Ruckus at the Rodeo by J.C. Wing

Author:J.C. Wing [Wing, J.C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-12-18T16:00:00+00:00

11. HEAD OVER HEELS

There seemed to be even more people in attendance when Theo, Jordan, Georgia, Delaney, Indigo and Lennon arrived at Blanca Fairgrounds on the last day of the rodeo. Theo pulled the program she’d picked up the day before from her pack and perused all the different events that were taking place.

“We’ve missed a few of these,” she said, “but there’s still a lot going on.”

“Where should we start?” Georgia asked, smearing sunscreen on Lennon’s face. He was scrunching up his nose and making the application process take much longer than it should have.

“This stuff is gross,” he groused. Jupiter jumped up, taking a swipe at his cheek with a wayward tongue.

“Jupe!” Jordan scolded, pulling the dog away from the child. “Down!”

“You don’t wanna eat that, you silly dog,” Lennon told him. Indigo giggled.

“No, he doesn’t, does he?” Theo asked. “It’s a necessity, I’m afraid. Along with regular lotion. It’s very dry in Colorado.”

“I can already tell that I’m going to have to buy both by the caseload,” Georgia said, careful not to get the white goo in her son’s eyes.

“Put lip balm on the list,” Delaney added.

“Absolutely. The altitude has been something I’ve struggled to get used to, too.”

Theo nodded. “That you get used to,” she said, reaching down to gather Indigo into her arms. Indigo wrapped her arms around her aunt’s neck and gave her a squeeze. “The sunscreen is still icky and slimy, isn’t it?”

“Yes.”

“Yes,” Theo agreed. “How are you, blue bird?” The conversation on the deck had been a bit tense. Neither one of the kids had shown any indication that they’d taken notice of it, but Theo could remember arguments she’d overheard between her parents when she’d been young. Even when she hadn’t understood the context, she had felt a strange sort of tension, and she’d carried that feeling around with her for days afterward.

“I’m happy,” she said, still holding tightly to Theo’s neck.

Theo could feel Jupiter walking beside her and knew Jordan was close.

“I’m sorry that Mamie and your mama left so suddenly today. Our schedules are off because of the rodeo. It’s made everything cattywampus.”

Indigo giggled. “That’s a funny word.”

“But it’s fun to say. You try it.”

“Cattywampus!” When the child pulled away and Theo could see her face, she saw Indigo’s beautiful smile and soft, seafoam green eyes.

“Your mama told me to tell you goodbye. She’s going to be singing on the stage again tonight, and she had a bunch of stuff to get done so she’d be ready for her performance.”

“Is she gonna wear her sparkly shirt again?”

“You like that shirt, don’t you?”

Indigo nodded. “It’s very pretty. It shines like the stars.”

“I think you’re exactly right. It does shine like the stars.” They were almost at the entry gate and Theo fell in line behind Georgia and Delaney. “You know, Georgia and Lennon have to drive back to their house in the morning. Have you had fun with them while they’ve been here?”

“Lots of fun.”

“We’ll have to make sure to

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