Page 16 of Her Second Chance Cowboy

Emma felt tears pricking at the corners of her eyes, but she blinked them back, focusing on the task at hand. Looking around the area the festival would be held, she could see now just how much work needed to be done.

The grass was overgrown and patchy, the ground uneven and rocky in places. There were old fence posts and bits of debris scattered around, remnants of festivals past.

But as she looked closer, Emma could also see the potential in the space. The way the setting sun cast a golden glow over the hills, the way the breeze rustled through the tall grass. With a little bit of work and a lot of love, this place could be transformed into something truly special.

She turned to Cody, a determined glint in her eye. “Okay,” she said, her voice steady. “Let’s make a list of everything we need to do.”

They spent the next hour walking the perimeter of the area, making notes and sketching out rough plans. Emma’s mind was buzzing with ideas, her excitement growing with every passing minute.

“You know,” Cody said, as they were finishing up, “I was thinking about calling up old Garth to help us out with some of the heavy lifting. You remember him, right?”

Emma laughed, memories of the gruff but lovable old rancher flooding back to her. “Of course I remember Garth,” she said, shaking her head. “Is he still doing that thing where he tries to lasso everything in sight?”

Cody chuckled, his eyes sparkling with mirth. “Yep,” he said, popping the ‘p’. “Last I heard, he even tried to lasso his own truck when it wouldn’t start one morning.”

Emma giggled, the sound bubbling up from somewhere deep inside her. It felt good to laugh, to remember the quirks and the characters that made this town so special.

“Speaking of help,” she said, her voice turning shy, “do you think Mabel would be willing to pitch in with the food? I know it’s a lot to ask, but her pies are legendary, and I think it would mean a lot to have her involved.”

Cody’s expression softened, his eyes filled with warmth. “I’m sure she’d be honored, Emma,” he said gently. “Mabel loved your father like a brother, and she loves you like a daughter. She’ll want to do everything she can to make this festival a success.”

Emma felt a rush of gratitude and affection, her heart swelling with the knowledge that she was surrounded by people who cared about her, who wanted to help her through this difficult time.

But even with all of their support, she couldn’t shake the feeling of overwhelm that had been building inside her all day. The festival was only a few short weeks away, and there was still so much to be done.

She must have been wearing her worry on her face, because Cody reached out and touched her arm, his fingers gentle against her skin before falling away again.

“Hey,” he said softly, his voice filled with reassurance, “I know it seems like a lot right now, but we’re going to get through this. Together. You’ve got a whole town full of people who are ready and willing to help make this festival a reality. You’re not alone, Emma. Not anymore.”

Emma felt tears welling up in her eyes, but this time, they were tears of gratitude and relief. Cody was right. She wasn’t alone anymore. She had him, and Mabel, and Garth, and everyone else in this tight-knit community who had loved her father and wanted to honor his memory.

With their help and their support, she knew that she could do this. She could make this festival a reality, and give her father the send-off he deserved.

She took a deep breath, squaring her shoulders and lifting her chin. “Okay,” she said, her voice filled with determination. “Let’s do this. Let’s make this festival happen.”

Cody grinned, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he held out his hand for a high-five. “That’s the spirit,” he said, his voice filled with pride. “Let’s show this town what the Brooks family is made of.”

Emma slapped her hand against his, feeling a surge of energy and purpose coursing through her veins. With Cody by her side and the whole town behind her, she knew that anything was possible.

And as they walked back towards the barn, the sun setting behind them and the crickets chirping in the tall grass, Emma felt a sense of peace and belonging that she hadn’t felt in years.

This was where she was meant to be, at least for now. This was home.

Chapter Nine

The coffee wasjust coming to the boil when Emma heard the rumble of trucks pulling up outside the house. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for the day ahead as she stepped out onto the porch.

Garth was the first to climb out of his truck, a wide grin splitting his weathered face as he caught sight of her. “Well, well, well,” he drawled, ambling over to the porch steps. “If it isn’t little Emma Brooks, all grown up and taking on the world.”

Emma couldn’t help but smile at the old rancher’s teasing tone. “Good to see you too, Garth,” she said, stepping down to give him a quick hug. “And who’s this handy set of muscles you’ve brought with you?”

She gestured to the tall, lanky figure unfolding himself from the passenger seat of Garth’s truck. He had the same easy grin as his father, but there was a sharpness to his features that hinted at a keen intelligence behind the laid-back exterior.

“This here’s my boy, Chris,” Garth said, clapping a hand on his son’s shoulder. “He’s been helping me out on the ranch, but I figured he could take a day off to lend a hand with the festival preparations.”

Emma squinted. “Not little Chris with the sketch book?”

“Not anymore,” Chris said, tipping his hat to her. “At least, not the little part.” He looked around as Emma tried to reconcile the tall, confident man in front of her with the gangly teen she’d seen in school, two years her junior. “Sounds like you’re taking on quite the project here.”

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