“I understand. My winnings helped put me through college. I competed in the summer and between semesters to earn enough money for school.”
“Really?”
“I do know my way around a lasso.”
With a thawing of her coolness, she leaned forward.
He thought he caught a hint of respect. “I’m not just some college-educated busybody who thinks he knows how to solve the world’s problems. My brother and I have been rodeoing since we were both teens.” He rested his hand on the table. “I’ve lived it. The last time I worked and competed was last June in the little town of Peaster, Texas.”
Her eyes widened in an ‘aha’ moment. “You were at the charity rodeo?”
“I was. I worked in tandem with my brother, riding pickup.”
“I was there, too, competing in barrel racing. Talked with the organizer, Brenda Kaye, about how she put together the rodeo, hoping to pick up some ideas on how to save our rodeo.”
“Brenda did a great job. When my brother confessed he wanted to marry her, I cheered.”
“She’s your sister-in-law?”
“She is, and getting her degree in counseling. She’s an Iraqi war veteran and wants to help fellow vets.”
Erin’s expression softened, making him feel less like the monster who’d stomped her dreams.
The waitress showed up with a burger. “Here you go, Erin.” The teenage girl placed the plate on the table. “Yours will be out in a minute, sir.”
“If my burger is as good as this one smells, I can’t wait.” He grinned at her. “And my name’s Sawyer. Sir makes me feel old.”
She nodded. “I’m Rose. Mom cooks the best burgers in this part of New Mexico. Really, she’s the best cook hands down.” A ding of “order up” sounded and the girl disappeared.
Erin grabbed a French fry and popped it into her mouth as she continued to study his proposal.
The waitress appeared again with his burger. “Here you go, Sawyer. Enjoy.”
“Are you still doing the work/study program in high school?” Erin asked Rose.
“Yup, and I have a ton of ideas I want Mom to try.” She walked back to the kitchen with a little spring in her step.
Erin bowed her head, silently asking a blessing.
Sawyer liked that and joined her. When he looked up, she studied him.
He didn’t say anything, but picked up the hamburger and took a bite. The flavors of chili and meat danced on his tongue. “You weren’t kidding.”
“Sawyer, I’m known for a lot of things, but being funny isn’t one of them.”
“So you don’t laugh?” He took another bite of his burger. He felt some chili slide down his chin.
“How’s the burger?” A rawboned woman stood at the end of the table. From her posture, the woman knew her way around the restaurant and wasn’t afraid of hard work. She smiled when she saw the chili on his chin. “Ah, I see you’re enjoying my special burger.”
Wiping his chin, he nodded to Erin. “She wasn’t fooling when she said this burger is the best.”
The woman blushed. “Thank you. Our Erin is a treasure. Anyone who has a problem talks to her for ideas and advice.”
“You’re going to be seeing a lot of me in the next few weeks,” he said after swallowing.
“Erin, did you acquire a new boyfriend that you didn’t tell us about?”
Erin choked on her tea.
“No. He’s not mine,” she shot back. “Ask Mel about him.”
Lulu frowned. “You’re not making any sense.”
Sawyer grabbed another napkin from the dispenser, wiped his hand and chin, then held out his hand to the woman. “I’m Sawyer Jensen. I’ve been hired to work on your rodeo.”
“You didn’t win the job?” Lulu glanced at Erin. “You okay with that?”
Erin sat quietly and studied Sawyer. “I’ll let you know after I’ve read his proposal.”
Eyes narrowed, Lulu focused on him. “You’ve got some mighty big shoes to fill, mister. Like I said, folks around here tend to depend on Erin.”
Sawyer now knew that he wasn’t the odds-on favorite of some of the people in town. He’d have to turn on the charm. “I’ll try, ma’am. And I hope to consult with Erin here after she has finished reading my proposal.”
“I’d like to hear her ideas, myself. Not that I don’t trust you, but we know Erin.”
“No offense taken.”
“How is your father?” Lulu asked.
“The doctors think he’ll recover, but how quickly they don’t know. Right now they are still evaluating him. He’s conscious, but not talking.”
Lulu nodded. “I’m sorry about that. If you need anything, let me know.”
Erin let down her guard long enough that he saw the worry in her eyes. “Thanks.”
He took another bite of the burger, which confirmed what his taste buds had already told him. “Oh, this is good.”
Several more locals entered the restaurant and clustered at the order desk.
Erin nodded at them.
Sawyer wanted to ask her about a good place to stay, but he wasn’t sure she’d welcome giving him more advice.
Taking the last bite of her burger, she threw her napkin on her plate. “I’ll finish your proposal tonight and get back to you after I’ve thought about your suggestions and plan of attack.”
A reasonable response, but he’d keep up his guard. “Do you still ride barrels competitively?”
“I do and was in Denver competing when I got word about my dad’s stroke.” She fell silent. “Five days,” she whispered to herself. She shook her head and picked up her thoughts. “I left the competition and dropped my horse at our family ranch before driving to see Dad. I didn’t know the result of the vote on the contract until this morning when I saw you standing at the head of the table.”
He tensed.
“Congratulations.” She held out her hand.
He took it, and he felt an electric charge race up his arm, scrambling his brains. “Thank you. I welcome all input.”
“Really?” Her arched brow and the twinkle in her eyes gave him pause. He knew a challenge when he saw one.
“Absolutely. Once you’ve read through my plan, I’d welcome your input.”
“If you’re pulling my leg or trying to smooth things over with the little lady, you’ve seriously misjudged the situation.”
“No, I meant what I said.”
“Good, because I’ll have input.”
“I look forward to it.”
Her mouth slowly curved into a smile that could only be categorized as one of pure determination.
The door to the restaurant opened and a couple around Erin’s age walked in. The woman had beautiful blond hair that fell beyond her shoulders. Under the ton of makeup she had slathered on, she might’ve been pretty, Sawyer thought, but she just looked hard. She scanned the restaurant, clapped eyes on them and marched to the table much like General Patton