Page 77 of The Cowboy's Country Charm

“It’s because of your father and his friends. When I asked the crew what they were doing here, they said some of the statelegislators”—she emphasized the plural—“were coming down from Cheyenne to show support for local foundations helping with community issues. Do you know who else is coming?”

Kristy picked up the clipboard from a nearby table as hammering commenced to enlarge the dance floor. “I just got the seating chart from Lexi, so I haven’t even looked at the guest list.” Knowing her father was coming had been unsettling enough. Anyone else in the government, other than the governor, wouldn’t matter.

She browsed the list. The district assemblyman. Several mayors from the area. She continued down, and her finger stopped. There was his name. It stood out as if it had been in bold type.

Ariel craned her neck around to see the clipboard. “What is it? You went white.”

“He’scoming.” Her stomach felt like she’d swallowed a lead anvil as she glanced back at the Ls. This was a disaster. She tapped a finger next to the name of the man she dreaded, even more than her father.

Ariel gasped. “No way? Why?”

“Obviously to psyche me out.” What other reason could there be for Dean to show up at a regional event like this one?

“So are you going to let him?”

Kristy took a deep breath. She’d moved on from Dean. She didn’t care what he thought. And she was proud of what she’d accomplished. “No. I’m not going to let Dean psyche me out. Not so sure I can say that about my father being here though.”

Her father likely was hoping she’d fail so she’d come work for him. Her temple started beating in time with the banging of the hammers.

“Maybe your dad really is going to run for governor?”

“The election is two years away.” She pulled in air. She had to stay calm. Now was not the time to panic.

“Guess he’s decided he needs to get noticed in other places. He’s probably the one who called the station.”

Her father would be judging everything, including Rusty now that her mother had spilled the beans. And what were the chances he wouldn’t find something to disparage. He hated the idea of her being an event planner working for someone else. And he’d been a supporter of Dean before Dean’s betrayal. His biases would be on full display.

“What does it matter? And if it brings publicity, all the better.”

“This is the man who told me he didn’t think I could be successful in this job, who didn’t think this was the best use of my skills, who doesn’t believe event planning is a profession. I’m going to be under a microscope.”

“We’ve got this, Kristy. Look at this place.” Ariel swept her arm in the air. “What are you worrying about?”

Kristy scanned the room. From the lace and burlap tablecloths, to the maze entrance, to the old-fashioned bar, to the saloon doors at the entrance, to the jail cage on the platform, to the chuck wagon ice cream station, the décor provided a fun but elegant vibe.

And it would all look even better when Rusty brought in the flowers.

Rusty was going to be in the same room as her father. And her ex-fiancé.

She took a deep breath.

She’d moved on, she reminded herself. She was with Rusty now, and neither her father nor Dean was going to change that. Or dampen her spirits. The place looked amazing. She was proud of the work she and Ariel had done.

“You’re right, Ariel.”

“I know I’m right,” Ariel said with her typical confidence.

With that, Pat McEvy entered at the far entrance door, passing the wagon wheels that would soon hold flowers. He had on a black tuxedo and white shirt befitting a gala patron.

“I hear we have press coverage.” He was rubbing his hands together as he drew near.

“Apparently. Did you call them?” Maybe it wasn’t her father’s doing.

“They heard some state politicians were coming, which I didn’t know about until this morning when State Representative Glenn Tucker submitted the list. I see your father is on it.” He patted Kristy’s shoulder. “Nice that he’s so supportive of you. You should have told me.”

“He didn’t tellme.”

“Guess he wanted to surprise you. I asked Lexi to put their table front and center so they can see all the action, especially for the bail-out-of-jail event.”

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