, as her Mom was sleeping in the back seat; “she did not even eat her dinner”, Amber thought. Amber proceeded to read the poem Buc had written, and it was entitled “Cowboy.”

Cowboy by Buc Christopher

Running them in around night fall

The stars and stripes hoisted behind the bucking chutes

Cowboys and cowgirls wearing halos

And down-home folk as spectators

Chaps, boots, spurs, and protective vest

Geared for a dance with the wild

Two stepping with death

Straddling 2000lbs of anger and muscle

Horns pointed forward

My heart-rate is at maximum

Rawhide strapped tightly to nylon

Blood circulation building in my hand

Clowns standing fast in cleats

I push my hat down on my head

I give a nod and the chute-gate flies open

Freedom at its best jump for jump

Addicted to adrenaline

My hand suspended in the air

Chapter 10- The Next Day

Buc and Adam woke up the next day around 8am, and after they each took a shower they decided to go to the Huddle House for some breakfast. Adam started asking Buc questions about the date, but Buc said, “A gentleman never kisses and tells”, and Adam replied, “I’m still waiting for a gentleman to come along”. Buc laughed and said, “I am not saying.” “Well, let me ask you this”, Adam said: did you have a good time?” “Yes sir!”, Buc replied.

After Buc and Adam finished breakfast, they went back to the hotel and got some more sleep; although, Buc had trouble going to sleep because Amber was on his mind. He wondered what she was doing at that moment. Buc never believed in love at first sight, but after meeting Amber he had changed his mind. “Perhaps love at first sight is more than attraction; maybe it is when you meet someone and everything turns into slow motion as you stare at them helplessly, and a life you have never known flashes before your very eyes”; at least that was Buc’s experience. “I follow Jesus, so I follow God’s mystery as well”, thought Buc.

Buc did not fall asleep; instead, he sat up and wrote a poem. Adam woke up at 11am and he and Buc decided they should get to the rodeo so Adam could prepare and get in the right mindset. Buc was excited as they approached the rodeo grounds because he wanted to find Amber. Buc wasn’t even really thinking about the bull riding since he was banged up. Buc was a little frustrated with the way things turned out for him in the bull riding; but it’s like that saying when it comes to bull riding, “It’s not a matter of if you get hurt; it’s when and how bad.” “That is the truth”, Buc thought. As a bull rider, Buc never thought about getting hurt, but he just wanted to win. Buc’s long-term goal was to be a world champion, and the way he had been riding that long-term goal could turn into a short one.

Buc and Adam went to where Amber was parked on the grounds, but she was not there; her truck and trailer were gone. Buc stood there stunned as he and Adam looked at each other in disbelief. “Oh well”, said Buc. “I’m sure there is a good reason she is not here.” “Yeah, I wonder what happened?”, said Adam. I hope she and her Mom are okay”, Buc said. Buc automatically felt sad and troubled, and he was ready to go back home to North Carolina.

It turns out Buc would get what he wanted, as Adam drew the rankest bull in the pen: A bull called Tornado. Adam threw his leg over the large Angus bull, and took a deep breath. Then a cowboy they had just met offered to pull Adam’s bull rope since Buc could not. The cowboy pulling the rope was Wayne from Fort Worth, Texas. Wayne got Adam’s rope as tight as he could, and Adam took the rope and pulled it across his leather glove; Adam then wrapped the rope around his hand and tucked the rope between his fingers. “Suicide wrap? Have you seen this bull buck?”, Wayne asked. Adam ignored the question and Buc did not say a word, as he too had used the suicide wrap before.

Tornado blew out of the chute and bucked so high he was almost vertical; Adam tried with all his might to stick with the angry bull, but he came off Tornado’s back and got hung up. Tornado spun around and around flinging Adam about while the bull fighters tried to get him free from his rope. Adam took a shot from the bulls horn in the ribs; finally one of three bull fighters got Adams hand free, and he was okay except for the shot to his ribs. Adam walked slowly back to the chute-gate holding his left side; he knew he had broken one or two of his ribs, and that meant he was done for the rest of the event.

Buc and Adam had the hotel room for two more nights, but early the next morning they headed back to North Carolina. Buc knew he would catch flack for breaking his arm from his family, but he did not really care when he was poised to win the whole event in Cheyenne. “Heck, Adam had a mind to win the whole thing as well and probably would have except he got busted up”, Buc thought.

Chapter 11- Time Off

Buc and Adam both decided to take time off due to their injuries; they did not want to be one of those guys trying to be tough as nails, although world champions are certainly tough. Buc and Adam definitely missed riding, but they wanted to be smart about it, rather than taking a chance on getting hurt again because of an injury they have already sustained. “That is the smart thing to do” Ross said to Buc, as they were in Ross’s little blue Toyota pick-up truck heading to Stuarts house. Buc knew it would be good for him to spend some time with the guys while his arm was still wrapped up like a burrito.

Buc, Ross, and Stuart talked about Buc’s trip to Cheyenne, and Buc told them he met a girl, but she had disappeared like a thief in the night that stole his heart. Both Ross and Stuart thought that was odd; then it was a light bulb went off in Stuarts head. Stuart said, “I’ll bet you money that something happened with her horse or horses.” “Hmmm”, Buc said, “That does seem plausible.” “Or maybe you ran her off”, Ross said jokingly. “I probably did Pop,” Buc replied while shaking his head in frustration.

“When does the cast come off?”, asked Stuart. “In five weeks, Buc replied; just in time to make it to Del Rio.” “Y’all should take some time off work and go with Adam and me”, said Buc. Ross and Stuart looked at one another and Stuart shrugged his shoulders, and said, “I guess we could postpone the trip to West Virginia.” Yeah!, said Ross; I will have to clear it with Lou, but it should not be a problem.” “Sweet!”, Buc said. “I’ll call Adam and tell him, and Adam and I can pay for the hotel.” “No, that won’t be necessary.”, Ross said; “We can pay for our half. “Okay” replied Buc; “It sounds like a plan.” Buc wondered where Adam was: he was not at the stables, and he was not answering his phone.

Chapter 12- Behind The Chutes In Del Rio

After a long ride, Buc, Ross, Stuart, and Adam finally made it to Del Rio. They all had a ball on the ride out west to Texas. Every cowboy should visit Texas at some point; especially if they are in the PRCA. This was not the first time Buc had been to Texas, but it was his first time to Del Rio. They got to the rodeo grounds, and there were cowboys and cowgirls everywhere. Buc was taken back by all the commotion. “This is almost as bad as Cheyenne.”, Buc thought.

Ross and Stuart dropped Buc and Adam off near the concession stand, and went to check them into the local hotel. Of course, they had already made reservations so they would be sure to have a room. Buc decided he would go to the concession stand and get a soda, while Adam said he needed to use the restroom; so, Buc decided to walk around for a bit by himself. He wondered if there was a chance Amber would be there, but he doubted it.

Then, there he saw her behind the chutes in Del Rio; he felt the same as he did when he was fixing to ride a bull when he started walking toward her with sweaty palms. Amber was talking to some guy as she was smiling and laughing, and he was at a distance but thought the cowboy sure did look familiar. As Buc got closer, he realized it was his traveling partner, Adam. As Buc walked up on them, Amber threw her arms around Adam and gave him a kiss. Buc could not believe his eyes; how could this be happening? Before Buc knew it, Amber saw Buc standing there in shock, and she tapped Adam on the shoulder and pointed toward Buc. “Oh shoot!”, said Adam, as Buc turned and walked away while shaking his head.

Adam ran to find Buc, and he found him sitting in the bleachers staring into nothing. Adam walked up the bleachers and sat a few feet from Buc, but Adam said nothing. “How long has it been going on?”, Buc asked. “Well, since after Cheyenne”, Adam said. “Remember when I stood with her in line at the concession stand?”, Adam asked. “Yeah”, Buc said while still staring off in the distance. “She gave me her number, so I called her several times, and I even went to see her a couple of times; we are exclusive. “That’s good Adam; good for you and Amber”. “Were you ever going to tell me?” “You know I thought she was the one for a while there”, said Buc. “I wanted to tell you Buc, but I just did not have it in me.” Buc stood up and said, “You can find your own way home.”

Buc turned his anger into determination, and he won the bull riding event in Del Rio; Adam finished in the top five, not that Buc cared. After Buc won, Holly Fields came up to him and said, “Good ride cowboy. Would you like to go get something to eat?”, Holly asked with a cute smile on her face. Holly had long, dark brown hair, and big brown eyes. Buc replied, “I would love to”. First I have to do something; will you give me a second?” “Of course”, Holly replied. Buc grabbed Holly’s hand and they walked toward Ambers rig, and he handed her a piece of paper. Amber took it with a puzzled look on her face. Then Buc said to Amber, “You know, some people are just like horses; if you let them, they will run all over you”. Holly smiled at Buc and took his hand, and they walked away.

Amber went to her truck and opened the piece of paper; it was a poem Buc had written:

True of Horses

You run around at will

Still run away with me

So tiring are the hours

Nodding off in casual stance

And the sun beats down on playing fields

Outside florescent lights

Nostrils flare under a universal equation

Inside the light

High spirits confined by the world

Contained by owners

Driven by instinct

Stand there immobile

Observing natural-born leaders

Stand or lie among fenced patterns

Or turn back toward the truth

And run away…

The End

I want to thank my wonderful, beautiful wife Crystal for her support while writing this short story. I love you Crystal with all my heart and soul!

Chris