“Right. You’re right. Some other time.”
I crossed my arms and glared at the back of Sarah’s perfect head of hair. The boys were digging into her pie and making clear sounds of enjoyment as they jotted down numbers on their score sheets.
Mine was next.
Suddenly, that sheep washing was sounding a little more appealing.
Hunter gave me a little thumbs-up as the pie was moved in front of them. I was thankful for my best friend’s enthusiasm, but things had only gotten worse since I’d dropped off the baked good for judging. The whipped cream I’d added last minute had broken down into a melted pool of milky water, thanks to the residual heat of the pie.
It was a literal hot mess.
I watched Hunter’s face as he dipped his fork into the pie and took a bite. The slight clenching of his eyes when it touched his tongue was all it took to tell me I was a goner. The other guys didn’t hold in their disgust as well. Graham spit out his bite into a nearby napkin and Rhett swallowed down the lump before hastily gulping from his water bottle.
“Interesting taste.” Hunter worked the bite around his mouth, wincing a tad. I could tell he was trying to avoid my gaze, even as he endured this torture for my sake. “Really unique.”
“Yeah, if you like eating campfire ashes for dessert,” Graham said, pushing the pie away. “That one sucked.”
Rhett grunted his agreement.
Ms. Gentry clapped her hands sharply. She’d been presiding over the judging like an eagle perched on a tree, waiting for an innocent mouse to show itself. “Gentlemen, please. The rest of the pies.”
Whelp, that was it.
I dropped into a nearby chair and cradled my head in defeat until the judging was finished. Luckily, I wasn’t the only one who hadn’t made a culinary splash. A couple of the pies were under-baked and the crying girl at the end had used ten times the amount of salt the recipe called for, which left the judges gagging. When the score sheets were finally passed out, I’d landed solidly in fourth place. Sarah had taken first.
No surprise there.
“It wasn’t that bad, Charlotte.” Hunter knelt on the floor next to my chair where I was still having a pity party. He squeezed my knee and waited until I had the strength to lift my gaze to his.
“It was like eating a campfire,” I said in a monotone voice, frowning at him.
Humor twinkled in his eye as he tried to hold back a smile. “I happen to like campfires.”
“You like sitting around a campfire. You don’t like eating them.”
His lips twitched in another smile. “Maybe. But I’d eat it if you made it. You know that.”
I did know that. Hunter really was the best.
“Listen, we’re getting together tonight at Harry’s after the 4H events are done.” He settled back on the heels of his boots, his eyes shining with excitement.
“The bar?” I went to rub my eyes, then stopped when I remembered all the makeup Lexi had put on me. “They let kids in?”
“They’re opening it up for all ages tonight. No alcohol. Just a bunch of fair kids and good food. They’ve even got a mechanical bull. I can show you how to ride.”
I laughed and pushed him playfully. “Whatever. I’m sure I’m a natural. I’ll probably beat your ride. You’ll be taking lessons from me.”
“That’s a bet I’m willing to take.” He smiled and then his hazel eyes searched my face. “So, you’re in?”
“Yeah, I suppose I could use the distraction.” I rubbed my palms on the top of my thighs. “And I’m sure Lexi and Beth won’t want to miss a chance to hook me up with a cowboy. It’s their mission in life to make me die of embarrassment.”
The excitement faded from his face. He opened his mouth to say something, then snapped it shut. With a shrug, he stood back up and took a step backwards.
“Right. Okay. See you there.”
“Sure.”
“Good.”