The Rancher and the Event Planner - By Cheryl Gorman Page 0,49
truly in love with Rafe her emotions were in turmoil. She wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of her life with Rafe and be a mother to Molly but she still wasn’t sure how Rafe felt about her. Her gaze connected with Rafe’s. She memorized every nuance in his face, the exact color of his eyes and the way his hair fell across his forehead. She turned to go when the councilman laid a hand on her arm. “Wait, that’s not all.”
She wanted to return to Cade’s cabin, get a hold on her emotions and figure out what she was going to do about these feelings for Rafe, but she squared her shoulders instead.
Garrett Blakeley puffed out his chest, his thumbs tucked into the pockets of his vest and said, “The council members would like you to stay on in Salvation and manage the new resort full time.”
He mentioned a generous salary and healthcare package.
Molly bounced on her toes. “Say, yes, JC, please say yes.” Molly’s green eyes glimmered, a gap-toothed grin spread over her lips.
“Does that include the mayor?”
“I only vote in the case of a tie. The members voted unanimously.”
JC’s mind spun with possibilities. She could buy her own place and settle down to a good life here in Salvation. But now that she realized she’d fallen for Rafe, she wasn’t so sure anymore. Rafe’s explanation offered no encouragement toward her acceptance. She had no idea how he truly felt and until she did she couldn’t say yes. “Thank you for the offer. Could I have a few days to think about it?”
“Of course. Contact me or Rafe when you’ve made a decision.”
Molly’s face fell. “Why do you have to think about it? Don’t you love me?”
JC squatted to eye level with Molly. “Sweetheart, just because I need to think about it doesn’t mean I don’t love you. I will always love you.” She cuddled Molly, glanced up at Rafe who frowned down at her.
* * *
A few days later, JC pulled into the parking lot of the Salvation county fairgrounds, cut the engine and climbed from her car. After overseeing much of the set up earlier in the day, she’d barely had enough time to go back to Cade’s place to shower and change. A large sign hung on the outside of the exhibition center building declaring Celebrate Texas in large red and blue letters making her spirits soar.
This event would go down without a hitch she could feel it in the marrow of her bones. She gazed at the sky spreading overhead in a clear blue arc, the clouds from the earlier rainstorm had moved off. Humidity drenched the air and a mosquito buzzed her head, but she wasn’t going to let a mosquito or two spoil the evening. She dug the repellent from her bag and reapplied it. Her jeans hugged her legs and hips and were designed to make her butt and hips look trim, but when she’d checked in the mirror they appeared as wide as usual.
JC stepped into the exhibition center humming with the sound of voices and closed the door at her back. A wave of cool air relieved the stifling evening heat. Each booth was filled with vendors from Salvation. She waved at Grace and Ryn over in the Bluebonnet Cafe booth. Other booths teamed with local artisans showcasing their pottery, fresh baked cinnamon rolls, paintings and arts and crafts. The hardware store, the local nursery and the Salvation Garden Club had a booth. There were vendors selling hot dogs, hamburgers, cotton candy, fresh squeezed lemonade and baked potatoes with the works.
Saw dust covered the floor. Lights illuminated the space and ceiling fans placed at intervals helped stir the air. JC waved at people she’d reconnected with since she’d arrived back in town and lightness filled her heart. She’d been none too thrilled to be stuck here, but the people had opened their doors and their hearts to her. Even Rafe except for the heart part. The barricade around his emotions was still firmly in place.
JC walked through the exhibition center and out the back door onto a path leading to a big cattle barn. A covered arena stood off to the left with lights blazing inside and the echo of the sound system being checked. Rafe’s truck and horse trailer were parked outside the cattle barn and her heart skipped a beat. She’d asked him if he would ride his horse and carry the flag for the