You know Cheyenne?
Weve been best friends since kindergarten. Long distances could not change true friendship. Im the one with the white mare. Cheyenne and I used to always go riding.
Now I remember. He took a bite of ice cream and nodded, his bright blue gaze traveling over her as he considered the past. You have a gorgeous horse. Almost as fast as Cheyennes girl.
On the right day, sometimes she was faster. She still is. A drip landed on her knuckle, reminding her she was holding ice cream, which was obviously starting to melt. What are you doing this far south? Dont you live with your family up near Buffalo?
Used to, but they tossed me out of the nest. My dad wanted me to get my masters, but Ive been begging my uncle Frank for a job for years. He finally gave in.
Thats hard to believe.
I know, thats what I tell him every day. But Im determined not to be a disappointment. He winked, his easygoing humor only making him more attractive. He gave off the aura of a man confident of his masculinity so he didnt need to flaunt it.
I wasnt talking about your work, I was wondering why you turned down the chance for more schooling? Why would you choose to live in Wild Horse?
Why not? Whats not to like? Dimples flirted with the corners of his chiseled mouth. Clean air, more freedom than a guy knows what to do with and I get to ride my horse every day all day. Theres nothing better than that.
You are highlighting only the good parts. Why was she smiling? She simply could not seem to stop. His grin was infectious and, to make matters worse, sweet little bubbles began effervescing in her stomach. Its an hour drive to see a movie or shop in a mall. Nothing ever happens here. Everyone knows your business.
I dont mind all that one bit. His baby blues twinkled charmingly and made the pops in her stomach multiply.
She wasnt attracted to the man, was she? Goodness. She shook her head, determined to keep that from happening. Then you are right where you should be. Im currently suffering from urban withdrawal, but its slowly getting better.
Urban? Where? He tilted his head a notch, leaning a fraction closer to her as if he were interested in her answer.
Seattle. She took a swipe of ice cream before it melted and tumbled off the cone. Where did you go to school?
Seattle Christian University. He chuckled. I cant believe we used to live in the same city. Cheyenne should have mentioned it.
Shes had a lot on her mind going to vet school. Intrigued, Eloise forgot about the tingles in her tummy and the fact that the mans handsomeness pulled at her with all the gravitational force of a black hole. Where did you live?
In an apartment just off Fremont Avenue. How about you?
I rented a house with some friends a few blocks off 45th.
Not far away at all, not really, and we didnt even know it. How about that? Sean leaned back, a deliberately casual movement and yet the power of his gaze remained locked on hers and made the world fade away. The distant clomp, clomp of Chloes skates, the nicker from one of the ponies, the suns heat and the whine of the cars struggling air conditioning all turned to silence.
An electronic ring shattered the moment, time rolled forward and the sounds of the hot May day returned. Chloe clomped up on her skates. Oops. I saw you two across the lot exchanging cones. Did I make a mistake?
Dont worry about it, Sean said breezily as he tugged a cell from his pocket.
The girls on ponies rode leisurely by, licking icecream cones. A diesel truck rumbled along on the street behind her and a second electronic chime came from the phone she didnt even remember tossing onto the passenger seat. Right next to her cane.
Her cane. She stared at the snazzy pink length of metalshed gone for the bright, cheerful color hoping to jazz up the fact of her disabilityand the fizz evaporated from her stomach. The smile died on her lips. She knew full well Sean Granger hadnt spotted her cane in her car or he never would have taken the time to talk with her. This she knew from personal experience.
She glanced at the screen, where the text her boss had sent her was overlaid by Cheyennes cell number. She considered answering it, but then she would wind up saying where she was and what she was doing, and it would be impossible not to mention the handsome man chatting amicably on his phone a few feet away. No, best to hit the ignore button and get back to her friend later.
Well, duty calls. Sean pushed away and offered her a dashing grin, making time stand still. Again. Her neurons forgot how to fire. Again. She sat captivated by the wholesome goodness of the man as he tipped his hat to her. Ill see you around, Eloise Tipple.
Bbb The closest thing she could manage to goodbye, but he didnt seem to notice her jumbled attempt at speech. He loped away with a relaxed, confident stride and hopped into his truck.
Do you think he was mad at me? Chloe spoke up, startling Eloise completely. The phone tumbled out of her grip and hit the floor. The teenager scrunched her face up with worry. Are you? I couldnt believe I got your ice-cream cone wrong. My manager is right. One order at a time. Im no good with two.
Its not a big deal. As the truck motored away and took Sean with it, her neurons began to fire normally. Her vocabulary returned. Have a good day, Chloe.
I will, now the lunch rush is nearly over. Bye!
It wasnt until Eloise had pulled onto the street heading away from town that it struck her. Sean Granger had remembered her name.
Chapter Two
Find homeless horses, Eloise scribbled onto her to-do list. This was her new assignment, added to all the others. Her desk at the inn was tucked a few steps down the hallway from the front desk. Her only window gazed out at the new rose gardens and gave a peek at the new stable. Cady wanted to offer horses for the guests to ride and that meant someone had to find the appropriate animals. That someone was her. Eloise took a sip of bottled water and smiled at the text message shining on her phones luminous screen.
Aunt Cady, you promised to get your horses from the shelter. You have to save their lives so they can have a home and be loved.
Eloise sighed. Cadys little goddaughters message was too cute, but how did one go about finding homeless horses? Did the county humane society take them in? There was only one way to find out. She grabbed the yellow pages out of her bottom desk drawer and began leafing through it. If the phone book doesnt help, then Lord please send a hint or two to guide me.
The bell above the front door chimed and the telltale snap of sandals on the polished hardwood had her rising to her feet. She grabbed her cane and tapped around the corner, expecting to see the Neilsons, who were yet to arrive for their reservation. So when she saw a tall, slender young woman with auburn hair and smiling eyes wearing a Washington State University shirt and denim cutoffs, she let out a surprised squeal. Cheyenne!
It wouldnt have been a surprise if you checked the message I left you. She threw out her arms wide for a welcoming hug then stepped back, squinting. You look good. Really good. Hows the pain level?
It wouldnt have been a surprise if you checked the message I left you. She threw out her arms wide for a welcoming hug then stepped back, squinting. You look good. Really good. Hows the pain level?
Better. How does it feel to finally be a vet? Eloise led the way toward the comfortable sitting area near the front desk.
I start working for Nate next Monday, and I still cant believe this is really happening. You would have thought graduation might have made it clear to me. She shook her head, bouncing along, full of exuberance. Im jazzed. I cant wait to start.
When did you get back in town?
Last night much later than Id meant to. What are you doing after work?
Nothing exciting.
Want to grab dinner at Clems?
The phone rang before she could answer, so Eloise grabbed it at the front desk. The Neilsons had landed at the airport one town away and wanted to verify their directions. Simple enough to make sure they were heading the right way. Eloise got their cell number in case they didnt show up in an hour, kept the cordless phone with her and leaned on her cane. Want an iced latte?
Do you have to ask?
They changed directions and headed for the dining room, which was nearly empty. The lunch crowd had gone and the early diners wouldnt start showing up for a few hours. Pleasant clinks and clanks from the kitchen rang like discordant music.
So, is that yes for dinner at Clems? Cheyenne chose a table near a sunny window. Or is the diner too common for you, now that you work in such a fancy place?
Are you kidding? Im a diner gal through and through.
Me, too. Im way underdressed for this dining room. Cheyenne plucked at the collar of her T-shirt. Its a good thing I have an in with the manager.
Exactly, or we would toss your kind out. It was fun to banter. A great perk to being home was seeing old friends. She leaned her cane against the window sill and settled into the cushioned chair.
You look good. How is the physical therapy coming along?
Its done. My leg has come as far as it can. She shrugged one shoulder, as if that wasnt a big deal. As if she didnt feel torn apart every time she said it. Life dealt you hard blows and you had to deal and keep moving forward. Thats what she decided in the ambulance when she was being rushed to the trauma center. Shed known before the firemen had cut her out of the car that life would never be the same. The paralysis had improved but not disappeared, which was amazing enough. I can ride my horse. Thats the good news. I cant complain. Now, down to business. Are you ever going to tell me what really happened with Edward?
I told you, he thought I was getting too serious so he broke things off. Cheyenne rolled her eyes and turned her attention to Sierra, who bounded over in her black-and-white uniform. Cheyenne lit up. Hey, I heard a rumor youre marrying my brother. Nice engagement ring.
Shocking, but true. When he asked, I accepted. Sierra radiated happiness. I dont know what came over me.
I cant imagine, Cheyenne agreed. After they ordered and Sierra disappeared into the kitchen, she propped both elbows on the table and rested her chin on her hands. So, whats new with you?
With me? Im not buying the innocent look. I know exactly what youre doing.
What am I doing? Im just sitting here.
Eloise wished she could make her friends pain disappear. Anyone looking at Cheyenne wouldnt guess she was nursing a broken heart. You and Edward broke up on Valentines Day. Thats three months ago. You arent over it, I can tell.
Ive decided to stay in denial. It isnt just a river in Egypt. Cheyenne waggled her brows.
That isnt funny enough to distract me, and you know how I like to laugh. Eloise stretched out her bad leg and relaxed against the chair cushions. You forget I have a romantic disaster in my past, so I know how it can feel when some guy who says he loves you up and ends things.
Our relationship was convenient for him, that was all. Cheyennes face tightened, although she acted light and breezy as if she hadnt been devastated. Im over it.
Wow, your denial is really strong.
Its made out of titanium. Nothing will crack it.
Then I guess wed better change the subject.
Fabulous idea.
And she knew exactly what the subject would be. The handsome cowboy from the drive-in flashed into her mind. In truth, he hadnt ever really gone away but lurked in the back of her brain like a happy thought. I ran into your cousin in town today. He has an affinity for ice-cream cones, too.
Right. Sean. Im trying to remember the last time you saw him.
Years and years ago. Probably the summer before we graduated from high school, the last summer I was home. She caught sight of Sierra returning and debated changing the subject. But why? It wasnt as if she were interested in Sean Granger. Besides, she wanted to know more about him. Hes changed. I hardly recognized him.
Hes gotten tall, hasnt he? I think hes taller than Dad.
Sierra set the glasses of icy drinks on the table. Are you talking about Sean? Hes such a nice guy. Its too bad what happened to him.
Why? What happened? Inquiring minds wanted to know. She leaned forward, her heart rate tapping inexplicably faster.
Bad breakup. Sierra added two rolls of cloth napkins to the table. She shattered his heart, or so I hear. She up and started dating someone else.
Images of the handsome cowboy hopped into Eloises mind. Of the black Stetson shading his rugged face, the dimples bracketing his grin and the strong dependability the man exuded. He didnt look too heartbroken to me.
Are you kidding? Its a Granger family trait not to deal with emotions. Cheyenne took a sip of her iced coffee. I notice you are doing the same thing, Eloise.
Me? She smiled at Sierra as the waitress padded away, knowing she was completely guilty. But did she want to talk about it?
No. Not in this lifetime. The cane leaning against the windowsill was proof. There was no sense crying over what you could not change. Isnt that like the pot calling the kettle black?
Absolutely. Cheyenne smiled and lifted her glass for a toast. Heres to denial and burying emotions.
It is the only way to go.
With a laugh, they clinked glasses and the conversation turned to the evenings plans, Eloises search for horses and Cheyennes funny tales of her long drive home from vet school.
This was the life. Sean Granger popped the top on the cold can of root beer, waving goodbye to the housekeeper who had left dinner in the oven and the timer set. All he had to do was listen for the ding. Mrs. Gunderson waved back as she hurried around the corner of the house and disappeared, leaving him blissfully alone. Well, almost alone. A clunk on the other side of the screen door reminded him two Grangers still remained in the house. But not for much longer.
He ambled over to the porch swing and settled onto the cushion to watch the sunset. Comfortable. Thanks for leading me here, Lord. Its just where I want to be in life. He took a sip of his soda. A cow grazing on the other side of a white fence leaned over the top board and mooed at him. Her bright brown eyes were focused on his soda can.