The Lucky Heart

by Devney Perry

  The second she was gone, my ears filled with cheers and whistles. Behind me, the girls were whooping it up. “I can see you are all depressed that she’s leaving town.”

  “I’m buying your beer,” Emmeline said. “And you’ve got free oil changes at Nick’s garage until the end of time.”

  Maisy nodded. “Any and all future stays at the motel are on the house.”

  “If we hadn’t already decided on names for this baby, I’d name this one after you,” Gigi said, patting her tummy.

  I laughed. “No thanks needed. It’s payment enough that I’ll never have to hear from her or Tyson again.”

  “This is going to be an awesome day,” Gigi said.

  “Hell, yes,” I agreed.

  Overloaded with beverages and snacks, we went back into the stands and again found our seats. When Jess joined us, he tucked Gigi into his side. “They’re up next for a practice run.”

  I glued my eyes to the starting line, excited to see the guys attempt to do this. In the short time we’d been sitting, I’d watched three different skiers crash fantastically. Only one, and a woman at that, had made it through the whole course without a fall. But regardless of the track fails, all of the participants seemed to be enjoying the fun.

  “There they are,” Emmeline gasped, reaching out to grip my arm. Her face paled and she was stroking her baby belly.

  “Is everything okay?”

  “I’m just nervous and worried that Nick is going to break a leg right before we have the baby.”

  Her fingers on my forearm tightened until Nick and Silas finally came through the gates and set up at the starting line. At the sight of her husband, Emmeline’s entire frame relaxed.

  Nick clicked on his skis and grabbed the rope that dragged behind Courage. He gave Silas a mischievous smirk before waving to Emmeline. When he flipped off his baseball cap and turned it backward on his head, Emmeline actually swooned.

  Silas looked up to me and tipped the brim of his cowboy hat. One gesture and I practically melted. I might have swooned a little myself.

  “Okay. What’s going on?” Gigi asked.

  “Huh?” I tore my eyes away from Silas.

  “You and Silas? What’s going on?”

  I shrugged. If I had a better idea, I would have told her. But as it was, I was still a little confused so I stayed silent.

  She narrowed her eyes. “Your brother does that too and I hate it.”

  “Does what?” I asked.

  “Answers a question without an actual verbal answer.”

  I grinned. “Where do you think I learned it?”

  We both laughed and turned back to the arena.

  With Courage positioned in the center ring, Silas nodded at the official. My heart raced and I held my breath as we waited for the starting buzzer. At its loud beep, Silas spurred Courage’s side and off they raced, Nick’s rope snapping tight as he shot off behind them.

  He bounced over three small bumps, then sailed over one of the large jumps before they whipped around a wide curve and raced back toward the finish line. Nick yelled out and Silas urged Courage on even faster as they hit the final stretch. They were flying by the time they vanished from the ring and through the finishing gate.

  The red numbers on the electronic board flashed 21.3 seconds, the fastest time we’d seen in any of the practice rounds.

  We all shot off the bench seat and cheered, hooting and hollering as Nick walked back through the arena gates with Silas following on Courage.

  God, he was sexy.

  He leaned forward in his saddle, confident and comfortable. The grin on his face was contagious and I smiled like a fool for the rest of the day, enjoying the time with my friends as we watched the competition. Silas and Nick ended up in second place overall, having lost to none other than Tina the waitress’s team.

  “Nice work,” I told Silas when we all met him and Nick back at the horse trailer.

  He smiled and draped his silver medal over my head. “Thanks. I won this just for you.”

  I fanned my face, feigning dramatics. “I’ll wear it always.” With a yank on my arm, the girls literally pulled me into their huddle to discuss dinner plans.

  “How about the café?” Gigi asked.

  “I ate there yesterday,” Maisy said.

  “Chinese?” Emmeline suggested.

  “I could eat an egg roll or twelve.” The hot dog and popcorn I’d had for lunch had long since burned away and I was famished.

  “Chinese,” Gigi said. “And break.”

  Maisy and Gigi left to collect Jess while Emmeline waddled to Nick’s side. While we stood waiting for Silas to stow away Courage, I started people watching.

  One group of men were fishing beers out of a cooler and settling into camp chairs for what appeared to be a long evening of drinking in the cold. At first, I didn’t recognize anyone in their group but then my eyes zeroed in on a familiar face.

  Derrick Olson was sprawled out in a faded blue camp chair.

  “Maisy? Isn’t that Derrick Olson?” I asked, pointing to Khloe’s husband.

  She glanced over her shoulder and nodded. “Yeah. Why?”

  “Oh, no reason,” I lied. “I knew him in high school but he’s changed so I wasn’t sure.”

  That last part was true. Derrick had filled out his once-lanky frame with beefy muscle. His hair was much longer than it had been in high school and was styled heavily toward the front, likely to hide the beginnings of a receding hair line.

  When a woman walked past their group, his eyes locked on her breasts. When she passed his chair, he reached out a hand and “accidentally” brushed her ass.

  Pig.

  Derrick hadn’t changed a bit since high school.

  I scanned the crowd, looking for Khloe, but couldn’t find her. If Derrick had left her at home alone, could this be my chance to break through with her? Maybe with him away she’d be more willing to open up to me.

  “Are you okay?” Silas stepped up to my side.

  “Yeah!” I said a little too loudly. “Sounds like we’re all going to the Chinese restaurant. I just need to run a quick errand first. Meet you there?”

  His eyes narrowed. He knew I was up to something but he didn’t push.

  “Great job today,” I said. “I had fun.”

  “Yeah, good times. Thanks for coming. Nick has convinced me to build a course out on the ranch so we can practice. Next year, that trophy will be mine.”

  I winked good-bye and snuck away from the group, hustling to my car.

  Speeding through town, I followed my GPS to the Olsons’, a newer home built in a small development next to the river.

  I had no idea if Khloe would talk to me but there was only one way to find out. I parked and wasted no time marching up to the house and knocking. When Khloe’s eyes peeked through the door’s window, she paled and ducked away.

  “Khloe, please. I just wanted to check on you,” I said to the closed door. “If you can honestly tell me you’re okay and that the reason you’ve been ignoring my calls is because you hate my guts, I promise to leave you alone forever. I’m only visiting because I’m worried.”

  I held my breath and listened, hoping to hear the unlocking door and not her retreating footsteps. When the knob twisted, I sagged and blew out a loud breath.

  Khloe kept her chin down and only showed me one side of her face as she cracked open the door. “I’m fine. Okay? I don’t hate your guts but I just don’t have time for friends right now.”

  “All right. I’m sorry to have been bothering you.”

  “It’s okay.”

  “If your schedule opens up, please keep me in mind?”

  She nodded and started to close the door.

  “I, uh, saw Derrick at the fairgrounds,” I blurted. “He was just hanging out. Having a few beers. He reminded me a lot of the same guy I knew in high school. The one that got a little . . . rough.” I was pushing but I hoped that by hinting at my suspicions, she’d realize that she
wasn’t fooling me.

  My tactic worked. She stood straight and revealed her full face. The cheek that she’d been hiding was covered in a round, red welt and her bottom lip had a fresh split.

  My first instinct was to call Jess, have him arrest Derrick for being the wife-beating piece of shit that he was, but I pulled back that urge. Khloe would have to be fully on board for Derrick to stay in jail. If she wasn’t ready for that yet, my meddling would only make things worse. So I did the only thing I could. I reminded my friend that I was here for her.

  I clenched my fists to keep from fussing over her injury. “Do you need to go to the hospital?”

  Her eyes filled with tears as she shook her head. “No.”

  “Can I help?”

  She shook her head again and dropped her eyes to the floor.

  “Will you call me if I can?”

  Her head bobbed.

  “Happy New Year.” I touched her shoulder.

  She looked up and gave me a half smile. “Same to you.”

  I waved good-bye and walked briskly back to my car. Given how comfortable Derrick had looked at the fairgrounds, I wasn’t expecting to bump into him on my way out, but I also didn’t want to risk it. Who knew what he’d do to Khloe if he caught me visiting her?

  As I drove to the Chinese restaurant, I was torn between savoring my victory at finally getting through with Khloe and worrying about her safety. There wasn’t much I could do if she didn’t want my help, but today I’d made progress.

  I hadn’t gotten a full-fledged confession but I’d cracked her walls. Derrick was beating her. And she knew that I knew.

  Now I just had to be patient and hope that soon she’d be ready to free herself from his abuse. Because when that time came, I’d prove to her that I was a friend she could count on.

  I hadn’t seen the signs that Wes had been in trouble. I hadn’t done anything to save him from his demise.

  I wouldn’t make that same mistake with Khloe.

  “That was a waste of five dollars.”

  I tossed my Cosmopolitan on the coffee table and face-planted into a throw pillow on my couch. I had bought the magazine earlier today because it featured an article on the benefits of taking a new relationship slowly.

  Hogwash.

  I had experienced all of the alleged benefits and could attest that they were definitely not beneficial. It was the middle of February, and Silas and I were stuck in the same place we had been six weeks ago: undefined.

  It wasn’t as if he hadn’t had opportunities to make his move, since we’d been spending plenty of time together. At least twice a week, we’d meet for dinner, and one night last week, he’d taken me to a movie. Yet here I was, sexually frustrated and confused. No kisses. No hand-holding. Nothing. All I got was the occasional hug.

  Were we back to being just friends? Had he changed his mind about us?

  There was no time to dwell on it now. I heard the sound of his truck pull into my driveway and then the chime of my doorbell. I pushed up off the couch and grabbed my magazine, searching around for a hiding place. When it was safely tucked under a cushion, I yelled, “Come on in!”

  “Hey.” He closed the door behind him. “Ready?”

  “Yeah. Let me just run upstairs and grab my shoes.”

  Tonight, Silas was taking me out to dinner at The Black Bull, a nice steakhouse a little way out of town. It wasn’t casual like the café or the deli downtown where we had been going. The Black Bull was the type of restaurant where a man would take a date.

  Was this a date? I hadn’t a fucking clue. Regardless, I wore heels in case it was.

  Silas was staring at the pictures on my fireplace mantel. “All set.” He didn’t move at my announcement, just kept his eyes glued to a frame. His jaw was clenched tightly and his nostrils were flaring.

  That wasn’t a good sign.

  I walked behind him. He was glaring at the picture of me and Wes from high school, the one that Jack had given me when I’d gone to the farm for dinner months ago.

  “Silas?” I touched his elbow.

  He flinched and looked down to me. “Sorry,” he muttered, his face relaxing.

  “It’s fine. Are you okay?”

  “All good.” That was a lie, but I didn’t push him for the truth. Strange. Why would seeing Wes’s picture bother him so much? “Ready?”

  I nodded and followed him outside.

  “How was your day?” I asked as we drove to the restaurant.

  “Long. I was out all day in the cold, checking cows. I ended up having to bring one into the barn. I can’t tell if her calf is breeched or what so I’ll be up all night checking on her. Then I’ll do it all over again tomorrow.”

  This was the first time Silas had seemed disheartened about his ranch work. He’d complain about dirty jobs here and there or tell me about arguments with his dad, but tonight, he sounded worn-out and stressed. I was guessing a lot of it was his lack of help.

  “We should skip the restaurant,” I said. “I can hang out at home tonight since you’re tired. Or if you want, we could just pick up a pizza and head to the ranch. I’ll keep you company while you work.”

  My motivations for offering to go with him weren’t entirely unselfish. The last time I’d been at his place, he had almost kissed me. Maybe back in a private setting, he would feel more comfortable accelerating our relationship. And if nothing happened, I’d know I had been friend-zoned.

  “You’re all dressed up.” He grabbed my hand and laced his fingers with mine.

  Tingles spread from my palm up to my shoulder. Whoop whoop! Friends did not hold hands like this. “I’m in jeans and a blouse. Lend me a sweatshirt before we walk into the barn and I’ll be just fine.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Only if you let me pick the pizza toppings.”

  He squeezed my hand and smiled. “Just no onions.”

  I turned my face to my window to hide my smile. Though I had been looking forward to a nice dinner, spending the night at Silas’s place, eating pizza and, hopefully, cozying up on the couch together would be exponentially better.

  An hour later, my bare feet were tucked under my rear in the couch as I ate a slice of pepperoni from the plate on my lap.

  “How’d your meeting with Rob go?”

  “Good.” I nodded. “Really good. I think we’ve landed on a price.”

  “No shit? That’s awesome. Congrats.”

  I had met Rob Jordan, Prescott’s realtor, shortly after New Year’s, and he’d immediately taken me under his wing. He had let me accompany him on a couple of showings and I’d known after the first that I’d chosen the right career path.

  Since then, Rob and I had been negotiating the price of a partnership, and today, we’d finally come to an agreement that wouldn’t wipe out my savings. I had already finished the licensing course. Now the only hurdle left to jump was taking the actual exam. In two weeks, assuming I passed, I would officially be a realtor and half owner of Jamison Valley Real Estate. Rob would be focusing on land sales and commercial properties while I brokered all of the residential properties. I hadn’t been this excited about a job since I was fresh out of college.

  “It’s all because you gave me that tip at Christmas.”

  “Nah. It’s all because of you.”

  I looked to my plate to hide my blushing cheeks. “Thanks.”

  Silas had never been shy about giving me praise, and every time he did, it felt like more than just a friendly compliment. There was an intimacy behind his words.

  “When do you take your test?” he asked.

  “On Thursday next week. I wrapped up one of my consulting projects today, and the last one should be done by the end of the week. That’ll give me a few days with nothing to do but cram.”

  “You’ll crush it.”

  Another smile.

  “Any word from Dr. McDreamy?” he grumbled.

  I laughed and nearly choked on a bite. “Dr. McDreamy?” I repeated after swallowing
. “Silas Grant, are you a closet Grey’s Anatomy fan?”

  “No,” he huffed. “Mom loves that fucking show. She’s always got reruns on.”

  “Sure, blame it on your mom,” I joked. “Well, you’re right about one thing. Dr. Faraday is dreamy.” I fanned myself. He was so jealous of Dr. Faraday that I couldn’t help but tease.

  “Did you hear from him or not?” He poked me in the side.

  I giggled and swatted his hand away. “No. We haven’t heard anything back yet.”

  Mom had gotten her tests done in January but they’d showed no abnormalities that could be causing her spacey moments. Dr. Faraday suspected that she had a form of dementia, maybe even a mild case of Alzheimer’s, and was currently researching treatment possibilities.

  “Want another slice?” Silas asked.

  I nodded and handed him my empty plate. “When do we have to go check on that cow?”

  He pulled out his phone from his jeans pocket. “An hour. I set an alarm so I wouldn’t lose track of time. Do you want to watch a movie until then?”

  “Sure. Can I pick?”

  He pointed to the cabinet under the TV. “I get one veto.”

  “You won’t need it. My taste in movies is impeccable.”

  “Says the woman obsessed with bad eighties films.”

  I pouted and leapt off the couch. “That hurts.”

  Opening the cabinet drawer, I sat on the floor and inspected his collection. Just as I had suspected, westerns and action films. I loaded up Open Range, turned the TV on and went back to the couch.

  “Nice choice,” Silas said when the opening credits came on the screen.

  “Told you so. Kevin Costner and Robert Duvall are two of the best. ‘How about I hold your head under water for just a little while?’ ” I quoted in my best man-voice. “I love that line. I say it to Sabrina as often as I can.”

  He chuckled. “Who’s Sabrina?”

  “My best friend. She’s a real kick. I’ve been begging her to come out and visit.”

  “I’ll look forward to meeting her.”

  “Does that mean you’re going to keep me around?”

  I held my breath and waited for his answer. I was fishing for something, anything. I needed a little verbal reassurance that what we had wouldn’t soon fizzle out when he’d gotten bored with me.