WildHearts5

Lance's eyes bugged out slightly as he turned to look at Joey.

"Riding horse show?" he asked quietly. "You mean, Mr. Kirkpatrick hires horse riders? Real ones?"

Joey laughed and squeezed Lance's shoulder, pushing him towards the ring with all of the people around it.

"Yep, he sure does," said Joey. "Have a look for yourself."

Lance's green eyes were wide and sparkling with awe as he watched a woman riding around the ring, doing tricks and performing for the cheering crowd. Lance stood up on fence, watching with fascination at the smooth gallop of the horse and the way its mane blew in the wind.

"Ya know Joe," he said, "my father was a famous horse rider where I'm from. He died when I was little, and ever since then I've always wanted to ride horses like he did."

Joey stepped up by Lance, leaning his arms on the railing.

"No kidding?" he asked. "What kind of riding do you like?"

Lance shrugged. "I like it all," he said, "but I guess the one I want to be a pro at is the one that my Dad was the best at; bronco riding."

Joey grimaced. "I dunno Lance," he said. "Those broncos are tough little shits. I've seen some great riders get hurt real bad by them."

Lance nodded, his eyes never leaving the rodeo in front of him.

"I know," he said, "my dad was one of them."

Joey and Lance were silent as they watched the rodeo. After the performing horses came the bronco riders, and that was what Lance really wanted to see. He heard the announcer's voice over the loud speaker introducing the next rider.

"...so ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together for Kirkpatrick's best bronco rider, Joshua Chasez!"

Lance watched the gate open, and a lean black horse come barreling out of it with a man on its back. Instead of watching the horse, Lance's eyes were glued to man riding it. His legs were long and lean, gripping the bronco's hips tightly as he rode it. One arm was gripping the saddle, while the other was high in the air, waving at the audience and causing them to scream louder. The wind blew off the rider's black cowboy hat, revealing long strands of brown hair streaked with blonde. Lance was fascinated, and didn't even realize his mouth was open.

Joey looked back and forth between Josh and Lance, grinning as he saw his new friend's reaction. After a few more seconds, Josh lost his grip and fell off the horse, immediately getting up and sprinting for the side of the ring as rodeo clowns distracted the bucking animal. He wiped the sweat off his brow and retrieved his hat, waving to the audience as he did so. They cheered, clapped and screamed, and he just smiled. Looking over to one side, he saw
his friend Joey standing with a young kid, who was staring at him. Josh locked eyes with him, and they stared at each other for a minute before Josh looked away. Lance blushed at being caught staring, and turned to Joey.

"So, where's this Chris guy that might hire me?" he asked, hoping Joey hadn't noticed him drooling over the bronco rider.

Joey grinned and pointed Lance towards a large brown tent.

"Go right in there," he said, "and ask for Chris. Tell him you want a job, and don't take no for an answer."

Lance nodded, not usually the aggressive type, but willing to do anything at this point. He picked up his suitcase and hat, and headed for the tent. Lifting up the cloth flap, Lance saw a man sitting at a desk with papers scattered all over the place and writing quickly. He looked shorter than Lance, and had black hair and a goatee. Lance went over to him and cleared his throat. The man didn't even flinch, and kept on writing. Lance sighed and spoke up.

"Mr. Kirkpatrick?"

The man sighed quietly, dropping his pen and squinting up at Lance.

"I thought if I ignored you, you might go away," he said, more to himself than to Lance. "What do you want?"

Lance smiled politely and stuck out his hand. "Mr. Kirkpatrick, meet your new bronco rider!"

Chris looked amused, but still annoyed at the same time. He shook Lance's out stretched hand and stood up, checking him out.

"You?" he asked. "A bronco rider?"

Lance nodded. "Yes, sir."

Chris leaned against the desk, crossing his arms across his chest. "You look too small to be a rider. You might get hurt."

Lance puffed up his chest. "I may be small sir, but I can ride."

Chris nodded. "Okay, then, here's what I want you to do." He took Lance's arm and pulled him towards the door. "You see that dirt road right there?"

Lance followed Chris's finger and nodded quickly. "Yes, sir."

"Good," said Chris. "Now, I want you to take that road..."

"Okay."

"...and turn right..."

"Uh-huh."

"..right by the bronco rings..."

"Yes."

"...and keep going until you get back to where you came from."

Lance nodded, and then whipped his head around to stare at Chris, who was all ready back inside the tent. Lance blushed, but refused to back down. He threw open the tent flap and sat down in a chair in front of Chris's desk. Chris looked up, surprise written all over his face.

"Mr. Kirkpatrick," said Lance, "I came to you for a job, and I ain't leaving until I get one."

Chris sighed, getting up from his desk and stopping in back of Lance. He lifted up the chair, turned, and set Lance down outside the tent.