Embittered Competitor: Day 3

Word Count: 18,043

Summary of Events:
Chapter 5:
Terri wondered as she was driving why there was such a big fuss over Spencer competing in Canada, being as she couldn't say she thought he was worth fussing over. Steele was relaxing outside his trailer when a woman approached seeming to want to solicit his affection. Steele tried to get her to leave peaceably, but she refused so he carted her off far away from himself and went back to his trailer to try and settle himself. Terri wondered what could be done to tell all these women who loved Steele that their love would be forever unrequited.
Chapter 6:
Steele could feel something was off with Riverbed, but he opted to ride her in competition anyways, she got him a slow time but he wasn't really bothered. But then she put up a fuss when he tried to remount her and get her out of the way so competition could continue and he ended up falling out of his saddle, with his left foot still in the stirrup. Riverbed then kicked out with her hind legs. Guy managed to get Steele's foot free, but Riverbed bit Guy's mare and startled Guy who startled Riverbed in return. Terri then called Riverbed over to herself and stroked the mare while Steele was tended to. He got to his feet and walked under his own power. The next morning he surveyed his bruised collarbone before taking Riverbed out to work with her. She did everything flawlessly and normal. Steele then remembered noticing how her eye had looked funny, but now her eyes were normal. He suspected she might've been drugged. Terri went and checked up on Steele and shared that she, too, had seen that Riverbed's eyes had been glassy-like, but Steele didn't share anything he was finding with Terri. Terri then headed off to the next rodeo.

Excerpt of the Day:
"Slowly Terri touched above Riverbed's nostrils and stroked the smooth, soft grey hair there, then she moved her right hand to Riverbed's left cheek, ready to pull her arm away the instant Riverbed moved her nose towards Terri's elbow to get a bite in.
Riverbed made no such attempt so Terri moved her hand to the left side of Riverbed's neck. She slowly, gently stroked Riverbed's neck. Riverbed seemed calm and receptive to the stroking.
"Now what's with all this girl?" Terri asked. "What's with all this being so nasty? You haven't been incorrigible like this since you were a little filly. You're a grown up mare now, there's no time for immature behaviour anymore. And Steele's never done anything to you to warrant such nastiness either. Come now Riverbed, why's so nasty?"
Riverbed made no response at all to Terri. Terri looked at Riverbed's eye that she could see and saw it looked wet. Almost exceptionally wet. Teary. But horses couldn't cry, they had no tear ducts. They had the ability to lubricate their eyes, but not cry.
Had Steele noticed? Regardless Terri would have to tell Steele about it. It could mean that something was wrong with Riverbed. She could be ill or something. It would be worth getting a veterinarian to check out.
Terri ventured a timid glance around Riverbed's head, looking at where Steele had been, he was standing, it appeared, as no one was crouched down and it didn't appear anyone was on the ground. She couldn't see the paramedics, who'd quickly rushed out to come to Steele's aid.
She continued to watch, although still stroking Riverbed's neck. Finally the cowboys cleared away and left Steele and the paramedics advancing towards Terri. Steele had his left arm across his best holding an ice pack to his right collarbone and she could tell he was only tolerating the guiding hand of the one paramedic.
Steele stopped right by Riverbed's head and looked at her. The paramedic tried to push Steele onward. Terri looked at the paramedic and shook her head. Steele wouldn't be leaving his mare. The paramedic gestured that she wanted to see Steele yet. Terri nodded and smiled.
The paramedics moved off and Terri looked at Steele. His face was emotionless. His eyes were sadly blank and cool. He made no move to touch his mare, but just gazed at her. After awhile he adjusted the positioning of the ice on his shoulder so that it stayed there without his hand on it and held his hand out to Riverbed."