Wrangling the Cowboy (Circle B Ranch #3) - Kennedy Fox Page 0,51
against mine as we walk. I want him to grab my hand, but I also know we could get caught too. The smell of bacon and eggs makes my stomach growl, and Gavin offers to get us some breakfast burritos because I’m starving. As we sit at a picnic table and eat, I try to imagine what it would be like to be with him. How our life could be if we were together. Would my parents accept our relationship? Would I be enough to keep him here?
“Only one hour to go,” he reminds me around a mouthful.
“I know. I’m getting super anxious.”
He places his hand on my thigh, and that’s when I realize my leg was bobbing up and down, and I stop moving.
“Sorry, bad habit,” I admit with a smile.
He finishes his burritos and crumples up the foil wrappers. “Your breakfast has spoiled me. Nothing tastes good anymore unless it comes from the B&B.”
“It’s the secret sauce,” I say, then nudge him.
“Do you bottle it up and sell it?” he jokes.
“Nah. The secret sauce is cooking for the love of cooking, not for the money,” I explain.
He tilts his head at me and nods. “I understand and respect that so damn much.”
After I finish, we make our way to the judging area. People are already in the seats they have set up at the pavilion, and I try to steady my breathing. The reality is I’m a nervous ass wreck. Time feels as if it’s passing by so slow, and Gavin rubs my back to calm me down, but I tense. I quickly look to see if any of my family are around because if they saw this type of affection, the questions would come like crazy.
He moves his hand to his lap. I grab and squeeze it. “I just. I don’t…”
“No, I get it. You don’t have to explain, Maize. It’s hard not to touch you after what we’ve shared. You know?” he whispers. “I’ll be your best-kept secret. I have been for this long.”
I smile, and my skin burns as I relive last night and this morning.
Soon, the family arrives and sits beside Gavin and me. The ceremony starts, and the judges go through each entry. As they talk about my brisket and the way it tasted, butterflies fill my stomach. After the judges have explained the rules, they announce the third prize winner. I’m relieved but also scared not to be called. Second place is next.
“And the first place winner is…” They hesitate. “Well folks, this was a hard one, very hard. There were so many incredible entries.”
Uncle Jackson’s sitting behind me and leans forward. Talking just loud enough for me to hear, he says, “Shut the fuck up and get on with it.”
“Maize Bishop,” the judge announces. Climbing to my feet, I look down the row at my mom and dad, who stand and wrap me in a hug. The crowd screams my name, and hoots and hollers fill my ears.
“Go, sweetie. Go get your prize,” Dad tells me. I’m in complete shock and speechless, not able to comprehend what the judges are saying. Blood pumps through my body as I walk to the stage. They hand me an oversized check and a trophy, and I’m so overwhelmed with emotion, I instantly burst into tears. I never thought this would happen to me.
“Would you like to say anything?” the older man asks and hands me the microphone.
I take it and swallow. “I’m not good at public speeches so forgive me, but I’d like to thank my grandma for encouraging me to enter and my parents. Also thanks to all my cousins who helped out and made this possible. And Diesel.” I blow them all kisses. “And thanks to the cowboys who insisted I had a chance and believed in me.” I look at Gavin, and our gazes meet.
Jackson lifts his hand to his mouth, and yells, “And what about your favorite uncle?”
Kiera elbows him hard in the ribs.
“And you too, Uncle Jackson,” I say, handing back the microphone. As another judge speaks and entertains the audience, I’m brought to the back to sign some paperwork. They tell me a real check will be in the mail, and I guess I didn’t realize the oversized one was just a novelty item. After I thank them nearly a million times, I return to my family, who are all waiting for me with smiles.
I’m surrounded by Bishops, and all I can do is cry because I’m so