“We need to move to action items ASAP. I called Thompson Avery, and he’s on board for your analysis of the rider’s names. Nash. The family is a sponsorship gold mine. They’re perfect for ‘getting back to the roots.’”
“I agree, sir. They’re perfect for endorsements. You should have seen the crowd-”
“Precisely.” He was in a high-energy mood, talking as fast as he did after four shots of espresso. “Now, what we need is preliminary video assets with the boys, especially the bronc rider. He is on a fast track to NFR. I want it in my email Saturday morning. We need him using our equipment, wearing the name, right before he shatters another record.”
“Sir, I would need to schedule, I don’t even know when-”
“Miss Ford. This is your chance to show me you’re ready for the big leagues, isn’t it?” He loved his rhetorical questions. “You made the case, now deliver. You have until Saturday to produce a two-minute clip of the boy giving an authentic testimonial. Get creative, get it done.”
Click.
I had wanted to call Martha as soon as he hung up, but I knew she’d want to hear about how hot his butt was on the horse, not my whining about having to interview him.
So, as soon as I was in a comfortingly modern hotel room with amenities galore, I got creative. I did research for a reasonably priced local videographer and hired them immediately. I had an all-access pass to the rodeo schedules, so I knew the contestants were practicing today at the arena to get comfortable with the space.
I didn’t know if the Nash boys would be at the “rehearsal,” but it could be my only shot before the rodeos started that weekend. I called the videographer and asked if she could meet at the arena today. Luckily, she was just breaking into the business and seemed eager for any opportunity.
I was smarter about my clothes this time around andpicked blue jeans and a tan shirt before pinning my hair up in a bun. I could only hope the next destination would be less scalding than Arizona and Florida.
As soon as I got in the car and my driver pulled onto the road, Harrison called.
“Hello?”
“You never called when you landed,” he said as soon as I answered. The sounds of a noisy resort carried on in the background.
I watched the endless palm trees and green lawns as we sped past. “Oh, right, I’m sorry! We landed, I jumped in a car, got to the hotel, and left again to go interview some cowboys.”
“Where are you now?”
“Davie, what about you?”
“Miami. I should be only an hour away. How was the flight?”
“It was good. I got a lot of work done. How’s the resort?”
He laughed dryly. “When my company is finished with this place, we should honeymoon here. It’s got pools for miles and the beach just beyond that. Open bar, fresh lobster, you name it.”
It was the first time he’d mentioned the honeymoon, and I realized we did need to plan one. “That’d be fun.”
“When’s our date?”
I looked through the itinerary. We had a rodeo tomorrow, Friday, and Saturday. I had Sunday to gather my thoughts and work, and then fly out again on Monday. “How about Saturday? You could come to Davie and stay over. I don’t have anything on Sunday, so we could have a slow day.”
“I’d like that. I miss you.”
I wanted to miss him too. “I miss you. See you Saturday night?”
“Love you.”
“Bye, Harrison.” I hung up, and the driver pulled into an empty arena parking lot. The arena was open, covered by a roof but letting the breeze flow through the open sides. I could hear music softly pumping through the speakers, nothing like the intensity of noise when the rodeo would actually be going on.
I wandered inside, flashing my all-access badge to the guard at the entrance. There were a few horses with cowboys in the dirt, walking slowly. It was so much calmer than the last time I was in the arena.
As I made my way to the chutes, I saw Thompson in his overalls sitting on the front row. “Hi, Thompson,” I said with my overly perky smile.
He looked up, though the way he turned, I noticed it was hard for him to twist his neck. “Oh, Legra. What are you doing here?”
I took a seat next to him, pretending like I had all the time in the world. “I came to get some interviews with some of the contestants. What about you?”
