Chapter 18

They began to unsaddle Imp and rub him down.

* * * *

“You threw it on purpose, didn’t ya?” Rio asked.

Lex and Rio were standing at the arena rail watching the bronc riding competition. Trent had just finished his run and had easily beaten Lex’s score, too easily.

“I don’t know what you’re talkin’ about,” Lex said, avoiding Rio’s eyes.

“The All-Around was yours to win…again. But you threw it so that Trent could win it for his daddy.”

The day before Lex had won the bulldogging competition, with Trent again finishing second. The older Boxwood had severely criticized his son for his poor performance in front of both Lex and Rio, clearly embarrassing the young man.

Since Trent had won the calf roping, Lex and Trent were tied once again for the All-Around championship going into the bronc riding event.

“No,” Lex protested. “I had a bad draw. The horse was a dink. Couldn’t get any action from him no matter how hard I tried.”