by Barbara Gee
“Let’s hope so,” Boone said. “I’m tired of coming up just short.”
Brittany’s horse was dancing around a bit, but her blue eyes stayed fixed on Vince. “What do you think of the Full Heart Ranch so far?” she asked him eagerly. “You just got here yesterday, right?”
“Yeah, yesterday, and I love it,” he said politely. “I spent quite a bit of time here last year, and I knew then I wanted to come back this summer if possible.”
“You sure kept last year’s visit on the down-low,” Brittany said, sounding a touch perturbed. “I wasn’t volunteering here yet at that point, and I didn’t even know you were in town until you were already gone again.”
He grunted. “Yeah, well, rehab doesn’t leave a person feeling real sociable.”
Her sunny smile returned. “Well, since you’re not injured now, maybe you’ll have some time to get to know the area. I’d be happy to show you around.”
Vince appreciated the offer, but he couldn’t help wishing it was her friend who’d made it. “Thanks, I’ll see how things go,” he said, noncommittally. He wanted to catch Callie’s eyes again, but her horse had moved forward and she was once more blocked from his view by Brittany.
“We’ll let you two get back at it,” Boone said. “Just wanted to say hi. I’m sure we’ll see you around.”
“For sure. I’m here five mornings a week during the summer,” Brittany informed them. “Callie not as much because she has her own ranch to work. This is her last day for a while, in fact.”
Well shoot, that was definitely not what Vince wanted to hear. He stepped to the side once again so he could see her. She was looking down at her hands as she combed her fingers through her horse’s mane, hiding the eyes that had taken his breath away.
“Do you girls live nearby?” he asked, not even caring if the question was too forward.
“I live right in town,” Brittany said, her smile warm and hopeful. “Only six minutes from the gate here at the center to my house.”
Callie didn’t respond, so Vince pressed. “What about you, Callie?”
Those stunning green eyes finally met his again. “Our place is about twelve miles out.” She didn’t elaborate, and Vince realized he wasn’t surprised. Callie Green wasn’t the aggressive fan-girl type, not like Brittany. Which was actually quite refreshing. Or maybe she was being distant because she had a boyfriend already, which was anything but refreshing.
She turned toward her friend. “We need to get back, Brit. Molly’s going to wonder where her horses are.”
“I suppose,” Brittany said ruefully. “It was so great meeting you both.” She gave Vince another wide smile. “You let me know if you ever want to hit the town, such as it is.”
“Yeah, okay. I’ll see you around,” Vince said. For one brief second, Callie’s eyes flitted to his again, then she tightened her grip on the reins, prepared to flee.
“Bye for now,” Brittany said cheerfully. “You men enjoy your morning.”
Callie clicked her tongue at her horse and the big black animal immediately jumped forward. Brittany gave a final wave, then hurried to catch up. Vince stood staring after them, not moving even when Boone punched him in the shoulder.
“I think you might be drooling,” his friend said dryly.
Vince watched as the girls quickly became specks in the distance. “My world has officially been rocked,” he murmured.
Boone grunted. “Yeah, well, it would be a lot easier for you if Brittany was the one doing the rocking.”
Vince looked at the other man curiously. “How do you know she isn’t?” he asked, sounding a little defensive.
“Because I almost got zapped by the electrical current between you and Callie,” Boone said with a laugh. “Seriously man, I’ve never seen you get hit like that before.”
Vince didn’t even try to deny it. His friend knew him too well. “I think there was actual electricity,” he declared, “at least on my part. I could drown in those eyes and be happy about it.” He gave his head a quick shake, trying to get his brain back into gear. “Tell me about her.”
They got back in the Gator and Boone started it up. “I don’t know much other than that she helps with the therapy horses when we need her.” He chuckled and gave Vince a sideways glance. “I hate to say it, but she didn’t seem nearly as excited about meeting you as Brittany was.”
“She just wasn’t as obvious about it,” Vince said with a grin. “At least that’s what I’m going with.”
“You’re only here for a couple months,” Boone reminded him. “If you need someone to hang out with, Brittany would be a lot easier. Callie doesn’t strike me as a girl who’s looking for a summer fling.”
“I liked Brittany just fine, there for a bit,” Vince told the other man. He paused dramatically as he reached into the back seat for his hat, jamming it back onto his head. “And then I looked into the eyes of the future Mrs. Vincent Abbot.”
Boone’s dark brows shot up, then lowered into a disbelieving frown. “Oh, come on, Vince. We talked to them for less than two minutes.”
“True, but did you need more than two minutes with Jolene? And don’t gloss it over. I really want to know.”
Boone shrugged as his expression turned thoughtful. “I wouldn’t say it was love at first sight, if that’s what you’re getting at. It was certainly an instant attraction though. There was something about her that just spoke to me. I remember thinking if she’d been in a whole crowd of beautiful women when we met, she would’ve still stood out as the one I wanted.”
“I’m not saying I’m in love already either,” Vince said, “just that I’m pretty sure I will be. Which is probably exactly what you were thinking when you met Jolene.”
Boone was silent for a moment, then he gave the other man a grudging smile. “Point taken. But I still think you have your work cut out for you.” He stomped on the gas pedal and they took off, making Vince grab quickly onto the roof support to stay securely in his seat. Not surprisingly, the captain of the Minnesota Wild drove the Gator as aggressively as he played hockey.
“I probably do,” Vince agreed, staring straight ahead and no longer noticing the beauty of the landscape because he couldn’t get Callie Green out of his head. The clear green eyes. The mass of black hair hanging in shining waves halfway down her back. The curvy pink lips. The smile she’d offered Boone—the one he’d wanted for himself.
As Vince pictured her face in his mind, he realized something. She’d seemed genuinely glad to see Boone again, and yet her smile had never quite reached those incredible eyes. There’d been sadness there, some kind of strain that countered the forced curve of her lips. That realization saddened Vince, because he knew all too well what it felt like to smile when you didn’t feel it—to put on a front to hide the turmoil inside.
He’d gone through a dark time a year ago, and if it hadn’t been for Boone and Jolene, and his other physical therapist here, Izzy James, forcing him to face that darkness full on, he probably wouldn’t be playing hockey today. Especially not at the high level he’d managed during the season that had just ended.
Boone interrupted his deep thoughts. “If you want to be a cowboy, you need to show a little more interest in the cattle,” he teased, pointing. “That’s what those four-legged beasts are over there. Cows and their calves, to be precise.”
Vince tried to put Callie out of his mind and focus instead on the large group of red and white cattle to their right. “I know what cows are. I never figured I’d be this close to any, though.”
Boone stopped the Gator and got out, motioning for Vince to follow him over to the fence for a better look. “Beautiful, huh?” he asked proudly.
“Uh, sure,” Vince said agreeably. “How old are the calves?”
“Almost two months, most of ’em.”
“Does Callie have this kind of cattle at her ranch?”
“I don’t know. Never been over there. I imagine she does, though. Herefords are the most common kind.”
And just like that, Vince’s mind was right back on Callie. He had to figure out how he was going to see her again. The summer would be over all too soon, and he didn’t have time to waste.
If he couldn’t come up with any ideas on his own, he’d get Boone to help. Maybe Jolene, too. He wasn’t too proud to beg—he’d do whatever it took to see Callie Green again.
CHAPTER 4
“Oh man, Callie,” Brittany said on a dramatic sigh. “I seriously think I’m in love. Vince Abbot is even hotter in real life than on TV, isn’t he? He’s off the charts gorgeous, and he seems so nice. Not a jerk at all, like you were afraid of. I thought maybe he’d act like we’re country bumpkins or something, but he was just as sweet as he could be, don’t you think?”
Callie stifled the urge to roll her eyes. She had a feeling Brit would say the same thing even if Vince had given them the brush-off, because the girl tended to be blinded by a handsome face.
“I think it’s a little too soon to tell, Brit. He barely said two sentences, and it’s not like he’s going to be impolite with Boone around. Who knows what he’s really like.” Callie dismounted and took Comet’s reins, leading him into the back entrance of the equestrian center.
She really didn’t want to talk about Vince Abbot right now, not until she’d had some time to process the brief meeting in her own mind. Because, wow, what in the world had happened out there? Her reaction to the man had caught her completely off guard—so extreme it was downright embarrassing. She needed to get a grip, because if Brit sensed her reserved, stoic friend had gone completely ga-ga over the hockey player out there in the field, she’d never hear the end of it.
It was totally unlike Callie to respond to someone that strongly. In fact, it had never happened. When the man had stepped into her line of vision and their eyes met, she’d felt her entire body flush with heat and her heart had gone into overdrive. She’d been completely overwhelmed, and she honestly didn’t know if it was simply the shock of meeting her favorite hockey player in person, or the incredible attractiveness of said player. Whatever it was, she was still reeling.
Thank goodness she’d already welcomed Boone back before Vince had turned her into a puddle of mush. Boone’s introductions, along with Brit’s chattiness, had given her a few moments to recoup. She couldn’t remember exactly what she said when she’d regained the ability to speak—something about lots of hockey fans in Barlow, thanks to Boone?
Yeah, she could only hope she hadn’t sounded too dense, and that Vince hadn’t noticed her blushing. Thank goodness Brittany had been too caught up in her own infatuation to pay any attention.
“He looked at me like he could be interested, you know?” Brit was still gushing over the man. “I mean, he certainly didn’t seem to be ruling anything out just because I’m a country gal from little old Barlow, North Dakota.”
Callie opened Comet’s stall and picked up a brush for the horse’s rub-down, feeling silly for her over-the-top reaction to Vince Abbot. Whatever awareness she’d felt had no doubt been one-sided, because if Brit thought he was interested in her, he probably was. After all, the girl had certainly had enough experience with men to recognize the signs.
Callie hadn’t gone up against Brit over a guy since middle school. She’d lost then and had a feeling she would now, too.
It was a little depressing, but she quickly told herself it didn’t matter, since she didn’t intend to go after Vince Abbot anyway.
“Just be careful, Brit,” she said as she stroked the brush along Comet’s back, hoping her words of caution were motivated from concern for her friend rather than envy. “It could be he’s only interested in having a summer fling while he’s here, and then you’ll be left high and dry when he goes back to training camp in the fall.”
The other girl was unfazed. “Well, we have to start somewhere, right? Maybe he’s only plotting a summer fling now, but who says he won’t change his mind once we get to know each other?” She leaned up against the wall of the stall and sighed dreamily. “I know I’m getting ahead of myself, but can you even imagine dating a man like that?”
Callie gave a little snort. “I can’t imagine dating anyone these days. I don’t have the energy. To tell you the truth, if I had the choice right now between a date with Vince Abbot and a full eight hours of blissful, uninterrupted sleep, there’s a good chance I’d choose the sleep.”
Brittany was instantly sympathetic. “Another bad night? Oh Callie, I wish there was some way I could help. I’d be glad to come keep him company some evening, so you can at least grab a long nap.”
Callie smiled gratefully. “Thanks, Brit, but at this point Grandpa doesn’t want anyone else around. I get calls every day from people wanting to visit him, but he’s kind of become a hermit. He’s uncomfortable around people now. He doesn’t like them to see him so weak.”
“Well if you think of anything I can do, promise you’ll let me know.”
“I will. Honestly though, I could handle everything fine if he could just sleep. He gets along pretty well during the day, and I don’t have to do much other than make sure he eats and takes his meds. Yet for some reason, the nights are getting worse for him. He’s so miserable. He gets himself worked up, and even though he doesn’t say it, I’m pretty sure the dead of night is when he worries most about dying. I think his pain is getting worse too, although he won’t admit it. It’s so hard to watch and I hate feeling so helpless.”
“I can imagine,” Brit said fervently. “You’re the least helpless person I know. Callie Green has always been a fixer to the core.”
“I can’t fix this, though. All I can do is be there so he’s not alone. It doesn’t seem like enough, but that’s where I’m at, and it sucks.” Callie smiled wearily at her friend. “Sorry to vent.”
“Don’t apologize,” Brittany said sternly. “You know I’ll always be here for you, to vent, or to cry, or to eat pizza until we’re sick—whatever you need. I don’t ever want you to feel like you can’t count on me.”
Brittany’s horse stamped and snorted from where he still stood in the aisle. She stretched her arm out to rub his nose. “Hang on, Phoenix, I’ll get to you in a bit,” she crooned, before turning back to Callie. “How about if Rose, Kim and I bring pizza to your place this evening. Would that bother Jeremiah?”
Callie stopped brushing and thought about it. She understood Jeremiah not wanting his own friends to see him in his current frail state, but would he mind so much if the girls did? It would be so nice to spend the evening with them for a change.
“I’d actually love that, Brit, but let me ask Grandpa about it just to be sure. I’ll let you know.”
“Okay, if it works for him I’ll set it up with Rose and Kim.” Brit tugged on the reins she had wrapped around her hand. “Come on, big guy. Let’s get you brushed and settled.” She led the horse down to his stall for his own rub-down.
Callie finished Comet’s grooming, then leaned up against his shoulder, absently stroking his neck. Now that she was alone, she couldn’t help thinking back to how she’d reacted when Vince Abbot had looked at her. As soon as their eyes met, her whole body had become hyper-aware of him. That kind of response was probably normal for someone like Brit, but it truly was a first for Callie.
She closed her eyes and pictured him. The man really was something, just as Brit had said. Callie knew a lot of stats about the Wild players, and she knew Vince was six four, and roughly two-hundred twenty pounds. He seemed even bigger than that in real life, though. If she ever stood next to him, her five feet, six inch height would feel puny.
Brit had also been right about him being more handsome in real life. His smile was breathtaking, his hair a shiny walnut brown, and his eyes a deeper blue than she’d expected. So much more potent than seeing him on a TV screen.
Callie blew out a sigh and pushed away from Comet, frustrated at herself. Vince Abbot was the last thing she needed in her life right now, so why was she wasting time day dreaming about him? L
ike she had a chance with him anyway.
She shook her head at her silliness. She needed to put their brief encounter behind her and get on with things. Real life beckoned.
“Hey, Brit, I’m going out to help Molly get the riding rings set up for the training session,” Callie called to her friend, trying to shake off her melancholy.
“Okay, meet me in the cafeteria for a quick breakfast afterward,” Brit called back. “I didn’t take time to eat before I left home, and the menu says Kay Desmond is making cinnamon rolls this morning.”
“Yum. That sounds good. I’ll head that way at nine.” Callie left the stable area feeling a little happier. Kay’s cinnamon rolls could cure all ills.
When she got out to the riding ring, she had another nice surprise. A row of wooden blocks had been set up, each one painted orange on top in order to stand out against the dirt of the ring. Amazingly, Tazz was weaving his way through the line, looking like he’d been doing it all his life.
“Get a load of this, Callie,” Molly called from the saddle when she saw her. “Good call on getting rid of the cones. This is his fifth time through, and not a single balk.”
Callie gave her a happy thumbs-up. “Looks like our boy will be sticking around after all.”
She watched the horse as he made two more complete passes, showing no hesitation whatsoever. At this rate, it wouldn’t be long before they could trust him to carry the wounded vets.
Crisis averted. Tazz had a home.
If only my own problems were so easily fixed. Callie couldn’t stop the thought from entering her head, but she refused to dwell on it. Self-pity wasn’t her style, and she had more important things to do.
***
“It’s been almost a year since I’ve had one of your mom’s cinnamon rolls,” Vince said, trying to ignore the whispering and nudging going on around him and Boone in the breakfast line. Thankfully it was an off-week for the center, so the line wasn’t long and the stir they were causing was minimal so far.
