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"Sim." That would finish the rest of his worries, going back out there and letting the excitement
of the other riders make him smile. Raul hugged Joa back, pounding his back a little before
walking back out, back up that long hallway to the arena.
Balta was talking to Gerardo, hands waving, a huge grin on the strong face.
Larger than life and twice as busy, Balta could be an intimidating figure. Raul was as fascinated
as he was half afraid. Balta could easily overwhelm him, bend him. Joaquim was much sweeter,
less confusing. Raul climbed up the stairs and pushed through the crowd of cowboys, feeling
Joaquim at his back.
"Hey! You come to help me, huh?" Balta grabbed his arm, clapping him on the shoulder with the
other hand. "Look what Joa brought us, Gerardo! Some good help."
Raul couldn't help the smile that spread over his face as he nodded. "Anything you need."
"Sim. Balta's pulled a good one. This bull likes him." Joaquim bounced on his toes, giving Balta
a lopsided grin. Balta gave Joaquim a smile in return, one that made Raul feel like an intruder on
a very private moment. Oh, he knew Balta could make almost anyone feel that way at any time,
but Joaquim was special, Raul could tell.
Then it was time, and everything was all business. Joaquim held Balta's vest, let him go around
to pull rope.
"Tighter, Raul." Balta rode with the Brazilian rope, off to the side, and he hated to slip. Raul had
found that out very fast.
He pulled harder, waiting for Balta to tell him to stop before helping wrap the rope for Balta to
grab with gloved fingers. Then he faded back over the rails to stand next to Joaquim.
Balta gave his nod and they started hollering, all of them in a row, hooting and slapping the rail.
Chin down, arm in perfect position, Balta rode like a champion, leg kicking out to spur in the last
two seconds of the ride. He looked good. Really good. Raul found himself jumping up and down
and beating on Joa's arm.
Amorzinhos - 39
"Balta!" Joaquim beamed, bouncing like a jack in the box as Balta hopped off, fists beating the
air.
Balta even danced a little, just like Joa would, even if he didn't bend at the waist so good. It made
Raul laugh, and he pumped a fist when Balta looked over at them, dimples carved deep into his
cheeks. The scores came in and Balta beamed, heading for the short-go. Joa looked so pleased,
so proud.
Raul felt his mood fall again, the rush of Balta's ride leaving him. None of this was really his; he
just lived it through Joa and Balta, nice as they were. Maybe he should go back to Brazil. After
the American circuit, he would have an easier time there, make more money than he had.
Joaquim's finger touched the scar on his chin, so quickly he could have imagined it. "Balta buys
tonight."
"Yeah." Blinking, he leaned closer, pretending it was so Joa could hear him. "He'll be full of
smiles and talk, sim?"
"He will. We'll hear stories." Joaquim chuckled, winked. "Now, here he comes to tell about his
ride."
Springing up to the end of the steps, Balta waved them down, smiling, hands already going,
recounting the ride. Raul stared, not really listening, just admiring.
At the end of the story, Joaquim nodded, patting Balta on the shoulder. "Sim. Sim, I have good
news, too. Raul says he'll come with us, to the ranch."
Balta's brows rose, but he didn't look angry. No, he seemed very happy, clapping his hands.
"Perfieto! I was hoping, huh?"
"You were?" Raul couldn't help it; his surprise got the better of him. "Obrigato, Balta. It means
much to me."
"See? It is all good. Balta will ride. We will eat. Tomorrow, we will go home." Joaquim looked
excited. Tickled.
Nodding, Balta flexed a little, making Joaquim's eyes go wide. Raul would give a good deal to
see that look directed at him.
"I'll look forward to it, seeing your home." He smiled at Joa. "Where are you taking us for
supper, Balta?"
"Oh, I think we've earned steak, huh? Even if I ride tomorrow we won't want to stay around, so I
thought we could go to that churrascuria we saw on the way to the hotel..."
Amorzinhos - 40 [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]