Cowboy Bodyguard
Prologue
MONROE
Los Angeles, California
“I’m tired of doing this, Mom,” I whisper to my mother, Helen, as she covers my overly made-up hair with more Aquanet than should be legal.
“Tough. You almost won the last pageant. It’s time you start taking these titles home consistently instead of every other show.
A lot rides on these winnings, Marilyn.” I try to hide my sigh but fail.
“Enough of that,” she admonishes, tugging at a loose curl, and I cringe because it smarts.
“What else are you going to do with your life? Huh? You’re not good at anything of value.
At least this will help you marry rich.”
My heart cramps at her hurtful words, but as usual, I push the feelings to the back of my mind and stop speaking.
It’s my sixteenth birthday. The last thing I want, today of all days, is to be so harshly criticized.
I should be giggling with my girlfriends, telling stories of my first love, opening presents, and scarfing down cake.
Staring around the room, I study each of the other girls, seeing nothing but rivalry and jealousy. I wouldn’t trust them with my makeup brushes, let alone my secrets. But it’s Mom's dream for me to become Miss America, Miss Universe, Miss… Everything.
I’ve been painting my face with makeup and ratting out my hair for longer than I can remember.
It’s all I’ve ever known. We travel the country, jumping from pageant to pageant, winning larger prizes to propel us to the next show and smaller accolades where I’m criticized for all my failings until it’s time to smile again.
I’m a real-life Barbie, and sometimes, I wish this Barbie were brave enough to run away.
“All right, Marilyn Monroe Kingsley, you had better smile and project winner appeal in those eyes because if you lose tonight, so help me, I’ll work you until you drop.”
Ballet is my talent—prancing and pirouetting until my head spins. Clean lines and soft drops typically gain me first place. But sometimes I screw up on purpose; other times, I’m too tired to work that hard.
From the look in Mom's eyes, however, perfection is the word of the evening.
I have to win.
I want to quit.