Chapter 27
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
It had been a week since Hallie had seen Jacob. The National Finals Rodeo was coming up in a couple days and if she were honest with herself, she’d admit she was a ball of nervous energy.
Jacob had won the competition where she’d left early. Then again in Tennessee. His earnings placed him in the running to win the World Champion title, but he still had to do ten rounds at the NFR to get that on top of earning the most money throughout the year.
Even if he didn’t, he had a shot at winning All Around Champion based on the money he’d made at two of the higher ranked competitions. And if he placed in all the rounds at the NFR, he’d earn the title of Average Champion. That one wasn’t based on his earnings but just on the NFR placement.
If Jacob were with her right now, he’d be ecstatic. He wouldn’t settle for anything less than the World Champion title and she wouldn’t let him. She fully intended on screaming her heart out for him while they watched the finals on the television when they started in a few days.
Well, she’d be screaming on the inside.
Sammie had been treating her with kid gloves ever since they left the arena last week.
She seemed more nervous than usual about how Hallie was handling everything.
She didn’t have to worry. Hallie had already come to terms with the reality of her situation.
She wasn’t able to keep the guy. Heartbreaking as it was, she could accept it because somewhere deep inside her, she knew that was how this would all turn out.
Hallie didn’t need Sammie, or Jacob, or anyone else to help her. She was capable of pulling through on her own. She fully intended on leaning into the love she had for photography.
Lately, there had been less to be done around the ranch.
Or maybe Bo was just going easy on her since he knew she was dealing with some personal issues.
That didn’t stop her from wandering the property and taking pictures of the men at work or the horses.
Currently, her favorite shots were when it started snowing and she could capture the tiny ice crystals clinging to the horses’ hair or their manes.
She didn’t bother hiding her camera as much these days and she even took time to laugh at herself for being so nervous about people noticing. How had she managed to get so inside her own head that she believed people would make fun of her?
Later that evening, she pulled out the pictures she’d taken over the last year and she spread them out on the kitchen table. At first, her nerves came back in full force. And when her parents wandered in from watching a show together, she’d clammed up.
They still hadn’t seen her work and for some reason she was more concerned about what they thought than how she’d felt about her friends’ reactions.
Her mom gasped and drew closer. Her fingers touched the edge of the one she’d submitted to the competition, and she dragged it closer.
Hallie watched her, holding her breath as she waited for her mother to comment. She nearly jumped out of her skin when her dad reached for a different one at her side and picked it up.
“These are amazing, Hallie,” her mother murmured, drawing her attention back to her.
“You’ve got some talent, sunshine,” her father mused, using his nickname for her.
Ever since the blow up with Brent’s parents, Hallie had made herself scarce.
It was her parents who had let on they knew about Aunt Heather’s secret.
And they hadn’t been thrilled that she’d gone behind their backs, not to mention Heather’s, to spill those secrets to Brent.
Hallie had felt like the pariah for the longest time.
That drama had been yet another reason she’d wanted to help Jacob, even if it hadn’t been the main one.
Some part of her wondered if her aunt and her parents still held that fiasco against her but she didn’t dare bring it up.
She smiled weakly at her adoptive parents and ducked her head. “I’ve been practicing.”
“I’d say,” her father grunted, picking up another picture. “Have you considered doing something with photography? You’ve never indicated you had much interest in anything beyond the ranch and the rodeo.”
Her parents exchanged glances. Yep. They were fully aware of how things had turned out with Jacob, but they’d kept out of it. Maybe they’d felt the strange rift between the three of them, too.
Hallie cleared her throat. “I actually entered this one,” she pointed to the one her mother was still staring at, “in a competition for a magazine. They’re looking to offer a contract for a new photographer.”
Her mother sucked in an excited breath. “And did you win?”
There was no use trying to hide the smile that pulled at Hallie’s lips. “I’ll hear back in a few days. I’m a finalist.”
Suddenly, her mother’s arms were around her shoulders and she was squeezing her tight. “Why didn’t you tell us?”
Hallie’s eyes bulged and she let out a little laugh. “Because I wasn’t sure I would even get this far.”
“But you could have said something when you made the finals. This is so exciting! I can’t believe we’re going to have a famous photographer in our family.”
She laughed again. “Mom, I’m far from being famous.”
“You’re famous to us,” her father insisted, pulling her up into a hug once her mother released her. “And if this is where you want to go with your life, I’m sure we can help you figure that out. I’ve got a friend—”
Hallie held up both hands. “Whoa, okay, slow down. I’m just starting to get comfortable with people seeing my work. I’m not sure I’m ready to do anything big like that.”
Her father winked at her as he pulled her to arms’ length. “Well, when you’re ready, know your mother and I support you.”
There was nothing in the world like receiving her parents’ support.
She hadn’t realized just how much she’d missed it since withdrawing from her family.
But that realization came with another one.
She’d been okay to have this distance. She loved her parents.
She loved everyone here at Sagebrush. But she wasn’t tied to them the same way.
Did that make her a bad person? That she had interests beyond staying here? She didn’t need or want to depend on her family. She simply wanted to know that she was supported and she could get that support from anywhere she was.
She nibbled on her lower lip. “If I win this competition, there’s a possibility that I’ll be traveling a lot.” Hallie could hear the nervousness in her own voice at the prospect of leaving her family behind. But only for their sakes.
“That sounds like quite the adventure,” her father murmured first.
Tears brimmed in her mother’s eyes. “And if that’s what you want to do, we’ll be cheering you on like we always have.”
Relief washed over Hallie as she threw herself into her parents’ arms and held them tight.
They all seemed to be on the same page. She could follow a path she’d never considered before without the worry that her parents wouldn’t approve.
Even if nothing came from the feelings she had for Jacob, she’d still be able to muster the courage to mark her own path and strike out on her own.
She’d show the world what Hallie Bronson was capable of.
A few days later, she was seated on the couch at Sammie and Caleb’s house. Their kids played on the floor with a new set of Legos and the television was on. It had been on this channel since she’d arrived, and she wasn’t sure if it had been on purpose.
The National Finals Rodeo was due to air next. There was a hum of anticipation in the air as Hallie spoke to Sammie about anything but Jacob. She still couldn’t talk about him without getting emotional, but she’d resigned herself to that fact.
Jacob had been the love of her life. She’d been obsessed with him since they’d first met.
She’d held a candle for him since her first attempt to steal a kiss.
She’d clung to every crumb of attention he’d given her while they’d been friends, and she’d reveled in the warmth that came with his affection.
It was over now, and she wasn’t sure she’d ever heal from the heartbreak of losing him. Maybe she was doomed to be alone for the rest of her life.
“Caleb is completely against it, though,” Sammie snickered.
Hallie flicked her eyes from the television to Sammie. Wait, what were they talking about? Embarrassment licked up the back of her neck and she rubbed at it if only to distract Sammie from the fact she hadn’t been listening.
Apparently, she wasn’t nearly good enough at hiding her obvious lack of interest in their conversation. Her friend cocked her head. “You doing okay?”
“Yeah,” Hallie squeaked. “I’m just nervous. I’m supposed to hear back from that photography thing.”
Sammie’s eyes flared and she leaned forward to squeeze Hallie’s shoulders with excitement. “Way to bury the lead!”
Hallie beamed, grateful for the subject change.
“It’s pretty exciting.” She was vaguely aware of the announcer on the television welcoming the crowds to the arena and giving a brief rundown of how the rodeo would go.
The commentators discussed their excitement for those competing and then it happened.
Jacob’s name was mentioned.
“Jacob Hines has made quite the comeback after suffering an injury.”
“It’s a feat to be sure. We were lucky enough to speak to him behind the scenes, and we’ll be showing a clip of our interview later this evening.”
Hallie’s eyes met Sammie’s as she reached for the remote on the couch at her side but Hallie placed her hand over hers. “It’s fine,” she whispered.
“Are you sure?”
Hallie nodded. “I’m good. Promise.” She glanced at the clock. “Are the girls coming? I brought the pictures to show everyone.”
“They should be here soon,” Sammie nodded, her eyes brimming with excitement. “I can’t wait.”
Laughing again, Hallie looked away. “It’s not a big deal.”
“Of course it’s a big deal! This is going to be so great for you. Just wait and see. I’m sure you’re going to get good news.”
At that moment the commentators’ voices grew excited, drawing Hallie’s attention to the screen.
There in all his glory was Jacob. He looked focused, ready.
She could tell by the set of his jaw that he was out there to win.
Her heart lurched, wishing she could be there in the stands to support him.
Even now after everything that was said and done. “Is it bad that I want him back?”
A hand wrapped around hers and she glanced over to Sammie. “Of course not. He’s an idiot, but he should be your idiot.”
Ignoring the fact that she probably shouldn’t have admitted to wanting him out loud, Hallie laughed.
“Yeah, I think so, too.” She dragged her attention back to the screen just in time to see Jacob complete his round.
He turned his eyes to what was likely the scoreboard but before she had a chance to see how he did, the television was turned off.
“Hey,” she protested, lunging for the remote in Sammie’s hand.
“Today isn’t about him. Today is about you.” As if to confirm Sammie’s statement, there was a knock at the door. Sammie glanced to Hallie with bright eyes. “See? Now, get your pictures out. I want to see everything.”
Hallie rolled her eyes and reached for the box she’d brought.
Just as she was about to remove the lid, her phone vibrated.
Her disappointment that Jacob wasn’t the one calling was quickly replaced by fresh waves of anxiety.
It was a number she didn’t have saved in her contacts.
There was only one call she was expecting today.
She glanced up in time to see Sammie, Wendy, Wynter, Serenity, and Faith hovering a few feet away.
“Well?” Sammie said in a hushed whisper. “What are you waiting for? Answer it!”