Chapter 67
CHAPTER 67
OLIVIA
A fter talking to London and Lacey last night, I was feeling guarded against whatever bull crap Scarlett was going to try to pull throughout the day. I had decided to focus on the fair and only the fair, doing my job and getting it done right.
Although I heard her talking to Charlie just after she’d sauntered up to us, I didn’t even turn to look at them. I did hear Charlie telling her off though, and I also saw him marching away only a couple seconds later.
Satisfaction coursed through my veins, but I didn’t let it show. I just kept telling the camera operators where I needed them, and then I took off to do my rounds with the vendors. The build-out and the setup had happened during the week, but now that it was crunch time, I wanted to make sure everyone had everything they needed.
I smiled at a lady selling breakfast burritos, peering up at her where she was busy with her prep for the day in the open window of the food truck. “Hi, Mrs. Brown. How are you this morning?”
She looked up and beamed when she saw me. “I’m excited for the gates to open. You?”
“So much.” I inhaled a deep breath and pretended to swoon. “Whatever you’re cooking in there, it smells incredible.”
“Thanks, darling. Let’s hope the public agrees with you.” She motioned vaguely at all the trucks and attractions around her. “This is quite a feat you’ve achieved here. It’s not easy to plan something like this in such a short amount of time.”
“Anything for the local farmers,” I said sincerely. “I don’t mean to keep you from your preparations. I just wanted to make sure that you don’t need anything. Is there something we can help you with or that still needs to be brought in from someplace else?”
She shook her head and flashed me a thankful smile. “I’m all good. Thank you, Olivia. If you pop around again in about twenty minutes, I might be able to have some breakfast ready for you.”
“You don’t need to rush.” I took a step away from the truck. “I’ll definitely be back whenever you’re ready. Judging by the way that smells, I’ll be buying up most of your stock. Are you okay with it if the camera crew comes by in a few and asks you some questions? They’re here to document the events of the day so we can promote the cause that brought us all here.”
She laughed. “I’d love to talk to them, honey. I watched your previous documentary and it was excellent. Besides, I’m happy to be part of promoting this cause.”
As I smiled and said my goodbyes for now, I sent a quick text to Dave to let him know she’d given her permission. Then I turned and headed toward the next vendor, having a quick chat with each one before moving along. All of them were friendly, excited, and positive about their expectations for the fair, and the people operating the attractions didn’t need anything else either, as ready to get started as the other vendors.
The Ferris wheel had had its last checks and no one seemed to have a worry in the world before the gates finally opened. Tons of people came streaming in right from the start and I grinned, just taking it all in as I watched the scene unfolding around me.
The sun was out bright, a live band had just taken the stage, and already, it looked like people were having a blast. The scent of fair food hung in the air and kids were running wild from one ride or game to the next, lines being formed, and it seemed like we were off to a great start.
While I was here to work and to help with the fair itself, I’d also never been to a Texas fair before, and so far, I was absolutely loving the environment. About halfway through the day, I made my way to the small stage and I laughed as the band stopped mid-song, immediately making a huge deal out of seeing me and insisting that I come up to make my announcement right away.
“I could’ve waited,” I whispered to the lead singer, who flashed a teasing smirk at the crowd as he shook his head.
“Trust me, folks. You want to hear what this lady is about to say. We’ll pick up where we left off in just a moment.”
He handed the microphone over to me and I looked out at the throngs of people who had shown up, completely bowled over by how well this was all going so far. Determined to get off stage and back to enjoying the fair as soon as possible, I smiled at the lead singer and then turned my focus back to the crowd.
“You know, I’ve heard there’s nothing better than Texas smoked meats. Is that true?” Thunderous yelling and applause broke out from just about every person down on the field and I laughed, nodding slowly as if I wasn’t convinced just yet. “Well, I guess we’re about to find out. The barbecue smoking contest begins right now, everybody. I hope you’re ready to try them all and help us decide on the winner.”
More cheering rippled across the gathered crowd and I passed the microphone back to the lead singer. “Thanks for that. Enjoy your set.”
He gave me a quick salute before he fulfilled his promise to pick up right where they’d left off, the strands of the song already filling the midday sunshine again before I was even off the stage. The atmosphere was fantastic, and with my official duties done for now, I grabbed a lemonade and took a lap as a tourist, walking around and enjoying the views as the smell of smoked turkey legs and brisket wafted from the trucks I passed.
Everything was looking so darn great. I snapped a couple of pictures myself, even though I knew my shots wouldn’t hold a candle to those being taken by the official photographers. Still, these were for my personal memories and to keep my promise to Abigail that I would send her some pictures.
“You knocked it out of the park again, Cowgirl,” Charlie’s deep voice spoke up from behind me. I spun to see him only a few feet away, his thumbs hooked into his pockets as his long strides ate up the distance between us. “I’ve been to many fairs in my time, but this one is topping them all.”
I chuckled. “I absolutely love how everything turned out. I can’t believe it’s all going as well as it is.”
Those blue eyes settled on mine, filled with warmth and adoration before he took a pointed look at something behind my head. “You ever been on a Ferris wheel, baby?”
“Uh, no. I’ve had the opportunity a few times, but I’ve never actually taken it.” I cocked my head at him. “Why? Are you asking me if I want to take a ride?”
“Save a cowboy, ride a Ferris wheel?” he asked with laughter sparkling in his eyes.
“Are you saying you want to be saved?” I teased, my hands finding my hips as I smiled back at him. “Never thought I’d see the day.”
“You’re not seeing it.” He held his hand out toward me. “This is just part of me charming you back into my bed tonight.”
Soft laughter bubbled out of me as I placed my palm in his. “You had me at hello, Cowboy, but I appreciate the effort.”
Following him to the Ferris wheel, we joined the short line of people waiting and stood hand-in-hand as we waited our turn. Charlie was focused completely on me, asking about my day so far and the feedback I’d gotten from the vendors.
Our little car swayed beneath my feet when we finally climbed on, and for a moment, I had the urge to bolt, but when I turned to climb off, those calm blues were firmly on mine. “You’re fine, Liv. I’m right behind you.”
I drew in a deep, steadying breath, trying to move as little as possible as I scooted into my place. Then I gripped the rail and looked at Charlie as he settled beside me instead of looking around. He slung an arm around my shoulders, a smirk on his lips as he leaned back in his chair, as if he was proud to be riding this death trap with me.
No. Not a death trap. Just a ride.
I blew out the breath I’d been holding and settled into Charlie’s side, focusing on the solid presence of him beside me and finally starting to relax a little. He smiled as he glanced down into my eyes.
“Are you feeling better yet?”
“Marginally.”
“Just wait until you see the view from the top. You’ll forget all about your nerves, then.” He drew me a little closer, his smirk fading as he raked his gaze across their property with our car taking us slowly higher.
After staring at his profile and practically making a study of the shades of brown in his short facial hair, I finally forced myself to look out at the view. As soon as I did, my jaw slackened and I realized that Charlie’s handsome features definitely were not the only thing worth admiring on this ride.
“I can see the whole ranch from here,” I murmured, my voice breathy with the depth of awe I was feeling. “It’s beautiful.”
So beautiful, in fact, that it took my breath away. The ranch was always stunning, but this birds--eye view was definitely something else.
At the top, we were away from the noise and all the tension from the Scarlett situation below, and I felt completely at peace for just a minute. I even forgot to be scared that the ride would collapse as I stared out at the vast landscape with a mix of rolling hills, flat plains, and trees scattered in between. I looked down the open fields and expansive pastures dotted with grazing cattle, the barns, stables, and outbuildings, and felt like I was staring at a picture of some made-up fantasy land.
“The ranch is the most beautiful place on earth,” I murmured as I looked up at Charlie, unable to believe that what we were looking at was his home.
He held me closer to him, blue eyes fixed firmly on mine. “I know one thing more beautiful.”
I smiled. “So do I.”
All too soon, we were moving again, getting closer to the ground with every passing second. We stopped a few more times and I took as many pictures, both physical and mental, as I could before we were finally climbing off.
“We should do that again before they dismantle this thing,” I said.
Charlie grinned at me. “You bet. How about?—”
“Charlie!” Wyatt called, jogging toward us with a furrow in his brow. “Where have you been? I’ve been looking all over for you. We need your help at the petting zoo.”
He sighed but smiled at me. “See you later?”
“Absolutely, Cowboy.” I returned his smile, waving at Wyatt before the pair of them took off jogging back in the direction of the petting zoo.
Once they were gone, I headed to a vendor to grab a drink before I’d get back to work myself, but as I was waiting for my iced coffee, Scarlett walked up to me with a cunning smile on her face. I knew immediately when I saw her that something was very wrong. I’d just had no idea how bad it was going to be.