Page 51 of What Remains True
She jumped into the truck and sat, crossing her legs. The snip toe of the sanded leather with the turquoise inlay stitched on the boot made the tip look like a little fox face. She did love these boots.
When Adam slid behind the wheel, he gave her an approving nod.
She sat back, rather enjoying the attention.
—
There weren’t very many people there when they arrived at the stadium. Adam walked her through the back, showing her how the livestock was handled and explaining how the handlers would move the animals from place to place for theevent. A maze of chutes and gates remained empty at the time, and it was a little hard to imagine how it all worked.
Adam led Merry Anna inside one of the chutes, and one of the other guys pulled it open to give her an idea of what it was like when a cowboy was riding.
“Adam, there is so much more to all this than I’d imagined.”
Next, Adam introduced her to the announcer, a man with a quick smile and a voice to die for. “She can sit up in the box with us,” the man said.
Adam looked to her for an answer.
The announcer said, “We do have the best view in the place. I mean, if you don’t mind not being in the crowd.”
“Thank you. That would be great.”
“Good. Just come on up when you’re ready. We’ll have a chair for you.” He tipped his hat before he walked off.
“That was nice.” She smiled at Adam.
He nodded. “Good people. All of them.”
“I’ll be fine here. I know you need to get ready.”
“I have to check in and attend the riders meeting.” He handed her a twenty-dollar bill. “Get yourself a snack and a drink.”
“I’m not taking your money. I can pay for my own drink.”
“It’d make me feel better if you let me.”
She let out a breath. “Fine.” She wasn’t used to anyone else picking up the tab, but if she wasn’t going to repeat her past mistakes, this was a pretty good first step. “What am I supposed to say? I’m not thinking ‘Break a leg’ works in this situation, although, honestly, I’ve never really understood it for actors either.”
“How about you just pray for a safe ride? That’s what I do.”
Pray.With a nervous tickle in her gut, she watched him walk away.Please let him have a safe ride.
By the time she walked around and bought a T-shirt and a bottle of water, there was still about thirty minutes before the event would start. She stood off to the side of the bleachers, people-watching. She recognized a couple of folks from Antler Creek, and a couple of the riders looked familiar from last time.
A young boy, probably ten or eleven years old, walked by, wearing shiny blue-fringed chaps and pulling a red wagon full of cattle-dog puppies.
“How old are they?” she asked.
“Ten weeks. They’re for sale.” He stood there, one hip jutted out, looking like a regular cowboy.
“Can I hold one?”
“Depends. Have to warn you, most of the girls who hold one end up buying one.” He shrugged.
“I’ll take my chances.” She picked up a blue-spotted one. “Oh gosh. They are sweet.” It didn’t take but a minute for the wagon to be circled by cowgirls. Merry Anna handed the pup off to another girl and slipped away.
She heard the announcer welcome the crowd, which was beginning to pour in pretty steadily now. She went over to the booth and climbed up the stairs, knocking as she entered. “Still have room for me?”
“Sure thing. Come on in, Merry Anna.”
