âMel happily told me while I was at Luluâs and announced it to everyone in the place. Heâs afraid that Iâll influence Sawyer to do things my way. His argument was that if my father didnât believe in me, then Sawyer shouldnât, either.â
Betty put her hands over Erinâs and squeezed. âSomethingâs not right here. You are the joy of your parents, and Iâve never heard your father say anything against you. You are his sunflower.â
Erin tried to smile. âIn his condition, I canât ask him why. I know itâs small of me to question his decision, butââ
âIt all seems so dark now, but believe, Daughter. Sometimes God takes us on a journey to let us see a different view. You will have to walk in faith.â
The words washed over Erin like a gentle breeze. All she could remember was her father cheering her on when she rode barrels competitively, or his sitting in the front row, beaming with pride when she graduated from high school as the valedictorian.
Her entire life her father had supported her but, over the past few months, sheâd noticed a change in him, a hesitancy that put her on alert.
âThanks, Auntie.â
They hugged, and Erin walked into her fatherâs study, ready to search for the final addendum to last yearâs budget. But, as she surveyed his things, her heart ached with questions and doubt.
* * *
Sawyer walked into the rodeo office. The scene at the café had disturbed him. Why had Mel decided to humiliate Erin in front of everyone? The woman had held up under the manâs ugly attack, but those small-town currents swirled around them.
When he entered the office, Lisa looked up. She nodded to the meeting room. âMel brought the budget for the last year.â
He nodded.
âIs everything okay?â Lisa asked.
âMel seems on some sort of mission to hurt Erin.â
âI heard.â
The speed with which the news spread in a small town amazed Sawyer. None of the major cell phone carriers couldâve acted quicker.
âCould you explain the situation to me? I want to know when to duck.â He moved toward her desk and collapsed in the chair beside her.
Lisa explained the complicated history of the two women and the one guy.
âBut if Traciâs happily married, why would Mel be so hard on Erin? Sheâs been gone at school and riding the rodeo circuit.â
Lisa leaned closer to Sawyer. âWhen the board decided to redo the facilities, Erin put in her bid. I think Traciâs worried that if Erinâs in town for that long maybe the feelings Andy had for Erin might flare back to life.â
âThatâs ridiculous.â Sawyer ran his fingers through his hair. âHow long have Traci and Andy been married?â
âAlmost nine years, but folks have noticed things are a little strained between the two.â
A frown knit his brow. âYouâre telling me Melâs worried about the situation?â
âYou asked what the problem was.â Lisa shrugged. âIt might not make sense, but there it is.â
What a mess. âThanks for the heads-up.â Now at least he knew where the potholes were. Maybe he could survive this job. But he doubted heâd ever be the same.
Chapter Six
L ate the next afternoon, Sawyer drove back from his successful meeting with the Harding County members of the rodeo board. Theyâd been excited about having their residents bid for contracts to do work for the rodeo. Norman had last yearâs budget and let Sawyer take the notebook to compare with the ones Mel brought to the office.
During the meeting, thoughts of Erin kept creeping into Sawyerâs head while he talked to Norman. What had gotten into him?
When he passed the road leading to the Delong ranch, Sawyer went with his gut and decided to visit Erin. Heâd go with the nagging feeling that heâd experienced all afternoon. Besides, he
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