True-Blue Cowboy - Vicki Lewis Thompson Page 0,6
if I tag along?”
“Glad to have you. Nick? You in?”
“Why not? I didn’t get to see any of his stuff when we were down there, either. Then again, I was distracted by all the goodies from the bakery. What was the name of it?”
“Pie in the Sky. Can’t believe you don’t remember the name. You were so in love with it, I wondered if we’d have to leave you in Eagles Nest.”
“Nah, my heart belongs to the Apple Barrel’s signature pie, but I can still taste those brownies.”
“Now you sound like your old self, bro.” Rafe led the way to Quinn Sawyer’s tent.
An attractive woman with silver streaks in her dark hair stood near the entrance. Had to be Kendra McGavin. Her smile lit up her blue eyes. “Rafe, isn’t it? And…”
“Nick Le Grande, ma’am.” Nick tipped his hat. “And this is Ed Vidal. She shortened her—”
“In January I was still using Edna.” She stepped forward and shook hands with Kendra. “I like Ed better.”
“I remember you well. You’re the champion barrel racer. I normally use Kendra, but when my first grandchild was born I decided to be Granny Ken. Shakes things up a bit.”
Ed smiled. “Always a good thing.” She glanced toward the rear of the tent. “Looks like Quinn is involved with a customer. We can just browse until he’s done.”
Kendra lowered her voice. “She’s not a customer. He’d probably welcome the interruption.”
Quinn, a tall, very fit cowboy with graying hair, worried the brim of his Stetson as he held a hushed but tense discussion with the woman who faced him. Her hairstyle and tailored Western wear had a timeless quality that made it tough to guess her age. But her stance telegraphed determination.
Rafe frowned. “Is she some kind of groupie?”
“And what’s she doing with a bullhorn?” Nick peered at her. “If she’s not from around here, I can’t imagine why she’d have—”
“I think I know her.” Ed studied the woman. “What’s her name?”
“Ellie Mae—”
“Oh, my God.” Ed’s eyes widened. “It’s Ellie Mae Stockton. The bullhorn should have tipped me off. What’s she up to?”
“She wants to stand outside the tent and drum up business.”
Ed glanced around the deserted tent. “You do seem short on customers.”
“We had plenty this morning when it was cooler. Quinn’s sold some pricey items and he’s satisfied with the donation he’ll be able to make. He doesn’t want her out there hawking his art. That’s not how he presents himself.”
“Judging from his expression, he’s being way too nice.” Ed continued to watch the pair. “That woman has spent decades in the film industry. She has the soul of a circus barker and a will of iron.”
Nick perked up. He’d always been fascinated by Ed’s connection to Hollywood. “Is that where you know her from?”
“Oh, yeah. Directors loved putting a bullhorn in her hand and letting her direct the troops. She’s the unstoppable person you want in your lifeboat even if she’s a royal pain in the ass. She’ll be out there with her bullhorn promoting Quinn’s art or know the reason why.”
“He’ll hate that.”
“Then stand aside, Granny Ken.” Ed threw her shoulders back and lifted her chin. She looked a lot taller than she had a few seconds ago. “I’m going in.”
Nick elbowed Rafe in the ribs and winked. “Let’s get closer. This’ll be good.”
Kendra blinked. “What’s she going to do?”
“I’m not sure, but I’ve seen her strike that pose a few times before. It’s like the moment when Superman rips open his shirt. She goes from being a perky senior citizen to Edna Jane Vidal, world-champion barrel racer.”
“Then yeah, let’s get closer.” Kendra waved them forward.
Ed lengthened her stride and spoke with the authority of a drill sergeant. “As I live and breathe, if it isn’t Ellie Mae Stockton!”
The other woman whirled. “Edna?”
“Who else?” She raised her arms. “The queen of the arena is in the building!”
Ellie Mae lifted the bullhorn and bellowed into it. “Ladies and gentlemen, may I present the one, the only, Edna Jane Vidal!” She laid the bullhorn on a nearby display table and rushed forward with a loud whoop.
Laughing like teenagers, the two women exchanged vigorous hip bumps and an elaborate fist and hand-slapping routine, clearly a ritual from their shared past. At the end of it, Ed gave Ellie Mae a light punch on the arm. “Whatcha doing with that bullhorn, girl? Causing trouble as usual?”
“Trying to, Edna Jane, except this gentleman is resisting my best efforts.” She swept an arm toward Quinn. “Talk some sense