As she turned and walked away, regret prickled up Brodie’s spine. He reminded himself that he couldn’t have it both ways. He was here to do a job, not get tangled up in emotions. And his job he would complete at closing time. After that, an ocean would separate him from Caitlyn Moore.
A muffled voice sounded over the walkie-talkie, “Twenty-four? Come in, twenty-four.”
That was his radio call number.
“This is Brodie.”
“There are some people here looking for you at the west gate, Mr. Fortune Hayes. It’s your family.”
He gritted his teeth. He really didn’t have time for them. He needed to get to his post inside the park. But he remembered how loving and patient Caitlyn had been with her parents, and he decided to borrow a page from her book. Just this once.
“Tell them I will be right there.”
Brodie made his way through the people milling about and saw his mother, who had obviously spotted him first because she was waving them over. Next to her was his aunt Jeanne Marie, uncle Deke and his cousins, Stacey, Jude, Liam, Toby, Galen and Delaney, with her fiancé Cisco Mendoza. His brother Jensen was there, too, no doubt to see Amber perform. They’d left the babies with a sitter, but Toby’s kids were very excited to be there.
Oh, and there’s Orlando Mendoza standing next to Mum. Looking quite cozy, too. Hmm.
They greeted him enthusiastically. His cousins slapping him on the back and joking with him about how nice it was to have an inside source for free tickets.
“I hate to disappoint you,” he said. “But that was a one-time perk.”
His family laughed and slapped him on the back.
They think I’m joking.
“You know, the jury here is still out on how we feel about Cowboy Country USA,” said Deke. “But we’re your family, and we had to show up to support you and let you know how proud we are of you for the inroads you’ve made as you tried to make this theme park harmonious with our community. Offering the residents free admission was nothing short of genius, my boy. Not that I’m a businessman. But I know when a gesture feels genuine. You did good, son.”
Suddenly, he felt like the Memorial Day Scrooge. Not only had his family turned up, but he was also starting to believe he had been too hasty when it came to writing off Caitlyn’s idea. Maybe he had been a little too focused on winning and making the opening a success.
Even if he did need to keep emotions in check, perhaps an apology was in order. An acknowledgment that he was wrong, and Caitlyn was right.
Maybe he needed to loosen up just a little bit. The ribbon-cutting had gone off without a hitch. Nobody had been trampled in the crowd of people wanting to be the first guests to step foot into the park. And right now communication over the walkie-talkie indicated it was business as planned. There were no crises. Or at least none that needed his assistance.
You’re going to be in the park, anyway. Why not give your family the VIP tour?
Brodie pulled a sheet of paper out of his back pocket—a schedule of the street shows that would be taking place and the various seated shows.
“Let’s hurry up and get inside,” he said. “The very first Main Street Shootout is about to take place. You won’t want to miss it.”
Brodie deftly directed them to a place outside the saloon where they would have the best view. They’d barely turned around when two classic cowboys—one wearing a white hat and the other wearing a black hat, both clad in jeans and plaid shirts with gun belts slung low on their hips, tumbled out of the saloon and started making a ruckus.
Guests stopped and stared wide-eyed at the two actors as the cacophony they were creating accelerated. The casting department had done a wonderful job in choosing the actors. That was something that had been in place long before he had arrived, and one of the things that Moore Entertainment had handled exceptionally well.
That thought was seconded by his family’s reactions. They gasped in all the right places; cheered for the cowboy in the white hat and booed the bad guy. After the bad guy had gotten his comeuppance, they’d cheered and clapped.
“That was exceptional,” said Josephine. “Well done, son. I wish Amelia were here to see this.”
“Yes, where is my sister? I thought she was looking forward to joining you today.”
“She was, but the baby didn’t sleep very well last night. She said the whole family was up with the child. She’s not sure if Clementine is coming down with something, and she didn’t want to take a chance of bringing her out in a crowd. Besides, as lovely as this place is, it really is no place for an infant.”
His mother was right. Family and children changed your life. You were no longer free to do whatever suited you; you had to think of others before yourself. His mind tried to focus on the struggles he and Caitlyn had experienced as they’d worked toward today and how each of them had compromised in certain areas. The strangest feeling washed over him—he hoped she hadn’t felt personally compromised.
“What’s next?” asked Jeanne Marie.
As they walked away, a street performer came up to them and took a hold of Galen’s hand. She was an older woman, a little crone-ish, but perfect for her role of Wild West fortune teller. Dressed like a gypsy with a bandanna around her head, a peasant blouse and skirt with jangly coin belts, she was obviously a brave one, approaching his family with her act.
Brodie was delighted she was doing exactly what he had instructed the performers to do. They were to always be in character when they were out among the guests, and they were to engage with as many people as possible. Both factors were key to Cowboy Country’s ambience.
The fortune teller turned Galen’s hand palm up and traced lines with her finger.
“You’re a handsome young man,” she said, fluttering eyes adorned with long, glittery false eyelashes. “Would you like me to tell your fortune? I have good news.”
She made a show of batting her lashes; Brodie thought it was a little hokey, but he had to give her points for effort.
“Good news?” Galen said. “I’m always up for some good news. Knock yourself out.”
“I hope you’re single,” the woman said.
“Of course I am. Plan to stay that way, too.”
“Not for long,” the fortune teller said. “You will meet a woman in white and be married within the month.”
Galen laughed.
“That’s a good one,” he said. “Not gonna happen. There’s no one in my life right now, and I’m not looking. You’ve got a better shot at marrying off my cousin Brodie here than you do me. In fact, I’m surprised he hasn’t already proposed. The dude is smitten.”
Brodie knew he should set his cousin straight, but how did one explain complicated? Especially when he didn’t understand it himself?
“Speaking of,” said Josephine. “Where is Caitlyn?”
* * *
Caitlyn stood in the back of the Wild West Show, watching the guests file in for the inaugural show and reminding herself to breathe.
She hadn’t been able to shake the bad feeling that had plagued her since yesterday’s near disaster. Good grief, when had she become such a nervous Nelly?
When the stakes had become so high. That’s when.
She’d resisted telling her father about her trepidations about opening too soon. And apparently that was a good thing, because her fears seemed to be unfounded. It was approaching eleven o’clock, and everything seemed to be going off without a hitch. They would close the doors on the first day at six o’clock, and so far, everything seemed to be fine.
Just as Brodie had assured her it would be.
The thought made her smirk a bit to herself.
She hoped he would be a gentleman when they reviewed how the day had unfolded.
Of course he would be. If there was one constant thing about Brodie, he always knew how to put the appropriate spin on things.
Except when he didn’t, and in that case, he somehow managed to win you over to his side. Whether you wante
d to be on his side or not.
And she did want them to be on the same side. In the worst way.
You don’t always get what you want.
She was just about to go down to the ring to check on the horses and make sure Amber felt comfortable performing the show, when she looked up and saw Brodie and his family filing into the pavilion.
Her heart gave a little tug. She loved the Fortunes so much. They had embraced her and made her feel like such a part of the family—that big, boisterous family of her dreams. They were so engaging she found it hard to drag her eyes away from them. That’s when Josephine caught her staring.
“Caitlyn!” Brodie’s mother waved and motioned her over.
Caitlyn kept her eyes fixed on Josephine, but she felt Brodie’s gaze locked on her. The intensity was palpable. In fact, it was white-hot.
Dammit. She should have gone down to the ring when she’d had the chance. Now, if she didn’t go over and greet them, it would look bad. Really bad.
Just because things hadn’t worked out between her and Brodie didn’t mean she couldn’t remain friends with the Fortunes. She genuinely cared for these people, and she certainly didn’t want to slight them today by ignoring them. After all, Caitlyn would be in Horseback Hollow as long as it took for her father to recover.
She summoned her courage and went over to say hello.
“There you are,” Jeanne Marie said. “We were just talking about you. We came to the unanimous conclusion that we weren’t leaving the park without seeing you.”
“Wait, I wasn’t involved in that unanimous decision.” Galen winked at Caitlyn.
“That’s because your vote doesn’t count.” Delaney elbowed her brother. “Besides, if we’re going to find you a bride within the month, you’re going to have to learn to be nice.”
“He is nice,” Caitlyn said. “Because of him, I know what it feels like to have a big brother.”
“Actually, after you marry Brodie, we’ll be cousins.”
Caitlyn felt color bloom in her cheeks. She still couldn’t bring herself to look at Brodie.
She cleared her throat. “So what is this about finding you a bride within the month?”
“The Wild West fortune teller picked Galen out of the crowd and delivered the message that he would marry a woman wearing white within the month.”
The family poked fun at him, and the apparent love filled Caitlyn’s heart to overflowing.
“Be sure to invite me to the wedding,” Caitlyn said.
“Only if you invite me to yours.” Galen cast a glance at Brodie, who was staring at his smartphone a little too intently. “Or if you’re going to let a good thing get away, maybe I’ll marry Caitlyn. Her blouse is white.”
The comment made Brodie look up. His brows were knit together, and his expression suggested that he didn’t find humor in Galen’s joke.
Why not?
It was just a joke.
Then Brodie’s expression neutralized. “We should find our seats.”
“Please join us, Caitlyn,” said Josephine.
“Oh, well, thank you, but no. I need to go make sure everything is okay for the performance.”
“That’s what your radio is for.” It was the first time Brodie had spoken directly to her since this morning. “They have a stage manager and director. If they need you they can call you on your radio. Join us—please.”
A spark of emotion flickered across his face.
Was this a peace offering?
Looking into those blue eyes she couldn’t even remember why she was upset with him. Well, she could remember, but suddenly with all those Fortune faces staring at her, eagerly awaiting her answer, suddenly it didn’t really matter anymore. Then when the music cued and the actors rode the horses into the ring, Caitlyn didn’t have much of a choice.
As they took their seats, she noticed that Brodie stepped between her and Galen, causing his cousin to shift down a seat, putting Brodie right next to her.
Jeanne Marie was on Brodie’s left. She leaned across and said, “We’re having another barbecue before Brodie goes back to London. You make sure he brings you to the party.”
That’s right. He would be leaving after the park was successfully opened. She supposed she had been too preoccupied with work to remember that. Still, it didn’t stop the dull ache in her heart that began to throb with Jeanne Marie’s reminder.
Caitlyn was glad when the others began cheering for Amber, who had majestically ridden into the ring. With her long, tousled blond hair and athletic build, she looked gorgeous on that horse. Caitlyn focused on how Amber really was the perfect person for the show.
She could see why the Moore Entertainment casting and advertising departments had wanted her to be the face of Cowboy Country USA, but she’d declined the opportunity, wanting to stick to the serious riding.
And that may not have been a bad way to go. Her spirited personality and expert riding skills shone brightly in the ring. A less-skilled rider probably couldn’t have handled the horse. Caitlyn had all the confidence in the world in Amber, but she was still nervous for her.
And sad that Brodie would be leaving. He hadn’t even told her when. Had he planned to?
As Amber put the horse through the routine, Caitlyn leaned forward in her seat. When she did, her knee bumped Brodie’s. Subtly, she shifted her body to allow some space for those long, muscular legs.
Strong legs that made her a little weak in the knees.
Really, Caitlyn?
She refocused on Amber, who had just performed a rather awe-inspiring move with her horse, dancing it slalom-style through the dozen or so horses performing with her in the ring.
But a moment later, Brodie’s knee was back against hers.
She had to fight the urge to nudge him away.
Actually, no, she didn’t. A traitorous, idiotic part of her longed to reach out and touch his knee.
Instead, she slanted him a glance, hoping she looked a little disgusted. He gave her a single arched brow, which made her simultaneously thrilled and regretful of the flirtation.
Was this his way of trying to make up?
Damn him.
Damn him right to her bed.
No. Because he was leaving, and her heart was breaking all over again.
She needed to be stronger than to let a little knee bump—physical contact that wasn’t really physical contact—lead her back into temptation. In addition to him leaving—abandoning her—he’d acted like such a jerk the past couple of weeks.
She had this strange thought that maybe he’d been trying to distance himself because he knew he was leaving. That the closer they became, the harder it would be to leave. She wanted to tell him that was just ridiculous. Pushing her away wasn’t going to work.
She leaned toward him to ask if they could talk later. This alternating silence and arguing was just ridiculous. They were both better than that. They’d proved that by working together and getting to where they were today. But before she could form the words, a cap gun misfired in the ring. Amber’s horse reared back on its hind legs. The misstep must’ve surprised Amber because she lost her grip and fell backward. She landed in front of another show horse, and that scared him, sending him into rearing panic mode.
One of the cowboy actors managed to jump off his horse and scoop up Amber. If he’d been a second longer she would’ve been trampled. But in doing so he’d had to let go of his horse, and that’s when all hell broke loose.
The other horses got spooked, causing them to throw their riders. One of the horses knocked over one of the barrels and some other props in the ring. The noises mixed with the screams and shouting from the audience as guests knocked each other down to run out of the pavilion.
Caitlyn, Brodie and his family sprang to life, jumping over overturned chairs and dodging people, as they tried to make their way to the front of the ring. But they were too late. By the time they’d gotten down front, at least nine horses had broken loose and stampeded out of the
ring, running rampant through the park.
“Here, grab some rope,” shouted Deke. He tossed some that was used for props to the men. “Let’s get out there before those animals manage to kill someone.”
Chapter Thirteen
A number of men—a combination of park employees, locals and Fortunes—had managed to wrangle and subdue all nine of the horses before they could hurt anyone else. While the damage to the park and the Wild West Show area was major, the actors’ injuries were minor and none of the park guests were hurt.
Still, that didn’t even begin to cover the real damage that had been done.
People had captured the mayhem on video cameras and smartphones, and now Cowboy Country’s stampeding horses were all over the evening news—and not just locally. The story had hit the wire services and internet and accounts of “Horsegate USA” had gone viral.
Members of the media who had been invited to the grand opening had managed to pick out the mouthiest, most colorful people to interview, and they had lambasted Moore Entertainment for endangering everyone’s welfare.
The animal handlers and the Fortunes had secured the horses, and the managerial staff had cleared the park and closed the gates by one o’clock. The minute Caitlyn had gotten back to the executive offices, she was greeted with a stack of nearly one hundred phone messages that Janie had taken from additional media asking for interviews.
Brodie had instructed all of the department heads to round up their staff members and bring them to the all-purpose room in the training facility. He would give each employee strict instructions not to talk to the media. He was the only person who was allowed to say anything about Cowboy Country USA in any capacity to the press.
As far as Caitlyn was concerned, he could shoulder that responsibility on his own.
She took the stack of messages from Janie and deposited them on Brodie’s neat desk, barely able to contain the slow simmer of resentment.
They hadn’t been ready to open the park.
Caitlyn knew that, too well. She’d tried to warn Brodie, but he’d used his veto power over common sense to rush the opening.
My Fair Fortune Page 15