Page 43 of Things Good Girls Don't Do (Rock Canyon, Idaho 1)

Steph frowned at her. “Are you serious about him? I thought this was just a casual thing.”

That’s what Katie had thought originally, but now she wasn’t so sure. “I like him. Not sure about anything else, but can we discuss it later? I am so late.”

Steph remained silent, but Katie could tell by the stubborn tilt of her jaw that they weren’t done discussing it.

Becca, bless her heart, unzipped the garment bag with a flourish and grinned. “Let’s do this thing!”

CHASE WALKED UP the aisle of the community center, feeling out of place with the people in the crowd staring at him. He recognized the back of Becca’s multicolored head and took the empty seat next to her. “Have I missed anything yet?”

Becca shook her head and held out a little bag of popcorn. “Nope, still have a couple minutes before it starts. I love beauty pageants. Want some?”

“No thanks. I’m surprised. I would’ve thought you would despise them,” he said.

“Nope, love them. The fashion. The competition. The drama. It’s better than anything Hollywood could dream up.” She shoved a handful of popcorn into her mouth, and the lights dimmed. She elbowed his side. “Wait until you see Katie. She looks smoking hot.”

Chase looked past Becca and saw Steph glaring at him but didn’t have time to ask her what her problem was before the stage lit up and Harold Martin grapevined into the spotlight. Harold did the afternoon show at LMKZ 105.9, the local country station, and his smooth voice called, “Who wants to see some foxy ladies tonight?” The crowd cheered. “Yeah, that’s what I like to hear! I just want to thank everyone for coming out tonight to support the thirty-sixth annual Canyon Queen Pageant. These women aren’t just beautiful, they are smart, talented, and some of them even laugh at my jokes. How sweet is that?” A few chuckles. “Just a reminder that the fireworks have been canceled due to the rain, but as soon as we can figure out the best day to light up the sky, we will announce it. Now, I’d like you all to welcome last year’s Canyon Queen, Ms. Katie Connors. Louder, everyone, she needs to feel the love in here!”

Chase watched Katie glide onto the stage like she was floating, her hair pulled back from her face and twisted into a fat bun high on the back of her head, her tiara placed in front of it. The black dress she wore wrapped up over one shoulder and hugged every curve of her body until it hit mid-thigh, where the skirt split into strips of fabric, dancing along her legs like black flames. In her hands was a clear box that held another tiara, probably for tonight’s winner. She looked amazing and he wanted to jump up on stage and hide her away from the other men’s eyes. He had never been the jealous type, but as he scanned the crowd and saw several men sit forward with interest, he clenched his fists.

Becca leaned over and whispered, “Isn’t she gorgeous?”

He only nodded as Harold greeted Katie and asked, “So, Katie, how do you feel about giving up your crown tonight?”

“Actually, I feel really good about it, Harold. I enjoyed being Canyon Queen, but I’m ready to relinquish the honor to the next worthy candidate.” She smiled out at the crowd and when her gaze landed on Chase, it brightened.

He returned her smile as Harold said, “Well, let me just say, she is going to have some mighty big shoes to fill. You are quite a beauty. I hope your guy appreciates you.”

Chase could see Katie’s blush from his seat. “Thank you, Harold. I’ll be sure to tell your wife how lucky she is to have such a charmer.”

Harold turned to the crowd and said, “You hear that, Wilma? I’m a charmer!”

A woman’s voice shouted a reply that Chase couldn’t hear, but laughter ensued from her side of the room. Harold gave the crowd an uh-oh look and said, “Well, I guess I better get on with it before my wife decides I’m sleeping in the doghouse tonight! Katie, may I escort you to your throne, Your Majesty?”

The crowd chuckled as Katie gave him a shallow curtsy and said, “Why thank you, sir.”

Harold led her to her throne, a giant gold chair with red cushions, and deposited her smoothly, while Katie nodded her head at him regally and shooed him with a wave of her hand. Harold made a great show of continuing to bow as he backed away, and when he turned back to face the crowd, he said, “Why do I feel like I should be wearing a fool’s hat?”

There was more laughter from Harold’s wife’s side of the room, and he called out sternly, “Woman, you better be nice to me or . . .” he paused, “well, I’ve got nothing. Let’s welcome our first contestant to the stage, everyone!”

The crowd cheered as contestant number one walked out onto the stage, and Chase watched Katie smile as the girl came over to greet her and kiss her cheek. The girl seemed a little unsteady on the high heels she was wearing, and Chase kept waiting for her to biff it, right on her face.

Harold, as if anticipating her unsteadiness, rushed toward her and held out his hand. “Ladies and gentleman, may I introduce you to the lovely Jenny Andrews? All of seventeen, Miss Andrews has managed to score a scholarship for the Boise State music program and hopes to one day play professionally. Now Jenny, I believe you’re going to play us something mighty fancy on that fiddle of yours.”

“Yes I am, Mr. Martin,” Jenny said, smiling nervously.

“Well, let’s get it started then,” Harold said, stepping back to stand beside Katie as Jenny set up for her talent.

Chase leaned over and asked, “Is that the dragon lady’s daughter?”

Becca choked on her popcorn and a couple of people behind them shushed. Steph leaned over Becca and said, “Yeah, she’s the youngest.”

Steph’s tone sounded sharp and irritated, and he looked at her again. Her expression was fierce, and all that annoyance was directed at him. Sitting back in his seat, he grimaced. Chase wasn’t sure exactly what he’d done to piss Steph off, but he knew when someone had a bone to pick with him. He’d seen it enough times to know the signs. Now he just needed to wait until Steph made her move and fix it. Because if he wanted to continue to see Katie, he couldn’t have her best friend hating his guts.

Jenny started to play a classical piece on her violin that at least sounded in tune to Chase, although he was no expert. His gaze moved over to Harold and Katie, who were smiling and whispering. Once Jenny finished, the next contestant was called, and he caught Katie looking bored during her very bland rendition of a monologue from Romeo and Juliet. When she caught him watching her, he gave an exaggerated yawn and she covered her mouth to hide a smile.

Contestant number three, Marissa Channing, did a cheerleading routine, and four, a weird “interpretive” dance that had Becca and him trying to cover their laughter with coughing fits. Steph scolded them, but even that didn’t stop the grimacing and groaning that took place when contestant number five sang “On My Own” from Les Misérables and hit the high notes at a pitch so off it could make ears bleed. Chase saw Katie was still smiling, although she kept touching her ears discreetly, and shook his head. When the girl finished, Katie clapped the loudest, and he loved her good heart.

Once all fifteen contestants had finished the talent portion, Harold called each one back up on stage to answer a series of questions. By the time the last girl had been interviewed, Chase was ready to bail. He kept waiting for Harold to call an end to it, but it seemed like a never-ending parade of tight curls, clown faces, and ruffle dresses.

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