Sea Of Grass (28 page)

“You still thinking about what I think you’re thinking about?” Chuck asked.

Tess laughed. “Yes. If I’m thinking what you’re thinking.”

“You are.”

Jed and Jack exchanged glances.

“Tess?” Jed said loudly.

“Sorry, my mind was wandering,” she said as she got out.

Claire slipped her arm in hers. “Quit thinking and have fun. Now show me where to go to enter my biscuits. They’d better stay warm.” She held the covered basket. Tess licked her lips as she tried to sneak a peek and got her hand slapped for her trouble.

Chuck and Jed stood by Tess and Jack as the judges tasted the contestants’ bread, pastries, and biscuits. Claire stood behind hers and bit at her bottom lip as the judges walked up and down. She glanced at Tess, who winked and smiled. Jack gave her the thumbs-up.

“Well, I think we have a winner…” Old Henry Colton said as he slipped his fingers in his suspenders.

“You looked like the cat that swallowed the canary, Mrs. Redmond,” Tess whispered as she stole a kiss on the cheek from the beaming winner.

“I am! I can’t believe I won my first time out! Maria will be so happy. I can’t believe it. I mean my first time,” Claire rambled as she proudly displayed the blue ribbon on the winner’s cup.

Tess laughed and Jack grinned. “Mom, of course you won,” he said and hugged her. Claire wrapped her arms around him and hugged him back.

“Okay, now what?” Jack asked.

“I’m starved, and since I didn’t get any of your mother’s biscuits, I guess we’ll just have to settle for some barbecue,” Tess said and led the way.

As they sat at the table eating ribs and hot dogs, a voice came over the loudspeaker.

“All right, folks, the ladies barrel racing is next. Contestants, please step up and get your entry numbers. And I understand we have a past winner here. Tess Rawlins from the Double R Ranch. Tess won this event three years running back in… Well, it was a long time ago.”

The crowd clapped and laughed. A few people sought Tess out and shook her hand. Tess, completely embarrassed, graciously chatted for a few minutes.

They watched the event with Tess ignoring the grunts from Chuck. When it had finished, Chuck took off his hat and sighed. “You could have won that easily, Tess.”

“Oh, Good Lord, Chuck,” Tess said. “I haven’t done that in over twenty-five years. I’d have made a fool out of myself.”

Chuck and Jed would have none of it as they continued until Tess put up her hand. “Guys, I love you both, but please remember.” She leaned in for emphasis and said slowly, “I fell off my horse recently. And I wasn’t racing around barrels.”

Claire laughed and handed Tess a bag of popcorn.

Once again, the announcer’s voice called out over the loudspeaker.
“Next event, calf roping for boys ages 14 to 17. Contestants, please sign up and get your entry numbers. Good luck to you young folks, the future of Montana Rodeo!”

Claire looked up from her ice cream. “Where’s Jack?”

Tess gave her a shrug. “Don’t know. I think he’s looking around. C’mon, let’s go see the calf roping.”

Claire pulled a face and Tess laughed. “C’mon. I’ll buy the beer.”

“Deal,” Claire said and followed.

As they sat in the stands, Tess started to walk away. “I’ll be right back. I’ll get us a beer.”

Claire sat next to Jed, who nodded with a small grin as Tess winked.

Jack was sitting behind the stall waiting his turn. Tess could sense his nervousness as he tried to spit.

She smiled slightly. “You all set?” she asked, and Jack nodded quickly. “I know you’re nervous, only natural. Now just do exactly as we did out on the range and how you did with Pedro and Kyle. Quick release, watch their hooves, and a quick pull. You’ll be fine. I’m proud of you,” she assured his questioning face. “It’s just like out on the pasture.”

“Yeah, but no one was watching. Look at all those people.”

“They’re all just friends,” a girl’s voice called out quietly.

Both turned to see a redheaded girl standing behind Jack. She looked to be about the same age as Jack, who for some reason blushed furiously.

“My brother is in this, too. He’s so nervous he threw up this morning,” she said, and Jack chuckled.

Tess said nothing as she watched them.

“My name is Rebecca Riley,” she said.

“J-Jack Redmond. Hi.” He offered his hand. Just before she took it, he took off his hat. Tess smiled inwardly and stepped out of the way.

“We just moved from Three Forks, my father bought the hardware store in town.”

“I work at the Double R,” he said in manly fashion. “Oh, I’m sorry, this is Miss Rawlins. She owns the Double R.”

Tess shook hands with the girl. “I’d better get back to your mother. She’ll come looking for me. Now remember…”

“I know. Quick release, watch their hooves, and a quick pullback. Thanks, Tess,” he said, and Tess nodded.

“It was a pleasure meeting you, Miss Riley. After Jack wins,” she said and winked, “you’re welcome to join us at the barbecue.”

“Thank you,” Rebecca said. “Well, I’d better get back to the stands, my parents will be wondering. I-I hope you do well, Jack.”

Jack shrugged. “Thanks, but I don’t know…”

“You’ll do well. I-I know you will,” she said, smiling as she backed up. “See ya.”

“See ya,” Jack said nervously and watched the redhead dash through the crowd.

He turned to Tess, his face flushed. “Okay, I better get going.”

“Good luck, son.”

Tess made her way back to Claire and the others—without the beer.

“Hey,” Claire complained.

Tess laughed. “Sorry. We’ll get it afterward.”

Claire glanced at Jed and Chuck, who were fidgeting in their seats. “Okay, what gives with you guys? Why are you so nervous?”
 

With that, the announcer’s voice called out
, “This is the first time for our next contestant. Jack Redmond from the Double R Ranch is up. Let’s give the young man a hand.”

Chapter 20

Claire nearly dropped her ice cream; Tess saved the cup and smiled sheepishly. “Jack? My Jack?”

Tess, Chuck, and Jed all nodded. Claire was stunned as she watched the starting gate. In a flash, she saw the calf run out, and there was Jack, his tan cowboy hat pulled down low and racing Zeus while his lariat swung over his head.

“Oh, my God!” Claire exclaimed and stood.

Jack let the noose fly and snapped back as he caught the leg of the calf. He quickly jumped off Zeus, got the calf on its back, and pulled out the rope, hogtying its other legs. He stopped and threw his hands up, signaling his finish.

Tess whistled and cheered. Claire screamed and laughed. She had no idea why she was screaming. “Did he do all right?” she yelled to Tess, who was still whistling.

“He did great!” she exclaimed, and Claire once again looked out at Jack, who was grinning from ear to ear as he took off his hat and waved to Claire.

“That’s my boy!” she yelled out to him.

“One second,” Jack muttered as he took off his cowboy hat and hit it against his leg. Claire put an arm around his shoulders.

“I’m so proud of you. I can’t believe you did that. You were magnificent.”

“I was?”

Claire nodded and kissed his cheek. “Mom…” he complained halfheartedly.

Jed walked up to him and stuck out his hand. Jack took it and looked up at the older man. “If I ever had another son, I would want him to be just like you. I’m proud of you. Today, you became a man. You earned the right to go on the cattle drive to Colorado.”

Tess fought the tears that welled in her eyes as she watched Jed fight with his emotions. Claire didn’t fight, she started to cry.

Jack put his arm around her. “Don’t cry.” He looked back at Jed. “Thank you, Mr. Rawlins, that means a lot to me. I won’t let you down.”

“I know that, son.”

Chuck was sniffing behind them and Jed gave him a look. “I can’t help it,” he said and walked away.

“Who is that redhead?” Claire asked suspiciously. Rebecca and Jack stood by the soda stand. Jack handed Rebecca a bottle of Coke and took one for himself.

“Rebecca Riley, just moved here from Three Forks. Her father bought the old hardware store,” Tess said as she dipped into the bag of popcorn.

“Mom? This is Rebecca Riley,” Jack offered the introductions. Claire smiled at the redhead and took her hand.

“It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Redmond,” the girl said with a smile.

“It’s nice to meet you, too, Rebecca.”

“Jack almost won,” she said and blushed. Jack drank his soda.

“Yes, he sure surprised me,” Claire said.

“Mom, would it be okay if I walked Rebecca around? You know she just moved here,” he said in a hopeful voice.

“Sure, Jack. The fireworks start in an hour. We’ll sit by the car and watch.”

“Okay, thanks.”

“It was nice to meet you, Rebecca.”

“Same here, Mrs. Redmond. Bye,” the girl said and followed Jack.

“He’s growing up so fast,” Claire whispered as she watched Jack walk beside Rebecca. Tess saw the forlorn look on Claire’s face.

“Today was a rite of passage for him. He wanted so much to surprise you,” she said in a soft voice.

Claire gave her a playful scowl. “And you… How long did you know about this?”

“About a month.”

“That’s where you two have been?”

Tess nodded and ate the popcorn. Claire reached over and gently touched the denim-clad knee. “Thank you.”

“My pleasure,” she replied in a quiet voice.

“Well, good evening,” Ethan Drummond’s voice called out.

Both women looked up. Tess’s face was void of emotion. “Drummond. How are you?”

“I’m fine. Saw your event. I know how you pride yourself on your horsemanship, Tess. I’m sorry you didn’t ride.”

Tess looked at him and heard the honesty in his voice. She actually smiled slightly. “Thanks, Ethan.”

Ethan nodded and looked at Claire. “Claire, and how are you? I saw your son compete. He’s very good. He must have had a good teacher.”

“Thanks. I’m very proud of him, and yes, he had an excellent teacher.”

He studied both women for a moment or two. “I must be going. It was nice seeing you again, Claire. Tess, a pleasure as usual.”

“As usual, Ethan,” Tess agreed dryly.

They exchanged looks, then Ethan nodded and walked away. Tess narrowed her eyes at his retreating figure. “I’ve decided I don’t like him.”

 
“Tess, Ethan told me what happened after your brother died. He tried to help…” Claire started, and Tess shot her an angry look.