PART 22

I left Leon’s room and went back to my hotel. To be honest, I was completely worn out and my pussy hurt from being stretched so much….but Leon did leave me with a big smile on my face.

I stopped at Pizza Hut for a pizza then went on to my room. I’m not going to do much today, just get rested up and wait for Phil to get back.

I still remember what Phil had said to me. It’s been on my mind since he left. I’m going to have to look closely at my feelings for him. I know that there is something there, but after what I went through with Mike, it’s hard to trust anyone. I suppose that’s why I fuck around with so many different guys….love ’em and leave ’em before they can hurt me. I have to do some real soul searching and see if it’s going to be possible for me to trust a man again.

I showered and washed my hair ate some pizza and went to bed. I didn’t realize just how tired I was. I slept the rest of the day and all night. It sure felt good. When I got up I put myself together and went to have breakfast. Today is the big day. I have to do well if I’m going to have any chance of getting into the National Finals.

After breakfast I went over to get Rip ready. I think he is a little nervous like I am. He probably feels my nervousness and is responding. I talked with some of the other women and that helped calm me. When Mom, Dad, Matt and Annie showed up, that really calmed me down.

“Chelsea, I know you’re going to do well today, just remember your training….concentrate on what you’re doing and let Rip do his work. Everything will come out fine,” Mom told me.

“I know, I’m just a little apprehensive. I really want to do well as a rookie and not make stupid mistakes. I’ll be fine by the time I ride.”

Time passed and it was time. I could tell that Rip was ready and I was ready too. Best score up to now was 13.566. That was going to be hard to beat. But, when I checked before rodeo time, the arena was going to be fast….so, if Rip is on, we can beat it.

The other contestants had all wished me good luck and I was going to need it. I was ready. I kicked Rip in the flanks and we were off. I could see the first barrel coming. Rip set up and made the turn, only inches from the barrel. On the second barrel, we were in tight and bumped the barrel. It rocked a little and continued to set up. That was a close one. Last barrel……..I can see that Rip is focused and so am I. We round the barrel and head for home. It feels like Rip has kicked in the afterburner….he’s flying. My hat flew off as we crossed the finish line…..I feel this is going to be a good ride.

I look over at the timer…….oh my God…..13.21……I can’t believe it. That is going to give these other gals something to shoot at. I can see the disappointment in some of the other women’s faces. I just hope that I can hold on. There are two more days of competition….I’m going to be a nervous wreck by the time this is over.

I cooled Rip out and was just finishing up brushing him when my family arrived. “Great ride Chels,” Matt told me as Annie gave me a hug. My Mom and Dad were excited for me also. They told me that they were all staying in Cheyenne till the end. We all decided to go out to dinner at T-Joes Steakhouse and celebrate my ride.

The evening was great. I was still on a high from the time I turned in today and everyone In my family was happy for me too. Mom kept telling me that it was in the bag….I had won Cheyenne. I still wasn’t that sure at this point.

T-Joes had some live music so we decided to stay and have some fun. There were several of the barrel racers there and I got to visit with them. Later in the evening Leon came cruising through. When he saw me there, he made a B-line for me. Of course, what he had on his mind was not what I had on mine. We danced a couple of times then he said he had to go check out another party that was going on. About midnight, I think the day caught up with all of us so we decided to call it a night and went to our hotels.

I was still a little wound up when I arrived at my room. After I showered I was not ready to go to sleep yet, so I started watching an old movie on TV. All I was thinking about was Phil. I know now that Phil is the guy for me. I sure wish he was here right now. I hugged the other pillow on my bed wishing it was him. He is everything I want in a man and I think I’m going to tell him that when he gets back tomorrow. I also know I cannot continue doing what I have been doing with men. I finally fell asleep, confident that I have made the correct decision.

The next day I didn’t do a lot. I went to the rodeo with Mom and Dad. Phil got back, so we all went out to dinner then went to the Garth Brooks concert. Phil had a friend that was in charge of entertainment for Frontier Days and had gotten tickets for all of us. We had a great time, especially my Mom and Dad.

After the concert, Mom and Dad went to their hotel and I went with Phil to his. When we got there, we decided to go to the lounge and have a night cap and talk. I told Phil how I felt. He got a big smile on his face and told me that he loved me and wanted us to be together always.

“Are you in love with me, Chelsea? Do you want to get married?”

“Yes, Phil, I want to marry you….not right now, but in the near future.” I told him. “I think that I want to get through the National Finals then do it. What do you think?”

Phil was agreeable. I knew I still had to get past some tough competition to make it to the Finals and I didn’t want any distractions.

We went to his room and this time we made love…we didn’t just fuck. It felt completely different, like maybe I had found the one man that I could be happy with….that I could trust.

The next day I called Mom and Dad and we all went to breakfast. When we told them the news, they both were really happy for both of us.

The next day Frontier Days went into the history books. I won the barrel race competition and pretty well assured myself a place at the National Finals. I felt great. I had a chance to do something that no woman had ever done….win the National Finals her rookie year. I now had a goal to reach that would test my abilities. I also had a man that loves me. Time will tell how this story will be written.

PART 23

For the next several months, I continued my winning streak, not finishing any worse than second place in any rodeo I entered.