Page 61 of What Remains True
She tipped her chin up, white-blond curls framing her face. “Am I pretty?”
“The prettiest cowgirl in the whole state.” He laid a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Come on, I’ve got to get signed in. How about we get you a corn dog for dinner? Do you like corn dogs?”
“I like corn.”
“You’ve never had a corn dog?”
She shrugged.
“You’re in for a treat.” He bought two corn dogs at the concession stand and got a cup of ketchup for dipping. They sat on the bleachers and ate their corn dogs. He kept dabbing his napkin on her face. If he’d realized how messy this would be, he’d have skipped the ketchup altogether, but Zan seemed delighted with being able to eat a hot dog on a stick, and she was so cute that he hardly cared if she wore it all.
Zan held the half-eaten hot dog out toward him. “I’m full.”
“I can take care of that.” He took a giant bite that made her laugh. This wasn’t how he usually spent his time prepping for a ride, but she sure was an easy handler.I probably shouldn’t be comparing this kid to a horse.
“You wore a lot of that ketchup.” He wiped the last of it from her cheek and forehead.
“Like lipstick.”
“More like blush. Come here.” He tipped a bottle of water over on a napkin and used it to clean up the sticky mess. “That’s better.”
She giggled, and his heart bubbled unexpectedly. “You are a good little girl.”
Squatch texted him. They were over at check-in.
“We’re going to go meet up with some friends.” He took Zan by the hand and wove through the bleachers. Fans were already starting to come in to get good seats for the night’s event.
“Squatch!” Adam waved.
“Hey, man. Good to see you.” He turned to his wife. “Honey, look who’s here.”
“Adam? Who do you have there with you?”
“This is Zan. She’s the daughter of a friend of mine. I’m watching her tonight.”It better just be for tonight. She’s a cute kid, but if I don’t get my head in the game, it’s not going to be good.
He watched Zan stiffen.
“Hello, Zan. You can call me Miss Darla.”
“Hi, Miss Darla.” She shrank back behind Adam’s leg.
“Oh my gosh. All these boys. I’d die to have a sweet little girl like her. Zan, do you want to sit with us while Adam and my husband ride bulls tonight? We can cheer, and we usually build a little tent fort at the corner of the bleachers. I think you’d have fun.”
Adam was so glad he didn’t have to ask. This was going better than planned.
Zan looked up at him and hooked her finger. He stooped down. “What is it?”
“Can I sit with them?” she asked.
“You sure can. You’re going to cheer me on, though, right?”
“Yes!”
Adam walked off, but he couldn’t help but keep looking across the arena to where Darla and the kids were making their own little party. He helped Squatch get set, and Adam was pretty sure it took longer to get Squatch on the bull than the amount of time he actually stayed on. No score for him. The next three guys didn’t cover their rides either. Sometimes it seemed it wasn’t the cowboys’ night. Adam needed that mojo to change, as his turn was coming up.
He walked behind the chutes and took a moment. His mind wasn’t clear right now. Thoughts of Zan. Merry Anna. Carly. Every cowboy that hit the dirt tonight.
Things are changing. I need focus.
