Joanna Wayne - Cowboy to the Core

The woman was a wreck, and she hadn’t seemed the irrational type. “Are you sure you’re okay? I’m right here on the grounds. I could probably catch up with you in minutes.”

“No. Look, I really can’t talk now, but I’ll explain everything tonight.”

Somehow he doubted that. But even if she continued to skirt the issue, he’d get the truth out of her eventually. That actually was one of his specialties. Women trusted him. He used to trust them. “When and where do I pick you up?”

“We’re staying at a bed-and-breakfast in Magnolia, but you can just meet us here.”

“I’m old-fashioned. I like to pick up my date at her door.”

“This isn’t really a date.”

“Humor me. Besides, I work better with a full lay of the land.”

“I don’t want the girls to know I’ve hired you. I was thinking we could just make it look as if we hooked up at the party.”

So he was to be a secret date. A warning bell sounded. More often than not when a woman was running scared, a husband or lover was involved. “Does this situation have to do with your significant other?”

“No, of course not. I wouldn’t be hooking up, pretend or otherwise, if I had a significant other.”

“It’s been done.”

“Not by me. I’m divorced and have been for years.”

And that was probably all he’d get out of her until tonight. “According to the schedule, the festival is not open at night, so how do I get in to this party?”

“Invitation only.” She sighed. “You’ll have to attend as my guest, so maybe it would be best if you pick me up at the B and B. I’ll think of some way to explain all this to Celeste and Katie, but I definitely don’t want them to know that I’m hiring you.”

Not surprising since she hadn’t even told him the why as yet. “How about I pick you up at seven-thirty?”

“That would work. The invitation encourages guests to come in the style of the Elizabethan period.”

“There I draw the line. I don’t do costumes.”

“Frankly, at this point, I’m not sure I do, either.”

She gave him the name of the B and B she’d booked and the directions she’d gotten on the Internet. Then she said a quick goodbye and broke their connection before he could ask more questions.

Too bad, since dozens stalked his mind. He figured there was at least a ninety-nine percent chance his being hired as a protector was connected to the fainting spell she’d experienced that morning. Judging from the look in her eyes at the time, he’d have sworn she was wrestling demons.

But what or who had her spooked? A stalker? An exlover? Someone in costume that she might not recognize until it was too late? That could present a few problems.

Nothing he couldn’t handle. He wouldn’t take his eyes off her for a second. That part would be easy.

Remembering this was a job and not a date with a beautiful, sophisticated woman might take a bit more skill.

A ROAR ROSE from the crowd as Dani entered the amphitheater. The tiers of concrete benches surrounded a dirt performance area that four partially armored knights circled on magnificent steeds. Behind them a viewing stand filled with exquisitely dressed lords and ladies. Cheers and jeers rose from the crowd as each knight and his cheerleader lady tried to drum up support for their quest.

She glanced around, looking for the girls. The sea of faces became a blur.

“Over here, Ms. Baxter.” Katie’s high-pitched voice barely carried over the din. “We saved you a seat.”

The twelve-year-old with her wild mass of red hair only partially tamed by a baseball cap was sitting on the end of a bench just a few rows up from where Dani was standing. Alone.

Unexpected anxiety rolled in Dani’s stomach. “Where’s Celeste?”

“Buying cotton candy.” Katie pointed to their left where Celeste was counting out bills to a vendor whose colorful bags of sugary sweets floated above him like balloons, each secured to his long pole.

Safe, of course. This was a family festival meant to lift the spirits, not some Halloweenish house of ancient horrors. Dani was freaking out over nothing and everything. And now she’d hired a bodyguard who’d surely think she was a certifiable nutcase.

Dani slid to the seat beside Katie. “What did I miss?”

“The introduction of the knights. We’re rooting for the one representing France. He has the best horse and the prettiest lady leading the cheers for him. But the rider from Spain has our school colors, so we’re kinda for him, too.”

Celeste rejoined them and held out the cone of blue twirled sugar for them to share. “You got here just in time, Mom. I was afraid you were going to miss the jousting. You already missed a lot of the fun.”

“I’m here now. Let the games begin.” Dani forced a carefree cheerfulness into her voice and tore off a bite-size piece of the froth. Her irritation with herself swelled.

For once Celeste was truly enjoying their day together, and Dani was the one putting a damper on the excitement.

The crowd began to cheer as the four knights returned. Each wore an armored chest piece. Jointed armor covered parts of their arms and legs as well.

The horses were draped in the same vibrant hues as their riders’ flowing tunics. One was dressed in black and silver and had a sinister air about him. The jovial air of pageantry and the crowd’s fervent reactions were truly impressive.

The knights circled the arena on the horses, waving to the spectators and pumping up the enthusiasm. One, a young blonde with a disarming smile, tended to steal the show.

“That’s the contender from France,” Celeste said when he waved in their direction.

Dani was sure the show was scripted, the winners and losers predetermined on a rotational basis, but that took little from the performance’s exuberance. The excitement arced even higher as the announcer proclaimed that the tournament was to begin.

Each of the riders pulled on helmets that looked official but still somewhat like silver pots. They waved their long, striped poles in the air as if they couldn’t wait to attack. Two riders came at each other from opposite corners, ferociously striking out with their poles as they met at midfield. As soon as they’d reached their corners, the other two followed suit.

Celeste and Katie stayed fully engrossed for the duration of the engagement. Dani quickly drifted back into her own thoughts and was relieved when only one contender remained on his horse, the jouster clad in black and silver. He was declared the winner amidst more yells and some heckling and then was toasted by the approving lords and ladies in the viewing stand.

With so many open arches providing exits, the arena cleared quickly. Dani and the girls lingered for a few minutes so that they could get an up-close look at one of the knights who’d stayed around to talk to a group of admiring females.

By the time they left, there were only a few other stragglers ambling through the wide center arch. They took the path that led toward the giant swings. There seemed to be more people than ever milling around the area.

An auburn-haired woman in an exquisite period ball gown pushed past them, practically knocking Dani down in her haste. She paused as if to apologize but said nothing. Instead, she stared at Dani, a look of alarm on her face.

Their eyes met, and Dani had a crushing sensation of déjà vu. “Have we met before?”

“No,” the woman answered quickly. She hurried away before Dani could say more.

“Geez,” Katie said. “That woman looks almost like you, Ms. Baxter.”

“Except she’s not as pretty,” Celeste said. “She’s too skinny, and her hair’s the wrong color.”

“You weren’t even looking at her!” Katie exclaimed. “You were watching those guys at the climbing wall. And she did so look like your mother.”