The Cowboy Meets His Match (4 page)

Shaking her finger, Betty said, “Rest and take care of yourself. We don't need another bird with a broken wing. With your father in the hospital, your mother needs you whole.”

Erin couldn't deny that, but so far, her mom appeared to be bearing up under the load. “How is Tate doing?”

Betty didn't answer. She walked to the table and sat down. Erin joined her.

“What's wrong?” Her brother's freshman year in high school had been rough, and he'd given her parents no end of trouble, with skipping school and not wanting to go to church with them. But he wasn't given a choice whether or not to go to school and church. So he'd gone, and his sophomore and junior years had been better. He'd been doing well until their dad's stroke, then retreated into himself.

“Your brother acts as if nothing happened and life is fine. But I see behind the mask he's wearing. There's much trouble in his heart.”

“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

S
awyer 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.”

“Oh? What happened?” The tone of Caleb's voice changed from teasing to serious in a heartbeat.

“There was another competitor for the job, and some of the townspeople wanted to hear her ideas. She's local talent.”

“She?”

Sawyer explained the situation with Erin and her qualified support tonight. “And the final twist is that she didn't know the results of the vote until she walked into the board meeting.”

“So was there a big scene?”

“No.”

Both men remained silent.

“Do you think she acted that way to stay in with the rodeo redo just to make your life miserable?”

After thinking a moment, Sawyer said, “No. She doesn't strike me as a woman with a sneaky side. So far she's been up-front and honest.”

“You mean she's not trying to manipulate you like Mom?”

Sawyer thought about it. He didn't know Erin well enough, but his gut feeling told him no. “Tonight at a public meeting, she put an end to the argument about my winning.”

Caleb didn't respond. Finally, he said, “Well, just watch yourself. We've been on the wrong side of people before.”

“True, but enough about me, how's that wife of yours doing?” Sawyer wanted to get the topic off him and onto the new baby coming.

“She says she's okay, but she keeps puking. How could that be fine?”

Sawyer's concern spiked. “Is anything wrong?”

“Yeah. Morning sickness. She can't stand the smell of coffee anymore.” The last words out of his mouth sounded strangled.

Sawyer laughed. “This is a new development.”

“It is. The first time she threw up on me, I thought it a fluke. But time two and three, we knew.

“Herbal tea. She wants me to drink herbal tea. Have you ever tasted that stuff? Looks like dishwater and smells about as bad. I've seen stagnant creeks I'd drink out of before the stuff she's drinking.”

“It's a small price to pay for me having a niece or a nephew.” Sawyer wanted to laugh again, but took pity on his brother.

“Are you going to give up coffee to support me?” Caleb demanded.

“Nope. So what are you doing about it?”

“Running to the barn where Gramps brews a pot of coffee. Brenda knows what we're doing and stays away until ten. I'm wondering if I'll live through this.”

Sawyer had to laugh. “You'll live.”

Caleb mumbled something.

“You're going to have to gut it up, brother.”

“That's what Gramps says, but I don't know if he knows what he's talking about. Do you know how many things could go wrong?”

“Trust him. He's seen his children and grandchildren born. He knows more than us. And Brenda being Brenda, if something's wrong, she'll see about it. Is she going to quit going to school?”

“No.”

The quickness of his brother's answer told him that Caleb had made the mistake of asking his wife the same question. Sawyer grinned. “If she doesn't think she's in danger, then relax. I think your wife wants you to unwind and help her.”

“If you say so, but I want you to be careful about the woman you told me about.”

“Will do. Let me know how things are there.” Sawyer hung up and sat staring at his computer.

Caleb thought Erin had another agenda. He'd have to be on his guard against her no matter how strangely his heart reacted to the woman. But there was still something about Erin Delong that he was missing. What?

* * *

The next morning, Erin arrived at the rodeo grounds before any other board member. She parked by Sawyer's truck, took the last swig of her coffee and got out.

“Ah, a lady who likes her coffee,” Sawyer commented as he walked toward her.

“Guilty as charged. I haven't met a cowboy who doesn't run on it.” She placed her travel mug in the center console between the front seats and closed the door.

“True.” He shifted, then smiled at her. “I wanted to thank you for your words of support last night.”

She nodded. “But, as I told Bob, I plan to have my say if I see things that need to be done.” She had relived that meeting multiple times after she got home, checking whether she'd missed anything. The man seemed to rattle her thinking processes, leaving her to wonder if she'd lost her edge. Usually, she found it easy to cut through to the heart of the matter or see what drove a person. With Sawyer, she felt blind, groping in the dark. He made her feel nervous and off-balance. And what her senses told her, she didn't believe, which was a first for her.

“I'd expect nothing less.” He nodded to her, but there was something else in his eyes that she couldn't nail down. Was that humor? Interest?

Before she could respond, Mel drove into the parking lot, followed by several other board members in their vehicles. Five minutes later, Harding County board members arrived. Bob Rivera also appeared. “Morning.”

They walked through the empty rodeo grounds discussing Sawyer's plan and other concerns the board members had. Bob hung back and observed the tour.

“Who do you have a contract with to provide the rides?” Sawyer asked Mel as they stood in the empty area where the rides would be located.

Mel named the company they'd used previously to provide the carnival rides for the rodeo.

Sawyer frowned. “I wouldn't use them this year. I have the names of a couple of different vendors.”

“Why?” Chris Saddler asked. “We've worked with that company for years.”

Erin could always count on Chris to bring up questions she had. When Chris asked a question of Mel, he got answers. When she asked a question on the same subject, Mel gave her nothing but grief.

“The company you're using had a lawsuit filed against them last week, and their safety record is iffy,” Sawyer answered.

The board members all looked at Mel.

“Did you know about their history?” Norman asked.

“This is the first I've heard of this.”

Erin kept her mouth shut but met Mel's gaze. She and her dad had argued with him about the company, but he had pushed aside their concerns.

Mel ground his teeth and turned to face Sawyer. “I've heard rumors. We can look into your suggestions,” he said reluctantly.

As they finished the tour of the grounds, Mel did a good imitation of a petulant child, with his stomping feet and bad attitude. The other board members grew uncomfortable with his actions.

“I think half these vendor booths should be offered to people in Harding,” Norman stated.

“And if there are not enough people in Harding who want to pay for one of the booths, offer the rest of the booths to anyone in the state who wants to rent them,” Erin added.

“Good idea,” Bob Rivera said.

The others agreed.

“Okay, I can get those contracts reviewed and awarded,” Sawyer added.

The group started toward their cars. Mel stepped closer to Sawyer. “You were hired for your talent and not anyone else's.” Mel glared at Erin.

“So does that mean you don't want me to consider any of the suggestions from the other rodeo board members that vary from the original contract?” Sawyer spoke loudly enough for everyone to hear. “And does that warning include you?”

Everyone stopped.

Mel glanced around, then swallowed. “No, that's not what I meant.”

“Good, because if any of the local residents or board members know of a way to cut costs to bring us in under budget, I want to know.” Sawyer turned to the others. “I'll email updates weekly to the board members and have the changes posted at the rodeo office.”

The members nodded and walked to their cars.

Mel shot Erin a last disgruntled look and trudged to his truck.

Bob waited behind with Erin and Sawyer. “Well, Mr. Jensen, you just got on Mel's bad side.”

“Could be.”

“Thankfully, you were already awarded the contract,” Bob added.

“True, but once the project gets started, Mel will change his mind.”

“Don't count on it.” Bob nodded to Erin and Sawyer and walked away.

Erin stood there absorbing Sawyer's defense of her. It was the last thing she had expected from him, but there it was, warming her heart. It was something not a lot of people did for her. They always expected her to be the strong one, defending others. To be on the receiving end of it was like a gentle rain on her parched soul. “Thanks for your support.” Erin didn't know how to handle this man. Too often, other professional men not from around here approached her ideas with skepticism. He didn't seem fazed by her suggestions but, instead, welcomed them.

He nodded. “I liked your idea to make sure all the booths were occupied.”

Oddly, she wanted to preen over his compliment. “It's just common sense.”

His rich laughter filled the air. “Sometimes common sense is the last thing that rules.”

“True.”

“I'm heading back to the rodeo office to go over the books for the last few years. I could use help from someone familiar with what's gone on before, and a board member would be perfect for the job.”

The offer only added to her confused reaction to him. “I've got the morning free, so I can do that.”

“Good.”

They walked to their trucks.

“Growing up, I spent a lot of time on these grounds. I looked forward to September when the rodeo came,” Erin said.

“I understand. Summers my brother and I followed the traveling rodeo wherever it went.”

“What'd your parents think of that?”

His expression slammed shut, throwing her back on her heels. “My father died when I was young.”

The tone of his voice didn't encourage any other questions. “I'm sorry.” Erin didn't push. “I'll see you at the offices.” She opened the door of her truck and slid into the driver's seat.

Pulling out of the parking lot, she glanced in her rearview mirror and saw Sawyer standing by his truck, studying her.

“I guess he thought I might get into his business. Too bad the man doesn't know me,” she said out loud. A smile slowly curved her lips. “But he'll learn.”

* * *

When Sawyer walked into the offices of the bicounty rodeo, Erin sat talking to the secretary.

“I appreciate your prayers, Lisa. Dad's improving a little each day.”

The women stopped and looked at him.

“Did you get lost?” Erin asked, her voice light.

“No, but I drove through the rodeo grounds and confirmed that the back entrance to the grounds needs the road widened and marked.”

“Excellent idea,” Erin replied.

Lisa grinned.

“What?” Sawyer looked at both women.

“Erin proposed that last year, but Mel disagreed and wouldn't bring it up at the board meeting.”

“Well, I agree with you.”

“Good to know.”

“Let's move into the other room and start working on this rodeo.”

A small office stood behind the reception area. Down from the office was a meeting room where Sawyer and Erin could spread out. On one side of the room were bookshelves filled with binders of past rodeos. The notebooks went back to 1937.

“I see this rodeo has a long past.” Sawyer nodded to the notebooks. “It's great it's been documented.”

Erin pulled the first notebook off the shelf. Carefully, she put the binder on the table, opened it and slowly turned the pages.