Paige gasped and immediately sought out Mama, who looked as surprised as she felt. Millie hopped up and down in her exuberance as she clapped loudly next to Mama. They’d won? They’d actually won? Neither one of them moved for several moments.
“I believe they’d like you to come forward to accept your ribbon, Miss Callahan,” the reporter teased, his breath again fanning across her ear.
That set her feet in motion. As soon as she took her first step, Mama began making her way to the front. They came together and stood before the panel of judges and Mrs. Waverly, who handed Mama the blue ribbon.
“Congratulations, Mrs. Callahan. The cobbler you made with your daughter was the only entry among dozens to garner such adulation. What did you put in it?”
Mama looked at Paige, and Paige shrugged, so Mama turned back to Mrs. Waverly. “I believe that is one secret Paige and I shall keep.” She raised her head with pride and smiled out at their friends and neighbors gathered around them. “We’ll leave it to the discerning tastes of those who taste it to try to figure it out.”
“Well, I believe you have a definite enthusiast in Mr. Buford, our head judge.” Mrs. Waverly gestured toward the stout little man, who beamed from ear to ear at them both. He even gave Mama a little wiggle of his fingers. “Now, can we have all the finalists and winners gather here at the front?” Mrs. Waverly nodded toward the reporter. “I’m sure Mr. Lawrence would like to have a photograph to accompany his article covering the culinary division of the Ag Hall judging.”
As everyone else filed out through the three doors on the west, north, and south sides of the building, the ribbon recipients came together.
“If it’s not too much trouble,” Mr. Lawrence addressed the group as he prepared his camera, “could I have each of you hold up your ribbons and stand behind your entry on the table in front of you?” He flashed what Paige would call an award-winning smile at all of them. “I’d like to feature those prize-worthy entries in the photograph as well.”
Several ladies beamed in response as they did his bidding. Paige had a feeling they’d go for a swim in the North Platte if he asked it of them. What a charmer. It no doubt served him well in his profession.
“Is everyone ready?” Mr. Lawrence asked. He raised his camera in front of him and held the handles on each side. “Let’s see those ribbons, now,” he instructed, and they all lifted their ribbons in response. With a loud pop, the image was preserved, and everyone relaxed.
“Congratulations again, ladies,” Mrs. Waverly spoke. “Now, go out and enjoy yourself at the fair. There’s plenty to see and do.” She snapped her fingers. “Don’t forget to come back on Wednesday for the judging of the craftsmanship in all of our unique knickknacks and handmade decorative items. If you’d like to see the textiles and larger items, you’ll need to go two buildings over to the south and visit our Art Hall. It’s been newly remodeled and enlarged to house all of our abundant treasures.”
Most of the ladies exited out one of the doors leading to the rest of the fairgrounds. A handful remained and spoke in low tones, sharing their excitement at their prizes. Millie approached from the side where she’d waited while Mr. Lawrence took the photograph.
“Congratulations, Mrs. Callahan! And you, too, Paige.” Millie clasped both of their hands in hers and bounced a little. “Can you believe it? Not one, but two ribbons! And one of them is blue!” Her eyes shone bright. “I would love to win a ribbon of any kind, let alone a blue one.”
Paige smiled at her friend. “Millie, you have to enter something in order to win a ribbon.”
Millie giggled. “I know that, you silly goose.” She swatted at Paige and barely brushed her shoulder. “But that also means I’d have to actually bake something, and nothing I make would be awarded a prize.”
Mama reached out and squeezed Millie’s hands, giving them a gentle pat. “Millie dear, I believe it might be time for you to come for a visit and join Paige and me in the kitchen instead of going over to the barn and paddocks as you always do.”
“But I love watching the horses and talking to the sheep and cattle,” Millie replied.
“And a certain foreman as well, I’m sure,” Paige teased.
Millie blushed and ducked her head. It was no secret she and Carter were sweet on each other. They just hadn’t done anything about it yet. Then again, Millie had also caught the eye of a certain bank teller in town. She claimed it was too difficult to choose between them, so for now, she kept things familiar but nonchalant. Paige sighed. Much like how Charlie treated her and their relationship, wherever that stood.
“Excuse me, ladies,” Mr. Lawrence interrupted, approaching from where he’d just ended a conversation with Mrs. Waverly. “Mrs. Callahan, Miss Callahan,” he greeted formally. “Congratulations again on your notable accomplishments today. I wonder if I might ask the two of you a few questions to add a personal touch to my story.” He pressed the tip of his pencil to his notepad and regarded them both. “I promise it will only take a few minutes, and then you can be on your way enjoying the fair.”
Millie touched Paige on the arm. “I’m going to walk down to the arenas. Maybe catch one of the calf-roping demonstrations.” She raised her eyebrows. “See you there?”
“Yes,” Paige replied to her friend then turned to the reporter as Millie bounded out of the building. “I still have a great deal of cleaning and a few things to take down before I can leave, so I won’t be taking in the entertainment of the fair just yet.” She gave Mr. Lawrence a polite smile. “Mama and I would be happy to oblige you for an interview first, though.”
“Marvelous.” He placed a hand on his chest. “The chief is going to be quite pleased. I appreciate your time.”
Together, they recounted how Mama came to enter a jam for the first time, how long Paige had been working there at the fair, what sorts of things they did throughout the rest of the year, and even shared one of the added ingredients in their cherry cobbler but not both.
“The cinnamon you can print,” Mama stated with authority. “But the other shall remain a mystery.”
Mr. Lawrence nodded. “I promise not to press you any further, ma’am.” He winked. “But perhaps I can persuade you to share a piece with me before you take it with you? I might just be able to figure out the secret myself.”
“If you do,” Mama replied, “you be sure and come find me or Paige to tell us.” She smiled. “There are no guarantees we’ll confirm or deny your deduction, but you are more than welcome to speculate.”
“I applaud your confidence, ma’am.” He gave Paige an approving glance. “I can see where your charming daughter gets her poise and assurance.”
Paige avoided his direct gaze and instead fiddled with the strand of blue beads hanging from her neck. Mama looked quickly back and forth between them with slightly narrowed eyes.
Mr. Lawrence cleared his throat, effectively silencing anything Mama might have been about to say.
“I believe I have everything I need. Thank you again, ladies.” He bowed. “Should you wish to receive a copy of the paper in which this article will appear, you can reach me here.” He withdrew a small card from his breast pocket and handed it to Mama. “It has the address for the Denver Post as well as the direct line to my editor. He’ll know how to get in touch with me.”
The reporter stepped away and retrieved his hat from the table at the rear where he and Paige had stood for most of the judging. After setting it atop his head and tucking his notepad and pencil into his pocket, he again bowed to them both.
“Good day, ladies.”
Paige and Mama both nodded. “Good day,” they said together.
As soon as Mr. Lawrence disappeared from sight, Paige started clearing the tables and cleaning up the few entries no one had bothered to claim. Mama came alongside her and placed her hand on top of Paige’s.
“Why don’t you go ahead and join Millie, dear? Mrs. Waverly and I can finish up here.” She nodded toward the other woman, who now busied herself on the far side of the hall, then smiled. “Besides, it’s been quite some time since she and I have been able to visit.” She reached up and touched Paige’s cheek. “Go enjoy yourself. You’ve worked very hard and have earned a rest.”
Paige turned to fully face Mama and pulled her into a quick hug. “Thank you, Mama.”
Her mother pulled back and waved her hand in an air of dismissal. “Think nothing of it, my dear. Just go and have some fun.”
Glancing at the western door where Mr. Lawrence had exited, Paige turned and headed for the one to the south. She wasn’t sure if he’d made note of where Millie had said she’d meet her, and for all she knew, he might be somewhere else covering another part of the fair. But no sense in giving Mama any more fuel for her suppositions, if she even had any about Mr. Lawrence and her. Besides, he was a reporter. If he wanted to find her, he would.