Heat crept into her cheeks. “She’d be very proud of you then.” She moved to the silverware drawer. “I’m glad you’re here, actually. There are several things I’d like to go over with you.”
“Such as?” He removed the lids of the containers.
“Just some ideas for the rodeo school.”
“Oh, so you weren’t just sitting around, eating bonbons today.”
She gathered knives and forks. “Sitting around, yes. Bonbons, no. Instead, I took the opportunity to go to work for you.” Shoving the drawer closed with her hip, she eyed him again. “So if you could hang around a bit, I’ll show you what I came up with.”
“Not a problem, since Dad’ll be bringing my truck by. Oh—” he reached into the pocket of his jeans “—here are your keys.” He held them out. “I parked your SUV in the drive, but I can put it in the garage if you prefer.”
“No, the drive is fine.” She set the silverware atop the plates and reached for the keys. Her fingers brushed against the palm of his hand, sending warmth through her fingertips, straight up her arm and directly to her heart. Try as she might, she couldn’t remember a time in her life when someone had been so kind to her.
Closing her fist around the keys, she stepped back, refusing to read too much into it. Noah was a kind man. It was the way he was raised, and that’s all there was to it.
After they’d finished their meal, the kids opted for a movie while Lily and Noah relaxed on the deck to go over her notes.
Sitting on the same chaise where she’d spent most of her day, she brought up the first page on her tablet. “This is a list of media outlets I plan to send press releases to. I believe we should get at least two or three interviews out of this. Some by phone, perhaps.”
In the lounge chair beside her, he seemed to squirm. “About those interviews. I’m not real comfortable talking with reporters. Even when I was on the circuit.”
Of course he wasn’t. Noah wasn’t the kind to brag or talk about himself. “I understand. Which is why we’ll be sure to keep the focus on the rodeo school. But let’s face it, if you wanted to further your career, whatever that may be, would you rather take lessons from someone who’s dabbled in the field or a seasoned pro?”
“The pro, of course. But what if the interview turns personal?” He folded his hands atop his stomach. “I’m not planning to tell everyone what I told you yesterday.”
“Noah.” She set her tablet on her lap and faced him. “What you shared with me was to give me a better understanding of you so I can figure out how best to promote the school. And I’m glad you told me, because I think that propelled my work today.”
“But what if they ask personal questions?”
“And they’re apt to, believe me.” She caught his horrified stare. “Sorry. I guess I’ve dealt with too many society columnists. Especially after Wade and I split. Speculations, accusations...” Resting her head against the back of the chair, she saw the first stars in the sky.
“What really happened?” He leaned closer. “Between you and Wade.”
She studied him, realizing Noah was someone she could confide in and trust to keep the story to himself. “Honestly, things began to change when I started going to church again after a rather long absence. He said I wasn’t fun anymore.” Lifting a shoulder, she continued, “Things came to a head when my mother passed away. We were in Salt Lake City. Wade left right after the funeral because he had to get back for business reasons.” She eyed her clasped hands. “At least that’s what he said. But when I came home a day earlier than he expected, I found him in bed with another woman—who also happened to be my best friend.”
Noah let go a sigh. He reached for her hands and gave them a squeeze. “Lily...”
She savored the comforting touch.
“I always think no one can understand what I went through after Jaycee died. But I have a feeling you get it better than anyone.”
“To a point, yes.” She faced him. “And having a recording device shoved in front of your face when you’re going through something like that doesn’t make things any easier.”
“Sounds like you’ve had a lot of experience.”
“More than I ever wanted, that’s for sure.” Which meant she might be able to help him. Releasing his hand, she sat up straighter. “What if I coached you? Gave you some tips on how to direct the interview to your advantage instead of letting them lead you.”
He studied the night sky, pondering the suggestion. Nodded slowly. “I like that idea.” He met her gaze. “I’ll help you overcome your fear of horses and you help me conquer the interview.”
“We’ll be unstoppable,” she teased.
“You got that right.” He smiled.
Looking up at the stars, she let go a laugh. “Look out, world, here we come.”
* * *
Lily was not the woman Noah had thought she was.
Two days after dinner at her place, he eased Duke from the rocky trail that wove down the side of the mountain into the grass-covered pasture, glancing over his shoulder to make sure the five riders behind him were still doing all right. Lily wasn’t just any city girl. Thanks to a little internet research of his own, he’d discovered was a socialite. Born into wealth, married wealth... She was Colorado’s version of those rich women you see in magazines. Yet she seemed so...normal.
With a warmer-than-usual midday sun overhead, he continued toward the stable. Saturdays were historically one of their busier days for trail rides. People came into Ouray for the weekend, looking for a change in scenery, an escape from city life or both. Like Lily. Only she was ready to escape for the entire summer.
He shifted in the saddle, the leather creaking. “Everyone doing okay back there?”
“We’re doing great,” said the young girl whose enthusiasm reminded him of Piper.
“Except it’s almost over.” Her teenaged sister eyed the stable ahead.
Sad to say, her disappointment was music to his ears. “I take it you enjoyed yourself then.”
“Yes, sir,” they said collectively.
Scanning the mountains to the south that surrounded the town of Ouray, he wondered how Lily’s foot was doing. Thanks to an AWOL employee, yesterday had been another busy one, so he hadn’t had a chance to stop by and see her. Not that he needed to. Still, there was a part of him that felt responsible for her sprained ankle. If they’d gone to the park as she’d suggested...
He waved off an annoying fly. Most people who lived in Colorado had at least heard of Wade Davis, the outspoken businessman who’d inherited a nice chunk of change from his late father, then gone on to accumulate his own fortune in the oil industry. Davis was a man who loved the limelight. And Lily had been married to him.
Tilting his hat back, Noah scratched his head. For the life of him, he still couldn’t figure that one out. Davis and Lily were as different as night and day.
Not so unlike you and Jaycee. True. Yet while Jaycee had been content to live a simple life, her family had always looked down on him, even going so far as to blame him for her death. His chest tightened. Wasn’t it enough that he blamed himself?
He shook off the unwanted memories, grateful they were approaching the stable.
After saying goodbye to his group, he took Duke around to the side of the building for a drink of water, then went inside to grab a bottle for himself. Savoring the cool air in the storage room, he tugged a rag from his back pocket and wiped the sweat off his neck, praying today’s heat was just a fluke and not an indicator of what was to come.
His phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out to see the name Marshall Briggs on the screen. Marshall was an old friend from his rodeo days, but he hadn’t talked to the fella in at least two years.
He pressed the button and put the phone to his ear. “Hey, Marshall. How’s it going?”
“Not too good, I’m afr
aid.”
The muscles in Noah’s shoulders knotted. “Why? What’s up?”
The man who’d been one of Noah’s mentors let out a breath. “You haven’t heard about Cody, have you?”
“Chandler?” Noah had mentored the up-and-coming kid, who now appeared to be ready to shatter some, if not all, of Noah’s records. “No. What about him?”
“Bull got the best of him in Reno last night.”
Noah blinked a few times, knowing what his friend was saying, yet not wanting to believe it. “Is he...?” He couldn’t bring himself to say the word.
“Late last night.”
Running a hand over his face, he sank into one of two wooden chairs near the door. Set his water bottle on the concrete floor. Cody was the best of the best. He had a wife, a new baby... “What happened? Cody was setting up to be an all-round world champ.”
“He hesitated. Bull got to him before he could get up.” Marshall paused. “You know as well as I do that there’s a risk every time we head out there.”
Yes, but that didn’t make things any easier. Especially when it was someone so young and yet so experienced.
His mentor continued, “Best we can do is pray for his family and know that he died doing what he loved.”
Cody might have been doing what he loved, but Noah had no doubt that Cody’s wife held her breath each and every time he burst out of that chute. Just like Jaycee had done with him. Until they decided to have a family, anyway. He’d walked away then, disappointed yet unaware his retirement would be so short-lived.
He cleared his throat. “How is Cheryl holding up?”
“Not so good.”
Tossing his hat onto the stainless steel work table, Noah shoved a hand through his hair. He knew exactly how Cheryl felt. As though her heart had shattered into so many tiny fragments it could never be put back together. Like the simple act of breathing was suddenly too much. And feeling the burn of anger and wanting to rail at God for taking away your reason for getting up in the morning.
His eyes fell closed. He pinched the bridge of his nose. God, be with her as only You can. “Any word on funeral arrangements?”
“Not yet. I’ll keep you posted, though.”
“Thanks, Marshall.” He ended the call and leaned his head against the wall. As he stared up at the wooden rafters, one question played through his mind. Why? It was a question he’d asked hundreds of times before. Now here it was again. And while he didn’t have an answer, he knew Marshall was right. With bull riding, there were no guarantees. Unlike most jobs, you challenged death every time you went off to work. This time, Cody wasn’t coming home.
“There you are.”
He jumped at the sound of Lily’s voice. Scrambled to his feet. “You’re here.”
“I am.” Leaning on her crutches, she looked at him suspiciously.
“Did you drive? Aren’t you supposed to be resting?” His rapid-fire questions surprised even him.
“Foot’s better. Yes, I drove. I’m still taking it easy, but I wanted to tell you—” She tilted her head. “Are you all right, Noah? You look like you’re upset.” She was on to him.
He couldn’t let that happen.
He did his best to shrug off Marshall’s phone call. “Naw, I’m not upset.” He stooped to pick up his water bottle and uncapped the lid. “A little overheated, that’s all.” He took a drink. “Just got back from a trail ride.”
“Ah.” With her fingers wrapped around the handgrips of her crutches and her bad foot lifted slightly, she straightened. “That makes sense. It’s toasty out there today.”
“Especially when you’re on top of a horse and there’s no shade.” He took another drink, emptying the bottle. “I guess the ankle’s feeling better?”
“Much.”
“You should still sit down, though.” He motioned for her to take the seat he’d just vacated.
“I’m okay. Really.”
“Where are the kids?”
“Your father talked them into joining him for a Popsicle.”
He felt the corners of his mouth lift. “I’m guessing he didn’t have to do much talking, did he?”
“No, not at all.”
He grabbed another water. “Want one?”
“No, thank you.”
He unscrewed the lid. “You wanted to talk to me?”
“Yes.” Again, she watched him, as though knowing something wasn’t right. “I heard back from one of the media outlets I contacted. The Denver Post, no less.”
An hour ago, he would have been impressed. Now?
“They’re going to be in the area and would like to set up an interview with you for this coming week. Tuesday, preferably.”
“That soon, huh? You must have really sold them.”
“Well, that is part of my job.”
“Yeah.” Except when he’d brought her on board, Cody was still alive. Now he was gone. How could Noah think about, let alone talk about, teaching others—young people, no less—to put their lives on the line in the name of fun? Because it wasn’t always fun. Cody and Cheryl had learned that the hard way. And neither Cheryl nor her child would ever be the same.
Chapter Seven
Lily awoke frustrated Sunday morning. Something was bothering Noah. And whatever it was had kept him from giving her a definitive answer on that interview.
Her irritation grew as she stirred the eggs in the skillet. She understood that he was busy. However, time was not on their side. Saturday would be July Fourth. Meaning there were only two months left until Labor Day. Not to mention she had to be back in Denver by August 15. If Noah wanted this grand opening to be a success, he needed to stop dragging his feet.
She scooped a serving of scrambled eggs onto a plate. “Colton. Piper. Breakfast.”
Today wasn’t about Noah, though. Or the ranch. This was Sunday. A day of rest and worship. Even if they were on vacation—albeit an extended one—they still needed to have their spiritual tanks filled. That meant going to church. And afterward, they were going to drive down to Ironton, an abandoned mining town one of the locals had told her about. The kids seemed eager to check it out. They were already asking if they could pan for gold in the river.
“Thanks, Mom,” said Colton, taking his plate. To her surprise, he hadn’t balked or argued when she woke him up. She was pleased with the changes she’d seen in him since he’d been working at the ranch. He was more respectful and seemed to have a good work ethic. Thanks to Noah.
She spooned eggs onto Piper’s plate, wondering, yet again, what was troubling Noah. Because she highly doubted it was the heat, as he’d claimed.
Since her ankle wasn’t one hundred percent, they drove to Restoration Fellowship, a small brick church she’d been eyeing on their nightly walks around town. Still using her crutches so as not to risk putting too much weight on her bad foot, Lily made her way with the kids up the walk, past a large fir tree, to the solid wooden doors where an older gentleman awaited them.
“Welcome to Restoration Fellowship.”
“Thank you.” She hobbled past the man, taking in the narrow foyer. “It’s nice to be here.” Especially since she’d missed worship services the past two weeks. She glanced up the long, dead-end hallway.
The older man must have sensed her confusion, because he said, “Just make a left midway down the hall, and the sanctuary will be straight ahead.”
When they rounded the corner, there were two more gentlemen carrying on a conversation. The closest one, a very tall man with thick, dark hair, had his back to her.
The shorter man facing them paused, smiled and said, “Welcome to Restoration Fellowship.”
The tall man turned their way. “Good morn—”
“Noah?” Colton’s expression went from moderate interest to full-blown excitement.
“Hey, guys.” Noah scanned
the three of them. And though he wore a hint of a smile, whatever had been bothering him yesterday still lingered in the lines that creased his brow.
“What are you doing here?” Piper stared up at him, looking somewhat perplexed.
“This is where I attend church.” His attention shifted to Lily then, and she took a step back. This was not the cowboy she was used to seeing. The man standing before her now, sporting a pair of stone khakis and a tailored, untucked blue shirt that complemented his physique as well as his eyes, had her a little off-kilter. “I’m glad you could join us.”
“Well, look who we have here?” Clint’s voice sent the kids’ excitement level even further up the scale.
Lily turned to see him approach with a stylishly dressed Hillary at his side, once again raising Lily’s suspicions that the two were more than just friends. Not that there was anything wrong with that. Clint was a widower. His children were grown. Why shouldn’t he be allowed to find love again?
Her children hung on the older man’s every word as he told them how long he’d been coming to this church and how happy he was to see them here.
“Dad, you’re creating a bottleneck.” Noah motioned to the people waiting behind them.
“Hmm.” The older man jerked toward the people in question. “Sorry ’bout that.” He took hold of Piper’s hand and nodded for Colton. “Let’s go get us a seat.”
Next thing Lily knew, she and her children were in a cushioned pew, surrounded by the entire Stephens clan, except for Carly, who was holding down the fort at her bed-and-breakfast. Not exactly what Lily had envisioned when she woke up this morning. Especially the good-looking man sitting on the other side of Piper.
Still, the pastor’s message about how God uses all things for good struck a chord. While her life had been a privileged one, she’d known her share of difficulties. Yet, now she was able to look back and see how God used even some of the worst events in her life to not only grow and strengthen her, but to bring her to places she’d never expected.
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