Page 4 of Faith for the Cowboy
Should he tell her he recognized her from the rodeo? Or would that only mean he had to tell her it was a secret? That might be too much when meeting someone for the first time. Or second time. Maybe he should let it slide and see what happened. Yeah, that made the most sense. He cleared his throat. “I can show you around. What do you need to see?”
“I’ll be walking around and taking pictures basically anywhere the event is happening. You know the crowds, the demonstrations, the kids’ rodeo.”
Lawson nodded. “Sure. I’m about to head over to the kids’ event location now if you want to walk with me.”
“Sounds good.”
As they walked, Lawson tried to think of something to start a conversation. “So are you from around here?” he asked.
“Not exactly. I’m originally from Kentucky, but I travel a lot, so I’m not really from anywhere now.”
“You travel as a photographer?”
“Mmhmm,” Harper said, pausing as she lifted her camera and snapped a few shots of the arena in the distance. She turned in a circle and took more shots of the view of the ranch.
Lawson stopped and watched her. Her focus was intense. She seemed to have forgotten he was even there.
When she finally lowered her camera, she didn’t even look his way before she started walking again.
Lawson chuckled to himself as he fell in step.
“How long have you been a photographer?” he asked.
She cocked her head to the side as if thinking about the answer. “I’ve always been a photographer,” she said.
“Really?”
“In a way. I guess what I mean is I’ve always looked at life as if through a camera lens. But what you mean is how long I have worked and made money taking pictures. Since I was nineteen.” She slowed down for him to catch up to her and gave him a sideways glance. “How long have you been a cowboy?”
He grinned. “I’ve always been a cowboy.”
She smiled back at him. “I can see that. And how long have you been competing in rodeos?”
Lawson stopped suddenly as his mouth fell open. “I guess you did recognize me.”
She lifted one shoulder. “Not at first. To be honest, I meet a lot of men in jeans, a flannel shirt, and a cowboy hat. But I remembered your voice.”
Lawson stuffed his hands in his pockets and cleared his throat. “That was actually my first rodeo.” As he said the cliché words, he laughed. “Wow, never thought I would say that.” He lowered his eyes to the ground trying to find the words. “But um, my family doesn’t know that I’m doing it.”
Harper raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”
“Yeah. It’s just that I wanted to keep it a secret for a little while.”
She nodded. “I understand. I won’t say anything.”
Lawson breathed a sigh of relief. “Thanks.”
“Sierra,” he called out, waving his sister-in-law over. “This is Harper Sullivan. She’ll be photographing the event today.”
“Great!” Sierra reached out to shake hands. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Sierra Macklin.”
“Oh wow. Is your maiden name Carter?”
Sierra’s eyes grew wide. “Yes, it is.”
“I remember you from the rodeo circuit. Barrel racing, right?”
Sierra beamed with pride as she placed her hands on her hips. “That’s right. It was a long time ago, though.”
