Claire's Story: Chapter 11

Claire sat in the back seat of Darla’s suburban, enjoying the chance to catch up with her old riding friend. Darla and Tom were in the front seat, discussing who would be the designated driver at the end of their night of fun.

“What kind of event is this anyway, Sean didn’t really explain,” Claire asked Darla.

“It’s the Panhandle Rodeo Circuit’s season-ending banquet. This weekend is our final rodeo, and it’s a celebration of a successful season. Sean was our organizational director for the past two years.”

“Alright, I’ll drive. I’ve got to get up early in the morning anyway,” Tom finally conceded.

“Great!” Darla said, “Then Claire and I can get all liquored up and maybe then she’ll fill me in on the juicy details about her and Sean.”

“Darla! First of all, I’m not gonna get drunk. Secondly, I’ve already told you all there is to know about me and Sean. It’s nothing, totally innocent.”

“Uh huh,” the middle aged horsewoman said doubtfully. “We’ll see about that, maybe Sean will be more willing to tell me then.”

“Well here’s your chance Darla, there’s Sean right there,” Tom motioned to the tall figure leaning against his parked truck. Tom parked next to him and the three stepped out into the restaurant’s parking lot.

“Hi Claire, so glad you came.” Sean said, pulling her into a tight hug. “And Darla, Tom, haven’t see you guys in while, good to see you too,” he said, shaking Tom’s hand. “Well, should be go on in?” he asked, leading Claire gently with a large hand on her lower back.

The couples entered the banquet hall of the restaurant, and were greeted by almost a hundred people dressed in denim and boots. Tom and Darla were immediately engulfed in the crowd of friends, and Sean began to introduce Claire to a small circle of friends. “Claire, this is Ryan, my team-roping partner.”

She held out her hand to Ryan, but he completely ignored it and pulled her into a big bear hug instead. “It’s so great to meet you Claire! This big clown’s been talking about you nonstop!” he said, elbowing his friend in the ribs.

“Oh hush up Ryan, we all know you just wanted to meet her to see if she really was as pretty as Sean said,” a short, thick cowboy with red hair joked as he introduced himself to Claire. “And Claire, we all agree, you’re even more beautiful than Sean led us to believe. I’m Bryce, by the way,” he said, extending his hand.

With her face flushed with embarrassment, she shook his hand politely. “Here, I’ll introduce you to the rest of the group, since Sean’s obviously forgotten his manners.”

She glanced over Bryce’s shoulder to see Sean shrug apologetically in her direction. Claire was grateful when she’d met the rest of his friends and was able to return to his side.

The evening continued with a steak dinner and several speeches from the organization’s directors. Sean was presented with the last award of the night for his dedication and service the past two years. As he walked toward the front of the room, Claire couldn’t help but stare at his perfectly proportioned backside in the jeans that hugged his features so flawlessly. He humbly accepted the award, and politely tipped his hat to the crowd in the way that Claire found so charming. By the time he had returned to their table, the country band began to play and couples were starting to dance.

“Congratulations,” she remarked.

“Aww, thanks, it’s not much really,” Sean said modestly. “Hey, you wanna dance?”

“Uhh,” she stumbled, “I don’t really dance, sorry.”

“Okay, not a problem. Maybe later. Can I get you another drink?”

“Sure, thanks Sean.”

After a while Ryan asked if they’d like to go outside to play horseshoes. They happily agreed, but after Sean and Claire had handily beaten Ryan and Bryce in three straight games, Claire excused herself to the restroom. She met Tom on her way back outside and asked where Darla was.

“I assumed she was with you, I just saw her on the dance floor with Sean.”

“Oh, okay, I’ll go back in and look for them.”

As she headed towards the hall, Ryan grabbed her by the elbow. “So hotshot, let’s see how you do with a real partner!” With a laugh, she was dragged back to the horseshoe pits for another game against a new pair of cowboys.

It wasn’t much longer before Sean returned to watch Claire and Ryan finish off another win, thanks to Claire throwing another great game.

“You definitely picked a ringer here, Sean!” Ryan called, motioning to the tall brunette next to him.

“Yeah, don’t I know it. And don’t you be trying to steal her from me,” Sean joked with his friend. “Claire, you about ready to head home, it’s after midnight.”

“Sure am, let me just say goodbye to Tom and Darla.”

“Actually, they just left, I just saw them off.”

“Oh, ok. Well, I guess let’s go then.”

As they walked around the side of the building toward the parking lot, Sean reached out and sweetly took her hand in his. A tingle of excitement rushed through her body at his touch, and her heart immediately started to beat a little faster. They walked hand-in-hand to his truck, until he opened her door in a gesture of chivalry. Sean and Claire replayed the events of the night, Claire elaborating on how much she liked his friends and Sean reiterating how much they obviously loved her.

After a short drive they arrived at Claire’s house and she graciously invited him inside, curious to see Brooke’s reaction to her striking date. Claire was not disappointed. Upon meeting, Brooke’s mouth immediately fell open and she lost all ability to carry on a conversation. Not necessarily a bad thing, as this did prevent Brooke from embarrassing Claire with her often inappropriate explanations of animal sexuality that were part of her everyday conversations in vet school.

While Brooke tried to recover from the initial shock of having such a gorgeous specimen of male anatomy in her presence, Claire poured them coffee and served the apricot cobbler that Brooke had just taken out of the oven. When they were through eating, Sean stood to say his goodbyes, and thanked the girls for the coffee and dessert. Claire followed him out the front door, and he immediately reached for her hand again, completely dwarfing hers in his. They walked slowly to the truck, both thanking the other for the great time, and saying whatever else they could think of to prolong their time alone together.

When there was nothing left to say, Sean reached around her and pulled her into another hug, this time lifting her off the ground and giving her a little shake until her laughter began to spill out. Pleased to hear her laugh, he put her back down, and grazed his long fingers through her mane of silky hair. “Goodnight Claire,” he whispered in her ear, and with that he turned and got into his truck.