Escaping Reality (Hart Ranch Book 1)

by Rachel Skatvold

  Addison turned her attention back to the corral and her heart skipped a beat.

  Logan was looking in her direction.

  She darted between the barn and another cabin and kept going. Addison didn’t even see the fishing pole until it smacked into her forehead. She yelped in surprise.

  “Hold on little gal,” an older man’s voice said. “I wasn’t expecting to catch something so pretty today.”

  Addison struggled for a moment but then stopped, realizing she was tangled in fishing line.

  A short elderly man in a fishing cap smiled at her. “Sorry about that. The hook’s stuck in your ponytail. Let me help get you untangled.”

  She chuckled and bent down so it was easier for him to reach. “Thank you, sir. I didn’t even see you there.”

  He untangled the hook from her hair and held it up. “There, got it.” His weathered face lit up with a proud grin. “Now tell me, where’s a pretty little gal like you headed off to in such a hurry?”

  Addison straightened out her ponytail and grinned at him. “Headed off to find a quiet place to think I suppose. How about you?”

  He nodded toward his wading boots. “I’m headed to the creek to catch dinner for tonight. The trout here’ll make your mouth water.”

  “I bet. My name’s Addie by the way.” She extended her hand.

  He shook it and smiled. “Nice to meet you, Addie. Folks around here just call me Gramps.” He motioned down the path with his hand. “Well, the creek is my favorite spot to relax and think. Mind if I escort you there?”

  Addison grinned, enjoying Gramps’ easy going personality. “Sounds like a plan.”

  They made small talk on the way through a wooded path and down a hill. There the creek carved out a groove between one mountain and the next.

  When they stopped Addison eased herself to the ground and leaned her back against a tree trunk. Then she watched Gramps adjust his wading boots, pick a lure from his hat and start casting. His rhythm and skill while fly-fishing amazed her.

  After a few more casts he reeled in a large rainbow colored fish. A smile lit up his face as he unhooked the fish and raised his face to the sky. The sun glowed over him like a halo as he closed his eyes. “Thank you Lord. You always provide.”

  “That’s beautiful.”

  He glanced in her direction. “I’m sorry?”

  “That’s beautiful…the way you cast. How’d you learn to do that?”

  Gramps shrugged and put the fish away in his basket. “It’s something my father taught me. He learned the technique from his father and so on through the generations.”

  She grinned. “Ah, so it’s an art then.”

  He raised his thick white eyebrows. “I don’t know. Annabelle always considered it more of an annoyance. She used to tease that I loved fishing more than I loved her.”

  “Annabelle?”

  “Yes, sorry. Annabelle was my wife. She died a few years ago.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Oh, it’s okay. I’m at peace knowing I’ll see her again someday. My granddaughter Belle is named after her so that’s a nice way to remember her.”

  Addison’s eyes widened, making the connection. She should have guessed that Gramps was part of the Hart family. He was just as kind and outgoing as the rest of them. She looked down and opened her sketch pad.

  “Are you an artist, Addie?”

  Addison peeked up at Gramps and shrugged. “I don’t know. My attempts at drawing are average at best. I think I’d consider myself more of a designer…an interior designer actually. I enjoy finding out what other people like and creating their vision. It’s just a side job for now.”

  He started casting again as he spoke. “Well, I consider it an art.”

  “If that’s true, then fly-fishing is an art too.”

  He grinned and rested his pole for a moment. “Maybe there’s truth to that. Whenever I’m out here in nature it reminds of the greatest artist there has ever been…the one who made all things. He’s creative and I believe He delights in seeing his children doing something with the talents He has given them.”

  Addison nodded and looked away. She’d never thought of interior design that way before. In truth, she’d never given much thought to the possibility of a creator either. Her sister had found faith after their mom passed away a few years back but deep down Addison always thought it was just something that helped her cope with the loss. Now Gramps’ words piqued her curiosity.

  She pondered the idea long after saying bye to Gramps and heading to the diner for lunch. She sat in her booth and watched Belle rush around serving the guests their lunches. The poor girl barely had time to breathe in-between tables. She needed help.

  Addison followed her behind the counter, found an extra apron and slipped it over her head. “How can I help?”

  Belle grinned and put her hands on her hips. “Well, that apron suits you, Addie. This is your vacation though. I’d hate for you to have to work.”

  She shook her head. “Believe me, Belle. You’re doing me a favor by letting me help. I’m bored out of my mind.” Addison sighed. “So, do you want to split the room in half? I’ll take the left and you can take the right?”

  Her friend’s face relaxed. “That would be wonderful. We’re already shorthanded since Ava quit and someone called in sick today.”

  She gulped as Belle walked away. What had she gotten herself into? She had no waitressing experience to speak of. In fact, she’d never actually had a real job besides working in the studio with her dad.

  Addison painted on a smile and squared her shoulders anyway. She’d wing it. After all, the ability to act ran in her family. She could play the part of a waitress, right?

  Wrong. After only ten minutes she’d managed to burn her hand on the coffee pot, drop a tray of food and mix up several orders.

  A few customer complaints later, Belle took pity on Addison and asked her to just refill coffee and soft drinks instead. That arrangement worked out better for everyone.

  The rush was just starting to clear out when Logan came in the door and took a seat by the window. She took a deep breath and tried to approach him like any other customer that afternoon. “Coffee?”

  He took a double take, focusing on her apron and then the coffee pitcher in her hand. “Um sure.” He nudged his cup closer to the edge of the table. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here…at least serving. Is Belle doing okay?”

  She nodded and poured the hot liquid into his cup. “I’m just helping out a little.”

  He rested his left elbow on the table and winced with the movement.

  Addison frowned. “Would you like a bag of ice for your shoulder? That horse really got you earlier.”

  His eyebrow shot up. “How’d you know about that?”

  She blushed and bit her lip. “Oh, I-I just happened to see on my way down to the creek this morning.”

  “Oh, I see. Well, in that case, yes I’d appreciate some ice. Thank you.”

  Addison turned and made a quick escape into the kitchen. How embarrassing. Judging by the look on Logan’s face, he knew she’d been watching him for longer than just a few moments that morning.

  Belle came around the corner holding a tray of steaming food. She furrowed her brow. “Addie, you look flushed. What’s wrong?”

  Addison forced a smile and shrugged. “Oh, nothing. I’m just looking for a plastic bag to put some ice in.”

  “Did you burn your hand on the coffee pot again?”

  “Oh, it’s not for me. It’s…it’s for Logan. He hurt his shoulder.”

  An amused grin played at the corners of Belle’s lips. “Oh, I see. We have some ice packs. In the big freezer…top shelf, left hand side.”

  Addison thanked her, found an icepack and headed back to Logan’s table, determined to not make a fool out of herself again.

  He smiled when she handed the pack to him and placed it on his shoulder. “Thanks. It’s feeling better already.”

  “You’re
welcome. Let me know if you need anything else.”

  “I will.” A wide grin spread across his face, making her heart do funny little flips. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you’re starting to fit in here at the ranch.”

  Addison nodded, trying to keep from blushing this time. “Maybe I am.”

  Chapter Nine

  ~ ~ ~

  Logan grimaced and studied his shoulder in the bathroom mirror. Angry purple bruising had spread all the way to his collar bone. Addie’s icepack from earlier that day had helped reduce the swelling but it still ached.

  He remembered her look of shock when he caught her watching him in the corral. After that he secretly kept tabs on her while patching the cabin roofs. She carried a pad of paper and pencils with her at all times and stayed with Gramps down by the creek for most of the morning. Then she surprised him by showing up at the diner and helping Belle. Her odd behavior made him question her motives for cozying up to his family. Was her arrival at the ranch really a coincidence?

  After taking some pain reliever he headed down the hallway and stopped at the second bedroom on the right. The door was slightly cracked open but Logan knocked anyway. “Can I come in?”

  “Sure honey,” a voice answered from the inside.

  He entered and sat in the rocking chair positioned by the bed in the middle of the room. “Hi mom. How are you feeling today?”

  She shrugged and sat up further in the bed. “Okay I guess. I can’t tell you how happy I am to have you back. I know your father is too. He had some things he wanted to talk to you about.”

  Logan gripped her hand and looked down. “I know. He already has. That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. You know how much I love this ranch, Mom. It’s my home and always will be but…”

  She patted the top of his hand. “But it’s not where you want to stay.”

  He sighed and looked up. “Yes.”

  She smiled. “I know, sweetheart. I’ve always known that. It was Nathan’s dream. Not yours. You were meant to be a doctor…and not just for our sleepy little town. You could be so much more if you continued your education.”

  A heavy cloud seemed to hang over the room. “Not anymore. I failed. Nathan died because of my lack of experience.”

  “No.” She touched his cheek and her eyes grew intense. “Logan. I never want to hear you blame yourself for your brother’s death or the fact that I’m in this bed. Live your life. Don’t let me hold you back from your dreams. You have so much talent.”

  He shook his head. “No. I won’t leave until you’re up and walking again.”

  She sighed and looked down. “Logan, I think we both know that’s not going to happen. I’ve accepted it…and so should you.” He started to argue but she put her hand up to stop him. “Now let’s not talk about me anymore. Let’s talk about your sister. That’s what you really came in to talk about, right?”

  He grinned, amused that his mom always seemed to know what was on his mind before he said a word. “I think she should be the one to take over the ranch.”

  She crossed her arms. “I’m listening.”

  Logan explained his plan in detail.

  When he was finished his mom smiled and leaned back against her pillows. “I think it just might work.”

  “The hard part will be convincing Dad to go along with it.”

  She nodded. “Well, I’ll work on that end. You help Belle get ready. She needs to prove she can do this job on her own.”

  Logan’s smile lit up the room. “Thank you, Mom. Now, it’s almost dinnertime. Why don’t you come eat with us? There’s a girl here from LA that I think you’d enjoy meeting.”

  Her smile faded. “No, I’m not up to it tonight. Maybe next time.”

  “Okay, I’ll hold you to that.” He hugged her, said his goodbyes and then headed into the kitchen. It had been such a busy day and now his stomach growled for a home-cooked meal.

  Belle and Gramps worked side by side preparing fresh trout, mashed potatoes and salad for dinner.

  Addie looked up from the table and gave him a shy smile which he returned. She puzzled him. When they first met he’d pegged her as rude and snobby, but in the past few days she’d loosened up. Logan remained distracted by her presence as he ate dinner. What was her story? What made her tick? Everything about Addie seemed cloaked in mystery and he couldn’t help being a little suspicious. Maybe his grandfather or Belle had gleaned some information about her past. Or maybe he should get to the bottom of the mystery by himself.

  His father elbowed him. “Son, can you pass the potatoes?”

  He cleared his throat and passed the bowl. “Oh, sorry.”

  His dad’s eyes filled with concern. “Are you okay? You seem far away tonight.”

  “I’m fine. Just a little tired and sore from the long day.”

  His father relaxed and turned his attention to Addie. “You’ll be happy to know that I made a trip into town this afternoon. The water over the road has gone down so I’ll have someone go get your car first thing tomorrow morning.”

  Addie’s smile lit up the room. “Oh, thank you so much Mr. Hart. I’ll pay you back for your trouble.”

  He raised his hand to stop her. “No need. It’s the least we can do…after your incident the other day.”

  “I appreciate it.”

  Logan smiled at her. “So I guess you’ll be leaving us soon then?”

  She nodded but a shadow passed over her face. “Yes, I guess if my rental car is drivable there’s no reason for me to stick around.”

  “Well, we wish you all the best,” his father said. “Remember that you’re always welcome here at the ranch.”

  She thanked him and poked at her meal for the rest of dinner, hardly saying another word.

  After everyone finished eating, Logan followed Addie out to the front porch. It was as good a time as any to find out what she was hiding.

  She rubbed her arms and shivered. “It gets chilly here at night.”

  “Yeah, it does. Here, allow me.” He took off his jacket and placed it over her shoulders.

  She snuggled into it and smiled at him. “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome. Can I walk with you to your cabin?”

  She agreed and they headed down the path. Addie gazed up at the night sky. “Wow, it really is beautiful out here. I’ve never seen so many stars.”

  He nodded and kicked at some gravel while they walked. “I missed the quiet starlit nights so much when I moved away.”

  “Where did you go?”

  “I lived in Seattle for a while.”

  Her green eyes widened in surprise. “I can’t picture you in the city. Did you like it there?”

  “It was all right. I lived there while I was in college and medical school.”

  “What did you specialize in?”

  He shrugged. “I originally wanted to be a surgeon but decided being a family physician would be more practical. When my dad started having knee problems I moved back here and started my own practice in town. That way I would be close enough to help out at the ranch if they needed me.” He chuckled. “My dad thought I was crazy when I moved away to attend medical school.”

  “Why? I would think most fathers would be proud to have a doctor for a son.”

  He shook his head. “My father’s not like most. For generations my family has been running this ranch. He expected his oldest son to take over.” He rubbed his forehead and paused to keep his emotions at bay. “Well, that didn’t work out so the responsibility has now fallen to me.”

  “And you don’t want it?”

  Logan shook his head. “I love it here but I need to live my own life, you know?” He paused, not sure why he was sharing so much with a woman he barely knew and didn’t really trust. “So, enough about me. What about you? I hardly know anything…not even your last name.”

  Addie’s jaw stiffened. “Well, I guess that doesn’t matter much since I’m leaving tomorrow does it?”

  “Yes it does. My
family really likes you and they trust you. I guess what I’m saying is, I would do anything in my power to protect them. They’ve been through enough.”

  Her eyes widened and then burned into his. “What are you trying to say?”

  Logan studied her face carefully in the moonlight. Nothing was coming out the way he intended it to. He had to explain himself and make her understand. “I just want to be sure of your intentions. We have people sniffing around this land all the time…logging companies, housing developers. More than I can count. We have to be cautious about who we trust. The way you showed up here out of the blue and wooed my family in just a few days…well it seems suspicious.”

  Addie scoffed and put her hand up to stop him. “Wait. Are you accusing me of something?”

  “No. Of course not.”

  “Well it sure sounds like it.” She shook her head and stomped up the stairs to her cabin.

  He winced at his own mistake. Her reaction proved his assumption had been false. “Addie, please wait.”

  She turned with her hand on the doorknob and wiped a tear off her cheek. “If you must know, I don’t want your ranch and never intended to make any trouble for your family. All I really wanted to do was escape reality for just a few days. Escape and discover who I really am.” She darted inside and slammed the door.

  Logan sat shivering on the porch steps of the cabin for a long time, fighting the urge to knock on Addie’s door. Her words rolled around in his mind. What was she trying to escape from? Why did she have so many secrets? He’d have to wait until morning to find out. That was if she agreed to speak to him again. Logan prayed she would.

  If she planned to leave tomorrow for good he refused to let that be their last conversation. At least he had a good excuse to talk to her. In Addie’s rush to escape him, she’d neglected to return his favorite leather jacket.

  Chapter Ten

  ~ ~ ~

  Jared Kingsley flashed a winning smile at his beautiful dinner date across the table. “Are you enjoying your meal tonight?”