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“I can’t believe the amount of work they finished yesterday?” Beth said as she and Brandon walked across the Big G ranch on Saturday morning. “It’s all but finished.”
Brandon laughed, patting her hand on his arm as he looked at the work sight. The whole town had turned out on Friday to put the barn together and it was a sight to behold.
“Today will be a great day to relax and enjoy the show,” Brandon mused. “After so much work, it should be fun watching the riders compete for the prizes.”
“I guess Orville is one of the judges,” Beth said looking up and smiling at her intended. “I’m not sure what he knows about rodeos, but I’m sure he’ll make it fun.”
Brandon chuckled, wondering when the town’s people would start on his own humble home. He had met with the town council asking about building a small house near the church, and no one had dissented on his wish. Instead, they had all cheered at his news and promised to get started as soon as the big barn raising was done, assuring him that his small down payment would be enough for what he and Beth needed.
“I think they’re getting ready to start,” Brandon spoke, hurrying Beth toward a set of benches that had been placed around a large corral. “It looks like calf roping is up first.”
Together the couple watched the events, cheering, laughing, or sighing as riders did their best to show off skills honed over time.
When the bronco-riding event came up Beth sat up straighter, surprised to see both Anderson and Dan Gaines preparing to step into the saddle of a blindfolded horse. This event was especially exciting as nearly a dozen cowboys were all given an unbroken horse to try to stay aboard. The winner would be the rider who could stay in the saddle and have his horse moving in a straight line at the end of the ride.
“Isn’t this dangerous?” Beth asked worried about her friends.
“I suppose it is, but these men do this sort of thing all the time. They’re in good shape and, barring the unforeseen, it’s all in fun.”
Beth held tightly to Brandon’s arm scanning the crowd for Prim who sat with Peri and her mother, looking worried as well.
Spotting Spencer and Daliah Gaines nearby, she noted that they looked confident in Dan’s ability to win.
“I don’t care who wins,” Beth whispered. “I just don’t want anyone to get hurt.”
Brandon smiled, touched by Beth’s warm heart. Every day he fell a little more in love with her, and he couldn’t wait until they could be married. He wanted to start a life with the beautiful woman at his side, and he knew that together they would be stronger than they each were separately. Perhaps he would do a service on the three-strand thread next Sunday.
With a shout, the men holding the horses whipped off blindfolds as the competitors sprang into the saddle and the corral erupted in bucking horses, shouting cowboys, and flying dust.
“Look at Mr. Gaines,” Beth said, noting the way the man rocked back and forth with the motion of the horse as he fought for control of the hackamore the animal wore over its nose. “He seems to be doing well.”
“Oh! There goes another one,” Brandon chuckled as a cowboy dropped from his pitching horse and raced away from the pounding feet while riders raced to catch the bronco.
“That’s three down already,” Beth spoke her eyes darting between Anderson and Mr. Gaines.
“Five now,” Brandon corrected pointing at two more cowboys who had hit the dirt.
“Anderson is doing better than I expected,” Beth smiled in surprise. “I would think he wasn’t used to such things as bronco riding.”
“I guess old Jacks taught that Englishman a thing or two.”
Beth laughed as Anderson pulled his horse’s head around, lining the heavy bay out into an easy run, then down to a trot before turning it back around for another lap of the corral.
In the other corner of the pen, Dan Gaines’ mount gave a tremendous leap landing stiff-legged on the ground in a bone-jarring stop that swayed the cowboy who teetered in the saddle for a moment, as the horse dodged sideways dumping a disgruntled Dan in the dirt.
The crowd roared as the owner of the Big G climbed to his feet dusting himself and reaching for his hat.
“I guess that’s that,” Brandon grinned. “I can’t say I expected Anderson to win though.”
Beth nodded. It was a shock that the well-bred Englishman had outridden the other rancher, but based on the way he pulled his horse to a stop, leapt from the saddle, and offered Dan his hand, everyone knew that all was well.
“I think this next event is the last,” Brandon said. “Then we’ll eat.”
“You do love your food,” Beth giggled feeling a light joy fill her. Her tall, skinny Brandon made her heart sing and that was all she needed to know.
The assembly was cheerful as the town’s folk and the riders made their way to long tables spread out on the grass then turned to Brandon expectantly as they waited for a blessing on the day and the food.
Squeezing Beth’s hand Brandon removed his hat and bowed his head.
“Dear Lord, thank you for this day. Thank you for the time to spend with friends, family, and new arrivals. We are grateful here in Needful for your bounty and ask your blessing on this food today. Let us be mindful of all we have, and all you have planned for us. Amen.”
“Amen!” the word echoed over the crowd from the back of the group and everyone turned to see Darwin Hobbs’ face flame red. “Well,” he said shuffling his boot in the grass. “I’m thankful.”
Everyone laughed as they made two lines along the long tables laden with food. It was a good day in Needful and they all knew it.
