Page 24 of Unforgettable Cowboy (Montana’s Rodeo Cowboys #1)

“He’ll be back,” Estelle said with certainty, earning her a curious look from Bailey. “I used to sell at crafts shows. I’m a woodworker.”

Bailey hid her surprise, thinking that the little woman beside her looked more like a crochet aficionado. But yes, if she squinted, she could see Estelle at a bandsaw. She held her own with Wade, so why not power tools?

A few more people cruised by on their way to the stands, stopping to examine the jewelry, but avoiding eye contact as people did when they wanted to shop in peace. When they strolled away, Estelle touched Bailey’s arm.

“I’ll watch the table if you want to see the Grand Entry and perhaps wish Hayes and his brothers good luck.”

“They’re probably warming up.”

“I saw Hayes at the rail.”

“Did you?” Bailey smiled a little. She wouldn’t mind wishing her cowboy luck. After a sleepless night, he might just need it.

*

Hayes had time before he needed to stretch and check his rigging.

In the interim, the bareback riders would beat themselves to pieces, steer wrestlers would eat some dirt, then Trev would try his hand at winning a roping purse.

Hayes knew that Bailey was joking about him being too old, but frankly, he was feeling a touch old—or maybe just uninvolved.

Too many things were happening for him to give his ride his usual focus.

He debated about checking in with Bailey, but Estelle was with her, so instead he continued to lean on the rail near the gate.

The Grand Entry was in full swing, with rodeo royalty and the mounted drill team circling the arena at an easy lope, carrying flags from various sponsors, the princess carrying the Montana state flag leading the way.

“Ladies and gentlemen…”

At the sound of the announcer’s voice, the riders rode to the center of the arena, pulling their horses to a stop, one after another, forming a line of waving flags and dancing horses.

“…please rise for our national anthem.”

The crowd stood, pulling off hats and placing hands over hearts as the rodeo queen rode through the gates carrying the American flag.

She loped the circumference of the arena while a woman with an old-timey Loretta Lynn voice sang the “Star Spangled Banner.” As the last wavering notes faded, the queen pulled her flashy pinto to a stop in front of the line of cowboys and cowgirls.

The crowd cheered and applauded before starting to take their seats.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” the announcer said, interrupting the shuffle in the stands. “I’m going to ask you to remain on your feet.” He paused before continuing, “Tonight’s events honors one of our own who’s gone to that great arena in the sky. Jeremy Lundgren left us last night.”

Hayes closed his eyes, exhaling deeply. Damn.

He’d heard about the wreck but had assumed that Jeremy would bounce back as he always did.

Silence fell and even the horses, usually anxious to be on their way out of the arena, stilled.

Hayes swallowed. One thing he knew for certain—Jeremy would not have wanted his passing to mess with the heads of those riding tonight.

“Thank you,” the announcer stated before continuing in a more upbeat voice, “It’s time to rodeo! We here in Marietta are proud to bring you the eighty-seventh… Oh my.”

His voice trailed off as a tri-colored collie dog dashed into the arena, dragging something behind him.

The little dog joyously bounded past the line of riders, almost tripping over the blue fabric of his prize.

The horses eyed him cautiously, some sidestepping, some bending their necks to get a better view.

The rodeo queen put a hand to her mouth as the dog continued his circuit of the arena, seemingly delighted at the attention, and several of the riders started laughing as they realized what Rascal was pulling behind him.

“It appears that some poor cowboy has lost his britches,” the announcer stated matter-of-factly.

Hayes dropped his forehead to the rail in front of him. Rascal, the thief dog, had stolen his jeans. Not only that, he stopped directly in front of the grandstands, tossed the jeans in the air, then trotted off, tail wagging as the audience broke into applause.

Well, Jeremy, that’s a heck of a sign.

“That’s a first for me, ladies and gents.” The announcer gave a small cough. “Does anyone want to claim their Wranglers?”

The crowd laughed and Hayes knew he’d just given up a new pair of jeans because there was no way he was setting foot in that arena.

A guy dashed out to pick up Hayes’s stolen jeans, then the rodeo queen urged her horse forward, leading the Grand Entry riders out of the arena.

As the horses cantered past him, he turned to see Bailey approaching.

“Were those your britches?” she asked, amusement dancing in her eyes as she mimicked the announcer’s quaint terminology.

“Of course.”

She tucked her hand in his arm and leaned into his side, suddenly serious. “I’m so sorry to hear about Jeremy.”

“Yeah, but I think the pants were his way of saying life goes on.

Bailey smiled. “Maybe so. Estelle is watching the table, so maybe I’ll just stay here for a bit.”

“Fine by me.”

They stood together as the arena was cleared and the bareback riders began mounting. The pickup men took their positions as did the gatemen and Hayes felt the first tingles of anticipation as he watched the riders prep.

Was he an old guy past his prime, trying to hang on to former glory?

Didn’t feel that way.

He was an old guy doing something he hated to give up. Hell, he could see himself competing in the Senior Rodeo for some serious purses. The bottom age bracket was forty to fifty years old, which gave him over a decade to practice.

Bailey’s hand slid down to his butt, redirecting his thoughts in a serious way.

“Watch it,” he said out of the side of his mouth.

She smiled without looking at him, gave him a pat and let her hand fall away. She seemed to be in a lighter mood and a second later he found out why.

“I heard from Jenna. She’ll be here on Monday. Chance will be on the road for Texas.”

“Good news. You can keep to your schedule.”

She smiled up at him in a way that made him want her to never leave. “Yes.” Her smile faltered and he figured it was because of her missing silver.

“I’ll spend some late nights working, but I’ll keep ahead of my shows.”

“All the same—”

She put a hand on his cheek, rose up on her toes and kissed him. “I need to get back. Estelle will watch the table again during your ride so that I can cheer you on.”

She gave him another pat on the butt and headed back to the sales area. He wasn’t certain if it was their spectacular night together or the fact that she was soon to be free of the palomino mare that caused Bailey’s lightened mood.

Or maybe it was the fact that she’d garnered the promise from him to live for the moment and let tomorrow take care of itself. The only problem with that was, in his experience, tomorrows often didn’t take care of themselves. Actions had to be taken and consequences, good and bad, resulted.

But for right now he was good with the strategy. Instead of thinking about Bailey, he was going to think about his ride and bringing home not only the purse, but also hometown bragging rights.

And then he’d think about Bailey.