Summer Plans and Other Disasters

by Karin Beery

  Callie closed her eyes.

  Clip-clop. Clip-clop.

  Another stallion walked past her bench on the way to the practice ring. The horse-crazy phase had skipped her as a kid. But when the annual horse show moved to Traverse City during high school, she fell in love with the grace and strength, the dust and hay. She and Kyle spent their first summer together attending the horse show.

  “I thought we were meeting at noon.”

  Callie’s eyes popped open. She spun around, searching the crowd but not needing to see Kyle to hear the smile in his voice. A small group passed by as she spotted him. Sandals, jean shorts, a crisp striped button down, and that amazing smile.

  She waved. “I thought I’d come a little early before too many people show up.”

  “You were early the first time we met here.” Kyle sat beside her. “We could have just planned on meeting earlier.”

  “I didn’t want to impose. Besides, I kind of like seeing everything before the crowds.” She leaned into him. “What are you doing here?”

  He shrugged. “I had a hunch you might be here.”

  Her stomach fluttered. “Really?”

  “And I had to stop at the office this morning. I didn’t feel like waiting around at work.” Kyle glanced at her, but his eyes drifted past her.

  Callie looked over her shoulder. The resort tower sliced through the trees, its black tinted windows piercing the blue sky. “I wish I had to work. I’ve tried to get Jack to let me help him, but I’m still unemployed.”

  “How’s that working out for you?”

  “Pretty well, actually.” She turned back to Kyle. “Charlie was supposed to have this week off work, but someone got hurt at the job site, and they called him in. I’ve spent most of the week with Mae and the kids.”

  “So, being fired didn’t turn out as bad as you thought.”

  She shrugged. “I guess not.”

  “You don’t sound convinced.”

  “I’m more worried about the fall.”

  “Fall? Won’t you be back in school by then?”

  “Maybe. I don’t suppose you know if any schools in the area need a music teacher?”

  “Are you moving back?”

  “I’m thinking about it.” No one needed to know about Alma’s school budget problems … yet. If Jan’s prediction came true, however, Callie would have to double her efforts to start working with Jack again. “It would definitely be nice to pick up some extra money this summer.” Just in case. “I can’t convince Jack, though.”

  Kyle suddenly perked up, his eyes twinkling. “Maybe you don’t have to. You remember Rachel from the other night?”

  The hair model. Callie pinned her smile back on. “Sure.”

  “Her sister is getting married in a couple of weeks. I guess the piano player broke her hand or something, because Rachel spent all morning calling around looking for a replacement.”

  The pins popped out. “You were working with Rachel this morning?”

  “We were supposed to work, but she’s so upset about the wedding that we didn’t get much done. I don’t know why I didn’t think to call you before. Are you busy two weeks from today? They’re desperate.”

  She hadn’t played at a wedding in a while, but a lot of brides used the same music. Unless Rachel’s sister had an affinity for reggae or ska, Callie could probably do the job, especially if it paid. “I don’t suppose you know what music they’re using?”

  Kyle laughed. “All I know for sure is there’s a Wizard of Oz theme, but I don’t know if that has anything to do with the music.”

  Playing might be worth it just to see what a Wizard of Oz themed wedding looked like. “I’m available, as long as it’s not some crazy music. I should be able to handle anything else. Give her my number and have her call me. I’ll take a look.”

  “Another successful day.” Kyle leaned into her. “Summer might not be so bad after all.”

  Another horse clomped by. Kyle said something, but the elegant gait of the giant animal captured Callie’s attention. The body gleaming, the muscles rippling through its shoulders and legs, the sun reflecting off shiny chestnut hair and a black, braided tail.

  “I just lost to a horse.”

  The horse shook its head, shaking Callie out of her trance. “Lost what to a horse?”

  Kyle stood, pulling her with him. “Come on. I might as well take you to the ring. Then you don’t have to pretend like you’re paying attention. Everyone will expect you to ignore me.”

  “I wasn’t ignoring you.”

  “Sure, you weren’t.”

  She wasn’t. She couldn’t have been, not when she was finally with him, right where she wanted to be. That would be rude.

  He led them away from the practice ring and toward the main show ring. The crowd was bigger, but still not so large that they couldn’t find a couple of seats together on the bleachers. They sat near the top, close to each other but far enough away from anyone else that Callie considered the time as being alone with Kyle. The sun hadn’t done much to warm the aluminum seats, but Kyle’s nearness made the hard, cool metal more tolerable.

  The show started. A horse entered the ring, the rider guiding it skillfully, leading it to jumps and around obstacles. The animal seemed to pause mid-air, clearing impossible-looking hurdles with elegance and strength. Polite golf claps responded. One horse pranced out of the ring, another entered, over and over again. The majesty of the performances awed her.

  Something poked her in the ribs, scaring the breath out of her lungs.

  Kyle laughed. “You’ve officially abandoned me for the horses.”

  Again? “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to ignore you.” She shouldn’t really forget he was there so easily. This was her afternoon with Kyle. She needed to focus. “What were you saying?”

  He laughed again, loud and hearty. “You’re cute when you’re flustered.”

  “Good to know.” Maybe. She liked being cute but hated the flustered feeling.

  “I said I’m going to go get something to drink. Do you want anything?”

  “Sure.” Callie popped up, bouncing the bleachers beneath her. “I could use some water.” He stood close. Not that he had much of an option. The seats had filled up since she got distracted. How long ago was that?

  “I’ll go. You stay and enjoy the show.”

  Callie tucked her hand around Kyle’s arm. “I’ll go and enjoy your company.” And salvage the date.

  They headed down the bleachers together, dodging people and their bags. By the time they finally landed on solid ground, thirst clawed at Callie’s throat.

  “Thanks for pulling me out of my daze. I didn’t realize we’ve been here so long.”

  “Anytime. You always get sucked into things. Remember that time we went with Ryan and Jack to that music festival in Gaylord?”

  Callie groaned. “Jack spent the whole afternoon in the security tent.”

  “Because you had his ID in your purse.”

  “I couldn’t help it. That singer was dynamic.”

  “They paged you. Six times.” Kyle chuckled. “I’ll never forget the look on Ryan’s face when we finally found you.”

  Neither would Callie. Equal parts relief and anger, she hadn’t known whether or not Ryan planned on hugging or spanking her. That wasn’t an expression she saw very often. Come to think of it … “You know, I don’t think I’ve talked with Ryan since the night at the hospital.”

  “Seriously?” Kyle steered them around a small crowd and toward the food vendor. “Don’t you live together?”

  Heat consumed Callie’s face. “Don’t say it like that, it sounds awful.”

  “You know what I mean.” He poked her ribs, just like Jack would.

  “Yes, we both live with Jack, but we keep missing each other. Not that I’ve been around mu
ch.”

  “Still, it’s been five days. That’s a little weird.”

  They stopped at the back of the short line, and Kyle pulled his arm away to dig the wallet out of his back pocket. Callie reached into her purse for her wallet, and he didn’t stop her. That niggled at her.

  “So, how was work?” she asked. “Why did you have to stop in this morning?”

  “Rachel is taking a couple of days off next week to help her sister with something for the wedding. We’re putting in a few extra hours here and there to make up the time.”

  Extra hours with Rachel. She’d probably been coifed and polished, not wearing flip-flops and a T-shirt. And she had to smell better than the occasional waft of barnyard that filled the large field.

  Callie ran her fingers through her hair as they ordered and paid for their waters. She didn’t feel like scaling the bleachers again, so she led them down the row of vendor boutiques. Kyle didn’t ask why, he just followed. More niggling.

  They wandered past tents full of leather goods, western wear, and people offering riding lessons. Callie browsed but kept moving. Something about their conversation on the bleachers unsettled her, but she hadn’t really paid attention. Add that to the new niggles, and the day didn’t feel right.

  “You know, Cal, I’m really glad you called.”

  Excitement and joy soothed her nerves. “You are?” She looked over at him. He ambled along beside her, one hand in his pocket, the other holding his water. Not exactly cool and confident, more relaxed. Comfortable. Jack-like. “I’m glad you called back. I’ve definitely been having fun hanging out with you.”

  “Me too. Rachel’s been really busy the past few weeks with her sister. It’s been good to have someone to talk to again.”

  The gnawing sensation latched onto her heart and chewed right through it. Rachel again. Was it possible? Callie swallowed. “So, how long have you and Rachel been dating?”

  Kyle shrugged. “Technically, we aren’t allowed. As long as we’re on this project together, we have to keep things professional.”

  Callie would’ve preferred getting kicked in the head by a horse.

  They reached the end of the vendor tents, landing next to another practice ring. A horse pranced by, kicking up the dirt and everything on top of it. The stench nearly choked her. She willed her heart back together as she leaned against the railing. Kyle stood beside her.

  “How much longer do you have until the project is over?”

  “A couple of weeks.” Kyle leaned into Callie. “I hope the wedding thing works out with you. That will give us all a chance to hang out some more.”

  Callie stared straight ahead, trying to catch a breath of fresh air. The staring was easier than the breathing, which would have been difficult with or without the horsey aroma.

  The horse in the ring stumbled but, unlike Callie’s plan, it straightened up and kept on going. “You’re Rachel’s date to the wedding, aren’t you?”

  “Yeah. It’s after our deadline, so she asked.” His hand smacked her shoulder. “I’d like to have a friend there. Rachel’s in the wedding, so I’ll be alone for most of the night.”

  A friend.

  Pounding hooves thundered in her ears. The remnants of her heart struggled to keep beating. A friend. “Of course.” Her last bit of hope for the summer disappeared.

  People clapped in the distance. A fly buzzed around Callie’s head. Kyle leaned forward, his eyes scanning her face. When their gazes locked, his eyebrows shot up, eyes wide. So much for hiding her emotions. Something gave her away.

  “Callie.” Her name caught on the wind, blowing away with her hope. “You didn’t think …” Kyle wiped the sweat from his forehead. “I mean … I didn’t mean to lead you on. I just thought we were, at least I didn’t imagine … oh, man.”

  Kyle turned away, and for a split second she thought he might run. “Of course not.” She grabbed his arm, leaning into him without having to face him. “I know we’re over. I mean, I broke up with you, remember?” Forced laughter. “I guess I just wasn’t expecting there to be anyone else, not that there shouldn’t be, right? You’re an amazing guy, and Rachel seems … special.”

  His hand covered hers. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know.”

  “There’s nothing to know. Really, it’s okay. I just wasn’t expecting it, that’s all.”

  Not expecting it at all.

  The sun blinded Callie as she struggled to stay on the road. After Kyle left, she’d waited for the tears to subside before getting onto the highway. But now she couldn’t find her sunglasses, and the sun threatened to run her off the road. Half blind and frustrated, she pulled into a parking lot to look for her glasses.

  She never ceased being amazed at how she could lose items in a purse. The glasses couldn’t have gotten up and walked away. The bag was only so big. She continued to dig until her hand bumped her phone.

  Mae. Callie needed to talk to Mae. She’d been right all along. Callie should have talked to Kyle right away. She should have told him the first time she saw him. She should have told him the truth at the horse show, regardless of Rachel. Maybe he would change his mind if he knew.

  But he did know. He’d figured her out and it hadn’t changed anything. Would it have really mattered if she’d confessed first?

  Callie dialed Mae’s number and waited, struggling against the heartache that threatened to push up more tears. The disappointment. The confusion.

  “Hi, Callie.”

  “Charlie, how are you?”

  “Perfect. I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done for us this week.”

  A light balm soothed her heart. “I’ve never been able to help such a tiny baby before. It was my pleasure.”

  “Chip thanks you too.”

  “Chip?”

  “Two Charlies is confusing, and Mae refuses to let me call him Chuck. I don’t want him to be a Junior.”

  “So why Chip?”

  “He’s a chip off the ol’ block.”

  He certainly was—Callie had burped him. “How’s Mae?”

  “Sleeping.”

  Of course she was.

  “Should I have her call you?”

  And ignore her family because of Callie’s failure? “No, that’s okay. I was just calling to check in.”

  “We’re good, thanks to you.”

  As Charlie hung up, Callie could hear the girls chatting and laughing in the background. Hopefully, he’d get them quieted down. Mae needed her sleep. Any mother of three needed a good nap. What she didn’t need was a constantly failing best friend who couldn’t keep her life together.

  Callie dropped her phone back in her purse.

  Something cracked.

  Looking down, she found her sunglasses … under her phone.

  Wonderful. Kyle had a date with the beauty queen. Mae had a family to care for. Callie would rather have her teeth pulled than talk to Jack about this mess.

  Ryan?

  Her heart might have flipped if it hadn’t already been chewed up and spit out.

  She could talk to Ryan. He understood her. She trusted him. He would give her good counsel.

  Ignoring the sun and her tears, Callie thrust her car into gear and headed home.

  Gone.

  Callie read the note again. Here are the keys. Ryan.

  She looked at the key ring—definitely keys to the lighthouse. She knew Ryan was planning to move out, but that was it? No goodbye. No forwarding address. Just here are the keys?

  She opened her phone and dialed before she had a chance to talk herself out of it. Ryan’s voicemail picked up.

  “It’s Callie. I, uh—” She swallowed a sob. “—just wanted to let you know I got your note and the keys. I’ll make sure Jack gets them. I guess I didn’t realize, didn’t know you were leaving so soon. It was kind of a
surprise, but, well—” Emotions clouded her brain. “I should probably just go.”

  Her phone hit the counter as another tear escaped. Callie looked around the tiny kitchen, the walls closing in on her, snuffing out all hope. No job. No Kyle. No Mae. No Ryan. Every realization squeezed a little more oxygen out of the room.

  Then why was she here? What did God expect from her? None of it made sense. She needed to play something fierce. Something challenging. Chopin’s Opus 66, or Liszt’s La Campanella.

  But she couldn’t. The last time she’d played, Ryan had been there. He’d called her beautiful, or he’d called her music beautiful. She still wasn’t sure what he’d meant, and she didn’t want to be thinking about him while she played. The piano was supposed to be her escape. Now what?

  A drive. She could get away from everyone. Clear her head.

  Callie flipped over Ryan’s note and grabbed a pen.

  Went for a drive. Need some time alone. Back later. Callie

  That should eliminate some of the confusion from last time. So should this—she tossed her phone on the counter. She didn’t need the distraction.

  An hour later, Callie turned off the pavement and onto a narrow seasonal road. Dust kicked up behind her car as she carefully maneuvered through the shrubs and trees. If she stayed on the road, she’d eventually hit Empire, but then she’d have to deal with people again. A few yards ahead of her the sun snuck through the trees. As she crept closer, Callie recognized the clearing.

  She pulled off of the dirt road and parked in the shade of a tall tree. From the back seat, she grabbed her water bottle and a blanket before heading through the trees across the road. She trudged ten minutes through the underbrush before she heard a squawking seagull. The familiar caw interrupted the crunching leaves and twigs.

  Callie stopped and listened. Another caw. A gentle rush, then a lull. Rush and lull. Callie raced ahead, pushing past branches that scratched her arms and snagged her clothes. Rush. Lull. She hurried. Sun streamed into the forest, bouncing off the deep blue shore.

  Lake Michigan.

  Callie stepped out of the trees and into the breeze. In and out, the waves came and retreated. No people. No phones. Just Callie and the water … and a life to figure out.