Colorado Sunset (Peakview Series Book 1)

by Jill Haymaker

  “Thanks, I look forward to seeing you soon.”

  June sat down and hugged Laddie’s furry neck. “Well boy, we are moving ahead. I think whatever I decide will be good for both of us. I wish I could take you to Peaktop with me, but they don’t allow dogs, except in emergencies. Don’t worry, I’ll find a great place for you to stay for a few days.”

  Laddie wagged his tail and licked her face. No, she really would never be alone as long as she had her best friend.

  * * *

  Luke wiped the beads of sweat from his face with his bandana. It was a busy time of year for ranchers in Colorado, getting ready for winter, harvesting crops, cutting and baling hay, and selling off livestock they didn’t want to feed all winter. In addition, his dad insisted on completing repairs to the barn and fences to make sure the horses were secure when the inevitable windy, frigid weather hit. They stockpiled hay for when snow covered the ground. At more than 9000 feet above sea level, one never knew when winter would arrive. They had seen blizzards as early as late September.

  Luke glanced over at his dad who seemed to be lost in another world as he worked on the fence. Luke couldn’t help being a little worried about him. Since a couple of years after his mother had passed away, his dad had always seemed—if not entirely happy—at least content with his bachelor life on the ranch. But now for the last month, since June’s short visit, he seemed somehow different, more melancholy. Luke sensed a hollowness and a longing which he hadn’t noticed before. Had he made a huge mistake in bringing June here? Or was it a good thing? Maybe it would encourage his dad to get out and date and find a life for himself. Luke himself wondered if he would ever meet that perfect women. Ever since Penny, his long time high school flame, had left for greener pastures, he had been as much a hermit as his dad. Why wouldn’t his dad have the same kind of feelings? Had his dad sacrificed his own happiness for him and his brother all of these years?

  “How’s the fence coming?” Luke asked.

  “Almost done. Should hold up through the winter.”

  “Dad, are you okay? You seem a little down lately.”

  “I’m fine son. Just fine. I’ve got a lot on my mind with winter coming.”

  “You know if you wanted to start dating it would be alright with me.”

  Jeff looked up from working with JJ and Lil, the little horses who now had names. Names that Jeff thought suited them to a T. Where did that statement come from? Was it that obvious to his son that he couldn’t get June Meyers out of his head?

  “Even if I wanted to date, and I’m not saying that I do, I don’t see too many eligible women wandering around Peakview. I’m sure not moving to the big city like your brother. So I guess I’m fine.”

  “I just wanted you to know that you don’t have to stay here and take care of me. You have already done so much. I want you to be happy.”

  “I am happy, son. I love this ranch and there’s nowhere else I want to spend the rest of my life. Of course, if you wanted to add a wife and grandkids to the mix, I would be thrilled.” Jeff smiled hoping his comment would take the focus of this uncomfortable conversation off of his life.

  “As you said, Dad, there’s not many eligible single women in Peakview, of any age, so I guess we will carry on.” Luke laughed and got back to work.

  Dang, Jeff really thought he was in control of his feelings. He didn’t want his silly fantasy to affect Luke. He was a grown man. He was sure that by now June had gone back to her own life and forgotten all about him. Maybe he should look around for someone to date. The problem was the only woman he wanted to date was a thousand miles away in Ohio.

  And another thing, was Luke here because he loved the ranch, or did he feel obligated to take care of his dad? No, stop. He knew ranching was in Luke’s blood, as much as it was in his. Still, Luke should be dating pretty young girls. He made a note to himself to encourage the kid to have a life.

  He had to admit that he still thought about June Meyers every day. He wanted to see her again, but he was clueless as to how to make that happen. He wouldn’t even know how to find her. If he did, what would he do then? One evening with her had not been enough.

  As it often did, his mind turned back to over 20 years ago and his life with Susan. Why had she died so young? Why did that lump still develop in his throat every time he thought of her? She should be here now, laughing and smiling and loving him and Luke. It still felt so unfair. They needed her. Jeff quickly wiped away the tear that escaped down his cheek with the sleeve of his flannel shirt before Luke could see the depth of his sadness. No. Susan had been his one and only love. He didn’t think he could love like that again. June deserved someone better than a broken old man.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  October flew by. Now that June had made a decision, there was so much to do. Thirty years of life in the same house accumulated a lot of stuff. Why hadn’t she gotten rid of some of it years ago? Since she had always had lots of storage room, it had been easier to put it off. June busied herself dividing her worldly possessions into three groups: things she wanted to keep but put in storage; things to be donated; and things to be trashed. On top of those there was the ever-growing maybe pile—things she felt she couldn’t give away without talking first to her kids. She ordered a big dumpster for her driveway and was amazed at how quickly it filled up. Why had she kept so many clothes and toys from her children’s younger days? The donation pile grew and grew. June was surprised by how few possessions she really felt strongly about keeping. And yet, each and every item brought back fond memories. She knew that wherever she ended up, she would be downsizing. Several times she had to stop what she was doing to wipe tears from her face. She could see her past so clearly, but her future… She had no idea what it would look like. Had the best days of her life already passed?

  About a week into the project, June faced what she had been avoiding. It was time to call her daughters and let them know what was going on. While she had been pretty sure Paul would be supportive, she was concerned about her daughters’ reaction to her leaving their lifelong home.

  Mary, currently in her senior year of college, was doing her a semester abroad in Buenos Aries. It was hard to talk to her often because of the time difference. She checked her watch and made the call.

  “Hi sweetheart. How are you doing?’

  “Great, Mom. It’s so good to hear your voice. School is going well. I think I’ll try to stay here until just before Christmas and then head home. I’ll probably have to stay with you for a little while after I graduate before deciding what to do next with my life. That’s okay with you, right?”

  “Of course honey.You’re always welcome to be with me wherever I am, but there’s something I need to talk to you about.”

  “You’re okay, aren’t you?”

  “Oh, it’s nothing like that. I’m fine. It’s just that I’ve sold the house.”

  “What? When? I didn’t even know you were thinking about it.”

  “I talked to a realtor before I went to visit Paul and the girls. She found a buyer. The house is too big for me and Laddie, and I guess I need a change. I should have told you sooner, but we thought it might take years to sell.”

  Mary fired rapid questions her way. “When do you have to be out? Where will you go? Have you bought another house?”

  “Slow down. I have to be out by November first. I’ll probably rent an apartment in Mound City while I figure things out. I have a vacation scheduled at a dude ranch in Colorado for the first week of November. My stuff will be in storage, and I’ll go from there. I’ll let you know as soon as I know exactly where I’ll be at Christmas. We’ll get you a plane ticket in plenty of time for the holiday.”

  “What? Wait—a dude ranch in Colorado. How did that happen?”

  “Long story, but to make it short, I passed through there on my way to Paul’s last month and it was so beautiful. I want to go back and spend some more time in the mountains.”

  “I’m glad you’re taking a vaca
tion, Mom. You deserve it. I just thought you’d go lie on a beach somewhere.”

  June laughed, “I’m not that old! I have always liked to ride horses. I want an active vacation.”

  “Don’t hurt yourself. You are full of surprises today. Are you sure you’re my mom?”

  Yes, darling. I’ll always be your mom. Wherever I am for the holidays, there’ll be room for you and your siblings. I’ll talk to you soon when I have more definite plans. Love you!”

  “Love you too, Mom.”

  Well that didn’t go too badly, but June knew she had put off the worst until last. Alexis, her baby, was not going to take this well. She picked up the phone to complete the dreaded call.

  “Hey, Lexi. What’s new?”

  “Hi Mom. School is wonderful. Have I told you how much I love it here?” Alexis proceeded to talk nonstop for several minutes about Louisiana, a boy she had met in her Chemistry class, and her professors—good and bad.

  June tried hard to pay attention and sound interested, all the while waiting for the chance to bring up her news. When Lexi finally stopped to take a breath, June forged ahead. “Listen sweetie, I have some news, too. I have decided to sell the house and start over somewhere else.”

  “What! You sold our home? Are you telling me I’m homeless?”

  June laughed, “Don’t be silly. You’ll never be homeless. Your home will be wherever I am—just not in Hayville.”

  “But Hayville is home. I don’t want to go home to anywhere else.”

  June repeated what she had told Mary about her plans, ending with, “you know that your dad and Courtney will probably always live in Hayville. You can stay with them, if you want to visit your friends.”

  “Oh, Mom. You know that’s not the same.”

  “No, it’s not, but life changes, and I need a change. I hope you can support me in this. I’ll let you know as soon as I know where I’ll be for Thanksgiving and make sure to get you there.”

  “I wish you weren’t leaving before I have the chance to say goodbye to the house. Don’t get rid of my stuff.”

  “I won’t, honey. It will all be in storage until you have the chance to go through it. I love you!”

  “I love you, too,” Alexis said less than convincingly as she hung up.

  June let out a sigh. “Well, Laddie, I’m glad that’s done. You aren’t mad at me too, are you boy?” Laddie thumped his tail as if to say as long as I’m with you, I am happy!

  * * *

  June had designated the following day, Saturday, as cleaning day. She knew she had been putting it off; even packing boxes was more fun than deep cleaning. Well, it had to be done. She couldn’t bring herself to leave the new owners with any of her mess. She woke up early and dressed in an old ragged pair of overalls, grabbing a bandana out of her drawer to hold back her hair. She hadn’t even bothered to apply her daily makeup; she would take a shower and do that after her cleaning task was done.

  She was about halfway through the kitchen cabinets, when there was a sharp knock at her front door. She brushed a stray hair back from her sweaty face and frowned. Maybe if she just ignored it, whoever it was would go away. She wasn’t in the mood for an interruption. But there it was—another knock, louder this time, and Laddie wouldn’t stop barking.

  “I’m coming.” She yelled as she pulled off her rubber gloves and once again tried to push the hair out of her face.

  She opened the front door to see Ed, glaring at her from the other side of the screen. Yep, she should have ignored it.

  “You sold our house?” he growled at her through the screen.

  “I sold my house. Good morning to you, too.”

  “Can I come in?”

  Knowing that she couldn’t stop him, she moved aside and let him enter. Laddie continued to bark. He had never liked Ed. Smart dog.

  “Lexi called. She’s upset. I can’t believe you would up and sell our family home without even discussing it with me.”

  “It’s my home, and has been ever since you decided you wanted to be elsewhere. What I do with it is none of your business.” He sure hadn’t discussed his plans to run away with a younger woman with her. Of all times for him to show up, why now when she looked her worst. It shouldn’t bother her, but somehow after all these years, it still did.

  “Come on June. It affects our children, so it is my business.”

  “Our children are grownups. They’ll adjust fine. I don’t remember you asking me how you starting a whole new family would affect them.”

  Ed stared at her. “I didn’t come here to fight with you. I just wish you would have let me know, so I could have been prepared when Alexis called me. Where are you going anyway?”

  “I’m not really sure. The house is too big for me and Laddie. It’s time to move on. I’ll let you know when I have a new address.”

  “It doesn’t sound like you’ve thought this through at all. You know that there aren’t many available houses or condos in Hayville. Have you been looking around?”

  June felt a lump in her throat as she swallowed hard. “I’m not going to stay in Hayville. Probably not even Ohio.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. This town is your home.”

  “No, Ed. It’s your home and you’ve moved on. Let me do the same.”

  Ed shook his head and abruptly turned and stomped out the door and back down her sidewalk. As he drove away, June threw her bandana at the door behind him and slumped to the floor, the tears she had held back flowing freely now. Laddie whined and licked her face. She buried her face in his fur and held on tightly. Why was it that her ex could still affect her in this way? Memories of the good times they had had in this house as a family overwhelmed her. Was she making a mistake? The last thing she wanted to do was hurt her children.

  No. She lifted her head and wiped away the tears. Ed Myers had made her cry for the last time. She didn’t care what he thought, and she definitely didn’t need to discuss her life with him. Since he had moved in with Courtney five years earlier, they hadn’t discussed anything. Oh, they were civil for the sake of the kids, but that was it. How dare he think he had the right to confront her like this? Right now she wanted to get as far from Hayville as possible. Her smile returned as she thought of a Colorado ranch and a certain handsome cowboy.

  * * *

  It was the last week of October, as Luke Walker maneuvered the large flatbed truck up to Peaktop Ranch to drop off a load of hay. He was still worried about his dad. Despite their conversation a couple of weeks ago, Jeff seemed less than his usual contented self. Luke pulled into the ranch entry and drove the truck up to the saddle barn where he was greeted by Hank, the head wrangler, and Jim Peyton.

  “Hey, Luke. We’ve been waiting for you; let’s get this hay unloaded.”

  Grabbing several of the other ranch hands to help, they made fast work of emptying the entire truck.

  When the last bale was in the barn, Jim shook his hand. “Thanks, Luke. If you want to head on over to the office, Molly will get you a check. It may be your lucky day. I think she finished a batch of cookies not too long ago. You can probably talk her out of some warm ones, if you hurry.”

  “Anytime, Jim. We appreciate your business, and cookies sound delicious. Dad’s not much of a baker.”

  Luke walked across the yard and into the main ranch building and was immediately assaulted with the aroma of fresh baked chocolate-chip cookies. “I think I’ve died and gone to heaven.”

  Molly beamed at him from behind the counter, where a large plate of delicious cookies sat waiting to be eaten. “Luke, it’s so good to see you. It’s been much too long since you have been up here.”

  “Good to see you too, Molly,” He walked behind the counter to give her a big bear hug and simultaneously snatch a couple of cookies. Molly was the closest thing to a mother he had since his own mother died. He missed her when he wasn’t around much. This time of year they were so busy that there wasn’t spare time for socializing.

  “It’s been reall
y busy at the ranch. You know how fall can be.”

  “Sure do. I’m glad you stopped by though. I wanted to tell you that your friend will be here next week for cattle roundup week.”

  “My friend?” Luke said truly bewildered. All his friends were from the Peakview area. He doubted that any of them would be spending a week as a “dude” at Peaktop.

  “Yeah, June Meyers. She made a reservation a couple of weeks ago.”

  Luke grinned. “June? What do you know—I guess she must have enjoyed her involuntary stay here. I’ll have to stop by and say hello while she’s here.”

  “Oh good. You know we always have that big barbeque dinner on Monday night after the first full day of herding cattle. Why don’t you and JW come on up and join us for dinner? It’s been a while since we’ve had a chance to sit down together and catch up. You can see June at the same time.”

  “I accept. For both of us.” How would his dad react if he knew June was going to be at Peaktop? On a whim he continued, “hey, don’t tell June we’re coming. It’ll be fun to surprise her.”

  “Okay, we’ll see you Monday then.” Molly handed Luke his check and a bag of the cookies to go. “Don’t eat those all before you get home. Remember to share some with your dad.”

  Luke said goodbye drove around the mountain towards home. Maybe, just maybe, his dad had been as hard for June to forget as she seemed to have been for him. He liked June Meyers—had from the first moment he met her there along Apple Creek, and it sure seemed like his dad and her had hit it off. He had never really thought about a stepmother, but if it were to be, he could definitely do a lot worse than June Meyers!

  After parking the now empty truck, Luke greeted his dad who was in the barn working as usual.