Free State Fair by Earlene Fowler Page B

watch. “It starts in about a half hour.”
    She shook her head no. “Wish I could, but I’m exhausted. I’ve been here since this morning and I plan on riding in the cattle drive tomorrow so I’d better get some sleep. Besides, someone has to go home and feed the critters. Katsy’s staying. She’s trying to support Levi as much as she can.”
    “I haven’t seen him all day. What did he say about the quilt?”
    She reached up and tugged at the silver hoop earring in her right ear.
    “He was angry, of course. But he’s also trying to keep it quiet so people don’t start running off at the mouth. Controversy is something he definitely would rather avoid.”
    “Hud said it could be as simple as one of the carnival workers taking a shine to it. Gabe agreed with him.”
    “Has Hud come up with anything?”
    I shrugged. “Have no idea. Last I talked to him, he’d made the report and filed it away. Oh, I forgot, he said it would help to have a clear photo to show the security staff and he suggested offering a reward. I have those flyers we used for press kits. We could print up some lost quilt posters.”
    She cocked her head. “But Levi said he wanted to keep the theft low profile.”
    “You’re right. So, why don’t you and Katsy discuss it with him? Maybe we can wait until after the fair ends.” Though, by that time, I thought, the chances of finding it might be close to zero.
    “Okay, but if you see Levi at the concert, feel free to mention it.” In the distance, we could hear Rifle Shot’s loud thrumming bass. She gave a wide yawn.
    I fought the urge to mimic her. “Stop that right now. You know yawns are contagious and I still have to survive three more hours.”
    “Did you ever make it home?”
    “Yes, and I even took a little nap, but that just seemed to make me more tired.” I hesitated a moment. “Something happened with Jazz this afternoon and I think I should tell Levi about it.”
    “What?”
    I described the incident in the parking lot between Dodge and Jazz. When I finished, she waited a moment before speaking.
    “That is touchy territory,” she said, smoothing down one black eyebrow. “Jazz is an adult, even if she seems like a kid to us. She has the right to see whomever she wants.”
    “But Dodge Burnside is big-time trouble.”
    “Still, I’m not sure it’s our place to tattle to Levi. It’s not like she’s under age, which would be an entirely different story.”
    I nodded my head, wishing she wasn’t right. “I guess I’m being overprotective. Maybe she’ll tell Justin and he can talk to Dodge. So tell me, what’s the deal with that? I thought she and Cal—”
    Maggie held up her hands. “Girlfriend, don’t even get me started on this younger generation and their capricious dating habits.”
    I laughed. “Younger generation, my foot. You’re not that much older than Jazz.”
    Maggie joined my laughter. “I can’t imagine trying to juggle dating three men. I’d have enough problems with one.”
    “Amen, Sister Maggie.”
    We parted ways at the entrance to the hospitality suite.
    “I’ll see you at the cattle drive tomorrow morning,” she said. “We’re supposed to meet at the Golden Hill Auto Center on Highway 46. You know, the GMC dealer.”
    “That’s where Daddy bought his last truck. Mark gave him a good deal. He’s a nice guy, though more than once he’s tried to talk me out of my little Ford pickup. I’ll be there with my spurs on.”
    The security guard at the door to the Bull Pen, used only on concert nights, nodded at my all access badge and waved me through. Upstairs, the hospitality suite was hat to boots crowded with people, most of whom I knew. It took me almost ten minutes to cross the room to the bar and order a Coke. There was no sign of Gabe, but the suite had three rooms, not to mention the outside patio where padded seats overlooked the Sierra Vista arena. People’s loud laughter, the buzz of shouted conversation, the stifling heat,