Page 75 of The Cowboy's Country Charm

“I think she’s just very professional. She’s working now.”

It took quite a while for Greta to finish, but Stetson continued to stand inside the doorway, not moving except to breathe, as if afraid to break a spell. When it was over and the sound technician was satisfied, Greta emerged from the booth.

Though Kristy was five foot, nine inches, Greta’s height made Kristy feel small. She could only imagine what Ariel felt like standing next to Greta. Even in a plain denim skirt and camisole top with strappy sandals on her feet, Greta looked sleek, elegant, stunning.

“You ladies will let me know what you think. If I need to overdub some things, call me, but your audio guy seemed pleased.”

“Thank you, Greta. This truly is above and beyond.”

“I’m happy to help. When we lost our house in a fire, the foundation was there to help. Finding us accommodations, helping cover some of the expenses, collecting clothing, helping my parents navigate the insurance claim process. We lost it all. But with the foundation’s help, my parents got back on their feet much faster, and by the time I left for New York, their new house was being built. I have much to thank them for.”

“I didn’t realize. That’s really wonderful to know.”

“If that’s it, there’s someone I’d like to say hello to.” She nodded in Stetson’s direction.

“Nothing else,” Kristy said.

With a becoming smile, Greta strode over on her long legs to where Stetson stood. Kristy couldn’t hear what was being said, but Stetson and Greta exchanged a few words and then she walked through the doorway.

Stetson’s expression was that of a puppy dog looking after his master. He waved to the ladies as he followed Greta out.

“What do you make of that?” Ariel asked.

“That Stetson is way more interested in her than she is in him. I mean, it looked friendly but certainly not… amorous.”

“You think there is any hope for me?”

Kristy patted her friend on the back. “No, dear cuz. I think he has it bad.”

Kristy’s cell phone rang just as she and Ariel were directing the crew where to put the dance floor in the cavernous convention space. The walls were already festooned with the cornstalk paper Ariel had ordered. Her cousin had been right. It set the mood and tone for the whole event. Fun, festive, fanciful.

She glanced at the ID, expecting it to be Marcia, but it was her mother. Odd for her mother to call her in the middle of the day. She usually waited until nighttime, knowing Kristy was working.

“Mom, is everything all right?”

Ariel craned her neck to look at the ID.

“Yes,” her mother said. “And no.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I was out to dinner with your father…”

“You went out with Dad?” Her parents’ divorce hadn’t been exactly amicable, though in the last few years they had started speaking to each other, which had made holiday planning, at least, a little easier.

“That’s not material. But he let slip that he was going to your gala. He asked if I wanted to join him.”

Kristy needed a moment to process that information. The beats of her heart sped up as she contemplated what exactly that would mean.

“Dad is coming here?”

Ariel’s eyebrows pushed up. “Here?”

Kristy waved for Ariel to be quiet.

“Yes. He thinks he’s being supportive,” her mother answered. “Frankly, I’m not sure this isn’t about him testing the waters for a run for the governorship.”

“Which isn’t for two years yet.” What was her father thinking? Certainly not about her.

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