“Derek!” Her mouth dropped as she squeezed his hand. “I can’t believe how tall you are! And how old are you now? Twenty-three? Twenty-four?”
“Twenty-six.” He didn’t glance around, but the auditorium was quiet. He figured the entire congregation must be witnessing this exchange.
“No!” Janet gave his hand a shake before she dropped it. “Why Derek, you make me feel so old!”
He grinned, not sure how to answer that declaration. Fortunately he was saved by Aggie, who made a sudden appearance. The two women gabbed a minute before Aggie invited Janet to sit with them. They got settled in the pew as Wayne Holland, the song director, announced the first hymn. The congregation stood.
Sharing a hymnbook with Kandi, Derek sang out on “Amazing Grace.” Beside him Janet belted out the words, almost covering Aggie’s southern twang. Derek couldn’t hear Kandi’s voice at all, although she seemed to be singing. Must be because he was way up here in the stratosphere and she was a foot lower. He glanced down on her red hair. It shone in the overhead lights, looking soft. But it didn’t make his heart beat any faster.
He glanced across the auditorium at Cheyenne. Singing, she smiled as she stood next to Rex. What does she see in him? Rex Pierson was nothing but an old wizened cowhand. He looked about fifty.
Derek sat down with the rest of the congregation as Pastor Reilly stepped to the pulpit.
“We have an unusual announcement this morning.” The pastor’s aged gray eyes squinted as he gazed over the auditorium. “A Christian organization is hosting a trip to Yellowstone National Park. They have asked several churches, including ours, for volunteer counselors to accompany elementary-age children.”
Derek raised his eyebrows. I would love to do that!
“The dates are Friday, August 7, through Sunday, August 9.” The pastor motioned toward the left side of the auditorium. “Ralph Little is taking down the names of the volunteers, so please see him after the service if you’re interested.”
Derek made a mental note to talk to Ralph. This was exactly the way he wanted to spend his life—serving the Lord through mission trips. He still had his eye on that trip to Honduras, where a missionary needed help building his church. So how could Derek get married? His wife would want him to stay home all the time.
Unless she had a servant’s heart and accompanied him.
He glanced at Cheyenne. Rex had his arm around her, and a prick of jealousy hit Derek. Why had he always thought of her as nothing more than a good friend—the girl his sisters hung out with? She was a beautiful woman, but it looked like she had found someone else.
Cheyenne is out. He glanced down at the girl beside him. Kandi is definitely out.
But why was he even thinking about a relationship? His original idea to get married after he turned forty was looking better all the time.
As the church service ended, Cheyenne turned to Rex. “I’m going to sign up for the Yellowstone outing.” Her heart gave a little leap.
“Okay, whatever.” Rex glanced at his watch. “I need to get back to the ranch and check on Bessie. If she don’t start rallying, I’ll have to call the vet.” He looked at Cheyenne. “How about you sign up for the Yellowstone thing, I’ll go check on Bessie, and then I’ll pick you up at your house, and we’ll go out for lunch.”
She smiled. “Okay. Let’s do that.”
Rex smiled back—that slow smile that made him look handsome. “I’m taking you to a steak and potatoes restaurant I found in Douglas.”
“Mindy’s Diner?”
With a little grunt, he folded his arms. “You already know the place?”
Cheyenne laughed. “I’ve lived in this area all my life, Rex. I know every restaurant within a two-hundred-mile radius.”
He chuckled. “If you say so, pretty lady. Pick you up in an hour, okay?”
“Sure.”
He winked at her before walking down the aisle toward the church door. Cheyenne watched him, and a small sigh escaped. That wink should have raised her heartbeat or her blood pressure—something!
Ralph Little stood at the back of the auditorium, and she made her way toward him. “Ralph, I’d like to sign up for that Yellowstone outing.”
“Thanks for volunteering.” He handed her a clipboard and a pen. “Just fill out this information.”
Cheyenne glanced down the page-long application. “What organization is hosting this?”
“The Bolton Creek Children’s Home near Casper. It’s run by Mr. and Mrs. Frank Lindley.” Ralph raised his thin gray eyebrows. “Ever hear of them?” She shook her head. “Can’t say that I have.”
“The Lindleys have been the houseparents there for thirty years. They’ve seen hundreds of kids go through their place. Right now they have eighteen orphans.”
Hmm … an orphanage.
Ralph motioned to her application. “This is a field trip for the children. Frank told me they wanted to give the staff a weekend off.”
What would it be like to work in an orphanage? She had never thought of that before.
By the time she finished filling out the form, most of the congregation had left, except for Bruce and Aggie, who were conversing with Janet Oliver. Derek stood nearby talking to Kandi. The girl gazed up at him, her green eyes shining as she listened. Cheyenne’s heart took a dive.
She clenched her teeth. Why am I still pining after him? Old habits die hard, and she needed to kill this one. Rex was part of her life now. So what if she wasn’t super attracted to him? He was a great guy, and she could learn to love him.
Couldn’t she?
She turned to Ralph and handed him the clipboard. “Here you go.”
“Thanks.” He tucked it into a soft-sided black leather case. “Looks like you might be the only volunteer from our church.”
Cheyenne raised her eyebrows. “But this is such a great opportunity. I’m surprised no one else—”
“Ralph, wait!”
Cheyenne turned at Derek’s voice.
“I want to sign up for Yellowstone.” Derek’s glance cut to Cheyenne. “You going, too?”
She nodded. “It sounds like fun.”
“It does, doesn’t it?”
Ralph thrust a clipboard under Derek’s nose. “Here’s an application, Derek.”
“Okay.” Derek took the clipboard and glanced at the paper. “Who’s sponsoring this trip?”
“The Bolton Creek Children’s Home.” Ralph raised his eyebrows at Derek. “Have you ever heard of them?”
“The orphanage in Casper?” Derek smiled. “I’ve known the Lindleys for years.”
Kandi stepped toward Ralph. “I’d like to sign up, too.”
“Certainly!” He pulled another clipboard from his briefcase and handed it to her.
Cheyenne bit her lower lip. Kandi didn’t seem like the outdoor type. She must be following Derek to Yellowstone. Or maybe he talked her into going with him.
Taking a step back, Cheyenne gave a little wave. “Thanks, Ralph. See you all later.”
Derek glanced up. “See you around, Cheyenne.”
For a brief second, their eyes locked before he looked back down, and her heart tripped at his piercing gaze. She turned away, her thoughts in turmoil. Why does he still affect me like that and Rex doesn’t affect me at all? Obviously Derek was falling in love with Kandi. And Cheyenne had Rex.
No, Rex has me.
As much as she hated to admit it, her heart still belonged to Derek Brandt. Maybe she should stick to her original plan and move to Loveland.
Derek pulled his truck out of the church parking lot. He glanced across the bench seat and gave Kandi a tight smile. She had asked him to take her to the Cattlemen’s Diner for lunch since Bruce and Aggie had invited Jim Wilkins and Janet Oliver out to eat, and the four of them planned to catch up on old times.
Kandi could have gone with them.
Ah, well … Christian charity. He had to eat somewhere since Mom and Dad were in Denver visiting Ryan and his family, and he might a
s well have someone to eat with, even if his dinner partner was almost mute.
At the end of Bighorn Avenue, he braked at the STOP sign and glanced to his left. Cheyenne stood on the corner, waiting to cross Main Street.
Derek rolled down his window. “Hey, Cheyenne! Need a lift?”
She looked up at him before smiling. “That would be great!” She stepped off the curb to walk around the front of the truck.
Derek nodded to Kandi as he rolled up his window. “Move over.”
She slid over to the middle. “Is Cheyenne coming to the restaurant with us?”
He hesitated. That would be awkward. “No, I’ll just give her a ride home.”
Kandi frowned. “Why? She can walk.”
“Christian charity,” he whispered.
Cheyenne climbed into the cab and sat down. “Thanks for the ride, Derek.” She closed the door then turned to him with a smile. “Rex wanted to check on a sick cow before we go out to lunch. He told me to wait for him at home.”
Rex. She was really falling for that guy. “But where’s your car?” Derek turned right on Main Street.
Cheyenne sighed. “The old Dart finally bit the dust.”
“So it’s at Tom’s shop?”
“No, Dad wants me to junk it.”
“Really?” Raising his eyebrows, he glanced at her.
She nodded. “Dad wants me to buy a good used car at Skinny’s.”
Kandi turned to Cheyenne with a frown. “Skinny’s?”
Derek laughed. “Skinny Olander. The slickest car salesman in the West.”
Cheyenne nodded. “Did you know that Dad grew up with Skinny? They attended the same high school in Bismarck.”
“No joke?” Derek grinned. “Was he always trying to pawn something off on other students? Maybe a good piece of swampland in Florida?”
She laughed. “Probably. Dad has bought all his cars from Skinny.” She fell silent a moment as Derek rounded the corner of her street. “I wanted to go there tomorrow since it’s my day off, but Dad has to mind the store. Both Harold and Dale are taking vacation this week.”
“I’ll take you.” The words were out of Derek’s mouth before he thought. But why shouldn’t he drive her to Douglas tomorrow? His dad would be back from Denver tonight, which would free up Derek at the ranch.
“That’s all right, Derek. Dad and I can go next Monday.”
He pulled the truck into her driveway. “I don’t mind, Cheyenne. Besides, I want to look at the kind of cars he’s selling now. I haven’t been to Skinny’s in years.” He paused. “I’ll pick you up tomorrow morning, say, nine o’clock?”
“Okay. Thanks.” She opened the door and climbed down. “And thanks for the lift.”
“You’re welcome.” He smiled as she closed the door and walked to the house. Shifting gears, he backed out the driveway.
Kandi stayed in the middle next to him. “I suppose that’s Christian charity, too?”
Derek glanced at her. “What? Taking Cheyenne to Douglas tomorrow?”
She nodded.
“I suppose it is.” He shrugged. “She needs a ride, and I can take the day off. Why shouldn’t I volunteer to help her out?”
Kandi said nothing, and Derek bit back a sigh.
Their lunch was going to be very short.
Chapter 10
Cheyenne, have you been to Yellowstone before?”
“Once, when I was little.” She looked at Derek as he drove her to Douglas the next morning. Under her breath, she gave a wistful sigh. He was so handsome. Too bad he was dating Kandi.
Of course, she was dating Rex. She thought about their lunch yesterday. It was … nice, but not thrilling. And he had yet to kiss her. Maybe once he kissed her, she would feel like they were a real couple. Maybe she would start falling in love with him.
“You’ve only gone once?” Derek’s dark-blue eyes met hers. “Yellowstone is so close, Cheyenne.”
She shrugged. “It must be true what they say about having a tourist place in your backyard. You never visit it.”
“That’s not true for me. I’ve been to Yellowstone so many times I’ve lost count. And I love mountain climbing. I’m glad we have the Rockies in our backyard.”
She shook her head. “You’re so athletic. If I went mountain climbing, I’d end up in the hospital.”
“How about skiing?” He glanced at her before looking back at the road. “I bet you went skiing last winter. Maybe in Vail or Aspen?”
Her eyes widened. “Me? Miss Klutz? You’ve got to be kidding!”
He grinned. “Okay, no skiing. But wouldn’t you like to try it?” He waggled his eyebrows.
Cheyenne’s defenses weakened considerably. Derek was just too handsome, and he was so easy to talk to. “You don’t understand. Walking Dad’s dog on the sidewalk is almost beyond me. How would I ever be able to ski down a mountain?”
“It’s fun. I could teach you.”
“Oh sure.” She pictured herself trying to ski—and falling. Of course, if she fell into Derek’s arms, that wouldn’t be such a bad thing.
“Here we are.” He pulled into the parking lot full of new cars. The sign read SKINNY’S QUALITY NEW AND PRE-OWNED VEHICLES. “Looks like a quality place.”
Cheyenne glanced at all the triangle flags that decorated the lot, and her stomach cramped. “I hope he has a good used car for me. Dad called him on Saturday and told him my price range.”
“Since Skinny knows you, I’m sure he’ll give you a good deal.”
She cocked an eyebrow at Derek. “Actually, I’ve never met the guy. I bought my Dart from Horace Frankenberg.”
Five minutes later, she stepped into the showroom. Derek walked in behind her.
“Welcome to Skinny’s Vehicles!” A rotund man dressed in a tight-fitting brown suit approached her. Tufts of gray hair surrounded his bald head. He stuck out a large hand. “I’m Skinny. And you’re Jim Wilkins’s daughter, right?” Barely waiting for a nod from Cheyenne, he continued. “You look just like your mother—an extremely beautiful woman.”
Hmm … a flattering car salesman. Cheyenne smiled as she shook his hand. “I’m Cheyenne Wilkins.”
He raised bushy eyebrows. “Cheyenne? Like the city? Wow, that name fits you! Beautiful name!”
Derek coughed and turned toward the nearest car model. He studied the sticker price in the window.
Cheyenne wanted to poke Derek in the ribs. She smiled at the salesman. “My dad asked you to show me a good used car.”
“Right. I have so many good vehicles that I picked out a couple to show you.” Skinny held the outer door open for her and followed her outside.
As they walked down a row of cars, Cheyenne noticed that Derek had come outside, too. She motioned to him. “Derek, come over here.”
He joined them, and Skinny thrust out his hand. “You must be the significant other.”
Derek shook his hand, not correcting Skinny’s impression. “Derek Brandt.”
“Glad to meet you! Now.” Skinny turned to a dark-green car. “Here we have a 1997 Saturn. Runs like a top.” He opened the driver’s door. “Sit down here, Cheyenne. I’ll show you the controls.”
She took a seat, and he pointed things out on the instrument panel.
Skinny straightened. “Would you like to take this one for a spin?”
Derek opened the passenger door and leaned inside. “You don’t want this one, Cheyenne. There’s hail damage on the roof.”
“Really?” Cheyenne stood and looked at the roof. Sure enough, the entire thing was pockmarked. “Skinny, can I look at another car?”
“Hey, I’ll subtract a hundred dollars for the damage.”
Cheyenne glanced at Derek. With a frown, he gave a slight shake of his head. She turned to the car salesman. “I think I’d rather look at another one.”
“Okay.” He gave Derek a dark look. “Let’s walk down here.”
She followed him to a wine-colored car, and Derek walked by her side.
“
You’ll like this one, Cheyenne.” Skinny placed his hand on the roof. “Wonderful car! A 2003 Cavalier with low mileage.” He tapped the sticker price in the back window. “It’s a little higher than your dad wanted to pay, but a real steal at this price.”
Derek looked at the sticker before walking around the car.
Skinny opened the driver’s door. “Take a seat, Cheyenne. We’ll take this one for a spin.”
Within five minutes, they were on the road. Skinny sat in the passenger seat, talking the entire time. Derek sat in the back. After riding around the streets of Douglas, she drove the car back on the lot.
“Nice, huh?” Skinny smiled at her. “Let’s go inside, and we can fill out the paperwork.”
Cheyenne got out and whispered to Derek. “What do you think?”
“Looks like a good car.” He raised his eyebrows. “Do you want it?”
She studied the sticker price. “I like it, but it’s so much money—about a thousand more than I can afford.”
Derek turned to Skinny. “Take off a thousand dollars, and she’ll take it.”
“A thousand?” Skinny shook his head. “Five hundred is all I can afford to subtract on this beauty. It’s such a good car. A real steal at this price already.”
Derek turned to Cheyenne. “I saw a couple other used car places when we were—”
“Okay!” Skinny turned to the office. “A thousand off. Let’s do the paperwork.”
Cheyenne smiled at Derek as they walked together. “Thanks, Derek. I couldn’t have done this without you.”
“Hey, that’s what friends are for.” Placing his arm around her shoulders, he gave her a squeeze.
She looked up at him. For an instant their gazes held, and then he opened the door for her.
Cheyenne walked inside, her heart thumping.
Would she ever have that kind of chemistry with Rex?
On Thursday afternoon, Derek walked into the mudroom and pulled off his boots. The good smell of fried chicken wafted out from the kitchen. His stomach growled, and he glanced at his watch. Mom would have supper ready in twenty minutes, and that would give him just enough time to take a shower.
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