Vin flipped the hamburgers as they sizzled on the grill. "Honey, you want to bring me that platter. Some of these burgers are starting to burn."

Ridley grabbed the serving tray next to her. "Well, I'd rather they are done than still mooing," she said playfully, setting the tray down next to him.

Vin laughed. "You think you're cute, don't ya?"

She only smiled, slipping up next to Karol as the Vet began opening jars of condiments. "Men," Ridley said in jest, rolling her eyes in mock disgust as she grabbed a handful of paper plates from a stack in the middle of the table.

Karol laughed, shaking her head as she took a large ripe tomato from a bag she had brought. "I know. Can't live with them; can't shoot them."

Josiah, who had been carefully picking through several coolers of meat, looked up over the lid on the one he was currently rummaging. "That so?" he asked, trying to hold his laughter.

Josiah stood, letting the lid to the cooler fall. He stepped forward, his hand reaching behind him as he moved closer. "Is that so?" he said again. There was a look of mischief on his face.

Karol and Ridley looked at each other, their eyebrows raised curiously. Both of them turned back just in time to see the gun as he pulled it from its hiding place. "Josiah!" Karol had just enough time to yell before water covered her face.

"No," Ridley squealed as she started to back up, only to feel water pelting her from behind. She turned quickly to see Vin holstering a supersized water gun. "Vin Tanner," she shouted as she ran from the grills. "Don't you da..."

Ridley didn't see the tall, stocky figure until it was too late. She ran smack into him. Bouncing back, she landed on her butt with a resounding thud.

Laughter filled the air as Ridley looked up. "I'm so sorry. I didn't...." she started to say, but stopped when she realized who it was. "DADDY!!"

Scampering to her feet, Ridley threw herself in his arms.

While Vin was watching Ridley's exchange with her father, Karol managed to grab his water gun. "Hey," he shouted as she ran toward Josiah, firing as rapidly at the $.99 water pistol would fire.

"Water guns," Drew shouted gleefully as she ran toward the gathering group. "I want one! I want one."

Buck looked at Josiah with a stern look. "Don't you dare Josiah."

Josiah grinned and started to threaten Buck with the water gun before turning and shooting at Karol.

Vin ducked underneath a picnic table before re-emerging with an armload of pistols. He threw one to Drew. "Hurry, fill up and join the attack."

As chaos began to reign over the BBQ area, Ridley stood talking with her father when Trina and Ezra came strolling up.

"What's going on over there?" Trina asked curiously, her eyes watching Drew and Karol as they laughed hysterically, shooting water at Vin and Josiah.

"Hey you guys," Ridley said, stepping forward and embracing Trina briefly. "Trina, Ezra, I want you to meet my father. Cleaver Prescott, meet Ezra Standish and Catriona MacKinnon."

"It's a pleasure," Trina said with a smile, shaking the large outstretched hand offered to her.

"Mr. Prescott, it's a pleasure to meet you," Ezra said, shaking Cleaver's hand. He turned to Nathan and Laura, who had just walked up. "Miss Prescott, have you introduced your father to Nathan Jackson, our unit EMT, or Laura FitzPatrick?" He looked to Cleaver and said, "She's the organizer for this year's festival."

"That's right. So I hate to eat and run," Laura started.
 

"Quite understandable," Ezra replied. He knew he also had a limited time at the bar-be-cue. "Trina, my love, why don't we secure a table. Would you two join us?" He looked to Ridley. "You and Mr. Tanner are also welcome, though I don't suppose that he will be able to get away."

Ezra kissed Trina gently on the cheek. "I love you, my dear," he whispered before leading her to the table. Trina sat, as did Laura, while the men went off to fix their plates.

Trina looked to Laura. "Are ye nervous?"

"You have no idea," Laura said, smiling.
 
 

Drew waved to Nathan and Laura then squealed as Buck tackled her. She had been soaking him with the water gun Vin had handed her.

“Give me that water gun!” Buck laughed as he pinned her down. She had already soaked him and now it was payback time. He successfully removed it from her hand and looked down to her.

“I love you, Buck.” Drew gave him her best puppy dog look.

“I love you too, Sunshine. I really love you wet,” his voice was soft as he leaned down to nuzzle her neck.

Drew moaned softly and smiled. The two again oblivious to the others around them.

A few minutes later Buck stood up and started to fire away.

“Buck!” Drew laughed and got to her feet running from him.

The chase was on. Buck soon grabbed out for her again and she was back in his arms, his lips on hers and the water gun soon forgotten.
 

"Okay you all, let's get some of this food before it gets cold," Josiah shouted over the laughter. "Most of us here need to leave for the pageant pretty soon so let's get some food before."

Vin stood at the grill, an apron tied to his waist. It covered the soaked gray tshirt that he wore. "All right. We got lots of meat. Ribs, steaks, hamburgers, hot dogs.....come and get it."
 

Buck looked up and then winked to Drew. “Time to eat! Let´s go join your brother, Trina, Nathan and Laura.” He took her hand and led her over to the table to fill up their plates.

Laura grinned at Drew as the other woman sat down after they had gotten their food. "So what did Nathan get you for Valentine's Day?" Drew asked, grinning.

Laura chuckled. "A puppy," she said.

"Oh how sweet!" Drew said.

"Laura, you already have three dogs," Ezra pointed out.

"Work dogs," Nathan said. "I wanted to get Laura a dog for herself in the house. An actual pet."

"What kind of dog is it?" Trina asked.

"A Great Pyrenese, pure bred," Laura said. "They grow into very massive dogs that look like white saint bernards, but they are bigger then a regular saint bernard. Right now though, Eeyore looks like a big white fluffball. A stuffed toy."

"Eeyore?" Trina asked.

"My favorite Winnie the Pooh character, and my nickname from Nathan,"Laura said with a smile.

Trina grinned.
 
 
 

~~~~~~~
 
 

Laura adjusted one of the ruffles along the edge of the stage before she stepped back from it. She turned to see people starting to take their seats around the stage. She smoothed a hand down the slip dress she wore and walked back stage to see how things were going. Bustling about, many of the volunteers were making sure no curl was out of place on each of the girls´ heads, or checking their make up.

“We are almost ready to begin,” the master of ceremonies said. Laura nodded.

Laura walked up the steps that led to the stage and nodded to her mother, who gave a signal to Lilly Johnson, a seventh grader that lived in town, who was running the spotlight. Laura walked out onto the stage with a smile.

“Good evening ladies and gentlemen,” Laura started. “I´m Laura Fitzpatrick the pageant director of this year´s Arizona Queen pageant. This year the Arizona Queen celebrates it´s fiftieth anniversary, and with us tonight to help crown our new Arizona Queen is the first ever Queen herself, Winifred Landry. This year we have ten beautiful contestants who have been working day in and out for the past week to prepare. We hope you enjoy the show this evening, and support each contestant as she comes out. Right now I´d like to introduce our master of ceremonies for this evening. May I introduce Ronald Castar. Ron is a radio personality in Colorado Springs that once resided in Four Corners for a short time, and looks forward to the Statehood Festival every year. He has returned to Four Corners each year for the festival, bringing his wife and children along with him. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Ron Caster!”

Applause sounded as the man walked onto the stage with a smile. He walked over to the microphone and welcomed everyone to the pageant and that he was glad to be Mcing the event. He thanked Laura as well for asking him, and acknowledged her. Laura left the stage to sit in the chair that was for her in the front row. If she needed to, Laura had access to go backstage whenever she might be needed. Ron introduced each of the judges and the local kids that were their pages, and each judge took their seats. Many loud hoots and hollers that undoubtedly came from the other members of the local sheriff´s office could be heard when Josiah, Chris, and Ezra were introduced, and Laura had to smile knowing that JD, Buck, Vin and Nathan were there in full force. The crowd hushed as the music began and the contestants came out and began to dance.

The crowd got into the dance, which pleased Laura greatly. It was over very quickly, and each girl was introducing herself and her contestant number amidst the applause. Ron began his duties again after the girls left the stage and explained that they would be back with business suits on to give a short speech about what the Statehood festival meant to them.

One by one each girl came out and gave their speech. A few were funny, some were a bit more serious. A few girls stumbled, even one looked like she was going to cry, but a short glance at Laura made her perk up when Laura gave her a supportive smile. She managed to shakily get through her speech, and finally the girls were done with that part.

“And now the moment you have all been waiting for!” Ron said enthusiastically. “The evening gown portion of our pageant. May we have our first contestant please!” Each girl came out to oohs and aahs in their gowns. Some still were very stiff in their dresses, suddenly worried about what they would do, but there were a couple that were completely relaxed. Each girl made their way through their performance and they stood on the stage, smiling at the audience as Ron instructed the judges to eliminate five girls to choose the five finalists. He dismissed the girls after a few moments.

A couple of elementary school kids came onto the stage to entertain the crowd with a little song and dance to give the tellers time to tabulate who the finalists would be. The runner took the results to the stage.

“During this portion of our competition, each finalist will come out in random order to answer a question that will determine who our winners will be, may we have our first contestant please?”

The first girl to come out was Lisa Lawerence, a tall red haired girl with blue eyes. She answered her question and walked over to her spot to wait for the next girl. The next contestant called was Enayu Kirkpatrick, a local Native American girl that lived on the reservation. The crowd went wild for her as she walked over to Ron. She easily answered her question and joined Lisa in the line.

The next girl was Nicole Andrews. She stumbled slightly, blushing a bit, but her smile held as she walked to Ron. She answered her question and joined the other two finalists.

“Two more girls, our next finalist please!”

The next finalist that walked out was Chelsea Lions, a rather shy girl from a nearby town to Four Corners. She had blossomed as she had gotten to know the girls. She answered the final question and went to the line up. The final girl to be called came out and the Native American contingent in the crowd went wild. Melissa Sequoia, another girl from the reservation came out. She too answered her question and joined the other girls.

“Judges, of our five finalists you are now to choose a second runner-up, a first runner-up and the new Arizona Queen for 2002. Ladies please step forward,” Ron said. The five girls stepped forward and the crowd screamed for their favorite. “Thank you ladies.” The five finalists exited the stage.

Tina McDonaugh, the reigning Queen, stepped onto the stage and gave her farewell speech, telling everyone of the different things she had done throughout her reign, including the fabulous time she had at the Statehood Festival last year. Tina took her final walk and then walked back to the microphone. She introduced Mrs. Landry who came onto the stage wearing a beautiful green chiffon gown similar in style to the one she wore fifty years before when she was crowned. She too took a walk as a slide show ran behind her that had pictures of all the former Arizona queens which included Laura and Sue Rodriguez, one of the judges.

Buck stood up as Winifred walked across the stage, "all right Fred! Lookin' good gal!!" He hollerd out as JD stood beside him whistling and clapping.

Winifred turned to them and gave them a wink.

The final slide came up of Tina as Mrs. Landry walked off the stage, arm in arm with Tina.

Ron came back onto the stage. “And now the moment everyone has been waiting for,” he said. “May I please have all ten contestants on stage please.” One by one all ten girls came out onto the stage. The five finalists were flanked on either side by the remaining five girls, leaving the finalists in the center.

“May I introduce the 2001 Court and Winifred Landry, Arizona Queen 1952. Second Runner-Up Lynn Carlisle, First Runner-Up and Miss Congeniality, Cristina Chapel, and Arizona Queen Tina McDonaugh.” The four women stepped onto the stage, smiling and waving to the crowd.

“As a different bit an anticipation this year, you won´t find out the winners until the former winner places the sash around them. So Cristina, can you please step forward and shows us who Miss Congeniality for 2002 is?”

Cristina stepped forward as all the contestants clutched hands. With a smile and a flourish, Cristina stepped behind the girls and walked behind them. She stepped forward and placed the sash around one of two little blonde´s that were twin sisters, announcing Rianda Chesterton as Miss Congeniality. As she took her walk, a tear slid down her cheek. Ron read off some of her vital statistics from her biography amidst the applause from the crowd. Since Rianda was not one of the finalists, she walked over with her sash and flowers and stood in front of the outgoing court, waiting to see who else would join her.

“Would the five finalists please take a step forward?” Ron asked. The five girls stepped forward. “Lynn, would you please show us who the 2002 Second Runner-Up is?”

Lynn walked forward, smiling as she did. She winked at each girl as she passed, then stepped behind them. Like Cristina, Lynn walked behind the girls before she stepped forward and placed the sash around Chelsea Lions, who stood flabbergasted. She received a hug from the other finalists, which managed to shake her back to reality. Laura had to laugh at the look on her face and how big her smile got as she took her walk. She turned and walked over to stand by Rianda, who hugged her.

“Cristina, would you show us who the 2002 First Runner-Up is?” Ron said. As Cristina walked with the sash, Ron continued to talk. “The job of the first runner-up is an important one. If for any reason the queen can not fulfill her duties, it becomes the responsibility of the first runner up.” Laura had her fingers crossed. She knew who all the winners were, because she had told other girls, but the anticipation was always intense. Cristina stepped forward behind the girls and placed the sash around Lisa Lawerence, who looked as stunned as Chelsea had when she was told. Lisa took her walk, everyone standing to applaud her. She grinned at Laura as she turned around and went to stand beside Chelsea, receiving a hug from her and from Rianda.

“And now, Mrs. Landry, Tina, would you two do the honor of crowning the new Arizona Queen for 2002?” Ron said.

Tina stepped forward holding the crown, as Mrs. Landry walked with her, carrying the sash and roses. Tina grinned at all the girls and walked along behind them. The roar from the crowd was deafening as she stepped forward, placing the crown on Enayu Kirkpatrick´s head. The young girl covered her face in shock, but managed to kneel down a bit so that Tina could secure the crown to her head. Laura was the first to stand in applause to her, even as Enayu shook when Mrs. Landry placed the sash around her, kissing her cheek. She handed her the roses, and Enayu took her walk. Every member in the audience was screaming and applauding the new Queen.

Laura headed backstage and onto the stage as Enayu walked back and gave a short speech to thank everyone. As Enayu walked over to her court of honor, the other contestants exited the stage. Some had tears on their cheeks, and Laura hugged them. She made sure each girl was okay before she walked onto the stage to greet the new Queen and court. As the local newspapers came on the stage to take pictures, Laura made sure they were in the right areas and not hounding the girls. Some of the volunteers were assisting. The former queen and her court exited the stage after taking a few pictures with the new court. Laura grinned as the newspapers called Tina back and a picture was taken with Enayu, Tina and Mrs. Landry. Each of the judges came on stage to congratulate the girls.

.