The Cowboy Meets His Match

by Leann Harris

  Leaning back in his seat, he thought about the situation. The nagging feeling that something was wrong didn’t go away. Instead, it got stronger. Why?

  “What are you doing here at this hour?” Traci stood in the doorway of the boardroom.

  “Working.”

  She slowly walked to the table, eyeing the notebooks. “It’s after dinner and you should be in your hotel room, relaxing.”

  He swallowed his irritation. “I’m sure the rodeo board wouldn’t object. I think they’d want the most for their money.”

  “Could be.” She walked around the room.

  Her sudden appearance made him suspicious. “What are you doing here?”

  “I saw the light when I drove by and wanted to know who was here this late. I thought Dad might be here, and I wanted to talk to him.” She studied the binders. “Why do you need last year’s budget?” Her voice hardened. “And why three copies? I don’t understand.”

  How could he get out of this mess? “I wanted to look at last year’s budget to compare costs, and I couldn’t find it. I asked the secretary where it was since it wasn’t with the others. Oddly, her copies, hard and electronic, were missing, too. When your dad stopped by the office before he left town, I asked him where it was. Then, today, I got one from Norman when I was in Harding County. On the way home, I stopped by the Delong ranch to ride with Tate, and Erin gave me her father’s copy.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “Aren’t you showing a little too much partiality, stopping by Erin’s?”

  The tone of her voice made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. He didn’t like what she implied, but he needed to tread carefully in this situation. “Tate offered the opportunity to ride and, after driving all day, when I went by the Delong ranch, I knew I needed to unwind on the back of a horse. Ever have one of those days?”

  Traci’s frown eased.

  “Yes, I have.”

  He picked up the notebooks. “It’s been a long day, and I’m ready to call it quits.” He motioned for her to exit the room before him, and he turned off the lights, then locked the office.

  Traci tapped her lips with her index finger. “I have an idea. Why don’t I document the rodeo redo with pictures? I could do a website and everyone in Harding and Quay counties will know the progress of things. And, if we need more people to bid on jobs that come up, we could put the notice there.”

  Traci had struck gold.

  “I’ve already listed some of the job openings on the website, but I like your idea. You could do a new website and add a link to it or just rework the current site.” The more Sawyer thought about it, the more he liked it.

  “I can do it. I’m sure my dad would want me doing that.”

  A website would keep everyone informed and would keep Traci busy. He sensed that if she had a purpose, other problems might be avoided. “Go for it.”

  She smiled, leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Thanks. I’ll work on it tonight.”

  * * *

  Sawyer sat down on the bed, then pulled off his boots. What a couple of days. He should’ve been exhausted, but each time he closed his eyes, a different scene popped into his brain, from taking Tate home, to Mel gladly telling Erin her father had voted for him, to the trip to the next county with all those eager faces who wanted to bid on rodeo jobs.

  He didn’t know what Traci had planned to do when she’d shown up at the office, but it didn’t matter, because her idea of documenting the redo on the website was a winner. He could see that as the best way to keep people updated and have all the contracts out there for everyone to see. He’d learned that secrets created gossip and gossip developed into grumbling, and he couldn’t afford that in a small town.

  Stretching out on the bed, he thought about the afternoon ride with Tate. Sawyer had read the situation correctly. The youth needed someone to talk to. Sawyer thought of Pastor Garvey, who had guided him. The man had shepherded both Sawyer and his brother, showing them what normal family life was. Garvey had stood in the gap, being there for them. Sawyer wanted to pass on that comfort he had received from the pastor.

  He sat up and looked through the notebooks he’d brought back to the room with him. In the middle of reviewing the bid for last year’s concrete work, his brain shifted to being stuffed beside Erin on that small sofa. His heart had sped up as if he’d been bull riding. He didn’t like going with emotions, but this time had been different.

  He had expected resistance from Erin over the rodeo—or some form of sabotage—since this had been his experience with other women in his life. Instead, she had contributed good, constructive ideas. Ideas that made his plan better, which awed him. How different was this experience from all the previous encounters he’d had with other females in his life?

  The more he knew of Erin, the more she reminded him of his sister-in-law and not his mother or ex-girlfriend. So how did he deal with that? His mother needed both of her sons’ input before she could make a decision. If not them, she sought the approval of her current boyfriend. Erin had her ideas, but she worked with others to accomplish her vision. What a difference. And he found he liked how Erin operated. A lot.

  “C’mon, Sawyer, you like more than the way she operates.” His words echoed in the room.

  * * *

  When Erin went to the rodeo office the next morning, she noticed Traci’s truck sitting in the parking lot. Going into the conference room, Erin saw Traci sitting in front of her laptop. No one else was here. Traci looked up, wariness in her expression.

  A dozen different thoughts raced through Erin’s head, but what came out of her mouth was, “What are you doing here?” Not elegant, but not hostile.

  Traci’s jaw flexed. “I’m developing a new website for the rodeo, listing all the jobs that need to be let. I also discussed with Sawyer last night a section of the site where the progress on the current work could be posted.”

  All of Erin’s awkwardness dissolved. “I like that.” The words tumbled out of her mouth, but she meant them. “You suggested that?”

  Traci nodded and her shoulders relaxed. “I did. It only makes sense in this day and age. There is so much we could do with a website besides posting current job openings—we could show progress on work and collect ideas. The news would be at people’s fingertips.”

  “May I see what you’ve done so far?” Erin asked.

  “Sure.”

  Erin walked to where Traci sat and looked at the laptop.

  “I thought this would let everyone know what the site was for and that it was the new one.” A picture of the rodeo grounds was the banner across the top.

  “I like that, and those graphics are good. There’s a picture of Jessie Reynolds’s winning ride on that bull several years ago that might look good with what you’ve got there. A collage effect, maybe.”

  “I hear ya. And there are other pictures we could add.”

  “True.”

  Erin sat and ideas started bouncing between them, and the awkwardness of the past few years melted away.

  * * *

  Forty-five minutes later, Sawyer walked into the office. The place hummed with activity.

  “Morning, Lisa, what’s going on?”

  The secretary laughed. “I don’t know what you did to Traci, but she’s in the boardroom with Erin working.”

  His heart beating fast, Sawyer raced to the boardroom door, worried about what he’d find. Someone knocked out. Books scattered around. Broken furniture. “Everything okay in here?” He hung on to the door frame.

  Erin and Traci looked up.

  “Are you always this late?” Traci asked.

  “I ate and had coffee,” he mumbled, feeling as if he’d run into the door.

  “We’ve been working on the website for the rodeo overhaul for some time,” Traci replied.

&
nbsp; “If you have suggestions on how we’ve set it up, or linked the new site to the old, now’s the time to put in your two cents’ worth,” Erin added. “If we officially want to use the new website, then the board will have to approve it, but adding it shouldn’t be a problem.”

  Still dazed, he walked to the table, sat and reviewed what they had done.

  “We’re almost done, and we’re to the point where we need your input on the jobs you want to list and other general information you want given out to the public. Later, I’ll take pictures,” Traci added.

  “Okay.” He felt disoriented, as if he’d been plunged into a new reality.

  Traci smiled. “Once I got home, all sorts of other ideas popped into my head. We can document the changes, have a blog, open it to suggestions, and everyone can follow the progress and feel involved.”

  Sawyer shook his head, still unable to believe the change between the women. Was he dreaming?

  “I agree,” Erin said. “This is a good way to give information out. The more people know, the easier I think it will be. Of course, Sawyer could be the arbiter of the suggestions.”

  He felt rooted to the floor.

  Lisa peeked in and grinned at Sawyer, giving him a thumbs-up, and went back to her desk. Still dazed, he wandered out to the reception area.

  “What just happened in there?” he asked, collapsing in the chair by Lisa’s desk. “I was prepared to throw my body between the combating opponents. Instead, they’ve started working together as if they’ve known each other for ages.”

  “They have.” Lisa’s eyes watered up.

  “What?” Sawyer panicked.

  “It’s nice to see those two working together again. Once the initial excitement wears off, there might be some stiffness between them, but at least they’re talking.” She smiled at him. “Thank you.”

  Erin appeared at the door to the boardroom. “Sawyer, you need to write up the jobs—and the sooner the better. Traci will have the links to apply for the jobs. Or, if you need me to do that, I will.” She disappeared back into the boardroom.

  “Did a tornado just run through the building?” he mumbled.

  Lisa grinned. “It did, and you’re fortunate you’re still standing.”

  * * *

  The morning turned into a whirlwind of activity with Erin and Traci working together on the website. Sawyer joined the group, writing up the job descriptions. By one o’clock in the afternoon, they had the website up and running. Traci had promised to drive to the rodeo grounds and put the pictures of what needed to be done along with the job descriptions. They retreated to Lulu’s for lunch.

  Several of the patrons did a double take as if looking at a mirage, with Sawyer, Erin and Traci eating and laughing together.

  Bob Rivera walked into the restaurant and froze when he saw the three of them at a table, talking. After a moment, he said, “Am I hallucinating?” He studied each person at the table.

  Traci laughed.

  “No,” Erin answered. “You’re awake.”

  He rubbed his neck. “Then what am I missing?”

  “We’ve decided to set up a new website for the rodeo.” Sawyer explained what they had accomplished so far. “It’s linked to the old website.”

  Traci chuckled. Erin couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen Traci smile. But this morning, it was like working with an old friend. They had meshed so easily. Erin knew exactly what Traci needed before she opened her mouth.

  Bob hadn’t moved and kept looking at them. “I’m still not sure this is reality.”

  Erin waved him in. “Bob, we decided walking down to your store and posting the jobs wasn’t the most efficient way to do things. The people in Harding might miss out on opportunities, and this is the best way to get the news out.”

  “Aren’t you worried that some people don’t have access to the internet?”

  Traci shook her head. “Everyone in either county has a child, grandchild or a neighbor that has access, and those teens are willing to tell their neighbors. Ever try to keep a secret from your teen? If you’re worried, we can put the web address at your place.”

  The lightbulb went off in Bob’s head and an ‘aha’ look crossed his face. “I hear you. I wasn’t thinking.”

  * * *

  Traci’s prediction came true. By the end of the day, everyone in Quay and Harding counties knew about the website. Countless calls and emails had come into the office, which pleased Sawyer. He watched in awe as Erin worked with Traci. The secretary also didn’t believe her eyes. She walked countless times into the boardroom and looked. The last time she walked in, Sawyer drew her to the side.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I keep thinking I’m dreaming and want to pinch myself.”

  “You’re not.”

  She walked out, shaking her head.

  As Traci, Erin and Sawyer left the office at five, Mel walked in. He speared Sawyer with a glare.

  “What exactly is going on here?”

  Mel’s angry demand caught everyone off guard. Sawyer’s protective edge roared to life by stepping in front of the women. “We’ve been working on an interactive website for the rodeo. Traci did the bulk of the work.”

  The smiles and laughter evaporated.

  Sawyer’s answer stopped Mel. His gaze shifted from his daughter to Sawyer and, lastly, back to Traci.

  “What’s wrong, Dad?”

  Mel took a deep breath and stepped back. Obviously, he was trying to regroup. “I just drove back from Albuquerque, after talking with the company that does the concrete work for the rodeo. I wanted to see them face-to-face to make sure everything was all right with them. They noted how things had changed.” Mel directed his comment to Sawyer.

  Erin started to answer, but Sawyer cut her off. “Mel, we discussed this before. Doing it online will speed things up.”

  Mel’s irritation didn’t diminish. “I know, but the Johnson Brothers have been working with the rodeo for the last fifteen years and I wanted to explain to them face-to-face how we were doing the bidding now. Since they’re the biggest concrete manufacturer in the state, it’s assumed they’d get the job. It would’ve been nice to have a heads-up.” He flushed, jutting out his chin.

  “I’m sorry, Mel. I thought that’s why the board hired me to bring this project in as close to budget as possible, but all jobs need to go through the same process. We want everything we do to be aboveboard, and we want to let everyone see our costs and be able to answer their questions.”

  Mel’s mouth tightened. Sawyer’s answer obviously didn’t sit well with him, but if he protested further, questions would arise.

  He brought his chin down with a firm movement. “Next time, warn me. I just don’t want to be hanging out there, looking like an amateur.”

  “The Johnson Brothers know better, Mel. There’s a contract process they go through with government entities,” Erin pointed out.

  “I know that,” he snarled.

  Something wasn’t right. Sawyer traded glances with Erin and Traci. From their expressions, they thought so, too. Why complain about something the Johnson brothers knew they had to do to get a job?

  “Let’s go, Traci. Your mom is waiting on us.”

  Mel and his daughter drove off in different cars. Erin and Sawyer stood there in the quiet night. In the distance, they could hear children playing and an occasional car or truck drive by.

  Things were going so well.

  “Where’s your car?” Erin looked around the parking lot.

  “I walked. I like the option of walking on this job.” Sawyer stepped closer to Erin. “How’s your brother?”

  “I haven’t gotten a call from the school or my aunt, so I assume everything is good.”

  “Since you didn’t leave when school
was over, I assume that Betty picked up Tate.”

  “Auntie and I agreed she would do afternoon duty if I’d take morning.” She opened her truck door. “I don’t know who is being punished the most—Tate, Auntie or me.”

  He walked around the car and stood face-to-face with Erin. “It will be worth the price in the end. You’re showing him that he matters.”

  He wanted to say more than just “hang in there.” She cocked her head as if she understood his old hurts. “I’ll remember that in the morning when I have to dash to the school at eight fifteen.” She opened her car door.

  “You surprised me today,” Sawyer said, stepping closer.

  She stood in the V of the open door. “How’s that?”

  “When you learned about Traci working on the website, I expected you to object, but you didn’t. You sat down and worked with her. Why?”

  She hesitated. “Traci won several awards for her website designs. She’s good and she has a talent for it, and for me to object didn’t make sense.”

  Lots of people he knew wouldn’t have taken that broad view. With every turn of the rodeo redo, this woman surprised him, kept him off guard. She acted with courage and grace, and his admiration for her was growing. No, it was more than admiration, but he wasn’t ready to admit what emotion it was.

  “Why don’t you hop inside and I’ll drive you to the hotel? I feel like there’s a neon light shining on us for everyone to see.” She unlocked his door from the panel on the driver’s door.

  “Are you going to ask more questions if you drive me to the hotel?” Sawyer asked.

  “No, but I might answer some.”

  He raced around the truck and hopped in. Quiet ruled in the cab on the short drive. She parked in front of his room.

  “I’m going to explain some things. Traci’s ideas on the website were good, and I asked her about the different ideas she had for the setup. It made sense for her to do it.”

  “But you and she haven’t been getting along,” Sawyer commented. He had been talking to people in town. He didn’t want to walk into a war zone.