Page 22 of Forever Enough

“It was the best way to grow up. We spent a lot of our time at the Shaw Ranch as well. We all grew up together. That’s why Avery and I call them our aunts and uncles. As well as cousins. We’re not blood-related, but it sure as hell feels like we are.”

Smiling, I nodded. “I only had my younger sister growing up. No cousins or anything like that.”

“Are you two close?”

“We are. She’s the only family I have. Well, the only one I want in my life, anyway.”

“I’m sorry, Kenzie. I can’t imagine not having my family in my life.”

I shrugged. “Not all families are happy ones.”

He simply nodded and changed the subject back to himself, which I was grateful for.

“I remember one time, after I’d found my love of riding bulls, and I came home after spending a week over at my uncle Ty’s place. My mother said she was beginning to wonder if I’d moved out. We spent just as much time with that family as we did at home. My sister and I, that is.”

“It has to be hard for her to have you and Avery both gone so much of the time.”

He let out a soft sigh that if I hadn’t been watching, I would have missed. “I know it is. I feel guilty about that, and I know Avery does as well.”

“She mentioned she’ll be heading home for good early next year.”

“Yes. I know she loves fashion, but it’s hard to be away from your family for so long. I think she might be working for our cousins, Morgan and Georgiana. Have you met them yet?”

I shook my head. “No, I’ve only met Morgan’s mom, Lincoln. She’s very sweet.”

“So are my aunts Timberlynn and Kaylee. If you decide to join us for New Year’s Eve, you’ll be able to meet them.”

“What got you into bull riding? I know your father did it professionally too…is that why?”

Another brilliant smile appeared on his face, and I nearly swooned at the sight of the deep dimples in his cheeks. “He was part of the reason. I’d seen him ride, and Blayze, my oldest cousin. He was damn good, but he decided going professional wasn’t for him. Anyway, I was four, I think, when I was put on my first bull.”

“What?” I said, shock filling my voice.

“Not in that way. Most of the bulls are babies when they’re out in the pasture. There was one bull that was my favorite. Dad bought him once he was retired from the PBR. He’d been ranked number one in the world at the same time my father was. Anyway, Dad would take me and Avery out to see him every day. He’d plop me up on his back, and that lazy bull would just keep on grazing or eat the bread my father brought him. The older I got, the more I’d visit with him. There were days I would simply lie on his back and stare up at the clear blue sky and dream of riding bulls professionally someday. I’d talk, and he would listen. I loved that bull.”

“What was his name?”

“Big John. He only allowed seven qualified rides out of a hundred and thirty-nine. He was one of the most unridden bucking bulls in history, with Bodacious coming in first. My father was the last one to ride him the full eight. He was a mean bastard. Did things he shouldn’t have been able to do because he was so damn big. They truly are athletes. The bulls, I mean.”

I turned more in my seat to look at him. “And your father put you on his back at four?”

He laughed, and it was such a hearty sound that it made me do the same. “I know; it sounds crazy, but he really was the best bull. Avery would walk around in the pasture picking wildflowers, and Big John would follow right behind, like he was protecting her. It would drive my mother crazy.”

“Are they all sweet when they’re not working?”

Bradly looked at me. “I love that you recognize they work. Just like the rider.”

I smiled.

“But no, some are complete assholes, in and out of the chutes.”

“Good to know. If I ever come across one.”

Bradly pulled into a parking space and turned off his truck. “Would you like to see what it is I do up-close, after lunch?”

My heart jumped in my chest. “By up-close, what do you mean?”

“Uncle Ty raises bulls. He’s one of the best stock contractors around. He’s always needing people to ride them for exercise, or to see if they have what it takes to make it in the PBR.”