Typical. I suppose youre the carefree-bachelor type. Never one to settle down. He was handsome enough to have his pick of women. You probably left a dozen broken hearts behind when you moved here.
Only one. His grin didnt lessen but the shine inside him did. His personality dimmed like a cloud passing before the sun. And I didnt leave it behind. I brought it with me. It was mine.
Yours? He didnt look like a man with a broken heart. He certainly didnt act like one, not with his charm and easy humor. When she looked closer, emotion worked its way into the corner of his eyes, leaving attractive little crinkles. Perhaps he wasnt as easygoing as she first thought. She gave the swing a little push with her foot, setting it into motion. Are you sure you werent the one who did the breaking?
I was probably responsible for it. His confession rang low with truth and sincerity. He gave the appearance of a tough, untouchable man but she suspected his feelings ran deep. His grin was gone along with his easygoing manner, replaced by a solid realness that was attractive and manly. He swallowed hard before he spoke again. I landed a good job at a software company. I was in management overseeing this great project, but I wasnt happy being trapped indoors all day.
That can be hard for a country boy. She could picture it.
I worked long hours, not that I mind hard work. I liked being a programmer, but I didnt love it. When Uncle Frank called on my birthday in February, I admitted to him that I would rather be in a saddle all day. That he had my ideal life.
And he offered you a job?
He did. Temporary to start. To test the waters, he said, but I think he didnt want to upset my dad too much. He shrugged, glancing over his fathers disappointment. He took another pull on the straw, letting the cool settle across his tongue and glide down his throat. It helped wash away the tough feelings he was trying to avoid. I gave my notice and talked my folks into seeing the positive side of this. I was really psyched. Uncle Frank has a lot of land and livestock. This is a good opportunity for me to do what I love for a living. It was my decision that changed everything.
What do you mean?
A special someone didnt want a blue-collar ranch hand for a husband. He may as well get it off his chest. Meryl and I were engaged.
Were?
She dumped me.
Because you followed your dream?
Thats the long and short of it. The country cliché was easier than admitting the truth. Hed loved Meryl. I could have stayed, in fact I had the phone in hand to call Uncle Frank and decline his offer when I got the news she was already dating someone else and had been for a while. Hedging her bets, I think.
Im sorry. That had to have hurt.
Yes. He swallowed hard against the pain, which was lessening. Mostly it was the humiliation that troubled him now. I made a crucial mistake, but I learned a valuable lesson. Never fall in love with someone who doesnt love you the same way in return.
I learned that hard lesson, too. She bit her bottom lip, the only sign of vulnerability hed seen her make. With her classic good looks, smarts and kind personality he couldnt imagine shed been through something similar.
Who had the bad form not to care about you? he wanted to know.
Oh, he cared. Just not enough. Ghosts of pain darkened her green eyes and she shrugged one slender shoulder, as if she were well over it. No big deal.
He wasnt fooled. Who was he?
My ice-dancing partner. She tore her gaze from his and stared out at the horizon, where the jagged peaks of the Tetons seemed to hold up the sky. Cliché, I know. Gerald and I spent eight to ten hours a day together either on the ice or in the gym every day since I was eighteen. We even took classes together at the nearby university.
You were truly close to him. He sympathized. He knew what that was like.
I was. Shaky, she lifted the glass and sipped, still watching the white puffs of clouds in the pristine blue sky and the visual wonder of the Teton Range. Maybe she was trying to keep her emotions distant, too.
You had been together a long time? A question more than a statement, but he wanted it to sound casual, as if his pulse hadnt kicked up and he wasnt eager to know why shed been hurt.
We were friends for the first three years and then it turned into something more. Something really nice. Maybe she wasnt aware of how her voice softened and her expression grew lighter as if shed had the rare chance to touch more than one dream. She sat up straighter and set her coffee on the nearby end table. For a while it was sweet and comfortable and reassuring. He was there whenever I needed him, at least when we were skating partners.
Sounds as if you two had a good bond. He couldnt say the same. Hed loved Meryl. He hated to admit he might still love her a little bit and against his will. But hed never had that type of tie with her.
It was nice. She might think she was hiding her sadness, but she would be wrong. I guess some things arent meant to last.
What happened?
Are you telling me you cant guess? She rubbed at her knee in small circles before turning away from him to fetch her drink. He didnt imagine the hurt in the silence that fell between them.
A car accident, Cheyenne had said. But it was far more serious than that.
A drunk driver was going the wrong way on the floating bridge when I was coming home after a late night practicing for my churchs Christmas pageant. I saw the lights and I tried to avoid him. But I steered toward the right hand shoulder, what little there was of it, and he decided to do the same. I spent the next few months in the hospital and the next year in a rehabilitation center in Los Angeles. She took a sip, letting the pain settle between them. Gerald couldnt wait, he had to keep training, so he found another skating partner. It turned out my injury and the distance between Seattle and L.A. were problems too big to overcome and our bond faded.
Im sorry that happened to you. Sympathy, that was the only reason he reached over to lay his hand on hers. He cared, sure, but he was in control of his emotions. He didnt care for her too much. He willed his understanding into his touch. It wasnt fair.
Fair? No. God never promised this life would be fair. Her chin went up, not a woman to feel sorry for herself. But there have been many blessings that have come my way. I survived the accident. I beat the odds to walk again. Im really very blessed.
Sure, I see that, he agreed. She was blessed in more ways than he had understood before. She had strength and faith enough not to let the unfairness of her accident and injuries embitter her spirit. It was hard not to like her more, and he twined his fingers through hers, holding on and not wanting to let go. When he gazed into her clear green eyes, a similar tug of emotion wrapped around him. Youve had some tough blows. First the accident, then the breakup.
Gerald tried. I have to give him credit. In the end he chose someone else. Her fingers tightened on his, holding on to him, too. Yes, it was his new skating partner.
Did you feel passed over? That was certainly how he felt.
Yes. It was easy for Gerald to move on. Proof his heart wasnt in it as deeply as mine was. She smiled, a mix of poignance and beauty that made her compelling. Life goes on.
Yes. It was easy for Gerald to move on. Proof his heart wasnt in it as deeply as mine was. She smiled, a mix of poignance and beauty that made her compelling. Life goes on.
It does. He was lost in the moment gazing into her, and he couldnt remember the name of any woman previous. The brush of the breeze, the murmur of the other couple on the porch and the faint rasp of the rocking swing silenced. The world narrowed until there was only Eloise and her hand, so much smaller, tucked in his.
Footsteps vaguely drummed closer and a familiar womans voice pierced into his thoughts, pushing back the boundaries of his world so that Eloise was no longer the center. Cady smiled down at him and she wasnt alone. Two dark-haired girls, one around ten with braided pigtails and the other a little older with a touch of disdain, stood by her.
Are you boyfriend and girlfriend? the youngest girl wanted to know.
No. He abruptly sat up and whipped his hand away from Eloises. He knew why the kid was asking. It looked as if they were, sitting together with hands linked and sharing secrets. Couples did that sort of thing. He noticed Eloise seemed uncomfortable, too. He caught Cadys curious look and set out to reassure her. Just talking. Thats all. I suppose you heard about the horses?
I found Eloises message on my voice mail when I reached the airport. I had to pick up these two and their father. Cady was honorary family to the girls and their godmother. They all had been close when shed lived in New York City. Cady gently steered the kids toward the steps. I cant wait to see our new horses. I didnt think to ask if they were gentle or even trained.
They appear to be. Eloise grappled for her cane. Their previous owner took good care of them, rode them regularly and they are steady and gentle. With a little training, they should make good, reliable horses for guests to ride.
Excellent. What a great job, Eloise. Cady beamed, her happiness evident, before leading the girls away. Lets go see the horses that were saved because of you, Julianna Elizabeth Stone.
Do we get to ride them? the little girl wanted to know as she skipped down the steps, and Cadys answer was lost in a rising gust of warm wind.
Well, I guess I had better get back to my desk. Eloise checked her watch and grabbed her cane. Ive got just enough of my day left to call the farrier. Tonight I have to get off work on time.
Whys that? He climbed to his feet and followed her along the porch.
Ive got a date tonight. A blind date. She let her tone say it all.
Poor you. Who set you up?
My grandma. She liked that Sean opened the door for her and held it. He was a gentleman underneath his cowboy charm. She stepped into the air-conditioning with a sigh. She is the only person I cant say no to.
So you are stuck going out on a date when you dont want to date?
Exactly. She liked that he understood. Her own mother had little sympathy for the situation with her matchmaking grandma. But its only one dinner. I can suffer through anything for an hour or so, at least thats what I tell myself.
Sure. Who is it with?
I dont know him. Some guy who lives in the next town over. She hesitated in the well-appointed lobby, where their paths would part. The front door loomed to the left, the hallway leading to her office to the right. Remembering what Julianna had said made her blush. She wasnt interested in Sean in that way. The last thing I need is a boyfriend.
Right, because who wants to be tied down like that? He swept off his Stetson and raked a hand through his thick dark hair. Who needs the heartache?
You said it. It was nice that they shared this common ground. Not wanting a repeat of earlier when hed held her hand too long, she backed away. Maybe a no-physical-contact policy between them would be a good idea. Thanks again, Sean.
Any time. Ill see you on the next horse-gathering mission?
Absolutely. She spun on her heel so she couldnt be tempted to watch him walk away. So she couldnt be tempted to wonder why any woman would have chosen another man over him. He didnt even seem to notice her disability. He didnt treat her differently because of her limp. He had understood the devastation shed felt after her accident and her breakup.
He was a nice guy. A really nice guy. That type of man was hard to find, which made her think about her impending date. She gripped her cane tightly and turned her thoughts to the evening ahead. Please, Lord, she prayed as she always did before one of Grans fix-ups. Let this blind date not be too uncomfortable.
God hadnt answered that particular prayer yet, but there was always a first. She was determined to hold out hope.
We have to fend for ourselves tonight. Uncle Frank looked up from his laptop on the kitchen table the moment Sean came through the door. The girls are in Jackson trying on the dresses for Autumns wedding and dragged Mrs. G. with them. I told her you and I could throw something on the barbecue or hit the diner. What do you say?
The diner. Hed just finished cleaning out three stables and feeding all the horses. That explained where Autumn was, who practically lived in the barns. Wheres Tucker?
His fiancée is cooking for him, but he didnt see fit to extend an invitation to us. Frank grinned and pushed away from the table. Let me grab my hat and my keys. How did the horse rescue turn out?
Good. The inn has some gentle animals, and some good horses have a caring home. He turned on his heel and headed right back out the door.
Then its good news all around. Frank seemed in an unusually chipper mood but he didnt explain as he hopped down the steps. Buttercup dashed up to the fence and mooed, her bright eyes sparkling. Hey, girl. Ill come see you later. Hows that?
A discontented moo trailed after them as they headed to the garage.
Tuckers about ready to take possession of the land he bought. Frank hopped into the drivers seat of his big black pickup.
Sean climbed into the passenger seat and buckled in. He liked his uncle. He couldnt count the number of times Dad had said, You remind me of my brother. Sean supposed he and Frank were alike in some ways. They both liked the outdoors, loved animals, had ranching in their blood. Sean liked to think he was as even-tempered. Does that mean the Greens are officially moved off the land he bought?
They leave tomorrow for Florida. Retirement. I cant picture that. He started the engine and gunned down the driveway with the speed and skill of someone who had done it thousands of times. Trees whipped by along with rolling green fenced fields full of grazing horses. The view of the Tetons and the Wyoming sky could knock the breath out of you. Frank turned the truck onto the paved county road. Im going to wind up like my dad. Ill be here until the end of my days.
Its not a bad life sentence.
I reckon not. Say, I hear youre on the rebound,
Frank said as if he were discussing the weather and not dropping a bombshell.
Where did you hear that? He chuckled. Who am I rebounding with?
Then he knew. He remembered Eloises hand beneath his, the feminine feel of her slender fingers entwined between his. The talk theyd shared on the porch in plain view of anyone walking by. Cady told you, didnt she?