Chapter 3 Champion’s Return

The moment they stepped inside his office, Nash shut the door and leaned back against it. Nearly every corner of the room was evidence of how much Noelle was constantly making his life better. She was forever bringing him gifts — everything from homemade cookies to the quirky cactus paperweight resting on the pile of payroll checks he'd printed out this morning.

Yeah, she was a bit of a klutz, but she was also really skilled at striking up conversations with everyone around her, even perfect strangers. During her first encounter with one of the old-timers on the rodeo circuit, she'd walked away with a signed aerial photo of one of the oldest rodeo grounds in the state. Last month, she'd had it custom framed as a birthday gift to him. It was now hanging on the wall behind his desk.

"One last competition," he wheedled, dragging his attention from the amazing photo to meet her gaze again. "That's all I'm asking for." He knew it wasn't realistic to expect to be able to return to his old life full time.

Noelle rested her hands on her hips, looking defiant. "Why do it at all?"

"To prove that I can. That I'm all the way back." He silently begged her to understand.

"I already know you can do it," she protested. "I've never doubted it."

Her words were humbling. "I can't tell you how much it means to hear you say that." She'd said it before, but it never got old hearing it, especially since he knew she really meant it.

"You don't have anything to prove, Nash. You've already done it dozens of times in the practice ring out back." She sounded so stressed that he longed to take her in his arms. However, she wasn't his to hold like that. Not yet, anyway.

"Blame it on my pride, then." He glanced away from her. "Maybe I'd like to prove it to all the friends I left behind on the rodeo circuit. I also wouldn't mind proving it to all the kids with disabilities out there. To help convince them that they, too, can do anything they set their minds to."

"That's not pride," Noelle murmured. "That's downright noble. I just wish you'd find another way to be noble." She shuddered. "Call it delayed PTSD or whatever you want, but I was in that medical helicopter with you, Nash, and I'm still not over what I had to see that day."

"You were only there as a hitchhiker," he teased.

"Maybe." She lowered her hands to her sides and balled them into fists. "But what I witnessed is seared into my memory forever. I'll never forget the broken, bloody version of you. And it's something I never, ever, ever want to see again!"

Oka-a-ay. He wasn't entirely sure what to think of her words. Life was full of risks, all kinds of things outside of their control. He sincerely hoped if he was ever injured again that she'd be there for him like she had been the first time.

He studied her expression, trying to understand what was going on inside her beautiful head. She was a mystery for sure. One that was currently giving him emotional whiplash.

She was gazing into the distance with a troubled expression on her face. "I know you don't like what you're hearing right now, but the more I get to know you, the more precious you're becoming to me. I don't want to lose you, Nash."

Her words reached deep inside him, squeezing his heart like a warm glove. Don't mind hearing that part one bit, babe. He sensed there was a but coming, though, and decided to ward it off with an argument of his own.

"I want one last shot at the circuit for old-time's sake. For proper closure, I guess." Desperately needing her to understand, he reached out to pinch her chin and force her gaze back to him. Maybe she'd be better at reading his thoughts, since he was having so much trouble putting them into words.

"Nash," she pleaded softly.

"I don't want to do it without you." He lightly rubbed his thumb against the underside of her chin. "I want you in the stands cheering me on. I want to do this together."

"Are you sure you're capable of doing it just one time?" She looked skeptical. "Once a cowboy catches that kind of bug, it can be addictive. I've seen it happen time and time again. You've experienced it firsthand."

"I give you my word." What she said was true, but his desire to keep her good opinion of him was stronger than all of those kinds of pressures. Plus, he genuinely enjoyed running Canyon Creek Ranch, much more than he'd expected to. No, it wasn't the same as being yanked around on the back of a horse to the tune of a roaring crowd, but it was challenging and fulfilling. With Noelle at his side, it was more than enough.

She was silent for so long that he was afraid she was going to turn him down flat. He was wrong.

"Okay, Nash." The words eased out of her, as silent as a whisper, but infinitely more powerful. What she left unsaid was equally powerful. She was agreeing to his terms. All of them.

The breath he'd been holding slowly left his lungs. Though he could still sense the reservations she harbored, she would make every effort to hide them for one evening. She would attend the rodeo with him and cheer herself hoarse, like she often did for him and his brothers while they were in the practice ring. It was just the kind of woman she was.

"Thank you." He reluctantly dropped his hand from her chin, wishing he could find a way to tell her just how much her continued support meant to him. There were no words to do the sentiment justice, though, so he silently opened his office door for her.

She paused in the doorway and spoke without turning to meet his gaze again. "What time should I be ready?"

"Five o'clock, if you don't mind. I'd like to get there early and get the lay of the land."

"I'll be ready." She walked away without looking back.

He stared after her, wishing she hadn't sounded so dejected.

Friday evening rolled around much soonerthan Noelle wanted it to. Her heart strummed with trepidation as she ended her work with the horses an hour early. She trudged back to her loft apartment to shower and change.

The quarters for the ranch hands were in a smaller horse barn located about a quarter mile down a gravel road from the bigger one. It had the same white steel walls and red metal roof, but there was no brick front office attached to it. Since she hadn't gotten around to having her car shipped from Pinetop, she usually walked the short distance.

A few ranch hands called greetings her way, but nobody tried to stop her. There was a prickle of excitement in the air, probably because everyone on the ranch had heard Nash's big news by now.

"You going?" one of the younger guys shouted to a friend.

"Everyone in Dallas is gonna be there, dude," the other guy called back. "It's blowing up all over social media."

As soon as Noelle was back in her apartment, she whipped out her cell phone to see what they were talking about. Sure enough, several local news stations were reporting Nash Carson's "big return" to the rodeo circuit. It didn't sound like any of them understood his performance this evening was going to be a onetime thing.

If he doesn't change his mind afterward.

The thought made her sick to her stomach. She kicked off her riding boots inside the door and padded in sock feet to the bathroom of the cozy studio apartment. She reached inside the shower and turned the nozzle to just shy of scalding. Unfortunately, when she stepped beneath the spray, it wasn't nearly hot enough to melt away her misgivings.

She prayed as she sudsed up her hair. "Keep Nash safe this evening, Lord." Her anxious tears mingled with the water sluicing down her face. She hadn't been kidding when she'd told Nash she couldn't bear the thought of him becoming injured again. "And please help him keep his word about making tonight his last official ride." She didn't think she had it in her to watch him being yanked around on the back of a bucking bronco, over and over again all season long —not while knowing that every jerking movement risked creating hairline fractures in the bone of his upper arm. Every tumble to the ground risked even more extensive injuries.

After toweling off, she had to wave her hands frenziedly at her face to bring her splotchy cheeks back to their normal color. She applied a light layer of eye makeup to cover any remaining evidence of her bout of weeping.

He gave me his word, and I gave him mine. She reminded herself of that a dozen times as she dressed. Since it was a warm day and a special occasion to boot, she sprang for a white denim shirt dress. It was heavily embroidered on the front and back with silver and gold threads, along with countless seed pearls. She added a straw Stetson and stepped into a pair of brown leather boots. Though it was windy outside, she opted to keep her hair down. If nothing else, the reddish highlights would provide a nice contrast to the color of her dress.

Oh, who am I trying to kid? She made a face at herself in the mirror, finally admitting that she wanted Nash to feel proud having her at his side tonight. I know we're just friends, but… Sometimes it felt like more than that.

It had certainly felt like more when he'd laced his fingers through hers and called her babe. He'd turned a little red afterward, like he hadn't meant to say that out loud. But he had. She hoped she wasn't reading more into it than what he'd intended.

A sharp honk of a horn alerted her to the fact that the cowboy she was daydreaming about was waiting for her outside in his truck. She hurriedly left her apartment and jogged down the stairs. She paid extra close attention to each of the steps, not wanting to trip and take herself out of the game by breaking another bone on an important night like tonight.

She was out of breath by the time she reached the passenger side of Nash's pickup truck. He leaned across the seat to push open the door. Black graphics adorned both sides of the juiced up red Dodge Ram, advertising the horses they bred and trained at Canyon Creek Ranch. Just for kicks, he'd sprung for oversized tires, fancy fender flares, and a heavy-duty LED light bar.

"Big toys for big boys," she murmured as she slid into the truck and reached for her seatbelt.

"Thank you for coming." The light shining in Nash's eyes punched up their azure color. He was excited about tonight. He'd kept his outfit simple — dark jeans with a lighter blue denim shirt that was rolled up to his elbows. Though he was wearing gloves, he clearly had no intention of hiding his bionic arm. A brown Stetson was tossed carelessly onto the dashboard.

"I told you I would." Noelle kept her voice carefully modulated, inwardly willing herself not to burst into tears again.

"You're so beautiful." He reached across the console. "I hope a friend is allowed to say that."

"You clean up pretty good yourself, cowboy." She slid her hand into his, instinctively knowing there was a part of him that felt her touch against the mechanical digits all the way to his soul. It didn't matter to her that they weren't flesh and blood. They were his. Every time he held her hand with them was a reminder that she was the one person in the world he allowed himself to be vulnerable with. It was something that never failed to touch her deeply.

"Please don't cry," he whispered.

"I'm trying not to." She forced a smile to her lips that felt tremulous. "But if I do, it's only because I'm so stinking proud of you, you hear?"

"That's my biggest goal tonight," he muttered, covering their joined hands with his other hand. "To make you even prouder."

"I thought you said you were showing off for the kids," she taunted, trying to keep her voice light. Inside, she was melting because of his big, beautiful heart.

"Those aren't the exact words I used." He shot her a grin full of mischief. "But, yeah."

His happiness spilled over her like warm sunlight, chasing away her coldest fears. "You're going to give a lot of children hope tonight. I can feel it in my bones."

His smile grew wider. "You really think I can do it?"

She couldn't believe he felt the need to ask. "With everything in me. Can't believe you feel the need to ask." She stuck her tongue out at him, and the growing tension between them eased.

A strange sight met them when they reached the main highway leading to the rodeo grounds. Cars and trucks were parked on both sides of the road, lining their route.

"I wonder what's going on." Nash slowed his speed as he drove past, staring curiously through the windshield at them.

He soon had his answer. The moment he passed by the first cluster, they whipped onto the highway behind him, forming the longest train of vehicles he'd ever seen. About a mile down the road, a pair of police cruisers with flashing lights curled onto the lane in front of him. It was as if they'd been waiting for him.

"It's a parade," Noelle breathed, darting glances through both the side-view and rear-view mirrors. One that had clearly been called in Nash's honor. "Your brothers are right behind us." She recognized a few trucks owned by the ranch hands as well.

Vehicle lights flashed, horns honked, and news station helicopters rumbled overhead throughout the entire drive to the rodeo grounds. Men and women with reflective vests and light sticks met them at the entrance to the regular parking lot and waved them forward into a roped-off VIP area.

Nash parked and turned off the motor. "This is a little more hoopla than I was expecting."

She gave him a playful shrug. "You did mention wanting to show off for the children," she reminded as she undid her seatbelt clasp with one hand. He was still holding on to her other hand.

He dipped his head toward hers in slow motion.

She nearly stopped breathing at the realization that he was about to kiss her.

A blare of horns to the left of them made him lean back in his seat. "You ready for this?" He finally released her hand.

"Bring it on." She pointed at her face. "I wore makeup and everything."

"Stay here for a sec," he ordered, clapping on his hat and leaping down from his side of the truck. He hurried around to open the passenger door for her.

They were thronged by reporters as he assisted her to the ground. A team of security guards hurriedly stepped between them, providing a much-needed buffer.

"It's good to be back, folks," Nash hollered to the mass of reporters, pointing upward to give God the glory for his recovery.

A noisy cheer rose behind him and Noelle as they were hustled away by the security team. They ended up in the press box for a series of official interviews with Nash.

He spoke with the gray-bearded master of ceremonies like the guy was an old friend. He probably was. Then he was led to the grandstand to greet the crowd and lead them in a short prayer to officially start the rodeo. The attendees gave him a standing ovation afterward.

Noelle watched from the press box with a hand pressed to her rapidly beating heart. Nash looked completely at home with all the music, festivities, and tide of emotions surging around them. He was like a fish in water when it came to show business.

She studied him from beneath her lashes, wondering if he was going to have the willpower to give it up again after tonight.

The rodeo queen led a parade of horses into the stadium bearing a series of flags. Next was a mutton run event, where a group of adorably entertaining children practiced to become future rodeo champs from the backs of a few fuzzy lambs. It was both heartwarming and hilarious to watch them struggle to keep their balance on the frisky little creatures.

Next were the barrel racers. Then came the rope tying event. A hush fell over the crowd when the bronc riders finally took their places behind the numbered gates. A total of five cowboys were slotted to compete this evening.

Noelle anxiously sought out Nash's position and found him behind gate number five. He would ride last. For a fleeting moment, she wondered if she had the inner strength to wait that long.

She was dimly aware of being led to the balcony outside the press box for a closer look at the performance of each brave cowboy. "Thank you," she murmured to no one in particular, unable to tear her gaze away from the gates. Her hands reached out to grip the metal railing for support.

"Lord, give me strength," she whispered, then immediately felt guilty about asking for anything for herself. Nash was the one who was about to risk life and limb out there. "Please be with him every second of the way, Lord."

The first bronc rider enjoyed a nearly flawless ride from the moment he left the chute to the moment he hopped on the back of one of the pickup men's horses. However, he didn't receive as high of a score as she expected, probably because his horse bucked in mostly a straight line.

The next rider wasn't so fortunate. His horse bucked worse than an angry bull, flinging the hapless cowboy to the ground like a rag doll only a second or two after leaving the chute. His final score was much lower than the first rider. He left the ring with his head lowered in dejection.

The third rider found himself on the back of an energetic jumper and did an incredible balancing act on the spirited creature. His name quickly flashed to the first-place spot on the electronic scoreboard.

The next rider grabbed the second-place spot. Then it was Nash's turn. A reverent hush fell over the crowd for a second time that evening as he mounted his assigned bronco inside the chute.

I will not cry. Noelle watched him with bated breath as someone handed him the rope. His bionic arm went up in the air, and he nodded to the gate keeper that he was ready.

The metal gate flew open, and he shot into the ring on his horse. Though the horse bucked in a spectacular circle, Nash's lithe body rocked in perfect sync to offset his frenzied movements.

"Come on, come on, come on." Noelle's heart pounded. "You can do it, Nash!"

The crowd chanted his hame. "Nash! Nash! Nash!"

A gasp rose when he was nearly unseated, but he managed to regain his balance.

The rescue riders flooded into the ring, ready to help him dismount. The cheering of the crowd rose to a nearly deafening level.

Noelle bounced in agitation on the balls of her feet. "Please get him down safely, Lord." She wasn't sure if she said the prayer aloud or inside her head. All she could do was watch blurry-eyed as the pickup riders converged on Nash. "Don't grab his right arm," she whimpered, leaning anxiously in their direction.

She watched as he used his left arm to vault onto the hind quarters of one of the rescue horses. From there, he slid to the ground, waving his bionic arm victoriously in the air.

The audience erupted like a volcano, shooting to their feet and cheering like maniacs. Their clapping and shouting went on for several minutes. This time, Noelle joined in. Happy tears coursed down her cheeks as Nash was led to the grandstand to accept the winning purse and silver buckle. He'd taken first place with a new personal record.

Cameras flashed, and some of his historical stats were announced in comparison to his performance this evening. Moments after that, he joined her in the VIP viewing area. She flew in his direction, and his arms came out to wrap her close.

"You weren't supposed to cry." His hard mouth brushed her temple. He smelled of rodeo dust, sweat, pine-scented aftershave, and sheer euphoria.

She reached up to touch his cheek, reveling in the fact that he'd completed another successful ride. Not only had he done it with a clear and visible impediment, he'd done it without incurring a scratch. Holding him now felt like holding onto a thousand answered prayers. An overwhelming sense of gratitude swept through her, shaking her all the way to her boots.

He abruptly turned his face into her hand to nuzzle her palm.

"Nash," she whispered, feeling like every part of her was melting into him —heart, body, and soul.

"They're so in love," a woman sighed from somewhere nearby.

Noelle tried not to react, not sure if Nash had heard it.

The next half hour passed in a blur of yet more interviews, during which Nash kept Noelle at his side. When asked about their relationship a few times, he introduced her as his best friend.

It was like having a glass of ice cold water tossed in her face, a reminder that their appearance of togetherness this evening was nothing more than showboating for the benefit of the television cameras. Tomorrow, she and Nash would go back to being nothing more than two wounded hearts in a friendship pact.

Getting to be part of his world right now was something she would never forget, though. Not even if she wanted to.

Which she didn't.