For the many times I've ignored them, and the many times I've shared with them, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

God bless……Rita Hestand

CHAPTER ONE

"Come on Lancer, let's show them how it's done, baby," Candy Arnold said with a big smile.

The roaring of the crowd rang like a gong. Sheer excitement keyed the air. Beneath her the horse moved with an exact sameness. Softly ploughed dirt scattered under Lancer's hoofs, as trick rider and beast attuned themselves.

Not bad. Candy responded with another flashing smile as the crowd cheered her on. She circled the arena as she maneuvered for the running trick mounts. Timing was ultra critical. Lancer sprang into action upon her signals. Half way through the next trick, as she whirled about the horse like an acrobat, there was another roar of cheers and whistles. Candy felt her confidence soar.

She sensed the danger instantly, but it was too late to do anything about it. She felt Lancer's head going down too soon. The turn was too wide. The horse stumbled and faltered, sending her careening to the ground, face first. She gritted her teeth and, strangely enough, she could hear the breath rush from her lungs. Stunned, she lay immobile. Where was Lancer?

A black void threatened to overcome her but she fought it back. Had the crowd hushed or had she lost her hearing, too? Trying to regain her composure, she opened her eyes and locked gazes with the meanest, angriest bull she had ever seen--only a few yards away.