“The Robles place belongs to my cousin, Janette Cooley-Lane. We’re twice removed, but we grew up together. And really, whose family tree isn’t a little twisted these days?” Lynette’s laugh shimmered like the tiny bells on a wind chime.
“Does your cousin still own it?” Abby tempered the hope in her words.
“Let me think,” Lynette said. “Janette and her first husband bought it together. They’d planned to retire there and raise horses. Until her husband found a better offer in the Keys with another woman. Janette got sole ownership of the farm in the divorce, but she never dropped the Lane from her name. I can’t imagine why not. Then Janette up and remarried not six months after her divorce papers had been signed. I told her not to rush, but Janette always was one to fall in love too far and too fast.”
Abby knew something about falling too far and too fast herself. “Is your cousin still married?”
“Heavens, no.” Lynette now sounded secretive. “That’s what happens when you fall like that. You lose sight of what’s real. Had she not been lovesick, she would’ve seen her ex’s gambling ways sooner. He emptied her bank account and retirement funds doing that online gambling. Shame too. He was a real charmer.”
Abby squeezed the phone. What hadn’t she seen about Wes? What had she missed? Lynette wasn’t wrong. Love this fast couldn’t be real. “What about the property?”
“Far as I know, the deed is in Janette’s name.” A rustling scratched over the line like Lynette stood outside in the breeze. “Janette has gone back to work as a nurse to rebuild her retirement account. Can’t afford to pay her bills on her town house, let alone buy horses, restore the farmhouse and return the place to its former brilliance.”
“Why doesn’t she consider selling?” Abby asked.
“It’s always been her dream.” Lynette sighed. “Can’t sell those, can you?”
“I guess not.” Love hadn’t been one of Abby’s dreams. She hadn’t thought she’d wanted love until she felt it. “Do you think I could have Janette’s phone number? I have a proposal she might be interested in.”
Lynette rattled off her cousin’s phone number, invited Abby and Tess out to her place for lunch, and reminded Abby of next month’s Roots and Shoots meeting. Then the line went quiet.
Abby shook her arms out and walked in a circle outside the elevators. This was it. She had the idea. The event the town would get behind. The event that could become annual and grow every year. It would attract tourists and competitors alike. And secure her a full-time job.
She just needed the venue.
Abby inhaled and held her breath until her nerves settled. One call. One conversation to get Janette Cooley-Lane’s buy-in. Abby dialed the number, exhaled on the first ring. At Janette’s greeting, Abby chose a vibrant tone, introduced herself and slid into her best sales pitch.
Twenty minutes and a promise to save Janette a belt buckle later, Abby closed the door to Boone’s hospital room and stepped to the end of his bed. Then she tossed her arms over her head. “We have a venue. The Three Springs Legacy Rodeo Days are a go.”
Pride sparked into Boone’s gaze. “Now I got a real good reason to get on outta here as fast as I can.”
“There’s so much to do. In ten days.” Abby pressed her palms against her cheeks. Her heart raced. Her mind raced. “Ten days. I only have ten days.” It wasn’t enough time. What had she been thinking? She’d set herself up for another failure. Stepped right into it.
Wes moved into her line of sight and took her hands. “You’re not alone. Boone and I are here. There’s more help on the way. You have a team.”
A team. She’d never really had that before. People to rely on. People who could rely on her in turn. “Corine just texted me. We need a rodeo director.”
“That’s you,” Boone announced. “It’s a good, solid title. Abby James, Rodeo Director.”
“There’s a job you never thought you’d have.” Wes squeezed her fingers. Laughter sparked in his gaze. “Ready to show them exactly what you can do?”
Abby held onto Wes’s hand. Held onto his confidence in her. And let the tiniest fear slip out. “You won’t let me fall?”
“You don’t need me this time. You can do this.” He set his fingers under her chin and lifted her face until their gazes met. “It’s going to be a success. You’re going to be a success.”
She stared at him. Hard. “Promise?”
“I don’t need to.” He ran his thumb over her cheek. His smile was genuine and private. “I already know it.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
THE RODEO CLOWNS were in place, and tie-down roping, the first official event of Three Springs Reunion Rodeo Days, was set to begin.
The calf was being loaded into the chute and the rider was preparing himself and his horse in the roping box. Excitement and anticipation wound through the large crowd and ran through Wes. He sat beside Boone on the metal bleachers placed for optimal viewing of the entire rodeo arena. Tess, Ilene, and Riley filled in around the pair.
Everything was finally falling back into place. Boone had been home on the ranch and continuing to recover for the past five days. Between the home health nurse’s visits and the town dropping in, Boone had round the clock care. And Wes had begun to let his guard down and settle into his old routine. With one exception. His gaze skipped to Abby.
A clipboard tucked under her arm, Abby stood beside the bleachers and surveyed everyone she’d assembled to make the rodeo weekend happen. She was in charge and overseeing an event that was already a big success. Wes couldn’t have been happier for her.
She’d managed it all while conquering morning sickness and keeping an eye on Boone.
“Can we start looking for the silver coin again now that Mr. Boone is outta the hospital?” Riley swung her boots back and forth on the metal bleachers and dipped her corn dog into her honey mustard sauce on the paper plate resting on her lap.
“We have to find that silver coin if we ever want to hunt for the treasure.” Boone accepted the waffle-cut French fry Riley handed him and grinned. “And I’m feeling more than ready to get searching again.”
Wes slanted his gaze toward the older cowboy. He hadn’t completely relaxed his guard. After all, he wanted Boone around for a long while to come. “You have to remember to take breaks and not push yourself too hard.”
Boone stuffed another French fry in his mouth and frowned at Wes. “I’m following the doctor’s orders. Don’t you worry about me.”
Wes did worry. Would always worry. He’d accepted that. “Fried foods aren’t listed on your diet.”
“Don’t you have something you need to be doing?” Boone asked, his voice gruff. “Checking on the Feisty Owl food stand maybe?”
“Nolan has everything covered.” His chef had planned a special rodeo menu, organized the food stand, and manned it all day. Last Wes had checked in on Nolan, the chef was flirting with several customers and talking about a Feisty Owl food truck. Wes grinned at Boone. “I thought I’d enjoy the day with you guys.”
“Got any carrots on that lunch plate, Riley?” Boone peered at the little girl. “I need to add veggies to my snacking.”
“I got fried pickles.” Riley studied her plate.
“Those will do.” Boone opened his hand. Riley set a deep-fried pickle on his palm. The old cowboy arched an eyebrow at Wes. “Balanced diet. Check. Now back to the missing coin.”
Wes shook his head and let the man have his moment. Tomorrow, he’d talk to Ilene about how to slip more vegetables into Boone’s meals without him noticing.
Riley finished her corn dog and shifted to look at Tess, seated behind her. “Ms. Tess, will you help us look too?”
“As much as I can.” Tess wiped a napkin across Riley’s cheek. “The special-order requests have really picked up recently. And I have inventory coming to fill the empty shelves. Customers will
be able to shop inside the store now.”
“We could help stock your shelves, so you could help us search.” Boone nudged his elbow into Riley’s side. “Right, Riley?”
Riley nodded. “What’s stocking shelves?”
“Putting things away neatly and nicely.” Ilene sat beside Tess and eyed her young granddaughter. “Like your dad and I ask you to do with your toys.”
Riley’s brows bunched together. “Mr. Boone, we might need to find me another job.”
Boone chuckled.
Tess tipped her head, her smile soft. “I’ll show you where to put everything. It’ll be fun and easy. Then we can search the store some more.”
The group hadn’t given up on their search for the missing silver coin. Wes appreciated their tenacity. He wasn’t certain the silver coin frame would have a missing treasure map tucked inside, but it was important to Abby and her cousin. And he wanted Abby to have another connection to her grandparents and her past. “Is it possible the silver coin was part of the things your grandparents took when they moved north?”
Tess shrugged. “It could be, but then we would’ve gotten it eventually. It seems to have been an important piece of our family’s history.”
“And Harlan wouldn’t have taken it from the store.” Conviction strengthened Boone’s words. “It belonged here. In Three Springs.”
“It just seems like you’ve checked almost every part of the general store.” Much like Wes felt in his search for Dylan. But then he was discovering there seemed to be an endless number of places for someone to disappear to. Yesterday, Brad had told Wes the search for Dylan had gone faster than anticipated and information would be coming soon. That had given Wes hope. “Maybe I can scour the basement for hidden alcoves and doors that might’ve been missed. Or that are blocked by boxes and things.”
Boone nodded. “That’s a good idea. Those old buildings hide many secrets.”
“Like a secret tunnel maybe?” Riley asked, her eyes brightened. “Dad’s reading me a book with castles and secret tunnels.”
“Where is your dad?” Wes scanned the crowd looking for Evan.
“Evan and Carter are getting a tour of the bulls and meeting the riders. Thanks to Carter’s younger brother who still has connections on the rodeo circuit.” Tess grinned. “Hopefully, they aren’t getting any ideas to start riding themselves.”
“You don’t think Carter could handle a bull?” Wes asked.
“I think Carter takes enough risks already.” Tess crossed her arms over her chest. “That man definitely doesn’t need to take any more.”
Wes considered Abby’s cousin, then shifted his gaze to Boone and Ilene. The pair had leaned in to hear Tess’s comments about Carter and were now whispering. Wes should warn his best friend about the matchmakers possibly focusing on him. But he wasn’t going to. It’d be entertaining to watch Carter try and outrun Cupid’s arrows. And he was more than glad those arrows weren’t aimed in his direction. “What about your dad, Riley? Will he get on a bull?”
“If he knows what’s good for him, my son will keep his boots out of the arena.” A splash of doubt crossed Ilene’s face as if she wasn’t certain Evan knew what was good for himself. Her gaze swept over the crowded bleachers. “The only bulls Evan needs to be concerned about are the ones that ensure the quality of his beef.”
“Everything moving along with the branding program for the cattle?” Boone asked.
Ilene’s shoulders relaxed, her smile slipped free. “I don’t know how he’s doing it, but yes. It looks like Crescent Canyon beef will be branded for sale in stores in the new year.”
Wes knew exactly how Evan had accomplished that—hard work, dedication and perseverance. The same way Abby had pulled together the rodeo so quickly. Evan and she inspired Wes. He noticed Abby shaking hands with Mayor Molina and introducing him to two judges, who were heading to their spots in the arena.
“Looks like I got back just in time. They’re almost ready to begin.” Sam handed a water bottle and a bag of Kettle corn to Boone and squeezed into a spot on the bleachers. “What have I missed?”
“Riley and I are restarting the silver coin search.” Boone tilted the popcorn bag toward Riley for her to scoop out a handful. Riley grinned and tossed the popcorn in her mouth.
“And Carter is about to take a run on a bull,” Wes added.
Sam pointed at him. “We both know that ain’t happening. Carter gave me his word and he knows full well a man’s worth nothing if his word can’t be trusted.”
Wes glanced at Tess, who clearly looked relieved with Sam’s words.
Abby stepped up and set her hand on Wes’s leg. Her smile speared into him like sunshine. “I don’t have much time, but you can’t believe the number of people who’ve shared their version of the legend with me today.”
“You have to tell us everything.” Boone sounded anxious and intent. “Did they mention where the treasure is?”
“A few offered possible locations,” Abby said. Her words likely rushed by her own enthusiasm. She glowed, too, whether it was from the pregnancy or her enthusiasm for the legend, he couldn’t say. But it sure suited her.
Sam patted the pocket on his denim shirt. “I need a pen and paper. We have to write it all down. It could be nothing or it could be vital to our treasure hunt.”
“You know, other towns have historical committees that collect this kind of information and they organize it,” Tess explained.
“We already know everyone in town.” Sam pointed to Boone and himself. “We can do that. We can be the town historical committee.”
Wes rubbed his forehead. “Can you call it a committee with only two people?”
“It’s our committee,” Boone charged. “We can all it what we want.”
“So moved,” Sam nodded.
“Seconded,” Boone echoed.
“I don’t think that’s how it works.” Wes eyed the cowboy duo.
Abby patted Wes’s hand. “Someone needs to visit folks, listen to the stories and take notes. Do you want to do that?”
Wes set his hand over hers and looked at the pair of buddies. “You should call your committee something official like Three Springs Historical Preservation Committee.”
Boone preened. “That has a rather nice ring to it.”
Sam shoved his shoulders back and tipped his chin up. “We could print that on business cards to handout. We could use the Owl’s phone number for inquiries.”
Wes squeezed her hand and worked his voice into mildly disinterested. “You both have cell phones. You can use those numbers on your business cards.”
Abby’s soft laughter circled around Wes.
Boone scoffed. “I don’t want just anyone calling me any time of the day and night.”
Wes couldn’t imagine there would be that many phone calls about the missing treasure that they required a receptionist. But he didn’t want to completely trample their excitement.
“You can use the general store phone number,” Tess offered. “You’re both at the store most days anyway.”
“And it’s the heartbeat of the community,” Abby said. “Or it was. But it’s going to be again. I know it. I can feel it.”
And Wes knew he liked the feel of Abby’s hand in his. He liked her beside him. He liked...
A horn blared in the arena. Abby gasped and clapped. “It’s starting. It’s really starting. I have to go and oversee things.”
With that, she sprinted off and left Wes to wonder how quickly he could get her back.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
NIGHT HAD FALLEN and the weekend was coming to a close. Wes scanned the square and the crowd gathering on the makeshift dance floor. His gaze landed on Abby on the other side of the dance floor, swaying under the tea lights she’d had strung in the trees. The soft glow shimmered off her hair. She looked like she’d been sprinkl
ed with magic dust. He smiled. A contentment he’d never experienced before settled inside him. She was the reason he’d found his balance again. She was the reason for so many things.
Wes wanted her in his arms. All to himself. One dance under the stars. At least. He wanted to spend time with her. Their text-message exchanges and quick passing encounters weren’t enough. He missed her. He started across the dance floor.
A tapping on the microphone echoed around the square followed by a blared Test. Test. Test.
Wes stopped and faced the stage. Frieda shouted into the mic, announcing it was on and working. Then she handed it to Mayor Molina. The mayor thanked everyone for coming out to support the rodeo and the town. Then went on to explain the entire weekend wouldn’t have come together in such record time without one intrepid woman, who oversaw every detail and never faltered or lost her good cheer. He called Abby onto the stage amid resounding applause. The mayor quieted the crowd and handed Abby the keys to her new office at the municipal hall, welcoming her aboard as the town’s assistant manager.
Another burst of applause filled the square. Abby accepted hugs and congratulations from the mayor and the council. Thanked all the locals who had helped her and vowed an even better rodeo next year.
Abby invited the Rodeo Queen and King onto the dance floor to kick off the evening. The fiddle player in the band began the intro bars of a lively country song. The couple lined up first and was then flanked by the entire group.
Abby moved off the stage, locked her gaze on Wes and waved. She started toward him. But Lynette Kinney took her hands and held her in place. Wes gave up and started toward Abby.
“Wes Tanner.” A woman called out to him and approached. Her dark hair was swept back in a neat, low ponytail and her button-down shirt was tucked in a pair of dark jeans. She was of average height but had a very specific don’t-mess-with-me vibe. The kind that had been earned from experience, Wes assumed. She held out her hand. “I’m Gwen Reyes, one of Brad Harrington’s associates.”
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