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    Bull Rider
    Bull Rider
    Bull Rider
    Ebook81 pages52 minutes

    Bull Rider

    By Marilyn Halvorson

    5/5

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    About this ebook

    Layne wants nothing more than to follow in his father's footsteps and to be a bull rider.

    His dad was one ride away from a National Championship when he got trampled to death. Layne wants to be able to give his dad that championship—by winning it for him. What he doesn't want, though, is to end up like his father and die in the rodeo arena. When the chance comes, Layne realizes he must face up to his greatest fear. With the help of his friend Jana, and his bratty younger sister, Layne learns to reach deep inside and trust himself.

    Also available in French.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherOrca Book Publishers
    Release dateJan 1, 2003
    ISBN9781554695843
    Bull Rider
    Author

    Marilyn Halvorson

    When Marilyn Halvorson is not caring for cattle on her ranch, she spends her time writing. Bull Rider was an ALA Quick Pick nominee. Her follow-up book in the Orca Soundings series, Blue Moon, was a CCBC "Our Choice" pick.

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      Book preview

      Bull Rider - Marilyn Halvorson

      Chapter One

      I was sitting at the kitchen table writing when Mom came in. Hi, Layne, she said, setting down a bag of groceries. Doing your homework already? she asked with a grin. You sure you’re feeling all right?

      Any other time I would have grinned back. Mom has to nag me so much about homework that it’s a joke between us. But this time I didn’t crack a smile. I was too nervous. It’s not homework, I said slowly, looking up at her.

      She shrugged and crammed some lettuce in the fridge. No? she said, only half listening. What is it then?

      I swallowed. An entry form for the rodeo next month, I said and watched her grin fade. I knew it would be like this. It had been like this the other two times I had tried. But it wouldn’t be quite the same this time. Because this time I wasn’t backing down.

      Mom slowly closed the fridge and came over to the table. She never took her eyes off me until she picked up the paper. Then she glanced at it, crumpled it up and threw it on the table. No, Layne, she said in a tight voice. Her eyes met mine again. Not the bull riding. You know how I feel about that.

      I knew all right. We’d been through this scene so many times it was like living in an instant replay. But this time I fought back. Yeah, and you know how I feel about it too.

      I don’t care how you feel, Mom shot back. All I know is that I watched a bull kill my husband and there’s no way I’ll risk watching one kill my son.

      I stood up fast—and almost knocked the table over. Oh, come on, Mom, it won’t happen.

      You bet it won’t happen, Mom cut in before I could finish. The answer is no, she said, grabbing her jacket and heading for the door. That’s the way she always tried to end things. Get in the last word and then get out of there. But I wasn’t going to let her do it this time.

      You can’t stop me, I said in a flat voice. That got her attention. She spun around. Mom and I have more in common than our blue eyes and blond hair. Our tempers match too. Her eyes flashed angrily, but before she could say anything I cut her off. Give me a break, Mom, I said. I’m almost seventeen.

      Mom laughed—but she didn’t sound happy. Right, Layne, almost. Just another eight months till your birthday. Then, in a voice hard as steel, she added, And I’ve got news for you. As long as you’re living in this house, I can stop you. And don’t you ever forget it.

      I looked her straight in the eye. If that’s the way it’s gotta be, I said slowly, I can always get out of this house. But I’m gonna ride.

      Right then I realized what I’d done. Backed myself into a corner. You didn’t push my mom like that and get away with it. What if she called my bluff? Leaving home was the last thing I wanted to do. Living on the ranch meant hard work, long hours and a lot of responsibility, but it was the only life I knew. And I didn’t want to lose it.

      Mom and I stood there for a minute, glaring at each other. Maybe she knew she was cornered too. Was she really tough enough to kick me out if I entered the bull riding?

      Suddenly she glanced at her watch, gave a gasp and ran for the door. I was glad there wasn’t time to finish this fight right now.

      Mom’s a nurse and works the late shift at the hospital in Greentree. It’s hard to hold a steady job and keep the ranch going too, but she doesn’t have much choice. The ranch isn’t a great moneymaker—especially when you’ve got a family to support.

      I heard her start the Jeep and burn out of the driveway. If I spun that much gravel, I’d hear about it.

      I picked up the entry form and smoothed it out. It was in rough shape, but it would do the job.

      Cool move, Hot Shot. A voice behind me made me jump. It was Terror, of course, my kid sister. Her real name’s Tara, but if you knew her you’d understand the nickname. I hadn’t even known she was in the house, but I could bet she hadn’t missed a second of that scene between Mom and me.

      What’s that supposed to mean? I snarled back at her.

      Don’t you think Mom’s got enough problems just keeping this place going? She sure doesn’t need you getting her all upset.

      Great. All I needed was a free guilt trip. Especially coming from the kid who was a disaster looking for a place to happen. Her adventures had landed her in the emergency room twice already this year. Get off my case, Terr, I snapped. I pushed past her and headed for my room.

      I changed into an old shirt. What I had in mind was real hard on clothes. As I turned

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