The excitement that was always part and parcel of the Calgary Stampede had launched into full scale pandemonium by the time Matt strolled onto the grounds Thursday afternoon for Sneak a Peek, the unofficial opening day of the midway and several of the exhibits. Locals and those in the know could purchase discount tickets to explore all the stampede had to offer before the official opening. As the reigning world champion saddle bronc rider, the officials expected Matt to join the other cowboys meeting and greeting guests and mingling with the rodeo fans who always looked forward to this opportunity to meet with their favorites.
Matt spent a couple of hours doing his duty and mingling in the Exhibit Hall and then crossed the grounds towards the infield barns. The horses and cattle making up the rough stock for rodeo performances wouldn’t arrive until tomorrow morning, in preparation for the afternoon rodeo, but the riders and stock hands made a habit of gathering in the barns on Thursday to meet and greet and catch up on the latest news and gossip.
“Hey, Matt! Been wondering when you’d make an appearance.” Steer wrestler Brett Summers, one of Matt’s buddies from grade school, strode out of the barn.
“How’s it going?” Matt put out his hand. The two men shook and walked together to sit on one of the benches lining the infield. Both of them had grown up in rodeo families who lived, breathed and slept the rodeo circuit. Like Matt’s dad, Brett’s had named his son after a western character, too – in this case, Brett Maverick.
“Have you seen Chance?” Chance Mayfair was Brett’s closest competition in the ring, though out of it, Brett was the favorite. Chance didn’t go out of his way to make friends.
“Nope. Been mingling with the fans, I just got here to the real rodeo. Why?”
“He’s been running his mouth about how he’s going to take you down this year no matter what it takes. I just figured you should have a heads up.”
Matt pushed his cowboy hat back on his head and scowled. “I make it a point to ignore his bullshit.”
“I know, but I’d keep an eye open if I were you. You know his reputation. The bastard abuses his women and horses both and I’d make damn sure he didn’t get anywhere near your rides if I were you.”
“I’ll keep an eye out. But I seriously doubt he’ll get a chance to mess with any of the stock. They keep a close eye on the pens and there’s always two or three officials on watch for anything out of the ordinary. Calgary’s damn serious about the animals’ welfare.”
Brett nodded. “I know, and you’re right. I just figured better warned than caught off guard.”
“Thanks. ‘Preciate you, buddy.” Matt grinned and gripped his friend’s shoulder.
“Enough of a bad subject. How’re the wedding plans coming along?”
Matt shuddered. “Don’t even ask. Irene’s a basket case about everything getting done on time, and on top of that she’s got some bee in her bonnet about the Stampede, don’t even seem like she wants to show up for any event at all.”
“Irene? She loves the rodeo.”
“I know. I don’t know what the hell’s gotten into her lately. Anyway, her big sister Lillian’s getting back in town today, I’m sure hoping that’ll settle her down.”
“Probably just nerves. Women get that way. Laurie drove me nuts the whole month before our wedding. And I’ll tell you one thing sure. If I had it to do all over, I’d damn sure elope to Vegas.”
“Yeah. I already suggested that.” Matt laughed. “You can imagine how that went over with the Shipton sisters.”
* * *
Irene stayed true to her decision not to set foot on the Stampede grounds, but as the afternoon stretched past the time of Matt’s scheduled first ride, her nerves stretched thinner and thinner in anticipation of what she expected as Matt’s reaction, which was absolute silence. Matt wouldn’t confront her over the phone or come storming over in a rage. That wasn’t in his personality. He’d do worse than that, he’d retreat into himself, hugging his hurt feelings like a child hugged his teddy bear. And there might be nothing she could do to pull him back out of that hurt. After a sleepless night and countless unanswered calls to his cell, Irene joined Mother and Lillian at the breakfast table.”
“Irene, would you like some breakfast?”
“No thanks, Sis. I’ll take a coffee to go, though. I’ve decided it’s time Matt and I got something straightened out. I’m going to drive out to the ranch. I haven’t heard from him since yesterday afternoon and he’s not answering his cell.”
“Head-on’s always the best way to tackle a problem.” Lillian smiled at Irene and Mother nodded her head in approval.
Irene’s phone rang as Lillian poured coffee into her travel mug.
“Hello.” She held the phone with one hand and took her travel mug with the other.
“Hey, Irene, it’s Brett here. Do you know where Matt’s gone?”
“Exactly what I was about to ask you. I didn’t see him last night and he’s not answering his cell phone.”
“Damn. I warned Matt yesterday morning about Chance. He’s been bragging around he intends to take that title one way or another, but you know Matt, he doesn’t hear what he doesn’t want to listen to. Matt shoulda’ had the winning ride, but right after his, Chance came in on a horse that went off like a keg of dynamite. Craziest ride I’ve ever seen. He got full points, blew right past Matt’s score.”
“But Matt’s been beat before, he’s not a sorehead. He still should be at the Stampede this morning. What aren’t you telling me, Brett?”
“I know all that, Irene. I don’t understand what happened yesterday, what was going on with Brett. Chance pulled a horse that went nuts right out of the chute. Everyone figured he’d just gotten lucky, got a horse that gave one hell of a ride. But then Matt stormed into the barns claiming Chance’d doctored his horse. I mean, Matt even went to the Animal Welfare Vets, but they told him there was nothing wrong with the horse. He didn’t like that worth a damn, told them to screw themselves, and then he went looking for Chance. Found him, too. Didn’t actually hurt him none, but the police are here looking for him this morning, so we’re all thinking the ass- hat pressed charges.”
“Charges?”
“Yeah, charges. For a busted lip, the damn cry-baby. But since they’re here and wanting to talk to Matt, I’m pretty sure it’d be a real good idea for us to figure out where he is before this blows up any bigger.”
“Well, I don’t know what’s going on with Matt, but I do know how he’d handle a situation like you’re describing. He’d take it straight from the horse’s mouth. If he thought there was something wrong with that horse and nobody was listening, he might just take it upon himself to take some blood and saliva samples from that horse to another vet. Like the ranch vet. You understand what I’m saying, Brett?”
“I never thought of that. You might be right. I’ll go on over to the barns and see what I can find out, if anybody’s seen him.”
“Just make damned sure you don’t go saying anything that’ll land Matt in trouble or you’ll be the one on the wrong side of my temper. And they don’t call me Red for nothing.”
“Okay, Red. Calm down. I’m just telling you what I know and giving you a heads up. I had to tell the cops Matt’d probably be at your place if he wasn’t at home. I’m sorry, but I didn’t know what else to tell them.”
“Well, I haven’t seen him, and I haven’t talked to him, but I’m damn sure not going to sit around here waiting for them to come and ask questions I can’t answer. My sister’s here, and one of my elderly relatives. I’m sure they’ll have a great time questioning her.”
Irene clicked off her phone and turned to see Lillian trying to keep a straight face.
“Siccin’ the bobbies on me are you, lassie?” Mother’s eyes twinkled. She reached for Irene’s hand and drew her toward the table where Lillian had pulled out a chair.
“Let’s have a chat before you go tearing off across the country,” Lillian said. Mother nodded agreement.