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“I’ve worried about that. Kai mentioned he acted as if he didn’t have a care in the world while at the hospital before I got there. She said he’d even disappeared for a couple of hours and no one could find him.” Erin shook her head. “We all know he’s hurting, Auntie, but—”
“I thought he seemed off when I picked him up at the hospital Sunday night, but he said nothing to me on the ride home,” Betty said, shaking her head.
“He’s a man—a young one,” Erin defended, “but a man. When was the last time your husband sat down and talked to you when he was troubled about something?”
Betty smiled. “You’re right.”
“The town’s having an impromptu meeting tonight about the rodeo. I’d like to shower and change clothes before going back.”
Betty narrowed her eyes, making Erin feel guilty. “What’s the name of this person who won the rodeo contract over you?”
“Sawyer Jensen.”
“I think I should go to this meeting, too, even though I don’t live here. Your mother might want my observations.”
“You sure you want to go?”
Betty’s eyes twinkled. “There’s more going on than rodeo discussion.”
True, there were lots of undercurrents, but if Erin didn’t attend it might look like she was hiding—and that wasn’t happening. Besides, Sawyer might need her to referee. The thought made her grin. She discounted her reaction to the man.
“You’re right, but I’m afraid the meeting will not be a peaceful one.”
Betty shooed the concern away. “Have I ever been known to run from a challenge?”
“No, Auntie.” And that’s what made Erin nervous.
* * *
It appeared the entire town of Tucumcari had turned out for the impromptu meeting that night. Sawyer had his presentation cued up on his computer and plugged into the overhead projector. He’d added a couple of slides he’d taken this afternoon to bolster his points on the changes he thought needed to be made.
A wave of sound ran through the audience. Sawyer glanced up and saw Erin, an older woman and a teenage boy walk into the room. People pointed the group to the front row, where several seats were left empty. The trio made their way forward.
The older woman stopped at the edge of the stage and waved Sawyer forward. Erin stood behind the woman, but the youth walked over to the empty seat and threw himself down. He shot Sawyer a look that said he was bored. His body language echoed his disdain at having to be there.
Sawyer moved to the edge of the stage, then jumped down. “Ma’am. I’m Sawyer Jensen. And you are?”
“Betty Crow Creek.”
He glanced over at Erin.
Betty cleared her throat. “I’m Erin’s aunt. I’m here while Erin’s mother is in Albuquerque with her husband.”
Sawyer held out his hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Betty shook it. “You appear normal. Really, a handsome man.”
Erin blinked.
To cover his surprise, Sawyer smiled. “Thank you.”
Betty folded her arms over her chest. “I expected someone who had two heads and was maybe green.”
Sawyer’s eyes widened.
“Auntie!” Erin’s strangled protest could be heard only by Betty and him.
His mouth twitched with humor. “Am I the ogre you were led to believe?”
“Erin only said you won. In my mind I expected a monster who’d turned my niece’s world upside down.” Betty glanced at Erin, and then turned back to him. “I’m the one who imagined you with green skin and living under a bridge.”
So far, he was batting zero.
Melvin stood, stepped to the podium and started the meeting. Betty and Erin took their seats. Showtime.
* * *
Twenty minutes later, after Sawyer finished his program, he opened for questions.
Erin had listened carefully to the plan Sawyer laid out. She had to admit he’d thought of some aspects of the rodeo that she hadn’t and his plans were good.
Bob stood. “Have you actually been to the fairgrounds yourself?”
“I went this afternoon and updated the slides in the presentation,” Sawyer answered. “The board sent pictures so I could evaluate the situation, but after seeing it myself I changed and tailored some of my ideas for this facility.”
“I can vouch for that,” Melvin added.
Bob didn’t look convinced.
A brisk discussion followed, with people asking questions and commenting on the presentation.
Bob stood again. “I’d like to hear Erin’s plan, too, see how it compares with yours.”
Erin stood, red faced, as she turned to her neighbors and friends. “The board evaluated both proposals and thought this was the better plan.” That started another argument that lasted for the next ten minutes.
Erin looked around and knew this back-and-forth helped no one.
She motioned for everyone to be quiet, and it took a few seconds for everyone to quit talking. Traci glared at her from her second-row seat.
“I appreciate everyone’s support and faith in me, but listening to my proposal won’t settle anything. The board has already voted, and, after reviewing Sawyer’s plan, I’d say he has a good one.”
Several people started to protest, but she held up her hands. “I like his ideas on how to bring outside money to our rodeo and city. I hadn’t thought about that.
“There were a couple of other ideas that surprised me, but I think they might work here. But I also have a few items that Mr. Jensen didn’t think about, and I plan to suggest them to him and push to implement them.” She grinned. “He won’t remain unscathed.”
Standing, Bob said, “You sure, Erin?”
“I am.” She scanned the audience. “What we need to do is all come together and start working on the rodeo. A good idea is a good idea.” She turned back to Sawyer. “No matter who came up with it.”
She heard chuckles in the audience. “So, I think now that we’ve heard Sawyer’s plan, we should get behind it and support it one hundred percent.”
Melvin’s mouth hung open, and his wife had to elbow him. From Traci’s expression it looked as if she’d sucked a lemon, but Andy nodded to Erin.
Erin took her seat again.
Sawyer stood by the podium. “Any more questions or comments?”
The room remained quiet.
“Then I guess this meeting is over.” Sawyer walked down the stage steps to the floor of the room, waiting in case anyone wanted to talk privately. No one came by. He didn’t know if that was good or bad. But what he did know was Erin had stood up for him. That found a spot in his heart.
* * *
Erin’s friends clustered around her, asking questions. This time, her brain had comprehended Sawyer’s words, and she saw her neighbors’ reactions. She’d been impressed. He’d put together a thorough plan to get their rodeo back on its feet. But she had modifications that could maximize his ideas.
As she talked with other residents, Erin saw out of the corner of her eye Sawyer packing up his laptop and projector. When he walked by Tate, her brother said something. Sawyer stopped. The two exchanged words, then Sawyer walked on.
Aunt Betty frowned and leaned close to Tate. “I may be old but...”
Erin couldn’t hear the rest of what her aunt said. Tate shrugged and jogged up the other aisle out to their car.
What had that been about?
Now, several of the board members gathered in front of the stage around Sawyer. Bob joined them.
“I’m going to go through the facility tomorrow morning to do a more detailed inspection, making notes on what needs to be updated or replaced. I’d be happy to have anyone walk through with me,” Sawyer announced to the room.
“I’ll be there,” Bob Rivera replied. “You going to notify the folks in Harding?”
“I will,” Sawyer replied.
Bob nodded his approval.
Sawyer looked at Erin, silently asking if she would be there.
“You’ll see me,” Erin answered. She tried to keep her expression neutral, but felt a smile curve her lips.
He returned the smile, which made her heart light.
Later, when she and her aunt walked out to the car, Erin asked, “What was all that about with Tate and Sawyer earlier?”
“Your brother was just trying to give the new guy a hard time.”
“What’d Tate say?”
Betty kissed Erin’s cheek and opened the passenger-side door. Obviously, Auntie wasn’t going to tell her.
Why?
Chapter Three (#ulink_527f5449-eefe-5709-8ef0-a1340b115ae0)
Sawyer parked his truck in front of his hotel room, grabbed his laptop and projector, and slipped out of the truck.
“Let me help you,” Lencho called, walking to Sawyer’s side and taking the projector.
Sawyer grabbed the key from his pocket and opened the door.
“I liked your presentation for the rodeo.”
Sawyer nodded. “Good to hear.”
“I did want to hear Erin’s plan, and when she said it wasn’t necessary, it surprised me, knowing how competitive she is.” He shrugged. “But if she thought your plan was good, we can count on it.” He grinned. “I know she’ll give you her ideas, and she ain’t shy about voicing her opinion.”
“Really?”
Lencho opened his mouth to respond, but saw the teasing in Sawyer’s face. Opening the door, Sawyer motioned Lencho inside. The young man put the projector on the desk.
“So, you’re telling me that Erin will keep me honest.”
Red ran up the teen’s neck. “I didn’t mean it like that, but if you give her your word, you better live up to what you’ve said.”
“Good to know.”
“And it’s the same with her. If she gives you her word, you can count on it. And she has another thing. It’s kinda related to her first thing. Don’t lie. It ain’t worth it.”
“So you’ve been on the wrong side of her?”
“Uh, kinda. But it only happened once,” he quickly added. “And you always know where you stand with Erin. I like it. She’s not like other girls who want to play head games.”
Obviously, the young man thought the world of Erin.
“Thanks for the advice.”
“No problem.” He left, closing the door behind him.
Sawyer locked the door and sat down in the flowered chair by the table in the room. The meeting tonight had been much easier than he’d expected, due to Erin’s intervention.
Her actions puzzled him. He knew she wanted the job, so why’d she give up so quickly? He hadn’t seen her proposal, but had it been inferior to his?
That thought didn’t sit well with him. So what was it?
She had cut off Bob’s insistence to prolong this process. But why? What motivated her? His experience with competitors was that they didn’t act out of noble purposes. So, why’d she do it?
He stood and retrieved his laptop. Before he could boot up, his phone rang.
“Hi, Sawyer, how was your first day on the job?” Caleb, his older brother, asked. “Did it go well?”
“It’s been an interesting day.”
