AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Are you enjoying yourself, Ruth?” he asked.
“I am but I want to apologize for last night.”
“Not necessary.”
Portia put in, “I told her not to worry about it.”
“Portia’s right. Oliver misled you.”
“Apparently he did, so thank you for not holding it against me.”
“You’re welcome.”
Portia was pleased with his refusal to lay the blame at Ruth’s door. The young woman looked uncomfortable enough.
Kent eyed them and asked, “So, are either of you going to sign up for any of the contests? Steer tying? Bull riding maybe?”
Portia laughed, “No. Although growing up, Regan and I used to enter the youth events.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Target shooting and the horse racing relays. Three years running, we won both. The boys hated us.”
“Good for you!” Ruth crowed.
Portia explained to Kent why they were there. “I’m waiting to introduce Ruth to James Cordell.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Are you playing matchmaker, MissCarmichael?”
“You did with Matt. I’m trying to keep up.”
Portia saw the humor in his eyes and when the contact lengthened, the desire. For her.
Ruth cleared her throat. “The woman trying to be matched up is waiting. Shall we go? I’d like to keep up as well.”
Her comical plea dragged them back to the present. Wading into the moving sea of people, they set out.
James was among the three men seated at the registration table writing down the names of the contestants and placing their entrance fees in the strongboxes at their feet.
“Which one is he?” Ruth asked from where she and Portia were standing.
Kent had left them to study the roster of events posted on a sign nearby.
Portia pointed him out. “James is a bookkeeper,” she added in case Ruth was curious about what he did for a living.
Ruth’s face gave nothing away, but she didn’t turn on her heel and walk off either, which gave Portia hope.
A few minutes later after discreetly observing James and his interactions with the men in line, Ruth said, “I’ll look forward to the introduction.”
And the introduction did go well. Portia told James that Ruth was a family friend visiting from Chicago. “I know you’re probably very busy here, James, but I was hoping you could show her around when you have the chance. I can’t because I’m supposed to be helping your mother and the other ladies, but I don’t want Ruth to miss all the fun.”
Seemingly mesmerized by the tall willowy Ruth, James nodded horselike. “I—I’d... Sure. I’ll be ending my shift in just a few minutes.”
“Thank you, James. Will you see that she gets something to eat as well, and maybe escort her to some of the competitions? She’s never been to a rodeo before.”
“I’d be honored.”
True to his word, he quickly finished the registration of the next man in line, said something in parting to the ticket taker in the next chair and came around the table to where Ruth and Portia stood waiting. Ever the gentleman, he extended his arm to Ruth. “Shall we?”
