up. I was in love with him yesterday and instead of giving him the opportunity to explain what was going on, I had hooked up with some random cowboy. What kind of person did that make me? I knew the answer to that, the horrible kind.
I couldn’t move. I curled up in a ball on the bed and cried. I called Emma and told her what happened. I had to talk to someone about it. She insisted on coming to see me. She knew how important it was for me to attend the Cattle Barons Ball that night. The ball was the kick-off for the actual sale. It was where everyone got together and schmoozed and it’s where all of the deals were really negotiated. If you could get the seller to agree to something tonight, then tomorrow the deal was already made before the actual sale even began.
No matter how bad I felt, I had to go to this event. There was no way around it. This was for the farm and it had to be done. I was so thankful that Emma was coming to go with me.
I always splurged and bought a sexy new dress for this event. The sexier I looked the better price I could get on the new herd. It was sad, but true. I had to use my DD’s to get what I needed for the farm tonight. This year’s dress was candy apple red, floor length, with a deep v-cut in the back and it had a sweetheart neckline that accentuated my assets. The last thing I wanted to do tonight was to go to a party. But there was no question, I had to be there. And I would have to put a smile on my face, and pretend that everyone was hilarious and I was having a great time. I planned on drinking - a lot.
When Emma arrived she immediately went to work on my hair and make-up. I was so glad she was here to go with me. I really didn’t think I could face this alone. She didn’t ask me for any more details about what happened, but she knew the basics.
The event was always held in the grand ballroom of the hotel. When we stepped out of the elevator and headed that way you could already hear the band playing some old country music and you could hear everyone mingling around the room. The ballroom looked like a set from “Gone With the Wind”. The color palate was rich golds, dark greens, and deep burgundies. The walls were covered in velvet fabric. It looked like we were stepping into Tara.
This year’s big sale that everyone was interested in was from Cattleman Farms out of Ohio. They had the best herd this year, and I planned on taking most of them home with me to Harper Farms. George Davidson was an older, graying, overweight gentleman, who happened to be the controlling interest in Cattleman Farms, and therefore the man I needed to see about some cattle.
Emma, who was very petite, with short black hair cut in a pixie cut, was wearing her short little black dress to the ball. She walked over to the bar to get us a couple of drinks. I was looking for Mr. Davidson. Before I could catch his eye I noticed another gentleman walking up to him. No, it couldn’t be. What the hell was he doing here?
“Well hello hon’, how are ya feeling? I heard you had a rough night last night,” Cade said in a snarky tone as I walked up to find him talking business with Mr. Davidson.
“I’m feeling just fine. That thing last night was so insignificant it didn’t have any effect on my day at all, but thanks so much for your concern.”
“It was definitely my pleasure ma’am. Well, George sounds like we got some more business to talk about, you wanna go grab another drink at the bar?”
I pushed right in front of Cade. “Mr. Davidson, I was really hoping we could get a chance to talk tonight. I would love to give you some information about Harper Farms. I believe our reputation precedes us.”
I pushed out my chest so my cleavage would just about pop out of the front of my dress. Cade and Mr. Davidson both noticed immediately. I didn’t know who looked hungrier.
“Harper Farms, huh? Yes, ma’am. I believe I would like to talk to ya a little more tonight. Why don’t you let