Erin didn’t look up as she calmly collected the proposal and put it into her tote. The man with the blonde looked panicked.
Sawyer held out his hand. “Sawyer Jensen. And you are?”
“Traci and Andy Hyatt,” the man responded.
“My father is Melvin Lowell,” Traci announced, as if that said it all.
Sawyer stole a look at Erin. She didn’t look nervous or upset. She simply sat back.
Andy cleared his throat. “I’m sorry to hear about your dad, Erin. I always liked him.”
Traci elbowed her husband.
“What?” Andy asked. “Detrick always treated me well. I’m sorry to hear about his stroke.”
“Thanks, Andy,” Erin replied. “Dad felt the same about you.”
There was a wealth of meaning buried in those words. Andy glanced at his wife, who glared back.
“Watch your back with this one. You might find a knife there,” Traci warned, pointing toward Erin.
Andy pulled his wife away from the table. “Let’s order.”
Erin didn’t offer any explanation, but the tension the couple caused lingered.
In a small town there were lots of undercurrents that could take down an outsider in an instant, and Sawyer had just encountered one. You had to pay attention to body language and tone if you wanted to save yourself. He’d learned that lesson the hard way with his mom’s constant stream of boyfriends.
“Can you recommend a place to stay while I’m here?” he asked, wanting to change the subject.
Erin’s gaze settled back on him. “The board didn’t arrange a place for you to stay?”
“No, it wasn’t mentioned.”
“Well, there are quite a few motels.”
“What about that interesting-looking motel I saw a block over when I drove into town? The one that looks like a big sombrero?”
“Are you sure you want to stay there? It was built in 1937. We have more modern places.”
“No, I kinda like its style. A blast from the past.”
“Most of the rooms don’t have TVs. And their phones are the big black rotary kind.”
For some reason, the lady didn’t want him to stay there. Why?
Before he could respond, a couple walked into the restaurant. They nodded to Erin and made their way to the order counter.
“I think I can handle that,” he said.
Erin studied him, but before she could respond, they heard, “What?” The man at the counter said, “You’re joshing me?” He looked over his shoulder at them.
“You sure, Lulu?” the woman questioned.
Instantly, the couple walked over to their table.
“You didn’t win, Erin?” the man asked. “This is the stranger who won?” They looked from Erin to Sawyer.
Sawyer felt the gazes of the couple boring into his back.
“I can’t believe the board voted for a stranger over one of our own, especially after what happened with your father,” the woman added.
“It was a fair vote,” Traci called out from across the room.
The man glared at her. “I think we all know how you feel.”
Sawyer heard a strangled protest.
The man ignored it and focused on him and Erin. “Why go with a stranger? I know you and trust that your ideas would save the rodeo.”
“I’ve just skimmed his plan, Bob, but I wouldn’t jump to a conclusion before I’ve really studied it and thought about what he plans to do.”
Bob considered Erin’s suggestion. “Sounds good to me. I think the board needs to have a meeting tonight to let the rest of the town listen to this man’s ideas. The longer we don’t know what he wants to do, the longer we’ll be in the dark, and I want to know what’s happening from the beginning.” He whipped out his cell phone and punched in a number.
Erin sat quietly as they listened to Bob.
“Mel, I just learned that you gave the contract for the rodeo to a stranger.” He paused, obviously listening to Mel. “Okay, Sawyer Jensen.”
Everyone in the restaurant listened, but Sawyer watched Erin’s expression. Her defense of him to Bob surprised him. She wanted to give him a chance. He didn’t know what to think or feel.
Bob nodded. “I think that’s an excellent idea. I’ll call around and we’ll get enough people together tonight to listen to this man’s ideas. At seven.”
Another look passed between Erin and Sawyer.
“That’s no excuse. If the board members from Harding want the same for their residents, they can do it tomorrow.” Silence. “You may be head of the board, but that can be revoted.”
Traci’s gasp sounded through the room.
“Good. We’ll gather tonight at the new conference center.” Bob hung up and nailed Sawyer with a look. “We’re going to listen to you tonight. You got a problem with that?”
“No, I’d welcome the opportunity to present my proposal to the residents.”
“Good.” Bob glanced at Erin. “I couldn’t do less than check this guy out.”
“Thanks, Bob.”
“You always favored her, Bob,” Traci shouted.
“And if you’d driven my son around while I was in the hospital and my wife was with me, then I might’ve favored you, too, Traci.”
No comment came from the table behind them.
“Come on, honey. I’m hungry,” his wife said.
With a final look, the couple walked back to the order window.
Sawyer knew it was time to leave. “I’d like to check into that motel.”
“You sure?” Erin said.
“I am.”
Shrugging, she stood and walked outside. “We could walk, but you probably have luggage and equipment that you need to put in your room, so we’ll drive.”
He nodded. “I’d like to ask one question.”
Her shoulders tensed.
“Who’s Bob?”
She visibly relaxed. “Robert Rivera owns the hardware/feed/tractor store. If you need something for your ranch or farm, chances are Bob has it or can order it or knows where to get it.”
“And he’s not on the rodeo board?”
“He used to be, but family stuff has kept him busy, so he resigned. He was on the board with my father and they usually voted against Mel. It made things lively.”
“I’m sure it did.”
“And be warned, things could get vocal tonight.”
“I’ll consider myself warned.”
He swallowed his smile. She may have thought she could scare him away, but she didn’t know who he was. His professional reputation as a man who could bring success out of defeat and turmoil was at stake. But more than that, there was something here in this town that called to him and he wasn’t going to ignore that call. He’d turn the rodeo around and make it thrive. And the beautiful woman who would challenge