Cody decided to enter the Bull Riding event. He wasn't sure he could do it because he had never done it before, but he was willing to try anything if it would impress Jacy enough to get her back. He could use the winning money to buy Jacy a special gift . . . hmmm . . . a beautiful dress might just bring her back to him. He could also treat her to supper and she could wear the new dress that he would buy for her with his winnings.

He still couldn't figure out how or where Tally had found the necklace, but he was glad he had. He thought Jacy would have been happy, but when she wasn't he couldn't put a finger on what was wrong. Jacy just didn't seem right to him.

Maybe winning the event and taking her to the wedding might help. He could only hope. But first he had to win the event. An idea came to him, so he saddled Prankster and rode over to see Steven.

Steven saw Cody riding up, so he walked out to greet him. Cody dropped off his horse and tied him to the post in front of Steven's home. "Good afternoon," Cody called.

"Hello Cody, what brings you all the way out here?"

"Well, Mr. Johnson, I need some help."

"Please, call me Steven. What kind of help you need?"

"I'm going to enter the Bull Riding event, and I thought you might be able to give me some helpful hints in order to win. You're the only one around here that has the bulls."

"I'm the one whose supplying the bulls for the rodeo." Steven looked Cody up and down. "Why did you choose that event to enter?"

"Well, it's the most dangerous one and . . . and . . . well," Cody rubbed his chin.

"And?" Steven wasn't about to let him off the hook.

"Well, I want to impress a girl. And it will really impress her if I win the event."

"You're talking about Jacy, aren't you?" Steven inquired.

"Yes sir."

"Well, I understand. I was a young buck myself once. You know I think I can help you. Come along, Cody." Steven mounted his horse, and Cody followed him. Steven led him out to a corral where there was a bull inside. When they arrived Steven told him that he could practice bull riding with old 'Toro.' He's not as jumpy as the other two I have for the rodeo, but he'll sure give you a run for your money. He used to be one really mean bull, but he's not so any more. He's gotten old and more relaxed, but if you hop on his back, he'll liven up." As though Toro knew what Steven was saying, he pawed the ground and snorted. The rest of the afternoon Cody practiced riding Toro while Steven gave him helpful hints.

It was getting late when Cody and Steven decided to call it quits. Cody was all dirty and very hungry. He had done some pretty good riding though. Steven told him he could come back and practice again all he had to do was let Steven know when he wanted to. Cody asked him if he could come back next Friday, and Steven said that was fine with him. He would meet Cody at the corral around one o'clock. Cody thanked him and slowly made his way to Prankster and climbed aboard. He barely put his bottom on the saddle because it was a little sore, not to mention his legs were aching some, too. He rode off to the station, and Steven put Toro in the barn and then rode back home.

Back at the station after Cody got in, he sat at the table aching all over. He would slowly pick up his food and fork it into his mouth. The other riders grinned. Finally, Rachel couldn't stand it any longer, "Something wrong, Cody?" She thought that maybe her cooking wasn't good enough for him tonight because he wasn't gobbling it down like he normally did.

"No, Rachel," Cody shook his head and continued to slowly eat his food.

"Whatcha been up to, Cody?" Jimmy innocently inquired.

"Nothin'," Cody replied.

"Nothin'?" Jimmy knew that wasn't the truth.

Cody looked around the table. They were all starring at him. "Well, if you must know, I've been bull riding."

"Bull riding? What forever for?" Jimmy inquired.

"I'm going to enter the bull riding contest in the rodeo." Cody replied.

"Why?" Jimmy asked again.

"Because I want to help with the church." Cody stated and then went back to eating.

Jimmy saw Noah shaking his head. "I don't think that's the real reason." Jimmy said, "Are you sure there isn't another reason?"

"Alright if you must know, I'm doing it to win the prize money." Cody saw that Jimmy wasn't buying that either. "OK, I want to impress Jacy. Now you satisfied!"

"That sounds more like it." Jimmy said. "But why'd ya pick bull riding?"

"Because it's the most dangerous." Cody was tired of talking. He just wanted to rest. He finished his plate and took it to the sink. They all could see that his body had taking a beating from his bull riding today. Cody slowly left the house and walked over to the bunkhouse where he fell into bed, clothes and all. A few minutes later he was sound asleep and snoring.

"Poor boy," Rachel said. "He's been trying so hard to win back Jacy's love. I just don't understand what's wrong with her. She liked him before, but now."

"I wish I had an answer for ya, Rachel," Lou said, "but I don't understand her either." Lou finished eating and took her plate to the sink. She started pumping water into the sink getting ready to wash them when Kid asked her what she was doing. "I'm going to clean the dishes."

"I thought it was Cody's turn." Kid stated.