She smiled. “Me too.”
And then he leaned over and kissed her, gently at first, and then with more passion—so much so that she felt wonderfully dizzy when he finally moved back. “Even better than I’d imagined,” he said as he turned his pickup around.
“Much better.” She sighed.
He only went a short ways from the ranch, parking on a road stub that looked out over miles and miles of wheat fields. Then he turned to face her. “You are so beautiful,” he slowly said. “But I want you to know that’s not what attracted me to you.”
“It’s not?” She smiled.
“Okay, I’m sure it helped. But what really got my attention was your spirit, Sunny. Something about you was unlike anyone I’ve ever known. I think Echo figured it out even before I did. Do you know how much that girl loves you?”
Sunny felt tears coming now. Tears of joy. “I love her too, Cody. I can’t even believe how much I love her.”
“And my dad.” Cody shook his head. “Good grief, I’m pretty sure he’d quit speaking to me if I let you get away.”
“So that’s why you’re—”
“No. Even if my dad didn’t like you, which is unimaginable, I wouldn’t let you go, Sunny. Not if I could help it.” Now he leaned over and kissed her again…several times. Then he stopped. “Can’t keep doing that, or we won’t get to talk.”
She laughed and sat back. “Hopefully we’ll get to do lots of both.”
He nodded. “But there is one serious subject I need to bring up right now.”
“Trina?”
“Yes. The thing is, I promised Larry to look after her. Now, understand me, I never promised to marry her. I would never want to marry her. She is so not my type, Sunny. But it seems I was too nice to her, too helpful, too good to Jackson, so she really believed I was going to marry her. At least that’s what she says.” He let out a frustrated sigh. “Although I can’t help but think she’s trying to do to me what she did to Larry.”
“What she did to Larry?”
“Surely you’ve heard about it. Aubrey probably told you about how Trina got pregnant so Larry had to marry her.”
Sunny was startled. “No, she never mentioned it. Do you mean Trina was trying to get pregnant—”
“No, no.” He held up his hands and chuckled. “Nothing like that. But I do get the impression she’s been trying to trap me somehow. I don’t like saying it, but Trina can be a little manipulative.”
Sunny controlled herself from laughing at the understatement.
“The trouble is, I can’t just tell her to get lost. But I’m doing everything I can to make her understand that I never loved her, never intended to marry her, and never will.” He shook his head. “Although it might not be sinking in.”
Sunny just waited, wondering where this was going.
“And then, of course, there’s Jackson. He’s a good kid, and I can’t just tell him to take a hike.”
“No, of course not.”
“So, I guess what I’m saying is that I come with some baggage.” He grinned sheepishly. “Man, I never thought I’d have to say that about myself.”
She smiled. “Everyone comes with some baggage.”
“But how are you with that? I mean, getting involved with me while there’s a crazed woman to deal with. As well as a couple of teenagers who are okay right now, but in my line of work, I know that can change overnight.” He sighed. “That’s a lot of baggage.”
She reached over and took his hand. “I’m a strong woman, Cody. And I’m good with baggage.”
He took her hand in both of his and squeezed it. “I kind of thought you would be.”
As they talked more, she told him a bit about growing up with her grandmother and the conversation with White Dove yesterday—and the different version of the story of Polly Wikiapi.
“You know, Sunrise—is it okay if I call you that sometimes?”
She nodded.
“I can honestly believe you’re Jackson Sundown’s great-granddaughter. It makes total sense to me. But I know you want proof.”
“I need proof.”
“To me the proof is in your character, Sunrise, in your strength, your wisdom, your heart. That’s all the proof I need.”
“Thank you.”
“But you’ve made me do some thinking about things like heritage. And I got to thinking that maybe it doesn’t really matter.”
“Our heritage doesn’t matter?”
“I’m thinking that maybe heritage is like home: it’s where the heart is.”
She considered this. “You could be right.”
“And family is the same way. When you take people into your heart, they become your family—your heritages mix, and then you create your own story.”
“Yes! I think you’re absolutely right.”
“I wish we could sit here and talk like this forever,” he told her. “But I promised to take Jackson to see his mom this morning.”
“Oh, that’s good. I was worried about him and how this would affect him.”
“Jackson is an amazing kid. Really resilient and mature.”
“I’m sure that means a lot to Trina.” Sunny paused. “Last night, when I was praying for her, I got to thinking about Tamástslikt…the meaning of the word.”
“Doesn’t it mean to turn around?”
“Yes. To change direction, or turn around, or go a different way. I was praying that Trina would have a Tamástslikt experience that would turn her around.”
“That’s a great prayer. I think I’ll pray that way too.”
“I think I’ve already had my own Tamástslikt,” Sunny admitted. “If anyone would’ve told me my life could’ve turned around this much, in such a short time, I wouldn’t have believed it.”
“I hope I’m not being premature, Sunny, but I happen to know the reservation council is looking to hire someone with a background in anthropology and archaeology to do some research. They’d expected to hire a white person, but someone with Native roots would have a definite advantage.”
“Really?” She stared at him. “You think I’d have a chance?”
“Oh yeah.” He nodded as he started the pickup.
“That would be so amazing.” Was she dreaming this whole thing? she wondered. But no, she felt fully awake—and incredibly happy.
“Anyway, we were all going to the rodeo today—Hank and Echo and me. And now we’ll bring Jackson along too.”
“Good. That might help to keep him from worrying about his mom.”
“And Echo has assured me you were planning to come today as well.” He looked hopefully at her.
“Yes. Opening day, Echo said it’s the best day of Round-Up.”
“Maybe we can do some seat swapping so we can sit together.”
“Yes. I’d love that.” Then she explained about how Aubrey had traded tickets for Wesley and Mitchell, but that it no longer mattered.
Cody made a stern face, then chuckled. “Poor Wesley, it’s not that I want to hurt him exactly, but I sure don’t want to see him sitting next to my girl at Round-Up.”
A few hours later, Sunny was happily seated between Cody and Hank at Round-Up. Echo and Jackson were directly behind them, and high anticipation was in the air. Sunny jumped when the cannon was shot—the signal that the rodeo was officially begun. And her eyes got misty during “The Star-Spangled Banner” and when the Round-Up court raced their horses into the rodeo grounds, the queen leaping the fence with arms spread wide. Sunny felt some concern for the safety of the bull riders, although no serious injuries occurred. She also felt concern for the welfare of the horses in the bucking contest. And she was deeply moved by the Native American parade during intermission. But at the same time she was a bit dismayed that the grandstands had partially emptied during the circle dance. She wondered why everyone didn’t enjoy seeing the dancers in their native costumes. Or maybe the heat of the day simply made them all excessively thirsty.
And that’s about when she noticed
that Cody had left his spot on the bleachers too. She hadn’t even seen him go, and it seemed a bit odd he hadn’t said anything. Then, worried that there might be a problem, perhaps something to do with Trina, she turned to Hank. But he seemed oblivious as he studied the Round-Up program. And both Jackson and Echo didn’t seem the least bit troubled, chatting amicably to some friends about their age. So, assuring herself that everything was fine, Sunny went back to enjoying the dancing and the costumes and the beat of the drumming and chanting.
As the Native Americans paraded out, the grandstands began filling up again, but there was still no sign of Cody. Sunny chided herself for being so fretful. Here they had barely begun their relationship, and she was already keeping tabs on him.
“I think I’ll go get a soda,” she told Hank.
“No.” He firmly placed his hand on her knee. “Not now.”
“Why?”
“Uh, because you might miss something good.”
She looked down at the field where not much was happening. Although the announcer and the clown were doing some chatting and joking, for the most part there didn’t seem to be anything to miss. But seeing that Hank was intently listening to the announcer, she tuned her ears in as well.
“As you all know, it takes a lot of good, hardworking folks to make a rodeo a success,” he was saying, “and a lot of families have been volunteering their time and energy for generations. In fact, we have a man here who represents a whole lot of years of rodeo volunteering. Tell me, Cody Barrett, how long have you been helping with Round-Up?”
Sunny eyed Hank, who was smiling from ear to ear like this was no surprise to him. Then she looked back at Jackson and Echo, who were grinning just as big.
“I used to help my dad when I was a kid,” Cody said over the loudspeaker. “My dad, Hank Barrett, put in twenty-five years as a Round-Up volunteer and board member. Then I actually competed for a couple of years, before I figured out that I’d end up broke and broken if I continued. My hat is off to the cowboys who do this for a living. Anyway, this is only my eighteenth year to help with Round-Up, but I’m hoping to get a bunch more.”
“Impressive. And I know you married a rodeo princess from a family with generations of Round-Up board members and volunteers, right?”
“Yes, sir. The Lowenstein family goes way back in Round-Up history. Maybe close to a hundred years. And Doug and Cindy Lowenstein’s daughter Lenora was a princess back in the eighties. A lot of history there.”
“We all know the lovely Lenora lost her fight to breast cancer several years ago, which is one of the reasons we have Tough Enough to Wear Pink Day here at Round-Up every year, so all you folks out there don’t forget to put on your pink duds for tomorrow’s rodeo.”
“That’s right,” Cody said. “Wearing pink is our way to support breast cancer awareness month, and we hope everyone does their part.”
“But I understand you’re talking to me for another reason today. I don’t want to rush you, Cody, but you’ve got about thirty seconds left, so you better cut to the chase.”
“Well, folks…” Cody cleared his throat. “I’m talking into this mike right now because I happen to be a cowboy in love.”
The crowd let out a ripple of approval and chuckles. The next thing Sunny knew, Hank and Echo were escorting her down the bleachers to where Cody was standing with a microphone. He took her hand and looked into her eyes. “And in front of all these good witnesses, I want to ask Miss Sunrise Westcott to be my wife.”
Now the crowd roared with clapping and cheering, and Sunny’s heart was pounding so hard she felt slightly faint.
“What do you say, Sunny, darling, will you marry me?”
The crowd was stomping on the bleachers now and some were chanting, “Say yes! Say yes! Say yes!”
“Yes!” she said loudly into the mike, and the crowd went wild.
“You heard the woman, rodeo fans. Cody is getting himself a new wife. Congratulations, you two. Now, let’s remember why we’re really here today—repeat it with me, cowboys and cowgirls—LET ‘ER BUCK!”
Cody leaned over and kissed Sunny. Then, all at once, people were clustered about them, slapping their backs and congratulating them. As they returned to their seats, it seemed that everyone in the grandstand knew Cody personally. And the way they were acting, it felt like they knew her too, like she was one of them. At last, she’d really come home…she belonged here. She was among friends and family. As they sat back down, she wondered if this was a bit how Jackson Sundown had felt on that day, so long ago, when he’d won the bucking horse contest.
No, she decided, this had to be better. Much, much better!
Want a peek into local American life—past and present?
The Love Finds You™ series published by Summerside Press
features real towns and combines travel, romance,
and faith in one irresistible package!
The novels in the series—uniquely titled after American towns with unusual but intriguing names—inspire romance and fun. Each fictional story draws on the compelling history or the unique character of a real place. Stories center on romances kindled in small towns, old loves lost and found again on the high plains, and new loves discovered at exciting vacation getaways. Summerside Press plans to publish at least one novel set in each of the 50 states. Be sure to catch them all!
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Love Finds You in Miracle, Kentucky by Andrea Boeshaar
ISBN: 978-1-934770-37-5
Love Finds You in Snowball, Arkansas by Sandra D. Bricker
ISBN: 978-1-934770-45-0
Love Finds You in Romeo, Colorado by Gwen Ford Faulkenberry
ISBN: 978-1-934770-46-7
Love Finds You in Valentine, Nebraska by Irene Brand
ISBN: 978-1-934770-38-2
Love Finds You in Humble, Texas by Anita Higman
ISBN: 978-1-934770-61-0
Love Finds You in Last Chance, California by Miralee Ferrell
ISBN: 978-1-934770-39-9
Love Finds You in Maiden, North Carolina by Tamela Hancock Murray
ISBN: 978-1-934770-65-8
Love Finds You in Paradise, Pennsylvania by Loree Lough
ISBN: 978-1-934770-66-5
Love Finds You in Treasure Island, Florida by Debby Mayne
ISBN: 978-1-934770-80-1
Love Finds You in Liberty, Indiana, by Melanie Dobson
ISBN: 978-1-934770-74-0
Love Finds You in Revenge, Ohio by Lisa Harris
ISBN: 978-1-934770-81-8
Love Finds You in Poetry, Texas by Janice Hanna
ISBN: 978-1-935416-16-6
Love Finds You in Sisters, Oregon by Melody Carlson
ISBN: 978-1-935416-18-0
Love Finds You in Charm, Ohio by Annalisa Daughety
ISBN: 978-1-935416-17-3
Love Finds You in Bethlehem, New Hampshire by Lauralee Bliss
ISBN: 978-1-935416-20-3
Love Finds You in North Pole, Alaska by Loree Lough
ISBN: 978-1-935416-19-7
Love Finds You in Holiday, Florida by Sandra D. Bricker
ISBN: 978-1-935416-25-8
Love Finds You in Lonesome Prairie, Montana
by Tricia Goyer and Ocieanna Fleiss
ISBN: 978-1-935416-29-6
Love Finds You in Hershey, Pennsylvania by Cerella D. Sechrist
ISBN: 978-1-935416-64-7
Love Finds You in Homestead, Iowa by Melanie Dobson
ISBN: 978-1-935416-66-1
Love Finds You in Bridal Veil, Oregon by Miralee Ferrell
ISBN: 978-1-935416-63-0
COMING SOON
Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico by Lena Nelson Dooley
ISBN: 978-1-935416-74-6
Love Finds You in Lahaina, Hawaii by Bodie Thoene
ISBN: 978-1-935416-78-4
Table of Contents
Title
Copyright
Dedication
Chapter One
> Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-one
Chapter Twenty-two
Chapter Twenty-three
Chapter Twenty-four
Chapter Twenty-five
Chapter Twenty-six
Chapter Twenty-seven
Love Finds You in Pendleton, Oregon Page 25
