The Cowboy Takes a Bride. Debra Clopton

be good for you and for us. You have so much to offer the community.”

      “You know that won’t happen,” Sugar said frankly. She needed to nip that idea in the bud pronto. And truth was, if Ross didn’t come around, there was no reason for her to stick around. She’d made Haley a promise to come help her get things going with the office, but if she couldn’t find a way to help her career, then she was staying in this small town for the absolute shortest time possible.

      Haley sighed. “You can’t fault a girl for hoping.”

      Sugar couldn’t hold back anymore. “So tell me, what’s the story on this Ross guy? He wouldn’t even listen to what I had to say this morning. He seemed different from the guy I met yesterday—talk about a rude dude. And I know about rude.”

      That made Haley laugh, just as Sugar knew it would. Sugar had been notorious for assisting other assistants in the office when it came to people behaving badly. “He didn’t know you were an actress. I’m honestly confused by all of this, too. I really don’t know him all that well, and had completely forgotten about his ties to Branson. No one ever talks about it anymore. I think his family comes to visit him some, but they have a really tight schedule and can’t get away that often.”

      “Still, what’s it going to hurt the guy to at least consider it? Mule-headed, that’s what he is. And selfish.”

      “Will knows him better than I do. Maybe I need to invite you and him for dinner. We can soften him up. What do you think? It’s worth a try.”

      Sugar pulled open her top drawer, plucked a green gumdrop from the bag stored there and bit it in half. She chewed on one half and squished the other between her fingers as she thought over her strange encounter with Ross. “He’s going to soften up. I’m going to hound him until he does. Too much is at stake here. I have to have his building.”

      “Are you going to destroy his resistance like you just destroyed that poor piece of candy?” Haley asked, a smile in her voice.

      Sugar zoned in on the small blob of green goop. “Ack! Disgusting! What was I thinking?” She shook her hand over the trash can, but it wouldn’t come off. Grabbing a tissue, she wiped it away. “There. Okay, back to the point. The man will come around.”

      “How do you know?”

      “Because if I have to talk him into it, I will. I’m angry at him right now, but he really does seem like a nice guy. A little moody, but I’m sure that when he sees the show will be good for Mule Hollow, he’ll give in. I’m going to calm down and pray about it.”

      “I’ll pray, too. I just can’t help thinking God has a plan here.” Haley studied her. “This could be very interesting,” she said at last. “Ross might not be as wimpy as you think.”

      “Don’t you laugh, the man will surrender. I promise you,” Sugar warned, aware of the smile she was trying to control.

      Haley held her hand up in surrender. “I believe you. Remember, I’ve seen you in action. So when are you going to start auditions?”

      “I’m going to print up a flyer for Sam’s and the feed store, and get things going on Saturday. And since you’ve taken over booking the community center, I was hoping I could use it for rehearsal. Thanks to my sweet grandmother I have money stashed away that will finance this venture, if I’m frugal.”

      “You can use the community center for the auditions and for rehearsal. We’ll work something out. I’ll also do a sponsorship to help with the cost. After all, this is going to be a great attraction—I really do believe in you, Sugar.”

      Sugar suddenly felt like crying. “Thank you,” she said softly. “That means more to me than you know.”

      Haley smiled as if it was no big deal, but it was to Sugar. As she was growing up, her parents had seemed to believe in her dream to be an actress, but when it came time for her to head out to L.A., they’d changed their tune. Only then did she find out that they’d supported her dream as a means to help her make it through her illness. They’d thought she’d grow out of it.

      She told herself that it didn’t matter, but it did. Having someone believe in you was important.

      But proving wrong those who didn’t believe in you could also be great motivation.

      

      It was almost closing time on Saturday afternoon when Ross parked in front of the feed store. He needed to grab some more wire from Pete’s, but found himself heading toward the real-estate office instead, despite his determination to stay away. No matter how many times he went over it in his head, he still felt like he owed Sugar some sort of explanation for his abrupt behavior on Wednesday morning.

      He wasn’t at all sure what kind of welcome to expect as he opened the door and stepped inside.

      “Hey, cowboy!”

      Her greeting both startled him and made him wary at the same time. “Hey yourself,” he said, moving cautiously into the room.

      “You’re just the man I was hoping would walk through those doors today.”

      “I am?” He was immediately suspicious.

      “Oh yeah. How’s my building doing? You know I’m holding auditions tonight?” Her eyes were sparkling. “I’ve been monitoring the visitors I’ve run into over the last couple of days, and I’m feeling more optimistic by the carload. There’s been a real eclectic mix of folks. College girls looking for cowboys, weekend browsers shopping at Ashby’s dress store, and even older couples just hanging out. I’ve been polling everyone about why they came to town. Most of them say it’s a pleasant day trip. These kinds of people will make a perfect audience when I put my show on in your lovely barn.” She was beaming at him when she finally finished.

      He wasn’t sure whether to be irritated that she hadn’t given up on his barn, or amused. “About that—I thought I’d come in here and try to explain myself a little better. There was no excuse for me to turn you down so callously.” It was true, he’d concluded. He could have turned her down without being so abrupt.

      She waved off his apology. “I’m sure you had your reasons. As I’m also sure that, now you’ve had time to think it over, you’ve come to your senses and decided to go into partnership with me on my show.” Grinning, she rested her chin on her palm and studied him.

      He laughed at her blatant tactics. “You’re persistent, I’ll give you that.”

      “Nope. I only want you to give me the use of your barn.” She batted her eyes at him. “Just say yes. It’s easy.”

      He was in danger here.

      “I promise you,” she continued, “people will come out to see my production. We’ll do a few skits and some singing, and oh yeah, did I tell you I need a hero? You’d make a great hero.”

      Man, she really didn’t take no for an answer! He liked that about her and found himself wanting to say yes. But that wouldn’t be fair to either of them. Still, she was persuasive. What red-blooded American man wouldn’t want a woman to think he’d make a great hero? Too bad they were on two different life paths, he reminded himself.