A Creed in Stone Creek - Linda Lael Miller [113]
Byron, on the other hand, seemed happy enough bunking with Tom Parker and Elvis—the kid did his share of the yard and household chores to earn his keep, according to the sheriff, and although not much was said, they all got along just fine. In his spare time, Byron helped out over at the animal shelter, and there was talk about his getting hired steady, bringing home a paycheck, however modest.
So far, so good.
Except that Carter was still at large, of course.
Settled at his desk, Steven booted up his computer, checked his email for the first time that day.
Conner was on his way, he learned, and Davis and Kim were coming along, too, bringing their RV. Everybody was up for a visit and a good old-fashioned rodeo, according to Conner’s brief message.
Steven sighed. Brody was headed for Stone Creek, too, planning on competing in the bronc-riding events, both bareback and saddle.
His twin cousins were about to meet up, after all this time, though neither one of them knew it.
Once again, Steven wondered if he’d made the right decision by keeping the impending collision of Creed tempers under his hat, so to speak.
It was the hope—however frail it might be—that Brody and Conner would finally work things out and get on with being brothers that prevented Steven from issuing a storm warning. Those two were both stubborn to the bone, and if either found out that the other one was going to be in Stone Creek for the rodeo, neither of them would show up.
Therefore, Steven thought, as he tapped out a response to Conner’s email, revealing nothing, the chips would have to fall where they may.
MELISSA WENT FOR A RUN on Friday morning—something she hadn’t done for a few days—and took special care with her hair, makeup and clothes when she got back home.
It wasn’t because of that stupid “intervention” Olivia, Ashley and Meg had sprung on her the evening before, though. No, sirree. She would be leaving her office early to put the finishing touches on the parade that would kick off Stone Creek Rodeo Days that night, and after that, the whole thing would be over.
Looking good was her way of celebrating, that was all.
The morning went by quickly, for once.
She skipped lunch, feeling too nervous to eat, and, conversely, loaded up on coffee. At three forty-five, leaving her assistant to hold down the fort for what little remained of the workday, Melissa headed out.
Ferociously hungry all of a sudden, and telling herself that relaxing her dietary standards a little didn’t mean she was on a greased track to hell, she downed a burger from the drive-through place and then, after steeling herself, drove over to the high school, where the Parade Committee had gathered, together with the parade participants and their various floats.
Horses were arriving in trailers, all of them on loan from Stone Creek Ranch, since the sheriff’s posse didn’t actually ride much, except for occasions like this one. They definitely didn’t saddle up and chase outlaws into the hills, as Sam O’Ballivan and his pals had back in those thrilling days of yesteryear.
Brad and several of his ranch hands were supervising, while members of the posse—all of them honorary deputies—argued over who’d put on the most weight since last year’s parade.
Although some of the floats hadn’t lumbered in yet, there were nearly a dozen crepe paper–bedecked monstrosities in evidence. The standout float was the Chamber of Commerce’s contribution—a massive replica of a nearby ski slope, made almost entirely of toilet paper. It even had trees, the branches weighted down with white tissue “snow,” and spangles of glitter made the whole shebang sparkle in the sun.
Adelaide Hillingsley and Bea Brady, both wearing their best polyester pants suits and sporting fresh perms, were already nose to nose.
“You’re just mad because our float is better than yours!” Adelaide challenged.
Bea looked as though she might be getting ready to throw a punch, so Melissa maneuvered herself between the two women.
“Ladies,” she