The Rancher and the Event Planner - By Cheryl Gorman Page 0,51
air for her brother. JC didn’t want to remain single, striving for as much success as she could with no one to share it with. She knew a lot of people got married and settled down into marital bliss. She planned the perfect day for people all the time. She knew she could give other people their happily-ever-after but she wasn’t so certain she could do the same for herself.
She’d never have believed she’d find the right man in the small town of Salvation. She’d had a crush on Rafe growing up but she had no idea that crush would blossom into the almost overwhelming love she felt inside. Instinctively she laid her palm over her heart as if to shield the emotion from hurt.
The hour swiftly passed and the show was about to begin. The stands had filled with people and from the license plates JC had seen on some of the vehicles in the parking lot, many people had come from out of town. She waved to Molly who looked adorable in a cowgirl outfit, sitting next to Linc. JC motioned to one of the council members in the announcer’s booth and he picked up the mic.
“Good evening, everyone. Welcome to Celebrate Texas.”
A flurry of applause rose to the rafters of the arena. “First, please stand for our national anthem.”
As soon as the music started, Rafe galloped into the arena on the back of his horse, Silver Bells balancing the end of the flag pole on the toe of his left boot and held the reins with his other hand. JC covered her heart with her hand, drinking in the sight of him and his beautiful horse, as her heart thumped wildly under her palm. The flag waved through the air in a flurry of red, white and blue and tears sprang to her eyes. She always got teary eyed when the national anthem played.
Silver conches on the horse’s saddle winked under the lights. She didn’t know who she was more proud of, Rafe or her country. As soon as the anthem ended, Rafe and his horse dashed from the arena.
“And now, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, hold on to your hats and welcome the Apache War Chief, Geronimo.”
A man in Indian headdress charged into the arena on horseback followed by several braves with lances riding bareback behind him. They circled the ring a few times and filled the air with war cries.
“Don’t be afraid, because here comes Buffalo Bill Cody to the rescue,” the councilman called.
A man wearing chaps, a tall Stetson with spurs on his boots, galloped into the arena on a stunning palomino stallion. Pointing his rifle into the air, he fired off a volley of shots.
The Indians turned and sped toward him with their lances raised.
The lights blinked twice then darkness engulfed the arena.
A collective groan issued from the audience.
“Oh, no,” JC mumbled to herself. She pulled her car keys from her pocket and pressed a button on the little key fob flashlight on her key ring. Only a thin beam of light shown into the darkness but it was better than nothing. She remembered seeing the power box on the north end of the arena and when she got there the custodian stood by the box, with his hat off scratching his head.
JC rushed to his side. “Mr. Connolly, what’s happened? Can you fix it?”
He shook his head. “I don’t know what’s wrong, JC. None of the breakers have popped.”
The sound of sirens filled the air. JC and the custodian walked outside and looked toward downtown Salvation. Darkness shuttered half the town and a string of police cars with lights flashing, were gathered at the edge of town.
“There must have been an accident and someone hit a power box,” Mr. Connolly said.
“How long do you think it will take to fix it?”
He shook his head. “I don’t know. It could take hours.”
Her event was going down in flames. She had to do something. Then she remembered she still had the fireworks. She found the officer who had arrested her, munching on a hot dog and once again he managed to ruin her day. “I’m sorry, JC. Even with the rain today it’s way too dry. If one of the rockets flies out into the fields, we could have a brush fire. And with the bleachers made out of wood, we can’t chance it. Sorry.” He took another bite of the hot dog he held in his hand. “Look on the bright side,