Chapter 38
With all the extra rodeo traffic, my booth sells out within the hour. Indy’s booth is almost sold out too. People love to support local. I only hope the rest of the booths are doing just as well. I know we could all use it.
Since my booth’s empty, I head over to help Indy with the rest of her stock. It sells out in less than an hour, so we break down our displays and pack everything up.
Marshal’s busy talking to people, his smile’s so radiant I know this crowd must make him happy.
Seeing this space being used for good, it’s his dream.
He looks up, as if he knew I was thinking about him, and waves.
I raise my hand and wave back nodding toward the exit, but he’s scooped up into conversation before he can come our way.
“Thanks, Buttercup,” she wraps me up in a hug and then climbs into her truck and leaves.
I’m standing in the gravel lot staring after her, confused and a little alarmed.
I know she’s disappointed about the town turning us down, but I told her we’d figure it out.
I’ll have to talk to her later, maybe once I get some concrete plans.
The sun shines brighter after the rain.
My mantra rings in my head, and my confidence grows. I will make this carnival happen and save the Turner Dude Ranch.
Ol’ Fancy cranks up and I head to the rodeo grounds. I know Reese said he would come by the market, but he didn’t say when, and I’m too excited to see him to just wait around. His trucks backed in near one of the longer trailers with their horseshoe logo on the side.
Pulling my truck beside his, I cut the engine and roll the windows down. It’s supposed to be a scorcher today, and ol’ Fancy’s air doesn’t work like it used to.
Voices carry from between the trailers, sounding like grown men arguing.
Turning the corner, I find Reese with his hands by his sides, fists clenched tighter than I’ve ever seen before and his face is hard.
Set in a firm line. Whoever he was talking with, they made him angry.
Seeing him like that makes my stomach plummet.
I’m not scared of Reese, but damn does he look menacing. He looks up and when our eyes meet I take an involuntary step back.
“Goldie?” His voice cracks, and his eyes round, face losing all color. “I’m–”
His words stall and he looks back where the other man’s form faded before looking back at me. “I wish you hadn’t seen that. It’s not who I am.”
I nod and step closer, “I know.”
I want to ask who that person was that got him so upset, but now doesn’t feel like the right time. Instead I smile and close the gap between us, wrapping my arms around his waist and breathing him in.
“I was actually on my way out to see you,” he says into my hair.
Looking up at him I say, “I sold out early, figured I’d come to you.”
“I’m glad you did,” he squeezes me and lets go. “Though, we’re about to get the information for next week. I wasn’t expecting it this early, but you can stay here in my trailer to wait if you want.”
I wish I could, but Indy needs me and I know he’s probably got a full day of figuring out what he’s going to do next week and making a schedule for all the qualifiers.
Shaking my head, I lay my hand on his cheek, “I’ve actually got a few things to do today, but if you’re not busy tomorrow night, I’d love to cash in on that alone dinner. ”
He smiles, leaning into my hand. “I think I can clear my schedule for that.”
Kissing the corner of his mouth, I turn around and walk back to the truck before I change my mind. I can wait until tomorrow.
Maybe.