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Austin was shrugging into his dress vest and jacket when Adam came storming into the trailer. He glanced at Charlotte. who sat at the table, then focused on Austin again. “Hey, can I, uh, talk to you for a moment?”
“Sure, what’s up?” Austin asked, buttoning his jacket and smiling down at Charlotte.
“I mean, well…” He glanced at Charlotte.
“Oh, yeah, I, uh, I gotta check on Mama. I told her I’d do her hair.” Charlotte stood and kissed Austin. “I’ll see you in just a few minutes, my champion.”
He watched her as she left, and she smiled once more at him before she gave the brothers their privacy. For a second, a wave of panic flooded her, and she feared Adam would worry she would take Austin away. Was that what they were talking about? She closed her eyes and searched for God’s peace. It was all in His hands, and He hadn’t led her astray yet.
Mama was surprised to see her at the trailer, but she welcomed her in.
“The boys needed to talk, so I, uh, said I told you I’d help you with your hair, for the awards ceremony, you know. They’ll be taking many pictures, maybe even with family.” Charlotte smiled.
“Oh, well, I wouldn’t mind, dear. Maybe you could put it up like you did for graduation all those years ago.” Mama patted her hair, smiling at the memory.
“I’d love to,” Charlotte said.
By the time the boys arrived, they were ready to go. Adam winked at her, which eased her heart that he wasn’t upset with her or worried she’d steal Austin away, but it also had her curious, especially since Austin kept wiping his hands on his pants and his smile held a wobble.
“Are you nervous?” she asked as they made their way toward the arena where they held the awards ceremony.
“Yeah,” he smiled that sideways smile that always melted her heart. “You?”
“Me?” She shook her head. “Why would I be nervous? You’ll be the one up on the stage.”
“Oh, yeah, that’s right,” he said, patting his pants and then shooting a wary glance toward her. “It’s just that…”
“It’s the Nationals,” she said. “I know. This is a big deal.”
“It is a big deal,” he said, squeezing her hand. “You’ll stay with my parents in the front row, right? Where I can see you?”
“Of course,” she said, clasping onto him, her heart rejoicing that he wanted to share his prize moment with her. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“Oh, I’m gonna make sure of that,” he said, just as Adam pulled him away.
“Come on, bro. It’s time. Bill wants us over here to get pics for our sponsors right before they begin.” Adam pulled on him again, but Austin met her eyes.
“I’ll be right here,” she said with an encouraging nod and settled into place beside Mama and Pops. Once he and Adam disappeared, she turned to them. “He’s acting really nervous about this, isn’t he?”
“Um, yeah, well, you know, crowds and cameras and stuff,” Pops said with a shrug, but he pulled at his collar and didn’t meet her eyes. Maybe he was nervous as well.
They sat together while the other events went through their awards, until finally, it was time for team roping. Charlotte’s leg bounced; Mama smiled at her; and Pops laid a resting hand on her leg.
“You know,” Pops said. “We’re glad you’re here.”
“Thanks.” Charlotte smiled at him, calming herself. “Me too. I would have never forgiven myself to have missed this moment.”
Mama covered her mouth, though Charlotte wasn’t sure if it was to hide a smile or cover a sob, because they called Austin and Adam onto the stage at that moment. She whistled and hooted and cheered as the crowd went wild. Their agent was right. They were a crowd favorite, and she glowed with pride, knowing that Austin was her man. Austin’s smile still wobbled, and he looked at her every few seconds. She smiled back, pure joy for him at reaching beyond his dreams.
After the cheering died down, the announcer held Austin and Adam on the stage. “I hear there is something you wanted to say, Austin?”
Austin shook out his hand and leaned toward the mic. “Yeah, there…there is.” He looked at Charlotte with that intense gaze of his and motioned for her to come up.
She shook her head, not understanding why he wanted her up there. Pops pushed at her a little.
“It looks like Austin is asking this young lady to join us up here. What’s her name?”
“Charly…I mean, Charlotte…my, uh, my girl.”
