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“What’s a jackpot, exactly?”

“It’s like a rodeo with just one event, and the teao-rounds, or heats, I guess, and the guys can pair up in different couys can ives everyone more chances to win”

“It sounds like a good idea”

“I think it is, if we can pull it all together It’ll take soet a chance to test it with the barrel-racing series”

“Well, I’m a new vet in town I could use some publicity, so how about I donate free vet services for the winner? One hundred and fifty bucks’ worth”

Vivi Ann had never thought of sponsorship, but now that he’d said it she sa natural a fit it was She could get gift certificates from all kinds of local vendors to supplement her prizes The feed store, the tack shop, the boot maker “I’d say that’s an ice-crearabbed his hand and led him into the kitchen

“Ice creaether?”

“Ice creaot every flavor” She opened the freezer, revealing at least seven quarts of ice cream

He looked them over “Chocolate cherry”

“Perfect” She got his flavor and hers and scooped out tls Then they went back into the living room

“I was right This beer tastes like crap now”

She grinned at hi”

“Will you have another beer with me?”

“Just try to stop me, Doc”

All that week, while Winona saw clients and read contracts, she thought about the future of Water’s Edge As much as she wanted to dismiss Vivi Ann’s idea out of hand, she couldn’t quite do it Neither, however, could she embrace it, and on top of all of that indecision lay the irritating fact that she hadn’t come up with the idea In ht o’clock in the evening she gave up and drove over to the ranch