Heroine Interview from Rodeo Sweetheart by Betsy St. Amant

Interview with the heroine from Rodeo Sweetheart by Betsy St. Amant:

1. Samantha, tell me the most interesting thing about you. Well, first of all, it’s Sam. ::grin:: And I think something that might surprise people is that I skipped my senior prom several years ago to help my dad with the birthing of a foal. Sometimes, horses are just easier to be around. Less judgmental, you know?

2. What do you do for fun? I don’t have a lot of time for fun these days, but thankfully being around horses IS fun, even though it’s also hard work. I guess if I had some actual free time, I’d like to just sit out in a lawn chair in the sun with my favorite cowboy hat and a big glass of lemonade, and just sit and enjoy the view of my family farm.

3. What do you put off doing because you dread it? I used to put off mucking out the horses’ stalls, but now, manure isn’t a big thing. Trust me, there are worse issues in life.

4. What are you afraid of most in life? Forgetting my family’s legacy. My dad died before His time. ::pauses:: Well, I guess that’s debatable, since I know God is in control of life and death, and who am I to decide what time that is? But you know what I mean. I don’t want my father’s life to be wasted. He made some mistakes, but he was—is—my hero. My biggest goal is carrying on his legacy—for me, my mom, and for future generations.

5. What do you want out of life? I’d like to get married one day. Have kids, teach them how to ride like my dad taught me. Carry on the traditions that I still hold dear today. But who has time for dating when you’re trying to save a ranch?

6. What is the most important thing to you? Finding a way to save my father’s ranch. He put all of his sweat, money, and time into our family farm. I’m determined to keep it ours, no matter what anyone thinks—and that’s including all those bankers who refuse to give me a loan. ::glares::

7. Do you read? If so, what is your favorite type of book to read? I’m not a big reader, but I do try to read my Bible in the mornings before starting chores. And wow, that’s early!

8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? ::Shrugs:: I don’t know. A lot. Nothing. ::blushes:: This is a hard question. Maybe, uh, my stubbornness? That’s what my best friend Kate would say, anyway. Haha!

9. Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet? I have a lot of pets, most of them about 16 plus hands high and furry. Living on a ranch gives you instant pets—which means instant friends. I think me and Wildfire have a special bond, though. I love all the horses in the stables, but Wildfire’s my bud. We’ve been through a lot.

10. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why? The day my dad died in the rodeo. I’d try to talk him out of riding that bull. But if he was here today, he’d probably talk me out of riding a bull too, like I’m planning to do in a few weeks. Hmm. Maybe sometimes we just need to go with our gut and forget about the fear. Forget about the possibilities of something going wrong and just go for our goal, you know? ::hesitates:: But maybe that’s what he did. And look how that turned out...Um, no offense, but is this interview over yet? I’ve got a rodeo to prepare for—before I talk myself out of it.