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“Why should I care who he’s dating? I’ve been gone four years.”
“I know. I know,” Annie said. “But I also noticed how you’ve been searching this party since you and I started talking. I just assumed—”
“Oh, Annie.” Catie sighed. “I saw him last night. Harp and I stopped off at the Bullfrog for a drink. He was with Amber then.”
“So you know.”
“Yeah. And I’m fine, really. That crush on Chad was a long time ago.”
“He’s still single, and no closer to commitment than he was four years ago when you left,” Annie said. “Dallas and Zach give him crap about it, but he’s bound and determined not to get serious. So if that’s any consolation, I doubt he’ll ever get serious about that blond powder puff.”
Catie let out a giggle. Annie always made her feel better. “I was thinking the same thing. I mean, she’s pretty and all, but that hair color has got to be fake.”
“Straight out of a bottle, I’d bet,” Annie agreed.
“And the nails… Of course, that’s her job,” Catie said.
“Fake as they come,” Annie said, “and certainly not suited to life here in Bakersville. She’ll find that out soon enough.”
“So what’s Chad doing?”
“He’s playing the field, like he always does. Amber’s new in town. Trust me, that’s her only appeal. He’ll grow tired of her. I’ve seen it time and time again.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Catie shrugged and let out a breathy sigh. “So I have I.”
“How about the rodeo queen thing? Can you imagine?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Dallas, Zach, and Chad have been tapped to judge it this year.”
“Really?” Catie’s heart lurched. “When is it?”
“Next week, I think. I could check for you. Hey, you should enter.”
Catie’d been thinking the same thing. After all, she’d been mistaken for a supermodel more than once in Europe. But rodeo queen? Was she too old?
“Do you know the requirements for the contest, Annie?”
“Heck no. But Dallas might, since he’s judging. When he comes back, ask him.”
“I will do just that,” Catie said.
When Dallas returned with the twins, she pounced on him. “Tell me all about the rodeo queen competition, Dallas. Just what are the qualifications?”
“Heck, it’s nothin’ but the tarts of Bakersville struttin’ their stuff, little bit. You don’t want any part of it. You’re way better than that.”
Annie clicked her tongue. “Don’t give her that, Dallas. She’s genuinely interested. Look at her. She’s gorgeous. She just might take the thing.”
“Oh, I have no doubt of that.” Dallas smiled. “That’s not what I mean. You’re too classy for a beauty pageant.”
“But think of the good I could accomplish,” Catie said, searching for something halfway intelligent to say. “I could do charitable work, and…”
“This ain’t Miss America.” Dallas guffawed. “It’s the Bakersville Rodeo Queen.”
“Good God, Cowboy, quit giving the girl crap and tell her the rules.” Annie took one of the twins from Dallas.
“All right, all right, Doc. Simmer down.” He turned to Catie. “It’s for single ladies between the ages of eighteen and twenty-two.”
