The Emerald Horseshoes

by Jane Josephs

  “I had to take a break. It’s so boring. And there’s too much else going on.”

  “Such as . . .”

  Emma leaned forward as Alison pulled into the drive-thru lane. “I’ll have a venti mocha, extra whip, and a slice of marble pound cake.”

  “Of course you will,” Alison said under her breath, and turned to place the order.

  ~ ~ ~

  Winding her way on the narrow roads that led to the Reid’s ranch, Alison sipped the last of her coffee and asked Emma again, “What’s going on that you don’t have time to study for your GED? I could meet you tomorrow afternoon to study with you a little while, if you want. If that would help.”

  “I don’t want to talk about it. I don’t feel so good.”

  Alarmed, Alison stared at Emma. Her face was pale. “Do you need to throw up?”

  “Yeah, I think so.”

  Alison quickly maneuvered the car to the side of the road. Even before she stopped, Emma’s head was out the door, throwing up what Alison had just purchased for her at Starbucks. Twice in one morning. What was going on? Maybe the after effects of food poisoning? She rubbed Emma’s back as the girl finished heaving. Alison reached in the car’s center console and pulled out a travel packet of tissues.

  “Maybe we should skip the riding today,” she said, handing a tissue to Emma.

  Emma shook her head. “I’m fine now. Just too much sweet stuff on those windy roads. They always make me a little carsick.”

  “You never said anything before. I could have driven a little slower . . . or something.”

  “It’s no big deal. Besides, I can sit on the veranda and wait while you ride if I still feel bad. We’re almost there. I know you want to see Nick.”

  “Are you sure?” Her stomach tied in knots at seeing Nick again as Alison eased back onto the road. “Okay, but just tell me if you don’t feel better and want to go home, okay?

  “I’m fine. Don’t worry.”

  In less than three minutes, Alison turned in to the Reid’s driveway and huffed out a relieved sigh that Emma hadn’t been sick again. She shut off the car and retracted her seat belt, her nerves jumping at the sight of Nick coming toward her car. Emma got out and bent down to greet Spade as if she hadn’t just thrown up a minute ago. Alison willed herself to move, to get out and greet Nick as if this was just another Saturday lesson. Nothing more, nothing less.

  She started when Nick opened her car door, his smile causing the breath to rush out of her lungs. Where were the bags under his eyes, the bloodshot pupils, anything to indicate he’d had the same kind of sleepless night that she’d had? There were none. He looked fit, trim, rested and gorgeous as ever. Alison’s heart flip-flopped.

  “Good morning. You coming out?” he said when she still hadn’t moved. He held out his hand. “I thought I’d go riding with you today. If that’s okay?”

  Alison hesitated, her heart pounding. He had held her tight last night rather than push her away. Had offered kindness and concern. Her voice catching, she reached for his hand. “I’d like that Nick, very much.”

  ~ ~ ~

  Side by side on their horses, Alison glanced at Nick as they followed the trail into the woods that ran along the border of the Reid’s property. The heat of the morning sun gave way to cool shade. A warm breeze rustled the leaves and birdsong filled the air. Alison stared at the campfire site as they passed it, imagining how cozy it would be to snuggle beside a fire under a blanket with Nick on a chilly night.

  “We’ll turn here,” Nick said, pointing to a narrow path between two large oak trees. “It’s just a little farther.”

  Ahead among the trees, Alison spotted a stack of haybales. “Does where we’re going have anything to do with those haybales? You’ve been awfully secretive.” She smiled, enjoying the easy companionship, the relaxed pace and the spark in Nick’s eyes when he looked at her. He had cajoled and encouraged her all morning as she practiced in the riding ring, first walking, then trotting and cantering. The patterns Richie had them riding had gotten more intricate as the morning wore on, with crisscrossing and circling and turning the horses every time Richie called out a command. Emma’s upset stomach had settled down, and she had even made up a few patterns to try. And finally, when Alison was sure she’d have saddle sores, Nick called a stop and suggested she work on her mounting skills. She smiled at the memory. He had been her most vocal cheerleader, high-fiving her when she mastered jumping on Mae without using stirrups—just before he suggested they ride across the field to the woods. Alone.

  “Do you know anything about archery?” Nick asked, stopping Sam beside a massive shrub and dismounting. He looped Sam’s reins over a branch and ducked under the horse’s neck to grab Mae’s bridle.

  Alison swung her leg over the back of the saddle and dismounted. “Nothing, except I tried it a few times at summer camp. I usually chose to go swimming instead. Is that what the haybales are for? The target?”

  Nick nodded and took Mae’s reins from her, looping them around a branch on the shrub. “If you’re willing to do a little shooting, I’ll get out the bows.” He slid a camouflage tarp off a big box and dropped it on the ground.

  “So, my arms will hurt as well as my thighs, right?” She groaned. “Why not? But I think you have the advantage. I’m not known for having a lot of upper arm strength.”

  He wrapped his hand around one of her biceps. “Seems to me CrossFit’s working.” He dropped his hand and winked at her. “Let’s see what you’ve got.”

  Fifteen minutes later, Alison’s arrow found the middle haybale and stuck, her best shot yet. “Yes!” she shouted, pumping her arm, her fist clenched. She turned to Nick, her hand raised, palm out. “Finally!”

  Nick’s palm met hers in a high-five, his voice and eyes teasing her. “You’re getting there. What you lack in skill, you at least make up for in determination. Sort of.”

  Hand on her hip, Alison met his teasing with her own. “Gee, thanks. I bet you say that kind of encouraging stuff to all your SWCC students.”

  Nick barked a laugh. “Hah! Sorry, babe. With a shot like that I’d flunk ‘em and send ‘em back to the fleet.”

  Alison’s jaw dropped a second before she dropped her bow . . . and the chase was on.

  Five minutes later, it was over when she grabbed at him and couldn’t hold on, once again defeated by his superior strength and stamina. He turned, twisted and grabbed her. They tumbled to the ground, with Nick rolling almost on top of her, his leg pinning both of hers down.

  “Oh, you, you . . . you! I almost caught you! Admit it!” Alison managed to shout at him, laughing and panting as she tried to wrestle her wrists free.

  Nick eyes bore into hers. “No way. And no quarter, babe. You started it, but I think it’s time I finished it.” His gaze dropped to her lips.

  Alison’s breath hitched, her stomach clenched, waiting, wanting the sweet pleasure of his mouth on hers. But instead of kissing her, he lifted his eyes to meet hers and smiled, a slow lifting of the corners of his mouth that caused a lump to lodge in her throat.

  He let go of her wrists and smoothed his hand over her cheek. “I have a favor to ask.” He paused, his gaze searching her face while his thumb caressed her cheek. “Tomorrow is Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week. Would you do me the honor of coming to church with me?”

  Alison blinked, stunned by his invitation and reeling with disappointment at not being kissed. She swallowed and licked her lips, trying to corral her rioting thoughts. He hadn’t demanded that she acquiesce to his request, given that she had started the chase but hadn’t caught him. And his eyes hadn’t left hers, the warmth and tenderness in their depths causing her insides to turn to jelly. But what did she know about church? Religion? Jesus, for that matter. Nothing more than a story or two she’d learned about him when Grandma Kate ha
d taken her to Vacation Bible School once. A long time ago. She closed her eyes. Opened them again with a sigh and a tentative smile. She reached out and touched his cheek. “Religion means a lot to you, doesn’t it, Nick?”

  “Religion? Not so much, Alison. My faith, my belief in Jesus? Well, that means everything to me.”

  Chapter 17

  With Rufus cuddled in her arms, Alison searched Amazon’s website looking for a Bible. If his faith meant everything to him, as Nick had said, what choice did she have, if she wanted to keep seeing him? But how could she compete with God? Especially since she knew nothing about him?

  “Okay, Rufus, I’m almost finished here.” Alison sighed, her frustration at the huge selection of Bibles available to buy causing her stomach to ache. Should she go with the most popular? The old King James? The New King James? What was the difference, really? She petted Rufus and kissed his forehead. “I know, I know. I should just swallow my pride and call Nick, shouldn’t I? Or Kayla and ask what Bible I should buy. But I’m not doing that, okay, little dog? I need to do this on my own. I’m a big girl.” Pursing her lips, she moved her curser over a paperback bible that claimed to be the “#1-Selling Study Bible” and went quickly through the buying process. “How hard can it be to read the Bible?” she murmured under her breath.

  Fantasy gave flight in Alison’s mind. Maybe she could talk Nick into reading with her. They could spend a couple of evenings together each week, sitting on the sofa after dinner, enjoying a glass of wine, their heads together over the open Bible. But kissing instead of reading.

  Alison sighed. Would that be so bad? Would he consider it wrong? She ran a hand through her hair, an intense longing welling up inside her to be with Nick—in a loving, trusting relationship where she could be herself without fear of rejection or scorn. Alison sniffed, reality intruding. How could she expect Nick to love her after what she’d told him? He said God loved her, no matter what she’d done. Did she dare believe him? How could she know? What did God’s love feel like?

  Alison stood up and put Rufus on the floor. He went straight to his bowl of water, lapping and splashing water everywhere. She paced away, her thoughts whirling. Why was she thinking about God? It was too overwhelming. She’d agreed to go to church with Nick; it didn’t mean that she wanted to become a Christian.

  Her nerves spiked. Why had Nick chosen to be a Christian? And what about Kayla? And Nick’s other friends? They acted normal enough, unlike her mother. But didn’t religion come with a bunch of rules you had to follow?

  She shook off her thoughts. She didn’t need God. Or a man for that matter, did she? “Oh, horse manure!” Alison picked up Rufus. “Who am I trying to fool? Huh, little dog? I am in love with Nick. I have been since the moment I laid eyes on him. I would love to be with him.” She sucked in a deep breath, fear running rampant. “So why don’t I feel like I’m good enough for him?”

  Closing her laptop with a snap, Alison turned with Rufus and walked to the foyer. “Time for a little exercise, sweet pea. Then, dinner. What shall we have tonight?”

  Alison grabbed Rufus’ leash from the console drawer in the foyer, snapped it on his collar, and headed for the elevator. “Let’s see if your girlfriend is out walking the street. What do you say?” As if totally understanding her question, Rufus barked. “Okay, then. Let’s go find Rennie.” Alison tickled the dog under his chin, purposefully redirecting her thoughts away from God and Nick. “Live in the moment,” she mumbled under her breath as the elevator doors opened. “You have a dog to walk. And friends to see.” After a year of living alone, she had made a host of new friends, thanks to her charity work and Rufus. Including Sally’s Poker Posse. Now, if she could just figure out how to navigate the church stuff with Nick. And make him love her.

  ~ ~ ~

  Picking up a decorative hair clip, Alison secured two side braids at the back of her head. She yawned and checked her watch. Seven-forty-five. Nick had asked her to be at the ranch at nine so they could go together to church. Her pulse quickened. Would she fit in? Would people know right away that she didn’t believe what they believed? At least a quick Internet search had given her an overview of what Palm Sunday was about: Jesus, riding into Jerusalem on a donkey while people waved palm branches and wanted to make him king. She huffed out a nervous breath. What did she know, really, about church holidays?

  Her hands shaking, she inserted diamond studs into her ears. Navy platform heels with white trim waited beside the bed. She stepped into them and picked up her white jacket. Would the dark blue sheath dress she had chosen to wear fit in with what people wore at Nick’s church?

  She left the bedroom and spotted Rufus on his doggy bed. “Come on, little dog. Nick said you can come today, too, and stay with Kennedy and Spade while we go to church.” She put on her jacket, picked up the dog, and put him in his carrier. Her tote bag sat beside the carrier with a change of clothes and shoes to wear after lunch. Nick had texted her last night as she was out with Rufus for his final walk, asking her if she wanted to stay for a rematch of horseshoes. “He thinks he can beat me, you know, Rufus? If he does, I’m hoping he still wants to go to see the Padres play.”

  Slinging the strap of a small purse over her shoulder, Alison picked up her tote and the carrier, then headed for the door. “Should I mention to him right away that I have season tickets at Petco Park? Or wait until I win?”

  ~ ~ ~

  “Thank you, Lord, for Alison being willing to come to church with us. Open her heart today; help her see you. Give her the desire to know you.”

  In his bedroom, Nick tucked his shirt into his dress slacks as he prayed just under his breath for Alison, a running monologue that had begun the minute he opened his eyes that morning. She had told him when she agreed to come with him today that she didn’t have much experience going to church. Her grandmother had frequently attended, but they never talked much about it. Surely her Aunt Grace had prayed for both Grandma Kate and Alison, Nick thought, as he tied his shoes. But had she shared Jesus with them?

  “Breakfast is ready.” Ginny’s voice reached Nick through his door.

  “Coming,” he said and left the room. The aroma of fried bacon met him in the hallway and intensified as he crossed the living room. “Good morning.” He gave his mother a quick kiss on the cheek and sat down at the kitchen table. “This looks great, Ma. Thanks.” He helped himself to three pancakes, four pieces of bacon, and a large helping of fresh strawberries. “I asked Alison to stay and play horseshoes after lunch. What are we having to eat?” He poured syrup on his pancakes, set down the bottle, and began cutting off the first bite.

  “I put a chicken in the crockpot early this morning. It’ll be ready when we get home.”

  Richie spoke up. “Can we have mashed potatoes and gravy, too?”

  “I have a new brown rice recipe I want to try today, Richie. I’ll make mashed potatoes to go with the leftover chicken tomorrow.”

  “If we have any leftovers.” Richie said between mouthfuls.

  ~ ~ ~

  Palm branches had been tied to the outdoor pillars at the entrance of the church. Alison glanced at the crowd as she walked beside Nick through the front doors into the lobby, relieved to see that her choice of clothing was not so different from what other women were wearing.

  Nick’s hand found hers at the entrance to the auditorium, solid, reassuring. “We usually sit near the front,” he said, leading her down the center aisle. She licked her lips How would she know what to do? She’d only ever been in a church for a couple of weddings. And of course, Grandma Kate’s memorial service. The thought of her beloved grandmother filled her with sadness. If only she was still alive. She would be pleased to see Alison in a church, wouldn’t she? Especially with a man like Nick? Alison smiled, and took the seat Nick indicated. He handed her a program with a picture of palm leaves on the front. “The order of th
e service is on the inside along with some other announcements about things happening at the church. But just stand up when I do, and you’ll be fine.”

  ~ ~ ~

  “I would love your recipe for this rice, Ginny, if you’re willing to share it.” Seated at the kitchen table in between Ginny and Nick, Alison maneuvered rice, cranberries, and caramelized onions onto her fork. “The Jell-O salad, too. They’re both delicious. Everything was.”

  “I’m glad you liked them. The rice recipe’s new, but the Jell-O salad is an old favorite. I only make it a couple of times a year, and Palm Sunday is one of them. It’s sort of a tradition in our family. What about you? What does your family do for Palm Sunday? Or Easter?”

  Alison couldn’t detect anything but curiosity in Ginny’s gentle voice and sweet smile. Her first instinct to make up an answer fell away. Instead, she heard herself tell the truth. “We didn’t celebrate Palm Sunday or Easter in my family when I was growing up. Or even go to church for that matter. This is all new to me.”

  Ginny smiled and took Alison’s hand. “Well, then, I am so honored and happy that you came with us today. And I hope you’ll come to the rest of the Holy Week services, if you can. Nick can tell you about some of our other family traditions, can’t you, Nick?”

  “Sure. Take a walk with me, okay?” Nick stood and held out his hand to Alison.

  “Shouldn’t we help with the dishes?” She took his hand and got up.

  “Richie’s got them, don’t you, Richie?” He winked at his brother.

  “I guess I do.” Richie laughed and began gathering the plates.

  Nick pulled Alison toward the living room. “Now might be a good time to change your clothes. I put your tote bag in our guest room.”

  Ginny picked up the used plates and started toward the sink. “Dessert after your walk, you two. Homemade carrot cake with cream cheese icing. Rufus can stay with me and help with the dishes.” The dog barked. “Sorry, Rufus. There’s no licking the plates in this family.”