Chapter 14
“What’s up?” Rusty peered across the wooden kitchen table at Lexi and Cort’s place as the couple sat opposite him. When they’d married, Lexi had moved into Cort’s house, since he’d done renovations on the place when he took over his relative’s ranch. The kitchen had sparkling counters and gleaming new appliances. It opened up onto a dining room with a modern table and chairs and then to a large living area with a fireplace set in a wall of stone. It looked rustic and modern at the same time.
The home-cooked pot roast was tasty, the meaty scent still lingered in the air, and nice of them to invite him, since his mother and father were babysitting Parker. But the way they stared at him, he knew some sort of ask was coming.
“Well, now that you mention it, there is something we want to talk to you about,” Lexi began. Her hair was tied back and she looked more rancher than cook in her western chambray shirt and jeans.
Cort shifted in his seat, looking uncomfortable.
There wasn’t much ranch work at that time of year. Maybe they wanted to go on vacation and needed him to oversee things for a bit. But wouldn’t they ask that of his father, who knew more about ranching than anyone else in the family? Had to be something else.
“It’s her idea.” Cort tipped back his chair, as if that was all he intended to contribute. So not something to do with the ranch.
“What’s her idea?” He looked directly at his sister.
“The committee got together…”
“The Boots and Bells committee?” Was this going to be something to do with Kristy? He’d just gotten going with her, and his family seemed set on interfering.
“Yes. The committee is a little concerned”—with her pointer finger and thumb, she made a sign for tiny—“that An Affair to Remember may be a bit overwhelmed. What with Marcia Graham being on leave and Kristy and Ariel having never put on an event this big on their own.”
“That’s something to discuss with Kristy and Ariel, isn’t it?” Because he did not want to get in the middle of things. Particularly if there was a problem. “Aren’t they doing a good job?”
“So far. But there are a lot of moving parts, and this is a big project to take on.”
“How does this concern me?” He wiped his now sweaty palms down his jeans.
Cort leaned forward, and the front legs of his chair tapped the floor. “I’m planning on resigning from the committee. Just too much work here, what with integrating the two herds and all.”
“And I thought you would be a great replacement.” Lexi reached across the table and patted his arm. “You have the time. You’ve got a relationship with Kristy…”
“One I’d like to keep. Being on the committee she reports to doesn’t exactly forecast smooth sailing. Not to mention, I haven’t been to a Boots and Bells event since I graduated from high school. I haven’t a clue what goes into planning one.”
“Neither do I.” Cort aimed a finger at Lexi. “If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be on the committee either.”
“I just think that if she needs help, she’s more likely to come to you than to anyone else on the committee. You want this to go well. I know you’ll be there for her like no one else will be.”
His sister knew how to press his buttons.
He wiped a hand across his chin. “Look, we’ve barely started dating.” He hadn’t even been alone with her for any amount of time. “And now you want me to interfere in her business. If that won’t kill a relationship, I don’t know what will. So, no.”
“Who is more likely to step in and fix things than you? Look, I want this to go as well as Kristy does. This is my first time having a lead role in planning the event. Next year I’m hoping Cort and I can be the chairs.”
“What?” Cort’s eyebrows shot up. “That’s definitely not my hope.”
Lexi gave Cort the side-eye. “I want to be involved. Do something for the community.” She turned her attention back to Rusty. “Having you on the committee, I know you’ll have Kristy’s back. And mine. Besides you owe me.”
He frowned. “How exactly do I owe you?”
“You didn’t have my back all those years ago in the skijoring competition. You threw your support to Tamara, and I lost.”
“She’s never forgiven you for it,” Cort added.
“Don’t I know it.” It was true that he’d played it so Tamara had an edge in that particular contest. But he was young, naive, and in love at the time. “I don’t owe you.” He shook his head for emphasis, but something in his gut said he kinda did. “If I do it, I’m going to first ask her what she thinks about me replacing Cort on the committee and tell her, Lexi, it was your idea. I want to be up front with her.”
“Well, don’t say we’re checking up on her. I don’t want her to feel undermined. Just trying to build in support if she needs it.”
“Good, because I’m not spying on her, so if that is your plan, I’m not your man.”
“Fair enough. And by the way, I have some good news for you to tell Kristy. The face of the Aspriel line of Cort’s mother’s cosmetics company has agreed to enter the bail-for-jail contest, our own local made-good-in-the-big-city Greta Hutchins. Cort’s mother made it happen.”
Cort’s mother, Kate, happened to be the president of a New York-based international cosmetic company. “That’s definitely good news. So what exactly are you worried about?” Having Greta at the bail-out-of-jail event certainly would give the event a big boost.
“Vendors. Timelines. She’s got a lot of extras that she’s throwing in. The maze, the chuck wagon ice cream bar, and the bail-out-of-jail event. It’s a lot. Can she pull it all off? We don’t have a track record to judge.”
It was definitely a lot. But she seemed to be handling it.
“I thought,” Lexi continued, “that if you’re working with her, you know, as the liaison with the committee, you can head off any looming catastrophe before it becomes one.”
Framing it like he’d be helping Kristy instead of informing on her certainly was a way to make the idea more palatable.
“I’ll think about it and check in with her first.”
“As long as she doesn’t get the impression we don’t have faith in her. We just want to give her as much support as possible.”
***
Kristy and Ariel stood in the empty and vast convention center. Devoid of any furniture and with various items scattered around the perimeter, it looked more warehouse than ballroom.
“This is what you have to work with.” Kristy shook her head at the seemingly impossible task. She rubbed her sweaty hands down the denim cutoffs she’d donned. The day was hot and dry, the breeze barely discernable. And it didn’t feel like the air-conditioning was on in the building, which wasn’t much of a surprise, since cooling such a big space when no one was in it didn’t seem logical.
“At least it’s a blank canvass. Gives me lots of freedom.”
Kristy could have hugged Ariel. Just when she felt overwhelmed, Ariel was looking at the bright side.
Their mothers had headed back to Cheyenne that morning. Ariel had added pillows, paintings, tchotchkes, and curtains, all gifted to them by their mothers. Their apartment looked so much better. More home than rental. But though Kristy missed her mother, she was glad to be able to focus on her work without distractions.
She couldn’t deny that the chat with her mother had been unsettling. She still wasn’t clear about being someone’s destination. Right now she was doing the doggie paddle just to keep her head above water. That was all the “destination” she could handle.
“Isn’t it going to take a lot to transform it?” she asked.
Ariel waved an arm, and the sleeves of her flowy white top drifted in the air. Except for the denim skirt, Ariel could have passed for an angel from the waist up. And to Kristy, that was what she was. “The floor is going to be covered with tables and setups, and no one will be looking down at their feet. We’ll bring in a portable dance floor. I think we can hide a lot of the bare walls behind cornstalks.”
“We need cornstalks? In summer?”
“We’ll plaster the wall with cornstalk-themed contact-type paper, and then I just need a few real ones to put in front of it.”
“We’re going to need a lot to cover this area.”
“It comes in thirty-foot rolls, but yeah, it’s going to be some money, but far cheaper than anything else. And it will set the mood and hide the ugly.”
Kristy gulped. “I’m not sure the committee would approve such an outlay for a onetime use.” And this was a predicament Marcia’s experience would have helped. Marcia would likely be able to convince the committee to splurge on such a thing.
“We really need some of these things to set the whole ambiance. Can’t you ask Marcia to take on the expense?”
“I may have to. The funny thing is, Marcia has not been calling in regularly. I mean, she’s usually a micromanager on steroids, but…”
“This heart attack must have scared her. But if she’s leaving it up to you, then can’t I order the wallpaper?”
Kristy took a deep breath. “Order it. One way or the other, we’ll find a way to pay for it.”
They scoped out the cavernous hall, using the blueprint of the floor dimensions to map out where the tables, dais, jail, chuck wagon ice cream station, bar, and maze would go.
Kristy’s cell phone buzzed. “The guy delivering the jail is here.” That was a relief. Finding a company that could supply a realistic and affordable jail prop, though made of plastic pipes covered in metallic paint, had been daunting. But she’d found one online from a Denver company willing to deliver.
“I can’t wait to see it.”
“He’s at the storage unit, so we better go.”
Kristy’s stomach sank as she surveyed the pile of pipes, planks, and joints jumbled together on the storage unit’s cement floor. “I don’t remember it saying assembly required.”
Ariel frowned at the printed paper she was holding. “How are we going to put this together? The instructions are just drawings, no words.”
You get what you pay for. A lesson Kristy should have remembered.
Kristy’s phone chimed. She pulled it out of her back pocket and checked the text message. “Rusty wants to come by.”
Ariel’s face brightened. “Ask him to put it together. He always wants to help.”
That was the problem. “I don’t want to rely on him so much.” Or get in too deep. After talking to her mother, Kirsty was determined to double down on keeping things casual between them.
“See if he offers. We need this jail. You paid good money for it.”
“I want him to see me as competent. Not a lady in distress all the time.” His sister was on the committee, after all.
“You can worry about optics later. Right now we need someone handy.”
Kristy typed the storage unit’s location and waited for his reply.
“Apparently he wants to talk to me about the gala.”
“Fine, as long as he’s not backing out of the jail event. Posters have already been ordered.”
“I doubt that.” She shook her head. “If he was going to back out, it would be safer to just text that to me rather than do it in person.”
“True, and nothing about Rusty tells me he’s a coward.”
***
Rusty felt like an eight-hundred-pound anvil was on his shoulder as he walked toward the storage units lined up like soldiers at the rear of the convention building.
He’d been mulling it over in the car and still wasn’t sure how to serve up taking Cort’s place on the committee.
He knocked on the aluminum door marked 10 A as instructed. The door swung open with a sound of creaking metal.
Kristy stood in the entrance, in a T-shirt, cutoffs, and flip-flops, appropriate for the eighty-eight-degree temperature outside. She had nice legs. Who was he kidding. She had nice everything.
He could see a frowning Ariel inside the unit, standing before a pile of pipes and planks.
Kristy, though, had a wide smile, making him glad to be alive. They’d only had one date and he already felt like they were a couple. Except his family seemed hell bent on throwing monkey wrenches into the mix.
He took a deep breath. “Ladies. Glad to find you.” He surveyed the scene. The eight-by-ten unit, lighted by two bare bulbs, was filled with boxes and props, like he imagined the backstage of a theater might look. The tangle of stuff on the cement floor looked out of place. “What’s going on?”
Ariel looked at Kristy.
Kristy grimaced. “This is the jail.” She swept her arm over the pile.
“Looks a little easy to break out of.” He chuckled.
Hands on hips, she frowned as she looked down at the heap. “I ordered it online but didn’t read the full description where it said assembly required.”
“Any instructions?”
Ariel stepped forward and shoved a sheet of paper into his hand.
He looked it over, noting the many pieces and how they were supposed to fit together. It reminded him of a giant Tinkertoy set. The good news was that each section was the same as the other section, with the exception of the corners. “Not too complicated.”
“Really?” Kristy said, her voice tinged with hope.
“I think I can do it.” He’d put together fencing, tents, and lean-tos. He figured a bunch of bars couldn’t be all that hard.
Ariel clasped her hands together, as if praying. “Could you?”
“Sure. I may need a helper.” He looked at Kristy. At least she was smiling again. He’d do almost anything to see that smile, see her eyes light up, see her happy.
Ariel winked at Kristy. “I have to order the wallpaper. Want to be sure it gets here on time.”
“I’ll help if you’re sure you want to tackle this,” Kristy offered, as he’d hoped she would.
“Rusty to the rescue.”
Ariel slung her purse over her shoulder, then faced Kristy. “Can I take the car to the office?”
Kristy turned to him. “Can you give me a ride back?”
“At your service.”
Ariel waved a hand and slipped out the door.
Rusty pointed to the door. “Guess we should set up outside for the room, even though it’s air-conditioned in here.”
***
Opening up the larger garage-type door, Kristy stepped out into the bright sunlight, dragging a few pipes with her. They probably should have put a tarp or blanket over the dirt path in front of the units, but she had neither. Rusty stepped out behind her, carrying the planks. Dressed in jeans, a T-shirt that stretched over his biceps, and his cowboy hat and boots, he was easy on the eyes.
And he must think her an idiot for getting into this situation.
“Let’s lay the pipes and joints by length so we can figure out what goes where.”
Together they moved the pipes and planks into neater piles of each. When the last pipe was in its correct stack, she touched his arm.
“Thank you.”
He tipped his finger to his hat. “My pleasure. Truly.”
She stared into his blue eyes and felt her heart expand. “You must think I’m totally incompetent. I’m always asking you to help me out of something.”
“I’m happy to help. As for what I think, I think you’re a hard worker, capable, and organized as all get out.”
“Really?” She bit her lip. “Right now I don’t feel any of that.” She shrugged. “Maybe the hard-worker part.” She did expend a lot of effort, even if it didn’t always show.
He lightly swiped her nose with his finger.
“Never doubt it.” He reached for her, tugged her close. “I have something to tell you though.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned back to look at him. It felt good to be in his arms. Good to be supported, figuratively and literally. “Is it bad?”
“Depends. But I’ll tell you the good news first.”
She took a deep breath and braced herself. “That bad, huh? You’re not pulling out of the bail out of jail?” They were still struggling to get participants.
“Don’t tempt me, but no. As long as you bid on me.”
“Then what is it?”
“Well, the good news is that Colby Johnson is willing to give it a go.”
That was a relief. “Whose Colby Johnson, again?”
“He’s a rodeo cowboy, well known in these parts and well liked by the ladies, at least to hear him tell it. I think he’ll raise some money for you.”
“Thank you. Again.” Another way he was helping her.
“And Lexi wanted me to tell you that Greta Hutchins has agreed to be bailed out.”
A woman? This was great news. “Where’s she from?”
“Cort’s mother, Kate, is president of the cosmetic company that sells the Aspriel line. Ever hear of them?”
“Of course. That’s a high-end cosmetic line.” She relaxed.
“Well, Greta is the face and spokeswoman for Aspriel and from around these parts. Kate got her to commit to being in the auction. Felt it was good publicity for the line. The company is also donating a basket for the auction.”
“The model in the commercials? She’s beautiful! She will definitely raise money for us.” She couldn’t help herself… she kissed him on the cheek.
He grabbed her around the waist. “I think that news warrants more than that,” he growled. He pulled her up to meet his lips. His mouth opened, and she fed him hot kisses. He let out a deep-throated moan.
A car honked from somewhere in the parking lot. They were standing out in the open . For anyone to see. She broke the kiss.
Rusty blinked and let out a breath. “Right,” he said, as if remembering himself. “What were we talking about?” He smirked.
She stepped out of his embrace and gulped some air, hoping to calm her hammering heart. “We were talking about Greta.”
“Right. We gain her, but we may lose out on another contestant. Remember Stetson also said he would enter? He’s had a thing for Greta for years, so once he hears she’s coming, he’ll be bidding, not entering.”
Back to reality. “Really? That sounds like a story.”
“I’ll tell you about it later. Right now, there is something else I need to tell you, and I’m not sure how you’re going to take it.”
Just when she had finally relaxed. By the frown on his face, it wasn’t good. “Is it about us?”
“Well…” He wiped a hand across his brow.
How bad was his news?
“Cort has decided he can’t be on the gala committee, and Lexi has volunteered me to take his place.”
Kristy cocked her head. “Seriously?” So now they’d be working together, sort of. “Hmm. I guess that’s good.” She worried her lip, thinking. “So you’ll be at the committee meetings now?” With a license to do more than help out. “Is this so she can keep an eye on us?”
“I was afraid you’d think that, so I asked her, flat out. She says she wants me on the committee because not only do I have the time, she knows I want this to be successful for your sake.”
Kristy straightened her shoulders and moved out of his embrace. “Will you be telling your sister about things like this?” She swept her arm over the pile of pipes and planks. She’d feel under a microscope.
“That’s exactly what I told her I was not going to do.”
Kristy crossed her arms over her chest. “She’s worried because I’m inexperienced.”
“She told me she thinks you’re capable, but she also knows a lot can go wrong. She says she wants me on the committee so you have another supporter. But I want to be sure you’re okay with it. I’m only willing to do this if you think it’s a good idea. I don’t want this jeopardizing us.” He pointed a finger at her, then himself.
Kristy was silent for a few heartbeats. He already had a straight line to Lexi, considering she was his sister. “Depends on how much you’ll interfere.”
“I am not going to interfere in anything. I know nothing about putting on an event. But I will provide as much support as I can. Like now.”
“And if I say it’s not a good idea?”
“Then I’ll say no, and she’ll find someone else.”
Kristy was silent for a few more heartbeats. She needed to think this through
She took a deep breath. “It could put a strain on our relationship.”
“Then I don’t want to do it. I like being with you too much.”
But if he didn’t take the spot, the committee might select someone who wouldn’t be as friendly. At least he was being honest with her.
“Don’t overstep your bounds.” Her finger tapped his chest.
He winked. “Okay then. Ready to get started?” He pointed to the piles of pipes, planks, and joints. “I’ll have to go back to the truck and get my toolbox.”