“What?” Charity took Van’s face between her slender hands. “You look stunned. Are you okay? Did what I said upset you?”
“Upset me? No! I’m good. Really, I am. As a matter of fact, I feel better than I’ve felt in a long time.” Even the ever-present ache of loss that had dragged at her since she’d walked out Jameson’s door last Sunday had somehow lessened, at least a little. “And what you said about Jameson, Iwaslistening. I really was. And I know you’re right. He’s a fine man. The best. I promise to take what you said to heart.”
Charity stroked Van’s hair. “I’m glad.” She hugged Van again. “Anytime you need someone to talk to, I’m here for you. I hope you know that.”
“I do. And thank you. You know I’m here for you, too.”
Charity beamed. “Yes, I do.” She turned to her makeup case. “All right. Let’s get you ready to wow them at the ribbon cutting.”
Charity had plans with her friends for that afternoon, so she and Van drove separate vehicles to the convention center.
When they arrived, the parking lot was already more than half-full. Charity honked and waved Van into the first empty space.
Van parked, jumped out and ran to Charity’s side window. “I’m good from here. I’ll be watching for you in the crowd.”
“I’ll be whistling and waving.”
Van reached in and squeezed her friend’s shoulder. “Thank you. You’re the best.” She stood for a moment, watching the back end of Charity’s cute little pickup until it disappeared down the next row.
Twenty minutes later, she sat in a row of folding chairs on a raised platform erected in front of the new convention center. The mayor and other dignitaries filled the chairs to either side of her. Below the stage, a brass band played a patriotic anthem, and beyond the band, the plaza that surrounded the center was packed with the citizens of Bronco.
All the flags and bunting from Red, White and Bronco had been repurposed to celebrate the dedication of the center. In the distance, the craggy peaks of the mountains pierced the wide blue bowl of the sky. A nice breeze stirred the flags to full, waving glory.
After three rousing Sousa marches, the band took a break, and the speeches began. Van spotted Charity and her parents in the crowd, but she didn’t see Jameson. The ever-present ache in her heart intensified.
She needed to make things right with him. She’d messed everything up with her fears and her doubts. And oh, she did miss him so.
Was it too late for them? Had she finally found the right man for her and then destroyed their chance for happiness by walking away?
Right then, over at the podium, the mayor swept out his arm toward the row of folding chairs. “And now, let’s give a big Bronco welcome to the little lady chosen to do the honors today. May I introduce our own Miss Bronco, Vanessa Cruise!” The crowd on the plaza erupted in cheers, whistles and excited applause. “Come on up here, Vanessa, and say a few words.”
Vanessa played her part. Rising, she swept off her sparkly hat and gave the crowd a big, wholehearted Miss Bronco wave.
They clapped all the louder. She felt their acceptance. Some might have mocked her win at first. But she’d slowly won them over by simply being herself and putting her whole heart into the job.
Leaving her hat on the chair, she approached the podium. The mayor tipped his hat to her and stepped back.
She adjusted the mic and began, “Hello, Bronco!” Again, a surge of applause washed over her. She waited for it to die down a little and then parroted the few remarks she’d planned, all about fresh starts and the importance of community, of people supporting each other, working together. At that point, she was supposed to take the giant pair of scissors from the mayor, step to the ribbon and cut it in two.
But in that split second before she turned to accept the scissors, she realized she had more to say. “I’ve learned so much since becoming Miss Bronco.”
She paused for a slow breath. Out on the plaza, you could have heard a feather float toward the ground. She frowned. “Yeah, okay. I admit it. I didn’t enter the pageant to win this honor, and there were ten wonderful contestants who did enter, each of whom had every right to feel a little cheated that I ended up with the crown.
“But every one of those contestants has treated me kindly. Every one of them would have made a great Miss Bronco, I have no doubt. However, thanks to my wonderful, brilliant Young Adventurers out at Happy Hearts Animal Sanctuary, here I am.” The whistles and shouting and wild clapping started up again, louder than ever.
The second the sound died down a little, she continued, “And I wear the Miss Bronco crown with pride, thanks in great part to the coaching and encouragement of my fabulous runner-up this year, Charity John. Thank you, Charity!” The crowd went wild.
Again, Van picked up as soon as the wave of sound leveled off. “I know I’m not a traditional beauty queen, but every woman has beauty within her, and none of us should be afraid to let the world see what we know and feel inside.” Her voice died in her throat.
But her heart took wings.
Because right then, she saw him—saw Jameson, way back from the platform, working his way toward the front of the crowd. His eyes...they were only for her, locked on her so intently. He wore a look of great tenderness, one that seemed to speak straight to her heart, to say it was far from over between them, after all.
Her vision blurred. Careful of her makeup, she lifted her glasses enough to dash the tears away. And then, drawing her shoulders back, aiming her chin high, Van spoke her truth out loud and proud. “I have known heartbreak. Way too much heartbreak. And this summer, in Bronco, you all have taught me how to get over it—not by hiding what I feel, but by sharing it. I’ve been so afraid to lose my heart again...” She paused, half expecting the mayor to grab her arm and drag her away from the podium.
Nobody moved. The mayor made not a peep. Out on the plaza, the crowd that seemed to contain everyone in town watched her through wide, rapt eyes.
“However,” she said, her gaze locked with Jameson’s as he kept moving closer, “sometimes you have to lose in order to win.” Another lightning bolt of understanding struck and she found herself remembering something she’d said to Jameson that day he revealed the sad secrets of his failed marriage. She repeated it now, slowly. Clearly. “And sometimes people hurt each other because they’re too busy struggling through their own crap to be careful of the other person’s heart. I have done that. Everyone messes up now and then. The real progress happens when we learn from our mistakes.”
