by Jillian Hart
An electronic ring shattered the moment, time rolled forward and the sounds of the hot May day returned. Chloe clomped up on her skates. “Oops. I saw you two across the lot exchanging cones. Did I make a mistake?”
“Don’t worry about it,” Sean said breezily as he tugged a cell from his pocket.
The girls on ponies rode leisurely by, licking icecream cones. A diesel truck rumbled along on the street behind her and a second electronic chime came from the phone she didn’t even remember tossing onto the passenger seat. Right next to her cane.
Her cane. She stared at the snazzy pink length of metal—she’d gone for the bright, cheerful color hoping to jazz up the fact of her disability—and the fizz evaporated from her stomach. The smile died on her lips. She knew full well Sean Granger hadn’t spotted her cane in her car or he never would have taken the time to talk with her. This she knew from personal experience.
She glanced at the screen, where the text her boss had sent her was overlaid by Cheyenne’s cell number. She considered answering it, but then she would wind up saying where she was and what she was doing, and it would be impossible not to mention the handsome man chatting amicably on his phone a few feet away. No, best to hit the ignore button and get back to her friend later.
“Well, duty calls.” Sean pushed away and offered her a dashing grin, making time stand still. Again. Her neurons forgot how to fire. Again. She sat captivated by the wholesome goodness of the man as he tipped his hat to her. “I’ll see you around, Eloise Tipple.”
“Bbb—” The closest thing she could manage to goodbye, but he didn’t seem to notice her jumbled attempt at speech. He loped away with a relaxed, confident stride and hopped into his truck.
“Do you think he was mad at me?” Chloe spoke up, startling Eloise completely. The phone tumbled out of her grip and hit the floor. The teenager scrunched her face up with worry. “Are you? I couldn’t believe I got your ice-cream cone wrong. My manager is right. One order at a time. I’m no good with two.”
“It’s not a big deal.” As the truck motored away and took Sean with it, her neurons began to fire normally. Her vocabulary returned. “Have a good day, Chloe.”
“I will, now the lunch rush is nearly over. Bye!”
It wasn’t until Eloise had pulled onto the street heading away from town that it struck her. Sean Granger had remembered her name.
Chapter Two
Find homeless horses, Eloise scribbled onto her to-do list. This was her new assignment, added to all the others. Her desk at the inn was tucked a few steps down the hallway from the front desk. Her only window gazed out at the new rose gardens and gave a peek at the new stable. Cady wanted to offer horses for the guests to ride and that meant someone had to find the appropriate animals. That someone was her. Eloise took a sip of bottled water and smiled at the text message shining on her phone’s luminous screen.
Aunt Cady, you promised to get your horses from the shelter. You have to save their lives so they can have a home and be loved.
Eloise sighed. Cady’s little goddaughter’s message was too cute, but how did one go about finding homeless horses? Did the county humane society take them in? There was only one way to find out. She grabbed the yellow pages out of her bottom desk drawer and began leafing through it. If the phone book doesn’t help, then Lord please send a hint or two to guide me.
The bell above the front door chimed and the telltale snap of sandals on the polished hardwood had her rising to her feet. She grabbed her cane and tapped around the corner, expecting to see the Neilsons, who were yet to arrive for their reservation. So when she saw a tall, slender young woman with auburn hair and smiling eyes wearing a Washington State University shirt and denim cutoffs, she let out a surprised squeal. “Cheyenne!”
“It wouldn’t have been a surprise if you checked the message I left you.” She threw out her arms wide for a welcoming hug then stepped back, squinting. “You look good. Really good. How’s the pain level?”
“Better. How does it feel to finally be a vet?” Eloise led the way toward the comfortable sitting area near the front desk.
“I start working for Nate next Monday, and I still can’t believe this is really happening. You would have thought graduation might have made it clear to me.” She shook her head, bouncing along, full of exuberance. “I’m jazzed. I can’t wait to start.”
“When did you get back in town?”
“Last night much later than I’d meant to. What are you doing after work?”
“Nothing exciting.”
“Want to grab dinner at Clem’s?”
The phone rang before she could answer, so Eloise grabbed it at the front desk. The Neilsons had landed at the airport one town away and wanted to verify their directions. Simple enough to make sure they were heading the right way. Eloise got their cell number in case they didn’t show up in an hour, kept the cordless phone with her and leaned on her cane. “Want an iced latte?”
“Do you have to ask?”
They changed directions and headed for the dining room, which was nearly empty. The lunch crowd had gone and the early diners wouldn’t start showing up for a few hours. Pleasant clinks and clanks from the kitchen rang like discordant music.
“So, is that yes for dinner at Clem’s?” Cheyenne chose a table near a sunny window. “Or is the diner too common for you, now that you work in such a fancy place?”
“Are you kidding? I’m a diner gal through and through.”
“Me, too. I’m way underdressed for this dining room.” Cheyenne plucked at the collar of her T-shirt. “It’s a good thing I have an in with the manager.”
“Exactly, or we would toss your kind out.” It was fun to banter. A great perk to being home was seeing old friends. She leaned her cane against the window sill and settled into the cushioned chair.
“You look good. How is the physical therapy coming along?”
“It’s done. My leg has come as far as it can.” She shrugged one shoulder, as if that wasn’t a big deal. As if she didn’t feel torn apart every time she said it. Life dealt you hard blows and you had to deal and keep moving forward. That’s what she decided in the ambulance when she was being rushed to the trauma center. She’d known before the firemen had cut her out of the car that life would never be the same. The paralysis had improved but not disappeared, which was amazing enough. “I can ride my horse. That’s the good news. I can’t complain. Now, down to business. Are you ever going to tell me what really happened with Edward?”
“I told you, he thought I was getting too serious so he broke things off.” Cheyenne rolled her eyes and turned her attention to Sierra, who bounded over in her black-and-white uniform. Cheyenne lit up. “Hey, I heard a rumor you’re marrying my brother. Nice engagement ring.”
“Shocking, but true. When he asked, I accepted.” Sierra radiated happiness. “I don’t know what came over me.”
“I can’t imagine,” Cheyenne agreed. After they ordered and Sierra disappeared into the kitchen, she propped both elbows on the table and rested her chin on her hands. “So, what’s new with you?”
“With me? I’m not buying the innocent look. I know exactly what you’re doing.”
“What am I doing? I’m just sitting here.”
Eloise wished she could make her friend’s pain disappear. Anyone looking at Cheyenne wouldn’t guess she was nursing a broken heart. “You and Edward broke up on Valentine’s Day. That’s three months ago. You aren’t over it, I can tell.”
“I’ve decided to stay in denial. It isn’t just a river in Egypt.” Cheyenne waggled her brows.
“That isn’t funny enough to distract me, and you know how I like to laugh.” Eloise stretched out her bad leg and relaxed against the chair cushions. “You forget I have a romantic disaster in my past, so I know how it can feel when some guy who says he loves you up and ends things.”
“Our relationship was convenient for him, that was all.” Cheyenne’s face tightened, although she acted light and breezy a
s if she hadn’t been devastated. “I’m over it.”
“Wow, your denial is really strong.”
“It’s made out of titanium. Nothing will crack it.”
“Then I guess we’d better change the subject.”
“Fabulous idea.”
And she knew exactly what the subject would be. The handsome cowboy from the drive-in flashed into her mind. In truth, he hadn’t ever really gone away but lurked in the back of her brain like a happy thought. “I ran into your cousin in town today. He has an affinity for ice-cream cones, too.”
“Right. Sean. I’m trying to remember the last time you saw him.”
“Years and years ago. Probably the summer before we graduated from high school, the last summer I was home.” She caught sight of Sierra returning and debated changing the subject. But why? It wasn’t as if she were interested in Sean Granger. Besides, she wanted to know more about him. “He’s changed. I hardly recognized him.”
“He’s gotten tall, hasn’t he? I think he’s taller than Dad.”
Sierra set the glasses of icy drinks on the table. “Are you talking about Sean? He’s such a nice guy. It’s too bad what happened to him.”
“Why? What happened?” Inquiring minds wanted to know. She leaned forward, her heart rate tapping inexplicably faster.
“Bad breakup.” Sierra added two rolls of cloth napkins to the table. “She shattered his heart, or so I hear. She up and started dating someone else.”
Images of the handsome cowboy hopped into Eloise’s mind. Of the black Stetson shading his rugged face, the dimples bracketing his grin and the strong dependability the man exuded. “He didn’t look too heartbroken to me.”
“Are you kidding? It’s a Granger family trait not to deal with emotions.” Cheyenne took a sip of her iced coffee. “I notice you are doing the same thing, Eloise.”
“Me?” She smiled at Sierra as the waitress padded away, knowing she was completely guilty. But did she want to talk about it?
No. Not in this lifetime. The cane leaning against the windowsill was proof. There was no sense crying over what you could not change. “Isn’t that like the pot calling the kettle black?”
“Absolutely.” Cheyenne smiled and lifted her glass for a toast. “Here’s to denial and burying emotions.”
“It is the only way to go.”
With a laugh, they clinked glasses and the conversation turned to the evening’s plans, Eloise’s search for horses and Cheyenne’s funny tales of her long drive home from vet school.
This was the life. Sean Granger popped the top on the cold can of root beer, waving goodbye to the housekeeper who had left dinner in the oven and the timer set. All he had to do was listen for the ding. Mrs. Gunderson waved back as she hurried around the corner of the house and disappeared, leaving him blissfully alone. Well, almost alone. A clunk on the other side of the screen door reminded him two Grangers still remained in the house. But not for much longer.
He ambled over to the porch swing and settled onto the cushion to watch the sunset. Comfortable. Thanks for leading me here, Lord. It’s just where I want to be in life. He took a sip of his soda. A cow grazing on the other side of a white fence leaned over the top board and mooed at him. Her bright brown eyes were focused on his soda can.
“Buttercup!” The screen door whispered open and the youngest Granger sister popped out. Addison slung her designer bag over her shoulder. “You can’t have fizzy drinks. They give you the burps. Remember?”
The cow’s long sorrowful moo may have been a comment that some pleasures were worth a little discomfort.
“Dad should just let that cow live in the house like a dog, she’s so spoiled.” Addy winked as she waltzed by him. “It’s Friday night. You shouldn’t be here alone. I can stay with you and keep watch on Sunny. I’m worried about her.”
“No way. Don’t you change your plans. I can keep an eye on your expecting mare. Besides, I want to spend the evening with my sweetie.” He stretched out his legs and crossed them at the ankles.
Buttercup, his sweetie, mooed again as if in total agreement.
“Then enjoy the peace and quiet while you can.” Addy’s advice was delivered with a grin as she hopped down the steps, strawberry blond hair flying behind her, looking a lot like his baby sister as she hurried enthusiastically down the concrete path. “Don’t forget to do your own dishes!”
“I know. My mom trained me right,” he called after her as she disappeared around the corner.
“That’s debatable.” A different voice answered. Cheyenne pushed open the screen door. “I saw the state of your bedroom. Do you know how to pick up anything?”
“Hey, that’s my private domain. I know how to do housework, but I’m not so good at doing it without someone telling me to.” He may as well be honest. He’d learned that was the best way to go through life, even if he could think of folks who didn’t agree—like his former fiancée.
“That’s a tad better than my brothers.” Cheyenne jingled her truck keys in one hand. “Are you really going to stay here all by your lonesome? It’s Friday night.”
“I didn’t know I’d be here alone, but yeah, I don’t mind. I like the peace.” It was what he preferred, and he’d had enough drama with Meryl to last him a lifetime. He liked quiet. He liked computers, books and watching time go by.
“It’s weird now that Dad’s with Cady.” Cheyenne hesitated on the steps. “He used to be home every weekend night unless there was something going on at the church. Now, look. I never thought it would happen, but he’s dating.”
“He sure is. He trailered up his horse and drove off about an hour ago. Said he and Cady were going for a ride. He looked pleased as punch.” Sean took another sip of root beer and let the feather-light summery air puff over him.
“What about you?” Cheyenne twisted around to walk backwards. “There’s no one you have your eye on?”
“Who? Me?” He stared off into the distance. The cow was going to hurt herself straining over the fence like that. He climbed to his feet, doing his level best not to think of pretty Eloise. “No. I’m done with relationships. They’re for the birds.”
“I know the feeling.” Cheyenne seemed satisfied at last, and he realized she didn’t want him to feel alone. That would explain why she was hesitating.
“What are you up to?” He set aside his can.
“I’m having dinner with a friend. Wait, you know her. Eloise, remember? We’ve been friends forever.”
“Blond hair, green eyes, is real quiet?” Surprising how the mention of her could make him smile. “Saw her today at the Steer In.”
“Yes. That’s Eloise. She’s home to stay, just like I am, so we’re celebrating with cheeseburgers and chocolate milkshakes. I can bring you an order home.”
“No. Mrs. G. left me on casserole duty. She’s got the timer set and a salad in the fridge.” He ambled down the steps and dug into his jeans pocket. The cow, scenting the molasses treat he found, hopped up and down excitedly. “Eloise is the one who used to skate, right?”
“Ice dancing. She won two world championships.” Cheyenne nodded as she hesitated at the corner of the garage.
A long span of mown grass separated them, and he had to speak up to be heard above the mooing cow and the twitter of larks. “What happened? Did she get injured or something? I saw a cane in her car.”
“She was in a serious car accident.” Cheyenne frowned, sad for her friend. “It’s amazing she walks, but she’ll never skate professionally again.”
Emotion punched him in the gut, reminding him life could be a tough road. He handed over the molasses treat and gave Buttercup a pat as she chewed happily. Sunshine gleamed off the cow’s sleek black coat. Her pure white face and white tipped ears made her look as cute as a button. He thought of Eloise and couldn’t guess what it would be like to lose a goal like that, although he knew what tragedy felt like. His older brother Tim, an Army Ranger, had been killed in action. The family had gone on but the loss h
ad marked them all.
“Oops! I’m late.” Cheyenne darted around the corner and out of sight, her words carrying to him on the breeze. “If you change your mind, you have my cell number. Keep a close eye on Sunny and if you think she’s not doing all right, call.”
“I know the drill,” he told Buttercup as he rubbed her nose.
She gazed up at him with puppy-dog eyes, sank her teeth into his hat and lifted it off his head.
“Funny girl.” He rescued it from her and dug another treat out of his pocket. Life was good on the Wyoming range, and he was glad to be a carefree bachelor in command of his life. So what if it got a little lonely? He could handle that. If the thought of Eloise Tipple’s lovely face made him reconsider, he had to admit he was lonelier than he’d thought. It wasn’t easy being a lone wolf.
“Don’t look at me like that,” he admonished Buttercup. “I really am a lone wolf.”
The cow shook her head as if she didn’t believe him for a second.
“Is that you, honey?”
“Yes, Mom.” Eloise tapped through the shadowy kitchen and pushed open the back screen. The music of the nearby river serenaded her as she stepped onto the patio.
Helene Tipple looked up from her cross-stitch piece. “Did you have a good time catching up with Cheyenne?”
“I did.” She leaned her cane against the patio table and eased into a cushioned seat. Another positive about being back—there was no place like home. Their conversation had covered everything essential while neatly skipping the painful. “Cheye and I are going riding this week. I get to go over to the ranch and see all the new foals.”
“That’s nice, dear.” Mom poked her needle through the embroidery hoop and fussed with the stitch. “I was talking with your grandma today.”
“You talk with her every day.” Eloise rolled her eyes, already bracing herself. She knew exactly what her mom was going to say because they’d had this conversation many times before. “She told you about my upcoming blind date, didn’t she?”
