Page 37 of The Cowboy's Country Charm

“I can help.” Kristy started to rise, but Rusty laid a hand on her arm to stop her.

“You sit, Kristy. Lexi’s got this,” Jewel replied, in a tone that brooked no argument.

Within minutes coffees were poured and a piece of peach cobbler sat in front of each person, on small plates decorated with a horse and accompanied by the requisite spoons and forks. Milk and sugar were in their respective receptacles within reach.

Lexi and Jewel sat across from them.

Kristy swallowed her first bite of the rich, dense confection infused with a sweet peachy taste. Delicious.

“So what made you decide to move to the Gillette area for your business? I would think that Cheyenne, where Rusty said you hail from, was a better market for events, what with it being the seat of state government,” Lexi asked.

Kristy had just taken a sip of hot coffee, so she let it settle before she answered. “You’re right about Cheyenne. It’s a great market. I was the point person in Cheyenne before moving here. But my boss wants to branch out. And because of the convention complex, she felt like this would be a good area.”

Jewel leaned in. “I’m sure it’s a great area. If we know how to use the services. Most people just cook the food and do the decorations themselves.”

“For many, that’s fine. For those who want something more, we’re available.”

“An Affair to Remember comes highly recommended,” Lexi chimed in. “The event company we’d used before had come in with a really high bid and didn’t seem all that interested. I think they may have lost money on the last one. We didn’t get quite the ticket sales we’d hoped, and as you know, our agreement is that your fee is calculated as a percent of the ticket sales.”

A detail Marcia had failed to mention. Kristy hadn’t had time to look at the contract, since Marcia had negotiated it. “Any idea how we’re doing there?”

“We’re up year to date. And the mock-up of the poster Ariel created was super. We put a graphic of it on the website right away while we wait for the posters to be printed. The bail-out-of-jail feature is already creating buzz from people speculating about who is going to go to jail.” She glanced over at her brother.

“What is that, exactly?” Jewel asked.

“Rusty can tell you. He signed up,” Kristy answered.

“Under duress.” He winked at Kristy. “But I’ll let Kristy explain it.”

Kristy cleared her throat. “Well, it’s sort of like a bachelor or bachelorette auction. You’ve heard of them?”

“Not sure I have.” Jewel looked more amused than confused.

“Well, an eligible bachelor or bachelorette agrees to have a date, but in this case it’s a dance, with the winning bidder. The bid money goes into the funds raised.”

“Is this how people meet nowadays?” Jewel shook her head.

“Well, it is for charity.’ Lexi shrugged. “And apparently has some appeal, if ticket sales are any indicator.”

“And you’ve signed up?” Jewel looked at her son.

Rusty nodded. “I promised. And got Stetson and Mel to go along too. Colby’s thinking about it.”

“Well, I guess it’s no different than selling kisses, like they used to back in the day.”

Rusty grinned. “Did you sign up to sell kisses back in the day?”

Jewel waved a hand. “Before my time. Any ladies signed up?”

Kristy shrugged. “There are definitely more men at the moment. We shall see. We’re still collecting names.”

Lexi leaned both elbows on the table. “It’s something different. I think that’s what An Affair to Remember is giving us this year. Something different. And if ticket sales continue at this rate, it means the community is willing to support it.”

Jewel nodded in Kristy’s direction. “And you came up with this idea?”

“Well, Ariel, the artistic director, is the creative one. I’m the one who makes her ideas work.”

“Like the maze? Did you make a decision?” Lexi asked.

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