Word Total: 90,008
Year to Date: 480,142
Summary of Events:
Wearied by the exercising, Kingston didn't want to get out of bed and expressed doubts to Drew that the successes he was starting to see were going to actually last. Kingston went out on his first official date with Blair later that week, having dinner before watching the chuckwagon races and the fireworks. Wyatt informed Kingston that he was being his own worst enemy, having believed that now that he'd reached the professional ranks he didn't have to work hard anymore. Kingston, humbled by that point, kept on exercising — even working out with Drew — and made it all the way to the finals of the rodeo, where he got second place in the bareback bronc riding — which he wasn't as good at as the saddle bronc riding . . .
Excerpt of the Day:
Once the dirt was loosened up again — and the intermission was over — it was time for the saddle bronc. The novices went first and their winner was decided, and then, once again, was the professionals.
With his eighty seven-point ride yesterday Kingston had been a mid-level qualifier, so he would be one of the later ones to go out, which allowed him to watch the first few rides, most of which ended with good scores, although one rider got bucked off.
On his turn Kingston got in the saddle and rode again as if the horse wasn’t there; he imagined he was doing the exercises, and in hardly a moment — or so it seemed — the ride was over.
Kingston clutched at his chest with shock when the score was announced: ninety two points.
He’d never gotten that high of a score in bareback or saddle bronc. Not ever.
His heart raced as he watched the remaining riders.
Drew rode well, but only got an eighty nine, and Royce — the reigning champion of the Ponoka Stampede, as well as the highest qualifier for the finals — finished with ninety.
It took a moment before Kingston reacted, crying out in astonishment before being wrapped in a bone-crushing embrace by Wyatt.
“I knew you could do it kid!” Wyatt yelled.
Back-slaps and congratulatory cries followed before Kingston went to get the cheque and champion buckle given to him. He hoped the photo they snapped wasn’t blurry, because he could tell he was still shaking from all the excitement and anticipation.
Once the presentation was over Kingston headed to get his saddle and take it — and his winnings — to the truck.
Partway there he was nearly bowled over by Blair, who kissed him passionately.
“You won!” she cried once the kiss was over.
Kingston nodded, he had no words.
“It was our date wasn’t it?” Blair asked.
“No,” Kingston replied.
“No?” Blair asked, looking surprised and mildly disappointed. “Then what was it?”
“I learned a valuable lesson Blair,” Kingston replied. “Whether I wanted to learn it or not.”
“And what was it?” Blair asked.
“If you really want something, you can’t ever quit,” Kingston replied. “Unless you achieve it, then you can quit if you want to.”
Blair smiled and kissed him again.
“I’m glad to have helped kid,” Wyatt said.
“I appreciate it,” Kingston said. “And I hope that’s the first and last terrible slump I have in my career.”
“Regardless, let’s hope it’s the worst,” Wyatt said.
“Yes,” Blair said emphatically. “Oh I’m so proud of you.”
Kingston smiled. There was no way he was quitting now.
The lesson had been painful to learn. It was hard to believe he could be his own worst enemy in such a subtly insidious way as becoming complacent, but Kingston was glad that Wyatt had possessed the stubbornness to teach it to him; and, even if he wasn’t going to tell anyone, he was grateful that someone had taken the time to care about him.
Next Post: June 1
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