Page 53 of Unforgettable Cowboy
“Would you like to sit with me until the rodeo starts?”
Estelle nodded and made her way around the table to settle herself in the folding chair next to Bailey’s.A customer came by and inspected all three buckles that Bailey had set out, carefully examining the engraving.
“Nice and deep,” he said.
Bailey smiled.“I learned from an old-school silversmith.He only worked by hand.”
“It shows.”He put the buckle down.“Nice work,” he said with a wink.
“He’ll be back,” Estelle said with certainty, earning her a curious look from Bailey.“I used to sell at crafts shows.I’m a woodworker.”
Bailey hid her surprise, thinking that the little woman beside her looked more like a crochet aficionado.But yes, if she squinted, she could see Estelle at a bandsaw.She held her own with Wade, so why not power tools?
A few more people cruised by on their way to the stands, stopping to examine the jewelry, but avoiding eye contact as people did when they wanted to shop in peace.When they strolled away, Estelle touched Bailey’s arm.
“I’ll watch the table if you want to see the Grand Entry and perhaps wish Hayes and his brothers good luck.”
“They’re probably warming up.”
“I saw Hayes at the rail.”
“Did you?”Bailey smiled a little.She wouldn’t mind wishing her cowboy luck.After a sleepless night, he might just need it.
*
Hayes had timebefore he needed to stretch and check his rigging.In the interim, the bareback riders would beat themselves to pieces, steer wrestlers would eat some dirt, then Trev would try his hand at winning a roping purse.Hayes knew that Bailey was joking about him being too old, but frankly, he was feeling a touch old—or maybe just uninvolved.Too many things were happening for him to give his ride his usual focus.
He debated about checking in with Bailey, but Estelle was with her, so instead he continued to lean on the rail near the gate.The Grand Entry was in full swing, with rodeo royalty and the mounted drill team circling the arena at an easy lope, carrying flags from various sponsors, the princess carrying the Montana state flag leading the way.
“Ladies and gentlemen…”
At the sound of the announcer’s voice, the riders rode to the center of the arena, pulling their horses to a stop, one after another, forming a line of waving flags and dancing horses.
“…please rise for our national anthem.”
The crowd stood, pulling off hats and placing hands over hearts as the rodeo queen rode through the gates carrying the American flag.She loped the circumference of the arena while a woman with an old-timey Loretta Lynn voice sang the “Star Spangled Banner.”As the last wavering notes faded, the queen pulled her flashy pinto to a stop in front of the line of cowboys and cowgirls.The crowd cheered and applauded before starting to take their seats.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” the announcer said, interrupting the shuffle in the stands.“I’m going to ask you to remain on your feet.”He paused before continuing, “Tonight’s events honors one of our own who’s gone to that great arena in the sky.Jeremy Lundgren left us last night.”
Hayes closed his eyes, exhaling deeply.Damn.He’d heard about the wreck but had assumed that Jeremy would bounce back as he always did.Silence fell and even the horses, usually anxious to be on their way out of the arena, stilled.Hayes swallowed.One thing he knew for certain—Jeremy would not have wanted his passing to mess with the heads of those riding tonight.
“Thank you,” the announcer stated before continuing in a more upbeat voice, “It’s time to rodeo!We here in Marietta are proud to bring you the eighty-seventh… Oh my.”
His voice trailed off as a tri-colored collie dog dashed into the arena, dragging something behind him.The little dog joyously bounded past the line of riders, almost tripping over the blue fabric of his prize.The horses eyed him cautiously, some sidestepping, some bending their necks to get a better view.The rodeo queen put a hand to her mouth as the dog continued his circuit of the arena, seemingly delighted at the attention, and several of the riders started laughing as they realized what Rascal was pulling behind him.
“It appears that some poor cowboy has lost his britches,” the announcer stated matter-of-factly.
Hayes dropped his forehead to the rail in front of him.Rascal, the thief dog, had stolen his jeans.Not only that, he stopped directly in front of the grandstands, tossed the jeans in the air, then trotted off, tail wagging as the audience broke into applause.
Well, Jeremy, that’s a heck of a sign.
“That’s a first for me, ladies and gents.”The announcer gave a small cough.“Does anyone want to claim their Wranglers?”
The crowd laughed and Hayes knew he’d just given up a new pair of jeans because there was no way he was setting foot in that arena.A guy dashed out to pick up Hayes’s stolen jeans, then the rodeo queen urged her horse forward, leading the Grand Entry riders out of the arena.As the horses cantered past him, he turned to see Bailey approaching.
“Were those your britches?”she asked, amusement dancing in her eyes as she mimicked the announcer’s quaint terminology.
“Of course.”
