Chapter 12
Lennie
Buddy helps me attach the trailer to my car.
I've chosen six pieces to display at the Copper Cove Hoedown, and I've pulled out my special packaging for events such as this.
It puts all my pieces into a secure, soft bubble, so that once I arrive at my destination, my artwork is completely unscathed.
The easels that the work will be displayed on sit securely next to it.
All the other props and accoutrements are in my car.
Buddy also has a trailer, but a larger one, so that he can bring select pieces.
We've rented a booth together, so that we can take turns watching the show and staying close to the booth.
This is the norm each year and I'm always really excited to do this.
It's always a lot of fun, and on more than one occasion, I've sold almost all my pieces, and brought in more business, too.
"Looks like it's going to be a good turnout." Buddy comments, as I finish setting up my part of the booth, while he returns from grabbing something from the management office.
"It always is. Copper Cove does great advertising for this event. People come from far and wide to see this."
"It's the line dancing." He winks.
"I'm sure."
The booth is a covered cloth tent, sectioned into two L-shaped tables.
I've added little white mini-lights, which I've weaved into the rafters and supports that hold the tent up.
Both Buddy and I have small banners for our store name set up behind the tables, and my easels are displayed evenly on my side, while Buddy's items are propped on the table, and he's chosen to bring some larger items, which are on the floor.
"The anniversary clock is a great find."
"Yeah, it sings." He says proudly, like a little boy, and he shows me the little mechanisms inside that have sound.
"Very nice."
I look up and see my mama and daddy. "Howdy." Daddy says, handing me a box of donuts and a coffee. "Thought you'd be hungry."
"Thanks." I kiss him on the cheek, and I kiss mama, too.
"It's a beautiful day. Couldn't pick a nicer one." Mama says.
"Well, even if it rains, we chose the covered tent. Paid extra." Buddy states.
Daddy is pleased. Then he turns around, and I can see Levi approaching. Unconsciously, I drape a loose tendril of hair behind my ear. Buddy sees him, too. After the other day, I thought maybe he'd give Levi a dirty look, but he doesn't, and that comforts me. "Levi. Nice to see you, son."
"Nice to see you, too, sir."
Levi looks at me and I smile. "Daddy, mama, this is Levi Paxton. He works at the ranch where I've been having riding lessons."
"Oh, the Barnes Ranch? That's right. Gosh, I've been meaning to come check out that new resort." Mama comments, shaking Levi's proffered hand.
"Stop by any time. I'll give you a free riding lesson." Levi says to both of them.
"Where's Shelly?" I blurt, biting my tongue afterward.
"Oh, um, she's showing her friend Laz around." He coughs nervously into his hand. "This event has become somewhat of a meat market over the years."
Everyone chuckles.
"Buddy, I was just coming to see if you needed a hand bringing anything in or taking anything out." Levi adds.
"No, thanks, son. I'm just fine. A few of the boys from management helped us bring this in."
"Good. Well, give me a holler if y'all need anything. I'll just be over at the pasture there, helping with the horses."
"Nobody looking after the ranch while you boys are here?" Daddy asks.
"Oh, it's just me, Nash and Wyatt here today, sir. All the others are back at the ranch. Billy couldn't spare anyone else today on account of a load coming in."
"I see. Well, it was nice meeting you, Levi."
"Same to you, sir. Come by the ranch sometime."
"We'll do that, son."
Levi turns to me and winks, without anyone else noticing.
I smile back at him. My heart bursts watching him leave.
My folks like him. I can tell. But then, there aren't many that they don't like.
Daddy and mama leave the tent, so that they don't discourage shoppers from coming in.
Although I haven't made any sales, I've given out at least a dozen business cards by lunch time.
"Lennie, why don't y'all go grab yourself something at the food truck? " Buddy offers.
"Can I get you something, too?"
"I reckon I ate a few too many of them donuts your folks brought. I'll eat a little later, but I didn't see you eat anything."
"I'd completely forgotten about them, actually."
"Fair enough. Go on now, go get something to eat. Before the lunch rush comes along."
"Okay. Thanks."
I walk out of the tent and snake my way to the food trucks.
They've got picnic tables all lined up in rows by the trucks.
I grab a veggie burger and sweet potato fries and sit alone by the little pond, where I'm sort of out of sight.
I'm not even at a picnic table, because the pond is giving me a little bit of creative inspiration.
As I start eating, I begin picturing an angle and a view towards the center and off to the side of the pond.
I'm sitting, facing the pond, taking a few pictures, but then I feel like a more metropolitan shot would be a great pivot from most of my inventory.
So, I turn around and look at the view from the picnic tables.
That's when I see someone I recognize. Although we've never met, I know her from when I creeped on Levi's account and saw photographs of her on social media.
Shelly is with a very flamboyant male, who is just going off about a guy he met last night. They're both completely oblivious to me sitting ten feet from them, in the background. They're facing each other, and I have a perfect vantage point.
"Oh my God! Did you see that cowboy with the long hair back there?" The man in a purple denim jumpsuit says.
"Jesus, Laz. Why don't you just hang a sandwich board on your body that says 'gay and available'?" Shelly chuckles. "Although, with that outfit, there really is no need."
The man, who I'm assuming is named Laz, seems pleased with himself. "And the designer rests humbly in his grave."
"Designer?"
Laz waves. "Oh, honey, you know that I don't wear anything that doesn't have a label."
In the distance, I see Levi approaching the food truck. He waves to Shelly. I shrink further into the hillside by the pond, but I make sure that I can still see what I need to see. Levi calls out to her. "Y'all want something?"
Shelly calls back that she wants a coffee.
Levi gives her a confused look. "Um, isn't that bad for, um?" He gestures to his stomach.
Shelly shakes her head, while her friend stops, freezes, and his eyes bulge open. I can see Shelly pushing her foot on top of his, in a gesture I'm guessing is for him to keep quiet. "No, I don't want anything. I'll see you later."
Levi walks away, seemingly dumbfounded.
Shelly removes her foot and pushes her hand over Laz's mouth. "Shut up. I swear to God."
Laz nods as she removes her hand. "Girl, are you pregnant?" I can tell that he's talking softly, since the veins in his neck aren't popping out.
I'm shocked. Why hasn't she told her friend that she's pregnant, if she announced it to an entire restaurant. Something doesn't add up.
"No. But I need you to play along, because it's part of my plan."
My stomach drops. I have to stifle a gasp. Like she did with her friend a moment ago, I place my hand over my mouth, shrinking further down into the slope of the small hill.
"What plan?"
"Like the one I had with Greg. Only this time, we're not getting married for money, I'm going to rope Levi in with a fake baby."
"How the hell are you going to do that?"
"I've already done it. He thinks I'm pregnant, all his friends and family think I'm pregnant, I've just got to figure out a way to get his money before he figures out that I'm not."
"And how are you going to do that?"
Shelly frowns. "I'll get his phone. Grab it while he's not watching.
Drain his bank account. I'll think of something.
I always do. This whole going back to school thing has been a genius idea, Laz.
I'm telling you. You ought to do the same thing.
These trust fund kids? I've almost got one roped in good.
Levi is just stupid enough to fall for it, too.
Goddamn virgins. That was just a bonus." She chuckles.
I have to stop myself from running up to her and punching her right in the face.
"So, when are you getting your new car?" Laz asks.
"Next week."
"And this is from the money you got from selling your wedding rings?"
Shelly is pleased with herself. "That's right. And the alimony is starting up in a couple of months, and I got the house, so I'm set for this year and then some."
"You are a genius, Shelly. Sheer genius."
I want to puke. I can't believe this. Shoving my food wrappers into my pockets, I roll my way down the hill, away from the eating area.
I've had enough. Tossing the rest of my burger and fries onto the lip of the pond, for the waterfowl to eat, I walk back toward the grassy area closer to the booths.
I can't begin to think about how horrible this woman is that has Levi's heart.
It's disgusting. It's almost unbelievable, yet I sat there, witnessing all of it.
And I hate it that it has to be done, but I can't stand the thought of telling Levi and breaking his heart.
Buddy sees me coming back into the tent. "You didn't bring anything? Did you eat?"
"I ate some." I answer.
He looks at me. "You okay?"
"I just, I'm tired. I think the veggie burger I ate some of didn't agree with me."
"Do you want to pack it up and go home? I'll stay and keep watch."
I wave. "No, it's fine. I stopped eating it the second my stomach acted up."
"I can go have a word with management. Let them know that they're selling food that's no good."
"No, no, that's okay, Buddy. It could have just been one bad burger is all."