Desert Flower
Love at First Rodeo
Eight seconds was all I had. Eight seconds to capture the perfect shot, often times less than that. I watched through my lens as the bull bucked and twisted in every direction. The rider held on and moved fluidly with the bull.
I clicked my shutter over and over, trusting my skill enough to know that I got the perfect shot. Eight seconds later, the rider went flying off and the announcer shouted his score. An eighty-five. So far, he was tonight’s leader and most likely winner.
Smiling, I watched as the next bull was loaded into the chute. Tomorrow, I’d have to use my credentials to get back there, near the chutes. It would make for some great photos for my own portfolio.
The gates opened and the bull bucked hard, sending the rider soaring into the chutes he had just left. I winced. That had to hurt. Some bulls were easier to ride than others. The guy got up slowly. I felt for him. Nothing sucked more than failure.
My camera hung around my neck as I listened to the announcer name the next event and competitor. Calf-roping, one of my least favorite events. I hated seeing the baby cows being thrown about. Shaking my head, I shifted to the other side of the photographer hideout to get the best angle.
The chute opened and out ran the calf followed by a brown and white horse. Clicking the shutter, I watched through my lens as the cowboy flipped the calf and started to tie his legs. Thirteen seconds later and the calf was waiting to be released.
Shaking my head again, I decided to get some shots from the crowd’s perspective and moved into the arena seats. The cheers of the crowd were much louder up here than they were in our dugout. I smiled, missing the feel of being in the crowd.
I captured a few shots and then watched some more of the calf-roping. It had been years since the last time I had been in a spot like this, just watching this rodeo. Another smile crept onto my face, and I looked up at the sky.
It was beautiful, unlike any other sunset I had experienced. The sky was streaked with pinks, salmons, oranges, and purples, and the mountains provided a picturesque background. It was breathtaking. My camera was up to my eye before I even realized it. I smiled again, missing my days as a spectator at this particular rodeo arena.
Shouts and cheers brought me back to the rodeo going on now. The bulls were back in the chutes, and the crowd was ready for the next eight seconds to pass by. Another eight seconds to capture one moment in time. I blinked. My cynicism had certainly increased to old man levels, and I was only twenty-three years old. I laughed at myself and focused on the rodeo.
“The wildest, richest rodeo in the west! Ladies and gentlemen, the Reno rodeo would like to welcome the boys who make bull-riding look easy. These boys will be flipping and twisting in the air. Let them hear you Reno!”
The crowd cheered loudly. A huge smile crept onto my face. This was one of my favorite parts of the Reno Rodeo, the motorcycle tricks. I was sure to get some wild photos on this trip, and I’d have another nine days if these didn’t go the way I wanted them to.
The drivers revved their engines and the red motorcycle did the first trick, standing on the seat and catching the handlebars before landing. I had been in such awe, I forgot to actually take a photo.
More insane jumps started happening: backflips, twists, jumps, etc. I couldn’t move my camera fast enough. It ended just as quickly as it started and the fireworks lit the sky, ending the best in the west rodeo.
The crowd cheered, and I applauded with them. The fans started to leave, but I knew that those participating in the rodeo would be signing autographs, and they would make wonderful photos for the magazine.
I packed up my camera gear and headed to the arena floor. Most of the photographers left after the rodeo was done, but I had been going to this one since I was sixteen. The cowboys and cowgirls started to come out and set up for autographs.
Entering the arena floor, I watched as the kids started to get excited for the cowboys and rodeo queens. I couldn’t keep the smile off my face, remembering what it was like to stand in that spot waiting for them.
Laughing along with the kids, I snapped photo after photo, only after getting permission from their parents. After getting their okay, I followed some kids as they went down the line, the cowboys shaking their hands, smiling at them, and asking them what their favorite part was.
I brought my camera to my eye just as one little boy shook hands with a cowboy. He was smiling up at him, and the cowboy was smiling back. It was a cute picture that I could see on the cover of the next magazine.
After that last photo, I hopped into line to get my own poster. I had been getting one every year since I was eighteen, and this year would be no different just because I was a photographer instead of a spectator. It was the only time I came back to my hometown, and it was a tradition I couldn’t let go.
“Evangeline!” I would recognize that shout anywhere.
“Cleo!” I ran toward the brown-haired woman. “I’ve missed you, chica!”
She smiled a huge smile and hugged me like we hadn’t seen each other in years. We saw each other just a few months ago when I was in L.A. to auction off a screenplay. Thanks to Cleo’s help, I could write those by myself now.
“Girl, we’ve gotta catch up,” Cleo said and hopped in line with me. “I have so much to tell you.”
I laughed. “We talk every day, love. What more do you have for me?” We picked out the posters we wanted the cowboys to sign.
“So much!” Cleo grinned.
Rolling my eyes, I took a look at my best friend. She was wearing a blue and white dress with her signature blue boots. They had white crystals on them in the shape of a cross and came to her ankle and her hat had a black cross on it, but the rest of the hat was white.
“Same old boots, I see,” I said as we finally reached the tables.
“Don’t mock my boots.” Cleo shoved me gently.
“Oh, hon, we need to get you some real boots,” I said and handed my poster to the first person in line, a rodeo queen.
She signed my poster, and I thanked her. Cleo got hers signed as well, and we started to move down the line.
“Does this mean I get to go see your home in Texas? And we can go shopping?!”
I paused to look at her, and someone cleared their throat. Turning back to the table, my eyes widened. The person who had cleared their throat was a handsome cowboy.
He had dark brown hair and emerald green eyes. His jaw was square, and he had an aquiline nose. Broad shoulders, muscular forearms, and high cheekbones… the man was beautiful! He had on a black hat and a green and black plaid shirt. I think drool was starting to form in my mouth.
“You a photographer?” His voice was deep and melted my heart a little bit. I also detected a slight Texan accent.
“Yes, sir.” For once, my voice didn’t get high and squeaky when I talked to an attractive guy.
He smiled. His teeth were Colgate commercial white, and I thought I had swooned just a little bit. “What’s your name?”
“Evangeline.”
He signed my poster, actually writing something other than his name. “Well, Evangeline, I’d love to talk to you after I’m done with autographs.”
“Um… okay,” I said and took my poster back.
Cleo walked over to me and squealed. The cowboy stood up from the table and approached us. He was a giant, probably six foot four, and he had another cowboy with him who was about six foot two. The friend was handsome too: black hair and hazel eyes. I’m fairly sure the two of us were drooling by this point.
“Miss Evangeline, my name is Matt and this is my friend, Brian. He thinks your friend is pretty.”
Cleo blushed, and I smiled. “Nice to meet you.” I held out my hand and both men shook it. “This is Cleo.”
“Pleasure to meet you Miss Cleo,” Brian said and flashed a grin. “Would you like to go on the Ferris wheel?”
Cleo gladly accepted and wished me luck. I told her to text me if she needed anything. She agreed and went off with Clay to ride some rides.
Matt smiled at me. “Well, how about you? You wanna go with them?”
“I’m not a huge fan of the Ferris wheel.”
He laughed. “How about dancing?”
“Sure!”
We went off to the Jack Daniels tent and two-stepped up a storm. Before I knew it, it was nearing midnight. I told Hunter we should probably meet up with the others, and he agreed.
Cleo came running up to me and jumped into my arms. “Brian took me on that one ride that spins around in a circle and does like a wave motion. I hate that ride, but I also love it. So, what’s the plan? Hi Matt!”
I started laughing. “Did you have sugar?”
“No, I’m just really hungry.”
Brian and Matt stared at the two of us. “How about Ihop?” We all agreed and headed off.
Once there, we were laughing and enjoying ourselves. Brian announced he’d take Cleo home.
“Text me when you’re home!” I looked at Brian. “The second you’re home!”
She laughed and hugged me. “Yes, mother! You can take the girl out of college, but you can’t take the resident assistant out of the girl!”
“Shut up!” I laughed and pushed her toward Brian. “And you take care of her.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He laughed and the two of them left.
Matt smiled at me. “Do you need to get home?”
I looked at my phone and saw it was nearly two in the morning. “Oh my god, yes, I need to get home. I have to edit these pictures and get some rest before tomorrow ni—“ Hunter cut me off with a smile and blood raced to my cheeks.
“Do you want to spend more time with me?” He pulled me up from the seat and led me outside.
“Um… we don’t really know each other.”
His smile faltered. “You’re right. I’m sorry for being so forward. Maybe we can get to know each other more tomorrow night?”
I smiled brightly. “Okay. Here, give me your phone.” We exchanged numbers.Every night of the ten day rodeo, we hung out until the final night. That’s when Matt brought me back to his trailer.
We talked for a little bit, and he started to kiss me, gripping my hips and pulling me closer to him. “Matt, I…” I couldn’t find the words to tell him that I was a virgin.
“I can stop, desert flower. I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I just really like you. After the last few days, I just like you a lot.” He sat up and moved away from me.
“I like you too, Matt. I’m just not… well, I’m a… you see, I haven’t…” I paused and took a deep breath. “Matt, I’m a virgin.”
He didn’t seem surprised at all. “Well. That changes absolutely nothing. I’d like to keep seeing you, if that’s okay. Are you from Reno?”
“I was born here, yeah. But I live in Texas.”
He smiled. “So do I!”
“Wake up, Evangeline. It’s getting late in the day. No more napping.”
I yawned and rolled to the side to see my boyfriend of two years smiling at me. “Go away, Matt. Let me sleep for longer.”
“Can’t do that, I have plans for you today.”
“Ugh, always a schedule with you Marines.”
He laughed and picked me up. “You should be used to it after two years together. Come on, shower time.”
I nestled into his neck. “Okay.”
I clicked my shutter over and over, trusting my skill enough to know that I got the perfect shot. Eight seconds later, the rider went flying off and the announcer shouted his score. An eighty-five. So far, he was tonight’s leader and most likely winner.
Smiling, I watched as the next bull was loaded into the chute. Tomorrow, I’d have to use my credentials to get back there, near the chutes. It would make for some great photos for my own portfolio.
The gates opened and the bull bucked hard, sending the rider soaring into the chutes he had just left. I winced. That had to hurt. Some bulls were easier to ride than others. The guy got up slowly. I felt for him. Nothing sucked more than failure.
My camera hung around my neck as I listened to the announcer name the next event and competitor. Calf-roping, one of my least favorite events. I hated seeing the baby cows being thrown about. Shaking my head, I shifted to the other side of the photographer hideout to get the best angle.
The chute opened and out ran the calf followed by a brown and white horse. Clicking the shutter, I watched through my lens as the cowboy flipped the calf and started to tie his legs. Thirteen seconds later and the calf was waiting to be released.
Shaking my head again, I decided to get some shots from the crowd’s perspective and moved into the arena seats. The cheers of the crowd were much louder up here than they were in our dugout. I smiled, missing the feel of being in the crowd.
I captured a few shots and then watched some more of the calf-roping. It had been years since the last time I had been in a spot like this, just watching this rodeo. Another smile crept onto my face, and I looked up at the sky.
It was beautiful, unlike any other sunset I had experienced. The sky was streaked with pinks, salmons, oranges, and purples, and the mountains provided a picturesque background. It was breathtaking. My camera was up to my eye before I even realized it. I smiled again, missing my days as a spectator at this particular rodeo arena.
Shouts and cheers brought me back to the rodeo going on now. The bulls were back in the chutes, and the crowd was ready for the next eight seconds to pass by. Another eight seconds to capture one moment in time. I blinked. My cynicism had certainly increased to old man levels, and I was only twenty-three years old. I laughed at myself and focused on the rodeo.
“The wildest, richest rodeo in the west! Ladies and gentlemen, the Reno rodeo would like to welcome the boys who make bull-riding look easy. These boys will be flipping and twisting in the air. Let them hear you Reno!”
The crowd cheered loudly. A huge smile crept onto my face. This was one of my favorite parts of the Reno Rodeo, the motorcycle tricks. I was sure to get some wild photos on this trip, and I’d have another nine days if these didn’t go the way I wanted them to.
The drivers revved their engines and the red motorcycle did the first trick, standing on the seat and catching the handlebars before landing. I had been in such awe, I forgot to actually take a photo.
More insane jumps started happening: backflips, twists, jumps, etc. I couldn’t move my camera fast enough. It ended just as quickly as it started and the fireworks lit the sky, ending the best in the west rodeo.
The crowd cheered, and I applauded with them. The fans started to leave, but I knew that those participating in the rodeo would be signing autographs, and they would make wonderful photos for the magazine.
I packed up my camera gear and headed to the arena floor. Most of the photographers left after the rodeo was done, but I had been going to this one since I was sixteen. The cowboys and cowgirls started to come out and set up for autographs.
Entering the arena floor, I watched as the kids started to get excited for the cowboys and rodeo queens. I couldn’t keep the smile off my face, remembering what it was like to stand in that spot waiting for them.
Laughing along with the kids, I snapped photo after photo, only after getting permission from their parents. After getting their okay, I followed some kids as they went down the line, the cowboys shaking their hands, smiling at them, and asking them what their favorite part was.
I brought my camera to my eye just as one little boy shook hands with a cowboy. He was smiling up at him, and the cowboy was smiling back. It was a cute picture that I could see on the cover of the next magazine.
After that last photo, I hopped into line to get my own poster. I had been getting one every year since I was eighteen, and this year would be no different just because I was a photographer instead of a spectator. It was the only time I came back to my hometown, and it was a tradition I couldn’t let go.
“Evangeline!” I would recognize that shout anywhere.
“Cleo!” I ran toward the brown-haired woman. “I’ve missed you, chica!”
She smiled a huge smile and hugged me like we hadn’t seen each other in years. We saw each other just a few months ago when I was in L.A. to auction off a screenplay. Thanks to Cleo’s help, I could write those by myself now.
“Girl, we’ve gotta catch up,” Cleo said and hopped in line with me. “I have so much to tell you.”
I laughed. “We talk every day, love. What more do you have for me?” We picked out the posters we wanted the cowboys to sign.
“So much!” Cleo grinned.
Rolling my eyes, I took a look at my best friend. She was wearing a blue and white dress with her signature blue boots. They had white crystals on them in the shape of a cross and came to her ankle and her hat had a black cross on it, but the rest of the hat was white.
“Same old boots, I see,” I said as we finally reached the tables.
“Don’t mock my boots.” Cleo shoved me gently.
“Oh, hon, we need to get you some real boots,” I said and handed my poster to the first person in line, a rodeo queen.
She signed my poster, and I thanked her. Cleo got hers signed as well, and we started to move down the line.
“Does this mean I get to go see your home in Texas? And we can go shopping?!”
I paused to look at her, and someone cleared their throat. Turning back to the table, my eyes widened. The person who had cleared their throat was a handsome cowboy.
He had dark brown hair and emerald green eyes. His jaw was square, and he had an aquiline nose. Broad shoulders, muscular forearms, and high cheekbones… the man was beautiful! He had on a black hat and a green and black plaid shirt. I think drool was starting to form in my mouth.
“You a photographer?” His voice was deep and melted my heart a little bit. I also detected a slight Texan accent.
“Yes, sir.” For once, my voice didn’t get high and squeaky when I talked to an attractive guy.
He smiled. His teeth were Colgate commercial white, and I thought I had swooned just a little bit. “What’s your name?”
“Evangeline.”
He signed my poster, actually writing something other than his name. “Well, Evangeline, I’d love to talk to you after I’m done with autographs.”
“Um… okay,” I said and took my poster back.
Cleo walked over to me and squealed. The cowboy stood up from the table and approached us. He was a giant, probably six foot four, and he had another cowboy with him who was about six foot two. The friend was handsome too: black hair and hazel eyes. I’m fairly sure the two of us were drooling by this point.
“Miss Evangeline, my name is Matt and this is my friend, Brian. He thinks your friend is pretty.”
Cleo blushed, and I smiled. “Nice to meet you.” I held out my hand and both men shook it. “This is Cleo.”
“Pleasure to meet you Miss Cleo,” Brian said and flashed a grin. “Would you like to go on the Ferris wheel?”
Cleo gladly accepted and wished me luck. I told her to text me if she needed anything. She agreed and went off with Clay to ride some rides.
Matt smiled at me. “Well, how about you? You wanna go with them?”
“I’m not a huge fan of the Ferris wheel.”
He laughed. “How about dancing?”
“Sure!”
We went off to the Jack Daniels tent and two-stepped up a storm. Before I knew it, it was nearing midnight. I told Hunter we should probably meet up with the others, and he agreed.
Cleo came running up to me and jumped into my arms. “Brian took me on that one ride that spins around in a circle and does like a wave motion. I hate that ride, but I also love it. So, what’s the plan? Hi Matt!”
I started laughing. “Did you have sugar?”
“No, I’m just really hungry.”
Brian and Matt stared at the two of us. “How about Ihop?” We all agreed and headed off.
Once there, we were laughing and enjoying ourselves. Brian announced he’d take Cleo home.
“Text me when you’re home!” I looked at Brian. “The second you’re home!”
She laughed and hugged me. “Yes, mother! You can take the girl out of college, but you can’t take the resident assistant out of the girl!”
“Shut up!” I laughed and pushed her toward Brian. “And you take care of her.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He laughed and the two of them left.
Matt smiled at me. “Do you need to get home?”
I looked at my phone and saw it was nearly two in the morning. “Oh my god, yes, I need to get home. I have to edit these pictures and get some rest before tomorrow ni—“ Hunter cut me off with a smile and blood raced to my cheeks.
“Do you want to spend more time with me?” He pulled me up from the seat and led me outside.
“Um… we don’t really know each other.”
His smile faltered. “You’re right. I’m sorry for being so forward. Maybe we can get to know each other more tomorrow night?”
I smiled brightly. “Okay. Here, give me your phone.” We exchanged numbers.Every night of the ten day rodeo, we hung out until the final night. That’s when Matt brought me back to his trailer.
We talked for a little bit, and he started to kiss me, gripping my hips and pulling me closer to him. “Matt, I…” I couldn’t find the words to tell him that I was a virgin.
“I can stop, desert flower. I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I just really like you. After the last few days, I just like you a lot.” He sat up and moved away from me.
“I like you too, Matt. I’m just not… well, I’m a… you see, I haven’t…” I paused and took a deep breath. “Matt, I’m a virgin.”
He didn’t seem surprised at all. “Well. That changes absolutely nothing. I’d like to keep seeing you, if that’s okay. Are you from Reno?”
“I was born here, yeah. But I live in Texas.”
He smiled. “So do I!”
“Wake up, Evangeline. It’s getting late in the day. No more napping.”
I yawned and rolled to the side to see my boyfriend of two years smiling at me. “Go away, Matt. Let me sleep for longer.”
“Can’t do that, I have plans for you today.”
“Ugh, always a schedule with you Marines.”
He laughed and picked me up. “You should be used to it after two years together. Come on, shower time.”
I nestled into his neck. “Okay.”
Notes
I'm having writer's block on my other stories, so I thought why not edit and share at the same time. This is a book I've been working on for two years. I apologize if any Matt's stay as Hunter and if any Brian stays as Clay. I am working on it!
Enjoy loves.
More! Give me moreeeeee!
I so need to know what happens next, also very sneaky Matt stealing the ring away while she was showering.
2/27/19