Cold State Line

Bright, hot lights illuminated the dirt. It was covered in track marks from various animals—calves, sheep, cows and horses. The distinct smell of manure hung strong in the air. People passed by in their jeans, button down shirts and thick-soled cowboy boots. Horses whinnied in an attempt to get noticed.

Haylee Lewis sat patiently on her brown gelding, Snap. In her white cowboy hat, blue button-down shirt and black boots, she was ready to take on the Houston Rodeo. It was something she'd always dreamed of doing, competing near her hometown's rodeo. It was the opportunity of a lifetime. If Haylee could make it here, she could make it anywhere. All she needed to do was place here, and she could move on to the Dallas Rodeo then to Reno and so on and so forth until she reached Vegas.

The crowd cheered as "Good Feeling" by the Black-Eyed Peas pumped through the stadium. Haylee rolled her eyes. Her other barrel racers always picked the worst songs to run to. It was just pop song after pop song or some Y2K country song. Her best friend, Anna, did play a George Straight, and everyone loved that.

Snap pawed at the ground as Haylee adjusted the straps on his saddle. He was just as ready to run as she was. Nothing felt like barrel racing. She and Snap were like one entity, they loved running together. He'd been her horse for two years, and it was like he knew her.

Haylee rubbed his mane. "It's almost our turn, Snap. Be patient. First Rain and then Anna and then us."

The next song that pumped through the stadium was the every catchy "Toxic" by Britney Spears. Of course it was Rain's song. That girl didn't understand the concept of subtlety. Her saddle was brighter than the one in Electric Horseman.

Haylee tuned out the score and time. She couldn't let those scores affect her own performance. One of the workers motioned for her to get to the chute as Anna was about to do her own run. She nodded and pulled Snap forward.

Anna's song this evening was another classic, John Denver's "Country Road." The crowd cheered wildly, loving that country music was back on. Texans were just country folk at heart. Haylee whooped for her friend, knowing Anna was her real competition. That's what made their friendship so great.

"Ma'am, whenever you're ready. The barrels are back up."

Smiling, Haylee nodded and climbed onto her beloved steed. She patted his neck and whispered what she always did into his ear, "Snap, baby, run fast like you're back in the wild."

The gates opened and Snap snapped forward straight for the barrel on the left hand side. This was always the hardest turn for them to do which is why Haylee did it first. They made it around so tightly, she was certain the barrel would tip. Snap sprinted to the right barrel and with another tight turn, they headed for the center. Before Haylee knew it, she was racing to the gates.

17.01, that was the second fastest time tonight. Anna had got a 17 flat. Haylee smiled and smiled. And then leaned down to kiss Snap, happy with her results. They was only one night left of the Houston Rodeo, and she had no doubt now that she would place.

"Haylee!" Anna ran over to her, her black braids flapping in the air she was generating. "What the hell song were you playing?"

A laugh bubbled out of Haylee. "What nothing about my score? Just right to the music, huh?"

"YES! You are gonna get chewed out by the rodeo director, you know that. He told you the last two days not to play that song."

Haylee rolled her eyes, pulling the saddle off of her gelding. "It's just a song. That is one of the choices we have out here. I will never play a pop song while I race, and George Straight and Conway are more your thing than mine. Let me have this, Anna. I just kicked total ass and so did Snap."

Anna smiled. "Yeah, yeah. You guys did. You're almost as good as me and Ranger." Anna nudged Haylee's shoulder. "You wanna watch the bull riders."

The smirk on Anna's face told Haylee all she needed to know. Anna just wanted to watch cocky cowboys get bucked and trampled by the bulls. As much as the girls appreciated a good Wrangler-clad butt, all the cowboys were beyond arrogant. They thought they were hot shit because they could ride a bronc or a bull. Haylee would be up there if the PBR let females ride.

"I've got to get Snap cooled down, but I totally will want to check that out tomorrow."

Anna nodded. "Totally, girl. Good run, seriously. I'll see you tonight. Early night?"

"Without a doubt. I get to party hardy tomorrow, and then up to Dallas."

"You are so confident you're gonna get it?" Anna laughed and walked with Haylee to Snap's horse trailer.

"No... I'm confident we're going. Anna, no one can top that score. It's fast. Dallas will be different though. Some girls are running 15 seconds. My last turn is never tight enough and your first one isn't either."

Anna shoved Haylee. "No more barrel race talk tonight. I'll see you at the hotel."

Haylee nodded and brushed Snap's mane before guiding him into his trailer. Her manager and coach would stop by later to get him out and fed. Her manager, Tina, had once been a pro barrel racer but left to help younger women achieve their dreams. She loved horses more than anything, and it showed by how well she took care of Snap and Ranger. Anna and Haylee were Tina's girls.

"Night, Snap. You're so good, boy. I love you."

Snap snorted at her and tossed his head. He knew he had done well, and neither horse or girl could wait until tomorrow night.

Notes

A new story. I love the rodeo and I love cowboys, but barrel racing has always intrigued me the most.

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