Chapter 23 #2
We chat for a few more minutes before I welcome the next ones.
Most of the trainers are ten to fifteen years older than me while their clients are around my age.
But I think that only helps me connect with them better.
When it comes to horses, I have a lot of patience and understanding versus other trainers who are tense and get annoyed easily.
Horses can sense that, and it often affects how they learn and perform.
“Doin' okay, sweetie?” Momma asks as we walk to the training center after getting everyone settled. She and Dad showed up early to meet everyone before we opened.
“Yeah, just nerves. But I'm glad it's finally here.” I smile wide. “Couldn't have done it without y'all.”
She wraps her arm around me and squeezes. “This is all you, Noah. We just assisted. You're the brains behind this. It's gonna be amazin'. You'll see.”
I pat her hand resting on my shoulder. “Thanks, Momma.”
Dad's playing with the microphone at the emcee table when we approach him inside. He's grinning wide and looking spiffy in dark jeans, boots, tucked in blue shirt, and cowboy hat.
“Who ya tryin' to impress, cowboy?” Momma teases, leaning in for a kiss.
“Gotta convince these people to spend their money somehow,” he says, and we laugh.
“They already did if they purchased a ticket,” I remind him.
“Yeah, and now I gotta get them to the silent auction.” He winks.
“If you wanna raise the big bucks, auction off the twins for dates. Thirsty women will pay three to four figures.” I chuckle, expecting my parents to laugh at my joke, but instead, Dad goes serious and grabs his phone.
“I was only kiddin'.” I lean over as he types on his screen.
“Too late. I told Landen to add it to the list.”
“Great. Well, if anyone asks, it wasn't my idea.” I hold up my hands. Although they deserve the humiliation after all the shit they do to annoy me.
Ellie and Magnolia meet up with me and find a spot to sit behind the judges' table.
I'll be sitting close by with my parents and making sure everything runs smoothly while Ayden and the other ranch hands handle the horses.
Landen and Tripp oversee getting the competitors lined up on time while Wilder and Waylon keep up with bringing out the barrels and jumping poles.
Gramma Grace comes in with Mallory and Serena, and they sit on the bleachers next to Momma.
I wave to people finding their seats. More ranch hands walk around, helping people, and soon the arena is full to the max.
My heart swells with pride, and butterflies swarm my stomach.
The moment I worked on for the past six months is about to start.
Wilder walks in eating a giant cob of corn and chewing with his mouth open.
“Where'd ya get that?” I ask with my hands on my hips.
“What? The food trucks are open.”
“You're supposed to be helpin',” I remind him.
“Relax. I can multitask. Just ask Jen.” He waggles his brows, and I gag. “And I was escortin' the judges in. They're here.”
My heart speeds up when I see Fisher walking at the end.
My parents shake each of their hands and thank them for volunteering.
Fisher's gaze meets mine, and I quickly avert my eyes before anyone notices the tension between us.
When the judges sit at the table in front of us, Dad hands them a booklet of papers for each competition with all the riders' information.
“Once the charity spokesperson arrives, you can start,” I tell my dad when he finishes.
I asked them to send someone so they could be a part of the event and we could present a check at the end of the day.
Magnolia pokes me in the side, grabbing my attention, then nods toward someone coming toward us.
Oh shit.
I didn't expect him to come since he lives a few hours away.
“Noah. Magnolia. Lookin' beautiful as always.” He whistles, and a shudder rolls through me.
“Hi, Ian.” I force a smile, hoping like hell he doesn't recognize Fisher as the guy from the food truck the night he busted us at the rodeo.
“What're ya doin' here?” Magnolia asks him, purposely keeping his attention on her.
“You didn't think I'd miss the event of the summer, did ya? I knew y'all would be here and couldn't resist seein' y'all again.” Instead of realizing that we don't want him here, he sits in the row behind us.
“How nice of you to support the charity, Ian.” I emphasize the word so he knows this isn't a mingling event.
As soon as I say his name, Fisher turns around. He flicks his gaze from me to Ian, and I notice the realization on his face as soon as it hits him. I widen my eyes and shake my head to signal him to stay turned around. He flashes a look of concern before facing the arena.
Ian continues talking to Magnolia, asking why she never texted him after the rodeo and how they should hang out some weekend. She tries to turn him down, but he's not grasping the hints.
“Mags doesn't do long-distance, so unless you plan to move here, I'd say a date's pointless,” I intervene when Magnolia's cheeks heat with frustration.
She whips her head toward me and whispers, “Don't give him any ideas.”
“You never know. I'd move for the right person.” He smirks deviously. “Speakin' of…you still with that guy I caught ya sneakin’ ’round with in the food truck?”
Fuck.
“Who?”
Of course Wilder would return at the worst possible moment.
“None of your business,” I mutter. “Go away.”
“You just scolded me for not helpin'. Now ya want me to leave? Make up your damn mind.”
“Go find the spokesperson so we can get started,” I tell him. “He's probably lost.”
“I'm just supposed to know what he looks like or what?”
“I know who it is. I'll go with you!” Magnolia jumps to her feet, eager to get away from Ian, but leaving me with him in the meantime.
“Those two an item?” Ian asks as he watches them walk out of the arena.
“Ew, no. She's after a different Hollis.” I chuckle to myself.
“You back with Jase?”
“No,” I say firmly.
“So then why can't I know who you were hookin' up with at the rodeo? Is he here?” He glances around.
I slide over and lower my voice. “It's not somethin' I want my parents to know about, so I need you to shush your mouth about it or I'm gonna ask Sheriff Wagner to escort you out. Got it?” I smile wide.
He sits up straighter and clears his throat. “Alright, sure.”
Once I move back to my spot, Wilder and Magnolia return with Mr. Billings.
My dad greets him, introduces him to the judges, and then I shake his hand and thank him for coming.
Momma shows him where to sit and once everything's in place, Dad takes his microphone and stands between the barrels in the middle of the arena.
“Welcome to the first Hollis Fundraiser Event! We're so glad y'all are here to raise money for the Fresh Start Foundation. Every penny will go toward helping injured and rescued horses.”
The crowd applauds, and my father continues his welcoming speech. He introduces each judge, makes them stand and wave, and then brings me up with him. I give a short talk and encourage everyone to have fun, buy food, and bid in the silent auction.
Once we're done, Dad talks about the different classes of barrel racers, and then it begins.
I sit between Magnolia and Ellie as we watch. I put Landen in charge of contacting me if they need anything over by the barn or waiting areas, so I keep my phone on vibrate in my pocket.
“It's weird being on this side of the races,” Ellie whispers as we watch one of the racers fly into the arena.
I wrap an arm around her shoulder and squeeze. “I know. Not so bad out here, though. It's lots of fun cheerin' for them.”
“That's true.” She smiles wide.
The next competitor has a huge fan base because as soon as she runs in, two dozen people fly to their feet and scream. She rounds the first barrel and goes effortlessly around the second.
“Damn, she's fast,” Ellie murmurs.
And then she barely bumps the third, but luckily it doesn't fall.
“Whew, that was close,” I say.
As soon as Dad announces her time, the crowd erupts in hoots and hollers. We join in and get to our feet, applauding for the soon-to-be winner.
To Ellie's liking, the racer beat Marcia Grayson's time.
“I wanna be that fast!” Mallory turns toward me. “Can you teach me to do that?”
I grin at the excitement in her voice. “When you're fifteen or sixteen, sure.”
“Ugh, fine.”
Magnolia chuckles. “I was thirteen when I started.”
I give her a pointed look to keep her voice down. Mallory would have me training her on everything if I let her, but with my commitments and schedule, it’s already a struggle to squeeze her in on my weekends when she asks.
An hour later, Dad announces a short break so the twins can drag the arena and bring out the jumping poles for the next competition. As they do that, Dad takes a moment to thank the sponsors who donated the cash prizes and directs people to go check out their booths between the shows.
“Go ask the judges if they'd like any beverages,” Momma tells me. “I brought a cooler of water bottles, or I can get them sweet tea from the food truck.”
It's on the tip of my tongue to ask her to do it, but since it's my event and I personally invited the judges, I know she won't let that slide. I wouldn't mind it if I didn't have to pretend Fisher was just another ranch worker.
I approach the table and put on a smile. “Hey, would y'all like water or sweet tea?”
They each answer, and when I get to Fisher, he's distant. “Water’s fine.”
Momma leaves to grab three sweet teas while I grab Fisher's water.
“Thank you,” he says when I set it down in front of him. His hand wraps around mine and for a moment, we stay like that.
“You're welcome, Mr. Underwood.” I grin, then release the bottle.
I take my seat, then feel my phone vibrate with a message.
Fisher
You look beautiful. I'm so proud of all your hard work. Everything's going great.
Noah
Thanks.
Things feel weird between us, even in text, but I try to brush it off so no one notices the change in my mood.
Fisher