Page 117 of Something Like Sunflowers

Right from the vision in my head.

We go together like that. My vision. His passion. And Ellie, the glue to keep things sticking right where they should.

Besides, we need each other. Can you imagine me swinging a hammer? Thank you, no.

I’ll fill the space with talented young people who need a place to shine, though. That’s more my area of expertise any day.

I’m proud of Ellie for tonight. She’s the unofficial hostess of the First Annual Rodeo Talent Show, a non-profit we hope will raise money for teenage mothers of Pine Forest, a new program we came up with together in honor of my story and her own. Together, we decided no teenage mother should ever think drugs, gangs, or hiding your pregnancy from your family are the only ways to turn. Now they’ll have another option, a chance for hope, and what they do with that is entirely up to them.

Soon, the crowd is fully seated, and I can’t help but swoon over my husband and marvel at his and Dustin’s hard work as the hand-crafted stage with beautifully stained rafters of red oak are unveiled for the whole town to see.

A collective awe is heard from the field, and it makes every bit of planning and effort worth it. I see why Hunter has made enhancing this town his life’s work.

I look over at Claudette, Molly, and yes, even James, who is chowing down on the corndogs we’re peddling up and down the aisles, and I shake my head. There was a time not too long ago, in their very office, at that first interview, when I heard Hunter say something about his “life’s work” and I mocked him for it.

Sure, back then I didn’t have the full scope of things, but still. I was dismissive of his ‘life’s work’ because I didn’t get it. I couldn’t see what was right in front of my face; you can’t wish for more and never seek it out. And sometimes, even when you seek it out, you don’t find it.

That’s when you have to create it.

That’s what Hunter has done here. What we’ve done with this amphitheater on a smaller scale. He’s turned this town into the place he wanted it to be when we were kids. He’s turned our upside downs into right side ups. And even though we officially told Claudette we were pulling out of the collaboration with Classy Country and setting out to start our own non-profit ventures, they’ve still sworn to attend every event we throw and gave us their full support.

Claudette may have been devastated she didn’t get to plan the wedding of the century, but she’ll get over it. Hunter and I aren’t those kinds of people. We don’t need the fuss; Lord knows we’ve had enough.

Besides, everyone I’d want to invite on a day like that is already right here, surrounding me in my own back yard.

“Ladies and gentlemen!” a very high-pitched, ‘tween voice shouts through the mic. Remind me to teach her to use a microphone properly. “You have all lucked out, because you are in for a magnificent night of talented cowgirls and…less talented cowboys!”

The crowd hoots with laughter, swatting their jeans at her sass, and I can’t ignore I’m one of them. My smile is spread so tight across my face when I watch her on that stage, I think it could split open if I move another inch.

“First off,” she continues, “when Devyn Lynn Isaac— that’s right ladies, Isaac, so don’t be sending my papa any more of them lacy underthings in the mail, now. It’s getting old.” Another round of laughter sounds from the crowd as Ellie twirls and curtseys how I showed her before clearing her throat dramatically into the mic.

“When she told me she was doin’ a talent show, I was worried about how much talent this town actually had, and I’m sorry to say, we didn’t find any, but we did the best we could, so…enjoy this show instead!” She swats her leg as the crowd laughs on.

“All right, I’m kiddin’, ya’ll. Now, I know what yer thinkin’. ‘But, Ellie, why aren’t you dressed to compete if it’s about being the most talented?’” She smiles, tilting her head sarcastically back and forth as we laugh. Kid’s a natural.

“And the answer is…You have to be dumber than a doornail if you think I’d be caught dead wearin’ a stupid dress and dancin’ round a stage like a princess. No offense, Dev.”

I smile and shake my head at her.

She jumps down off the apron of the stage and lands like a cat, on both feet, and the crowd falls silent as she raises the mic back to her mouth and looks up at the camera, her face displayed largely on the projector screen behind her so all can see on the live stream when she says, “But I’m sure as shit gonna shoot the gun that starts the competition, y’all! Now let me hear you holler!”

The crowd goes wild, applause, full-on standing ovation and clapping for none other than our Ellie girl.

Our girl.

And I couldn’t be prouder. That’s why this is the moment I share a quick look with Hunter, and we rush from the wings to the apron and jump down to meet her in the pit.

“Ellie,” Hunter says, taking her free hand and holding mine in his other. The cameras filming, as our whole town, our family, watches.

“Devyn and I want to tell you something. As of today, you are officially ours, sweetheart.”

She arches her neck, her eyes wide and sparkling, a question on her lips.

So, I answer it, “It’s for real, Chuck. Forever and always.”

“I knew it!” she gasps, throwing her arms around me and then Hunter.

“Who knew you could keep so many secrets at once?” she asks him.

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