Chapter 21

Cortland

The upcoming days pass quickly, and its already Friday. We're heading to a barrel race that determines the day we run - whether it's Friday or Saturday - through a draw. Austin and I are set to run on Friday, and since the show is only an hour away, we plan on hauling in and returning home after our run. Additionally, tonight is the night when Cadee and Stacy are going on a date with Declan. The family will be watching us run, and then the girls will head out for their date.

Austin and I are in the warmup pen getting ready to run. I will be running my horses before Austin, who has the advantage of running after the fifth horse. The arena will be drug before her run, giving her fresh ground and a slight edge. I have already completed my runs and they were both clean and fast, putting me in second and third place in the 1D division.

Austin is calmly walking her horse around the arena while the ground crew is prepping the surface. As soon as they finish, the announcer calls out