Chapter 1
Nicole sighed. She tipped her hat back and pulled herself up onto the railing. She draped her arms over the top, casually resting a foot on the middle rail. She smiled as she watched the calves mill around the holding pen. She had always had a soft spot for these creatures. Their breath sent up steam in the early morning air.
The air was crisp, the first wisps of fall in the September air. She pulled the caller of her coat up around her neck as she watched the young cows as the sun began to peak out from behind the mountains. When you live in the mountains you get used to sunrise just being the glow of the sun from behind the mountains, and Nicole was growing to love it.
This place was nothing like where she came from. Nothing like the flat Midwest plains that her family calls home. There, you can see for miles, the only thing that might block your sight is a windmill.
Nicole hopped back down and made her way back to her truck. Whiskey was tied out, munching on some grass. Nicole walked up and scratched her neck, “Hey girl,”
Nicole ducked into the small living quarters of the trailer and grabbed the coffee she had been waiting on. She sat down on a foldout chair and took a drink.
“Are you ready to kick some ass today, Whiskey?” She asked the horse.
The bay looked at her, munching grass.
“That’s what I thought” Nicole said.
“You know, talking to the horses isn’t crazy, but when they start answering….” The gruff voice trailed off as he walked up to her. The man was short and kind of round, a thick mustache hiding his upper lip, he looked tired.
“Hey Dr. Nedley. She thankfully hasn’t answered yet,”
“Just wanted to make sure that little suture job I did last night is doing good,” He said walking up the horse, running his hand along her side as he went to her rear and lifted her back right leg. It had been a small cut, but deep, needing 4 stitches.
“She hasn’t been favoring it or anything. I still feel like crap that I didn’t noticed the busted piece of metal in the trailer,” Nicole stood up and shook her head at the thought, “Would you like some coffee?” Nicole offered.
The vet set the horse’s foot back down and wiped his hands on his pants, “Thank you for the offer, but I’ve got to go help out with livestock checks, make sure everyone’s healthy enough for tonight,” He pat the horses neck, “I much prefer the equines,”
Nicole chuckled, “I believe it,”
The two bid each other a good day and Nicole stretched. It was about time she got started prepping for the rodeo.
She loved competition day. She loved the order, the prep, and the buzz in the air that came with it. She stepped into the small living area of the trailer. It had a small cot up above shelves that housed a microwave, a mini fridge and a coffee maker, all bolted down so they didn’t migrate during travel. She still thanked her dad for surprising her with a renovation of the old beat up trailer she had bought. The rest of the space has a small counter and a closet.
Nicole opened the closet and took out the crisp black button up shirt; she hung it up on the door. She then took out the jeans and the cowboy boots, setting them to the side. She then took out the hatbox. She had on her everyday cowboy hat: an old straw Stetson with a battered leather hatband. But her competition hat, that was her pride and joy. It was her version of her Sunday dress. A handsome black felt hat with a simple black hatband, a not too flashy silver buckle finished it off. She had just had it steamed and shaped before leaving town. It was made of soft felt and had cost her a pretty penny.
She stepped outside started brushing Whiskey, braided her mane and picked her hooves, making sure her shoes were on securely. She went into the tack closet and pulled out the sawhorse. Ever since she was a little kid she had giggled at the sight of a sawhorse sitting next to a real horse.
She pulled all the tack out and made sure it was clean and ready to go, dusting some stray dirt off the saddle.
Today was going to be a good day.
Waverly had once really enjoyed the rodeo. It was this small towns only real industry. They were the jumping off point for cowboys to the western rodeo circuit. They were no Cheyenne, but they played their role.
But right now she really wasn’t enjoying it. When she was a kid, it had been an event to go to, a reason to dress up, and a reason to go out and see people. Now it was an obligation. Dating a bull rider will do that, and dating a bad bull rider is a surefire way to make sure your love the rodeo wanes.
Champ was sitting next to her. Bull riding was always the last event of the night, so he sat next to her during team roping; it was a little tradition of theirs. Champ would only sit with her during team roping. He didn’t like the bulldoggers and he thought the bronc busters were cowards for not getting up on a bull. And Waverly didn’t like to watch barrel racing with him, she didn’t like the reminder that he had slept with most of those girls, or was going to down the road.
So team roping was what they watched together.
Champ snorted, then spit some tobacco juice into a well-abused plastic Mountain Dew bottle. He had sworn he would quit chewing, and Waverly was not going to be kissing him tonight with his mouth full of that shit.
“Look, some girl think she can rope,” he pointed the to the two riders that came into the arena. The girl had ivory skin, an auburn braid tucked into her cowboy hat and a crisp, starched shirt.
“Oh and some-“ Waverly cut Champ off before he could say anything more when she noticed the dark skin on the man opposite the girl as they backed their horses into the boxes.
“Champ, that’s incredibly racist and sexist of you! Girls can rope, and you know as well as I do that historically, most cowboys were either black or from Mexico,”
Champ rolled his eyes, “History, Blah, blah, facts, blah, blah,”
Waverly could feel her blood boiling.
But was distracted when she saw the man give the nod. He deftly roped the steer around the head, and then his horse veered to the left, pulling the steer. The girl deftly threw her rope and caught both the hind legs neatly. The horse backed up, pulling the steer out.
Waverly looked up at the time, 5.1. The two had a big smile on their faces, that time put them at the top of the leader board.
“And you said girls cant rope,” Waverly said smugly.
“She got lucky”
“Heading is luck, healing is skill,” Waverly repeated the words her dad used to say to her.
“Yeah, sure. I’m going to go get ready,” Champ stood and limped off without a second look.
Waverly stood up too, not really sure what she thought she was going to do, but on a mission nonetheless.
She walked to the back of the arena, where all the competitors were. She couldn’t remember the girl’s name, but she tried to find her, wanting to congratulate her.
She spotted the auburn braid handing off the horse to someone else. Waverly made a b-line to the girl, almost running into her.
“Hi. I’m Waverly, I wanted to congratulate you on the awesome roping today,” Waverly said it fast; it almost sounded angry.
Nicole took a step back, unsure of why this woman looked so frazzled, and sounded angry.
“Thank you,” Nicole said, her confusion coming out slightly in her tone.
“I’m sorry I like attacked you on that, I’m just mad at my boyfriend. When you two came out to rope he was all ‘girls cant rope’ and I ah, wow I’m rambling,” Waverly rubbed the back of her neck, suddenly just a little lost in the surprised looking brown eyes looking down at her, “thank you for kicking ass so I could rub it in his face later,”
Nicole cracked a smile, “No problem,” She offered her hand, “I’m Nicole, Nicole Haught,”
Waverly was only faintly aware that she was holding on to Nicole’s hand still, “I’m Waverly,”
Nicole gave her hand a squeeze and let go of it. She gave the smaller girl a wry smile, “So I’ve heard,”
“Oh, right. I already said that. Ah, well, ah, your horse was amazing today,” Waverly said dumbly.
“Oh, that old chestnut isn’t mine. He’s a buddy of mine’s roping horse. He’s going to be getting a share of our winnings if we pull this off,” Nicole said, “My horse’s name is Whiskey, she’s a barrels horse,”
“You barrel race too? I tried it once in 4H, not my cup of tea,” Waverly smiled.
“Yeah, why don’t you come out to my trailer after we race and you can meet her?”
“I cant. I ah, have plans. I’m a planner,” Waverly stumbled on her words.
“Well, I have to go get Whiskey warmed up. Do you live around here? I just moved out here, and if you would like, we should get together some time,”
“Yeah, sure, sure thing, sounds great,” Waverly said all the words way too fast.
Nicole threw herself up into the saddle. She could feel that Whiskey knew exactly what was about to happen.
“Shhhh, easy now girl,” she patted the horse’s neck. They walked over to the waiting shoot. She can hear the announcer trying to hype the crowd up for barrel racing.
Nicole sat comfortably in her saddle and looked around her. If you looked at this group, you would point her out as the one that didn’t belong. Most barrel racers were flashy; gaudy sparkles, pink, saddle decorations. Nicole in contrast was wearing the same thing most of the male ropers did. Her saddle had pretty detailing, but wasn’t flashy. Her boots were practical, with not a shade of pink on them. Nicole smiled to herself; she had always kind of been the black sheep. But thanks to that black sheep status she didn’t have to deal with the drama the other racers did. She had heard one to many stories of one of the girls being burned by some no good rodeo man.
Nicole watched them move up the line. As they got closer and closer to the front Whiskey got more and more anxious.
When finally they got to the front Nicole patted Whiskey’s neck, “You ready, girl?”
“Up next, ladies and gentlemen, we have a special treat all the way from Indiana. Nicole Haught and Whiskey!”
With a click of her tongue and touch of spurs, Whiskey shot out like a gun.
“Yah!” Nicole used the reins to signal Whiskey to speed up. Whiskey slowed down and turned around the first barrel, cutting it as close as possible. She sprinted the short distance to the second barrel; this time cutting it so close that Nicole had to lift her inside foot at the last second to keep from knocking the barrel over.
Whiskey came out of the turn and Nicole spurred her on around the third barrel.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, Help them on home!!!” The announcer called over the PA system.
“Yah!” Nicole shouted as she spurred Whiskey on the straightaway back through the gates.
“Give Whiskey and Ms. Haught a round of applause! With a time of 15 and 2, that puts them at the top of the leader board!”
Nicole pulled Whiskey up and they circled back around. Nicole could feel the adrenaline coursing through her. She patted the horse on the neck, “Good girl!”
The smile plastered on Nicole’s face went from ear to ear. She pushed her hat back and sighed.
“Damn girl, that was a mighty fine ride,” A blonde on a chestnut pony said as she pulled up next to her.
“Thank you,” Nicole beamed at the women.
“I was impressed,” The women flashed her a smile. Nicole noticed the look the women gave her, “I’ll be at the party later, hopefully I’ll see you there,”
“Maybe you will,” Nicole smiled.
Waverly was standing next to Champ at the customary after rodeo barn dance.
This particular barn had been retrofitted with a bar, tables and a dance floor.
Waverly watched as Champ pulled a small Ziploc bag from his pocket and quickly popped two white pills into his mouth.
“Champ!” Waverly said in a hushed tone.
“What?” He stuffed the bag back into his pocket before swigging from the glass of whiskey in his hand.
“What was it?”
“Why does it matter?” He downed the whiskey. He was licking his wounds, both figuratively and literally, after getting thrown three times.
Waverley sighed, “Just tell me,”
He huffed, “Vicodin, the name brand stuff too,”
“Well good for you,” She said coldly, despite the familiar pit of dread growing in her stomach.
“I don’t know why you care so much,” He continued.
“Because, Champ, one of these days you’re going to kill yourself with that shit,” Waverly was sick of having this conversation. She set her drink down and made a b-line for the door.
“Waverly! Come back! Babe!” he called after her.
Waverly kept her head down, marching towards the door, until she hit something-or rather someone.
Firm hands grabbed her arms, “Whoa, when you get to walking, nothing stops you, does it?”
Waverly looked up at the sound of the familiar voice and was met by the soft brown eyes she had met earlier that evening.
“Nicole! I am so sorry,” Waverly stammered, “I didn’t expect to see you here,”
Nicole let go of Waverly and took a half step back.
“You didn’t expect to see me at the rodeo after party?” Nicole asked, cocking an eyebrow at the brunette.
“Well, admittedly, that sounded stupid,”
Nicole gave her a small smile, “Waverly, are you ok?”
“Yeah, its just my boyfriend…” Waverly trailed off.
“Was being a shithead?” Nicole finished.
“Yeah,” Waverly huffed out and jammed her hands in her back pockets.
“Come on,” Nicole motioned for Waverly to follow her.
“Where are we going?” Waverly asked as she followed Nicole out the doors and into the chilly night air.
“Trust me,” Nicole said as they walked towards the rodeo grounds.
Nicole deftly climbed the fence and then helped Waverly over.
“What are we doing here?” Waverly asked.
“I wanted to show you something, I feel like you might appreciate it,”
They finally arrived at the holding pastures. Nicole hopped up onto the fence of the pen and held her hand out to help Waverly up, “Come on, come look,”
Waverly rolled her eyes, unfolding her arms that had been crossed over her chest. She climbed the fence and looked into the pen. A mare, solid chestnut, was grazing. Along her side was a foal, it was the same color but with a big white blaze on its face.
“You’re looking that the future of the rodeo. That little colt was born of some of the best bucking stock in Wyoming,” Nicole said.
“He’s so cute!” Waverly gushed.
They watched the foal curl up with is mother for the night, the light of the almost full moon being just enough to be able to see.
“Thank you,” Waverly looked at the women next to her, a virtual stranger, but she had already shown Waverly so much kindness.
“No problem. Sometimes all you need is to be reminded of the beauty of life,” Nicole motioned towards the horses.
They stayed there, the chilly night air turning their breath to a subtle fog.
“Does the offer still stand to meet your horse?” Waverly asked.
Nicole cracked a smile, “Of course,” she hopped down and held a hand out to help Waverly, and this time Waverly actually accepted it.
They headed to the holding barn, where all the competitors horses stayed.
With a small grunt Nicole opened the stall and they walked inside.
“Hey, girl. I’ve got someone who wants to meet you,” Nicole patted the horse’s neck.
“Waverly, this is Whiskey, the aforementioned barrels hose who stole my heart, and many of my carrots, over the years,”
Waverly reached out and pet the nose of the bay, “She’s pretty. And damn good, as is evident from that brand new buckle on your belt,”
Nicole had already had her hands grasping her belt, framing the shiny new buckle, “Thanks. I like to think I had a small role to play in our ride, but sure, most of the credit goes to Whiskey here,”
Waverly laughed, “Someone’s pride is fragile,”
Nicole scoffed, “I mean, have you ever met any of us rodeo folk? Rodeo is synonymous for fragile pride,” Nicole scratched the horse behind the ear, “But in all honesty, rodeo is about 90% having a good horse. And I am thankful for Whiskey. Not only does she help me pay the bills, but she’s a damn good friend on the road,”
“Did you train her?” Waverly asked.
“Sure did,” Nicole beamed with pride. They both shifted awkwardly on their feet in the silence, “If you want, you can come down to my trailer. I’ll break out the good whiskey,”
Waverly’s eyes lit up, “Oh, Nicole Haught, you don’t know any better, but you should never offer an Earp whiskey,”
“I’ve always been the type that has to learn the hard way,” Nicole gave Waverly a wink, “Come on, follow me,”
Nicole led Waverly to her truck and trailer. She disappeared inside the trailer pulling out 2 folding chairs, then disappeared again and came back with two blankets. She set up the chairs and then went back inside one last time, coming back out with two tin cups and a bottle of whiskey.
“Ah, cowgirl, we have a problem,” Waverly crossed her arms over her chest.
“A-what?” Nicole stopped in her tracks.
Waverly smirked at the way Nicole’s face fell and the look of panic on her face, “Is that a Chevy I see before me?”
Nicole’s heart started beating again and she felt herself relax, “Ah yeah, is that a problem?”
“I just don’t usually associate with Chevy drivers. I’m a proud Ford owner,”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that,” Nicole smirked as she sat down and poured whiskey into each of the empty tin cups.
Waverly shook her head and sat down, accepting the cup from Nicole. She took a sip, “You weren’t kidding about breaking out the good stuff,”
“You have a nose for whiskey?” Nicole asked.
“Well, us Earp’s are known for our consumption of it, but I’m also a bar tender,” Waverly said.
Nicole nodded, “Well, its not everyday I get to celebrate two buckles and a new friend,”
Waverly raised her cup to clink it with Nicole’s, “To new friends,”
They drank in silence for a bit, “Ah, if you don’t mind me asking, what were you and your boyfriend fighting about?”
Waverly snorted, “The same thing we fight about every week. Have you ever dated a bull rider?”
Nicole looked a touch uncomfortable, “Ah… no…”
“Well, I don’t suggest it. After every rodeo we fight about him taking pills. And I get it, you get busted up in this sport, but I’m sick of it,”
“Cowboy candy is a problem,” Nicole gave a knowing nod, “It’s not just the bull riders and bronc busters, it’s the bulldoggers and the tie down ropers too. It’s everywhere in this sport,” Nicole said bluntly.
“Champ is a good guy,” Waverly started, “But we’ve been together for so long now. We just keep going back to each other, like magnets that make poor decisions,”
“What do you mean?” Nicole wasn’t following what Waverly was trying to say.
“We break up and get back together constantly. Do you know how many times he’s cheated on me? But, he’s safe. I know what I’m getting with Champ. So, I somehow always go back,”
Nicole took a gulp of whiskey, taking a second to feel the fire slide down her throat, “I don’t know you or Champ. But, I think someone who cheats, especially more than once, has to be of weak mind,”
“Champ’s and idiot,” Waverly confirmed, “How about you, relationship?”
Nicole looked down at the tin cup in her hand, tracing the rim with her index finger, “My girlfriend and I broke up a couple months ago. When I told her I was moving out west to pursue rodeo, it all fell apart,”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Waverly said. Waverly was caught off guard by the sense of relieve she felt by what Nicole had said.
“We were headed that way anyway, she doesn’t want to live out here. She would’ve hated me being gone so much, and working odd jobs to pay the entry fees. She wanted a stable partner, someone who would have steady income and a predictable life,”
“Well, if it counts for anything, I think predictable is boring,”
Nicole smiled, “Oh, it means more than you know,”
“And, if you are looking for work, my sister, Wynonna, and I just inherited our old beat up family ranch. We are going to at least try and get it back into some sort of shape. We could use an extra set of hands,”
“That would be wonderful, thank you very much,” Nicole tipped her hat at the girl.
“It would be our pleasure!” Waverly said.
“My first job in town, see I knew this whiskey was called for!” Nicole poured more into both of their cups.