I clasped the top of the railing tight, my gut twisting at the sight. I was supposed to be down there. That crown had been within my reach. And now, it seemed like Sarah was going to win once again.
“Come on,” Hunter urged, wrapping his arm around my shoulder. “We’re almost there. We can get you on that stage.”
“No. Wait.” I stared hard at Ms. Gentry addressing the crowd. “It’s too late. She’s already started. I can’t interrupt her.”
Sure enough, Ms. Gentry was talking about what a wonderful job all the contestants had done. About the poise, intellect, and potential of each and every one of us. Just a couple days ago, I would’ve taken one look at her severe frown and called her a fun-sucker. But after our conversation in the bathroom, I knew better. There was a slight quiver of emotion in her voice. And the way her eyes shone as she looked at the girls was proof that I’d totally misjudged her. Keeping her daughter’s legacy alive had been her passion and she’d done it so well.
Finally, with a clearing of her throat, she turned back to the crowd and gave them a rare smile. “I’m afraid this is my last year as the director of the Rock Valley High Junior Rodeo Queen contest.” I could hear the tears in her confession. She smiled again and looked down at the microphone. “My daughter, Elizabeth, adored her time as the Junior Rodeo Queen. It was in her memory that I kept it going. But from now on, I will have to carry that memory with me.”
The crowd noise lowered to a dull whisper as the weight of Ms. Gentry’s emotions settled over the arena. I blinked back my own tears, wishing I could be on that stage to give Ms. Gentry a hug. She shook her head slightly, as if to brush off the sadness, then lifted her chin.
“I am so very honored to name our champion this year. Your new Junior Rodeo Queen has all the qualities that make a young girl stand out. Her charm, her positive energy, and her willingness to make a difference in this world all do her credit. Without further ado, I would like to introduce you too...”
I squeezed Hunter’s hand as Ms. Gentry’s voice trailed off, realization washing over me. It didn’t matter to me anymore if Sarah won. She had proven herself to not only be an awful friend, but a miserable person with eyes only for the prize – no matter the cost. There was no use in battling someone like her. She’d realize one day what her actions had cost her. I hoped for her sake, it would be sooner than later.
Maybe I wasn’t going to get a crown, but I’d found so much more this week. I had parents who loved me and showed up. Two new girlfriends who had been there for me this week. And my very best friend in the world—who also happened to make my head spin when he kissed me. I’d even stumbled on something that I was actually good at. A crown couldn’t take that away. I was so very grateful for everything I had.
“...the winner of this year’s Rock Valley Junior Rodeo Queen contest is Geminia Rose,” Ms. Gentry finished.
My jaw dropped as Geminia’s red head bobbed in shock. She wore a genuine smile that blew Sarah’s fake simpering smile out of the water. And when I finally got over the shock, I screamed my approval. The silver crown Ms. Gentry laid gently upon her red curls looked perfect. She was everything a Junior Rodeo Queen was supposed to be. And I couldn’t have been more happy for her.
“Geminia!” I yelled, hopping up on the bottom rung of the stadium gate to wave wildly at her.
Her eyes landed on me and her face lit up with a gorgeous smile. She waved just before Ms. Gentry put a bouquet of sunflowers in her arms.
The setup crew was already rushing out to the platform to take it apart and get ready for the last event of the night. Hunter tugged on my hand and I followed him toward the area where the rest of the 4H rodeo kids sat. He wore a defeated frown.
“I’m sorry I didn’t get you here in time.” He ran his hand up my arm, leaving goosebumps in their wake. “That crown should’ve been yours.”
“What? No way. Geminia totally deserved to win.”
I reached up on the balls of my feet and kissed him sweetly on the lips. It was enough to chase away the misery in his expression. His hands found my waist and he pulled me closer to him with an ornery grin.
“Do that again, and I might just have to skip bull riding and whisk you away to our secret hideout.”
Red hot heat flared in my gut. Oh, how I’d love to give in to that temptation. Just me and Hunter and nothing else to do but make up for the last few days of heartache. Tempting, very tempting. But I couldn’t let myself be selfish. Hunter was going to rock this competition. When the prize buckle was his, we could run away.
I bit back a smile and placed a finger over his lips as he leaned in closer for another kiss. “No way, cowboy. You’re getting on that bull and you’re winning that buckle.”
He pulled back slightly, a bit of disappointment showing in the way he wrinkled his nose. “Are you sure?”
“Absolutely.” I dropped my hands to my sides, keeping myself from running them over his hard chest like I so wanted to do. “And then after that, you’re all mine.”
Heat sparked in his eyes, then he dropped his hands from my waist and walked away. I fanned myself as he left. That had been a close one. I’d almost given in to
