Free Rodeo Blues by Karen Michelle Nutt

Mayor
Dirkly," her daddy said. "Giving out marriage licenses and
annulments as if this here town were one of those chapels in Las
Vegas."
    She didn't bring up the fact Mayor Dirkly
wouldn't give them the annulment so easily, or the fact she didn't
believe Las Vegas gave out annulments as easily as they allowed
marriages to take place.
    "I have to get back to my booth," she said.
"To give Whisper a break. She's been out there all day," she added,
as if she needed to make an excuse. "Just wanted to let you know I
was okay."
    Her daddy leveled his gaze on her. "You say
you're fine. I'm pleased to think so, but nothing is ever so
simple, is it? Though I have my doubts about Tye Casper, with the
way he stole you away without so much as a proper courting, and
didn't give me a chance to walk you down the aisle, I still want to
know."
    Her brows furrowed. "Know what?"
    "Did the boy come back a man?"

Chapter Thirteen

    Tye watched the competition as it unfolded.
So far no one had beat his score, but this was only the first day.
They still had tomorrow's event where they took their turn on the
bulls again. Just like this morning, they would draw names from a
bowl. The bulls' name they picked would be the animal they rode for
the event.
    The arena was being cleared for the next
entertainment for the onlookers. The sun shone overhead, the heat
of the day at its peak. He remembered the summer days…and nights
when he lived here. They could be unbearable at times during the
summer, but nothing a little swim in the pond wouldn't cure. Jolie
and he spent a lot of time there. Not just swimming, but talking
and sharing their thoughts, anything from what they planned to eat
for dinner to something more profound as to what they wanted to do
with the rest of their lives.
    Jolie had wanted to open her own business and
sell souvenirs. She would put together intricate wind chimes with
bits of glass and other odds and ends. The breeze would catch what
dangled free, bumping them together in a sweet song the wind could
carry. She'd given him one for his fourteenth birthday. He still
had it too. Her dream of opening a shop had come true anyway. He
didn't know about the wind chimes. Perhaps she sold those as
well.
    He gazed at the crowd in the stands. There
were numerous families enjoying the day outdoors, the sounds of
their laughter and chatter reaching him. He wanted what they had, a
family to share the day. He wanted a good woman at his side. He
wanted to share hopes and dreams for the future with Jolie.
    He glanced toward where Jolie had headed
earlier, most likely to her store's booth. He was about to head
that way, but caught sight of Jhett Reeves making his way toward
him. There was nothing like seeing an old rival to put a damper on
the day.
    "Hey, Tye, my old friend," Jhett called to
him as he drew near.
    Tye pushed away from the railing and his
hands balled into fists on their own accord. Jhett and he had never
been friends. Reeves believed he was better than most because his
granddaddy built the town – literally. Thomas Franklin Reeves had
strolled into town and made a name for himself by starting his own
business. His son, Thomas Junior, and now Jhett controlled Reeves
Construction. Not for long, Tye thought,
and his hands relaxed. There were other ways to throw a punch
without breaking knuckles.
    "So, the prodigal son returns." Jhett's voice
grated on his nerves, as did his superficial smile. "I don't see
any welcome home dinners for you," Jhett added as a dig. He really
hated when men paraphrased biblical passages and twisted them to
suit their mood. Jhett liked to use such phrases as digs.
Sometimes, not even in the right way.
    "Is there something you want, Jhett?" he
asked and returned the same superficial smile. Yep, right back at you, Jhett, he thought to himself. You won't be showing your pearly whites much
longer. Better find yourself a good hanky, 'cause you'll be cryin'
yourself to sleep for losing your families' legacy.
    "A man