The Rancher and the Event Planner

Chapter Twelve



“Contestants, please walk your dogs around the ring one more time, while the judges make their final decisions,” Ellie Blakeley said in a chipper voice.

Molly’s tiny fingers clutched JC’s hand and her other held a female white lab’s leash as they circled the rink. Hope lit Molly’s eyes, yearning for a win and with a little luck, she would take home not only the blue ribbon but the dog as well.

Cooler temperatures ruled the day. Thank God. A breeze stirred JC’s hair, soothing her heated skin. The dog, named Dixie, wagged her tail in response to the relief from the oppressive heat. As they passed by Rafe, standing on the outside of the ring, Molly waved to him. “Hi, Daddy.”

JC tingled from head to toe at the sight of him, his handsome face, his blue eyes glinting with love for his daughter. He looked incredible today in his white shirt, jeans and cowboy boots sporting a spit shine. His cowboy hat sat perfectly on his head casting a slight shadow over his face.

“Hi, punkin,” he said. With a slight tilt of his head, his blue gaze settled on JC. Suddenly, her world tilted. Dizziness tangled with a swooping sensation, the emotions swirled through her stomach. She stumbled.

I’m in love with Rafe. I’m totally in love with him.

“Are you okay, JC?” Molly asked.

No, no I am definitely not okay. Her throat squeezed, tears burned the back of her eyes, but she blinked them away. Keep smiling even if it kills you. “I’m fine, sweetie. I tripped on a rock.” And my foolish heart tripped over Rafe and went splat.

“Okay, everyone, the judges have made their decision. Please line up in the middle of the rink to award prizes.”

Twenty dogs and their companions formed a line with Molly and JC in the middle. Molly squeezed JC’s hand and looked up at her. “I did good, didn’t I, JC?”

She smiled at Molly. “You were fantastic. Promise you won’t be disappointed if you and Dixie don’t win.”

Molly lifted her chin. “I promise, but Dixie’s going to win. I just know it.”

JC laughed. The honorable mentions were awarded first then the countdown began. Holding her breath, JC waited for the final announcement.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, the Grand Prize Winner for Best in Show is Dixie, shown by JC Barrett and Molly McCord. Congratulations!”

Molly squealed. “We won, we won.”

JC beamed. “I know, I can’t believe it.”

Together, JC, Molly and Dixie accepted the ribbon and trophy. Rafe walked over and swung Molly up into his arms. “Congratulations, I’m so proud of you.”

“JC,” one of the councilman said, “On be-half of the entire city council, we think you’ve done a fabulous job on helping Salvation’s chances of winning the Best Texas Vacation contest. Don’t you agree, Mr. Mayor?”

“Absolutely,” Rafe said.

“Thank you, it was my pleasure.” She turned to Molly and said, “You’d better give Dixie some water. She’s had a busy morning.”

“Okay,” Molly said and kissed Dixie. “I love you, Dixie.”

A lump rose in JC’s throat. You are the sweetest kid. “I’ll see you soon, Molly,” JC said her voice cracking, because now that she knew she was truly in love with Rafe her emotions were in turmoil. She wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of her life with Rafe and be a mother to Molly but she still wasn’t sure how Rafe felt about her. Her gaze connected with Rafe’s. She memorized every nuance in his face, the exact color of his eyes and the way his hair fell across his forehead. She turned to go when the councilman laid a hand on her arm. “Wait, that’s not all.”

She wanted to return to Cade’s cabin, get a hold on her emotions and figure out what she was going to do about these feelings for Rafe, but she squared her shoulders instead.

Garrett Blakeley puffed out his chest, his thumbs tucked into the pockets of his vest and said, “The council members would like you to stay on in Salvation and manage the new resort full time.”

He mentioned a generous salary and healthcare package.

Molly bounced on her toes. “Say, yes, JC, please say yes.” Molly’s green eyes glimmered, a gap-toothed grin spread over her lips.

“Does that include the mayor?”

“I only vote in the case of a tie. The members voted unanimously.”

JC’s mind spun with possibilities. She could buy her own place and settle down to a good life here in Salvation. But now that she realized she’d fallen for Rafe, she wasn’t so sure anymore. Rafe’s explanation offered no encouragement toward her acceptance. She had no idea how he truly felt and until she did she couldn’t say yes. “Thank you for the offer. Could I have a few days to think about it?”

“Of course. Contact me or Rafe when you’ve made a decision.”

Molly’s face fell. “Why do you have to think about it? Don’t you love me?”

JC squatted to eye level with Molly. “Sweetheart, just because I need to think about it doesn’t mean I don’t love you. I will always love you.” She cuddled Molly, glanced up at Rafe who frowned down at her.

* * *

A few days later, JC pulled into the parking lot of the Salvation county fairgrounds, cut the engine and climbed from her car. After overseeing much of the set up earlier in the day, she’d barely had enough time to go back to Cade’s place to shower and change. A large sign hung on the outside of the exhibition center building declaring Celebrate Texas in large red and blue letters making her spirits soar.

This event would go down without a hitch she could feel it in the marrow of her bones. She gazed at the sky spreading overhead in a clear blue arc, the clouds from the earlier rainstorm had moved off. Humidity drenched the air and a mosquito buzzed her head, but she wasn’t going to let a mosquito or two spoil the evening. She dug the repellent from her bag and reapplied it. Her jeans hugged her legs and hips and were designed to make her butt and hips look trim, but when she’d checked in the mirror they appeared as wide as usual.

JC stepped into the exhibition center humming with the sound of voices and closed the door at her back. A wave of cool air relieved the stifling evening heat. Each booth was filled with vendors from Salvation. She waved at Grace and Ryn over in the Bluebonnet Cafe booth. Other booths teamed with local artisans showcasing their pottery, fresh baked cinnamon rolls, paintings and arts and crafts. The hardware store, the local nursery and the Salvation Garden Club had a booth. There were vendors selling hot dogs, hamburgers, cotton candy, fresh squeezed lemonade and baked potatoes with the works.

Saw dust covered the floor. Lights illuminated the space and ceiling fans placed at intervals helped stir the air. JC waved at people she’d reconnected with since she’d arrived back in town and lightness filled her heart. She’d been none too thrilled to be stuck here, but the people had opened their doors and their hearts to her. Even Rafe except for the heart part. The barricade around his emotions was still firmly in place.

JC walked through the exhibition center and out the back door onto a path leading to a big cattle barn. A covered arena stood off to the left with lights blazing inside and the echo of the sound system being checked. Rafe’s truck and horse trailer were parked outside the cattle barn and her heart skipped a beat. She’d asked him if he would ride his horse and carry the flag for the opening of the show and he had agreed. A band stand and dance floor had been erected along the midway along with some refreshment stands. She’d hired an up and coming local band. The owner of the hardware store had donated the lumber and other electrical supplies not to mention his time to build a dance floor complete with lights and a stage for the band. Everyone had rallied to help her make this the best night it could be and she was more grateful for their kindnesses than they would ever know.

Two large trucks and multiple trailers belonging to the Harlan Wild West Show pulled into the parking lot. The truck’s big tires rolled over the dirt and gravel stirring up a cloud of dust before the trucks stopped with a squeak of brakes and a metallic groan.

JC checked her watch. Thank goodness. The owner had phoned and said he might be late because they had engine trouble, but she didn’t expect them to be this late. They had a little over an hour before the show was set to begin.

Some of the performers in the Wild West show climbed from the vehicles, looked around with a tired and worn out expression and headed for a booth near the dance floor selling burritos, rather than getting to work on the show’s set up.

Shocked, JC walked over to speak to them. “Aren’t you going to start setting up?”

One man said, “We’ve got miles of road behind us and we’d like to get something to eat first.”

“The show is supposed to begin in a little over an hour. Couldn’t you eat later? I’ve already paid you a deposit,” she said. She knew her words sounded harsh, but tonight had to be a success.

“We’ll be ready in time, don’t worry.” He wiped his sleeve over his mouth, tossed the remains of the burrito he was eating into a trash receptacle and walked away.

“You should try and be a little nicer or those people might walk out on you. And their deposit be damned.”

At the sound of Rafe’s voice, her whole body tingled down to her toes, while inwardly she gave a high five. After composing herself, she turned around. He was dressed in black down to his boots. “I was just trying to make a point, because I’m an event planner and it’s my job to make sure everything goes without a hitch. And by the way, I’m always nice to my vendors as long as they do their job.”

Rafe pushed the hat back on his head and he stepped closer. She fought the nearly overwhelming urge to hold him and kiss him senseless. “If you don’t add a little honey to the mix, you might end up with more than just a hitch tonight.”

JC folded her arms over her chest to put more distance between them. “Are you saying you never need to have a heart-to-heart with your hands on the ranch? Does everything on The Rocking M always run perfectly?”

“Not a damn thing runs perfectly on a ranch, but I don’t let things chap my hide because problems come with running any business. I’m just saying—”

A full smile played around his mouth and his eyes twinkled—which only infuriated her more.

“I know what you’re saying, but I have things under control. Just let me do my job my way.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He tipped his hat. “I need to see a man about a horse.” She watched him walk away, his long legs striding smoothly over the ground.

Love and fury sparked inside her like a jar full of fire flies. He didn’t know zip about event planning and he had the gall to tell her how to do her job. She didn’t give him orders or advice on how to run the ranch or the town. Why did Rafe McCord get her so tangled up every time she was near him? She already knew the answer. She had fallen stupidly in love with him. She looked around. Where was Molly? She hoped she wasn’t sick. No, if Molly was sick, Rafe would be at home. In her mind, she saw him sitting at Molly’s bedside, feeding her chicken broth and ice chips.

She glanced back in Rafe’s direction and started after him to enquire about Molly, but he rounded the corner of the barn and disappeared from view.

“Hi, JC.”

JC waved at Cade and Ryn. “Hi, thanks for coming.”

They continued toward the fairground arena hand in hand. She wondered if there was romance in the air for her brother. JC didn’t want to remain single, striving for as much success as she could with no one to share it with. She knew a lot of people got married and settled down into marital bliss. She planned the perfect day for people all the time. She knew she could give other people their happily-ever-after but she wasn’t so certain she could do the same for herself.

She’d never have believed she’d find the right man in the small town of Salvation. She’d had a crush on Rafe growing up but she had no idea that crush would blossom into the almost overwhelming love she felt inside. Instinctively she laid her palm over her heart as if to shield the emotion from hurt.

The hour swiftly passed and the show was about to begin. The stands had filled with people and from the license plates JC had seen on some of the vehicles in the parking lot, many people had come from out of town. She waved to Molly who looked adorable in a cowgirl outfit, sitting next to Linc. JC motioned to one of the council members in the announcer’s booth and he picked up the mic.

“Good evening, everyone. Welcome to Celebrate Texas.”

A flurry of applause rose to the rafters of the arena. “First, please stand for our national anthem.”

As soon as the music started, Rafe galloped into the arena on the back of his horse, Silver Bells balancing the end of the flag pole on the toe of his left boot and held the reins with his other hand. JC covered her heart with her hand, drinking in the sight of him and his beautiful horse, as her heart thumped wildly under her palm. The flag waved through the air in a flurry of red, white and blue and tears sprang to her eyes. She always got teary eyed when the national anthem played.

Silver conches on the horse’s saddle winked under the lights. She didn’t know who she was more proud of, Rafe or her country. As soon as the anthem ended, Rafe and his horse dashed from the arena.

“And now, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, hold on to your hats and welcome the Apache War Chief, Geronimo.”

A man in Indian headdress charged into the arena on horseback followed by several braves with lances riding bareback behind him. They circled the ring a few times and filled the air with war cries.

“Don’t be afraid, because here comes Buffalo Bill Cody to the rescue,” the councilman called.

A man wearing chaps, a tall Stetson with spurs on his boots, galloped into the arena on a stunning palomino stallion. Pointing his rifle into the air, he fired off a volley of shots.

The Indians turned and sped toward him with their lances raised.

The lights blinked twice then darkness engulfed the arena.

A collective groan issued from the audience.

“Oh, no,” JC mumbled to herself. She pulled her car keys from her pocket and pressed a button on the little key fob flashlight on her key ring. Only a thin beam of light shown into the darkness but it was better than nothing. She remembered seeing the power box on the north end of the arena and when she got there the custodian stood by the box, with his hat off scratching his head.

JC rushed to his side. “Mr. Connolly, what’s happened? Can you fix it?”

He shook his head. “I don’t know what’s wrong, JC. None of the breakers have popped.”

The sound of sirens filled the air. JC and the custodian walked outside and looked toward downtown Salvation. Darkness shuttered half the town and a string of police cars with lights flashing, were gathered at the edge of town.

“There must have been an accident and someone hit a power box,” Mr. Connolly said.

“How long do you think it will take to fix it?”

He shook his head. “I don’t know. It could take hours.”

Her event was going down in flames. She had to do something. Then she remembered she still had the fireworks. She found the officer who had arrested her, munching on a hot dog and once again he managed to ruin her day. “I’m sorry, JC. Even with the rain today it’s way too dry. If one of the rockets flies out into the fields, we could have a brush fire. And with the bleachers made out of wood, we can’t chance it. Sorry.” He took another bite of the hot dog he held in his hand. “Look on the bright side, the hot dogs are great.”

Barnacles! All she had was the fireworks, and the food. She would find a way to make this work. She found a bull horn since the power supply was off and shouted for the hardware store owner to meet her outside the arena.

A half hour later, he delivered a supply of flashlights to the fairgrounds. Each of the performers was given one and in a while the show started up again. Despite the delay, everyone seemed to have a good time. Later when everyone was filing out getting ready to go home, she spotted Rafe with Molly.

Molly ran to her side and grabbed her in a hug around her legs. “Hi, JC.” She looked up at JC and curled her finger in a back and forth motion. JC leaned down and Molly gave her a kiss.

“What was that for?”

“Daddy said you needed a kiss for saving the show.”

JC glanced up at Rafe and she could see his eyes glinting in the half light. Her heart softened and ached at the same time.

“Did it help?” Molly asked.

She nodded. “Yes, a kiss from you always makes everything better.”

Molly grabbed her hand. “Wanna come home with me? We can have a pajama party. I’ll show you my tea set Granma gave me for Christmas last year.”

A lump of emotion shoved into her throat. “I wish I could, Molly.” Oh, God she wanted to say yes. “But maybe another time. Would that be okay?”

Molly shrugged and said, “Sure.”

JC straightened from her position, faced Rafe. “Thank you for staying. I appreciate it, considering what happened.”

Rafe smiled. “Everybody hits pot holes in the road. The trick is not to lose your muffler or let it break your axle. It’s all in the steering.” He winked at her and she felt that wink all the way to the tips of her toes. “You did just fine with that particular pot hole. There was no way you could have predicted the lights going out. And hey, it turned out okay. The flashlights were an ingenious idea. I think they might have even made the show.”

Linc walked over with his date and picked up Molly. “Come on, rug rat. I’ll take you home so your dad and JC can talk.”

“Goodnight, JC. I love you,” Molly called over Linc’s shoulder.

JC’s eyes instantly welled with tears and the lump in her throat grew to the size of a wedding cake. “Goodnight, Molly, I love you too,” she called after her in a husky voice. She could feel Rafe’s gaze on her, but she couldn’t turn around because she didn’t want him to see her tears, a combination of needing to know how he really felt about her and Molly’s sweet, heartfelt I love you.

What would it be like to hear those words from her own child? And if she did have a child would she be a good mother? Rafe started to move around in front of her, but she turned her face away because she was on the verge of bawling her eyes out. She swallowed against the lump in her throat and swiped the tears away trickling down her hot cheeks. Why did a woman’s tears have to make her skin splotchy, ruin her makeup and make her face flushed and hot?

She inhaled a shaky breath and faced Rafe even though deep inside, her heart was breaking. “I’d better go get some rest so I have the energy to plan the next event.” She hefted her purse and started to walk away.

“JC, hold on a minute.”

She couldn’t talk to him now. She needed to get back to Cade’s cabin and pull the covers over her head for what she hoped would be at least eight hours of uninterrupted sleep. Tomorrow night was the Senator’s gala and she needed to be rested. She threw up her right hand in a little wave without looking at him. “I’m tired. Let’s talk tomorrow, okay?”

She took maybe two strides before Rafe stepped in front of her. She concentrated on his boots, until he placed a finger under her chin and lifted her face into the moonlight. His blue gaze stroked her face with tenderness and her heart nearly stopped. Moonlight glinted on his hair and washed around them in a silvery glow. The sound of cars leaving the fairgrounds echoed through the night. “You were amazing tonight.”

His simple words of praise nearly undid her. She wanted desperately to tell him she loved him here and now. She wanted to shout it to the sky and moon overhead but she was scared, bone deep, soul sucking scared, that he wouldn’t return her feelings. When she’d challenged him that day in the barn she knew there was a chance she could be hurt and had resigned herself to take that chance but now standing inches away from him she knew he could crush her heart. All it would take would be a few well-chosen words with a look of pity in his eyes. And pity was the last thing she wanted or needed from him. She paused for a moment and inhaled a deep breath. “Thank you. I’ll be starting on the next project soon. The renovation at the mansion seems to be humming along. I’ll see you later, Rafe.”

She walked away leaving him standing alone in the moonlight.