Cowgirl Up Read Online Free Page B

out.
Her stallion might be considered too big for a barrel racer and many believed a
thoroughbred, even a cross, didn’t stand a chance. She just proved them all
wrong with a perfect run.
    “Sixteen-fifty-two.”
    Holy shit.
    She
just missed the arena record by two hundredths of a second. On her first night
out. Not a bad start at all.
    The
crowd murmured all around him, whispered compliments filled with awe. More than
one voice marveled at Legacy and wondered how in the world Trinity ended up
with a son of one of the most famous racehorses of their time.
    He did
too.
    “That’s
one hell of a horse.”
    Cody
peered to his left, recognized the man, and gave a quick nod. “Yeah.”
    His uncle
drew abreast and folded his arms over the top rung of the pen, in a mirror
image of Cody. Jared, his father’s brother, lived and breathed rodeo for as
long as Cody could remember. After participating for years as a roper, he
graduated to director of the rodeo association, a position he still held.
    Three
months ago, Cody hit the doldrums with discouragement and restlessness. Unsure
where to go or what direction to turn, Jared approached him about a position
with the rodeo association. With nothing to lose and spurred by good memories
of his past days as a steer wrestler, Cody immediately accepted. He hadn’t
regretted a single day since.
    His
attention returned to the arena where Trinity reappeared to take her victory
lap. Her stud fanned his tail, loped around the enclosure with long, sure
strides, and held the crowd’s attention. He found himself staring as well.
Seeing but not quite believing the grand equine specimen parading in front of
him.
    “Damn
fine. One of the best I’ve ever seen.”
    Cody
concurred. “Dad would give just about anything to get a few colts from him.”
    Jared
grinned. “He’d be standing here drooling like a baby right now.”
    The
image caught Cody as funny. He smiled and nodded his head. His father and Jared
loved one another, but like typical brothers, couldn’t let a little elbowing
opportunity pass without saying something.
    Trinity
glided out of the area, her long braid bouncing on her back, piquing his
curiosity once more.
    “What
do you know about Trinity? I barely remember her in high school rodeo. Never
thought she’d return to the circuit, especially after so many years.”
    His
uncle turned to meet his gaze. “Her mother was Lora Crocket, great barrel racer
of her time.”
    “Was?”
    “Yeah.
Heard she passed away a few months ago. Breast cancer.”
    Cody’s
gut clenched for Trinity’s loss. “What about her father?”
    Jared
shrugged. “Rumor has it, Trinity is Buck Troutman’s illegitimate daughter
compliments of a one-night stand with Lora. He’s never publically recognized
Trinity or addressed the gossip, so who knows.”
    Anger
flared. What kind of man would father a child, even in the heat of passion,
then turn his back on his responsibility? Pretty chicken shit way to be.
    “Trinity
quit riding when her mother got sick. Guess since she’s alone now, she decided
to give racing another try.” Jared paused, then continued. “Don’t know the
story behind that stud of hers, but it’s got to be a good one.”
    “I
imagine.”
    He
didn’t doubt Jared’s information. The man knew anything and everything about
the rodeo, the stock, the competitors, and all the juicy gossip. Not that he
circulated the hearsay around, but he always kept one ear to the ground and
never forgot a single tidbit. Would have made a damn good CIA agent if his
interests leaned that direction. Instead, he focused on his baby, the Midwest
circuit, and made a point to ferret out tiny details along the way.
    Armed
with new information, Cody made a mental note to stop by and check on Trinity
later on. Sounded like the girl could use another friend about now.
    “She caught
your attention, huh?” Jared grinned knowingly.
    Cody
barely refrained from rolling his eyes. Both his father and Jared tended