The Blue Ribbon Brides Collection

by AlLee, Jennifer L. ; Breidenbach, Angela; Franklin, Darlene

  Paige avoided his direct gaze and instead fiddled with the strand of blue beads hanging from her neck. Mama looked quickly back and forth between them with slightly narrowed eyes.

  Mr. Lawrence cleared his throat, effectively silencing anything Mama might have been about to say.

  “I believe I have everything I need. Thank you again, ladies.” He bowed. “Should you wish to receive a copy of the paper in which this article will appear, you can reach me here.” He withdrew a small card from his breast pocket and handed it to Mama. “It has the address for the Denver Post as well as the direct line to my editor. He’ll know how to get in touch with me.”

  The reporter stepped away and retrieved his hat from the table at the rear where he and Paige had stood for most of the judging. After setting it atop his head and tucking his notepad and pencil into his pocket, he again bowed to them both.

  “Good day, ladies.”

  Paige and Mama both nodded. “Good day,” they said together.

  As soon as Mr. Lawrence disappeared from sight, Paige started clearing the tables and cleaning up the few entries no one had bothered to claim. Mama came alongside her and placed her hand on top of Paige’s.

  “Why don’t you go ahead and join Millie, dear? Mrs. Waverly and I can finish up here.” She nodded toward the other woman, who now busied herself on the far side of the hall, then smiled. “Besides, it’s been quite some time since she and I have been able to visit.” She reached up and touched Paige’s cheek. “Go enjoy yourself. You’ve worked very hard and have earned a rest.”

  Paige turned to fully face Mama and pulled her into a quick hug. “Thank you, Mama.”

  Her mother pulled back and waved her hand in an air of dismissal. “Think nothing of it, my dear. Just go and have some fun.”

  Glancing at the western door where Mr. Lawrence had exited, Paige turned and headed for the one to the south. She wasn’t sure if he’d made note of where Millie had said she’d meet her, and for all she knew, he might be somewhere else covering another part of the fair. But no sense in giving Mama any more fuel for her suppositions, if she even had any about Mr. Lawrence and her. Besides, he was a reporter. If he wanted to find her, he would.

  Chapter 6

  What a morning! Andy had spent most of it walking up and down the midway, observing the fairgoers and taking notes on the various vendors hawking the merits of their booths. He’d been cajoled into trying a few of the challenges himself, though without a prize at the end of his bumbling attempts.

  Now, he had some time to himself, and he intended to use it to find Miss Callahan. He’d waited for her after the interview yesterday, but somehow she’d managed to slip past him. After that, he’d been unable to find her, no matter how hard he looked.

  He strolled past the grassy areas separating the buildings and dormitories from the rest of the fair and headed for the camping sites. Why he thought Miss Callahan might be there, he had no idea. Then again, he didn’t know if she went home each evening or if she did have somewhere there on the fairgrounds to sleep. For all he knew, she rose bright and early and had tasks to complete before the fair even opened to the public each morning. He knew she worked in the Ag Hall, but did she have any other jobs? As soon as he found her, he’d find out.

  Several ladies he passed resembled Miss Callahan, and Andy almost called out to one or two of them. At least he was getting a good feel for the layout of the fair.

  Winding his way around the horse barns and cutting through just behind the grandstands, Andy made a sharp right and walked up to the fence surrounding the main arena. With his forearms resting on the top rail, he propped his right foot on the lowest rail and looked out at the trick pony riders showcasing their skills. Boots, jeans, and fringed jackets were still the wardrobe of choice for these ladies. Oh, and of course the ever-present Stetson adorning their heads.

  The audience erupted in applause when the two ladies in the arena successfully managed to swap mounts as they passed each other, without missing a stride. From the corner of his eye, Andy saw a familiar face. There she was! Sitting almost underneath his nose on the bottom row of the grandstands. He pushed away from the fence and turned toward her. With a spring in his step, he approached. She still hadn’t seen him.

  “Excuse me, but is anyone sitting here?” he asked.

  Miss Callahan startled then raised a hand to shade her eyes and stared up at him. “No.” She lowered her gaze and extended her hand toward the space on the steel bench beside her. “Please, Mr. Lawrence. Sit down.”

  “Don’t mind if I do,” he said, snapping his suspenders before placing one hand on his chest. “And it’s Andy. No more of this Mr. Lawrence. The only one who uses my last name is my editor, and he drops the Mr.”

  She pressed her lips together and regarded him a moment then nodded. “Very well.” She paused. “Andy,” she added, almost as an afterthought.

  His name sounded pretty good coming from her lips. “And may I call you Paige?”

  She nodded then returned her attention to the performance in front of them. As soon as he was settled, he swiped off his hat and ran his fingers through his hair. Paige giggled, and he turned his head to find her looking at him. Or looking at his hair, that is.

  “What?” He raised his hands to his head and felt the shocks of hair that had sprouted in all directions. He offered a rueful smile. “All right, so I forgot to brush my hair this morning.” Truth be told, his unruly hair was only a testament to the harrowing morning he’d had. But she didn’t need to know that. Grabbing his hat, he held it out in front of him. “That’s why I have this,” he said and settled it on his head once more.

  Paige covered her mouth and spoke through her fingers. “If you don’t mind, I don’t mind.”

  Andy slapped his hands together as if ridding them of dirt or crumbs then plunked them down on his crossed legs. “Good. Now that we have that settled.” He leaned forward and watched the trick riders exit the arena. “Who’s up next?”

  Paige consulted a crinkled piece of paper that looked as if it had seen better days. “It says here it’s the barrel races.” She pointed to the far end of the ring. “Look there. They’re setting up the barrels.”

  That paper must be some sort of program guide. Now, why hadn’t he gotten one of those? It would’ve helped him a great deal in knowing where he should be and when. He gestured toward it. “May I?”

  She handed him the guide. It didn’t have much detail, but it did list the major demonstration and performing locations and what would be taking place at which times.

  “This could come in handy,” he remarked. “Where would I find one of these?”

  Paige pointed to the left. “At the event tent. It’s just behind the pavilion where you made your telephone call yesterday.”

  “Ah, yes, and just across the way from where you were in such a hurry, you knocked me over in your haste,” he said, trying to keep a straight face.

  Her back straightened, and she pivoted toward him as her fists rammed into her hips. Indignation sent her eyebrows up as her eyes widened and her mouth fell open. “You know very well the reason we collided, and it wasn’t my being in a rush.”

  Andy chuckled and splayed his hands in defense. “I was only teasing.” He reached out and chucked her chin. “Relax, doll. Running into you was one of the best things that happened to me yesterday.”

  A charming blush colored her cheeks, and she immediately relaxed her stiff pose. “I’m sorry,” she mumbled.

  “Think nothing of it.” With one hand on the seat between them, Andy shoved off and hopped to the ground. He turned to face her and extended a hand. “Now, what do you say we take a little stroll, and you give me a guided tour of these grand fairgrounds?”

  Paige hesitated only a moment before placing her hand in his and accepting his help to the ground to stand beside him. She started walking away from him, and he followed. “All right. We can begin at the midway not far from the main gate to the north then wind our wa
y around to the dormitories to the east and come full circle.”

  Andy grimaced as he reached for her elbow to halt her steps. “I already had my fill from a few of the vendors out that way. Spent the morning watching so many hand over their hard-earned money in exchange for baseballs, or wooden rings, or even the chance to shoot a rifle.” He rubbed his upper arm and flexed the fingers of his right hand. “Tried a few myself, and while their offerings kept me entertained, I believe I’ll take a pass on them for now.”

  She giggled. “Is that how you ended up here at the grandstands? Your throwing arm needed a rest?”

  “Partly,” he replied. “I had what I needed from the midway. Then, I realized I never saw you yesterday after the judging or even after supper when the fair was illuminated after the sun set.” He slipped his hands into his pant pockets and rocked back on his heels. “So, I decided to take a walk and ended up finding you.”

  She reached up and ran her fingers up and down the beads of her necklace, an action which seemed to be a nervous habit. “Was there something you wanted or needed?”

  Something he wanted? “What?”

  “You said you realized you never saw me yesterday before or after supper. I asked if there was a reason you were looking for me.”

  She’d stated it so matter-of-factly, Andy couldn’t tell if she was asking an innocent question or if she was being coy. He regarded her for a moment. She didn’t appear to be playing games with him. It had to be the former.

  He shrugged. “Nothing in particular. I just figured with all of your experience working here at the fair, you’d be an excellent source of information.” He grinned. “And infinitely more charming as an escort than a lot of the other options I have around here.”

  She ducked her head and fingered the beads yet again. His stomach rumbled and reminded him it was past lunchtime already.

  “I believe we should pay a visit to one of the food vendors first,” Paige said with a grin. “And then we can make our way in the opposite direction from the midway for our tour.”

  Andy patted his stomach. “I believe that’s a great idea!”

  Since he’d already met his quota for the day in terms of story content, he had no reason not to spend the rest of the time with Paige. Or at least as long as she would allow. He intended to stretch that out as much as he could.

  After a delicious meal of barbecued beef and baked beans, of which Paige ate very little, she assumed the role of tour guide and led the way toward the Ford Pavilion, stopping just at the corner of the greenhouse where he’d gotten his first story of the week.

  “This exhibit pavilion, as you might guess from the smell, is for horses, cattle, sheep, and goats.”

  Her nose wrinkled in such a captivating manner. He wanted to reach out and tap it, but he held his impulse in check.

  “My brother and Papa are thrilled to have this here,” she continued. “It’s equipped to care for the wants and needs of the exhibitors in a much better manner than in previous years.”

  “What was here before?” he asked, trying hard to focus on the information and not on the pretty individual sharing it.

  “Some rather crude stables and pens and not a lot of privacy,” she replied. “Exhibitors had to walk their animals down to the river to drink as there weren’t even troughs available for filling.”

  Andy whistled long and low. “Sounds like folks here have learned quite a bit from past mistakes.”

  “Yes, and it will only get better.” Paige raised her head just a little, and she squared her shoulders. “It’s been twenty years since the first fair here in Douglas, and I’ve loved taking part, watching it all take shape.”

  She clearly held a great deal of pride for this fair, and her family had a lot invested in it from the sounds of it.

  “So,” he said by way of continuing the conversation. “Where to next?”

  She spun on her heel and faced south. Andy followed suit. “Let’s walk toward the carnival area,” she suggested. “Maybe you can visit with one or two of the ride operators and ask them what brought them to this particular fair.”

  Andy nodded. “Excellent idea.”

  As they passed the area where the midway led off to their left, Paige paused and looked toward the center stage where throngs of people gathered. The resonant sound of bass strings being plucked joined with the saxophone as the closing notes of a woman crooning a bit of jazz mixed with blues reached their ears. After thunderous applause, the upbeat cadence of some vaudeville show tunes followed. Andy watched hope mixed with regret play across Paige’s features as her expression brightened upon first hearing the music then dulled as the style changed.

  “Everything okay?” he asked.

  She sighed. “Yes. It’s always been a dream of mine to sing from a stage like that.”

  She spoke so low, Andy had to lean in to be sure he heard her correctly. “You want to perform onstage?” Now that was something he never expected to hear … especially from a farm girl from Wyoming.

  Paige stared off into the distance. “Yes, but where would I ever go to receive the training I need in order for anyone to even consider giving me a few minutes to prove I can do it?”

  Where indeed? In Denver, there was no shortage of opportunities for anyone wanting to engage in theatrical or performing arts. Here in Douglas, though? “I see your point.” Andy reached out and tapped a finger under her chin. “Hey, now,” he said softly, and she turned to face him. “Don’t give up on that dream.” He smiled. “I wouldn’t be where I am today if I’d given up as an errand boy at the Denver Post.” His hand grabbed hers, and he gave it a little squeeze. “Dreams are what keep us going each day. One of these years, I’ll get to try my hand at riding a bull … and write about it, too.” He nodded toward the stage. “If you’re meant to be up there, you will be. I have no doubts.”

  The glistening of unshed tears made her eyes sparkle, and her slow smile brightened her face. “Thank you.”

  Andy released her hand and tipped his hat just slightly. “My pleasure. Now, let’s keep going on that tour.”

  Paige led him right through the heart of the carnival area, pointing out the unique facets of the carousel and sharing about the hand-carved animals adorning the circular platform. She also mentioned the new scooter cars attraction this year, as well as the trolley rides.

  Once past the Ferris wheel, they both looked west toward the river where several Arapaho braves walked around their camp.

  “I believe that’s Chief Yellow Calf,” Paige exclaimed. “At least that’s what my brother told me last week when he returned from helping build the ramp for Doc Carver’s horse show.”

  Andy watched the braves interact with one another and the squaws move about the camp. “I’m certainly no expert, but I heard the chief would be present this year on my way into town.”

  “The Fourth Cavalry used to camp on the grounds here,” Paige added. “And both Arapaho and Shoshone have participated in events. Since horse races and relay races are still quite popular, the braves are excellent candidates.”

  He nodded toward their functional and efficient campsite. “It appears they have made themselves quite at home there on the banks of the Platte. Excellent vantage point, too!”

  With a hand barely touching the small of Paige’s back, Andy guided her around toward the other established campsite areas. Far different than the way the Arapaho set up their camp. They passed several families, and some of them waved at Paige, who returned their greeting.

  Andy remembered that question he’d wanted to ask her when he first went searching for her. “Do you and your family stay on the grounds each year?”

  She shook her head. “No. Our farm is only a few miles to the east of the fairgrounds here, so we drive home each night and return again in the morning.” She chuckled. “I much prefer my soft bed to the unforgiving ground.”

  “I won’t argue with you there,” Andy agreed.

  “Still, even these sites are better than the earl
y days, when tents were set up military style with a bugle call to rise and sleep with the raising and lowering of the flag.”

  Andy grimaced. “Sounds rigid and uniform.”

  Paige shrugged. “It got the job done.”

  One final turn brought them almost full circle—at least back to where the Ag and Art Halls stood just to the right. Paige pointed behind them to a cluster of smaller buildings and an assortment of youth, both boys and girls, gathered in groups.

  “The dormitories are provided for those from the Boys and Girls Club Works who come to both learn and participate. Since they are with the club, they often don’t attend with their families, so the dormitories make it possible for them to camp on the grounds.”

  Turning away from him, Paige looked left and right, craning her neck a bit and fretting with her bead necklace again. Was she nervous or perhaps just late for something?

  “Are you looking for someone?” he asked.

  “I wanted to keep an eye out for Millie. She was supposed to meet me here this afternoon.” She stopped, and alarm flashed across her face, almost as if she’d just remembered he still stood with her. “If she sees you here with me, she’ll pester you with a never-ending stream of questions.”

  “Are you saying you’d like me to leave?”

  “No!” she answered a little too quickly. “That is … I … uh … I don’t want you to be forced to endure her interrogation.”

  “It certainly wouldn’t be the first time I’ve answered for my actions or presence.” He chuckled. “The last was when a wealthy socialite I helped showed her gratitude with an enthusiastic embrace that was not seen as such by her powerful and influential husband.” He slipped his hands into his pockets and grinned. “Let’s just say I had to think quickly in order to appease the man.”

  A tinge of pink stained Paige’s cheeks, and he rushed to continue.

  “That wouldn’t be us, of course.”

  Paige met his gaze again. “No, but Millie might assume it regardless.” The corners of her mouth turned downward, and her eyes softened. “I am truly sorry to be so abrupt. It has been a delightful afternoon.”