Before Kaitlin realizes it, Saturday morning arrives. She's tied up in knots in her stomach. Not even able to enjoy breakfast from feeling like she's about to puke, she sits there with her eyes saying everything for her.

"I know, Katie bug, you're feeling nervous, and that's expected. Eat some toast and drink a little juice and breathe. You'll be fine. You have me, Logan, and Aunt Lucy in your corner. So, eat, and let's check out, and I can't wait to see you out there riding," Elizabeth says.

As her mother suggests, Kaitlin gets a piece of toast with some strawberry jam accompanied by some apple juice. She's trying to keep her composure about being the newbie competitor.

While Elizabeth makes her way out to the SUV to make sure everything is packed, Kaitlin rinses out her glass and tosses her paper plate into the trash can. Not long after she makes her way into the living room, she's greeted by Lucinda and Logan waiting on her.

"Mind if we tag along?" Her Aunt Lucinda asks.

"No, please come. I need you both there. I don't think I can do this!"

"Oh, Katie, you got this girl! We believe in you!" Logan states with a firm and soft pat on Katie's shoulder.

Together they meet Elizabeth out at the SUV. Once they get loaded up with a cooler filled with bottled water and snacks for the two-hour drive to Cheyenne, they drive out to the training ranch to meet up with Lindsey and Daniel and the others competing along with Kaitlin.

"Alright, we're loaded up! Let's head on out to them pastures and win!" Daniel yells out from the front of his truck, getting the kids psyched up.

Along with two other cars in the middle, Elizabeth is the tail end of the vehicles' small caravan. As they approach the outdoor arena, the sounds of the announcer's running tests over the PA system while other riders stand near their trailers, preparing to compete.

By the time they park and gather by the horse trailer, Kaitlin's nerves begin to tighten.

"Alright, my young riders, remember, no matter what happens out there, be proud of the fact that you are here. You are competing and remember this if nothing else. You're not the same young people you were even a few weeks ago. Some of you are more experienced than others, so guide them, tutor them, and above all else." Daniel pauses to create a dramatic effect, "HAVE FUN!"

With a couple of deep inhales and slower exhales, Kaitlin goes over to Gunner to calm herself down. She stands there petting him with her eyes closed. She dips her head waiting for the signal to head out to the arena.

"She's registered, and she'll be on within the first thirty minutes," Lindsey informs Elizabeth while they stand near Kaitlin and Gunner.

"Let her do her thing. She's new to this; if she does half as well as the day I watched, then she is going to do well." Elizabeth mentions softly not to disturb her daughter.

The spectators gather in the stands, and music fills the air while they wait for the competition to begin. The smell of popcorn, corndogs, funnel cakes, candy apples, and other concessions creates a warm and greeting sensation to the crowd. Music and announcements leading up to the kickoff of events after the national anthem is played and everyone stands in respect.

Before she realizes that all that time has passed, Kaitlin is nudged when Lindsey tells her that it's time.

"Hey, kiddo, you got about 5 minutes until you're on. Just remember to breathe and take it one turn at a time. There are only four barrels, and that's it. Need anything?"

After a quick, shallow breath, Kaitlin shakes her head no and gives Gunner one last stroke along his mane.

"Let's do this, buddy boy!" She proclaims, shaking off her nerves as best as possible.

Gunner is walked from the trailer, and Lindsey quickly tosses on the saddle while Kaitlin straps it down. Once he's ready, Kaitlin lifts her leg into the stirrup and swings her way over, and settles into place.

"Time to go..." Linsey says, taking the reign guiding the duo up to the edge of the walkway.

They stand there and wait while the announcer makes the introduction for Kaitlin. The crowd is amped. What they don't see is the slight tremble in Kaitlin's hands as she grips the reigns from Lindsey.

"Breathe and remember, have fun."

Kaitlin nods her head as she tightens the grip on the reigns.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have someone making her competition debut in the fine art of barrel racing. Coming from Tender Springs, Colorado, please give a warm greeting to our next competitor the lovely, Kaitlin Phillips!"

The crowd gives the young lady a hearty welcome. Elizabeth gets to her feet, clapping and cheering as Kaitlin struts Gunner out to the starting line.

With her eyes closed, Kaitlin gets a single heavy heave in and out before the buzzer sounds, and she gives Gunner the signal to take off for the first barrel. She hunkers down with all the work and training instantly kicking in.

Muscle memory and adrenaline take control, and before she can realize it, Kaitlin makes the first turn but nearly loses it. Quickly Gunner catches his balance as they soar over the dirt, making it around the second barrel. She calls out to Gunner to pick up speed in the straightaway to pull back as they trample around barrel number three, nearly knocking it over.

"Look at her go! Wow, this youngin' looks like a natural, doesn't she!" A man calls out as he takes a seat between Lucinda and Elizabeth.

"Matt, you're here!" Elizabeth calls out, taking his arm, excited that he would make it to the show.

He's not alone, as his son and daughter are with him.

"Yeah, I'm here to support my sister and her students. Oh, and Ellie, let me introduce you to my kids. This is Banyan, and this is Willow." He introduces them to her as they sit and stare at this woman who has their daddy's arm.

"Hi kids, I'm Elizabeth Reed. I've been a friend of your dad's since way back when." She introduces herself to the young children who don't say a word.

"Speaking of which, why, oh why in the world would you name your kids after trees?" Elizabeth questions him with a stern but confused expression on her face.

All Matthew can do is shrug his shoulders when he explains while still watching Kaitlin about to finish her race.

"Those are trees on the ranch, my ex, their mother, loved those trees, and she named the kids after them. Back then, money didn't matter to her as it does now," He explains.

The only signal Elizabeth shows is a huff with a headshake, but she continues to try to get the kids to talk.

Back out on the course, Kaitlin is nearing the final corner. After clearing the final barrel, she snaps the reigns and crosses the finish line within a few seconds.

"Wow, wow, wow, oh wow, ladies and gentlemen, that was a sight to witness, if I can say so myself. Little miss Kaitlin Phillips, welcome to the exciting world that is barrel racing. Her official time please timekeepers." The announcer calls out as Kaitlin trots out to the center of the arena, awaiting her time.

The board lights up with a time of twenty-two point three seconds, and Kaitlin dips her head then gives Gunner the whistle to head back to the back.

"Hey, that's not bad for the first run! You had a small slip, and it cost you a couple of seconds. There's still one more run to go, and if Gunner can make up the time, you still have a shot at placing. Don't get discouraged. You got this, I promise. You did great!" Lindsey states to keep Kaitlin's confidence up.

A single nod, and she climbs down off Gunner. Something changes when her feet hit the dirt. Kaitlin's stomach churns that sends her running for the women's bathroom. Lindsey hands Gunner over to Daniel and takes off after her pupil.

When she enters the restroom, she can hear Kaitlin in the stall puking from her nerves settling down.

"Nerves are a bitch, eh little one." Linsey remarks standing by the stall waiting for Kaitlin to get to her feet.

"I'm fine, I promise."

"I know you are, but nerves and adrenaline coming down, it's to be expected. You'll be fine. Get some water and rinse out your mouth.

That's what Kaitlin does, and soon enough, she's standing back out there with Gunner. She watches some of her more experienced teammates and tries to learn how they move around the course. While she waits in the wings, her mother is busy with Matthew and the kids while Lucinda and Logan watch.

"Daddy, can I get some cotton candy, please?" Willow finally speaks up when the vendors begin walking up and down the stands.

"I didn't pull off any money. I'm sorry, honey." He admits feeling bummed.

That's when Elizabeth speaks up and gives the kids a wink.

"I got it, and before you say anything, Mattie boy, just don't. These kids require simple sugars, and as a doctor, well, I can't say no. Besides, they're not going home with me!" She kids around, snickering as she signals for two bags of cotton candy.

When Elizabeth hands over the bag of cotton candy to Banyan and notices, he's playing coy to wanting something else.

"Need anything, sweetie? Anything you want, just name it, and I'll get it."

The young boy mentions "lemonade" while trying not to seem like a burden in a sweet and nearly quiet tone.

Elizabeth leans down and smiles.

"That sounds pretty amazing actually, how about we get one for everyone."

Banyan simply shakes his head yes and waits for his drink.

"Now that's adorable!" Lucinda whispers into Logan's ear just before she's handed her lemonade.

Matthew sits there stunned that Elizabeth hasn't changed at all. She always puts everyone else before herself. He still sees this loving woman hidden away from the world, and at the moment like this, makes her appearance known. It's the Elizabeth he's always known and how she takes to his kids softens his heart that his eyes give Elizabeth that same glow that they shared so many years earlier.

"Look, look, his expression changed. Maybe in time, these two can make things up. I've always been a Matt fan ever since I moved to town," Logan discloses quietly.

"That is so true, and we need to get these two together. I wanna say sooner rather than later, but we both know if we try to rush it, it'll blow up in our faces." Lucinda mentions trying to keep her voice from detection.

Together they sit and watch as the natural magic of time works its mysterious ways. While Matthew works his charm with his jokes, Elizabeth smiles and cracks up at his many faces.

It's something that's been years to see her older sister smile. Lucinda cannot remember the last time she saw such happiness unfold all around her.

While that's occurring, back in the waiting area, Kaitlin is going over her game plan to ensure she doesn't make the same mistakes on her second run.

"You got this gal! Look; first runs are always the hardest. Listen, take in a deep breath and exhale. You're going to do fine. Even if you don't place in the top three, look at it this way. You picked this up in virtually no time." Lindsey advises as she approaches her novice rider.

"I want to win!" Kaitlin expresses.

"Now that's the spirit I admit in my riders! Just keep that mindset every time, and you will continue to improve."

Kaitlin takes the advice and gets an expression of determination as she prepares to go again.

"Miss Phillips, you got five minutes 'til you're up again. Best of luck!" The ranch hand states looking over the final lineup.

"Thank you," Lindsey speaks up on Kaitlin's behalf.

With Gunner's reigns in her hands, Kaitlin leads the way to the arena gate. Time ticks away, and once the ranch hand gives her the final nod, Kaitlin throws herself up and over onto Gunner.

She leads him out to the starting position, where they await their signal to go.

"I can do this. I can do this! I am my mother's daughter!" Kaitlin says to herself with one final breath.

Suddenly the buzzer goes off, and Kaitlin gives Gunner the snap signal to go. Once they're off, the crowd soars to their feet.

They gallop to barrel one. Gunner takes it upon himself to slow down to round the barrel. Kaitlin can't figure out why he slowed down before the signal.

Once the barrel is out of the way, they pick up force heading to barrel two. Gunner pushes himself until they're about three feet from rounding the second barrel. When the moment arrives, Gunner doesn't stumble and cleanly flings them around the corner with ease.

As speed picks up, the announcer goes wild, calling the action as the crowd gets into the action.

"Holy cow, ladies and gentlemen, look at these two competitors; give it all! Talk about a pair made for each other! Miss Kaitlin Phillips and Gunner ladies and gents are about to circle barrel number three. They're making excellent time! Come on, you two, you got this!"

Elizabeth and the others are going crazy. They're stomping the bleachers, screaming and yelling at the top of their lungs.

"C'mon Gunner boy, strong finish!" Kaitlin calls out

By all the strength left in him, Gunner rushes for the final barrel. He pushes himself to the limit to give Kaitlin the best shot at a better time.

In the final stretch, Kaitlin doesn't call out any order to Gunner. She's letting him make the run and trusts his instincts.

They glide over the finish line, and as they wait to see their official time, the seconds feel like time has been frozen in place.

"Well, how y'all think they did this time 'round?" The announcer says over the PA system.

The roar is unreal as they all wait.

The light board finally appears with a time of seventeen point thirty-three seconds.

"Look at that, ladies and gentlemen! Talk about one hell of a run!" The announcer calls out with excitement to their voice.

Kaitlin is stunned and climbs down off Gunner. She guides him back out to the center of the field, where she waves to the crowd. They give them both a standing ovation with whistles and applause rumbling the arena.

"Thank you!" Kaitlin mouths and covers her mouth with her hand.

Gunner grunts and snorts, and Kaitlin guides him to the back, where she takes him where fresh water and oats for him to enjoy while the judges tally up all their scores.

"Daddy! Popcorn, please!" Willow asks.

"I can take her," Elizabeth offers.

Willow snatches her hand and pulls with all her might to get Elizabeth going to the concession stand.

At that moment, Logan speaks up to speak on Elizabeth's behalf.

"Dude, my bro-man, listen up..." he begins. "When we get home, you gotta ask this girl out. I can tell, y'all is still like totally crazy about each other."

"Like, 'dude,' like my 'bro-man' listen, uh hey Yo..." Matthew mocks to make Logan and Lucinda both crack up laughing, "I want to, but she's fresh off her divorce. I'm going to give her a little time to breathe. Yes, I want to, more than anything, but we're not teenagers anymore."

"Matt, that sounds like a super solid plan. Rekindle it through being her friend first. I've always been on your side. You and Ellie should have been that hot ticket item." Lucinda mentions keeping an eye out for her sister.

By the time Elizabeth orders and pays for Willows snack, the announcer calls for every contestant to return to the center of the arena.

"Ladies and gentlemen, let's give these young men and women another round of applause, shall we. These youngins rode their hearts out today, and even though there's only one first-place trophy, they're all going to have a bright future!"

The crowd gives them a standing ovation as they hoot and holler from the stands.

"The judges have tallied the scores, and in just a moment, we will call out the top three contestants. Can you feel it? Can you feel the pressure?" The announcer states as the teenager thrill-seekers feel their hearts continuously pound.

Willow is helped back to her seat by Elizabeth without a second to spare. She takes her seat beside Matthew feeling anxious to hear the results.

"First off, in fifth place, from Denver, let's give it up for Billy Waugh!" The crowd cheers as the tall, slender young man takes a step forward to take a bow.

"Now in fourth place, which was close, separated by a half-point. Give it up for the young man from Boulder, Colorado. Let's hear it for Timmy Houston!"

Again, the crowd claps and whistles as the stout but solid blond with glasses steps up, tipping his hat waving to the crowd.

"Now for our top three contestants." The announcer says as the music begins to build in the background.

"Pamela Harrison, Regina King, and Kaitlin Phillips step forward, please."

The young ladies each take in a single breath and approach the judges.

"In third place, making an amazing run, from Tender Springs, Colorado, is miss Kaitlin Phillips!"

The crowd roars for the novice rider as she walks up to the judge accepting the third-place white ribbon.

While she stands there, the voice over the arena fades away. Kaitlin isn't pleased with coming in only third. She struggles to combat the tears and sucks in her lip.

From the stands, her mother is proud when she hears her daughter's name called. Elizabeth is thrilled to see Kaitlin doing something productive, trying to break away from her past issues. She doesn't even realize it when she takes Matthew's hand with hers, gripping it tightly.

"You should be proud, momma bear." Mathew leans in, whispering in her ear.

That's when Elizabeth grasps what she's done and jerks her hand away.

"Sorry, old habit, and yes, I am so very proud!"

Matthew twists his head to talk to her.

"I understand, but hey, maybe one day, just as friends, we can get together and talk. Nothing romantic or anything, but just you and me. I've missed you, Ellie, and I want to welcome you home."

It's too much for her to handle in such a short time. Elizabeth struggles to say anything, and when she can't find the words to say, she darts for the parking lot.

Not even twenty feet from her SUV, Elizabeth's phone begins to ring.

"Hello"

"Mom! I need your help!" Michael Jr. says.

"Son, what's wrong?"

"I'm going to end up in jail. Dad kicked me out and told my probation officer that I was selling drugs from the house. He said if I don't pass the drug test, I'm going up to the Juvie Center until I was eighteen and then off to County. Mom, please, I don't want to go to jail. I swear I haven't done anything! I miss you, and please help me!"

"M.J. I don't know what I can do, but please just hang on. I'll find a way to get you out here to me."

"Mom, I..." The line goes quiet for a moment.

"Michael, MICHAEL!"

That's when a frustrated and Michael Sr. takes the phone. He begins to take everything he feels and focuses his anger on Elizabeth.

"He's fine, but stay the hell away from my son. It's bad enough to run off with my daughter." Michael Sr. says to Elizabeth in a hateful tone.

"You bastard! You harm my son, and I swear I will beat your ass! Let him come out here to finish school and finish out his probation. You have friends in the courthouse. Please, I'll do anything to have my kids together with me."

She listens as her ex-husband breathes heavily into the phone.

"No."

"Michael, please."

"You should know Michael Junior here dropped out of school. That isn't a lie. Since you've been gone, he's lost his education, his car, and now he's about to go where he belongs."

It hits Elizabeth hard that she's helpless at her ex's mercy.

"Then talk to a lawyer and send him to me. I'll get him straightened out, and then you have nothing else to worry about from us. You wanted freedom, and you got it! Please, don't let our son ruin his future."

"Now he's 'OUR' son, eh? After you took my money and ran. After you stole our daughter away from me and filling her head with God knows what out there in Redneck-Ville USA." Michael scolds, feeling the power he holds over Elizabeth.

"You can't even bribe me with the money you stole at this point. Goodbye, Ms. Phillips, and I'll be damned if you take my oldest child from me. I'd rather see him rot in jail than become another hillbilly redneck like you."

The line goes dead, and Elizabeth is left standing there. She doesn't realize that Matthew has been standing behind her almost the entire time.

While Elizabeth stands there feeling powerless, Matthew leaves his kids there with Lucinda. He gradually strolls up beside her and makes a single statement.

"I know you don't want to hear this, but let me help. There are some people I know who could try to call in some favors. Name it, and I'll try to make it happen." He offers in a soft, calming tone.

"Bring me, my son, please. He doesn't have the strength to stand up to his father."

An arm stretched across her shoulders, Matthew pulls her in close.

"Go home, relax and prepare for your new career on Monday. Let me do my thing, and I will do my best."

"Thank you, Matt, you've always been too good to me."

Matthew releases his grip with a nudge from his extended arm, and a single deep inhale and exhale. He returns to his children and walks away with Elizabeth staring as they vanish into the dusty air.

"There goes a damn good man!" Lucinda says after she walks up beside Elizabeth.

All Elizabeth can do is sigh and try to relax before she goes over to the horse trailer to collect her daughter for the drive home.

"Third place, sweetie, that's an excellent way to begin a riding career!" Elizabeth mentions hugging her daughter.

"It's not first! I will not accept anything less than the best!"

That is the exact line Elizabeth heard for years from Michael. Before getting his business off the ground. That's what he would say every time he lost a contract or someone took a client from him.

"Becoming the best takes time, patience, and practice. Keep working on it, and you will be a champion. This isn't like cheerleading, my sweet daughter. You need to rely on your skills and training. Come on, let's go home!" Elizabeth states, guiding her daughter back to the SUV.

Everyone packs it up, but along the way, they stop at Jack in the Box. It's a way for them to unwind a bit while Elizabeth secretly worries about the safety of Michael Junior.