Darque Wants (16 page)

On finishing the pattern, Dustin looked towards the stock gate, calmly waiting. A steer was let through and looked about. On his appearance Calico lowered, but Dustin cued him not to as the bell went. They slowly approached it, carefully working it up to the top corner, boxing it there, holding it there for several moments before moving him for the run along the fence line. Once completed, they did the steer turn. Calico kept his stance low, looking directly at the cow when the bell again went.

They allowed the steer to return to the stock gate. Where after two men along with five head of cattle entered the arena, Calico quickly enough responded to their presence, his neck arching as he stepped forward. Dustin looked the cows over, all the while hoping he could make up points.

Only once the stock gate was shut did the bell sound for the final leg.

Dustin was unprepared for the bell, and quickly urged Calico to approach the group. Dustin picked one of the steers off the side, wanting to make up for time. The steers were young, which meant that they either put up a good show, or simply stand there. Their first cut was one of the latter. It simply stood there, looking at them. Dustin cued Calico to return to the group to pick another, inwardly cursing since the first counted as a no-show.  

The second was a deep cut, but even so the steer did not put up much of a show, although enough for a score. Dustin let him go and returned to the herd intent on cutting another one. He had not kept count, thus did not know how much time they had left, however just managed to separate the last one from the group, when the bell went.

Calico had already lowered himself to the ground, and Dustin did not have the heart to stop him, even knowing that they would not score anything for it, and lowered his reins to allow the horse to work the cow, which was by far the liveliest of their selection. Half a minute later he cued the horse to stop, and allowed the steer to return to the others.

He rode to the in gate, well aware of the heavy silence that hung in the air as they awaited the scores. All finalists gathered in the collection ring to await the results. He did not even chance a glance at Marcella, not wanting to seem too perturbed by the results.  He would take it as a man if he lost, it was just one of those days.

Some time later a steward came up to Dustin and informed him that he’d been recalled to the arena, where the senior judge was waiting. He turned calico for the gate and entered the arena, followed a couple moments later by Marcella. They halted their horses before the judge, who appeared to be looking around.

“We’re just waiting for Geoffrey, as the horse’s owner he would have to agree.” The judge said.

“Is there a problem?” Dustin asked looking towards Marcella for a moment, and then returning his attention to the judge.”

The man looked from one to the other, before nodding, “Your overall scores are tied.”

Dustin looked at Marcella, before asking. “Can’t you place on technicality?”

The judge shook his head, “It is a bit of a case of extremes, where you scored low, she scored high, and vice versa, yours scores only marginally differed in the cutting.”

Just then, Geoffrey arrived, demanding, “What’s the problem?”

“We’re tied for first.” Marcella said.

Geoffrey turned to the judge, “Place them on technicality.”

“We can’t, each division has it’s own merits. This is an overall performance contest not a specialty.”

“So they split the prize.” Geoffrey flatly replied.

“No,” Marcella was quick to counter, “That would mean default.”

Dustin had toyed with the idea of splitting the prize, especially since Geoffrey seemed willing, however Marcella’s objection had him reconsider it, she seemed determined to see their bet through. “What’s the alternative?”  

“Well seeing as this is a working horse performance class, and the emphasis is on the horse’s performance...”

“Get to the point,” Geoffrey demanded.

“The prize should go the best performance horse,”

“I said get to the point.”

“We want the two riders to swap horses. We reason that the horses should perform to the same level, given a different rider.”

Dustin’s entire being objected to the idea. He knew her skills, knew what she could do and there was no way he could ensure that she would not use them to negatively affect his horse’s performance. He knew that Calico even without a rider would do the job well enough, it was more a question of whether he could trust her with his horse.  

“Then he’ll win for certain,” Geoffrey said, before pointing to Marcella, “She can make a donkey dance.”

The judge held up his hand to silence Geoffrey as he continued, “However, should the rider intentionally do something to hamper the horse, or give obvious cues to confuse the horse, the rider’s horse will automatically be placed second.”

Dustin thought it over, although he had no idea how her powers worked, he would consider it, if he knew what the horses were expected to do. “What will we be doing?”

The judge turned to him, “You’ll be cutting.”

Dustin looked at Marcella and then at Geoffrey, who seemed somewhat uncomfortable with the whole situation. He knew Marcella would have a marginal say in the outcome, and he thought it was high time Geoffrey got placed in an unpleasant position.

“We’ll swap,” Dustin said.

“What! You’ll let her ride your precious Calico!” He said before turning to Marcella, “Whatever bet you’ve got going on the side, I want half of it.”

“It’s more of an integrity bet,” Marcella said, “not the kind you make.”

“Then do whatever, if only to prove that I don’t back down when the odds are stacked.” Geoffrey said turning from them. The judge made to halt him but the man brushed him aside, saying, “Let the rider decide.”

“It’s your call,” Dustin said looking at Marcella.

She looked hesitant, glancing after Geoffrey, but eventually nodded, “Okay.”

On her agreement he judge held up his hand.

Within moments the announcer came online. “Cowboys and girls do we have a treat for you. Yes folks, stand closer, for we are not done yet. Two of the best riders here today, are going to battle it out for the title and the eight-thousand-Dollar prize pot. The horses’ scores are level, leaving the judges unable to determine which one is the better. So their riders have swapped horses and are now going put the other’s horse through their paces. We will be giving them a few minutes to familiarize themselves with their new mounts, while our wranglers bring back the cows. Yes, folks, you heard it, we have a cutting spectacular on our hands, and the bets are on. Will it be Calico or Starbeat? Either way, what I can tell you is that the winner will be sorrel.”

They dismounted and exchanged horses, and Dustin softly said as he took her horse’s rein from her, “I’m willing to drop our bet.”

“But I’m not.” She affirmed. “I honor my bets, as you do.”

Dustin placed his hand on her forearm, as she turned from him to adjust the stirrups. “Let him do it.” not certain whether she would acknowledge the double meaning he implied.

She looked at him in surprise, “What?”

“Let him pick you one.” he said, pointing to Calico. 

She looked at the horse, then at him, then past him as she spoke, “Go easy on the reins, he doesn’t like it. Leg aids. ” and then lead Calico off a short distance.

Dustin checked the horse’s cinch and stirrups and then swung into the saddle. The saddle was slightly smaller than his, the horse narrower over the shoulders, its neck not as developed as Calico’s.

He felt the animal stiffen under him, and ran his hand along its neck as he asked it to move off, testing its responses to his aids. The horse was slower than Calico, although seemed wiling enough once it had relaxed through its back.

The steers and wranglers again entered the arena, although this time there were almost a dozen cows to choose from. He gestured to her, calmly stating, “Ladies first,” before moving off to the far end.   

She held up her hand to indicate that she was ready, while he moved to the far corner. 

He watched as she approached the herd, his horse appeared a little distracted, never having worked under another rider, although the moment the bell went and he saw the cattle, the stallion’s instinct kicked in. He watched while she allowed the horse to pick a cow, and started playing with it.  His stallion ignored the first signal for him to let the cow go, but responded on the second and quickly returned to the heard, cutting out another. He watched as the horse lowered himself to the cow’s eye level and then moved, his muscles twitching in anticipation.

The bell again sounded and they withdrew. Dustin noted the stunned expression on her face as she moved to the opposite corner, moments before she leant forward in is saddle to pat the horse. Nothing in his horse’s performance indicated any interference on her part.

He urged her horse forward, looking over the cows. He settled on one with a white patch across the side of its face and waited for the bell. It came and he carefully maneuvered the horse into the herd, keeping his eye on the cow. The horse seemed hesitant, but no more than a youngster would be. They cut the cow from the heard and he allowed the horse some freedom of rein, but no so much that he could not instantly correct the animal.

The horse followed the steer, although it did not quite lower itself to the ground. Dustin kept count, and quickly pulled Starbeat from the first cow, to cut another. The horse settled into the work, allowing him to completely lower his hand the second time. The bell went and Dustin pulled the horse away, moving away from the cattle and towards his own horse.

Although Starbeat was not as quick as Calico, the horse did well enough to earn a decent score.

Marcella nodded as he came within range. “And that’s the reason you’re the best.” She said swinging off his horse. “I’d say he’s as good as sold now.” Her legs seemed wobbly as she stood.

“You okay?” he asked, as he took Calico’s rein from her.

She looked at his horse, “What a ride, worth every argument I’ve had with Geoffrey, plus whatever is to come.”

He did not even try to understand what she meant, and turned to readjust his stirrups. They remounted their horses before approaching the judges’ box. 

“Ladies and gents, the judges have come to a decision, the results are final. In third position we have Sunsation, owned by Double T Ranch, ridden by Henry Bishop.” A cheer went up.

“Reserve champion goes to Starbeat, owned by Geoffrey Anderson and ridden by Marcella Gardener.” A larger cheer went up which almost drowned out the announcer as he continued with the announcement.

Dustin looked towards Marcella, saw the crooked smile she flashed him, before stating, “The best horse won.” And then turned her horse to take its position in the lineup.

A heavy, inexplicable, sensation settled over his heart, one he could not understand. It was almost as if he regretted it.

He turned Calico to the lineup, although was caught up in his own thoughts as the judge came to hand over the prizes, which was followed by the usual victory lap, photo shoot and photos with the show’s sponsors. By the time they finished, Marcella was nowhere to be seen.

He returned to the stables and settled his horse, then told Gareth to go join the party.

“But they’ll expect you there?” the young man had argued.

“Those who know me will not. Go, have some fun before we return home.” 

Dustin started arranging the rig, especially the living area, dismantling the dining area and securing the panels and padding in place, before checking on their stocks.

He had just settled on the larger bunk, intent on deliberating the heavy sensation that still lingered within him, when there was a knock on the door.

He drew in a deep breath, releasing a heavy sigh as he sat up. The lights were still on, so he couldn’t claim that no one was there. Again the knock sounded, and he knew that whoever it was, they were intent on seeing him.

Dustin stood and moved to the door, swinging it open, not really in the mood for company. His body went rigid as he took in the sight of her, a large backpack thrown over her shoulder.

“Hey,” she said, uncertainly.

“Hey,” he replied.

She shifted her weight from one foot to the other, before finally saying, “I just came to say goodbye.”

He was taken aback by that, “Goodbye?”

“Yeah, I’m going home, as we agreed.”

His heart pounded in his throat, threatening to choke him, however he managed to get out a hesitant, “Now?”

“I got my things, Geoffrey is too busy to notice anything. I got crap for a kickback, he’s claimed that seeing as I didn’t settle for joint-first-place I could pay in the difference – oh, yeah, Starburst is sold, along with the young sorrel,” she nervously continued, “so at least it will cover the trip home.”

“But second prize was equal to a split first?” Dustin said, confused. 

“He went on about the horse not being worth as much and he had to drop the price, bitch, whine, moan, etcetera…. I wasn’t really listening. Probably thought I had some debt to pay urgently, and thinks he got me into trouble. ”