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Judy Williamson. The owner of the salon where Amber worked. Would that give Amber an in? She laughed out loud. No more than sleeping with Chad McCray would give her an in. In fact, she’d better keep that little tidbit quiet or she might be disqualified.
Not too much of a problem. She’d left his house Sunday morning. Here it was Tuesday, and he’d made no attempt to see her.
Catie put the letter aside and looked at the agenda. The party and fashion show was tomorrow night! And she had to call Judy with a description of her outfits. Help! And she’d need a photo of herself, too. Quickly!
Annie’d be busy all day, and Dusty wasn’t much of a fashion expert. But Catie’s big sister, Angie, was. She’d get Angie to take her shopping today. Maybe they’d drive to Denver, even.
Friday evening was the horsemanship event. Catie glanced at the patterns. Yes! She and Ladybird would have no difficulty. She giggled, wondering if Amber and her acrylic nails had ever been on a horse.
Saturday was the big day. The luncheon was at noon, during which Catie would make her speech. Afterward, each contestant would have a personal interview with the judges.
She froze.
A personal interview with Chad. How would she face him? Zach and Dallas would be there, too, but still…
She read on. She’d ride in the Grand Entry that evening, with introductions and crowning at 7:30 p.m., before the rodeo events started. On Sunday, there’d be a parade, and the new rodeo queen would lead it.
Okay. She could do this.
She scanned the rules and regulations quickly.
Yeah, yeah. The age limit, eighteen to twenty-two. The horse papers and Coggins test. No stallions. Conduct yourself properly. Je
ans and a long sleeve western blouse for the horsemanship. No gloves or chaps.
Rule number ten stared out at her, as though mocking her.
The winner of the Bakersville Rodeo Queen competition agrees not to marry during the year of her reign. If she should marry, the title will go to the first runner-up.
She sighed. Not a problem. The only man she wanted to marry had no interest in marrying her. Done deal. She could be the rodeo queen.
* * *
Wednesday evening came before Catie felt ready. As she waited for her turn to model her western wear, she stared at the other contestants. They all looked more elegant than she did. What had she been thinking? Chad was right. She was just a kid. A kid trying to act like a grown-up. Didn’t matter that most of these contestants were younger than she was. They’d started preparing months ago.
“You’re up next, Caitlyn,” Amber said, rubbing her shoulder. “Then me. I’m so nervous.”
Amber looked beautiful in a black satin western shirt and white leather jeans. Catie felt infantile next to her, wearing the studded red shirt she’d chosen. She’d decided against the leather jeans and wore black denim. Angie had tried to talk her into leather, but Catie hated the way it felt against her skin. Sticky and stifling in the summer heat. But her red ostrich boots looked good, and her red-and-black studded belt.
“Caitlyn Bay!” Judy called.
“Go.” Amber nudged her. “And good luck.”
“Yeah, you too,” Catie said, trying not to hurl.
She walked out to the makeshift runway that had been set up in the arena.
The emcee’s deep voice began. “Next up is Bakersville’s own Caitlyn Bay.”
Catie wished she’d taken Annie’s advice about Vaseline on her teeth. Her lips stuck to her gums. “Caitlyn is twenty-one years old and recently returned to Bakersville after studying at the Sorbonne in Paris for four years. We’re glad to have her back. She’s the daughter of Wayne and Maria Bay of Cha Cha Ranch.
“Caitlyn is wearing a Nash western shirt of crimson silk accented with silver studs.”
Catie turned, sticking her hips out and her shoulders back, as Annie had taught her. Hoping like hell she didn’t look like a complete moron.
“Caitlyn’s studded leather belt is also by Nash, and her boot cut black denims are by Levi Strauss. She sports gold-tipped red ostrich boots by Anderson Bean. Thank you, Caitlyn.”
Catie smiled to the crowd, and then, as Annie had taught her, met each judge’s eyes. Her breath caught when Chad’s dark gaze converged with hers. His eyes burned into her. Zach and Dallas were busy writing, but Chad’s eyes never left her. She whipped her head around, but her ankle wobbled. She caught herself and walked off the stage.
