“Please call me Amy. Thank you so much for coming. Let’s go into my office and talk about the promo schedule and the event,” she said, her voice stilted.
The woman was setting the strictly business parameters faster than an eight-second bull ride. I knew some people didn’t like rodeo riders, so perhaps that was it? I knew better than to dig into the reasons why.
“I don’t mean no disrespect, but I thought I was supposed to meet with the mayor? Not that I don’t think women can’t be mayors, but you sure don’t look like a Robert.”
A flash of pink graced her cheeks, making her look even prettier, then her lips set in a line and she sighed. “He would have liked to be here. Unfortunately, Mayor Lumley is on medical leave. So you have me, his assistant. Is that a problem?”
Her question didn’t come off as a challenge—more curious—so I didn’t appear to have put my foot in my mouth when I asked.
“Not a problem. I hope the mayor is feeling better soon.” I gave her some space. “Take it easy standing up.” I wanted to offer my arm but held back. Amy was a mite skittish, like a newly broken horse, and I would do well to respect her boundaries.
“I’m fine. Really. If you’ll follow me.” She rose and led the way into her office where she gestured for me to take a seat. “Can I get you a cup of coffee?”
“No, but I appreciate the offer.” I also appreciated the way her skirt hugged her curves and the flex of her calf as she walked. Somehow, she wasn’t what I expected from a mayor’s assistant in a small town. We’d emailed and spoken on the phone while I’d sorted out my travel arrangements and somehow, I’d expected her to be older and more… matronly.
Amy sat at her desk and reached for a glass of water. The liquid shook as her hand trembled, and she set it back down without so much as a sip. Something was definitely wrong, and I wondered if this was somehow connected to the strange reception I’d received walking through town.
“Well, first, let me thank you again for agreeing to be part of our rodeo.” Her tone remained crisp and professional. “The town is grateful for your help and I can assure you that the proceeds are going to a good cause.”
The town had a funny way of showing it. No friendly welcomes, just open stares and shock. “Rafael said a fire destroyed your community center.”
“Yes, along with the elementary school and an adjoining park.” Her eyes clouded over as if to fight back against the unpleasant memory.
Or was it me she objected to? Or both. I wasn’t entirely sure given the strange behavior of the people in town and her initial reaction to me. “So what’s the plan to fix things back up?”
“Unfortunately, all the structures were a total loss and getting the insurance to payout has beena struggle.” She said, emphasizing that last part. “We’ve already had a number of fundraisers and while we’ve been able to set up temporary facilities for the school, the amount of money we need to build a new community center has been out of our reach. Mr. Pierce, I can’t tell you how important a community center is to a town like Poplar Springs. Everything from afterschool care to senior services takes place there.”
“Please, call me Cal. Mr. Pierce makes me sound like my dad.”
She seemed flustered by my comment, and I wondered if she was one of those people who had to say their peace before anyone else could chime in. Eventually, she nodded her head.
“Anyway, we thought a rodeo would be an effective way to fundraise for the capital we need while also raising interest in our little town. Rafael Alvarez speaks highly of you, along with a Mr. Greene.”
I took my hat off and rubbed my head catching Amy looking at me, her eyes widening in what looked like alarm.What was going on?Deciding to ignore it, for the moment, I said, “Rafe’s a good man and I’m happy to help. Unfortunately, Tanner… Greene is out on medical leave. Took a hard fall.” That asshole was lucky to be alive. What possessed him to ride in that event when he was clearly still drunk from the night before was beyond me. While I would never wish ill will on someone, I hoped this would be his wakeup call to get his act together. He was damn lucky he hadn’t ended up paralyzed.
“It’s very generous of you and much appreciated—and I’m sorry to hear about your friend.” Tanner wasn’t my friend. He wasn’t anyone’s friend.
Amy’s tone and expression softened, and I was once again drawn to her. Then I remembered the ring. She was somebody else’s wife, and I’d never been that kind of man. “Just tell what you need from me.”
“I’ve worked out a schedule with what I’m told is the usual sort of promo for a rodeo if you’d like to take a look,” she said, handing me the paper with her notes.
I studied the list and didn’t see anything I objected to. Promotional tours were nothing new. “Looks good to me.” I glanced at her as I slid the paper across the desk and caught her watching me. She cleared her throat and looked away, but not before I noticed the haunted look again.
I thought about pretending that everything was normal and that I didn’t see the looks she—and everyone else—cast my way, but I was going to be here for a solid month, and that was a long time to ignore an elephant in the room. Especially when I appeared to be that elephant.
“Amy, I sure wish you’d tell me what’s wrong. I’m getting the sense that you don’t want me here.” Sensing, however, was a long way from understanding. It’s not like we had ever met aside from on the phone,so I was at loss for her reaction to me. Maybe it was as simple as Amy had wanted someone else for the rodeo.
“Of course Poplar Springs wants you,” she said, forcing a smile. “Once the townsfolk found out you’d agreed to join us, it was all they talked about. You’ll be a huge draw for the rodeo, and we’ll be able to break ground on a new community center in no time.”
“Maybe you just don’t like us rodeo types,” I suggested, trying to understand the apparent objection to my presence.
She sighed and sat back in her seat, the forced cheerfulness fading. “It’s not that either. It’s nothing to do with you or the rodeo at all, truly. I’m sorry if my behavior isn’t welcoming. If you arrived in town early enough to walk around a bit, you probably got much the same from some of the folks who live here. I apologize for that, too.”
“I wouldn’t say that anyone’s been unkind or unwelcoming,” I said cautiously. “You just seem uncomfortable with me.”
She glanced out her office window and seemed to focus on the pine tree outside it. Silence hung in the air until she spoke in a low tone. “It’s just that you look so much like my husband. Mylatehusband. He died in a car accident four years ago. It was a shock seeing you. That’s all. Nothing personal.”
“I’m sorry to hear about your husband.” And I was. I didn’t like the idea of her suffering, and the man’s death had clearly affected her deeply. “I can see how you might have been rattled by my sudden appearance. They say everyone has a twin in the world who looks like them, maybe your husband is mine. Perhaps it would be better if I left town so as not to stir up unpleasant memories for people. I’ve got plenty of connections in the rodeo world to find a replacement rider for you.”
