Colorado Sunset (Peakview Series Book 1)

by Jill Haymaker

  Colorado Sunset

  By

  Jill Haymaker

  Copyright © 2015 by Jill Haymaker

  All Rights Reserved.

  No part of this work may be reproduced in any fashion without the express, written consent of the copyright holder.

  This is a work of fiction. All characters and events portrayed herein are fictitious and are not based on any real persons living or dead.

  This book is dedicated to my three children Albie, Amber and Ashley. Everything I do is for them.

  CHAPTER ONE

  “What the heck do I do now?”

  The woman walking nearby gave her a quizzical look. Crap, she had uttered those words out loud in the congested Columbus International Airport. She wound her way toward her parked car. Wow, she was losing it.

  June quickly located her old Subaru wagon—the perfect mom car. She had just put her youngest daughter, Alexis, on a plane to begin her freshman year of college in Louisiana. It was one of the hardest things she had ever done. Her hands shook as she grabbed the steering wheel and started the car. So many years—twenty-eight to be exact—she had devoted her life to raising children, and now the last one was beginning her new life away from home. Laying her head against the wheel, she took a deep breath to calm herself before she drove off into a new and frightening life as an empty-nester.

  Automatically June turned the car onto the Interstate leading out of Columbus and back to Hayville, Ohio. Wasn’t it just yesterday that she herself left home as an optimistic teenager heading off to college? Certainly that’s how she still pictured herself. She caught a glimpse of her fifty-five year old face in the rear view mirror. When had all those fine lines appeared amidst her freckles? Her curly, red hair blew out of control in the humid wind coming through the window. Where had the last thirty-seven years gone?

  A short half-hour later, she opened the door to her now—too quiet—home. Quiet until her six year old collie, Laddie, hurled himself at her barking joyously. Kneeling down, she engulfed his neck in a big hug as he licked her face. Her tense shoulders began to relax. There was something about burying her face in his warm fur that always made her feel better.

  “Enough kisses,” June laughed as her companion continued to extend his wet tongue. She had to admit that she would never really be alone as long as she had her very best friend at her side.

  “It’s just you and me now, boy. Let’s get some dinner!”

  As she poured two large scoops into his bowl, her sadness returned. As much as she loved Laddie, was this what the rest of her life was going to look like? No one to come home to but her dog?

  Wandering out into a deserted back yard, fond memories swirled through her head. She could still see the image of those days when her pretty raised flower bed had been a gigantic sandbox containing a homemade wooden swing set. It had been hard to let that set go, but the family down the street sure loved it now. She and Ed had spent hours assembling it—piece by piece. Their yard had always been the favorite hangout for all of the neighborhood kids. She wandered further into the yard assaulted by the sweet fragrance of lavender and honeysuckle, and memories of happier days.

  Her next door neighbor, Tom, yelled over the fence, breaking her reverie. “Enjoying your freedom?”

  June smiled and waved, “It’s a little too quiet. Remember those days when there would be at least ten kids playing out here every single night? How I loved to see their smiling faces and all of their energy. It was never quiet then.”

  “Seems like yesterday. I agree, those laughter-filled nights were always fun. It’s nice to be able to hear the cicadas though.”

  Laddie bounded out of the house barking ferociously. June smiled. Nothing could excite the dog like a chattering squirrel daring to trespass across his yard.

  Tom laughed, “Laddie won’t let it get too quiet around here. Have a nice night.”

  “You, too.”

  The cheerful sound of her current favorite tune interrupted her thoughts, and she ran inside to answer her cellphone.

  “Hi, Mom. I wanted to let you know I got here safely.” Alexis said, her voice bubbling with excitement.

  “Thanks for calling, honey.”

  “No problem. I know how you worry. I love it here so far. My roommates are great. We’re trying to get our room arranged, so I can’t really talk much. I’ll call you in a few days when I’m more settled.”

  June desperately wanted to prolong the contact with her youngest child and get all the details, but she could hear voices of other students in the background. She should hang up. Alexis didn’t need her right now.

  “Okay, have fun, be safe, and I will talk to you soon.” She hit the button before Alexis could detect the sadness in her voice. She wiped away a lone tear trickling down her cheek.

  Laddie—always by her side—wagged his tail as he looked up at her. She rubbed his furry head. “I’m glad you’re never going to move away.”

  June tossed and turned that night—alternately throwing off the covers and pulling them back on. She glanced over at the clock. Three a.m. and she was still wide awake. Despite Laddie’s furry body curled up next to hers, she was alone—really alone. Tears stung her eyes as sobs racked her body. Before the divorce, she and Ed had occasionally talked about what it would be like when all three children were out of the house. There would be time for romance again. But that hadn’t happened; instead he found romance with someone else. For the six years since he left, she had managed to put off thinking about herself or what was next for her. It had been so much easier to concentrate on raising happy, healthy kids. She had to admit—despite the odds—she had done just that. All three of her children were doing so well. Now alone in the once vibrant house, she felt stripped of all excuses. What did she want to do with the rest of her life? When she woke up tomorrow—if she ever fell asleep—what would be her purpose—her reason for getting out of bed? Oh, how she longed to know that answer.

  Finally giving up on sleep completely, she turned on the light and opened the latest book in her favorite Virgin River romance series and got lost in yet another romance in that small California town. Why wasn’t Hayville exploding with attractive, eligible, single men like Virgin River?

  * * *

  “What will it say on your tombstone?”

  The preacher’s loud voice echoed through the sanctuary. June leaned back in her pew, the same spot where she had sat for thirty years. She dabbed her eyes with a tissue and fought the tears that threatened to spill down her cheeks, not wanting anyone to see her sadness. His sermon had struck a nerve. All June could think was “here lies June Meyers who lived and died in Hayville, Ohio.” Please God, there has got to be something more for my life! God must have a plan for her. She had to face it—her role as a full-time mother was over. Not having a man in her life these past six years hadn’t really bothered her, but now… She was still young and healthy; not ready to sit in her home and wither away slowly. What was in store for her?

  Shaking her head, she realized the service was ending. She grabbed her purse and hurried out of the sanctuary. She wasn’t in the mood to carry on any light conversations.

  “Oh, June, how’s living alone?” called out Helen, a friend from her Bible study class.

  Alone. That word threatened to set off another round of tears. She cleared her throat, as she turned to greet her friend. Why did everyone keep using that word?

  June did her best to smile. “Goodness, I’m not really alone am I? Hayville has been my home for over thirty years. I know everyone here.”

  Helen took a step back. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you. I just meant that your house must be pretty qui
et with Alexis gone.”

  “It is, but I’ve got some big plans. See you later.” June reached the door and welcomed the rush of hot humid air that signified her escape.

  As she walked the few short blocks to her home, she remembered when she had first laid eyes on Hayville. Fresh out of college, their arrival—a new, young teacher and his wife had been the big news that summer they moved here. Everyone made her feel so welcome. She and Ed were living the American dream, or so she thought, until that day six years ago when he left, and her world had come crashing down around her.

  Still she felt safe—at home—in Hayville, but was safe enough? She needed to make some decisions about the rest of her life. She had to start somewhere.

  Then it hit her. A vacation. She should take a vacation. She could drive across our beautiful country to visit her son and her adorable grandchildren. Paul had been begging her to come for a visit. Now she had the time.

  There was so much to experience between here and California. She could stop and visit her college roommate, Fran, in Illinois. And best of all, there were those spectacular Rocky Mountains to drive through. She had always loved the mountains. Especially in the fall with all of the aspens glowing bright shades of gold and orange. Laddie loved road trips, and she loved to drive. It always cleared her head. Hours of time in her car would provide the opportunity for her to think and pray about her future. What was she meant to do with the second half of her life?

  Yep, a road trip was exactly what she needed.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Now that she had a plan in her head, June woke up the next morning with a weight lifted from her heart. Her phone rang and she wasn’t surprised to hear her son, Paul’s voice. “Hi, Mom. How is life as an empty-nester?”

  June laughed, “Well. Considering it’s been less than forty-eight hours, I don’t really know yet.”

  “Sarah and I have been talking. We think you should come out here to San Diego for a visit with your precious granddaughters.”

  “I’ve been thinking the same thing!”

  “Just give me a date, and we’ll buy you a ticket and have you on the next plane to California.”

  June cleared her throat. “I was thinking that maybe I’d drive. I haven’t had a good, long road trip in quite a while.”

  “Are you sure it’s safe to drive all that way by yourself? It would be so much easier to fly. And I’d feel better not having to worry about you getting stranded somewhere.”

  June laughed, “Don’t be silly. I’m fifty-five not one hundred! I’ll be fine. It will be so much more fun this way. Besides, I’ll have Laddie to protect me. You remember Fran, my best friend from college? I’ll stay with her along the way and have an amazing adventure. A plane flight seems too rushed… I want to enjoy the trip. It’s not like I have anything to get back home to…”

  “Okay Mother. I can see that it is useless to try and talk you out of this. You’ve been stubborn my whole life. Once you made up your mind on something—that was it. I’ll never understand your fascination with road trips. Why not fly and just get wherever it is you are going? When are you thinking about leaving?”

  “I’m not sure yet. I need to get a few things done here first. Can I call you back and let you know?”

  “I guess. I’ll wait to hear from you. But seriously, Mom—consider flying.”

  June hung up and thought back to those cross country trips she had taken as a child with her parents and brother back before there were Interstates to hurry people across the country. They had so much fun driving through all the small towns and watching the changes in landscape as the miles passed by. Her mother had always used their trips as a history lesson for her and her brother, pointing out historic landmarks along the way and making stops for any chance at learning. She would never forget that St. Joseph, Missouri was the eastern edge of the Pony Express route. There was so much to experience between here and California.

  It felt good to have a goal. She spent the next few days making arrangements with the library, where she worked part-time, and with her neighbors before leaving town. Everyone was cooperative and urged her to relax and have fun. She finalized her plan to leave in two weeks and to be gone for the entire month of September.

  Once all her arrangements had been made, she called Paul to fill him in on her itinerary. “I’m planning on leaving a week from Sunday. I’m not going to rush—no need to hurry. I’ll probably get there sometime on Friday.”

  “Promise me that you’ll call every night along the way and let me know where you are.”

  “I promise. Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. Can’t wait to see you and the girls.”

  * * *

  June was good at making lists. She tacked them on her refrigerator, on her nightstand, and on the coffee table in the family room. She concentrated on a long one of things to do before she left. One item on that list had her driving the twenty miles into Mound City the next morning and pulling up in front of Midwest Realty. There were no realtors in Hayville—probably because no one really ever seemed to move in or out of the tiny town.

  “Good morning,” said a well-dressed, middle-aged woman behind the front desk. “I’m Carole Hayes. How can we help you today?”

  “I’d like to talk to someone about selling my home.”

  “You’ve come to the right place. Tell me about your house.”

  “Let’s see, it’s a nice older three bedroom house on an acre lot with tons of landscaping—located right in the center of Hayville.”

  As soon as the word “Hayville” left June’s mouth, Carole’s smile vanished. “I’m sorry, but that will make things a little more difficult. There’s not much of a market for homes in Hayville. Perhaps someone who wants to move outside of Mound City or even Columbus might be interested, but it could take a while for the right buyer to come along. Are you prepared for the sale to take months or even years?”

  June let out a deep breath of relief. Even thought she had taken this first step, she didn’t know how prepared she was to up and change her entire life. She hadn’t even considered where she would go next, so some time to think about things was perfect. She set an appointment for Carole to come look at the property later that week and walked out of the office smiling and checking off one more item on her to do list. Not so bad. She could do this.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Jeff Walker tossed his sizable duffle bag behind the driver’s seat of his truck and for the third time checked the hitch between the pickup and the horse trailer he would be hauling. Yep, everything seemed to be ready. He looked out over his spread in the early morning light. He loved this ranch he had called home for his entire life. Six hundred sprawling acres—surrounded by National Forest land on all sides. He always hated to leave this place, even if only for a few days. He had little use for the world outside of his Colorado mountains. Interstates, traffic, and cities did nothing for him. How did people live that way?

  “All set, Dad?” Luke asked walking up behind him carrying a plastic travel mug filled with steaming coffee. “Here’s breakfast for the road.”

  “Thanks, kid. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

  It was an offhanded comment, but so true. In the past eight years since Luke’s mother had passed, his sons and this ranch had become his only reasons for living.

  Luke laughed, as he too bent down to check the hitch. “Don’t go getting all sentimental on me. You’ll only be gone a week. Have a great trip and bring us back some amazing new horses.”

  “I’ll try my best. Hold down the fort. I’ll call to check in every couple of nights—make sure you’re okay.”

  “You know, Dad, there are such things as cell phones. If you’d move into this century and buy one, we could keep in constant contact.”

  “No thanks. I’ve made it almost fifty-eight years without one. Don’t need one now. I’ll call you when I can.”

  With that, Luke engulfed him in a huge bear hug. Jeff returned his son’s embrace, before climbing in the
truck and heading out the winding lane to civilization. He dreaded the drive to Kansas—too many miles of interstate to be to his liking. Sighing, he turned on the engine. He had a lead on a couple of quarter horse colts that were exactly what they needed for their ever-increasing herd. If the trip was productive, the long, boring drive would be worth it. And he planned to stop in Denver and see his older son, Matthew on his way home. He missed seeing his oldest on a consistent basis. He would never understand why a son of his would leave the ranch for a life surrounded by concrete and high-rise buildings. The lifestyle he had chosen was so unlike the ranch life that was in his blood and the blood of his father and grandfather before him.

  Jeff and his two sons had all dealt with Susan’s death is their own ways. Matthew didn’t seemed content at the ranch once his mother was gone. He had headed off to college and never come back, except for short visits. “Too many memories,” he had once shared when Jeff had questioned his actions. Luke, on the other hand, at twenty-two, seemed as entrenched in the ranch as the generations before him. Jeff could tell that Luke loved the land and the cowboy life.

  Jeff, himself, felt an overwhelming need to be close to where Susan’s laughter had once rung out so freely. He paused at her hillside memorial almost daily, taking the time to talk to her about everything that was going on with the ranch and their sons. He knew some might think him crazy, but as he sat there, with only the sound of the wind whistling through the pines, he could feel her presence—her approval. It gave him peace—as much peace as he could find in this world without a partner. Many times he wished he could have traded places with her, he would have gladly given his own life to save hers. Why had God taken her so soon? Yep, he promised to love her until death, and he felt that promise meant not only her death, but his. Since she passed, he had never even considered a relationship any other woman. No, a love like theirs was too strong to die.