by SJ McCoy
“Well, hello. How lovely to see you out here. I hope my boys are taking good care of you?”
Summer nodded. “They are thank you, Mrs. Remington. It’s so nice to meet you.”
Carter watched as his mom leaned in to hug her. She winked at him over Summer’s shoulder. “I’ve been looking forward to meeting you, too. I won’t keep you though. I just wanted to catch Mason here.”
Mason shot Carter a look. They both knew she’d have called him if she just wanted to talk to him. “I guess I’ll see you guys tomorrow then,” said Mason. He jerked his head toward the barn. “Go say hi, if you like. The McClellan horses are out the back, but Jake and Lola are in there.”
Carter nodded.
Mason took his mom’s arm and started steering her back up to the house. She looked back over her shoulder at Summer. “So nice to meet you, my dear. I’ll see you soon.”
“I hope so,” called Summer.
Carter led her into the barn.
“Who are Jake and Lola?” she asked.
Carter stopped in front of one of the stalls and smiled at his old friend. “This…” he held his hand out and the big gray gelding came to nuzzle his fingers “…is my best friend, Jake.”
Summer stood on tiptoe to peer over the stall door. “Oh, he’s gorgeous!”
Carter laughed. “I guess that puts me in my place; you said the same thing about me!”
She laughed and pushed at his arm. “In a different way.”
Jake came toward her and nibbled her hair. “Hello, handsome.” She rubbed his nose. “It’s nice to meet you. Is he yours?” she asked Carter.
He nodded. “We’ve been together since I was a kid. I took him with me when I moved up to town, but he hated it. He belongs down here on the ranch. I need to get out to see him more.”
“Do you still ride him?”
“Not as often as I’d like to, but yeah. I take him out when I can.”
Summer’s eyes shone as she looked up at him. “Do you think I could go out with you sometime?”
“I’d love that. I think that’s why Mason mentioned Lola. Come on, you should meet her.”
He walked a few stalls further down and stopped. “How you doing, old girl?”
Lola came and leaned her head over the door and nickered gently. Summer rubbed her nose. “She’s beautiful!”
Carter chuckled. “You’re not doing my ego much good, you know. I thought it was just me, but you seem to fall in love with every animal you meet.”
Summer’s eyes widened as she stared at him.
Damn! He hadn’t meant fall in love! He’d just meant that she thought they were all good looking, that her compliments to him were only the same as she paid to the horses. He stared back at her, stuck for words.
She smiled. “Your ego should be flattered. I just know good-looking when I see it, no matter what form it takes.”
Carter watched gratefully as she patted Lola’s cheek. “And this lady is a real looker. Aren’t you, beautiful?”
She really was a good looking mare. She was a palomino, with a long silky mane, and huge, soft brown eyes.
“She’s as sweet and gentle as she is beautiful, too,” said Carter. Thinking as he did that she and Summer were a perfect match. “If you really do want to come out, you can ride her. She’ll take great care of you.”
“I’d love to. Thank you.”
He looked up at the sound of footsteps entering the barn. A little girl came running toward them, startling him.
“Summer Breese!” she cried, then flung herself at Summer.
She was obviously more used to this than Carter was. She scooped the little thing up and gave her a hug. “That’s me. And who might you be, young lady?”
“I’m Ruby. Will you sing for me?”
Carter had to smile. The kid was maybe five or six years old, all blonde curls and big blue eyes. She was kitted out in a checkered shirt, denims and cute little cowboy boots. He had to wonder where the hell she’d come from.
A couple came hurrying in after her. “Ruby!” called the woman.
Carter recognized them as the couple who’d been at Pine Creek this morning. He hoped to hell they hadn’t followed Summer out here.
The guy shot them an apologetic look and the woman reached her arms out to the little girl. The kid wrapped her arms tightly around Summer’s neck and shook her head.
“Ruby!”
“I’m so sorry about this,” said the guy.
“It’s okay,” said Summer. “Ruby and I are just making friends.”
“And Summer Breese is going to sing a song for me!”
“No, Ruby. I’m not. I can’t at the moment. I have to rest my voice.”
“Oh. Are you all right?”
Carter loved the way Summer smiled at the kid as she put her back down on the ground. “I’m fine, thank you, but I’ve done a lot of singing for a long time, and my voice needs a rest.”
The woman took hold of the little girl’s hand. “I’m so sorry.”
Carter relaxed a little. It wasn’t as though they’d come here to harass Summer. But still, he had to wonder. “What are you doing out here?” he asked.
“We’re staying at the ranch,” replied the guy.
The kid nodded. “Aunt Carly and Uncle James brought me to see the horses.” She looked at Summer. “My mommy needs a rest, too. She doesn’t sing though. She just has to work a lot.”
Carter smiled. The kid was cute as a button.
“We’ll leave you in peace,” said the guy. “Sorry.”
“It’s fine,” said Summer. “It was nice to meet you, Ruby.”
“Are you staying here, too?”
“No. I just came out to see the horses.”
“Will I see you again?”
Summer smiled. “Maybe.”
“Come on, Ruby. We have to go.”
“Bye!”
Carter had to chuckle as he watched them walk away. The kid kept looking back over her shoulder and waving. “Sorry about that,” he said when they were out of earshot.
She shrugged. “It’s hardly your fault, is it? And besides, as far as meeting fans out in public goes, that was one of my easier encounters.”
Carter hated to think what some of the more difficult ones might be like. “Do you want to ride this afternoon?”
She shook her head. “I did, but I think I’d rather go home now.”
His heart sank.
“If you want to hang out?” she added with a smile.
“I do. Let’s get out of here.”
~ ~ ~
Once they got back to Summer’s place they sat out on the deck. “What would you normally do on a Friday afternoon?” she asked. Seeing him out at the barn, learning he still had a horse that he rode, and that he helped out at the ranch, she’d realized that she knew very little about his life. In fact other than his landscaping business and the fact that he spent a lot of time at the gym, she knew very little about him at all—even though she felt she knew him very well.
“Normally I’d be working.”
“And then what?”
He shrugged. “I’d hit the gym. Go home. Have dinner. Read.” He gave her a wry smile. “Hang out with the cats. I don’t exactly lead a very exciting life.”
“It sounds wonderful to me.”
“Why, what would you normally do on a Friday afternoon and evening?”
“It depends. Sometimes I have to show up at places, you know, be seen out on the town in Nashville. If I’m on the road, then I’d be getting ready to go on stage. If I get my own way—which doesn’t happen very often—I’d be curled up on the sofa at home in my PJs, reading a book, or eating ice cream and watching a sappy movie.”
He laughed. “And here was I thinking you’d be out clubbing and partying till dawn.”
She shook her head. “That’s not me. I don’t enjoy it. And besides, I turn back into a pumpkin at midnight. That’s my absolute limit. I start yawning around eleven.”
�
��I’m taking notes here. So no keeping you out late?”
“No,” she waggled her eyebrows at him. “You have to get me home to bed early.”
The heated look he gave her told her she might be wearing down his resolve. Well, good! She wasn’t one to rush into bed with a guy, but they’d known each other for quite a while now. They were going somewhere together. Wherever that might be, she didn’t see any reason to keep on waiting.
“Do you have any sappy movies here?”
She nodded. “There’s a whole collection of them in the entertainment center. Beau has this place well stocked with everything, right down to movies to watch on a rainy day.”
Carter looked out the window. It had indeed started to rain. “So how about we do that? Just curl up watch movies and have some down time. After all, you are supposed to be here to rest.”
Summer couldn’t think of anything she’d rather do than spend the evening curled up with him. “That sounds perfect. How about you choose a movie and I’ll go get the ice cream?”
He chuckled. “You can’t watch a movie without ice cream?”
She shook her head. “I could. But it wouldn’t be nearly as enjoyable.”
“Fair enough. What kind of movie do you want?”
“Surprise me.” She was curious to know what he might choose.
When she came back into the living room, he was sitting on one end of the sofa. She plonked herself down beside him and handed him a bowl of ice cream.
He took it with a smile. “Thanks. I picked out a comedy, is that okay?”
“That’s great.” It would be good to laugh with him.
They sat side by side, eating their ice cream. It felt so natural, so comfortable. Summer was hoping to snuggle against him once the ice cream was gone. But even this, sitting here in companionable silence, watching the movie, felt wonderful. It just seemed so right. Carter was such a big, solid, reassuring presence. They didn’t need to talk. With him, just being was enjoyable in itself.
Carter emptied his bowl and put it on the coffee table. When Summer finished, he took both bowls to the kitchen. When he came back and sat down again Summer couldn’t resist. She snuggled into his side. He smiled down at her and wrapped his big arm around her shoulders. The way he gave her a squeeze was more of a friendly gesture than anything else, but it still set her heart racing.
She rested her head against his chest and lay her arm across his stomach with a smile. She let out a big sigh when he began to stroke her hair. Did it get any better than this? He smoothed her hair away from her forehead and peered down at her.
“You okay down there?”
“More than okay. I’m happy.”
His slow smile spread across his face. “Me too.” He leaned back against the sofa and continued to play with her hair.
Summer smiled to herself as she stared at the TV. She couldn’t claim to be watching, she was too busy enjoying just being. Enjoying the feel of Carter. She couldn’t remember ever feeling like this before. She was relaxed, happy, and comfortable. And it was all down to this big, beautiful man.
The next thing she knew, she was opening her eyes as Carter slid out from under her. She rubbed her eyes and looked up at him. “Where are you going?”
“I have to pee! Sorry I disturbed you, but I waited as long as I could. I have to pee and then I’d better get going.”
“No!”
He chuckled. “We can argue about it in a minute.”
Summer sat up and watched him disappear into the guest bathroom. Poor guy. She didn’t know how long she’d been sleeping, but the movie was over and it was fully dark outside.
He came back and sat down beside her. “I really don’t want to argue about it. You know part of me wants to stay, but it’s best if I go.”
“But…”
He held up a hand. “I want to check on the kittens. I need to get my stuff together to go out to the ranch tomorrow.” He smiled. “And I don’t want to rush.”
Summer sighed. “I’d hardly call it rushing anymore. Don’t you think you’ve made me wait long enough already?”
He chuckled. “Maybe, but I couldn’t relax if I stayed anyway. I really do need to check on the cats.”
“I could come with you?” she asked hopefully.
He shook his head. “You need to rest. Go to bed. Get some sleep. I’ll pick you up in the morning.”
Summer stood up and reached her arms up around his neck. “Okay. You win. But will you come tuck me in before you go?”
His arms tightened around her, pulling her against him. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
She pressed her hips against his, hoping to persuade him otherwise. “Please?”
He dropped a gentle peck on her lips before taking a step back. “Tomorrow.”
Summer knew she was grinning like an idiot. “Tomorrow? You mean…” She didn’t know what words to use, how to ask if he really meant that tomorrow he was finally going to give in and sleep with her!
He smiled at her through pursed lips. “I mean tomorrow I’ll tuck you in.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Before you leave?”
He shrugged and turned to make his way to the front door. “Maybe.”
Chapter Ten
Carter reined in the mare he’d been putting through her paces. She was a sweetheart. She’d done everything he’d asked of her, and hadn’t flinched at any of Mason’s props. He dismounted and led her over to where Summer was perched on the fence to watch.
“She certainly looks like she’s ready to me!”
Carter grinned. “She is. She did great.”
Mason rode out into the arena on the next horse. He tipped his hat at them. “I can finish up here if you two want to get going.”
Carter didn’t want to leave his brother to work by himself, but he didn’t want to leave Summer sitting around watching all day either. She’d been a great sport, but he was worried she might be getting bored. It was midafternoon now and she’d been hanging around since nine this morning. He gave her a questioning look.
She shook her head vigorously. “I don’t want to leave. I’m loving watching.”
He wasn’t sure how true that was, but he was grateful that she seemed to understand him, and to understand his motivation. “You’re sure?”
“I am.” She smiled at Mason. “If you don’t mind me hanging around?”
Mason grinned back. “Not at all.”
Carter took the mare back into the barn and saddled up the next. Mason had done a great job of bombproofing them. He doubted there’d be any problems with them at all, but he understood the need to put them all through their paces one more time, just to be sure. He led the mare out into the sunlight and swung himself up into the saddle. If he was honest, he was enjoying himself. It’d been far too long since he’d ridden at all, let alone helped Mason out. The fact that Summer was perched on the fence, watching with an admiring smile on her face, made this all the more enjoyable.
He walked the mare over to the first obstacle Mason had set up—a row of poles with flags waving from them, and she didn’t bat an eyelid. Next, he trotted her up to the row of tree trunks and urged her to step over them; again, she happily obliged.
He looked over at Summer. She had company now. The couple from yesterday and the little girl were standing chatting with her. He frowned. He didn’t want them intruding. He trotted over to join them with a grim smile on his face. When he reached them, Summer let him know with her eyes that it was okay. He gave her the slightest nod before he spoke.
“Afternoon.”
“Hi,” said the woman “Sorry. We didn’t mean to get in the way. We’re just waiting for Beau.”
That puzzled him. What might Beau want with them? And where was he? It wasn’t like him to keep people waiting.
“He’s taking us to view a couple of properties,” explained the guy.
“Uncle James and Auntie Carla want to buy a house here,” explained Ruby. Hers was the only name Carter had
remembered. She grinned at Summer. “And when they do. I can come see Summer Breese whenever I like.”
“Ruby!”
Summer laughed. “That’s okay. I might see you sometimes.”
“You live here, too, don’t you?”
Summer met Carter’s gaze. “Not exactly.”
Carter’s heart sank. No, she didn’t exactly live here, did she? She was just visiting. And soon enough she’d be gone. He looked up to watch Beau’s truck approach. “Here’s your ride,” he said. He turned the mare and headed back to the course. He didn’t understand it, but his smile had evaporated. He just wanted to get away from the people who had just reminded him that he shouldn’t be feeling so damned happy. He might be enjoying Summer’s company, but he needed to remember that it was just a short lived fantasy. It might be great while it lasted, but he was going to have to pay dearly with his heart when she left.
He watched from under the brim of his hat as Beau joined the little group by the fence. He shouldn’t feel that way, but he resented those people. He resented that they were going to be moving here, when Summer wasn’t.
~ ~ ~
Summer watched Carter ride the mare into the water. Why had he just ridden away like that? It wasn’t like him to be rude to people. She had to wonder what had upset him.
“Hey folks.” Beau grinned as he came to join them. He really was a good-looking guy when he smiled like that.
“Hi, Beau.”
He looked surprised to see her. “Summer! I see you’ve met Carly and James.”
She nodded.
“I hope you’re telling them that I’m a great property manager?”
She laughed. “I wasn’t, but you are.” She looked at Carly. “Is that important to you?”
“It might be,” Carly replied. “If James gets his way. I want to buy a vacation home that’s just for us. My husband is interested in renting it out when we’re not here.”
“Ah.” Summer was with Carly on that one. She would hate the idea of people staying in her home when she wasn’t there. She smiled at Beau. “Well, if you do end up renting it out, I can certainly vouch for Beau as a property manager.”
