by Barbara Gee
“Yeah, but I could just leave early from here.”
He was the sweetest man. Callie took his face between her hands. “I’ll be fine. I plan to go to bed early and sleep so hard, I won’t even know I’m alone.”
His expression relaxed and she knew she’d finally convinced him. “You’ll call or text if you need anything?”
“Mm hmm.”
“I had fun this evening,” he said, pressing a kiss to her mouth. “I look forward to many more dates.”
“Me too.” She hugged him hard. “Sorry we had to wait so long to experience it.”
“Don’t be. I appreciated the chance to get to know Jeremiah as well as I did. That wouldn’t have happened if we’d hired nurses to stay with him just so we could go out on the town.”
“He sure took to you quickly,” she said, remembering. “That’s a first for him.” She smiled. “It made me happy, even though he embarrassed me by pushing the riding lesson thing so hard. He could have easily scared you away.”
“Not a chance, and he knew it.”
She chuckled. “Did you meet some of his friends today? Clark and Abe were sitting front and center. And Sheldon of course, but you already met him that day he stopped by the house. Those four used to get coffee together at the diner most mornings in the winter.”
“Yep. I met both of them.”
“I saw you talking to Gary Denton after the service. You know he’s Grandpa’s attorney, right? He’s also Abe’s son.”
She felt him stiffen slightly against her. “Yeah, I did know that. I actually talked to him once before today.”
She gave him a curious look. “When? Did you need a lawyer for something?”
“No, Jeremiah asked me to meet with him. He was worrying about a few details and wanted me to check with Gary to make sure things were being handled.”
“Estate things you mean?” Callie asked, even more curious now.
“Kind of. Just some stuff he didn’t want to burden you with. He said you had enough to worry about.”
“Oh.” She wasn’t sure what to think of that, considering Jeremiah was awfully close-mouthed when it came to financial matters, but she supposed it was just another confirmation of how much he liked and trusted Vince. “Did you get things straightened out for him?”
“I guess we’ll find out. Gary said he’s meeting with you Friday morning.”
“Ten o’clock,” she confirmed. “You’re welcome to come along. I’d tell you everything anyway.”
“I was actually going to ask if that would be okay with you. There are some things Gary needs to discuss that you aren’t expecting. He thought it would be good if you had someone there with you.”
His voice was casual, but Callie felt his tension increase again, and this time hers did too. She narrowed her eyes as she looked at him. “Does it concern the ranch?”
He quickly shook his head. “No, it has nothing to do with the ranch itself. Just some…..other stuff.”
Ah, now Callie was pretty sure she understood. “It must be about Grandma,” she stated. “When it came right down to it, Grandpa couldn’t completely cut her off, is that it?” She waved a hand. “Don’t worry about that, I actually expected to have to deal with her to some extent. I’m okay with it, if that’s what Gary’s worried about. I’d still like you to come to the appointment, though. If you can swing it with Boone.”
“Boone would never try to stop me. He’s told me repeatedly you come first.”
She dropped her cheek against his chest. “I like you hockey fellas. If all the players are like you two, it’s no wonder it’s the greatest sport on earth.”
“Preach it, babe,” he teased. He ran his hands down her back, settling them on her waist. “I can’t wait for you to come to a game.”
She couldn’t wait either. “I’m a little afraid watching you play in person might be too much for this country gal to take. It’ll be surreal—sitting in the crowd and watching you on the ice, seeing you score and hearing everyone go wild cheering for you.” She propped her chin on his chest and looked up into his blue eyes. “It’ll make this, us, seem like a dream all over again.”
“It’s still me out on that ice, Callie. The same guy you’ve known here, only with skates and a Wild uniform. Don’t let the hype get to you.”
She snuggled closer. “I’ll try.”
“You sure you want me to go back to the retreat center?”
“I think it’s best. I need to establish a new routine, and I also don’t want to start any rumors. What happens if Mrs. Rupert decides to bring me a breakfast casserole tomorrow morning, and she sees you in the kitchen with bed-head hair?”
He chuckled. “Is Mrs. Rupert the little old lady who’s brought two casseroles over already?”
Callie nodded. “She loves to take care of her fellow congregants. I think she forgets from one day to the next who she’s already brought food to. When she brought dish number two, she looked awfully confused when I returned her lasagna pan.”
“Like she couldn’t figure out how it got here?”
“Exactly,” Callie said with a laugh. “I love her, though. She’s got a heart as big as North Dakota.”
“Okay then, I’ll go. And since the girls are bringing you lunch, I’ll wait until evening to come over.” He wove his fingers through her hair and tilted her face up. “Good night, Callie. I’m only ten minutes away if you need me.”
“Good night, Vince.”
She sighed when his mouth came down on hers in a sweet, warm, perfect kiss.
“See you tomorrow,” he murmured, then he eased away from her and walked to his truck.
Callie leaned against the doorframe and watched until he got in and drove out the lane. Then she took a deep, fortifying breath, and ventured into the quiet house.
For a while she just stood there inside the door and looked around the kitchen. Jeremiah’s hat was on the hook by the door, his jacket hung below it, and two pairs of his boots were under the bench. A stack of his magazines was on the corner of the table, and his little tea kettle was on the stove.
The only thing missing was the man himself.
She walked through the kitchen and straight through the living room to the stairs, avoiding looking at the recliner. Her bed was calling, and as she’d told Vince, she planned to sleep so deeply, she wouldn’t even think about being alone in the house.
Tomorrow was soon enough to start the new phase of her life.
Life without Jeremiah Green.
CHAPTER 28
Vince’s day passed beyond slowly, even though Boone kept him plenty busy. It started with a tough, early morning work-out, then lots of work at the rink. He didn’t mind doing any of it, but his thoughts were with Callie. He’d received several texts from her, reporting she’d slept fine and was getting a lot of work done herself, but he missed her. After being at the Double Nickel for four days and nights straight, it was an adjustment to be away from her.
When he was finally finished at the rink, he took a record fast shower, put on Wranglers and boots in case they decided to get a ride in, then headed his truck toward Callie Green. He parked by the kitchen door and got out, grinning when she burst through the door and ran to him. He loved when she did that.
“Finally,” she said, jumping into his arms. “I missed you. I thought you’d never get here.”
Vince felt his heart swell. Her beautiful eyes were full of joy—just for him. Just because he’d come. He didn’t even speak, simply bent his head and kissed her. Long, slow and deep.
When they came up for air, she smiled, her expression dazed. “Is it safe to assume you missed me, too?” she asked, her words a little slurred.
“Pretty safe assumption,” he said with a smile. “You were okay being alone all night and all day?”
“I did okay.” She tilted her head and sighed “But I like having you here better. Come on.”
She took his hand and pulled him toward the kitchen door. “I’m glad you wore your ridi
ng clothes, because we’re going on our first real ride.”
“Wait, what were we doing before if not riding?”
“We went on short jaunts that didn’t take us too far from the house in case Grandpa needed us. Today we’ll go farther.” She dropped his hand and went to the other side of the kitchen, waving a hand dramatically toward a basket on the counter. “This, my handsome boyfriend, is a picnic basket. Now don’t get too excited but…..it was Great Granny’s basket.”
He leaned against the edge of the counter beside the basket, enjoying her excitement. “The same Great Granny who made the super-secret recipe book?”
“The very same.” She smiled, her eyes sparkling. “And I’ve filled the basket with her recipes.”
“When did you have time for that?” he asked, raising a brow at her. “I thought you were getting caught up on your work today.”
“I was outside from seven this morning until one, then I got a ton done on my spreadsheet projects. I’m almost ready to show them to Sam and Lance and see what they think.” She gave him a rueful look. “I have to admit I caught myself getting up to check on Grandpa twice. Old habits and all that.”
“Did you go in his room?”
“No,” she said quietly. “I can’t bring myself to do that yet.”
“There’s no rush,” he told her. “You’ll know when you’re ready.”
“I suppose.” She gestured toward the table. “I did get rid of his stack of magazines. That’s a start, huh? I haven’t moved anything in the living room yet, though.”
He looked at her, understanding the shadows that crossed her eyes, but wanting them gone. “No rush for that either, sweetheart. Now tell me what’s in that basket.”
The sparkle instantly returned. “Not a chance, cowboy. That’s a surprise. I’ll let you carry it out to the barn though. Then I’ll strap it behind Leo’s saddle and we can head out.”
“Will you at least tell me where we’re gonna ride to?”
“To the tallest butte on the ranch. Which isn’t all that tall, but it still has a great view from the top.”
“We’re gonna climb it?”
“Yes, carrying the picnic basket. But like I said, it’s not all that tall.” She walked by him to the fridge, looking over her shoulder at him with a winsome smile. “You’re tall, though. And strong. And fit.”
“Which means I get to carry the basket?”
She pulled two large water bottles from the fridge and gave a dramatic sigh. “If you insist. I’ll take care of these though. You ready?”
He picked up the basket, pretending to falter under the weight of it. Callie laughed, and all was right with the world.
Up until ten o’clock on Friday at Gary’s office.
The thought entered Vince’s mind without warning, but he pushed it back out. He didn’t need to think about that tonight. Friday would be here soon enough, and he’d deal with it then. For now, he just wanted to keep her laughing.
***
Callie unpacked the basket while Vince spread out the thick blanket she’d rolled up and affixed to his saddle. He stood up and looked out over the ranch, drinking in the sight. The butte wasn’t all that high, that was true, but it offered incredible views of the Double Nickel. In one direction, he could see all the way to the barn, and could’ve seen the house if not for the thick stand of trees around it. If he spun around a hundred-eighty degrees, there was nothing but rugged grassland sprinkled with cattle, a few cultivated fields, and the occasional butte and stream. All spread out under an incredible July-blue evening sky.
“It’s beautiful,” Vince said. “I can imagine you riding your horse out here when you were younger and climbing to the top, just to deal with life. This is a perfect place to decompress, whether you’re happy, mad, or sad.”
“You’re right. I’d stand right here on this lone grassy spot. Sometimes I was crying, sometimes I was fuming, and other times I was laughing and dancing. But even on the bad days, I always felt better by the time I left.” Her gaze drifted to fields below. “I don’t think there could be any better place to grow up.”
He turned to her, watching as she finished setting out the food containers. He had to ask. “What if you’d had the chance to be a princess in a fancy mansion, with servants and enough money to buy anything you wanted, whenever you wanted it? Isn’t that every little girl’s dream?”
She looked appalled. “Seriously, Vince? I’m hardly princess material. A mansion and servants can’t compete with Grandpa and the Double Nickel. I had everything I needed and more.”
He’d thought as much, but it was nice to have it confirmed. He’d talked to Gary briefly after the funeral, and the lawyer said his PI had turned up more about the Tate family. Callie’s parents had divorced soon after Callie’s “drowning,” and her mother had remarried and moved to Georgia two years later. Her half-brother had gradually taken over the day-to-day running of the businesses, but even though Howard had stepped way back, he hadn’t completely turned over the reins.
Gary had also shared that Kirk wasn’t impressed by the brother, Elliot Tate. While Howard had a stellar reputation, both in business and personally, the same couldn’t be said about his son. Kirk hadn’t put together a formal report yet, but Gary had felt compelled to warn Vince that Callie’s half-brother didn’t appear to be a man she was going to want to get to know very well.
That was too bad. It was going to be hard enough as it was for Callie to learn she had another family. If her brother was a jerk, that would only make it worse.
Vince couldn’t worry about that now, though. He determinedly shook the dark thoughts from his mind and walked over to join his girl at the blanket, easing himself down beside her.
“You really made all this food yourself?”
***
Callie nodded as he sat down and smiled at her. It was silly, but all of a sudden she felt a little tongue-tied. Here she was, about to share a picnic supper with Vince Abbot. Even though he was so much more than her favorite hockey player now, every once in a while she still got a little star-struck.
She glanced at him from the corner of her eye as she peeled the lid from the container of chicken. As big as the man was, he should look ridiculous sitting on the ground, but of course he didn’t. He’d sunk down onto the blanket as gracefully as he did everything else, and was now leaning back on his hands, his long legs stretched out in front of him.
He was heart-stoppingly handsome. Honestly, she felt like he somehow got better looking each and every time she saw him. Maybe that was because every time they were together, she learned more about him and fell a little further in love.
She wasn’t ready to tell him that yet—the part about being in love—but she was to the point of wondering how he’d react if she did. Did he feel the same? Would she find out before he went back to Minneapolis, or would he hold back until he knew they were going to be able to figure out how to bring their two worlds together?
“What’s wrong?” he asked, breaking through her unexpectedly deep thoughts. “You look worried.”
She gave herself an internal shake and smiled reassuringly at him. “I’m just thinking.”
“About Jeremiah?” he asked, taking the plate she held out for him.
“Actually no, not this time.” She hoped he wouldn’t press her, but knew he would.
“What then?”
She cleared her throat and stared at the perfectly browned stuffed chicken breast waiting to be plated. “You leaving,” she admitted, forcing herself to look up.
His eyes met hers and she didn’t even attempt to hide what she was feeling. If he read it in her eyes, so be it.
He didn’t speak, just reached out and took her still empty plate, setting hers and his both on the far edge of the blanket. She was sitting cross-legged, facing his side, and he reached out and put a hand on her bottom, scooting her closer.
“We have another five weeks,” he said softly.
She swallowed hard, determined not
to let the sudden stinging at the backs of her eyes lead to tears. “I know. Only five weeks.”
“Which means we have to make the most of it.” He curled a lock of her hair around his finger. “Which means seeing each other every day, no exceptions.”
Callie smiled and wrapped her hand around his wrist. “That does go without saying, but look how fast the last three weeks have passed. I’m afraid I’m going to blink and you’ll be gone.”
His expression grew thoughtful. “Three weeks. Wow. In some ways it feels like we met just yesterday, but at the same time, it feels like we’ve been together so much longer than three weeks.”
“It hasn’t exactly been a conventional boy meets girl story, that’s for sure.”
His smile was slow and sweet. “No, but it’s our story.”
Her heart melted into a puddle. She was definitely in love with this man. “Yeah, it is. I’m sorry it’s been so crazy, though.”
“Don’t be. Getting through hard things is part of any relationship. They just don’t usually hit right at the beginning.”
She rubbed his forearm lightly, enjoying the feel of warm skin, hard muscle, and soft hair beneath her fingertips.
“Those hard times allowed me to see the kind of man you really are. The man beyond your public persona.” She met his gaze and smiled fondly. “I kinda like that man, if you wanna know the truth.”
His eyes crinkled at the corners. “Good, cuz he kinda likes you back.”
She slowly laced her fingers through his. She loved his hands. Big and strong—made for a hockey stick. How ironic was it that the sport she’d grown to love was also the thing that would take him away from her?
“We’re going to make this work, Callie,” he said softly.
“I hope so, Vince.” She smiled a little shyly, deciding she loved his eyes every bit as much as his hands, especially when they were looking at her like they were now. Warm and blue and determined.
She fought the distraction and stayed on subject. “I guess at some point we’re gonna have to get back to figuring out how it’ll work. That discussion kind of fell by the wayside when we got more involved with Grandpa’s needs.”
