Okay, that was strange. She let out the breath she hadn’t realized she was holding and forced herself to unclench her fists.
“I have a question,” Chad said.
“Yes?”
“Catie, clearly you’ve indicated that the traditions of your hometown mean a lot to you.”
“Yes, they certainly do.”
“If that is the case,” Chad said, “why did you leave your home for four years and not visit even one time?”
This time her mouth did drop open. She couldn’t stop it.
“I think that’s a question of a…a personal nature.”
“Not at all,” Chad said. “You’ve indicated your love of tradition.”
“I can love my hometown and its traditions and still leave. The two aren’t mutually exclusive.”
“She’s right, Chad,” Zach said.
“I’m not sure I agree, Zach,” Chad said. “She left for four years, and now she’s not even back for a week before she plunges head first into the rodeo queen contest. And as far as I could tell, you never had any interest in this type of tradition before you left, Catie.”
“Chad.” Zach again.
“It’s all right, Zach,” Catie said, hoping she could speak without stammering, “I will answer Chad’s question.” She forced her eyes to his.
“I left because I was tired of Bakersville. I’ve lived here since I was a toddler, as you all well know. Unlike my older brother and sister, I don’t know any other home. I wanted to get beyond the small-town life. Beyond the trips to Denver and the western slope. The chance came to attend the Sorbonne, and I jumped at it. Instead of coming home for vacations, I chose to travel. I’ve been all over Europe and some of Asia. I’ve seen riches and poverty, happiness and sadness. I’ve seen cultures that are millennia older than our own. And I loved every minute of it.
“But when I got off that plane a week ago and got back to Bakersville, it hit me that this was home. I had taken it for granted. I’m not proud of that, but I did. Not that I’d trade my four years overseas. They were wonderful, and I’ll treasure them always. But Bakersville is home, and its traditions are important to me.”
She said the words with emotion and conviction, and to her surprise, she found that she meant every single one.
“This pageant is a tradition, and should I emerge the winner, I will be proud to represent this community and its traditions to the best of my ability.”
Dallas smiled. “I’m not sure that could have been said any better, Catie.”
“I agree,” Zach said.
Chad simply scowled.
“I don’t have any more questions,” Dallas said. “Do either of you?”
“Nope,” Zach said.
“Chad?”
He cleared his throat. “No, nothing.”
“But don’t you want to ask me about horses?” Catie said. “Or the rodeo?”
Dallas chuckled. “We’ve known you since you could hardly talk, Catie-bug. We know you know more about horses than any of those other girls. You did fine. Now get on out of here.”
Catie breathed a sigh of eternal relief, stood, and left the room.
* * *
“What in the name of God was that all about?” Dallas glowered at Chad.