Maggie brushed at a tear with her knuckle. “I just can't get over how kind everyone has been."
"The sale of foals next week should be a huge success,” Hawk assured her.
A feeling of excitement raced through the horses and riders lined up at the entrance, fancy saddles in place, everyone wearing red, white and blue glittery western shirts. Three of the riders carried the Stars and Stripes and three of them the Lone Star. They would all circle the arena, spotlights sweeping over them, then line up in the center for the playing of The Star Spangled Banner and Texas, My Texas.
Hawk reached over and squeezed Maggie's hand one last time.
Then the lights on the poles went out and a laser light show danced against the sky to music from Toby Keith and Carrie Underwood. The crowd let out a long breath in appreciation, and clapped thunderously as the extravaganza came to a close.
Everything was dark again. Then spotlights from every corner swept back and forth across the arena as the mayor of Wayback stepped up to the microphone in the announcer's booth and waved his Stetson to everyone watching expectantly.
"Ladies and gentlemen.” His voice boomed across the arena. “Welcome to the Annual Wayback Grand Rodeo. I now declare the rodeo officially open."
A drum roll sounded, and to the loud strains of The Eyes of Texas, the parade riders swept into the ring, Mr. and Mrs. Hawk Riley at their head leading the way.
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Shadow of the Hawk [Wayback Texas Series] Page 10