Need You for Keeps (Heroes of St. Helena, #1)(72)
Shay hadn’t even had the chance to see what Jonah had left them. Harper had frantically come in, telling Shay she needed to get to the judges’ table immediately, that they couldn’t start without her there, and that the entrants were getting restless—and loud.
Shay had left her pups to the care of Peggy and was about to take her seat.
“I can’t believe how many people came,” Harper said, ushering her toward the stage. “I mean, even the St. Helena’s Mommy Club is here with their strollers and toddlers glammed out. I explained that the winner must be an animal, and a few said they could make their case in the event they were chosen. And look over there”—she pointed—“the Stable Swingers.”
Sure enough, at the back of the pack was a handful of gray-haired cowboys, swinging their lassos from atop their beautiful horses.
Still ushering, Harper went on to list every person she’d ever met who had turned out, and nearly every St. Helenian was there. Then she went on to point out the nonlocal animal groups that had come to St. Helena just to celebrate the day. It was overwhelming.
“Okay, now be sure to thank everyone for coming, then give a special thanks to all the stores and people who helped,” Harper explained, handing Shay a list. “To make it easier.”
“What? I have to talk?” Shay stopped and looked down at the list and felt her palms sweat. She didn’t even recognize half the names there. Not to mention the sidewalks were overflowing with spectators and behind the starting line was a small army of entrants and their owners all expecting a good time.
It looked like Noah’s ark had capsized in the middle of town and now the animals were waiting for Noah to lead the way.
How Shay had become Noah, she had no clue.
“Usually the mayor officiates the event, but since he is a no-show and Jonah is at the other end walking, it’s all you, girl.” Harper gave her a hug, then pushed her toward the mic. Hard.
Shay took a hesitant step, then tapped the mic. It echoed through town, silencing the crowd.
And there she was again, standing in the front of her new homeroom, introducing herself to a sea of strangers who, at the end of the day, may or may not accept her. “Hi. I’m Shay Michaels, and I wanted to thank you all for coming to the first annual Prance for Paws Charity Pet Walk.”
A round of applause erupted and Shay even heard a few whistles. She looked down at the front row and found Harper giving her a thumbs-up and a bright smile. Clovis stood beside her, holding a YOU’VE GOT TAIL sign. And behind them, in a Hello Kitty T-shirt was Goldilocks, looking at Shay as though Shay were a true saint.
And despite all of her nerves, all of her fears that she wouldn’t fit in, Shay felt a genuine smile form on her lips. This wasn’t one in a long line of new classes she’d have to confront. This was St. Helena. A place she was going to spend the rest of her life getting to know. And it seemed as though they were willing to get to know her back. Some people would tolerate her, some people would like her, and if she was really lucky, some people might even grow to love her, like she had grown to love this town.
Liar, her heart whispered, because there was a whole lot more here that she loved.
“So without further delay—”
“We’d like to introduce the official for the afternoon,” Estella cut in, knocking Shay aside with one swish of her meaty hip. “Please welcome one of the most influential and respected men in this county as well as a staunch supporter of animal rights, my husband, the honorable Judge Pricket.
“Well, move, dear,” Estella snapped, swatting her hands at Shay. “Escort me to my seat and let the man officiate.”
When Shay still didn’t move, Estella took her by the arm with a tut and led her back to the judges’ table, where Foxy Cleopatra, dressed in Dior and surrounded by all nine blue ribbons, was already holding court.
“You came,” Shay said as Judge Pricket told a few jokes and got the crowd going.
“You couldn’t have an event this close to Bark in the Park and expect Foxy and me not to show. That would be,”—the woman grimaced—“unnatural. Now, pull out my chair and make a big deal of welcoming me to the panel.”
“To show how united we are?” Shay pulled back the chair.
“No, child, to show everyone that I am the official dog lady of St. Helena.” Estella stopped, looked at the chair being pulled out, placed a humble hand to her chest, waved Shay off with the other, then turned to the crowd and gave a big welcoming wave.
Shay rolled her eyes but played along. She didn’t care about perception, she just cared that Estella was taking the olive branch and—Shay paused to take in the sight—maybe even extending one of her own. Because walking down the street to join the others behind the start line was the entire Companion Brigade. Dressed in their dog show best, they positioned themselves, not in front of the pack as Shay expected, but interspersing themselves among the other entrants as equals.
“That’s just for today, child. Come Bark in the Park, we will resume our standing,” Estella said loud enough that only Shay could hear, then handed Shay an envelope. “That is the registration and payment for the entire brigade and some additional pledges we raised.”
Shay felt her eyes burn. It wasn’t just some additional pledges, there was over three thousand dollars in the envelope. Three thousand dollars that, because of Estella, meant Shay would meet her goal.