Chapter Twenty-Three
"We're done here," Jaxon said with a clap on the back. "Thanks again for your help."
"Sure thing," Trace answered the next evening. "Happy to help." Better to distract himself with physical labor.
"You headed up to the cowboy dance?"
Trace shook his head. "Not yet. I want to clear my head."
"Ahh," Jax answered with a knowing look. "Sizing up the competition?"
"Something like that." More like figuring out how to manage the competing emotions inside his head.
"These are all good bulls, and you've worked hard. Remember, ninety percent of bull riding is mental. If you're in the right frame of mind tomorrow afternoon, you'll be great." Jaxon's smile turned sly. "But talking to them always helps. I'll leave you alone."
Trace lifted a hand as Jaxon took off toward the
