“Great,” she muttered, trying to hide her surprise at Ty’s sudden interest in all things rodeo.
Clipboard in hand, she continued down her list. She checked that every committee person had a mount for the parade. She assured that the pick-up men and bull fighters knew the order of the less experienced bull riders. Finishing her list, she removed several sheets of paper from the clipboard and handed Jace Parish, the announcer, the information on each Prescott horse and bull that was being used.
“Stan, do you have your list available for Jace?” Mandy asked, acknowledging for the first time Stan’s presence.
Stan nodded and ambled over to Jace, with a single sheet of paper in hand. She’d done this rundown dozens of times before, but JM had always been beside her.
“Everything square for you?” She turned to the representative for this rodeo’s major sponsor, an auto dealer. If the money sponsor wasn’t happy, the rodeo committee wouldn’t be happy.
“Yes, ma’am,” responded the middle-aged man with a serious face. He wore dark-blue denims and a pressed chambray shirt, looking like a dude-ranch cowboy. No participants were allowed behind the chutes if they weren’t in cowboy dress, PRRA rules.
“Any questions?” she asked the rest of the group, wrapping up. Several cowboys had already checked their watches a few times. She’d gone over by almost ten minutes in her quest to be sure everything was locked down tight in this, their first rodeo since JM’s passing.
“Have you got the names of the clubs we need to recognize tonight during the grand parade?” Jace asked.
Even though Jace’s boyish face held an encouraging expression, heat climbed her neck. She’d forgotten to give him the list. “Yes, right here,” she said with a grimace, pulling out the sheet from her clipboard. If those clubs weren’t announced, the rodeo committee would have her head. Giving locals recognition was part of the fabric of the rodeo communities. She handed the sheet to Jace. At least someone had her back.
“Anything else I may have forgotten?” she asked. No sense standing on pride. She wanted this show to be the best, and she needed those in the room to do their part. If they knew about something amiss, she wanted to give them the opportunity to tell her. She looked from weathered face to weathered face.
Slim Matthews stepped forward. “Who are we taking orders from? You or Ty?”
Mandy opened her mouth to speak, but from behind her came Ty’s voice.
“Both of us. I am not expecting Mandy and I to have any conflicts,” Ty said.
She turned around to face him and fought not to roll her eyes as Ty rose off his stool.
“You a rodeo operator?” Doug McClane asked.
Ty pushed up his rolled-up sleeves, and his posture went ramrod straight, almost as if he was readying for a fight. His smile had vanished, and his eyes had narrowed. “No. I’ve worked cattle before, but I’m a lawyer by training. And the one JM asked to lead this company while Mandy comes up to speed.”
A murmur went through the gathering. Lawyers were about as respected as used-car salesmen in these parts.
“Any other questions?” Ty didn’t look eager to entertain any more, and the men must have gotten the message, as a number of heads shook.
Harold stepped forward. “This rodeo is being dedicated to JM, so in his honor, let’s put on the best rodeo these people have ever seen.” With that the crew departed quickly, as if someone had yelled fire and Harold ushered Sheila out of the tent. Mandy breathed a silent sigh of relief while she sorted her papers, trying to ignore Ty, who was standing mere inches from her. The meeting hadn’t gone as smoothly as she’d wanted, but it was over, and the difficult facts of JM’s will had been announced, though not by her.
Relief was short lived when she noted Stan hanging by the entrance as if he wanted to talk to her. Hopefully he wouldn’t have the poor taste to bring up the topic of buying the company in front of Ty.
“Ty, you got a minute?” Stan asked, crossing his arms over his barreled belly.
Mandy held her breath.
“Sure, what’s up?” Ty said, not moving from his spot behind her.
Stan shrugged. “Just wondering if we can meet at the bar tonight. Thought I might be able to give you some rodeo insight, you know.”
“Appreciate it, Stan. But can I take a rain check? I’ve promised Mandy I’d buy her a drink tonight. First rodeo since JM passed, and all.”
“Sure. Understand.” Stan’s cool gaze settled on Mandy. “I know this must be rough for you, it all being so recent.” He gave a nod as if he’d done his duty by acknowledging her. “I’ll catch you, Ty, tomorrow night.” Stan edged his bulky frame through the entryway and escaped into the forming crowd.
“I’m just curious. What did I say when you promised to buy me a drink?”