by Leah Atwood
A wave of appreciation passed through the audience with loud hoots and thunderous applause.
A broad smile covered the lower half of Mayor Appleton’s face. “Planning for the extravaganza is a year-round event, and the committees always brainstorm for new ways to add excitement and fun to the festivities. This year, I am pleased to announce that we are adding a new tradition. Starting this year, we will elect a Weatherton King and Queen. The winners should be a man and woman who embody the spirit of Weatherton, and embrace our values of faith, family, and community.”
“How are the winners decided?” Maya Denton called out, an ambitious gleam in her eye. She had several beauty pageant wins to her name and surely thought she would win.
“Outside of my office are entry forms and a locked box. At your leisure, tonight and tomorrow, stop by and fill out your choice, then drop it in the box.” The mayor held up a hand. “Now, we’re doing this on an honor system, and we ask you to respect our rule of one vote per person.”
The announcement was met with enthusiasm from the citizens, and another round of applause circled the crowd. Loud chaos, enough to overwhelm her senses, followed as many people called out names of those they thought should win. Excited murmurs were heard from all directions.
“What do the winners get?” one voice called out above the others.
“Good question, Lou,” Mayor Appleton said. “Both winners will receive a free meal from the diner every week for the next year. They will also get a free haircut or style per month at the barber shop or salon. And the big prize is an all-expenses paid trip to Teton View Lodge for a week.”
A gasp went through the audience, and Cara’s eyes widened. She would love all of those prizes, and a week vacation in the Tetons would be amazing. They used to take family trips there every summer when they were younger, and they’d continued after Dad died, but now her vacation time and money were used to visit her mom in New Mexico. No, use in dreaming, though. There were many women in Weatherton who were more likely to be crowned Weatherton’s Queen. Maya Denton for one, who had been Homecoming Queen and Prom Queen in high school.
Mayor Appleton tapped on the microphone again. “If everyone would quiet down, there’s one more prize to announce.” He waited a few seconds before continuing. “Tomorrow night, the winners will be announced at the end of the festivities. Rather than receive a traditional crown and tiara, the King and Queen will be crowned with matching bull-hide, studded hats which were created by our very own Paul Bedford.”
With the mayor’s announcement over, the town buzzed with even more excited energy. The crowd slowly drifted to various parts of town, with many remaining for the concert. All around, whispers and snippets of conversation could be heard about who should be the first King and Queen.
As much as she would love the prizes, Cara knew she didn’t stand much chance, but she’d love for someone to win who deserved it, unlike Maya. She turned to Jase. “We should cast a vote for Tate and Lanie.”
Jase raised his eyebrows. Humor and doubt collided in his eyes. “Can you see Tate parading around as a pageant King?”
“It’s not a pageant, though, and think what a great opportunity a week away would be for them.” The more she thought of the idea, the more she would love to see it happen.
From her understanding, Tate and his family were land rich but money poor. The money the ranch earned went back into the business, and while they weren’t destitute by any means, there wasn’t enough for many extras, especially a week away at a luxury resort. Lanie loved her husband, no matter that he couldn’t give her the best of material things. She would never complain about her life, but Cara knew how much her friend longed for a vacation.
With her mind made up, she vowed to cast a vote for Tate and Lanie when she went to the ballot box before tomorrow evening.
Chapter Six
Pastor Etsel dismissed the congregation fifteen minutes early on Sunday morning. Most of the members were involved with the Extravaganza, so rather than having a mass exodus shortly before the closing hymn, he announced a shorter service for the day.
Jase picked up his Bible from the pew and tucked it under his arm, then replaced his hat. He wished Cara could have been in the service today. If she had been, he’d have invited her to sit with him, but she had to work until five this evening.
“Will you join us back at the ranch for lunch?”
The voice took him by surprise, and he looked up to see Lanie standing in front of him. “I’ll have to pass today, but thanks for the offer.”
“Are you sure? I have a roast in the slow cooker, and homemade bread rising.”
His stomach was sorely tempted to accept, but he had other plans. “I don’t suppose you could save a helping for a sandwich later?”
“I think I can handle that.” Lanie smiled, and mischief lit her eyes. “But only if you tell me what’s going on between you and Cara.”
He erupted into a hearty laugh. “So far, there’s not much to tell, but I know you, and I know Cara, so I also know that both of you were probably on the phone last night discussing details.”
Lanie scrunched her nose. “We need fresh faces around here, ones that haven’t all known each other since grade school.” She wiped the fake scowl from her face. “And you’re partly right. We talked last night, but she was tight-lipped on the details.”
Why hadn’t she talked about their date? Hadn’t she enjoyed it or was she respecting his privacy? Other than avoiding his kiss, she’d done nothing to indicate she hadn’t had a good time. He couldn’t believe that was the reason, which left protection of privacy, which made him fall for her all that much more.
He winked at Lanie. “Then far be it for me to share any more details.”
Her bottom lip protruded to a mock pout, but she quickly reversed it with a smile. “All right, I get the point, but you treat her well, or you’ll answer to me.”
“I wouldn’t expect less.”
Tate approached and slipped an arm around Lanie’s shoulder, giving her an affectionate smile. “What’s my wife up to now?”
She tossed him an innocent, doe-eyed expression. “Who says I’m up to anything?”
Jase tipped his hat and grinned. “I’ll leave you two lovebirds to sort this one out on your own. I’ll see you later at the Extravaganza.”
Making his way to the parking lot, he left the one-hundred and fifty-year-old church. During the spring and summer, it wasn’t uncommon to see horses hitched to the posts outside. Sometimes he liked to close his eyes and imagine life as it was during Weatherton’s early days. Today, however, his thoughts were about the future, not the past.
He walked toward his truck then changed his mind. His spot in the church parking lot was just as close as any of the other parking available for the day’s festivities. The temperature had warmed since yesterday, enough, so his breath didn’t fog, and he wouldn’t mind an invigorating walk in the brisk air.
His plan was to drop by the diner and try to catch Cara in time to share her lunch break. Last night had been special, and he hated to see this weekend come to an end. For the first time since before his dad passed away, he’d been able to relax and enjoy himself, without stopping to think about the responsibilities facing him. Instead, he’d been able to relax and enjoy time with Cara.
The weekend wasn’t over yet. He wouldn’t bum himself out by thinking of the end but focused on the time he still had with Cara. After her shift, they’d attend the closing festivities of the Extravaganza together, but before then, he had other work to do. If things went as he hoped, Cara would have a big surprise tonight.
By the time he reached the diner, he was ready for a hot cup of coffee. He slipped through the door after another patron exited and took a seat at the counter. Scanning the restaurant, he searched for Cara but didn’t see her. Hopefully, she hadn’t gone to lunch already. He pulled off his brown leather gloves and rubbed his hands together, breathing hot air onto them.
Evie, one of th
e other waitresses, approached him from the other side of the counter. “What can I get you today, Mr. McCade?”
“Just a cup of coffee for now.” He tucked his gloves into his coat pocket. “Is Cara around?”
“She’s in the freezer, pulling out more chicken nuggets.” Evie set a cup in front of him and filled it with coffee. “Want me to let her know you’re here?”
“I’ll wait. I’m not in a hurry.”
“Okay. Coffee is free today, by the way, in honor of the Extravaganza. If you need anything else, let me know.”
“Thanks, Evie.” He brought the cup to his mouth and took a long sip.
A few minutes later, Cara came out from the kitchen, untying her apron as she walked. She stopped short when she saw him. “Hi, I wasn’t expecting you here.”
“I thought I’d surprise you, and see if you wanted to have lunch from one of the food carts.”
“Perfect timing. I’m officially off the clock as of a minute ago.” She draped her apron over her arm. “Let me grab my coat. I’d planned to sit in a booth and read during my break, but your idea sounds much better.”
Warmth filled him, unrelated to the coffee. “I’ll wait here.”
While she was gone, he removed several dollar bills, more than what a coffee would have normally cost, and left them as a tip. Evie was a single mom trying her best to make ends meet. In all the times he’d eaten at the diner, he’d never seen her without a smile and never heard her complain. Her optimism despite life’s lemons thrown at her inspired him.
Cara reappeared, wearing a heavy red coat and hand-knitted scarf his mom had crafted and given it to her as a Christmas gift last year.
She fastened the final button. “Did you have any place in mind?”
“The grills tempted my taste buds on the way here. I thought I’d pick up a burger.”
“Oh, we have to try them.” Her cheeks rose when she smiled broadly. “Someone told me the patties are in Christmas shapes, like stars and trees.”
He wasn’t so sure about that—he liked his food traditional, but if it tasted the same, why not? “They’re on the far corner by the bookstore. After we eat, we can stop and say hi to Mom, if you want.”
“Sounds like a plan. I still can’t believe I missed her completely last night.”
“She said they stayed packed during the whole event.” He held out an arm for Cara, and she slipped hers through his. “The only break she had was during the time we went in there.”
“While we’re there, I want to see if they can special order a book for me. Jared loves biographies on war heroes, and there was a new one released last week about a World War II general.”
He held the door open for her. “I think I know which one you’re talking about. One of the guys Tate recently hired is also into those, and he got his from the bookstore.”
“That would be great if they had it in stock and didn’t have to order it. Mrs. Jenny gets them in as soon as she can, but with Christmas fast approaching, you know how they tend to be delayed.”
“Mrs. Jenny’s customer service can’t be beaten.”
She pulled the scarf tighter around her neck. “Is it getting colder?”
“I think so. When I left the church, it didn’t feel so bad, but there’s a bite to the air now.” He took advantage of her comment to pull her closer.
Her smile told him she didn’t mind. “How was church this morning? I hate having to miss the service on the Sundays I work.”
“It was good. Pastor Etsel started his annual series on the Christmas story.”
Her lips turned downward. “Those are my favorites. I wish I hadn’t missed it. I love how he adds to it every year, and the sermons never get old.”
“Maybe you can get a copy of it on CD from the tech team.”
“I’ll have to ask.”
They came to the stand selling burgers. Cara started to withdraw her wallet, but Jase put a gentle hand on her wrist. “My treat.”
She dropped her wallet into her purse. “Thank you.”
“Two burgers, please,” he told the man behind the table.
“Bell, Angel, Tree or Star?”
“They really do come in shapes?” Cara’s eyes opened wide with delight.
“Yes, ma’am.” The guy chuckled. “Not sure who came up with the idea, but it makes eating them more interesting.”
Cara bit down on her lip, craning her neck to see a tray of the burgers sitting in a pan under a heat lamp. “I’d like a star, please.”
“One star coming up.” The man shifted his gaze to Jase. “What about you, sir?”
At the risk of sounding like a Scrooge, he resisted asking if they had any regular burgers. “I’ll take a bell.”
Once they had their food, they went to a side table and added condiments. One good thing about the cold weather was that they didn’t have to worry about the mayonnaise and other add-ons going bad. He loaded his with ketchup, mustard, and sliced dill pickles.
“I see an empty bench over there.” He pointed to one closest to the town tree where an outdoor heater was conveniently set up.
They sat down and ate in silence, enjoying their food before it could turn cold.
When she chewed her last bite, Cara crumbled up the waxy sheet of paper the burger had been wrapped in. “Thanks for stopping by and treating me to lunch.”
“My pleasure.”
“To tell you the truth, I was disappointed Maude put me on the schedule today.” She sighed. “I had asked for the day off, hoping to spend the whole day at the Extravaganza, but I guess if it weren't me working, it would be someone else missing out.”
He tapped her nose. “Perk up. We have now and this evening. We’ll make the most of it.”
“I sound like a brat, don’t I?”
“Not at all. You work almost every holiday that the diner is open, and more so, you volunteer for shifts so others can spend the day with their families.” These were the moments his heart broke for her. Why couldn’t she see her worth?
“Regardless, I appreciate you taking the time out of your day to see me.” She tossed her trash in the nearby trash can. “Have you cast your vote for the Queen and King?”
“Not yet. I’ll head that way after lunch.” And after I run some errand involving a little campaigning.
“You’re going to vote for Lanie and Tate, right?”
He winked and gave a vague answer. “Didn’t anyone ever tell you it’s improper to ask who someone is voting for?”
Her tinkling laugh showed no offense. “Then you don’t have to tell me.” She paused. “As long as your ballot shows Lanie and Tate.”
Playfulness came over him. “I don’t know. I thought I might cast a vote for Maya Denton.”
Cara narrowed her eyes. “You wouldn’t.”
“No. I’m just giving you a hard time.” He reached for her hand. “I would never vote for her in any contest after the way she treated you in high school.”
“You knew?” Her eyes registered shock.
“She wasn’t very discreet in her teasing.”
A blush crept along her jawline. “I’m so embarrassed. It was bad enough that she said such horrible things, but to know that everyone knew…”
“Don’t even worry about it. That was years ago, and besides, Jared gave her a verbal lashing one day that shut her up quick.”
Her jaw dropped. “My brother talked to her?”
“The week after our junior prom, Jared’s senior one.”
“I never knew.”
“He didn’t want you to, but I would have thought you’d have found out by now.” Had he caused more trouble? Jase looked at her closely but saw no sign of distress.
“I’m sure I would have yelled at him for interfering back then, but knowing now makes me feel better. Knowing someone was looking out for me is a good feeling.” She glimpsed at her watch. “Lunch break’s over.”
“Already?” It seemed they’d just left.
“Time flies when you’
re having fun.” She took his hand when he stood and offered it. “Isn’t that what they say?”
“I believe so.”
He dropped her off at the diner, wishing she didn’t have to work today. Look forward to tonight. Only four more hours to go.
Chapter Seven
Evie burst into the kitchen, a stack of teetering plates precariously balanced in one hand. “Someone is waiting for you in booth four.”
“Who is it?” Cara removed the top layer of dishes from Evie’s stack before they could fall and dropped them in the sink.
“A handsome cowboy.”
Her pulse quickened. Jase was back. “I didn’t expect him until closing time.”
A teasing smile accompanied Evie’s laugh. “Girl, that man is crazy for you and has been for some time. I’m surprised he’s taken this long to act on it finally.”
That was news to her. “What do you mean for a long time?”
“Everybody in town knows Jase doesn’t date, but his eyes follow you wherever you go. If Gage had ever looked at me that way, maybe I could have kept him around longer instead of raising our kids alone.”
Cara frowned. “Gage’s leaving was no fault of yours. There was nothing you could have done.”
“I know, honey, I was only saying Jase adores you.” Evie’s smile came across as forced. “I came to terms with my divorce a long time ago, but that doesn’t mean I don’t believe in love.”
“Orders up, ladies.” Marty, the cook, shot them a disgruntled scowl. “There are the last of the day. Make sure you lock the doors after you deliver these.”
Evie giggled and muttered under her breath, “Someone’s in a grouchy mood today.”
“Rumor has it he’s going on a date tonight.” Cara spoke behind the shield of her hand. “Annie Troy.”
“But she’s always so chipper. I can’t see the two of them together.”
The conversation paused until after they grabbed their orders and were leaving the kitchen.
