“Been a long time since I’ve gone to see anyone buck bulls,” commented Red.
“It’s become a way of life for me recently,” answered Jace. “Although it’s been a long time since I tried to cover one myself.”
Billy Patterson had convinced him he had more talent as a saddle bronc rider than as a bull rider. Jace had been skeptical at first, but soon believed Billy called it correctly.
He’d spent several months, out on the rodeo circuit, riding broncs, and did well. He almost always ended up in the money, but his heart hadn’t been in it.
Settling down on the ranch with his parents had been the best decision he’d made in a long time. He had a knack for recognizing good bucking bulls, the same as his father did. Soon, he hoped they’d be able to add broncs to their list of rough stock.
There was only one bull Jace bid on at the auction, and then made arrangements to pick him up on his way back to Montana in the morning. Red offered to let him bring the bull down to the ranch, but Jace knew the logistics of doing so would be far more complicated than Red imagined.
Bree had a big smile on her face while she watched the bulls and riders. Jace would take that smile away when he left the next day. As hard as it would be to leave, he had to remain steadfast, and he knew it.
They agreed not to make plans as they lay next to each other that night. There weren’t any rules about not talking, or texting, or even seeing each other. The only thing they’d agreed on was, come morning, Jace would drive back to Montana, and Bree would stay at the ranch.
Saying goodbye was as hard as they both knew it would be. Jace held on tight, hoping she’d give him just another minute before she pulled away. She did.
“I’m going to miss you, Bree.”
“I’m going to miss you too, Jace.”
When her eyes filled with tears, he almost lost his resolve. He wanted to tell her to come with him—their troubles be damned. He wanted to assure her they could work through them together, side by side, and come out of it in the same place, the same way they would if they each did it alone, but he’d be lying.
“It is so hard to say goodbye to you,” he told her.
She held on tighter. “I don’t want to let go.”
“Me, either.”
Finally Jace knew he had to. He kissed her softly, took her hands from around his waist, and stepped away. The hardest part was turning away from her. He watched her in the rear-view mirror, as he pulled away.
Jace made the trip back to Montana with less than a handful of stops. Once he picked up the bull, he only stopped twice to check on it and rest his leg.
He pulled into the ranch outside Helena a little after nightfall. His house was dark, but his parents’ place was all lit-up, like a welcoming beacon.
He got the bull settled into a pen of his own, un-hooked the trailer from his truck, and drove up to see his mom and dad.
His mama was on the porch, waiting for him, when he climbed the steps.
“It is so good to see you,” she said, wrapping her arms around him when he got close enough. His daddy stood behind her, smiling.
“Brought back a good bull, did ya?” he asked.
“I sure did.”
“And I trust the rest of your trip went well?” his mother snooped.
“We’ll talk tomorrow, Mama,” he answered. “I’m beat.”
“I’ll be by in the morning, to make breakfast.”
“Nah. I’ll come to you tomorrow.”
She raised her eyebrows.
“It’s all good, Mama. I know you’re dyin’ to hear, but you’re just gonna have to wait until I get some rest.”
“You’ve waited this long, Carol,” his daddy added. “A few more hours won’t kill you.”