by Jillian Hart
“Eloise! Eloise!” Julianna came running all in bright pink, from her hair ribbons to her sandals. “Did you bring her? Oh, you did! I can see her through the window.”
“We’ve got her stall all ready.” Jenny came at a less enthusiastic jog, but her dark eyes glittered with anticipation. “Aunt Cady put a call in to the vet, and Nate says he is on his way.”
“Excellent.” It was a relief to hop out of the truck and escape Sean. As much as she cared, it was starting to hurt to be near to him. She welcomed the kiss of the hot sun and the puff of a lazy breeze against her skin. “She is a dear. I think you are both going to love her.”
“I love all the horses,” Jenny admitted, following her little sister around to the back where the clunk and clatter of the metal ramp going down told her Sean was there. If she listened she could just make out the low murmur of his baritone reassuring the mare.
“Guess what?” Jenny lingered, hands clasped, dark eyes unguarded. “Dad said we could spend the summer here. The whole summer. He’s gonna get a house and stay here with us and everything.”
“That’s great. You seem happy about that.”
“I am. I like it here. Julianna does, too. Besides, the horses need us.”
“Yes, they do. Very much.” There was no doubt the horses had flourished with two little girls to love them. Love makes everything better. Wasn’t that one of life’s secrets?
Julianna’s voice rang like musical chimes, muffled by the trailer. Hooves clomped on the ramp and the little girl raced into sight. “Jenny! Come see her. She’s so pretty!”
“Ooh, she’s like red velvet.”
“She’s called a sorrel.” Sean strode into sight, leading the horse by a halter and lead rope. The mare stared at Jenny. Sean held the mare capably, crooning to her in reassuring tones and with his easy confidence.
Somehow she had to resist the incredibly powerful pull of gravity on her heart.
I will not fall, she vowed. I won’t do it.
“Look, she’s taken a liking to you, Jenny.” Sean gave the mare her lead and she walked straight to the older girl. Big brown horse eyes gleamed hopefully.
“She’s so nice,” Jenny breathed, holding out her hands as the mare placed her face in them. “She really does like me.”
“Maybe she used to have a girl about your age,” Sean suggested as the mare nickered low in her throat, a contented, welcoming sound. Julianna held out her hand to stroke the horse also.
Over the arch of the mare’s neck, Sean’s gaze found hers. It was more than horses they were rescuing, and she knew by the poignant set of his gaze that he knew it, too. They were repairing wounded hearts and broken promises and giving animals the chance for happiness to find them again.
I cannot fall for him, she told herself, holding on tight with all the strength and willpower she had. She was not in love with Sean. Teetering on the edge, maybe, but she had not made that long, perilous tumble.
Yet.
“Eloise, you brought us another keeper.” Cady breezed into sight, the tall solemn figure of the girls’
father trailing behind her. “Come, let’s show her to her new stall.”
Sean handed over the lead to Jenny and stepped away, saying nothing as he backtracked around the truck. It was easy to say goodbye if she didn’t look at him. She gripped her cane and headed to the barn, not daring to turn around and wave as he drove away.
Thoughts of Eloise trailed him all the way to the ranch. Images of her burnished by the sun, tenderly petting the new mare, just being Eloise with the air conditioner blowing her hair. He banished them but those images kept coming, impossible to stop. By the time he’d unhitched and hosed out the trailer, he’d lost the battle.
Footsteps knelled behind him when he was winding up the hose.
“Heard Dad took you off sheep duty.” Tucker ambled over, dusty from a hard day’s work repairing the fence. “Were you able to get the mare?”
“That’s an affirmative. She’s being properly spoiled in Cady’s stables as we speak.” He attempted to keep the vision of Eloise from popping into his mind, but it was a half-hearted attempt. He had to accept he had no power when it came to her. Maybe he never truly had. He could see her with the Stone girls, luminous and hopeful as the mare basked in the children’s attention.
“Nate’s coming over first thing in the morning.” Tucker strolled on by with a chuckle. “Earth to Sean. Do you read me?”
“Sorry, guess I’m a little spacey.” He shook his head, the understatement of the year.
“Yeah, I remember feeling that way. Still am ever since Sierra and I set a wedding date.” There was no disguising the understanding grin one man gave another when he’d been lassoed in by marriage. “There’s no way to avoid it now.”
“You’re doomed, buddy,” Sean jested, as it was the lone-wolf way.
Stop thinking of Eloise, he told himself in the silence left behind as Tucker strolled out of sight. Work was done for the day, and he needed to do something to keep his mind from boomeranging back to her.
He hopped in his truck and his phone rang. He whipped it out of his pocket so fast, he didn’t even glance at the screen. His palms went damp, his pulse galloped as he imagined Eloise on the other end. “Hello?”
“Sean.” A woman’s overly bright voice burst across the line.
“Meryl.” Shock left him so stunned, he nearly steered right into the fence. His mind spun, too shocked to engage. Utterly blank, he listened to her chatter on.
“I’m so thankful you took my call. Finally. That must mean you listened to my messages. I know you’re upset with me, but you took my call.” She emphasized the words as if he’d saved the world from a killer asteroid and lived to tell the tale.
His guts clenched. His throat ached. The memory of her betrayal lingered, souring his mouth. “I wouldn’t have answered if I had known it was you.” He said the truth as gently as he could. “I don’t want a second chance with you, Meryl. The first time around was more than enough for me.”
“But I made a mistake. You can forgive me, I know you can.”
He pulled into his slot in the garage and cut the engine. Yes, he was capable of forgiveness. “I can’t forget and I’m not going to. This really is over.”
“I was hoping we could meet. I could drive up your way.”
“No. Sorry.” He opened the door and let the sweet grass-fed breezes tumble over him, breathed in the fresh air and wide open spaces. The bitterness vanished. He was over her, he realized, thinking over his afternoon with Eloise.
He was losing the battle to deny his feelings. He didn’t know how much longer he could hold out.
“You have a nice life, Meryl.” He meant it as he hung up, feeling chipper. The tension bunched up behind his rib cage melted away as both boots hit the ground. He jammed his phone into his back pocket, whistling as he crossed the yard and pounded up the porch steps. Buttercup called out, batting her long lashes at him.
“I won’t be long, sweetie,” he called over his shoulder as he swung open the door. “I’ll bring you a treat. How’s that, darlin?”
The cow lit up like a puppy at her favorite word, “treat,” and did the bovine equivalent of a happy dance.
Female voices rang like music as he kicked off his boots in the mud room. He balked at the circle of women at the kitchen table, most likely busy doing something for tomorrow’s wedding. Maybe he could sneak on by before any of them noticed, but Mrs. G. was a sharp tack. She didn’t miss much as he padded stealthily into the room.
“There you are.” The housekeeper looked up from her place at the table. “Guess you’ll be here for supper after all. Frank said not to count on it.”
“Uncle Frank doesn’t know everything.” He tossed her a big grin because he saw her starting to get up.
Probably to fetch him something cold to drink from the fridge. Before he could stop her, one of his cousins did.
“I don’t know. Dad is usually right.” Cheyenne hop
ped up instead and circled around the island. “Isn’t Eloise with you?”
He saw how deftly she was trying to get information out of him. He wasn’t about to be fooled, so he changed the subject. “Shouldn’t you be at the vet clinic doctoring animals?”
“Yes, but since my sister is getting married I scheduled the afternoon off.” Cheyenne grabbed a trio of pop cans from the fridge. “Don’t ignore my question.”
“Yeah, we know you’re sweet on Eloise.” Autumn made a neat little bow out of thin ribbon wrapped like a noose around a bunch of lavender netting. Wedding favors, apparently.
“Ooh, romance.” Rori smiled as she leaned back in her chair. “Tell us more.”
“I’m down on love, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to hear all about it,” Addy added.
“Mostly because you’re nosey,” Cheyenne teased as she distributed the cans.
“Sure. Inquiring minds want to know.”
Mrs. G. took a can from Cheyenne, plopped it onto the table and patted an empty chair. “Sean, sit. Make yourself useful. Answer the girls’ question.”
“You’re a romantic, aren’t you, Mrs. G.?” He didn’t miss trouble gleaming in her eyes. “You were a heart-breaker in your day.”
“I still am.” She laughed and the kitchen rang with laughter as everyone joined in.
“Maybe we should be talking about your love life, Mrs. G.” He plopped into the chair, not complaining as Addy on his left pushed a mound of ribbons his way and Mrs. G. set her pile of the lavender mesh stuff between them.
“Is it my imagination, or is the boy trying too hard to change the subject?” Mrs. G. asked.
“He’s definitely trying to dodge the question,” Cheyenne agreed as she wrapped two cookies with care. “That speaks for itself.”
“Sure I’m sweet on Eloise. Who wouldn’t be? I’m also sweet on all of you and Buttercup.” He popped the top on his can and took a gulp of root beer. Good stuff. “Guess what I saw today? Frank and Cady out on a ride together.”
“Yeah, we know all about it. If Dad isn’t here, where else would he be?” Addy asked with a dimpled grin.
“I’m surprised Cady isn’t here helping out.” He spread out a piece of the mesh stuff and grabbed two cookies from the bowl. “Isn’t this her kind of thing?”
“We wanted to have her here,” Autumn explained. “I was going to invite her but then Dad took off to go riding and I thought that was more important.”
“Cady’s awesome.” Addy fussed until she got the bow just right. “I love her. Anyone who makes Dad whistle is primo in my book.”
“I can’t ever remember him being so happy,” Cheyenne agreed as she snapped open her strawberry soda.
“He seems really serious about Cady,” Rori said.
“I think he’s going to propose.” Addy opened her soda. “Can you imagine? After all these years, we’ll have a stepmom.”
“She will be a great one,” Autumn predicted.
“She sent me care packages when I was at school.” Cheyenne got busy wrapping up more cookies. “Really nice ones.”
“Ooh, me, too.” Addy agreed as she lifted her pop can.
“And she emailed me all kinds of encouraging quotes when I was putting in long hours on my rotations.”
“I got quotes and nice chatty emails.”
“Friendly,” Cheyenne agreed. “She didn’t have to do that. She was busy getting her inn off the ground, but she took the time to really care.”
“That’s it. She’s genuine. I’m glad Dad has someone like that to care about him.” Addy took a sip of her soda. “Ooh, this is fizzy. Cheyenne, did you shake my can?”
“No, but it was tempting.”
Laughter filled the kitchen again, the conversation steered well away from Eloise, but that didn’t stop him from thinking of her. Knowing she would be at the wedding made him peaceful, as if a great calm were settling inside him. He couldn’t wait to see her.
Chapter Fifteen
Maybe she wouldn’t run into Sean. Maybe she could safely avoid him. Those thoughts were what got Eloise up the church steps when she wanted to go back to the car. Yesterday’s outing with him remained at the forefront of her mind. The million little reasons she cared for him tormented her as she stepped through the doorway and into the sanctuary. Everyone had showed up for Autumn’s wedding. The aisles were packed, the pews stirred with folks settling in, visiting, calling out howdy to friends and neighbors.
No sign of Sean anywhere. Major relief. Maybe she could scoot into an aisle and become part of the crowd and when he arrived he would never spot her. Avoiding him was the only plan she could think of to keep her heart safe from the torment troubling her. If she didn’t see him, then she didn’t have to fight for control of her heart.
“Excuse me, dear.” Doris, the minister’s wife, bustled by glancing at her watch. She’d been organizing the town’s weddings for the last thirty years. She disappeared down the aisle and into a throng of more guests crowding through the doorway.
Eloise gripped her cane and took one step. She didn’t get any further before the air changed. She knew he was close even before her gaze found him striding down the lane looking like a Western movie hero come to life in a dark jacket and trousers. All that was missing was his Stetson.
“Eloise.” The way his voice warmed around her name made little bubbles pop in her midsection. “I was hoping I might find you here.”
Joy inexplicably burst inside her. She tried to stop it, but she couldn’t. Her emotions tumbled in a freefall because of the man who strode toward her with his long-legged, confident gait. The afternoon brightened. She became fully alive as if for the first time at his slow, dazzling smile. It was as if she took her first breath.
“I think everyone on this half of the county is here.” She feared he could hear the strain in her words. Tension coiled through her, making her feel awkward and anxious.
“The church is packed,” he agreed amicably, at ease. “Let’s go find a place to sit while we still can. Come sit with me.”
Say no, she told herself. Make an excuse. Find Gran. Escape him while you still have your heart. But when he held out one hand in silent invitation, she was helpless to say no. Her hand automatically met his and the drone of conversations faded. At the twine of his fingers through hers, her spirit quieted. Peace permeated her, soul-deep.
Don’t start wishing, she thought. Not one wish.
“The house was crazy this morning.” Amusement vibrated in the low notes as he shortened his stride to match hers. “There were women, lace, dresses and flowers everywhere before I left. It’s too much for a bachelor. I barely survived it.”
“You do look worse for the wear,” she quipped.
“Thanks. You look amazing.”
“Now you are fibbing. You better be careful as you’re in a church. Lightning could strike.”
“Well, it wouldn’t hit me.” He’d never seen anything more stunning than Eloise in her summery pink dress. The swingy hem swirled with each step, and her golden hair tumbled in soft bounces to frame her incredible face. She’d blushed at his compliment and the light pink stealing across her nose and cheeks only made her more amazing. He had no clue how she managed to get any more beautiful.
Time to accept he couldn’t win the battle. His heart was full of feelings he could not stop.
“What’s the latest word on the little mare we rescued?” he asked.
“She settled in just fine. Jenny named her Princess. I think those two are going to be close.” She glanced toward the middle of the church. Midway down a row Mrs. Tipple gave him a two thumbs-up.
Poor Mrs. Tipple had way too high an opinion of him. She was the most hopeful one of all. “I’m guessing Nate turned up to give her a good exam?”
“He did. She needed some care, but she will be fine. She needs to be reshod, so the farrier is dropping by on Monday.”
“Excellent. While I hope there isn’t another horse in need anywhere, if there
is we can ride to the rescue. It’s been rewarding. I’m glad we’re doing this together.”
“Me, too.” She did her best not to let her adoration show. Tiny wishes kept threatening to rise to the surface that he would look at her and think, wow, and that his feelings were changing, too.
Of course they weren’t, but her stubborn hope would not die. No matter how much she knew it had to.
“I need to sit with my family.” The words rushed out, more strained than she’d intended. She wanted to come across as unaffected. She wanted to seem like a cool, casual and independent woman who didn’t need a man’s affections. He would never know how much she wanted him, how he was the man of her dreams.
“Sean, the ceremony is about to start.” A man in his sixties moseyed down the aisle, Stetson in hand. “Howdy, Eloise.”
“Hi, Scotty. You clean up nice.” She’d known the Grangers’ ranch hand since she was a small child, although it was rare to see him out of a T-shirt and jeans. “Don’t let me keep you. I’m going to sit with Gran.”
“Sure.” Surprise flashed across Sean’s handsome face but it fled quickly. “I’ll see you after.”
“Sounds great.” That came across as breezy and easygoing, didn’t it? Pleased with herself, she headed down the row, refusing to give in to the need to glance over her shoulder. She knew better than to fall in love again.
“Hold still, Dad.” Cheyenne leaned in to fuss with his tie.
Frank Granger scowled. He wasn’t fond of monkey suits, as he called the black tux, but it was his oldest daughter’s wedding. He could survive the insult to his rancher’s dignity for a few hours.
The room in the church’s basement reverberated with excitement. He gazed around, proud of what he saw. His beautiful daughters were dressed up and as grown-up as could be. Maybe it was wishful thinking, but his daughter-in-law, Rori, appeared a bit peaked as she fussed with Addy’s hair do. Maybe it was from the excitement, but he suspected it was more than that.
