“Oh, you’re pregnant!” Cady reached over to clasp Journey’s hand. Immediately, she giggled. “Do you want to know the sex?”
Journey’s eyes widened. “Sure. I guess. How do you know?”
“Instinct.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “I’d say you’re having a boy.”
“A boy! Wow!” This exclamation came from Lou. “Oh, forgive my manners. Cady, this is Journey Stanton…I mean Journey Black,” Lou corrected herself.
“Hello. Nice to meet you.” She nodded toward the stage. “The cowboy wearing the black jeans on the left belongs to me. Reno.”
“Ah, yes.” Cady tapped the shoulder of the woman sitting next to her. “Harley, he’s the one you said resembled Pepper’s husband, Judah James.”
“He does.” Harley turned around to greet Lou and Journey. “Hey, Harley LeBlanc here. The tall Cajun in the back with the attitude is mine.”
“Nice to meet you.” Journey reached up to touch Harley’s shoulder – and when she did – Harley gasped. “What’s wrong? Did I shock you?”
“You could say that.” When the next phase of the event began onstage, Harley winked at Journey. “I’ll talk to y’all when this is over.”
All eyes turned to the front as a question and answer phase began.
“What happened to the swimsuit competition?” Myra asked holding up her program. “I don’t see it listed.”
“Shhh.” Journey giggled and whispered. “Sorry to disappoint, Aunt Myra.”
A woman on the other side of Myra patted her arm and whispered as quietly as she could manage. “I know how you feel. I was kinda looking forward to the swimsuit competition myself. My name is Bess Morrison.”
“Myra Weiss. Is one of these fine young men your son?”
“No. Although, I practically raised six of them. My McCoy boys.” She pointed them out. “Aron. Jacob. Joseph. Isaac. Noah. And my baby, Nathan. Look at him. He’s not a baby any longer. And that big rough, mountain at the back with the spiky hair, that my niece’s husband, Brodie Walton. They’re both EMT’s.”
“You must be proud of all of them,” Myra hugged her purse to her chest.
“Oh, look.” Bess pointed to the stage. “My Jacob’s at the microphone.”
Journey’s eyes were still on Reno as he waited in the wings. He looked so handsome.
“Everyone, this is Jacob McCoy. Jacob, would you answer this question?”
The introduction came from the master-of-ceremonies, Desiree Holt Barron. Journey thought the country star looked divine.
“Certainly, Desiree. I’ll be glad to.”
“Thank you, sir. Could you describe yourself in three words?”
Jacob smiled, but he took his time answering. “Let’s see, three words. Okay. The first word would be happy. My family makes me happy, especially my wife, Jessie. The second word would be stubborn.”
Before he could explain his second choice, someone yelled from backstage. “Amen to that!”
Jacob seemed to easily recognize the voice of the heckler. “Can it, Noah.” He thought a few more seconds before revealing his third choice of a word. “Lastly, I would say…tender-hearted. Even though, it’s a little embarrassing, that’s what I think my family would say.”
“Interesting. I love a sensitive man.” Desiree turned to look at someone in the audience. “I think he’s a keeper, Ms. Jessie.”
“I think you’re right, Desiree.” Jessie responded from the front row.
“Okay, next.” She called Reno to come forward. “Mr. Reno Black.” She assessed Reno slowly. “You’re one of the few contestants who I don’t know personally. I must say you look like the real deal, cowboy. Would you ever be interested in appearing in one of my music videos?”
Journey held her breath. She didn’t know if he’d even recognize the term.
“If I’m around, Ms. Desiree, I’m sure I’d enjoy helping you.”
“Good answer. Okay. Here’s your question. Do you think it’s time for a woman president in our country?”
“Oh, lord. He just found out we have the vote,” Journey whispered as she put a hand over her mouth, while Lou giggled at her reaction.
Everyone’s attention was on Reno when he leaned forward to speak into the microphone as he’d seen others do. “I think…a woman President for America is a great idea. If it’s the right woman, of course.”
“Why do you think it would be a good idea, Reno?”
“In my experience, the smartest, most capable people I’ve known in my life have been women. Including my new bride, Journey Stanton Black.”
Desiree gave him a thumbs up. “I see politics in your future, Reno.”
“Yay!!!!” Journey yelled at the top of her lungs and everyone joined in with applause.
…By the time the last phase of the competition rolled around, Journey was a bundle of nerves. She was having a wonderful time and Reno was doing great. He didn’t look uncomfortable or out-of-place. She didn’t have a clue how the points were being counted, but she didn’t see anyone doing better than him – not in her estimation, anyhow.
“Psst. Journey. There’s the governor’s wife, Hannah. Look at her hair. Isn’t it fabulous?”
She and Lou both admired the first lady’s long, lush locks.
“And who’s that?” Journey cut her glance toward a beautiful woman with long honey-blonde hair. “She looks familiar.”
“Oh, I recognize her.” Lou got all excited. “That’s Ryder Duke. She’s one of the Highland McCoy’s, but she’s married to Samson and Gideon Duke, the tech billionaires. You know the ones who just sent a rocket to Mars.” She fanned herself. “I’d give my eyeteeth to talk to them.”
Journey was still stuck on one fact. “She has two husbands?”
“God, yes. Look at them.” She pointed to the two handsome men. “One looks like a Viking and the other could be a Polynesian lifeguard. It isn’t fair. She has two hunky men I don’t have one.”
Cady looked around and giggled. “See me later. I’ll introduce you to someone.”
Lou laughed. “I’ll be there like white on rice, girlfriend.”
Journey
