Page 58 of The Cowboy's Country Charm
As she walked with Rusty, heads turned, many people nodded, and some thanked him for his service. He was well known in these parts and, apparently, well liked. She felt a swell of pride being with him.
The plastic-and-metal bleachers were weathered but serviceable and filling up now that the events were about to begin.
As they climbed, she saw Jewel first, then Ian, both decked out in long-sleeved western shirts and jeans despite the warm temperatures, and then a child that must be Parker. He was licking a scoop of chocolate ice cream that sat on a cone. Rusty had spotted them too, and he steered her toward them.
Jewel and Ian rose when she and Rusty entered the row, and little Parker slid off his seat to stand beside his grandparents.
“Glad you could make it.” Jewel’s greeting sounded sincere. “And this here is our grandson, Parker. Junie’s boy.”
Kristy bent and offered her hand. The little tyke shifted his cone to his other hand and firmly shook Kristy’s. He had on a pint-sized cowboy hat, cowboy boots, jeans, and a short-sleeved shirt. Guess he was auditioning for the cowboy role.
“Glad I could too, and pleased to meet you, Parker.”
The little boy remained standing, polishing off the last remnants of the cone.
“Ariel coming?” Jewel asked.
Kristy nodded. “She’s coming with Mel.” She turned toward Rusty. “He’s part of your team in the penning event, right?”
“Sure is. After ten years away, I’m the most inexpert-ienced one. But back in the day, I held my own. Reckon I will again.” He didn’t sound boastful, just matter of fact.
Jewel patted her son’s arm. “You’ll be fine. Cow sense doesn’t leave you. And you’ve worked the herd since you’ve been back.”
“Can’t wait.”
The eagerness in his voice made Kristy smile.
He leaned down and planted a kiss on her, as if he were leaving for a week, waved at Parker, and left.
“Penning is first. And sets the tone for the rest of the events,” Jewel said, as she wiped some chocolate from Parker’s face.
“I’m eager to see Rusty in action. I’ve been on a ride with him, but I never saw him actually ranching.” She sat on the vacant seat next to Jewel.
“He’s a natural. Comes by it honestly.” Ian said it with pride as he sat back down.
So why didn’t he want to be a rancher? There had to be more to it than Rusty was letting on. But she brushed away that thought to focus on the arena.
With that, Ariel plopped down beside her.
Kristy checked her watch. A whole five minutes to spare. “You made it.”
“You know Mel.”
Actually, Kristy didn’t, not much, anyway.
“He’s never in a hurry, but he gets it done,” Ariel said.
Reminded Kristy of Ariel.
“It will be fun to watch them work together.” Ariel gestured toward the arena.
Jewel nodded. “It’s Cort, their foreman John, Mel, and Rusty for the penning. A few other ranch hands will cycle in and out, depending on the event.”
“What horse is Rusty riding?”
“He’s on his sister’s horse, Misty.”
“Not Sheba?” Kristy had a fondness for the horse she’d ridden.
