Page 34 of Roping the Rodeo Queen
I shake his hand, trying not to look as confused as I feel.These people are treating me like family, and I've been on their property for all of two minutes.Back home, it takes at least three generations and a blood oath to get this kind of welcome."Thank you, sir.I appreciate that."
"Sir?"Jo's mother laughs, and it sounds identical to her daughter's laughter when she's genuinely amused rather than putting on that polished pageant smile."Honey, you're practically family now.Call me Mae, and this old goat is Hank, my big strong honeybun."
"Old goat?"Frank shakes his head slightly, though he's grinning."Mae, give the boy some breathing room.He looks like he's about to bolt."
"I'm fine," I lie, because the truth is I do feel like bolting.Not because of Jo's parents.It's because I see even more people pouring out of the house, the barns, and the pasture out back.
A younger woman who looks a lot like Jo sidles up to me, wearing a knowing grin."So tell me, mystery man, how exactly did our Jo manage to keep you secret for so long?She's terrible at keeping her mouth shut about anything important.I'm Jolene's baby sister, by the way."
Jo sets her hands on her hips."I am standing right here, Casey.And you jabber so loud nobody could possibly miss anything you say."
"I'm talking to the hottie, not you."
"His name is Clay McKendrick, not 'the hottie.'What, have you regressed to being twelve years old?"
"Ooh, must be true love if Jo-Jo's this protective of you, Clay."Casey winks at me."You look like the type who might actually give us some straight answers."
I smile awkwardly, feeling like I'm in a spotlight I never auditioned for---with a sassy girl calling the shots."I'm not sure what answers I'm supposed to have, to be honest."
"Like how you two met?"Casey prompts, sidling closer."Or when you decided to get hitched?Or why we're only meeting you now when the wedding's supposedly right around the corner?"
"Casey," Jo warns, her voice dropping to a dangerously low octave while she squints at her sister.
I clear my throat and offer up the vaguest answer."Well, when you know it's right, you just...know."
"That's right," Mae chimes in, looping her arm through mine and steering me toward the house."Love doesn't always follow a timeline.Now come on in, Clay.I've got fresh lemonade and a peach cobbler that's still warm from the oven."
My stomach growls just thinking about food.And peach cobbler?Mm-mm-mm.My mouth is already watering.
Before I can protest, I'm being swept along by Mae's enthusiastic hospitality.Jo trails behind us, throwing me an apologetic smile and mouthing the words, "Sorry."
As we walk inside, the scents of cinnamon and other savory delights fill my nostrils.My stomach growls again.
"You hungry, son?"Hank asks, appearing at my other elbow."Mae's been cooking all morning, ever since Jo called to say she was bringing you by."
"You didn't have to go to any trouble, sir."Ranch food back home is beans, beef, and whatever vegetables survive our temperamental growing season.
"Trouble?"Mae laughs again and kisses my cheek."Honey, feeding people is what we do.Besides, I've been dying to meet the man who finally caught our Jo's eye.Sit, Clay, sit!"
She gestures to a large wooden table surrounded by mismatched chairs, each one worn by time and maintained with love.
Jo huffs."Ma, please don't talk to Clay like he's a farm dog."
"When did I do that, Jo-Jo?"
"Just now.You told him 'sit, Clay, sit.'"
Mae waves away Jo's complaint."Oh, hogwash.Clay knew what I meant, didn't you?"
"Sure did."
I do like Mae told me to, and Jo slips into the chair beside me, her knee brushing mine under the table.That small point of contact shouldn't feel as reassuring as it does.My head seems to be spinning, but I think that's just confusion.I never got the chance to prepare for this meeting, and after what Jo said about her father, I'm a little confused.Hank has been pleasant to me.The ogre Jo described is nowhere in sight.
"So, Clay," Hank says, settling onto a chair across from us while Mae bustles around the kitchen, "Jo tells us you've got a spread up north?"
"Yes, sir---I mean, Hank."The formality slips out automatically."McKendrick Ranch.Been in my family for generations."
Casey plops down on my other side, still eyeing me like I'm a puzzle she's determined to solve."And you met our Jo-Jo at..."
