Chapter 1 Pt 1

July 2023
Calgary CA

It was hot. much hotter than they thought it was going to be. Amelia covered her brow with one hand and fanned herself with the paper she had picked up as she squinted to see. her heart was beating out of her chest. she hated this part. hated not knowing what would happen. and anything could happen here. it was the 2023 Rodeo; bronc riding and her daughter would be coming out of that gate any moment. she was always terrified that one day she wouldn't make it out of that dirty alive. but you couldn't tell Rainey anything, it was like that girl wanted to die or maybe as middle child just wanted to get noticed.
a hand softy squeezed her shoulder as her oldest daughter sat next to her. " Mom if you don't breathe you are going to pass out before she even gets a chance to ride." she said with a smile taking a seat next to her. Amelia nodded " I'm trying honey but every time they open i about kill over anyway" Kate laughed and shook her head in disbelief. her long red curls swooshing with the motion. " How many years have you been watching her? hell watching all of us at one time or another. and you are still this scared every time." she just waved her daughter off with her makeshift fan "you will understand one day. that's my baby down there. a body never gets used to watching their babies in danger. speaking of, where is the rest of you?" Kate pointed to the arena where a small blond girl in had her back to them as she leaned over the gate. " There is Marley and I have no idea where David is." she answered. just the announcer came on again Amelia smacked her daughter's arm with the paper making her laugh " hush. Oh god it's her..." she said as both their eyes locked on the figure about to burst out of the gate.
Down in the Bucking Shute Rainey was checking her grip after pushing her mouth guard between her teeth. her heart was pounding in her ears so loud she could barely hear what her team was saying to her. she loved this. the smell of the horse the smell of her own sweat as she scooted and wiggle till, she felt like she was in the right spot. once she got there, she blinked a few times and took three long deep breaths making the world go quiet even though everything around her was so loud. a feeling of calm washed over her making her body feel loose in the shoulders and heavy.
this was it.
she opened her eyes, and the noise came back, she leaned as far back as she could then gave the nod. the world was a blur as the horse shot out of the stall.

each jolt felt like her spine might snap. she held tight as she could biting her tong even with the mouth guard. she gritted her teeth, sure she only had one or two left in her before the horse through her off. but then the horn sounded, and she was being lifted off. she did it. 8 sec. as er vison came back to her, she saw her little sister standing by the rails screaming till her face turned red. her mother and older sister stood just behind her in the stands smiling and jumping. she did it. she waved then hurried and moved so the next person could have their ride.