“Been a really rough year for the Wests and McKays, which is just another reason we were all so tickled about Eliza.
“So to take the long way around answering your question, I suspect Kade is competing because Dag isn’t here. Lots of Dag’s rodeo friends are showing up today to lend support and engage in a little friendly competition.” All at once an enormous grin lit up Kimi’s face. “Speaking of…Chassie. Over here.”
Skylar turned and watched as the woman sauntered toward them—saunter being the operative word. Her gait screamed one hundred percent cowgirl. So did her clothes, she was no rhinestone belt wearing buckle bunny. She wore battered lace-up boots, skin-tight faded jeans and a long-sleeved T-shirt emblazoned with, “Real Cowgirls Do It Best in the Dirt”. Dark brown hair as long and glossy as a horse’s tail was plaited in a single, thick braid that fell past her butt. An angular face—apple cheekbones, pointed chin, broad forehead and a generous mouth that hinted of Native American ancestry.
“I tried calling you, but Uncle Cal said you were already gone. Is he coming?”
“I expect him any time now.”
“Oh wow, is this who I think it is?”
“Yep. This is Eliza Belle. Isn’t she a doll?”
“Absolutely precious.” Chassie bent closer. “We girls are few and far between so we gotta stick together. Man. She does look like Kade. Bet he’s struttin’ around like c**k of the walk.”
“That he is.”
Chassie straightened. Her liquid brown eyes sparkled, and her sweet, wide grin was infectious. “Ah. You’d be the vessel who brought forth the long-awaited McKay girl baby?”
Skylar smiled. “Aptly put.”
“Skylar Ellison, this is my niece Chassie West.”
“It’s Chassie Glanzer now.” She wiped her hand on her jeans before she offered it to Sky. “Nice to meetcha, Skylar. Congrats on the wee one and welcome to the family.”
“Thanks.” Chassie wasn’t much bigger than Kimi and Sky felt positively Amazonian next to the petite, skinny women.
“Chassie just got married in February. She and her husband Trevor took over Harland’s ranch after he passed on. How you doin’ today, honey?”
Chassie’s smile faded. “It’s weird being here without them. I keep expecting to see Dag hanging on the fence behind the chutes, waiting to ride. Or Daddy standing in line for a beer.”
Her look of sadness prompted Sky offer, “I’m so sorry for both your losses.”
“I appreciate you sayin’ so.”
“What all is Trevor competing in today?” Kimi asked.
“Everything. Poor delusional man thinks he can win the all around title. I know he’s doin’ it in Dag’s memory, which is unbelievably sweet, and yet stupid, because he’s going up against hungry pups in their late teens.”
“It’s not like Trevor is old.”
“True. And I ain’t gonna complain about seein’ him in tight chaps, sexy rodeo gear, swingin’ a rope and buckin’ hard.” Her brilliant smile reappeared. “But they’re still gonna kick Kade and Colt’s ass in team roping.”
“Yeah? Wanna bet?”
“I’d hate to take your money, Aunt Kimi, but I will. Twenty says Cash and Trevor win.”
“You’re on.”
Chassie cocked an eyebrow at Skylar. “Not gonna bet on your man?”
Was Kade her man? A possessive little voice piped up with a firm yes, so Sky said,
“Bring it. Twenty on the McKays.”
Kimi whooped, “That’s my girl.”
“You heading to the reunion, Aunt K?”
“Yeah. We’ll see you in there.”
They wound their way through the crowd, stopping on the edge of the bleachers.
Kimi passed Eliza back to her and fussed with the collar of Sky’s shirt. Smoothed a flyway strand from her cheek. Acted very motherly, which just made her like Kimi McKay all the more. “You are pretty as a picture. You ready?”
Skylar blushed. “Ready for what?”
“To meet the West family.”
“But I thought we were meeting the McKay family?”
“That’s later tonight and tomorrow. Lucky you gets a double whammy this weekend.
This is my side of Kade’s family, the West side. You’ll probably recognize some McKay family members, since my sister Carolyn married Carson McKay, Calvin’s brother, making our kids double cousins.” She grinned. “Confused yet?”
“Yes. No wonder Cord said you should all wear name tags.” Skylar squinted at the large cluster of people milling beneath a big tent. “Maybe you should point out which ones are family members.”
“Honey, they’re all family members.”
There had to be at least fifty people in there. “Oh. My. God.”
“Smile. And when Genevieve West starts talking about quilting, run like hell.”
Talk about being in a fish bowl. Skylar wished Kade would’ve been there, helping her navigate the waters. Faces blurred. She’d never remember all their names. And this was only half of Kade’s family.
After an hour passed, a feeling of panic started. A sense she was an interloper, even when everyone was friendly and went out of their way to include her. She and Kade and Eliza must’ve gotten fifteen invitations to dinner. Several women promised to check out her Sky Blue products. It was unusual in that…no one thought it was strange to automatically embrace Skylar and Eliza as part of their family. Their immediate acceptance made her feel humbled. Grateful. Swamped by so many conflicting emotions, Sky feared she’d break down, and wouldn’t that leave a great first impression? Instead, she reverted to her normal behavior, keeping a polite distance as her eyes searched for an escape route.
Then Kimi was by her side again, soothing her, rescuing her. “Looks like you could use some fresh air, sweets.”
“Yes, I could. Thank you.”
Outside, Kimi said, “What happened? Did Janet harangue you about you and Kade livin’ in sin?”
“No. Nothing like that.”
“Then what?”
Before she schooled her tongue to stay still, Sky blurted out, “I’ve never met so many genuinely nice people in my life and it was like they were happy to meet me, not giving me the evil eye wondering who the hell I was crashing their party.”
Kimi chuckled. “Not used to that?”
“No. I’m used to people ignoring or sucking up because they want something from me.”