Page 31 of A Cowboy to Call Her Own

“There’s always one,” Patrick Connelly challenged.

Kelley nodded, despite not wanting to agree with a Connelly. A feature on the very popular and widely watched morning show for the Bluegrass Regional News was no small feat. And Gold Finch was not one of the largest towns in the tristate coverage area.

“It’s simple,” the mayor stated. “We just need to have at least sixteen floats to be a featured parade on their website.”

The mood dimmed.

“However, if we have twenty floats, then we will be in the top three and considered top billing for theMorning Gallop’sTV feature on Fourth of July celebrations not to be missed,” Mayor Corbin explained. His eyebrows winged up his forehead and his eyes peeled wide. “And let me be clear. We must have top billing.” His eyebrows slammed back down and bunched before he continued, “Especially given the unfortunate events at the Laurel Legacy. Not that we are blaming anyone, mind you.”

Kelley winced. Asher looked statue-stiff. She wanted to jump up and head straight to her cowboy and stand behind him or beside him. Whatever he needed in order to know he wasn’t alone and at least one person in the diner did not blame him for losing a history-making race and failing to put Gold Finch on the national map.

The grumbles began again. The naysayers gained momentum and more objections spilled out.Impossible. That’s an ask too far. Call a vote to cancel. It’ll be easier and faster.

A booming call for silence followed. The mayor stood and swung his gavel. “We can do this.” He motioned toward Kelley. Resolve filled his words. “Kelley, let me see your float list. There has to be someone we’ve missed.”

Kelley passed her clipboard over to Rosalind Sterling, the assistant Fourth of July committee chair. Heads together, the mayor and Rosalind reviewed the list.

“We can split up the high school dance and cheer teams.” Amy Peterson, the head coach, raised her hand and offered, “We could put the dance team on a float to add to our float count.”

“That’s one down.” Rosalind grinned and wrote on the paper.

The mayor rubbed his hands together. “We just need five more now.”

Davis Groves adjusted his baseball cap and said, “I can ask my grandpa about driving his nineteen-fifties Studebaker in the parade.”

“If Myles is driving his classic car, my grandma will be wanting to drive her nineteen forty-eight Ford pickup, too,” Sheryl Demian called out from somewhere near the back.

Lenny Culver lifted his arm and said, “My brother’s got a nineteen sixty-five Ford Mustang in his garage that needs to come out. Count him in.”

Mayor Corbin glanced at Kelley and said, “You’ll need to ensure classic cars meet the requirements for a proper parade float.”

“Of course,” Kelley assured him and typed a note into her phone. “I will get right on that this afternoon.”

The mayor eyed Kelley, then dropped his gaze to the clipboard.

Kelley stilled, already aware of what was coming. She scanned the audience for another classic car aficionado to add to the parade float tally. Or anyone else willing to offer up a vintage tractor or another hay wagon.

“I don’t see the Munroe sisters on this list,” the mayor mused.

Kelley swallowed.

Rosalind drew her finger down the list and then watched Kelley over the tops of her eyeglass frames and said, “The Munroe sisters are definitely not on this list. And if I recall they are a talented trio.”

More like a duo being Frannie and Laura-Beth. Kelley squirmed under the former principal’s regard and shifted. Her gaze landed on Asher and stuck.If I fall again, will you catch me?No. That was an ask too far.As was the idea that her cowboy could possibly witness her making a fool of herself in front of him again. Kelley started to shake her head and make her excuses.

But her little sister spoke up and said, “Not to worry, Mr. Mayor and Ms. Sterling. I’m sure it was just an oversight on my sister’s side.” Frannie cast a wide smile at Kelley, her words bright, “Kelley has been busy helping Laura-Beth with her wedding that’s coming up real quick. What with all the dance practicing, her mind is surely twirling. Can’t have a properly memorable wedding without the dancing, after all.”

There were nods and murmurs rumbling around the tables. Kelley heard a reference to Kelley’s mystery cowboy partner among the whispers.

“Can’t blame you for being distracted by your cowboy,” Rosalind said quietly. “No one can deny you two went together like a mint julep on derby day. Sweet, smooth and unforgettable.”

Kelley blanched.

Rosalind nudged her elbow into Kelley’s rib and whispered, “Still, perhaps you should skip another sunrise dance and the mint juleps until after the parade.”

There was a lot more she needed to skip with her cowboy than dancing.

Frannie wound her way around the tables to refill water glasses and added all too cheerfully, “Mr. Mayor, I can promise you that the Munroe sisters will have a float in the parade.”