When it’s Gigi’s turn, I stand alone and watch. Logan and Blake are here with Luke and Brayden from Montana, and I see Gigi’s parents next to Logan. Gigi’s got a whole section of fans as well. Some hold up signs saying “Darcy’s True Heroine—Go Gigi” and “Gigi—The Woman to Free Jane.”
Ginny and Dave are next to my family, and Ginny waves to me and gives me a thumbs-up.
An entire row of the crowd is made up of reporters. I roll my eyes when I see Skip and Jon lurking with a camera and ever-eager smiles.
Gigi giggles at the crowd and then gets serious. I prepare myself for what I witnessed at The Cowherd the other day, but turns out I didn’t have to worry after all.
Gigi doesn’t shoot today like she did then. She shoots like an amateur. She misses more than she hits, and she’s so pissed off about it. She whines and complains about the shotgun and the targets and the sun in her eyes. It’s like she’s never lost anything before in her life. I go over to offer a few words of comfort, and then I go use the restrooms inside the white one-story building near the 4-H club.
When I leave the bathroom a few minutes later, I bump into Logan texting on his phone.
He startles when he sees me.
“Hey.”
“Hey.” I go to move past him, but he reaches out and catches my wrist.
And time stops. I can’t stop looking into his eyes, which seem to want to tell me something. I step closer and put my hand on his bicep as my pulse races. I forget we’re in a public place and that prying eyes can see everything. I forget that I’m touching a man who’s spoken for, and honestly, I don’t really care right now.
Logan’s hand goes around the small of my back as he leans down and says into my hair, “Good luck today, Macey. You always had the best shot. Still do.” Then, he stands up straight, pulls back from me, and walks away.
* * *
Everyone’s having an off day for some reason. Must be part of Gigi’s mojo because by the time it’s my turn, Gigi actually has a chance to place in the top tier.IfI don’t.
Ginny cheers loudly when Mayor Huggins announces my name, and Mama gives me the thumbs-up and a big wink that she thinks only I will see.
I pick up my gun and walk to the first mark. I aim, cock, release the safety, and shoot a perfect shot. Gigi oohs and aahs along with everybody else. I do it again, and by the time a half hour is up, Mayor Huggins presents me with the trophy. With a shake of his head, he says he might as well give me the trophy for next year a year early because nobody “can hit a target like Austen Macey Henwood.”
I look for Logan, but all I can see is his back as he and his cousins head for the rodeo ring. I want to tell the mayor he’s wrong. Not all targets can be hit. Not if they’re no longer in close enough range for you to reach them.
I don’t wait for the photos the Mayor likes to take every year of all the winners. I’ve never missed one of Logan’s rodeos, and I don’t plan to start now.
When I reach the arena, I push through the crowd until I’m right outside the fencing. The announcer calls out—
“A hometown boy, Logan Wild, is up next! Born and raised right here in Hunt County. Let’s cheer him on, folks!”
Knowing I won’t have time to find a seat, I stay where I am and wait.
* * *
Logan
I’m wired.
Gigi told me the fairgrounds is where her mom came with Mr. Henwood the night they spent together, and so Mrs. Phillips is extra agitated today.
Which probably explains why I received a text from Mrs. Phillips after Gigi finished shooting—Gigi’s frustrated by her performance in the target contest. She says that’s the only reason for her low mood right now. I hope she’s telling the truth. Because if I find out her unhappiness has something to do with you, I won’t hesitate to make sure to delay your wedding.
That’s what I was reading when Macey came out of the restrooms. And I haven’t been able to shake the thinly-veiled threat since.
“What the hell’s going on with you?” Luke mutters to me as I walk with him and Brayden to the arena where the rodeo events are held.
Brayden’s got the same dark hair as his brother, but he’s a lot less pushy.
“He’s hyped for the bronc riding,” he says. “Let him concentrate.”
Blake has Prince all ready when we arrive.
