Lasso the Moon

This bull, it seemed to Claire, was much wilder than the other.  Though Stoney held on through the eight-second horn, he was thrown immediately after.  Despite the heroic efforts of the bullfighters, the bull went after Stoney as he was getting to his feet, giving him a nudge in the seat of his pants before Stoney got clear.  He was limping slightly as he jogged off the arena floor.

“He’s hurt,” said Claire anxiously, earning an amused glance from Joe and a pat on the hand from Teresa.

“He’s okay, honey,” said the older woman.  “He almost always leaves with a few bumps and bruises—it’s the nature of the sport.”

From the corner of her eye, Claire saw CJ, who was seated in front of Joe, turn to look at her curiously.  She tried to smile, but she felt too exposed, too vulnerable.  She wished she hadn’t come, and certainly wished she hadn’t spoken up about Stoney being hurt.  Now the Montoyas would think she had romantic feelings for Stoney, which she certainly did not.  She had only been expressing the natural concern of one human being for another.

To his family’s delight, Stoney took second place, something he apparently hadn’t done in awhile.  He collected his winnings—a tidy sum, though not enormous, this being a small venue—and joined the others at their table by the snack bar, earning a whoop of joy and a huge hug from his son.

Over CJ’s tousled head, his eyes met Claire’s and she glanced away, disconcerted.  It was harder to convince herself that she had no special feelings for Stoney when he looked at her in that solemn way he had.  Her breath came faster and her heart beat stronger.  It was as unacceptable as it was inexplicable, and she had to put a stop to it now, before she made a fool of herself.