by Verna Clay
Chip, a young, preppy looking man, accepted the mike and said, "The Chamber of Commerce has kept this award under wraps for weeks." He scanned the crowd. "Sage and Sarah Tanner where are you?"
Several people began pointing and calling out, "There they are!"
The speaker motioned them forward. "I know this is a surprise, but because of your outstanding service to our community, we wanted to honor you."
Lucinda snapped several pictures as the astonished couple ascended the stairs of the gazebo amidst whistles, cheers, and handclaps.
Chip waited for the shouting to calm and then lifted a plaque into the air. "The Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce a new tradition. Every Fourth of July we will present an award for outstanding service to our community, and this first award goes to Sage and Sarah Tanner of the Lazy M Ranch!"
The crowd went wild with appreciation.
The speaker then began enumerating their many contributions to the community, which included a yearly wagon train adventure for challenged children and adults called the Three Day Trail Blaze; an annual Christmas party for challenged and needy children; donations to the local, no kill, animal rescue center; involvement in the local and statewide Big Bro and Sis Organization; and other notable activities.
Lucinda was impressed and quickly jotted information on her notepad to include in her article detailing the day.
Finally, Chip stepped aside so Sage and Sarah could say a few words.
Sage shook his head, glanced down at Sarah, back at the crowd, and said, "I don’t know what to say. This is such a surprise." He then grinned his famous smile and Lucinda could practically hear the women sighing. He continued, "Because I'm at a loss for words, I'll simply thank the Chamber of Commerce and all you wonderful people who make our community so outstanding. Thank ya'll!" The crowd cheered as he stepped aside for Sarah to speak. Sarah placed her hands on her cheeks for a second and then said, "This is so surprising!" She waited for the cheers to die down. "I want everyone to know there isn't anywhere I'd rather live than Paxtonville! I love my community! Thank you for this award!" The shouts were deafening as the couple left the gazebo.
Mayor Quigley returned to the podium. "We have one final award to present to Molly Tucker. And for those of you who don't know, Molly is 101 years old. We had a big bash for her when she turned 100, but the planning council for the Fourth of July event voted unanimously to honor her again. Jackson, Ann, I know you've been keeping this a secret. Bring Molly up here."
Lucinda zoomed her camera in on Molly being assisted up the stairs of the gazebo. The mayor waited until she was beside him and then said, "It's my pleasure to present this trophy of a cowgirl lassoing her man to our own Molly Tucker. She's the icon of our community."
The crowd that had been so vocal for Sage and Sarah were just as vocal for Molly. The mayor finally had to make hand gestures to quiet everyone. "Folks…folks, let's allow Molly to speak."
The tiny woman laughed as she stepped behind the podium that dwarfed her, and the mayor adjusted the mike. The roar died down and Molly, staring at the trophy in Mayor Quigley's hands said, "Well, shut the door, that's a surprise."
The gathering erupted into uproarious laughter and cheers.
Molly scanned the crowd, shook her head, and then pointed at the statue. "And that's exactly how I got my man. I had to lasso Newt…" she paused, "after he taught me how to lasso, of course."
Molly's punch line sent the crowd into laughter again, but then her expression turned serious as she lifted a finger to dab her eye. "I want ya'll to know that this award is the frosting on the cake of my wonderful life. Oh, sure, I had bad times like everyone does, but they just made the happy times, happier. And the best time of my life came toward the end of my life. I was over seventy when I married Newt and moved to Paxtonville. So, for any of you thinking life has passed you by, you're wrong. Get out there and go for what you want. I wanted Newt and by golly I got him!"
The whistles, shouts, and clapping from the crowd became deafening as Jackson and Ann helped Molly from the gazebo.
The mayor returned to the podium and shouted, "What a great start to a great day! Go have fun, folks!"
Lucinda placed a hand over her heart. The exuberance of the crowd and Molly's speech had been awe inspiring. She reached for her backpack to stow her camera away, but paused when she heard her name called. She glanced up to see Phoenix waving at her.
"Hi, Lucinda. Isn't this a blast!" said Phoenix when she and Justin reached her.
"Yes. And I already have enough information and photos to fill the front page of the newspaper."
"It's going to be great! I can't wait to read it. Hey, we're on our way to the handcrafters section. Do you want to join us?"
Lucinda declined when she saw two people entering the park—Eli and Angel Brightman! They were holding hands and being greeted by townspeople. Lucinda said to Phoenix and Justin. "I'll catch up with you later. I see a couple of people I need to talk to."
Oblivious to Lucinda's anxiety over Eli and Angel, Phoenix happily replied, "Okay. See you later."
Justin echoed, "See you later, Lucinda." He reached for Phoenix's hand. "Come on, cowgirl. I want to buy you a cowgirl hat."
Phoenix giggled and playfully punched his arm. "Only if we can have some more deep-fried cheesecake." She then began pulling him away.
Briefly, Lucinda noted that Phoenix and Justin's relationship appeared to be moving into something more than friendship, but she didn't have time to analyze it as she started toward Eli and Angel.
The newlyweds were surrounded by a welcoming crowd and she heard Angel say, "Dang, we just got back and found out about my great-granny's award when I talked to my mom from the airport. I can't believe we missed it by a few minutes." Someone called out, "I got Molly on video." Someone else said, "I got it on video too," and there were more shouts of the same.
Lucinda watched and waited on the outskirts of the group. Angel glanced in her direction, saw her, and her beautiful smile wavered. She recovered and continued her conversation with Fannie Levinworth. Ward had once confided to Lucinda that the elderly woman was the town's busybody and knew everything about everyone.
Fannie said to Eli, "So, Eli, have you gotten into any more fights with reporters?"
Lucinda inwardly grinned at the pointed question. The whole town knew that Eli had been arrested twice for altercations with tabloid reporters harassing Angel. And more than once she'd heard the rehashing of the hilarious courtroom scene in which Eli and Angel publicly admitted their love for each other. She was staring at the ground and imagining the scene of Judge Casper interrogating not only Eli and the tabloid reporter, but Angel as well, when she felt a tap on her arm and Angel said, "I must say I was shocked when I heard that you were at my wedding and now you're working for our local newspaper. What gives?"
The distrust in Angel's voice was warranted and expected, but it opened a fresh wound for Lucinda. "I wanted to apologize to everyone and figured a public apology in your newspaper might mitigate some of the hostility, and when Ward offered me a job, I jumped at the chance to live here and show everyone how truly sorry I am."
Angel's flawless forehead wrinkled and Lucinda marveled at the woman's beauty. The first time she'd met Angel at the Houston rodeo, she'd equated her with a Barbie doll—beautiful, brainless, and self-centered. How wrong she had been. Angel had a Master's Degree in Business Administration and didn't have a self-serving bone in her body. And during Lucinda's weeks traveling with Harris, Eli, Angel, and Larry, she had watched Eli and Angel's deepening relationship.
Angel responded, "How has Harris taken to you being here?"
"Not well. He hates me and I don't blame him." She shrugged.
Angel rubbed her forehead. "After your article exposing his family's secrets, I can understand why."
Their conversation was interrupted when Eli joined them. "Hello Lucinda," he said coolly.
Lucinda smiled slightly. "Eli, it's good to see you. Congr
atulations on your marriage."
"Thank you," he replied without emotion. He touched Angel's forearm. "Are you ready to find Molly?"
For a moment Lucinda met Angel's gaze and she saw compassion. Coming from Angel it was no surprise, and she knew that Angel had already begun to forgive her.
Chapter 16: Idea
Phoenix couldn't remember when she'd enjoyed a day so much. The chili cookoff, the parade, the doggie dress-up competition that Freckles won, everything was fun because of Justin. Now, as they strolled the pathways he waved to a man and woman Phoenix recognized from CD covers. Then he introduced her to Sean and Tessa Barfield. She was stunned. She loved their songs, especially Love on a Breeze that had won a People's Choice Award. She gushed her adoration. Tessa smiled and said to Justin, "Why don't ya'll meet us at Boot Bustin' Barn some time? We'll be in town for about a month."
Sean agreed, "Yeah. That would be great! Call and we'll set a date."
When the couple said goodbye Phoenix watched them until they were waylaid by teenagers asking for autographs. She grabbed Justin's forearm. "I can't believe I just met Sean and Tessa Barfield and we're going on a double date with them."
Justin chuckled and started to reply, but the sound of music coming from the center of the park interrupted him. He glanced at his watch. "It's six. Looks like the dance has started. Come on." He entwined his fingers with hers and they headed toward the gazebo. He said, "The band, Hell Raisers, is a local one that plays at Boot Bustin' Barn and they're really good."
Laughing, Phoenix replied, "I can't get over that name, 'Boot Bustin' Barn'."
"Yeah? Well, it's been around for forty years and still going strong. A few years ago it was sold to Charles and Sally Trotter when the current owner retired and moved to a houseboat in Florida. Sally was a waitress at the saloon for years and that's where she met Charles, who goes by the nickname Flatfoot."
Phoenix laughed. "This town should have its own TV show. It has more stories than the Empire State Building."
Chuckling, Justin continued, "Anyway, they did some renovations but kept the signature landmarks—a huge neon bull outside and a mechanical one inside that customers can ride. The club is a few miles outside of town. You'll love it."
They reached the gazebo with dancers already crowding the area and Phoenix suddenly had a vision of her mother and father playfully dancing on their small strip of grass to pop music blaring from a boom box. And in that moment, she didn't see the singlewide trailer or think about the secondhand clothes she'd worn. She only saw her parents dancing and making their children laugh. She got a lump in her throat.
Justin faced her. "Are you a dancer?"
She swallowed past the lump. "Not at all. I have two left feet."
Grinning, he pulled her toward the dancers. "Good. I like a challenge." He drew her into his arms and began showing her the basics of whatever western dance everyone was doing. Soon, she was laughing and stepping on his feet. By the third dance she was holding her own and having a blast. From the corner of her eye she noticed Lucinda in the background taking pictures, and when Justin twirled her, she saw Harris Brightman leaning against a tree watching Lucinda. She thought about Lucinda's revelation of doing him wrong, but the way he was staring at her led one to wonder if he hated her as much as everyone claimed. Curiosity got the better of her and she said to Justin when the music slowed and he pulled her close, "Even though Lucinda wrote terrible things about Harris, he seems to be wearing his heart on his sleeve." She nodded in Harris' direction and Justin glanced over.
A moment later Justin said, "Hmm. Interesting. I have an idea."
From his unobtrusive position against the trunk of a large cypress tree, Harris watched Lucinda skirt the dance floor taking pictures and remembered their drive from Cortez. He'd been horribly rude and even his internal excuses couldn't assuage his guilt. Why couldn't he just ignore her? He saw Justin and the new hire at the coffee shop stop dancing to talk with her. They all laughed and then Lucinda handed her camera to Phoenix as she stepped to the dance floor with Justin.
Watching them evoked visions of the first time Harris had danced with her. She'd been a quick learner of the C.C. Shuffle and other dances and he'd enjoyed her occasional caustic humor. Besides that, he'd liked her spiky black hair and the intriguing angles of her face. But most of all, he'd loved her long, silky eyelashes hidden behind thick glasses.
Focusing again on Justin and Lucinda he considered moving to another tree when they came close, but stayed his ground. Lucinda obviously didn't know he was there, because her eyes widened when Justin swung her around and she faced him. Justin changed position again and spotted Harris. "Hey, Harris. Why aren't you dancing? You're usually the first one on the floor?"
Before Harris could think of a convincing response, Justin stopped dancing. "Why don't you dance with Lucinda and I'll get Phoenix?"
Harris had no trouble seeing through his obvious guise and started to decline, but instead, stepped forward. "Sure." He slipped one hand onto Lucinda's waist and held her hand with his other, keeping their bodies far apart.
As Justin hurried away Lucinda said, "You could have said no."
"I could have." They danced a few minutes and Harris said rhetorically, "You remember the steps I taught you."
She didn't respond.
The band shifted to a love ballad and Harris gradually pulled her closer. He inhaled her scent and had to stop himself from burying his face in her hair. He was a fool for dancing with her.
After the song ended he stepped back, tipped his hat, and said, "Goodnight, Lucinda."
Chapter 17: Why Not?
Phoenix laughed as she waited for Justin to unlock the door to his apartment. She'd had a couple of beers and felt a little tipsy because she rarely consumed alcohol. Justin hadn't imbibed at all.
He opened the door and waited for her to enter, but her foot got caught on the threshold and she toppled to the ground.
"Phoenix! Are you okay?" Justin dropped to his knees.
She giggled and met his gaze in the dim porch light, and then reached to grasp his neck so he could help her up, but in the process her cheek touched his. Neither of them moved until he groaned and slid his lips over hers. His kiss was long, deep, and so sensual that Phoenix pulled him down on top of her.
They were lying in the entrance to the apartment with the front door wide open, but she didn't care, and apparently neither did he. She pulled his preppy shirt from his slacks and placed her hands on his bare skin to feel his heat. He was burning and so was she. They were on the verge of combustion. She frantically kissed him and caressed his chest. "Touch me," she whispered as she moved her hands below his waist. The guy was a gorgeous nerd who made her forget all the carefully laid plans for her life. He made her forget about unprotected sex because he was wholesome and operated in an invisible realm of integrity that she rarely encountered. She craved his goodness as much as his body.
He deepened their kiss but moved his hands to stop her downward descent. Moving his mouth to her ear, he whispered, "No, Phoenix."
She was stunned.
For long moments neither of them moved, and then he lifted away and sat beside her. His eyes were squeezed shut and his chest heaved.
Slowly, she sat up. Clearing her throat she stuttered, "Wh-why not? We're both adults and we're attracted to each other."
Justin opened his eyes and pierced her with a look that made her wish she'd never asked the question. He puffed a breath and reached to cup her cheek with a touch so sweet she almost launched herself into his arms. With a sad smile, he said, "You drive me crazy with desire, but a long time ago I made a vow to myself that I would only make love to the woman I married. That's how sacred I consider the act." He stroked her cheek. "I hope you can understand that."
At first, Phoenix thought he was joking. What guy passed up the chance for a lay? But as his gaze intensified, she saw he was speaking his truth. Slowly, she backed away, releasing a long breath. "I always suspected y
ou were like no other guy I've ever met, and now I know it. And, believe it or not, I don't sleep around. I've only been with a couple of guys and regretted it later. But with you…" her voice trailed before she admitted, "I wouldn't have regretted it." She stood and glanced down. "I hope you find that woman."
Justin watched Phoenix walk into the apartment and hung his head. Holding himself back from her had been torture. They were opposites and he'd known that from the get-go, but he wanted her physically, emotionally, and in every other way. He was crazy about her, but her life had an agenda—an agenda he couldn't palate.
Chapter 18: Close Quarters
Before Ward informed Lucinda of her next assignment, she had already guessed what it was. She had read in the Denver Chronicle that Harris was making an appearance at one of the biggest rodeo events in the state as a commentator, but also to announce his official return to the sport in two months. So, when her boss said he was sending her to the outskirts of Denver, she had both welcomed and dreaded it.
Three weeks earlier, the dance she'd shared with Harris during the Fourth of July Community Celebration had revealed something substantial—he still had feelings for her. She'd felt it in the way he'd held her and realized he was warring against his emotions. He cared for her, but he wanted her out of his life.
And with that knowledge, every morning she awoke to bone aching sadness. Her public apology had mostly found success among the townsfolk and Harris' family, but not him.
Now, driving to Denver, she thought about all the friends she'd made in Paxtonville and how much she loved the community. She'd once believed that small town life would be boring and stifling, but over the past weeks she'd been proven wrong. So wrong, in fact, that she didn't want to leave. She wanted to continue working for Ward and cover the multifaceted lives of the town's colorful natives.
