The Rancher Risks It All by Debra Holt

Author:Debra Holt
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Romance
ISBN: 9781953647733
Publisher: Tule Publishing Group, LLC
Published: 2021-01-12T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

“The traffic was ridiculous this morning. People seem to arrive earlier and earlier for the festival. I was able to stop and pick up some of Melba’s fresh croissants before she ran out.” Sal slid the baker’s box onto the desk with one hand and deposited the morning newspaper alongside it with the other. It was Monday and the first day of the festival week.

“They smell heavenly,” Annie replied with a smile, looking up from The Gallery brochures she had just unboxed and was about to place on the glass table at the entrance to the shop. “I was in such a rush to get Jessie ready this morning that I only had time for coffee before leaving the ranch.”

“Jessie is so excited. I’m very glad you allowed her to ride with Truitt in the parade.”

“I would never be forgiven if I hadn’t.”

“Well, you know you don’t have to worry about her. Truitt will keep her safe. The wagon they’re riding in has been in every parade for the last twenty-five years, but Truitt keeps it maintained and in top condition.”

“It’s amazing to think of something like that being able to be used for over a century.”

“It was used on some of the last cattle drives our ancestors did across the center of Texas in the late 1800s. It isn’t a replica of a covered wagon; it’s the real deal. Museums have been after it over the years, but Truitt won’t part with it.”

“Well, it’s great that it can be used in the parade. And it’s really thoughtful of you to include Jessie in the tradition. I was a bit surprised, though, that Truitt would take part in the parade since he doesn’t seem to be all that ‘into’ the festival.”

Aunt Sal blew on the coffee in the cup she had just poured for herself, trying to cool the hot liquid down to a sippable level. “Actually, this is the first year that he’s driven the wagon himself. Occasionally, he would ride along with the drovers herding the Longhorns through the streets, but I think he wanted to give Jessie the thrill of the parade, so he decided to drive the wagon with her beside him. He thought it was safer than having her on horseback with a group of horned cattle amidst a crowd of tenderfoot tourists. Any number of things could happen if you don’t keep your head in the game.”

Annie’s heart did a flip. Truitt chose to handle the wagon duties because of Jessie. He wanted her to enjoy the parade. Since the trail ride, Annie had used a good deal of time to think about a lot of things…many of them involving the quiet cowboy. Aunt Sal was giving her credit for bringing him back to his self again. She didn’t want the credit for such a thing. That would make things way too complicated. Because she was also aware that just maybe he had managed to bring her mind around to other ways of thinking about the situation she and Jessie were in…or at least a better resolution.

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