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Leslie brought her a soda and an oat a lull Turton had volunteered to make the presentation, but Ainsley feared his monotone would put the audience to sleep She wasn’t a nervous speaker She’d given many presentations in her career, so it bothered her she had the heart pounding, sto attack of nerves today She couldn’t remember the last tiht with Bennett in the club And the first night with Bennett in the club And every night since

Not exactly the best ti for those reminders to pop up

Steve Talbot, the bank president fro his fishbowl full of entry slips "Shall we get this started?"

"You bet" Ainsley grabbed her cardboard box and followed Steve up to the stage

"Ladies first"

"You the closer?"

He shrugged "We’ve got seniority"

Mayor Gilbert quieted everyone down "Before we get to the main event with Chase McKay, we’ll hear from today’s sponsors Ainsley Hamilton, president of National West Bank, will say a feords about Sundance’s newest bank"

Polite clapping

"Thanks, Mayor Gilbert I’, and I’d like to thank everyone for the excite National West Bank and its employees to the Sundance community We’re honored to sponsor Chase McKay’s appearance and to support his foundation Since National West Bank is the new kid on the block, anted to show our pride in being part of this great co Sundance residents with banking choices If you’re interested in more information, visit our booth, or better yet, come on in to the bank and see what National West can offer you" She exhaled, glad she’d kept her speech short and concise "Now onto theonto hter "I’ll need a volunteer to pick a nae Four boys and one girl Teirl since she’d elbowed three bigger boys to wind up in front But Ainsley chose the sest hat, who trailed behind the others She pointed at hio around and take the stairs He took a running jue

This amused everyone at the tables off to the left

Ainsley bent down "What’s your name?"

"Miles McKay" The kid practically shouted the last part, which incited ure she’d pick a McKay? "So, Miles, what do you want to be when you grow up?"

"A bull rider like my daddy and like Chase"

"I’ve always adoes after it Have your dad and Chase given you any advice?"

He nodded "Stay on eight seconds"

More laughter

What a charmer "Okay, Miles, stick your hand in and pick out a winner"

Miles stirred the pieces of paper before he found the one he liked When he looked up from beneath the brim of his little black hat, with those vivid blue eyes and serious expression, Ainsley iht of another dark-haired, blue-eyed cowboy charht herself and said, "Thanks, Miles The winner of the five hundred dollars is…Alison Toorabbed the microphone "Thanks to National West Bank and Ainsley Hamilton" He addressed the people at the front tables "Watch out for that one, McKay family Don’t be fooled by her char business"

Ainsley plastered a set down to it" Steve did his spiel

When he finished, Mayor Gilbert took over "Now it’s ti out the reat state of Wyo and our western way of life, the e, the h to take a stand for what he believes in Ladies and gentleman, please welcome home to Sundance, Chase McKay"

Thunderous applause echoed in the rooe He was shorter than she’d expected, but more powerfully built than Ben He had a quick smile and quick wit His smooth confidence in front of a crowd didn’t coroonized sihtful pauses Not to ht about Ben and his fae Leslie pushed her with a, "Go!"

"Now the sponsors of this event, National West Bank and Settler’s First Bank, are contributing five thousand dollars each to the Chase McKay Foundation"

Ainsley and Steve stepped forith the big, fake checks Flashing light bulbs nearly blinded her, the applause was deafening Where had all the caenuinely stunned by the donation When it quieted down, Chase took the microphone and looked at the tables on the left "Ava, darlin’, did you get all that?"