Blame It on the Rodeo by Amanda Renee Read Free Book Online Page B

from her pocket, Kay looked into the crowd. “Dance of Hope was my husband’s dream. A year ago, I stood by Joe’s side when he started designing this facility. And though he’s not with us today, I know he’s up there watching.
    “No amount of words can describe my gratitude to everyone who’s participated in this venture. Cole, Jesse, Shane and Chase. My four boys carried out their father’s dream, adding the Ride ’em High! Rodeo School to the original plans. Your father would have been so proud of you, as I am today. I love you with all my heart.”
    The Langtry brothers surrounded Kay, linking their arms in a protective circle around their mother.
    Shane looked skyward. “I love you, Dad. This is for you.”
    Each brother made a brief speech of his own, splitting off to stand beside the covered statues on either side of the facility’s entrance.
    Jesse and Cole tugged on the cloth, revealing a life-size bronze statue of Ever atop Paco, her hippotherapy horse, with Joe by her side.
    “To say our father was smitten with my daughter is an understatement,” Cole said. “She inspired him to help others and I’m grateful she had the opportunity to know her grandfather.” Holding up an enlarged framed copy of the inspiration photograph for the statue, Cole continued.
    “My mother took this the first time dad met Ever. The photo sat on his desk and a day didn’t go by that he didn’t look at it. Together, we can look upon his memory as he saw it.”
    Shane and Chase pulled away another cloth, uncovering a bucking horse with a younger version of Joe in the saddle, one arm in the air.
    “Our father was a rancher by blood,” Shane said, “but a true rodeo cowboy at heart. Back in his day, he outrode the best of them and taught all of us and many of you how to get in that saddle and stay in it.” Holding up a photograph, he said, “This is our father’s last competitive ride. He held on for eight seconds then walked away from the sport. The next day Cole was born and the tradition was handed down to his children.”
    The boys joined their mother at the entrance to the facility, the five of them reaching up to unveil the sign above the carriage house doors:

    Dance of Hope & Ride ’em High!
    In memory of Joseph Langtry

    Lifting the oversize silver scissors, Kay cut the white ribbon spanning the facility’s doors. The crowd applauded when the doors swung wide. Leading the way, Kay walked into the stone entryway that divided the two companies and hung both photographs on the awaiting wall hooks.
    She turned and opened her arms to the crowd. “Welcome, Ramblewood!”
    After the facility tours, the waitstaff bustled in and out of the tent while people milled about the property. Shane swore he shook hands with more people this afternoon than in his entire life.
    “You had a great dad,” Hunter said beside him. “I think I would have liked him.”
    “He’d have liked you, too.” Shane ruffled the boy’s hair. “Let’s get something to eat.”
    Shane had spotted Lexi in the crowd throughout the afternoon, glad to see she felt up to attending the ceremony. Usually composed and in control, she seemed a bit harried and hung near his immediate vicinity, yet still managed to keep her distance. He resisted the urge to check on her, as he was busy with the media. The Ramblewood Gazette took photographs while Nola West interviewed Chase for KWTT’s evening news.
    “Allow me to introduce myself.” A man held out his hand to Shane. “I’m Ryan Hammershimer, from Keeping it Reel Pictures, and we’d like to build a reality show around you and your rodeo school.”
    Shane laughed. “You want to give me a television show?” Wait until his brothers heard about this.
    * * *
    “W HAT ARE YOU doing?” Mazie peered over Lexi’s shoulder. “Are you taking pictures of that kid?”
    “What kid?” Startled, Lexi quickly saved the photo of Hunter to her phone. “I—I’m trying to get a shot of those statues.