Cooper’s family meets him by the stands, and he goes over to them. They’re head over heels excited for him, just as I am. I let out a deep breath as I lead Maize over to the stands. We finish watching the riders, and I can tell she’s really into it. After it’s over, Cooper’s brought to the center of the arena where he’s declared the Eldorado Rodeo winner. He does just as I said and shows all his teeth when he’s handed his first buckle. I’m sure he’ll win many more after riding like that. The crowd cheers for him, and he eats up the attention. Hell, when I was his age, I did too.

As the people disperse, Cooper finds me and lets me know he won’t be staying on-site tonight, so I can have the camper if I want. I happily take the keys, glad not to be driving home after all the excitement. After Cooper’s gone, I wrap my arm around Maize and pull her tight.

“So, whatcha think?”

She melts in my arms. “I’m impressed, like totally blown away by all of it. I’m just not sure how you did that for so long.”

I grin. “Me neither.”

We walk around the rodeo and grab some food because we’re both hungry. When I look at the clock, I see it’s just past nine.

“You nervous ’bout tomorrow?” I ask her just as we finish our blooming onion and fried shrimp.

“Yeah. But after seeing guys nearly get trampled by thousand-pound animals, I realize I don’t have it so bad.” She snickers. “And if I don’t place, I’ll just try harder next year.”

“But if you do?” I ask.

“Then I might gloat a little,” she admits.

“You should ’cause you deserve it. You work too hard not to be recognized on a high level like this.”

A blush hits her cheek, and in the distance, I think I hear a band play. “You like to dance?”

She points at herself. “Who me?”

I laugh.

“Not getting amnesia again, are you?” I pop an eyebrow at her. She picks up a shrimp tail and throws it at me but misses.

“I’ve been known to two-step a few times,” she admits.

After we clean our mess, I lead her over to where a cover band is playing. A temporary stage was erected, and some people have blankets on the ground watching while others dance in the grass.

I place my arms around her body as the group plays “Keeper of the Stars” by Tracy Byrd, a country classic. Her body fits with mine perfectly as we sway to the music. Maize looks up at the sky, and I follow her lead, humming the melody. The lyrics make way more sense with her in my arms like this. I silently thank the keeper of the stars for this moment.