Page 90 of A Cowboy's Trust
There it was again. She’d been so consumed by her own problems she’d missed the signs that something was definitely up with Fern. Before Tansy could interrogate her, though, their father’s voice rang over the loudspeaker.
“We meet again, Heart Falls. And I for one couldn’t be more delighted.” Relaxed and immaculate as always, Malachi waved as he walked across the stage, microphone in hand. “Wasn’t that the most delicious lunch? Many thanks to the hands that prepared it. Including a loud round of applause for Marina Ray, and Buns and Roses, for continuing the tradition of providing pies for this event, even though it is no longer my daughter at the helm.”
“Yeah, Tansy,” someone shouted from the back of the room.
Malachi grinned. “Yeah, indeed. Which is a good introduction for the next thing I need to inform you of. Considering how many years I’ve been doing this, and all the excess excitement I’ve had to deal with—cough, Tansy,cough—I’ve decided it’s time to begin training my replacement.”
A huge roar of protest shook the auditorium.
Tansy exchanged amused glances with her sisters.
“You knew he would milk this for everything he was worth,” Rose said.
“Which makes it so tempting to be naughty,” Tansy returned, even though she really didn’t have the heart for it this time.
Damn Melissa to hell. Jake was supposed to be here, sitting by Tansy’s side in the audience. He was supposed to be her reason to not bid on the bachelors. He was supposed to be here because theymeantsomething to each other, and they wanted to shout it to the rafters.
It was a small sacrifice if it meant Jeffrey got a second chance, but it gave Tansy another reason to be royally pissed at the woman.
Up on the stage, her father continued with great enthusiasm. “Now, now. I don’t plan to vanish on you, but I figure it’s a good idea to train someone before it’s necessary. I couldn’t be more delighted to be able to introduce to you someone you already know and love. My future son-in-law, Chance Gabrielle.”
Chance walked forward from the back of the stage, his bespoke three-piece suit cut to his frame like perfection.
“Holy shit, sis. You got yourself a looker,” Tansy said with approval.
“He’s dreamy,” Rose said with a sigh. “I’m a lucky woman.”
Fern sighed as well. “I’m happy for you.”
Tansy glanced over again, highly suspicious. Fern was not a sigher or a moaner. Fern was a do-er. “You and I are having a talk real soon,” she said quietly.
Her little sister blinked. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll figure it out.”
“Thank you for that welcome,” Chance said from the stage. “I’m delighted to be here today to uphold the high honour of this position. Mr. Fields has done a marvelous job keeping you entertained and on the straight and narrow, and while I can’t promise to do either of them nearly as well as he, I think we’ll have ourselves a bloody fine time.” Chance surveyed the audience until his gaze landed on Rose. “I have good memories of this event in my own right. I look forward to possibly shepherding more couples to their happily-ever-afters. And if not that, at least to a good date and some money raised for our community.”
Malachi stepped back slightly, approval written all over him as Chance continued.
“This year the money goes to the women’s shelter in Diamond Valley and to the care baskets for any new bairns in our community.” Chance paused and smiled over the audience. “I know you’re eager to meet this year’s bachelors. We’ve got a lovely crop for you to enjoy. Shall we meet them now?”
A cheer rose.
Behind Chance, the curtain that normally would’ve swept open to reveal the bachelors seated nervously in a long row remained sealed shut. Someone was jerking on the cable, but nothing moved more than a quiver.
Malachi held up a hand. “Small technical difficulties. One minute.”
Tansy’s phone vibrated in her pocket, and she absently fished it out as her father slipped behind the curtain.
Chance smiled at the crowd. “Starting me off with a challenge, are you? No matter. We’ll get you the bachelors in short enough order.”
Malachi poked his head through the curtain. “It’s stuck. I’ll send them out one at a time.”
In the pause, Tansy took a quick glance at her phone screen, and her smile froze on her lips.
Melissa: I’m at the Heart Falls lookout. You want Jeffrey? Come get him. Just you, or no deal.
Holy crap. Tansy’s legs moved before her brain registered what was going on. Only as she stood and prepared to leave, the curtain fluttered, and cheering began as one long jean clad leg after another slipped into view.
Jake stepped onto the stage. He handed a card to Chance then stood to the side, arms folded resolutely over his chest.
