On the way to Willow Manor to pick his wife and children up for the rodeo, Luke recalled when he had surprised Meg a few days ago by bringing Corey with him to baby-sit. He had packed up some supper that Meg had already fixed, and they went on a picnic to Cripple Creek. He smiled as he remembered that it had turned out to be a wonderful night, and Corey had gotten home late because Luke and Meg had spent more time at the creek than expected. Corey was pleased when she saw that Meg's hair was not neatly pinned back as it was when she'd left earlier that evening.

Back in the present, Luke frowned as he dismounted and saw Ian walk out of the house. As the two of them passed each other, Luke refused to speak to his friend and instead gave Ian a dirty look. When Meg opened the door, Luke motioned to the departing rider and asked, "What was he here for?"

Meg stammered, she had hoped that they wouldn't see each other. "Well, he came to take me to the rodeo, but I told him that you were taking me so he left."

Luke believed her since he could always tell when Meg was lieing, and he knew that she wasn't lieing to him now, so he just nodded in understanding and said, "Thank you."

Meg wondered what he meant and gave him a shy smile as she walked away. "Luke, could you give Liz her bottle while I fix my hair?"

Luke smiled, "Sure."

After Meg had got the baby stuff together and her hair fixed, they left for Tally's. When they arrived, Luke tethered the horse to the post. Then he led Meg over to Daniel and Serena. After the babies were settled, Luke went to fill out the registration papers.

When Meg was involved in a conversation with her father, Serena walked up to Luke and glanced down at his entry form. When she saw that he was entered in all events, she asked, "Why are you entering all of them?"

"Serena, you told me to fight for my wife, well I am. This is just part of the battle."

Serena looked at him in surprise with raised eyebrows and wondered how wise

it was for him to put his health on the line. Before she could ask though,

Luke excused himself to go talk to Charlie and Simon. When Luke looked up from his conversation with his friends, he saw Meg talking to Ian with a big grin on her face. As Ian tenderly brushed back a lock of hair from Meg's face, Charlie saw what his friend was looking at and offered his assistance.

"Do you want me to take care of him for you?"

"No, I'll handle this myself." He replied as he went over to his wife. He approached Meg and put his arm around her while giving Ian a look that said more than mere words ever could. Ian immediately recognized the possessiveness in Luke's gaze and arched an eyebrow at his old friend. He bent low to Meg and whispered that he would see her later before he turned and walked away from the couple.

When Ian was out of earshot, Meghan turned to her husband. "Did you have to be so heavy handed? I should hope neither of you have a need to make a scene in front of the town."

"You're my wife, I love you. I will do what I feel I have to, to protect you when you let me."

Meg sighed heavily and cupped Luke's face in her hand, "Would you please put your distrust aside for one day? Please? For me?"

"I'll try." Was all Luke could say. Luke didn't leave her side until the competition began. After his ride, he went and sat back down with the love of his life. When Meg got up, Luke asked, "Where you going?"

"I'm going to cheer Ian on like I promised I would."

Luke heard a snicker from behind him and turned to see Serena staring after Meg with raised eyebrows. "Not a word." He murmured. Everyone was captivated by the way each contestant stood their ground on their horses. The audience was concerned when Ian fell off, and awed that a small boy like Lee could tame the horse like he did. Luke took great joy in seeing his friend fall on his rear. But his good humor was short lived, as he saw Meghan rush to Ian's side immediately and help the hobbling man out of the arena.

Immediately suspicious of his friend's 'injury', Luke rose to make sure that Ian didn't do anything to compromise Meg. As he approached his wife he heard Ian talking to Meghan. "I hope this isn't life threatening."

Meg smiled. "I'm sure it's just a bruise."

"Still I'd feel better if you'd take a look at my injury and make sure."

Luke stopped in mid stride and waited for Meg to reprimand Ian for his forwardness but instead his wife, the woman he loved, giggled. Luke's heart fell into his stomach and he turned without a word to sit and wait for his turn in the saddle bronc contest. While he waited he seethed at the way his wife had flirted with Ian in public. His anger only intensified when he saw how well Ian rode in the next event. When it was time for Luke to ride, he was ready to show Meg how well he could do. He wasn't going to be satisfied with just second place. Not in a competition for a rodeo and definitely not in a competition for his wife.

However, the image of Meg and Ian stuck in his head. As he was riding the bronc, he saw Meg and Ian Grant out of the corner of his eye. He lost his balance and fell straight to the ground hitting his head on a rock and falling awkwardly on his leg. He heard the crowd gasp and Meg scream out his name, and the next thing he knew she was by his side.

Luke briefly lost conciseness but when he came to, Meg was leaning over him and her hands were running over his head tenderly as she gazed down at him with worry. She then saw the blood from his head wound and called out to her father. She then turned back to Luke who was staring up at her with a sly grin. If she didn't know better, she'd think he was drunk. Meghan inhaled deeply and leaned over him. "Are you alright?"

Luke nodded then winced slightly. "Just fine." He replied and slowly moved his hand to his wife's hip to prove it. Meg's eyes open widely and she pushed his hand away. "Stop that."

Luke chuckled softly and moved his hand to the hem of her skirt. "Stop what?" Meg gasped as his hand found the flesh above her stocking and began stroking it. Just then Daniel appeared and knelt beside the fallen man. Meghan reached

Luke's wandering hand and tried to push it out. "Luke-" She warned softly.

"Wildcat." He mocked.

Daniel looked up at his daughter in time to see her deep blush and noticed she wouldn't meet his gaze. Instead the young woman turned back to her husband. "Shut up."

Luke laughed softly and reached once more beneath her skirt. Meghan groaned softly thinking this couldn't possibly get worse when she noticed Luke turning to her father. "I love my kitty, and she loves me. I've got the scratches to prove it."

Meg gasped and looked up at her father. "He's delusional. He must've had a cat when he was younger." As far as excuses went it was the best she could do on such short notice.

At that moment Serena looked at Meghan questioningly. "I don't recall Luke ever saying he had a cat when he was a boy."

Meg blushed even deeper and looked back down at her husband. "Shush Luke." She said pleadingly.

He turned back to his wife and smiled broadly. "Purr for me Meggie."

Meghan let out a small sound of distress and dropped her head to her chest. If he came out of this all right, she'd kill him. Daniel coughed to hide what sounded suspiciously like a chuckle then he turned to some of the men who were standing a few feet away. "Someone bring the stretcher. Let's get him to the tent."

Charlie and Simon brought the stretcher. Ian moved to help, but one look from Charlie stopped him dead in his tracks. If looks could kill, Ian would have been dead before he knew what hit him. As the men lifted Luke to place him on the stretcher, he grabbed Meg's petticoat and tugged her along. At once they lifted him and with him the skirt of his wife's dress.

Meg squealed in surprise and grabbed her skirt back before anyone but her husband could see her drawers. Once in the tent Daniel began his examination and found that Luke had a minor fracture in his lower right leg. As Daniel began to set it Luke cried out, "Meghan!"

Meghan ran in at her husband's call and stood beside him with tears in her eyes. "I'm here." She said softly.

"Don't leave me." He whispered then lost consciousness as the pain became unbearable.

"I won't." She replied tearfully and clasped his hand in hers.

A steady pounding at the door had Meghan panicking. "Darn it, I'm late." She muttered as she ran down the stairs to let Luke in. Grant had decided he wanted an early meal, and she had been held back from getting ready because of it. A flustered Meg swung the door open quickly. "I'm soooo sorry Luke-Ian?"

Ian smiled at the bedraggled young woman in the doorway and thought he'd never seen a more beautiful woman in his life. "Hi Meg."

"What are you doing here?"

"I thought we could go to the rodeo together."

Meghan frowned then smiled sadly at him. "I wish you would have told me before. Luke is coming by to take me and the kids to Tally's."

"Oh." Ian smirked slightly. "Well this teaches me to come over unannounced. I'm sorry Meg."

"It's alright. Maybe we could get together for dinner tomorrow."

The young man immediately perked up. "I'd like that."

"Good." She replied with a smile.

"You'll still cheer me on today, won't you?"

Meg nodded quickly. "Of course I will."

Ian smiled brightly. "Thanks." He bent and kissed her cheek quickly. "See you later."

Meg returned the smile and kiss and waved him off. "Bye." She closed the door then leaned against it and let out a heavy sigh. No sooner had she straightened up then there was another knock on her door. She wondered if Ian had forgotten something, and she swung it open ready to tease him about his forgetfulness. Meghan wasn't prepared to see Luke standing there so soon after Ian had left, and she briefly wondered if the two men had seen each other.

Luke immediately made it known that he'd seen his old friend leaving, and it was a flustered Meg that had to explain his presence. She wasn't sure why she felt so guilty. She had asked for the separation because she needed the space so she wouldn't feel that way. After her quick explanation, she asked Luke to feed Liz then went to finish getting ready.

Meghan stared at her reflection and wondered what her decision would be. Her two weeks were almost over and she wasn't any closer to deciding between Ian and Luke than she was the day she'd asked for the separation. With a heavy sigh she rose from her vanity, straightened her lavender day dress and set out to tell Luke she was ready to go. Her husband was still in the nursery and he was just putting their daughter down. Meg stood in the doorway and watched him silently. Luke was standing between the two bassinets and was cooing to each child while making faces at them. He suddenly straightened and stared down at them. Meg was immediately worried and entered the room. "What's wrong?"

Luke looked up at her with a wide smile. "Liz just smiled at me."

Meg giggled softly. "She did? Are you sure it's not gas?"

"No." Luke replied sullenly. "Watch." Meg stood beside Luke as he cooed to his daughter. Sure enough the tiny girl smiled. "See?"

"Well there you have it, Papa. Your little girl's first real smile."

Luke looked over at Meghan who was reaching for Grant and was happy that his wife was there to share in this moment, but he wondered if he'd be here to share anymore of these 'firsts' with Meg after she'd made her decision. She turned to find him staring at her. "What?"

"Nothing." He said softly. "All set?"

"Let's go."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Luke helped his wife get settled in the first aid tent with her parents. She quickly made her rounds to say hello to Corey and Dean and waved a quick hello to some of the other residents of the town. Luke made sure that the twins and his wife were comfortable before he excused himself a short while later. No sooner than he left, did Ian seem to magically appear at Meghan's side.

"Glad to see you made it."

Meghan gave her friend a bright smile then bit her lip softly. "I'm sorry for earlier, Ian. It's just that I can't deny Luke time with the children."

"It's alright, Meg." Ian replied as he brushed a stray lock of hair from Meg's forehead. "Remember you promised to cheer for me."

She grinned broadly, "Of course I will. A promise is a promise, Ian."

Meghan watched Ian's smile fall then felt a possessive arm around her waist. Luke had returned. Ian nodded once to his friend then bent low to whisper in Meg's ear. "Remember to cheer loudly. I'll see you later."

As soon as he was gone, Meg turned to her husband and after a few quick words that she hoped would settle things she headed back to the tent. Luke remained by her side until the competition began. When they announced Bareback riding Luke rose to get ready. Meg rose along with him and turned him to face her. "Be careful."

He rubbed her cheek tenderly with his palm. "For you, always."

Meg inhaled deeply then gave into her impulse and pulled him down for a kiss. "There."

Luke's eyebrows shot up. "What was that for?"

"Luck." She replied then pushed him towards the ring with a prayer on her lips. She watched with her heart in her throat as Luke sat astride the horse and was thankful for Serena's presence by her side.

"He'll do just fine." The older woman said reassuringly.

"I hope so." Meg replied softly then yelped as Luke's ride began. She covered her eyes with her hands but peeked through her fingers until it was over. When it was over Meg let out the breath she was holding and hugged her husband tightly.

"See piece of cake." He told her as he returned the hug.

"I am not going to survive this day." She muttered then sat beside Luke. She spotted Lee preparing for her ride and silently hoped that the girl would win. It's about time a woman showed these men a thing or two, she thought. Ian's turn was a few moments later, and when Meg made a move to cheer him on, Luke resisted. She explained about her promise, and he relented though reluctantly. Meghan watched with bated breath as Ian mounted and was thrown. The crowd gasped, and she ran into the ring to make sure he was alright. After being assured that he was, she turned and went back to sit with a suddenly sullen Luke.

The next event was saddle bronc and Luke rose to ready himself for this event as well. Meghan stood with him and kissed him once more, "For luck". She watched him smile slightly at her then turn to leave. "Make sure you keep your butt in the saddle." She called out to him and made him smile, although his mind was working a mile a minute.

Grant began to act up so Meg went to get him. As she turned to watch Luke compete, Ian approached her. "We haven't spent any time together Meg."

"I am sorry Ian, but it's hard with Luke here."

"I'm teasing." He said with a smile then made a grab for the boy in her arms. "Now let me have this little man and let me feel better."

Meg gladly complied and was turning to watch her husband when someone screamed. She paled when she saw her husband laying on the ground seemingly unconscious. She yelled out his name, quickly pushed people out of her way and ran over to her husband. After a few tense, not to mention embarrassing moments she followed her father to the first aid tent.

Serena stopped her from entering. "I hope you're satisfied."

"What?"

"This is all your fault, Meghan, are you happy? Look what you're selfishness has caused. Your husband was trying to impress you while you're openly flirting with a man who used to be his friend. And what does this get Luke? He's injured. He's got a head injury Meghan, and it's all your fault! What more do you want? Should he continue putting his life on the line just to win you back?"

Meghan paled at the accusation, and suddenly realized that Serena was right. She wondered why Luke had entered the rodeo, but if Serena was to be believed, then the answer should have been obvious. She didn't know how she was going to live with herself. Luke called out for her, and with one last look at the woman who was taking her to task she ran into the tent.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The ride back to the house was bumpy and Meg tried to keep Luke's head steady but he still moaned and flinched as the buckboard moved down the road. Once back at Willow Manor, Meg directed Jimmy and Buck to bring Luke upstairs into the master bedroom. The men left quickly afterward, wanting to give Luke some peace and quiet to recover and wanting to make it back to Tally's in time to compete in their events. After making sure that both Liz and Grant were settled, she went back into the bedroom and sat beside her husband. She prayed for his speedy recovery and for forgiveness for her part in causing his injuries.

Sometime during the night, Luke stirred slightly and saw Meghan sleeping in a wing chair beside the bed. She'd changed into a nightgown, her hair was braided down her back and he relished the sight of her. He groaned softly, his head was aching and his leg was killing him. Hearing him stirring, Meg's eyes snapped open. "Do you want some laudanum?" She asked groggily.

"No." He replied. "You should lay down, that chair can't be comfortable."

"I wanted to be here in case you needed anything."

"So, come lay down here." He replied as he patted the space beside him on the bed, then held his breath for her reaction.

Meg bit her lip. "I wasn't sure you'd want me."

"I'll always want you. I didn't ask for the separation Meghan."

She bit her lip nervously as she remembered what Serena had said. How far would Luke go to get her back? He'd already put his life on the line for her. "Maybe you could move back home."

His heart soared. "Do you mean it?"

"Yes."

"Thank you Meghan. Now come here and lay beside me. Let me hold you by my side."

She paused to think for a moment then slowly stood up and slid into the bed beside him. Luke immediately wrapped an arm around her waist and drew her in close to his side then sighed happily as he placed a gentle kiss to her temple. Meg tentatively laid her head on his chest and snuggled in close to him. Moments later they were both asleep.

The next morning, Caly and Buck came to visit. Meg had left Luke sleeping but offered the couple some breakfast which they declined. Shortly afterward, they heard Luke stirring, and Meg told Buck to go upstairs and see him. She added that he make sure Luke didn't need help with anything. The Kiowa agreed and left the two young women alone.

Meg and Caly discussed the rodeo and the winners for a short while before they headed to the stairway to go upstairs and see the children. Caly realized that something was wrong with her friend. "So is Luke home for good?" Meg didn't reply right away and Caly frowned, "Do you want to talk about it?"

Meg sighed loudly. "I can't Caly."

"We're friends. You know you can talk to me."

"Luke is hurt, and it's all my fault."

Caly's eyebrows rose. "How so."

"If I didn't throw him out, he wouldn't have tried to impress me. I can't take it anymore. I just want this over, I can't stand the guilt."

"So he's back."

"Yes."

A sudden clatter from the top of the stairs caught both women's attention, and Meg found herself staring into her husband's irate features. "I'll be out of here within the hour."

"Luke you're in no condition to leave." Meg replied.

"Have you made a decision Meg, or am I here because you feel sorry for me?"

"I - uh . . ."

Ian waited for the results of the bronc riding to be announced and thought back to earlier in the afternoon. He had watched Luke lift his wife down from their buckboard and immediately straightened his stance. He'd been leaning on a tree waiting for them to show up and now he'd have to wait until Luke left Meg's side so that he could spend a few minutes with her. It didn't take long. He approached the young woman and was speaking to her when her husband came back to claim her. Then he hadn't left her side until the competition began.

Ian had been having a good time and didn't even mind falling off the horse during the bareback competition because it had brought Meg to his side. He'd had fun teasing her about his injury and thought that despite Luke's presence they were both having a great time. Then Luke had gotten injured.

He shook his head as he remembered the panic that had coursed through his body when he saw his childhood friend lying on the ground. His heart had gone out to Meghan who had become pale and looked as if she was on the verge of hysteria but there was small part of him that had hoped Luke wasn't alright and that both surprised and scared him. When had he become so callous? He wanted Meg, that much was obvious but did he really wish his friend was severely injured just so he could get her? Ian had wanted to make sure that his friend was alright but a hard look from Charlie stopped him in his tracks.

The results were announced and many people congratulated him on his win, but the one person he wanted to have congratulate him wasn't there. Meg had left with the conveyance that had taken Luke. A tender hand on his arm drew Ian back from his musings.

"Congratulations Ian."

Ian looked down at Elena's smiling face. "Thanks."

"Looks like your girlfriend left you high and dry though. Seems like she prefers her husband over you."

"Lay off Elena." Ian replied curtly.

The young prostitute shook her head slowly. "I know you've stopped seeing me because you hope to get Meghan. But when she chooses Luke over you I'll still be willing to take you in."

"What makes you think she'll choose Luke?"

"She loves him. Miss Priss is not one to take her vows lightly, she's making all this noise but she'll go back to Luke." Elena laughed softly. "You're just a diversion for her."

Ian smirked as he prepared to deny it but he knew in his heart that Elena was right. Meg's loyalty was just one of the things he loved about her. "Maybe." He replied after a few moments. "But that doesn't mean I'm going to stop trying."

"It's a waste of time Ian, but it's your time." Elena said then walked away with a wide grin.

Charity smiled and waved Elena over when she saw the young woman alight from the bordello's fancy carriage. The two women sat in the shade on a blanket that Charity had brought along and talked for a while. They commented on the fact that Ian had shown up at the rodeo alone when they'd both expected him to come with Meghan. From the looks on several other faces, Elena assumed they weren't the only ones who had thought so. Charity wondered if maybe it meant that Meg wasn't coming and frowned at the lack of gossip there would be because of her absence. They found out differently though when Elena spotted Silver Tide hitched up to a buckboard and the estranged Mr. and Mrs. Saunders sitting within it looking like there was nothing wrong.

Charity perked up at the sight and giggled as she looked over to see what Meg's suitor thought of the arrivals. She pointed out his grimace to Elena and both women laughed at the situation. As the competition began both women stood to get a better view they both cheered loudly as their friends competed and Elena gasped when Ian was thrown. She immediately searched out Luke to see his reaction and wasn't surprised to see the smile on his face. So he had a devious streak, she thought, she knew he wasn't as pure as he let on.

Elena and Charity both cried out when Luke fell and didn't rise right away. Elena would have run to his side if Charity hadn't grabbed her arm and stopped her. "Don't get involved."

"I have to see if he's alright."

"It's not your place. Let the doctors handle it." Charity said as she motioned to the ring where Daniel and Meg were both kneeling over Luke.

Elena snorted in disgust. "Look at her, acting like she's the concerned wife when everyone in town knows that she's having an affair with his best friend. It's disgusting."

Charity nodded her agreement. "I wouldn't worry about it. Everyone in town knows the truth of their relationship. No one is fooled by her."

"Everyone is fooled by her." Elena replied wryly.

"Well we're not. It's just a matter of time before everyone sees beyond that prissy visage."

Elena shrugged. Just once she'd like to see Meg fall off that pedestal everyone put her on. A few moments after Luke was taken out of the ring, she excused herself to make her rounds and advertise the brothel just as she promised Anjanette.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Anjanette gathered both Dean and Elena and told them what she expected of them as far as their behavior was concerned at the rodeo. Dean knew that the speech was more for Elena than himself but he stayed for it nevertheless. As soon as she was done she allowed them a few more moments to ready themselves then set out to leave.

Corey met Dean at the rodeo and the couple moved off to be by themselves. Dean was a little surprised to see Meg and Luke together and told Corey so. The young woman agreed but said she was happy that her friends were trying to work out whatever problems they had. Deciding to wave a truce, Corey suggested that she and Dean go over to see Meg and the babies. When his event was announced, Dean kissed Corey for luck and headed over to get ready for his turn. He waved to his love and concentrated on winning or at least not killing himself. He'd seen what happened to Luke and how pale Corey had become and didn't want to be responsible for making her worry about him as well.

Ted stopped by to see Marta and keep her company while Desiree was away. He bought a piece of pie because he already had butterflies in his stomach, so he didn't want to eat much. Marta could tell he was nervous about the calf roping contest coming up, so she tried to help alleviate that nervousness by telling him that he would do good. Ted didn't believe her, but he was thankful that Marta cared enough to try and make him feel better. To show how much he appreciated her praise, he smiled and tried to pretend that his spirits had lifted.

A little bit later before the event was over Desiree came walking swiftly back to the table. "Desiree, the event isn't over yet, why are you back so soon?"

"There was an accident."

"What? Who? What happened?"

"Luke feel off the bronc real hard. They had to take him out of the arena on a stretcher." Desiree replied.

"Do you think he's going to be all right." Marta asked.

"Well, he seemed to be delirious, but hopefully he'll be ok." Desiree filled Marta and Ted in on the details, and then she went back to the arena to finish watching the contest. Afterwards she came back and traded places with Marta, telling her that she hadn't heard how Luke was doing yet, but Marta told Desiree that she had seen Buck and Jimmy help Meg take Luke home.

The next event was the calf roping. This was Ted's event, so he headed over to the arena with Marta beside him. The fellas entered in the contest drew straws to see what order they would enter the arena. From the shortest straw to the tallest would go first and so on. Ted was very unlucky because he drew the smallest straw, so he would go first.

Ted had rented Reflections from the livery to ride in the calf roping event. He walked over to him and started leading him to the arena. Before entering though Marta gave him a squeeze on the arm. He smiled at her, and she smiled back. "Good luck," she said before letting go. Ted nodded. He led Reflections into the chute, and then he mounted. He watched as Steven pulled the calf into the arena. Steven stopped and waited until the calf calmed down. Then he took the rope off the calf and backed off. Tally shot his gun in the air, and Cody opened the gate to the chute.

Ted spurred his horse into action. He started twirling his rope aiming for the calf. The calf hearing the horse beats started running. She stopped at the end of the arena and turned around to see the horse coming straight towards her. She bolted to the right, and Ted turned Reflections. He threw his rope at the calf and around her head it went. The calf stopped in the corner of the arena as she felt the rope around her neck. Ted pulled back on Reflection's reins and stopped him. Ted jumped down. He had roped the critter, and it didn't seem like he had taken too much time to do it either. He felt good. But it wouldn't last.

The calf saw Ted coming towards her, so she bolted. Startled Ted didn't have time to react. He fell forward onto the ground and the calf started dragging him. Ted was being pulled along the dirt arena. He was getting scrapped up. He had turned and twisted so that even though he was no longer holding onto the rope, it had got wrapped around his body, so the calf was still pulling him along.

Tally hollered at some men to help him. Cody, Kid and Steven ran into the arena right behind Tally. They surrounded the calf until they boxed her into a little area, and she stopped. Tally and Steven ran to Ted while Cody and Kid kept an eye on the calf. Tally and Steven unraveled the rope from around Ted. Ted sat up carefully making sure that nothing was broken.

Daniel came into the arena and over to Ted. "Can you walk, lad?"

Ted slowly got to his feet. "I think so."

"Well, lets get out of here and over to the emergency tent. I want to take a look at you and make sure you are all right." Daniel and Ted headed out of the arena, and Marta was waiting at the gate for them. She followed them to the tent. Steven brought Ted's horse out of the arena and tied him up for him.

Half-heartedly Tally said, "I don't know if I want to tangle with that ornery critter or not." He smiled as he mounted up and rode into the chute. The chute went up and he went out. He roped the calf on his fourth lasso try and finally pinned the critter. Like the last two events, he wouldn't win this competition either, but at least he didn't get dragged around like Ted had.

Ted had plenty of scraps and bruises, but he would live. Ted and Marta went back to the arena to finish watching the rest of the calf roping competition. After the announcement of Kid being the winner, and Javier winning second place, Ted escorted Marta back to the food tables.

Rachel had watched the bareback riding contest and was very proud of Lee taking first place. She then decided to let Grace watch the rest of the events while she stayed and sold the food. Grace was young and should be able to enjoy herself, and when Grace came back excited that Charlie had come in second place in the saddle bronc competition, Rachel decided that Grace should be able to watch Charlie in the rest of the events. But Grace only agreed to it, if she could watch the food table while Rachel got to watch the children calf roping contest. Besides Grace's argument was that Charlie wasn't entered in that one anyway, so Rachel agreed. Besides Rachel wanted to see Jesse in that competition. She knew he really wanted to win. He had been practicing every day after his chores were done and most of the day on the weekends.

There wasn't any major incidents in the children calf roping contest. Although Rachel felt sorry for Jesse because he didn't win, but she congratulated him for coming in second. She knew Jesse was upset but obviously not as upset as Melissa, as she watched her storm pass them on her horse, she noticed Jesse watching her, too.

"Too bad there wasn't a prize for third place," Jesse said as he watched Melissa ride away. Even though he was upset that he had come in second, he was also sorry for Melissa. He knew how much she had wanted to win, too.

Tally had been sitting down with Jacy eating when they saw Melissa ride away. It had been the only time that they had a chance to eat because Steven had volunteered to oversee the children's competition, and Jacy had to stick close to Tally for her story. "I wonder what's wrong with her?" Jacy said out loud.

"Jesse," Tally called as he saw him and Rachel heading their way. As Jesse got closer he continued, "What's wrong with Melissa?"

"She came in third." Jesse replied.

"Oh, she's upset," Jacy said with concern in her voice.

"Why don't you go find her, Jacy." Tally said.

"I can't the next competition is coming up soon. Besides I'll wait till after the rodeo, and then I'll go find her. She needs some time to herself right now. Besides there's only one event left." She replied. Right after that, Steven made the announcement for the bull riding contest, so she followed Tally to the arena.

"Could you at least win this one?" She asked after Tally had drawn his straw. He was to ride first.

"I'll do my darndest." Tally replied as he walked to the chute. She went to her special seat that Tally had arranged for her. Special because it gave her terrific view of the whole area. She watched as Tally and the bull came shooting out into the arena. There was no way in the world that she could ever do that. She couldn�t even imagine him being on such a horrible beast. It thrashed and bucked wildly trying to thrust Tally off of his back. The beast whirled and whirled around in circles bucking and finally to the beast�s satisfaction it hurled Tally into the air. Tally landed hard on the ground. The bull stopped and stood still since he didn�t feel a body on his back any more. Then he saw Tally lying on the ground. He snorted and pawed the earth. There was a target for his fine pointy horns. Just as he was about to make a run for Tally, he spotted something red to his left. He turned in that direction and shot forward.

Cody waved the big red shirt at the beast to lure it away from Tally. Seeing the bull was heading for him, Cody moved. He darted behind the wooded structure that they had put up just for this purpose. Steven and Dean ran in and pulled Tally out to safety.

When Tally got his wits about him he said, "Well, I didn�t win this one either. Sorry Jacy! I tried."

"Well, at least you didn�t get killed either." She replied as she flashed him a smile and then sat back down to watch the rest of the event. Tally joined her. The rest of the riders that got thrown were able to get up and walk away without any help. Cody won the bull riding, and Tally thought Jacy should have been very proud of him, but she didn�t seem like she was.

"I�m going to hurry home now and find Melissa. If I need anything more from you for my story, can I talk to you about it later?" She asked Tally.

**********

Teaspoon watched the first two events. He was concerned about Luke falling in the saddle bronc competition and hoped that he would be all right. He walked around making sure no disturbances occurred, and it was a good day because Teaspoon didn't have to break up any brawls.

Meanwhile Walter, Caller Bob and Lou were on town guard duty. There wasn't anybody in town but those three and the prisoners. All the others were out at the rodeo. The only noise that could be heard were the outlaws in jail. The wounded one that Daniel had patched up wasn't much of a talker instead he rested most of the time while the other three paced their cells contemplating an escape plan. They had tried to sucker Lou into giving them something to eat earlier, hoping that they could knock the scrawny lad out and make their escape, but Lou wouldn't come near them. Lou had been instructed to stay away from them, and Walter was the one who was suppose to bring the prisoners some lunch.

"Hi Bob, Lou, I've brought them their lunch." Walter said as he walked onto the boardwalk with a tray in his hands.

"Good because they've been making a whole lot of ruckus maybe that food will shut them up." Caller Bob said.

Caller Bob opened the cells one at a time, and Walter handed each prisoner a plate full of food. Then they went back out on the boardwalk. "Lou," Caller Bob said, "I'm going to make the rounds."

"Ok," Lou replied.

"Hey Bob, I'll take the bank side and look around for ya." Walter offered.

Caller Bob nodded and thanked him, and then he took off down towards the livery.

After lunch Teaspoon rode back to town. Caller Bob and Lou were seated in front of the saloon. "I�m back. Are you ready to go on out and watch the rest of the rodeo Bob?"

"Yep, sure am. I�m looking forward to some entertainment. How was the first two events?"

"Well, there was lots of excitement. Luke fell off the bronc, and they had to carry him out of the arena on a stretcher. Meg, Buck, and Jimmy took him home."

"Is he gonna be alright, Teaspoon?" Lou asked.

"Yeah, I think he�s gonna live. He just has a broken leg. It will mend." Sheriff Teaspoon took Caller Bob�s empty seat.

Caly stood with the riders. They all cheered the participants on but got louder when Lee won the bareback bronc contest. There was a short delay in the Saddle Broc contest while Luke was being tended to. Buck and Jimmy went to help take Luke home. Caly smiled watching Buck fair a little better then she had hoped.

They came riding back in just as Caller Bob called for the contestants for the Calf Roping contest. Cody helped Steven with the calf-roping contest. He opened the chute for each contestant. He couldn't help but let out a loud howler when Kid won the adult calf roping.

Steven smiled with pride as Michael won the kid's calf roping. He could see Michael was trying to show him that he was capable of helping. This year he would take Caly's place on the roundup.

Caly held Buck's knife and gun when he was up for the bull riding. She covered her mouth with a gasp as he was bucked off. She sighed with relief when he stood and smiled up at her.